Lubna Ejaz, Nabila Salman, Tayaba Naseer.
Extra-amniotic saline infusion versus extra-amniotic Prostaglandin F2 alpha for cervical ripening and induction of labour in second trimester of pregnancy.
J Surg Jan ;23-24:48-52.

Extra-amniotic infusion of saline was compared with that of PGF 2 alpha for induction of laborinl midtrimester of pregnancy when Bishop score was poor. 130 women were alternately divided in two groups. Group A received saline and Group B PGF 2 alpha. At explusion of balloon, both groups are administered concentrated syntocinon infusion when required. The uterus was evacuated if any retained products of conception were found. Maternal age, race, parity, initial Bishop scores and indications for termination of pregnancy were similar in the two groups. Mean time (in hours) from induction to balloon expulsion was 19.67 (+/- 11.42 hours) in Group A, and 18.40 (+/- 10.77) in Group B; from balloon expulsion to delivery it was 4.80 (+/- 5.91) and 1.86 (+/- 2.51), and the total mean time was 24.52 (+/- 12.64) and 20.34 (+/- 11.22) for Group A and B respectively. Syntocinon augmentation was done in 38 patients in Group A and 36 in B, while the evacuation of retained products of conception was performed in 12 patients of Group A and 15 of B. Four patients in Group A and three in B had low grade fever; labor could not be induced in three women in each group. The extra amniotic saline infusion compared with PGF 2 alpha, therefore, proved to be equally effective in achieving delivery in second trimester of pregnancy. Also, it achieved complete abortion more frequently with lesser need of subsequent evacuation. The total time for delivery, however, is prolonged with this method and syntocinon augmentation is also required more often.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com