Labor induction with 25-microg misoprostol vaginal capsules.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the success rate and the safety profile of labor induction with a new misoprostol formulation - vaginal capsules of 25 microg of misoprostol.


METHODS
Labor induction was performed in 250 singleton term pregnancies; 149 (59.6%) were nulliparous. Vaginal capsules of 25 microg of misoprostol were placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 6 h. Success rate, contractility and fetal heart rate abnormalities and fetal outcomes were evaluated.


RESULTS
The success rate of labor induction was 97.6%. The average number of vaginal administrations was 1.5. The mean interval between induction and active labor was 10 h and 20 min and the average length of labor was 15 h and 35 min. The cesarean section rate was 18.8%. There were 15 cases of tachysystole, 3 cases of hypertonus and 1 case of hyperstimulation syndrome. There were no adverse neonatal outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
This study allowed to conclude that labor induction with vaginal capsules of 25 microg of misoprostol is associated with an excellent success rate and safety profile.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Hospital Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal. sfsanto@gmail.com
Susana
S
Santo
Regina
R
Lourenço
Mónica
M
Centeno
Luísa
L
Pargana
Nuno
N
Clode
Helena
H
Ferreira
Luís M
LM
da Graça
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016595:Misoprostol