The use of dinoprostone versus evening primrose oil for cervical ripening in women who will undergo hysteroscopy: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To compare the efficacy of Dinoprostone gel versus intravaginal evening primrose oil capsule as cervical ripening agents for operative hysteroscopy…. and to compare the length of time to achieve a 10mm cervical dilatation prior to operative hysteroscopy.@*Methods@#This is a two-arm randomized controlled trial done in a tertiary training institution. Group A and B received Dinoprostone gel and EPO for cervical ripening, respectively. Population consisted of women admitted for operative hysteroscopy, aged between 19-56 years old, and with closed cervix. @*Results@#Thirty-eight (38) patients mostly pre-menopausal with mean age of 41, without history of uterine surgery, and presented with abnormal uterine bleeding, were included. Significant difference was observed in initial cervical dilatation between Dinoprostone gel(5.63 mm) versus EPO(4.21mm). Most patients in EPO group were pain-free while Dinoprostone group experienced tolerable pain. Use of Dinoprostone was 4x more expensive versus EPO. @*Conclusion@#Both agents were effective in dilating the cervix prior to operative hysteroscopy. Nevertheless, EPO may be superior and acceptable due to reduced cost, patient convenience and acceptability, and ease of administration.