Laparoscopy Hospital, New Delhi

Hysteroscopy with sample of the tissue is the gold standard in the diagnosing of abnormal uterine bleeding. Operative hysteroscopy can then be performed as a therapeutic procedure in patients presenting with intrauterine abnormalities. Cervical dilatation poses a great challenge particularly in nulligravid, post-menopausal women and women with cervical stenosis. Difficulties encountered in dilating the cervix poses threat to complications such as cervical tears, creation of false track, hemorrhage and uterine perforation. Objective: The aim of this study is to review the role of mechanical dilatation in hysteroscopy using oral and vaginal misoprostol and laminaria. Methods: This study involves a retrospective analytical review and compares the role of oral and vaginal misoprostol and laminaria application in achieving cervical ripening before hysteroscopy. Its effects in cervical dilatation as well as the dosing, advantages and side-effects were also reviewed. There were twenty articles included in this study as extracted from electronic databases Cochrane Library, Medscape, Highwire Press and Google. Most of the article