A comparison of intravaginal Misoprostol with Prostaglandin E2 (Dinoprostone) for induction of labour at term

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Misoprostol and Dinoprostone used as labour inducing
agents.
Material & Methods: The first 100 patients admitted in the labour ward of Shalamar Hospital
Lahore for induction of labour between March 2003 & February 2004 and fulfilling the inclusion
criteria were randomly allocated to the two drug trial groups and followed till outcome of the
delivery. Parameters included induction to delivery interval, need for augmentation of labour, Csection rate, safety of drugs to mother and the neonate and the cost benefit rates.
Results: One case got dropped out on her personal choice and left the hospital. The remaining
99 were followed up. Among the vaginally induced Misoprostol group 56% women delivered
vaginally within 12 hours, while in vaginally administered Dinoprostone group only 26% delivered
within 12 hours. This difference was found statistically significant (p<0.05). The rate of C-Section
in the two groups was not found statistically different (p>0.05). The most common side effect with
Misoprostol was nausea while the patients in the other group experienced vomiting.
Conclusion: Vaginally prescribed Misoprostol reduced the induction to delivery interval but did
not effect the rate of C-Section. No increase in maternal or neonatal complications was observed.
It was highly cost effective