Transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length and efficacy of misoprostol in first‐trimester pregnancy failure

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 671 - 673
• Main Authors: Agostini, A., Capelle, M., Ronda, I., Bretelle, F., Cravello, L., Blanc, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-06-2007; Wiley
• Subjects: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; Administration, Intravaginal; Biological and medical sciences; cervical length; Cervical Length Measurement - methods; Female; first trimester pregnancy failure; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Misoprostol; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, First; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal - methods; Sonography; Treatment efficiency; Gynecology; Length measurement; First trimester; Uterine cervix; Misoprostol; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; first trimester pregnancy failure; Transvaginal route; Length; Echography; cervical length; Female; Ultrasound; Failure; Prostaglandin derivatives
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.3986

Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the role of cervical length measurement in predicting successful treatment, by misoprostol administration, of early (first‐trimester) pregnancy failure.
Method
A prospective study was conducted of all patients who agreed to medical treatment of pregnancy failure. Cervical length and other sonographic variables were measured using pelvic ultrasound before medical treatment began. Measurements were compared between the group with successful medical treatment and the group in whom treatment failed.
Results
In 125 women included in the study, the success rate of misoprostol treatment was 64.8%. There were no significant differences between the groups with successful and failed treatment for cervical length (29.9 ± 9.3 vs. 30.4 ± 6.8 mm, P = 0.75), distance between gestational sac and ‘virtual’ cervical internal os (23.9 ± 13 vs. 26.6 ± 13 mm, P = 0.26), crown–rump length (8.7 ± 9.7 vs. 6.7 ± 8.6 mm, P = 0.25), or gestational sac diameter (31.3 ± 14 vs. 30.1 ± 15 mm, P = 0.73).
Conclusion
Cervical length does not predict the success of misoprostol treatment of first‐trimester pregnancy failure. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.