Open AccessRipening of the Uterine Cervix and Induction of Labour at Term with Prostaglandin E 2 in Viscous Gel
Author(s) -
Wingerup L.,
Andersson K. E.,
Ulmsten U.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016347809156519
Subject(s) - cervix , medicine , bishop score , cervical canal , ripening , prostaglandin e2 , prostaglandin , placebo , oxytocin , uterine cervix , gynecology , anesthesia , obstetrics , biology , alternative medicine , food science , pathology , cancer , carcinoma
. In order to achieve ripening of the uterine cervix or induce labour in patients at term with an unfavourable cervical state, 1 mg of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), suspended in a viscous gel, was instilled into the cervical canal. In a pilot study, 41 patients received the PGE 2 ‐gel. Twentythree of these, (56%), went into labour, and delivery occurred without further stimulation within 15 hours. In the remaining 18 patients, there was a marked improvement of the cervical state, which changed from an average (modified) Bishop score of 2.5 to 6.1 within 24 hours. In a double‐blind study comprising 20 nulliparae, 10 received gel containing PGE 2 and 10 gel without prostaglandin. Cervical state did not change significantly (Bishop score 3.6 and 4.0) after 24 hours in patients receiving placebo gel. In those receiving PGE 2 gel, 8 went into labour and were delivered without further induction within 13 hours. Two patients showed an increase in Bishop score from 3 to 6 and 7, respectively, after 24 hours. They were then induced by oxytocin and delivery occurred after 8 and 10 hours. The results suggest that administration of PGE 2 intracervically can induce ripening of the cervix in patients at term with an unfavourable cervical state, and thus facilitate delivery.