title: A randomized controlled trial of vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming before hysteroscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of vaginal misoprostol for cervical dilation in nonpregnant women before hysteroscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one women scheduled to have hysteroscopy were randomized to receive either vaginal misoprostol or placebo. Cervical response, outcome of hysteroscopy, and side effects of vaginal misoprostol were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean cervical dilatation estimated by Hegar dilator and the mean duration of hysteroscopy were significantly different between the treated group (7.0+/-1.0 mm [range 6-8.5] and 90.0+/-38.4 seconds [range 60-240], respectively) and the control group (3.8+/-1.2 mm [range 2-5.5] and 142.0+/-38.7 seconds [range 60-270]). In the misoprostol group, only three women (6.5%) needed cervical dilation before hysteroscopy, compared with 14 (31.1%) in the placebo group (P = .006). Cervical tears during hysteroscopy occurred in two patients (4.4%) in the control group and none in the misoprostol group. The two most common side effects of vaginal misoprostol were mild lower abdominal pain in 15 women (32.6%) and slight vaginal bleeding in 12 (26.1%). Both side effects were significantly different when compared with placebo (P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginal misoprostol lessens the cervical resistance in women undergoing hysteroscopy and facilitates the procedure, with only mild side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. raspt@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preutthipan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Herabutya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015907:Hysteroscopy; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014621:Vagina
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol