Vaginal administration of a single dose of 16, 16 dimethyl prostaglandin E2 p-benzaldehyde semicarbazone ester for pre-operative cervical dilatation in first trimester nulliparae.

A single pessary containing 0-5 mg 16, 16 dimethyl prostaglandin E2 p-benzaldehyde semicarbazone ester was used for cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration in 124 first trimester nulliparae. Five hours after prostaglandin administration the cervix had dilated to 8 mm or more in 87 patients (70 per cent). The uterus was evacuated in these patients without mechanical dilatation of the cervix. In the remaining 37 patients the cervix had become soft and dilated 5 to 7 mm and further mechanical dilatation could be carried out easily. Side effects were minor and included vomiting in two patients, diarrhoea in one and transient pyrexia in two patients. There were no complications and no damage to the cervix or uterus during evacuation.