Hydroxyethyl Methyl Cellulose Research Articles

Comparison of oestradiol and prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel for ripening the unfavourable cervix

Mr. Philip M. Tromans and colleagues (February 28 p. 679) may be interested to know that in 1978 we duplicated Gordon and Calders study. In 105 women with an unripe cervix at full term we compared the local effects of a single extraamniotic instillation of hydroxyethyl methylcellulose gel alone and with the addition of natural estrogen in 2 forms--that is estradiol (180 mg) and estriol (250 mg). At assessment 12 hours after the instillation mean cervical progress did not differ between these 2 groups and controls. Because the final results of this study were published in a continental journal they may have been overlooked by Mr. Tromans and his colleagues who no doubt will understand why the more I read about the cervical ripening effect of exogeneous estrogens the more puzzled I become. (Full Text)