A Gemeprost vaginal suppository for cervical priming prior to termination of first trimester pregnancy

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study was conducted to assess the efficacy and tolerance of a single 1.0 mg Gemeprost (16, 16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2PGE1 methyl ester) vaginal suppository for dilatation of the cervix uteri prior to vacuum aspiration termination of first trimester pregnancy in nulliparous women. The suppository was inserted three hours before vacuum aspiration. In the six centres involved, the preoperative cervical diameter was significantly greater in women treated with Gemeprost. Further mechanical dilatation was either unnecessary or significantly easier than in placebo-treated women. A significant reduction in operative blood loss was noted in the Gemeprost group.