[Use of the balloon catheter before induction of labor with oxytocin in cases with unfavorable pelvic score and premature delivery].

The purpose of this prospective work is to communicate the experience with preinduction treatment with Folly's catheter on the Pelvic score (Ps), labor and neonatal outcome in 52 cases in 27 to 34 wg, preterm premature labor and unfavourable cervix. The first control group consist of 24 pregnancies with the same characteristics but with favourable cervix at the begging of labor induction and the second control group include 31 cases with spontaneous premature labor. The Folly's catheter is introduced through the cervical canal and the bulb inflated with 75 ml of sterile normal saline. After the Foley's catheter dropped out the Ps is reassessed and proceed with oxytocin infusion. In the first control group with favourable cervix the induction of labor is only with oxytocin via infusion pump. More than half of all patients are treated with with tocolysis. The results show that for the period of tocolysis and/or PPROM there is significant improvement of the Ps (from 0.90 +/- 0.9 to 2.35 +/- 1.5). The change in the Ps doesn't depend on the g.w., the length of tocolysis or on the initial Ps. The balloon catheter improve the Ps from 2.35 +/- 1.5 to 6.24 +/- 1.3 for y period of 3 h 20 min (2 h 40 min to 4 h, 95% confidence). After the Foley catheter dropped out the duration of labor with oxytocin infusion is 6 h (5 to 7 h, 95% confidence) and is not different from this in the control groups. The time for the catheter to drop out, the achieved Ps and especially the effacement of the cervix are essential features in the prognosis of the difficulties in the labor process and the neonate state.