[Maturation of the cervix by prostaglandins before inducing termination of pregnancy, in the first trimester (author's transl)].

A new technique for instilling the gel of PGF2 alpha into the endocervix is presented. The study is concerned with 100 therapeutic terminations of pregnancy by dilatation and suction carried out in the first trimester of pregnancy. The efficacy of PGF2 alpha gel is compared with that for tablets of PGE2 and a placebo group. Softening of the cervix was evaluated using a tocodynamometer. PFG2 alpha gel often gives remarkable results, but the response to treatment is unpredictable. Secondary effects, and in particular digestive effects, occur frequently but are always easily controlled.