A new insertion technique for the transcervical Foley catheter used for cervical ripening.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a new placement technique for the transcervical Foley catheter that may succeed when other methods have failed.


METHODS
Sixteen patients were identified as candidates for placement of a transcervical Foley catheter for cervical ripening, but all had failed attempted placement using the classically described methods. Our new placement technique involved the use of a 5 French rigid catheter guide inserted into the Foley catheter to make the catheter rigid and to ease insertion. RESLLTS: Placement was 100% successful in all 16 patients using the new insertion technique.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of a rigid stylet during insertion increases the chances of success. The ease of insertion using this technique makes the use of a Foley catheter for cervical ripening a valuable option.
Erekson
Elisabeth A
EA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Saint Louis University, Missouri, USA. eerekson@wihri.org
Myles
Thomas D
TD
Amon
Erol
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy