CERVICAL PRIMING WITH PROSTAGLANDIN-E1 ANALOGS, MISOPROSTOL AND GEMEPROST

Although it is well established that cervical priming before surgicall y induced abortion reduces the incidence of complications, its use is infrequent and confined to groups perceived to be at high risk. We com pared the effect of prostaglandin E1 analogues, gemeprost and misopros tol, on the cervix. Both induced clinical and histochemical changes th at 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 misoprost ol may be considered in all women having surgically induced abortions.