title: Transcervical intrapartum amnioinfusion: a simple and effective technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test a simple method of intrapartum amnioinfusion to replace amniotic fluid during labor in cases of prolonged labor and severe variable fetal heart rate decelerations or thick meconium.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective study of intrapartum amnioinfusion in sixteen consecutive patients. A simple transcervically placed Foley bladder catheter was used for intrauterine infusion of saline solution, while monitoring was performed by external cardiotocography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In twelve patients, catheter placement was easily performed; the remaining four required stabilization by a mandrel for insertion. Amnioinfusion was effective in ten out of thirteen patients for relief of fetal heart rate anomalies. No complications were observed; all had good neonatal outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our small, uncontrolled study, this amnioinfusion method proved to be a simple, inexpensive, effective and safe technique for the relief of severe heart rate anomalies in prolonged labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Basel Switzerland. surbek@ubaclu.unibas.ch
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Surbek
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Hösli
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pavic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almendral
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Holzgreve
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal; D006801:Humans; D008470:Meconium; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride