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A Clinical Evaluation of Buccal Oxytocin
Author(s) -
Hennessey J. F.,
Lang L. P.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1966.tb00379.x
Subject(s) - oxytocin , medicine , buccal administration , cervix , obstetrics , drug , anesthesia , dentistry , pharmacology , cancer
Summary: A series of 60 patients is recorded in whom transbuccal oxytocin was used for the induction of labour. This would appear to be a satisfactory method with an overall success rate of 83%. Success varied with the method used and was 100% when the membranes had been ruptured 24 hours earlier. The presence of an unfavourable cervix considerably reduced the likelihood of successful induction. The parity of the patient in this series made little difference, but there appeared to be a significant reduction in success rate in the older patient. Blood levels of oxytocin were estimated during induction in 3 patients and were well within the upper limits of those found in normal labour. There were 3 cases of significant uterine overactivity without any apparent ill‐effects on the foetus. The post partum blood loss was higher than that recorded for an un‐selected hospital group of patients. Oxytocin used in any form is a potentially dangerous drug and close supervision of the patient is required. It is to be hoped that the ease of administration of this form of oxytocin does not increase its risk through misuse. Patients in this and similar series have been carefully watched and an understanding of the drug has developed as the number of cases has grown. This, naturally, leads to a higher efficiency and presumably less complications than for those who use the drug less often.