Single vaginal application of a suppository containing 10 mg of 9-deoxo-16-PGE2 3 hours prior to suction curettage in nulliparous women with gestational ages from 8 to 12 weeks resulted in significant cervical softening (p less than 0.0001), and facilitated additional instrumental dilatation when required. Moderate side effects occurred in the majority of treated patients, disappeared however with appropriate medication. This procedure may thus be considered as effective, safe and reliable.