alph W. Hale MD. and Ronald J. Pion MD. of Honolulu Hawaii have looked into other areas of use for laminaria tents/japonica tents.

Attempts to categorize the use of laminaria tents/japonica tents for other problems resulted in a list of conditions in which cervical dilation is required. The tent has now been used for radium insertion in 8 patients with diagnosed carcinoma of the uterus and 2 with cervical carcinoma. It was inserted the day before surgery and removed just before the radium applicator was inserted. Laminaria so used are believed to be less traumatic to tissue than rapid surgical dilation. It also prevents pulling on the cervix with the subsequent complications of tearing, and in one case, the radium was inserted without general anesthesia. This is another special area in which Laminaria tent/Japonica tent insertion should be considered before therapy. Here is the experience of Burrit W. Newton MD. Portland, Oregon published in October 1971.

--The most striking result with the use of Laminaria tent/Japonica tent, was its effectiveness as a cervical dilator. Some dilation was seen in three to four hours, with the maximal effects at 24 hours after insertion. The tent routinely dilated the cervix so that a 9 to 12 mm. cervical tanulla-curette was accepted with ease. The cervix softened remarkably with Laminaria tent/Japonica tent in place, so that further dilation, when necessary, was a simple matter.