Osmotic dilator

Adequate cervical preparation is important prior to surgical abortions because it helps to prevent complications of dilation and evacuation (D&E), such as laceration of the cervix.

[5] Cervical preparation can be accomplished with osmotic dilators, with medications such as prostaglandins and/or mifepristone, or with a combination of these.

However, there is no consensus as to which cervical preparation method is superior in terms of safety and efficacy.

Prior to a planned surgical abortion, osmotic dilator(s) may be inserted into a woman's cervix.

This may be affected by the gestational age of the pregnancy and history of prior vaginal deliveries.

[12] Laminaria are removed prior to initiating the D&E, after they have started the process of dilating the cervix.

[8] Dilapan may expand unevenly within the cervix and develop a dumbbell shape which can result in difficult removal.

Osmotic dilators prior to expansion. Dilapan-S (left). Laminaria (right)
Osmotic dilators after soaking in water for 24 hours. Dilapan-S (left). Laminaria (right). This does not represent the amount of expansion that will be occur when used in humans.