comparative study of intracervical prostaglandin e2 and intravenous oxytocin for induction of term labor

A randomized clinical trial study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of intravenous oxytoxin (50 cases) and intracervical prostaglandin E2 (0.5 mg Tab, 50 cases) on the ripening of the cervix and frequency of successful inductions in patients with low Bishop score (<5). Means of maternal age, gestational age, parity, BS at admission did not show any significant differences between the two groups. Until 6 hrs after beginning treatment, 72% of oxytoxin group and 74% of PGE2 group were achieved active labor and until 12 hrs, 70% and 76% delivered respectively. It was no statistically significant difference. The mean drug administration to delivery time was 7.3±3.1 hrs in oxytoxin group and 7.6±3.1 hrs in PGE2 group (without significant difference). No difference in route of delivery was found between the two groups. Maternal complications were seen in 60% of oxytocin group and 46% of PGE2 group, without significant difference. Between maternal complications, frequency of diarrhea was higher at PGE2 group (P=0.02). Fetal complications were seen 4% in the PGE2 group and 16% in oxytocin group, that was less in the first (RR=0.25 CI 95%: 0.06-0.97).