[Cervical dilatation using PGF2 alpha gel before voluntary interruption of pregnancy during the first trimester]

To avoid complications of instrumental dilatation of the cervix prior to first trimester abortion, pharmacological dilatation by prostaglandins is proposed. The authors present a prospective randomized study using intra-cervical PGF2 alpha-gel, in 90 patients. Two groups (PGF2 alpha: 5 and 2.5 mg) were compared with a placebo group. The mean cervical dilatation observed in the two groups (8.2 and 8.4 mm) is higher than the placebo group dilatation (6.8 mm), but statistically higher only in group 2.5 mg. Side effects were observed: uterine pain (83 and 57%) and nausea (33 and 13%) in the first three hours after the gel. With the same cervical dilatation, side effects were less important in the low dose group (2.5 mg PGF2 alpha).