Gynaecology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Gynaecology, including details on pap smears, laparoscopy, ultrasound, hysteroscopy.

Vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming prior to diagnostic hysteroscopy--efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.

Singh N, Ghosh B, Naha M, Mittal S

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of vaginal misoprostol for cervical priming prior to diagnostic hysteroscopy and to assess impact on pain scores and patient satisfaction. METHODS: One hundred women undergoing hysteroscopy were randomly allocated into two groups. The study group (n = 50) received 400 microg of misoprostol vaginally (self administered) 4-6 h prior to hysteroscopy while the control group (n = 50) did not receive any cervical priming. Primary outcome measured was need for cervical dilatation, analgesia or sedation. Secondary outcomes were pain scores, patient satisfaction and side effects. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the need for cervical dilatation, analgesia or sedation in the two groups (P = 0.25, 0.64 and 0.5, respectively). In addition, there was no difference in subjective patient satisfaction (P = 0.70). However, those in the control group recorded a higher pain score (median +/- SD = 5 +/- 1.8) when compared to those who received misoprostol (median +/- SD = 4.5 +/- 2, P = 0.03). Only two women (4%) had bleeding per vaginum and one (2%) had a slight fever attributable to misoprostol. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol prior to diagnostic hysteroscopy did not facilitate cervical dilatation. It did effect a reduction in pain scores, but there was no difference in patient satisfaction, need for analgesia or sedation. No significant side effects were reported.

Published 1 May 2008 in Arch Gynecol Obstet.
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