Foley catheter for cervical preparation prior to second trimester dilation and evacuation: A supply-based alternative...

To document the use of Foley catheter as an alternative to osmotic dilators for cervical preparation before second trimester dilation and evacuation at a tertiary setting in Ethiopia.

This is a retrospective case series conducted at St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College (Ethiopia) from April 1, 2021 to August 30, 2021. Forty-three cases of dilation and evacuation (D&E) in which overnight intra-cervical Foley catheter placement was used to prepare the cervix were reviewed. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and simple descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the clinical characteristics of study subjects and procedure outcomes. Percentages and frequencies were used to present the findings.

The calculated median gestational age was 21.4(17-24.2) weeks. Around 40%(17/43) of cases had cervical dilation of 3 to 4 cm, with another 33% (14/43) achieving cervical dilation of 1.5 to 2.5 cm. Additional dilation during the procedure was required only in 12 cases (28%) prior to D&E procedure. In 36 cases (84%), the procedure was attended by family planning fellow.

Cervical preparation using overnight Foley catheter before second-trimester D&E resulted in majority of the cases requiring no additional dilation immediately prior to D&E procedure. Where osmotic dilators are not available, Foley catheter can be an alternative method to prepare the cervix prior to D&E procedures.

In the absence of osmotic dilators, Foley catheter can be used as an alternate, and readily available means of cervical preparation for second trimester D&E procedures.