Intracervical prostaglandins are effective compared to placebo, but appear inferior when compared to intravaginal prostaglandins.
[The value of the administration of prostaglandin E2 on the biodegradable support of the maturation of the cervix uteri and the induction of labor].
We report the results of a prospective randomized study concerning the effects of prostaglandin E2 on cervical ripening and/or induction of labour. Between August 1988 and April 1989, 100 women underwent induction of labour for medical reasons. These women were divided into 4 groups. In those with Bishop's score below 4, we compared the intracervical dinoprostone 0.5 mg gel (Gr 1, n = 24) with an intracervical administration of PGE2 1.5 mg on Surgicel Gr 2, n = 26). In women with Bishop's score between 4 and 6, we compared the intracervical dinoprostone 0.5 mg gel (Gr 3, n = 28) with administration of PGE2 2.25 mg on a Spongel introduced into the posterior vaginal fornix (Gr 4, n = 22). Induction was authorized only for women with Bishop's score above 6. If this was not the case, a second administration of PGE2 was allowed 12 hours later, depending on maternal and foetal tolerance. The 4 groups were similar in mothers' age, gestational age and parity. The results obtained showed a significant increase in Bishop's score 12 hours after cervical ripening, irrespective of the way PGE2 was administered: from 2.3 +/- 1.0 to 5.2 +/- 2.5 vs 2.2 +/- 1.2 to 5.0 +/- 2.6 for groups 1 and 2, and from 4.4 +/- 0.6 to 6.7 +/- 2.3 vs 4.2 +/- 0.4 to 6.8 +/- 2.4 for groups 3 and 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)