Effect of vaginal misoprostol application for cervical softening in pregnancy interruption before ten weeks of gestation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of vaginal misoprostol application for cervical dilatation and to determine the time taken for pregnancy interruption. METHODS: 200 micrograms misoprostol and gyno-flor vaginal tablet, employed to create acidic milieu, were applied into the posterior fornix of 40 women with gestational age of 5 to 10 weeks. Placebo was applied vaginally to 20 women who made up the control group. All cases were examined 5 hours later. The cervical dilatation, presence of fetoplacental material in the vagina, extrauterine cervical bleeding and the time necessary for dilatation and suction curettage were investigated. RESULTS: In 33 (82.5%) of the cases cervical bleeding, in 21 (52.5%) of the cases fetoplacental material on the cervix and/or in the vagina were detected in women of misoprostol group, while neither cervical bleeding nor fetoplacental material on the cervix and/or in the vagina was detected in the placebo group. In the misoprostol group the time taken for the operation was significantly (p < 0.005) shorter than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Vaginal application of misoprostol shortens the time needed for the termination of the gestation by its facilitating effect on cervical dilatation.