Clinical utility of multiple-dose administration of prostaglandin E2 gel

Abstract

An open-label study was undertaken to assess the clinical impact of multiple doses of intracervical prostaglandin E2 (0.5 mg) gel administered at 6-hour intervals. Fifty women with low Bishop scores requiring induction of labor were recruited. The prestudy mean Bishop score was 2.3 ± 1.1 and changed significantly with one (p < 0.001), two (p < 0.001), and three (p < 0.002) doses. The mean gestational age of patients receiving three doses was significantly less than that of patients receiving one dose, (38.5 versus 40.1 weeks, p < 0.005). Prostaglandin E2 gel induced labor in 56% of patients, but 14% required subsequent oxytocin (Syntocinon) augmentation. Cesarean section was perfomed in 6% of patients. No deleterious fetal, neonatal, or maternal effects occurred.