Pre-evacuation dilatation of the pregnant uterine cervix by Laminaria japonica.

Laminaria japonica was used as pre-dilator of the pregnant uterine cervix prior to termination of pregnancy in the first and second trimester. In the first trimester (6-11 weeks, n=26) no other method was used, while in the second trimester pharmacological stimulation--prostaglandin F2 alpha or the prostaglandin analogue Sulprostone was used after or simultaneously with the laminaria insertion (12-18 weeks n=34 and 40, respectively). The dilatatory effect of laminaria was an obvious help in termination of both first and second trimester pregnancies.