Use of osmotic dilators to facilitate induced midtrimester abortion: clinical evaluations.

A number of studies evaluating an osmotic cervical dilator consisting of polyvinyl foam saturated with magnesium sulphate in women undergoing midtrimester abortion with intra-amniotic hyperosmolar urea plus prostaglandin F2a were completed. Comparisons with women receiving no pre-treatment with a laminaria tent or with one laminaria indicate that their use appears to shorten injection-abortion intervals, particularly in parous women, and reduce risk of endometritis and cervical laceration compared to women not receiving any type of device. The data suggests that two osmotic dilators may be more effective than one. Also, magnesium toxicity does not appear to be a substantial risk with their use.