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Cervical (Osmotic) Dilator

When placed in the closed cervix, a osmotic dilator absorbs moisture from the tissues surrounding the cervix and swells, opening the cervix slowly and with little discomfort. Two common types of osmotic dilators are a laminaria, a small tube made of dried seaweed, and synthetic dilator, a man-made sterile, dry sponge.

Unless a woman is in labor before childbirth, the cervical opening is very narrow. An osmotic dilator is commonly used to gently open the cervix before a gynecologic procedure that requires the cervix to be open, allowing access to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Cervical dilation reduces the risk of injury to the cervix during such a procedure.

Most of the cervical dilation with laminaria occurs in the first 6 hours, but maximum dilation usually occurs 12 to 24 hours after laminaria placement. This means that laminaria placement may be done the day before a procedure. Osmotic dilators may be sequentially added to or replaced to increase the cervical opening.

A synthetic dilator opens the cervix in less time and can be used several hours before a procedure.

Last Revised: September 22, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Rebecca H. Allen, MD, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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