Vaginal Prostaglandin E2 pessary versus gel in induction of labor at term

Abstract

Objective: To compare the prostaglandin E2 Vaginal pessary and gel with respect to cervical ripening, labour out come, side effects and cost effectiveness in induction of labour at term. Design: Experimental study. Place and duration of study: Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore February to July, 2005. Subjects and Methods: The trial was conducted on two group of patient for labour induction such that one group (n=30) received PGE2 vaginal pessary 6 hourly to maximum of 3 doses. Other group (n=30) received PGE2 gel at 6 hourly interval upto 2 doses. Labour induction, number of doses applied, need of augmentation, side effects, induction to delivery interval, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and cost effectiveness were the main outcome measures. Results: Our results depicted that PGE2 gel produced favourable bishop score more rapidly and initiating uterine contraction simultaneously than PGE2 pessary. Few patients required oxytocin augmentation in gel group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant d ifference in number of patients delivering vaginally with in 24 hours, the neonatal outcome and cost effectiveness in two groups (P>0.05). However, more side effects such as uterine contractions, abnormalities, and fetal distress observed in gel group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The PGE2 pessary was safe and easily applied, but PGE2 intracervical gel was more effective as it achieved greater changes in mean bishop score. However, more side effects encountered with gel category.