A randomized trial of misoprostol versus extra-amniotic sodium chloride infusion with oxytocin for induction of labor.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to compare the efficacy and safety of misoprostol and extra-amniotic sodium chloride infusion with oxytocin for induction of labor.


METHODS
This randomized trial compared two methods of labor induction in women requiring cervical ripening. One hundred twenty-three women undergoing labor induction with a Bishop score < or =5 were randomly selected to receive either misoprostol, 50 microg intravaginally every 4 hours, or extra-amniotic sodium chloride infusion. The primary outcome variable was the time interval from induction to vaginal delivery.


RESULTS
Sixty-one women received extra-amniotic sodium chloride infusion and 62 women received misoprostol. The mean time interval from the start of induction to vaginal delivery was 15.0 +/- 5.0 hours and 16.5 +/- 7.2 hours for the extra-amniotic infusion and misoprostol groups, respectively (P, not significant). The cesarean delivery rate was not significantly different between the 2 groups (32.8% for the extra-amniotic infusion group; 19.4% for the misoprostol group). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Both methods of induction are equally efficacious and result in similar maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Buccellato
C A
CA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Stika
C S
CS
Frederiksen
M C
MC
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D010120:Oxytocics; D016595:Misoprostol; D012965:Sodium Chloride