A comparison of prostaglandin E2 pessaries and laminaria tents for ripening the cervix before termination of pregnancy.
Forty primigravid women aged 15-45 years were randomly allocated to receive either an intravaginal pessary of 3 mg prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or an intracervical 5-mm laminaria tent (LT) 12-16 h before termination of pregnancy at 6-14 weeks gestation. The degree of dilatation of the cervix at operation and its resistance to further dilatation during the procedure were assessed by a 'blind' operator. Laminaria tents were more effective in achieving dilatation and softening of the cervix than were PGE2 pessaries and in 40% of women no further dilatation was necessary. There were no associated side-effects or complications. A cervical tear occurred in two of 20 patients treated with PGE2 pessaries and all 20 required further dilatation of the cervix. Laminaria tents provide a simple, safe, acceptable and effective means of 'ripening' the cervix prior to termination of early pregnancy.
D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015232:Dinoprostone; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007795:Laminaria; D008875:Middle Aged; D010570:Pessaries; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012624:Seaweed
D011458:Prostaglandins E; D015232:Dinoprostone