Kulsoom Bhatti, Tehmina Mahar, Rubina Hafeez.
Comparison of Efficacy of Cervical Foleys Catheter and Prostaglandin E2 for Induction of Labour.
Med Forum Jan ;2(7):31-4.

Introduction: Labor and subsequent termination of pregnancy in presence of unfavorable cervix requires cervical ripening in order to reduce complication and to diminish the rate caesarean sections as well as the duration of labor. There are a number of agents used for cervical ripening. Two commonly used agents are transcervical Foleys catheter and prostaglandin E2 vaginal pessary. Objective: To determine and compare the effects of inflated transcervical Foleys catheter and prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablet on pre-induction ripening of cervix. Study Design: A prospective quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital Sukkur from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2012. Patients and Methods: A total 100 women were selected through non-probability sampling with a gestational age between 28-41 weeks and unfavorable cervix, requiring induction of labor were allocated in two groups. All women were received an intracervical Foleys catheter or prostaglandin E2 tablets. The outcome variables including the change in cervical Bishop Score, beginning of uterine contractions and complications during and after labor were assessed. Student’s t test and chi-square were used for the analysis of data. Results: There were no differences in mean Bishop Score changes between the Foleys catheter and prostaglandin group. Bishop Score after ripening were 6.6±61 and 6.7±0.86 for Foleys catheter and prostaglandin E2 group (P=0.64). The prostaglandin group showed a statistically shorter induction to delivery time 15.0±7.7 compared with Foleys catheter 20.81±5.8 and (P=<0.01). Both group showed there was no significant difference in occurrence of labor. Vaginal delivery occurred in 74% in Foleys group while 78% in prostaglandin group. There were needed more oxytocin for labor augmentation in Foleys group as compared to prostaglandin group. Conclusion: Foleys catheter was found effective as prostaglandin E2 for induction of labor additional benefits like cheaper, readily available, no need of extensive monitoring and lower chance of tachycystole and other systemic side effects.

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