Oral misoprostol versus placebo for cervical dilatation before vacuum aspiration in first trimester pregnancy.

Intravaginal misoprostol has been shown to be effective for cervical priming before a surgically induced abortion. The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of oral misoprostol in cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration between the 6th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. The results showed that in nulliparous patients, the median cervical dilatation in the treatment group (7.8 mm) was significantly greater than that in the placebo group (3.7 mm). In multiparous patients, the difference was also statistically significant (9.8 versus 6.0 mm). The ease of dilatation, assessed subjectively by the operating surgeons, was significantly improved in the treatment group. There was also a significant reduction in the duration of the operation and in the mean blood loss in the treatment group. The side-effects encountered in the treatment group were mild and well accepted by the women. Oral misoprostol is an effective and safe method for cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration in first trimester pregnancy.