Vaginal Dinoprostone Versus Intravenous Oxytocin for Labor Induction in Patients Not Responsive to a First Dose of Dinoprostone: A Randomized Prospective Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 2 different regimens for labor induction in patients with unfavorable cervix not responsive to a first dose of dinoprostone vaginal insert.

Methods: Between November, 2011 and June, 2014, 338 patients underwent induction of labor. After standard 24 hours treatment, 94 singleton term pregnancies remained with a Bishop score ≤6 and were randomized into 2 different regimens: repeated vaginal dinoprostone (group A, n = 47) or intravenous oxytocin (group B, n = 47). Primary outcome was vaginal delivery, and the secondary outcomes were interval between labor induction and delivery and operative delivery rates.

Results: Vaginal deliveries were significantly higher (group A: 26/47 (55.3%) and group B 16/47 (34.0%), P < .05), and cesarean sections were significantly lower (group A 21/47 (44.7%) and group B 31/47 (66%), P < .05) in patients who received a double dose of dinoprostone. The intervals between labor induction and onset of labor and between labor induction and delivery were lower in the group treated with oxytocin. Neonatal outcomes were similar in the 2 groups.

Conclusion: A second dinoprostone vaginal insert is an effective and safe choice for patients with unfavorable cervix not responsive to a first 24 hours administration of dinoprostone for cervical ripening, and its use is associated with lower cesarean section rates.

Keywords: cervical ripening; dinoprostone; labor induction.