Induction of labour by balloon catheter with extra-amniotic saline infusion (BCEAS): a randomised comparison with PGE2 vaginal pessaries.
OBJECTIVE
A new method for induction of labour--balloon catheter with extra-amniotic saline infusion (BCEAS)--is evaluated in randomised comparison with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in vaginal pessaries.


METHODS
One-hundred and nine pregnant women with unfavourable cervices.


METHODS
The efficiency of inducing vaginal delivery and the level of 'disadvantages following induction of labour' (DisFIL scorings).


RESULTS
Overall, BCEAS was less efficient inducing vaginal delivery than vaginal PGE2 (P < 0.01) because of a significant difference among parous women (P < 0.01). In the (larger) primiparous women group, and particularly in the subgroup of these having very low pelvic scores (Lange score, < or = 3), the efficiencies of the two methods were equal (P = 0.06) and P = 0.55, respectively). The levels of DisFIL scorings were not significantly different. However, higher rates of caesarean section followed BCEAS than PGE2 (29% and 10%, respectively; P < 0.05). Serious infectious complications were not recorded following BCEAS. No difference was apparent in the status of the neonates (judging from Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH and SBE). The women, delivering vaginally, commented the two methods equally favourably.


CONCLUSIONS
BCEAS was less efficacious than vaginal PGE2 pessaries, though among primiparous women, especially those with very unfavourable cervices, the difference was not significant. Further refinements of the method are suggested.
Lyndrup
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nickelsen
C
C
Weber
T
T
Mølnitz
E
E
Guldbaek
E
E
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D015232:Dinoprostone