Hegar dilators

A set of Hegar dilators, from Hegar 4 to 17 (right to left)

Hegar dilators are dilators used to treat vaginismus, induce cervical dilation, and for inflatable penile implant procedures.

Description

Hegar dilators were developed and introduced by Alfred Hegar in 1879. Typically, dilators are a set of metal rods of increasing diameters, from a few millimeters up to 26 millimeters. The rods are round, slightly curved, and have a conal tip. Some sets have conal tips at both ends, while others have one end flattened for handling. Hegar dilators are marked with a Hegar number equivalent to 0.5 millimeters.

Use in the treatment of vaginismus

Hegar dilators are used to treat vaginismus, also known as genito-pelvic pain disorder. Females with vaginismus use Hegar dilators of gradually increasing size, followed by penetration from their male partner.

Cervical procedure use

Hegar dilators are used to induce cervical dilation in order to gain entry to the interior of the uterus.

During the process of dilation, the cervix may have to be stabilized with a tenaculum, and then the dilators are slowly entered into the cervical canal with a lubricant, starting with a thin, low Hegar number rod and progressing gradually to larger numbers. The dilators can also be used to sound the uterus.

Hegar dilators are widely used in gynecology to open up the cervix. This may be necessary prior to a uterine curettage or biopsy. They have also found application in the management of vaginismus or hymenal stenosis. They are also used to overcome stenosis in non-gynecological situations, such as in urology and proctology.

Laminaria rods have also been used to open up the cervix but work slowly as they increase size by absorbing water.

Penile implant procedure use

Hegar dilators (commonly, sizes 11 and 12) are used during the insertion of two intracorporal cylinders into the Corpus cavernosum penis as part of an Inflatable penile implant procedure. These cylinders are inflated and deflated by a pump that moves sterile saline under pressure between a holding reservoir and the cylinders, inflating or deflating an erection of the penis.