Abstract
In 206 pregnant women with unfavorable cervix, labor was induced by local application of 1.5 mg PGE2 by means of a portio-adapter. In 70.4% labor was successfully induced after a single “PG-cap”. An additional 11.6% went into labor after a second or third cap. In 14.1%, a sufficient priming of the cervix was obtained and amniotomy was performed. 3.9% had to be considered failures. The overall incidence of operative deliveries was 17%. Apgar scores and cord gases were within normal ranges. Internal tocography revealed a physiologic pattern of contractions with slightly elevated maximal pressures but normal baseline values. With local application of PG by means of a portio-adapter the preparation of a gel mixture can be avoided and the exact anatomic location of the PG-containg solution allows a withdrawal in case of hyperstimulation. From the results of this study it is concluded that local application of 1.5 mg PGE2 by means of a portio-adapter is a safe and effective method of induction of labor.