Experiences with a new priming score for estimation of efficiency of PGF2 alpha-gel for cervical maturation in first trimester induced abortion.

A new priming score for estimation of the efficiency of a cervix priming with prostaglandins (PG) prior to first trimester induced abortion is presented. The score consists of five points: 1 = No effect or partial dilatation of the cervix, further mechanical dilatation is very difficult. 2 = Partial dilatation of the cervix, further mechanical dilatation is moderately difficult. 3 = Partial dilatation of the cervix, further mechanical dilatation is effortless. 4 = Cervix is open for pregnancy age, no further mechanical dilatation is required. 5 = Abortion. A total of 340 primigravidae requiring a termination of first trimester pregnancy took part in a prospective study for testing the score. The cervix priming was performed by a single intracervical application of 2.5 mg PGF2 alpha-gel. Regarding the score, this regimen was found to be in 89.1% effective. In 8.5% a partial and in 2.4% no effect was recorded. Because the recommended score is related to the age of pregnancy, it is suitable for comparison of different prostaglandins and other methods for cervix priming prior to pregnancy termination.