The cervix-ripening effect of the prostaglandin E analogue sulprostone, before vacuum aspiration in first trimester pregnancy.
The cervix-ripening effect of the prostaglandin E analogue 16-phenoxy-tetranor PGE2 methyl- and sulfonylamide, Sulprostone, was examined in 25 primigravidae and 19 women who had earlier been pregnant. Three hours before vacuum aspiration of a 1st trimester conceptus the patients received an i.m. injection of 0.5 mg Sulprostone and the cervical dilatation was assessed under general anesthesia by means of Hegar dilatators immediately prior to vacuum aspiration. In the primigravida group an average cervical dilatation to 7 mm was obtained, compared with 5 mm in a control group. Further dilatation occurred easily in 74% of the patients, compared with 14% in the control group. In the group of previously pregnant women an average cervical dilatation to 8 mm was obtained, compared with 6 mm in the control group. Further dilatation occurred easily in 86% of the patients, compared with 67% in the controls. Routine use of Sulprostone before vacuum aspiration of a 1st trimester conceptus is not recommended because of the rather high frequency of side effects.