Pre-eclampsia and induction of labor: a randomized comparison of prostaglandin E2 as an intracervical gel, with oxytocin immediately, or as a sustained-release vaginal insert.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to compare the efficacy of commercial prostaglandin E2 products, in combination with oxytocin, for the initiation of labor among pregnancies with pre-eclampsia.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and with either proteinuria or other end-organ damage were enrolled if they had an unfavorable Bishop score (</=4) and were eligible to undergo labor. Each was randomly assigned to receive prostaglandin E2 either as a 0. 5-mg intracervical gel (Prepidil) or as a 10-mg controlled-release vaginal insert (Cervidil). Oxytocin was begun either immediately after instillation of the gel or was delayed until after removal of the insert.

RESULTS

Of the 70 patients, there were no differences between the Prepidil (n = 34) and the Cervidil (n = 36) groups in maternal demographics, gestational age, parity, and predose Bishop score. There was a mean 14.3-hour difference in the duration from beginning therapy until vaginal delivery in the Prepidil group than in the Cervidil group (11.5 +/- 2.3 hours vs 25.8 +/- 6.9 hours, P <. 001). This time difference, which favored use of Prepidil-immediate oxytocin, remained significant after parity (nulliparous: 20 hours, P <.005; multiparous: 12 hours, P <.01) and gestational age were controlled (preterm: 15.5 hours, P <.01; term: 13.3 hours, P <.01).

CONCLUSION

Use of combined intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel-immediate oxytocin therapy was more effective in shortening the induction-to-vaginal delivery time than use of a controlled-release prostaglandin E2 vaginal insert.