Cervical priming with prostaglandin E1 analogues, misoprostol and gemeprost.

Although it is well established that cervical priming before surgically induced abortion reduces the incidence of complications, its use is infrequent and confined to groups perceived to be at high risk. We compared the effect of prostaglandin E1 analogues, gemeprost and misoprostol, on the cervix. Both induced clinical and histochemical changes that were significantly different from controls and were likely to have therapeutic value. Misoprostol, however, is cheap, easily stored, and associated with few side-effects. Cervical pre-dilation with misoprostol may be considered in all women having surgically induced abortions.