Randomized trial of concurrent oxytocin with a sustained-release dinoprostone vaginal insert for labor induction at term.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether the concurrent administration of oxytocin with sustained-release dinoprostone results in shorter induction times when compared with oxytocin after the removal of the dinoprostone insert.


METHODS
Women with singleton pregnancies at > or = 36 weeks, vertex presentations, reactive nonstress tests, no prior uterine scar, intact membranes, and Bishop scores of < or = 6 were randomly assigned to receive oxytocin either immediately after placement of a sustained-release dinoprostone insert (immediate) or 30 minutes after its removal (delayed). The primary outcome was the time interval from induction to delivery.


RESULTS
Seventy-one patients were enrolled (immediate, 34 patients; delayed, 37 patients). There were no differences between treatment groups in non-reassuring fetal heart tracings, excess uterine activity, and epidural use. The mean time from dinoprostone placement until delivery was 544 minutes, shorter in the immediate group (972 vs 1516 minutes; P =.001). The proportion of deliveries within 24 hours was higher (90% vs 53%; P =.002) in the immediate group. Cesarean delivery rates were similar between the immediate and delayed groups (16% vs 13%; P =.73). No adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes were observed with concurrent therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxytocin that is administered concurrently with sustained-release dinoprostone significantly shortens induction-to-delivery times and results in a higher proportion of vaginal deliveries of < or = 24 hours with no apparent adverse effects.
Christensen
Franklyn C
FC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, USA. christensen@prodigy.net
Tehranifar
Mitra
M
Gonzalez
Jose L
JL
Qualls
Clifford R
CR
Rappaport
Valerie J
VJ
Rayburn
William F
WF
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin; D015232:Dinoprostone