Prostaglandin Gel: An Alternative to Caesarean Section in the Management of Post-dated Pregnancies with Unfavorable Cervices.

Abstract

Fifty cases of post-maturity with unfavorable cervices were chosen to deliver the fetuses by the
application of intracervical prostaglandin (PG) gel as an alternative to Caesarean section. The
study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rajshahi Medical
College and Hospital. Rajshahi during the period from January 2001 to November 2002. Patients
with [representations, premature rupture of membrane and history of previous two uterine
Caesarean sections were excluded from this study. Gel was inserted above the cervical canal
and re-administered every 6-8 hours interval for a period of 24 hours where necessary.
Successful vaginal delivery was achieved in 98% of cases with adequate cervical ripening. Reinsertion
of the gel was needed in only 8 cases. Oxytocin was used along with PG gel for
initiation and augmentation of labour pain. Caesarean section was needed only in 1 patient and
remaining all patients delivered within 24 hours of the onset of induction of this procedure.

doi: 10.3329/taj.v15i2.3906

TAJ December 2002; Vol.15(2): 53-55