Cervical dilation: a comparison of Lamicel and Dilapan

A randomized prospective double-blind study compares the dilatation achieved with Lamicel and Dilapan synthetic dilators in the setting of second-trimester elective abortions. A total of 51 patients with estimated gestational ages of 13 to 16 weeks had either Lamicel dilators or Dilapan dilators placed approximately 20 hours before dilation and evacuation. The placement and removal were by someone other than the operator. The operator then recorded the number of the Pratt dilator at which resistance was first met. The mean for the Lamicel group was French size 38.5 +/- 6.4. The mean for the Dilapan group was French size 50.4 +/- 9.6. In the Dilapan group there were six patients for whom cervical resistance was never reached. The results indicate a significantly greater dilatation was achieved with Dilapan dilators. This correlation was also noted within the subsets of nulliparous and parous patients.