Vaginal administration of 15-methyl-PGF2 alpha methyl ester for preoperative cervical dilatation. Task force on prostaglandins for fertility regulation. The World Health Organization.

A multicentre clinical trial under the auspices of the World Health Organization's Task Force on Prostaglandins for Fertility Regulation involved 1001 primigravidae patients, 8-12 weeks pregnant, randomly treated either with 1.0 mg of 15-methyl-PGF2 alpha methyl ester in a vaginal suppository or a placebo suppository. Vacuum aspiration was undertaken three or twelve hours following insertion of the suppository. The results show that sufficient cervical dilatation can be achieved with a prostaglandin suppository which allows easier vacuum aspiration with less operative bleeding a fewer short-term complications. Diarrhoea and vomiting were more common in the treated group. The twelve-hour prostaglandin treatment period resulted in more dilatation up to the 10th week of pregnancy but also caused a higher incidence of side effects. If maximal dilatation is aimed for by twelve hours, pretreatment is preferable. If out-patient management is required, the three-hour schedule may be more convenient.