A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EXTRA – AMNIOTIC SALINE INFUSION AND HIGH DOSE OXYTOCIN WITH PROSTAGLANDIN E2 SUPPOSITORY AND HIGH DOSE OXYTOCIN IN PRE - INDUCTION CERVICAL RIPENING IN SECOND TRIMESTER PREGNANCIES.

It is necessary to terminate pregnancy for fetal or maternal indications in some second trimester pregnancies. The cervix is usually unripe in 2nd trimester, so pre-induction ripening is mandatory. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of extra-amniotic saline infusion with prostaglandin E2 suppository in pre-induction cervical ripening in 2nd trimester pregnancies.

Materials & Methods: In this study, women (n= 80) with indications of termination of pregnancy (range 14-28 weeks) and bishop scores of 3 and lower were assigned randomly to receive extra-amniotic saline infusion (2ML/ min) or prostaglandin suppository (6mg).We induced uterine contractions using intravenous oxytocin only when contractions had not commenced by 6 hours after extra-amniotic saline infusion and 4 hours after prostaglandin. We assessed ripening efficacy, success and failure of therapy, mean time of induction, and complications of two methods. Statistical analysis was done based on the data.

Results: The mean pre-ripening bishop score was l.2±0.53 in group 1 (extra-amniotic saline infusion) and 1.68±0.66 in group 2 (prostaglandin). The mean post- ripening BSC was 4.5±2.14 in group I and
3 ± 1.6 in group 2, which was significant. There were 20 (%50) fetus expulsion in group 1 and 8 (20%) in group 2. The mean time for induction was 17.27 ± 8.38 hours in group 1 and 20.9 ±6.17 hours in group 2, which was statistically significant. One patient in group 1 had vaginal bleeding because of warfarin use. Three patients had nausea in group 2. There were no other complications in both methods.

Conclusion: Cervical ripening by extra-amniotic saline infusion is faster and more effective than 6 mg prostaglandin E2 suppository, resulting in a higher rate of fetus expulsion in 2nd trimester.