Randomized trial of a Slip-Coat cannula for early abortion

The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of a 6-mm coated cannula with Slip-Coat lubrication to avoid mechanical dilatation for abortion up to 712 weeks gestation. A blinded, randomized control trial of 50 healthy women, > or =18 years old, up to 54 days pregnant by ultrasound, requesting a surgical abortion was conducted. A successful outcome was defined as a completed abortion without the need for mechanical cervical dilatation. Of the 50 women, 29 received a Slip-Coat cannula, and 21 received a standard cannula. There were no overall differences in efficacy of the Slip-Coat cannula (17/29 or 59%) compared with the control group (12/21 or 57%, p = 0.91), or the acceptability of the procedure (93% versus 91%, respectively, p = 0.74), the level of pain (48 vs. 35, respectively, p = 0.052), acceptability of pain (66% vs. 67%, respectively, p = 0.93), or acceptability of bleeding (90% vs. 86%, respectively, p = 0.67). It was concluded that Slip-Coat cannulae were more effective than standard control cannulae for women who had no prior live births (6/10 or 60% vs. 0/7 or 0%, respectively, p = 0.01). This finding warrants further study.