title: Intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for cervical ripening.
abstract: Forty-five women with an unfavourable cervix (cervical score less than 3) and an obstetric indication for delivery were given intracervical prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel 0.5 mg/3 g to prime the uterine cervix. Twenty-one women (47%) went into labour after PGE2 gel application only. In 13 women (29%) the cervical score sufficiently improved within 12 hours and labour was successfully induced with intravenous oxytocin. The rate of adverse effects was notably: there were two uterine ruptures, the rate of cesarean sections was 33%, hypertonic uterine contractility 25%, premature rupture of membranes 16%, and neonatal asphyxia 21%. In our experience, cervical ripening with PGE2 gel, although efficient, may also bring about complications, which appear partly iatrogenic. Therefore, a critical evaluation of indications and the risk/benefit ratio is required.
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects*; D015232:Dinoprostone; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D015232:Dinoprostone