title: Cervical ripening with intravaginal prostaglandin E2 gel.
abstract: We describe a technique of administering prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a viscous cellulose gel into the vagina to ripen the unfavourable cervix in patients requiring induction of labour. A total of 168 primigravidae were studied, of whom 102 received 2 mg PGE2 in 2% gel and 66 received 5 mg PGE2 in 4% gel. In the latter group, the state of the cervix was significantly improved in 58 patients (87.9%), while 32 (48.5%) had started labour before planned induction. There were no maternal or fetal side effects or complications.
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014621:Vagina
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D011458:Prostaglandins E