LAUSR

OBJECTIVES To compare procedure times following same-day cervical preparation using misoprostol 400 mcg alone or misoprostol 400 mcg plus hygroscopic dilators for dilation and evacuation (D&E) before 20weeks gestation and to compare side effects of buccal and vaginal misoprostol administration. STUDY DESIGN We randomized women undergoing D&E at 14weeks 0days to 19weeks 6days gestation to receive (1) hygroscopic dilators or not and (2) buccal or vaginal misoprostol using a 2x2 factorial design. We assessed two primary outcomes: (1) total procedure time, defined as time to insert hygroscopic dilators plus D&E time, and (2) side effects of misoprostol 4-6h after initiation of cervical preparation using a 5-point Likert scale assessing nausea, emesis, diarrhea, chills and cramps. RESULTS We randomized 163 women and 161 completed the study. We completed all procedures in one day. Mean total procedure time was 14.0 and 10.8min with and without hygroscopic dilators (difference 3.2min, 95% CI 1.7, 4.6). Mean D&E procedure time was 0.7 (95% CI -0.8, 2.1) minutes longer without hygroscopic dilators. Initial cervical dilation was 15.6 and 11.7mm with and without hygroscopic dilators (difference 3.9mm, 95% CI 3.1, 4.8). Participants receiving buccal misoprostol reported less chills (1.9) than women receiving vaginal misoprostol (2.3), p=.04. CONCLUSIONS Hygroscopic dilators with misoprostol requires more time and increases cervical dilation without shortening D&E time when used for cervical preparation 4-6h prior to D&E before 20weeks. Women receiving vaginal misoprostol may have more chills compared to buccal misoprostol. IMPLICATIONS Adding hygroscopic dilators to misoprostol for same day D&E procedures at less than 20weeks gestation increases total intervention time without reducing D&E time and is less favored by patients. Clinical judgment requires balancing relative effectiveness with patient preference. Further studies should evaluate the side effect profile of vaginal misoprostol.