Could antiprogesterones be used as alternative cervical ripening agents?
Article Abstract:
The cervix of the uterus must be prepared before surgical termination of pregnancy (abortion). The technique of 'ripening' the cervix entails dilating the opening of the uterus and softening the surrounding tissue. Ripening can be accomplished by manipulating the cervix with drugs, hormones, vibration, heat, instruments and acupuncture. Prostaglandins, which are hormone-like agents, and manipulative surgical dilators are painful. The drug RU-486 (mifepristone) is a drug that blocks the action of the hormone progesterone (antiprogesterone). The drug is used in other countries to induce abortions, and has been termed the abortion pill. To see if RU-486 is useful in ripening the cervix before surgical termination of pregnancy, 11 pregnant volunteers were studied. The patients selecting surgical pregnancy termination had the cervical diameter measured before and after oral administration of 600 mg of RU-486. Cervical ripening was achieved in all 11 patients, with an average increase in diameter of 13 percent. One patient had vaginal bleeding 36 hours after administration. Ultrasonographic evaluation revealed a viable fetus. There were no adverse reactions following administration of RU-486 or complications following the pregnancy termination. The antiprogesterone RU-486 is useful in preparing the cervix before surgical termination of pregnancy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
McDonald cerclage under pudendal nerve block
Article Abstract:
A pudendal nerve block is an effective method of anesthesia for patients undergoing placement of a McDonald cerclage. Placement of a McDonald cerclage is a surgical procedure used to treat pregnant women with an incompetent cervix. Among 69 pregnant women who underwent this procedure, 20 received a pudendal nerve block and 49 received regional anesthesia. The level of pain experienced by patients who received a pudendal nerve block was similar to the level experienced by patients who received regional anesthesia. Patients who received a pudendal nerve block experienced slightly more pain during the preoperative pelvic examination than those who received regional anesthesia. Women treated with a pudendal nerve block required a more extensive pelvic examination than those treated with regional anesthesia. The cost of a pudendal nerve block was significantly lower than the cost of regional anesthesia.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Early surgical abortion: an alternative to and backup for medical abortion
Article Abstract:
A detailed description of early surgical abortion is presented, including techniques. Surgical abortion must be provided as a potential backup for women who have used drugs to terminate an early pregnancy.
Publication Name: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9378
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Neutropenic enterocolitis: clinical diagnosis and treatment. Cisplatin-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome: successful treatment with a staphylococcal protein A column
- Abstracts: Causes and consequences of blood pressure alterations in obstructive sleep apnea. National high blood pressure education program working group report on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
- Abstracts: Percutaneous central venous catheterization: three years' experience in a neonatal intensive care unit. Longitudinal changes in the bone mineral content of term and premature infants
- Abstracts: The effects of estrogen, progesterone, and tamoxifen alone and in combination with cytotoxic agents against human ovarian carcinoma in vitro
- Abstracts: Control of immediate postoperative pain with topical bupivacaine hydrochloride for laparoscopic Falope ring tubal ligation