Osmotic dilator
Osmotic dilator is a type of medical device used in gynecology and obstetrics to dilate the cervix in preparation for certain procedures, such as abortion or induced labor. The device works by absorbing fluid from the surrounding tissues, causing it to swell and gradually expand the cervix.
Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]
Osmotic dilators are typically made of hydrophilic materials, such as seaweed (specifically, a type of seaweed called Laminaria japonica) or synthetic polymers. When inserted into the cervix, these materials absorb fluid and swell, causing the cervix to gradually dilate over a period of several hours to a few days. This slow, controlled dilation can help to reduce the risk of cervical injury during subsequent procedures.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Osmotic dilators are used in a variety of gynecological and obstetric procedures. They are commonly used to prepare the cervix for surgical abortion, especially in the second trimester. They may also be used to induce labor in pregnant women, or to prepare the cervix for other procedures such as hysteroscopy or dilation and curettage.
Risks and complications[edit | edit source]
While osmotic dilators are generally safe and effective, they can sometimes cause complications. These may include infection, bleeding, or uterine perforation. In rare cases, the use of osmotic dilators can lead to septic shock, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
See also[edit | edit source]
Osmotic dilator Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD