Study Results
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View full resultsBasic Information
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COMPLETED
NA
102 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2010-07-31
2013-05-31
Brief Summary
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The vaginal delivery rate for medical induction of labor is lower than the vaginal delivery rate for spontaneous labor. As a consequence, the frequency of cesarean section for failed induction in the United States is rising. This has led to a renewed effort to examine the effectiveness of the varied methods of induction.
The study is a randomized, unblinded trial of urinary balloon catheter and prostaglandin gel for induction of labor in term pregnant patients. Pregnant women presenting to the Palmetto Health Richland for a scheduled induction of labor will be offered enrollment in the trial. Patients who enroll in the study will be randomized into one of 3 study arms: urinary balloon catheter only, prostaglandin gel only and combination urinary balloon catheter and prostaglandin gel. Randomization will be per sealed envelope from the locked nurse medication storage area (Pyxis) located in Labor and Delivery at Palmetto Health Richland. The investigator will be given the next sequentially numbered study randomization envelope by the patient's nurse. The randomization assignment will be unblinded to the patient and her physicians. If the patient is not in active labor 6 hours after initiation of the intervention, a standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence. Labor management will be at the discretion of the physician.
Detailed Description
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Precis- This study is designed to assess the effectiveness of a combination method of induction of labor using a urinary balloon catheter and prostaglandin gel.
Background
Induction of labor is a common intervention during pregnancy1. The frequency of hospital admissions for induction of labor is increasing in the United States. Indications for induction of labor include maternal disease, fetal complications and social/geographical issues. Obstetricians may also choose elective induction, to facilitate delivery at term for the physician or patient who does not have a medical indication for delivery.
The vaginal delivery rate for medical induction of labor is lower than the vaginal delivery rate for spontaneous labor. As a consequence, the frequency of cesarean section for failed induction in the United States is rising2. This has led to a renewed effort to examine the effectiveness of the varied methods of induction3-5.
The vaginal delivery rate for induction of labor can be predicted by assessing the patient's cervical examination prior to induction. The Bishop Score uses the cervical examination components to predict the vaginal delivery rate for a particular patient. A low or poor Bishop score predicts a low success rate for vaginal delivery.
There are 3 common methods used to induce labor. The first are physiological methods such as breaking the patient's water or causing contractions by nipple stimulation. Breaking the patient's water requires a high (favorable) Bishop Score and cannot be safely performed with a low (poor) Bishop score. This method has a higher success rate in patients who have had a prior vaginal delivery. Nipple stimulation has been associated with an increased risk of tachysystole (too frequent contractions) and non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns. It is not considered an acceptable method of induction in the United States.
Physical methods include pre-induction cervical ripening with laminaria or urinary balloon catheter6. Both of these methods are designed to force the cervix to open mechanically. Laminaria are small sticks of dehydrated seaweed which are placed in the cervical canal. As the sticks hydrate, the cervical canal dilates. Balloon urinary catheters are inserted into the cervical canal. The balloon is inflated in the lower uterine segment. A weight is placed on the catheter to apply traction which forces the fluid-filled balloon to dilate the cervical canal. Urinary balloon catheters have been used alone7,8, with saline infusion9-11 or with prostaglandin infusion12-16.
Pharmacological methods include ergot alkaloids, prostaglandin E and F series and oxytocin. Ergot alkaloids cause forceful uterine contractions and have been used to treat postpartum hemorrhage. Ergot alkaloids may cause severe hypertension during induction of labor and are not used in the United States. Prostaglandin E and F series cause increased uterine muscle tone (tonic contractions). They are used for pre-induction cervical ripening. The different prostaglandins have varying complications which may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Use of misoprostol for pre-induction cervical ripening has been associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture both in normal patients and in patients who have had previous cesarean sections17. The method of drug delivery for prostaglandin medications has varied. It can be administered as an oral tablet, a vaginal suppository, a vaginal gel, or by infusion into the lower uterine segment via a urinary balloon catheter. It is unclear, based on evidence-based medicine, whether any particular method of delivery is superior to another. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) has approved the use of Prepidil gel (prostaglandin E2) for pre-induction cervical ripening18,19. Prepidil gel is administered as a gel into the vaginal fornix using a syringe. Oxytocin is a pituitary hormone which can be used to augment spontaneous labor or to induce labor. It results in both increased uterine tone (tonic contractions) and increased contraction frequency (clonic contractions). It is considered the most physiologic method of pre-induction cervical ripening. Oxytocin is administered by intravenous infusion.
Methods of induction can be used individually or in combination. The most common combination method for induction of labor is the use of prostaglandin for pre-induction cervical ripening followed by oxytocin.
Objectives-
The current study is a randomized, unblinded trial of urinary balloon catheter and prostaglandin gel for induction of labor in term pregnant patients. The primary outcome to be studied is vaginal delivery rate for urinary balloon catheter alone, prostaglandin gel alone and a combination of urinary balloon catheter and prostaglandin gel. Secondary outcomes to be studied include the safety of the method, composite maternal morbidity and composite neonatal morbidity.
The null hypothesis is that there is no difference in the vaginal delivery rate between the three study protocols.
Study Design and Methods-
Pregnant women presenting to the Palmetto Health Richland for a scheduled induction of labor will be offered enrollment in the trial.
Eligible patients will undergo an interview with the investigator. Enrollment pre-requisites and exclusions will be reviewed with the patient. The patient will also be provided with written information regarding the safety of prepidil as an pre-induction cervical ripening agent and the safety of urinary balloon catheters as a pre-induction cervical ripening agent. The investigator will review general information on the trial and an informed consent. Patients who decline enrollment in the trial will have the method of pre-induction cervical ripening chosen by their physician.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Single, live fetus
2. Cephalic (head-first) presentation
3. Reassuring fetal health assessment
4. Gestational age between 26 and 42 weeks
5. Maternal age 18 and above
6. Bishop score less than 5
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Multiple Gestation (twins, triplets, quadruplets)
2. Fetal demise
3. Fetal malpresentation
4. Estimated fetal weight less than 500 grams or more than 4000 grams
5. Placenta previa
6. Non-reassuring fetal health assessment
7. Maternal asthma
8. Latex allergy
9. Spontaneous labor
10. Other contraindication to vaginal delivery
Patients who enroll in the study will be randomized into 3 study arms: urinary balloon catheter only, prostaglandin gel only and combination urinary balloon catheter and prostaglandin gel. Randomization will be made by choosing a sealed envelope from the locked nurse medication storage area (Pyxis) located on Labor and Delivery at Palmetto Health Richland. Randomization will be 1:1:1 with randomization envelopes prepared by statisticians at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health. The investigator will be given the next sequentially numbered study envelope by the patient's nurse. The randomization included will be unblinded to the patient and her physicians.
URINARY BALLLOON CATHETER ONLY ARM
The patient will be placed in the lithotomy position, either in the bed or in stirrups. A baseline digital exam of the cervix will be performed by the physician and a Bishop score recorded. A urinary balloon catheter will be placed through the cervix into the lower uterine segment, either digitally or with the aid of a speculum. Once the catheter is properly positioned, the bulb will be inflated with 40ml of normal saline. The urinary balloon catheter will then be secured to the patient's thigh using tape. The catheter will then be placed under traction by attaching it to a liter bag of saline.
The catheter will be deflated and removed after 6 hours, with the time of removal recorded in the medical record. If the catheter is spontaneously expelled from the uterus, the time of expulsion will be noted by the nurse. Six (6) hours after insertion of the catheter, the physician will perform a digital cervical exam and a Bishop score recorded.
If the patient is not in active labor at the time of catheter removal or expulsion, a standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence. Labor management will be at the discretion of the physician. Artificial rupture of membranes may also be carried out at the physician's discretion.
PREPIDIL ONLY ARM
The patient will be placed in the lithotomy position, either in the bed or in stirrups. A baseline digital exam of the cervix will be performed by the physician and a Bishop score recorded in the medical record.
Prepidil gel will be inserted into the vaginal fornix according to the manufacturer's direction. No oxytocin or other intervention will commence until 6 hours after insertion of the gel. Six (6) hours after insertion of the gel, the physician will perform a digital cervical exam and a Bishop score recorded.
If the patient is not in active labor 6 hours after the administration of Prepidil gel, a standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence. Labor management will be at the discretion of the physician. Artificial rupture of membranes may also be carried out at the physician's discretion.
COMBINED URINARY BALLOON CATHETER AND PREPIDIL GEL ARM
The patient will be placed in the lithotomy position, either in the bed or in stirrups. A baseline digital exam of the cervix will be performed by the physician and a Bishop score recorded. A urinary balloon catheter will be placed through the cervix into the lower uterine segment, either digitally or with the aid of a speculum. Once the catheter is properly positioned, the bulb will be inflated with 40ml of normal saline. The urinary balloon catheter will then be secured to the patient's thigh using tape. The catheter will then be placed under traction by attaching it to a liter bag of saline.
Prepidil gel will be inserted through the urinary balloon catheter into the lower uterine segment, in a dose equivalent to the manufacturer's recommendation. No oxytocin or other intervention will commence until 6 hours after insertion of the catheter and prepidil gel (even if the catheter is spontaneously expelled prior to that time). Six (6) hours after insertion of the catheter and gel, the physician will perform a digital cervical exam and a Bishop score recorded.
The catheter will be deflated and removed after 6 hours, with the time of removal noted by the nurse. If the catheter is spontaneously expelled from the uterus, the time of expulsion will be noted by the nurse. If the patient is not in active labor 6 hours after insertion of prepidil gel, a standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence. Labor management will be at the discretion of the physician. Artificial rupture of membranes may also be carried out at the physician's discretion.
Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Urinary Balloon Catheter Only
A urinary balloon catheter will be placed through the cervix into the lower uterine segment and the bulb inflated with 40ml of saline. The catheter will be taped to the patient's thigh and placed under traction using a liter bag of saline. The catheter will be deflated and removed after 6 hours. If spontaneously expelled from the uterus, time of expulsion will be noted. Six hours after insertion of catheter, a digital exam will be performed and Bishop score recorded. If no active labor at time of catheter removal or expulsion, standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence. Labor management will be at the discretion of the physician.
Urinary Balloon Catheter
Pre-induction cervical ripening using a urinary balloon catheter device.
Prepadil Only
Prepidil Only : Prepidil gel will be inserted into the vaginal fornix according to manufacturer's direction. No oxytocin or other intervention will commence until 6 hours after insertion of gel. Six hours after insertion of gel, digital exam will be performed and Bishop score recorded. If no active labor 6 hours after the administration of gel, standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence. Labor management will be at the discretion of the physician.
Prepidil Gel
Pre-induction cervical ripening using dinoprostone gel in the vagina.
Combined Urinary Catheter & Prepidil Gel
A urinary balloon catheter will be placed through the cervix into the lower uterine segment and the bulb inflated with 40ml of saline. The catheter will be taped to the patient's thigh and placed under traction using a liter bag of saline. Prepidil gel will be inserted through the catheter into the lower uterine segment, in a dose equivalent to manufacturer's recommendation. No oxytocin or other intervention will commence until 6 hours after insertion of the catheter and administration of prepidil gel (even if catheter is spontaneously expelled). After 6 hours, digital exam will be performed and Bishop score recorded. If no active labor, standardized protocol of oxytocin will commence.
Combined Urinary Catheter & Prepidil Gel
Pre-induction cervical ripening using dinoprostone gel injected through a urinary balloon catheter placed in the lower uterine segment.
Interventions
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Prepidil Gel
Pre-induction cervical ripening using dinoprostone gel in the vagina.
Urinary Balloon Catheter
Pre-induction cervical ripening using a urinary balloon catheter device.
Combined Urinary Catheter & Prepidil Gel
Pre-induction cervical ripening using dinoprostone gel injected through a urinary balloon catheter placed in the lower uterine segment.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
2. Cephalic (head-first) presentation
3. Reassuring fetal health assessment
4. Gestational age between 26 and 42 weeks
5. Maternal age 18 and above
6. Bishop score less than 5
Exclusion Criteria
2. Fetal demise
3. Fetal malpresentation
4. Estimated fetal weight less than 500 grams or more than 4000 grams
5. Placenta previa
6. Non-reassuring fetal health assessment
7. Maternal asthma
8. Latex allergy
9. Spontaneous labor
10. Other contraindication to vaginal delivery
18 Years
FEMALE
No
Sponsors
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University of South Carolina
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Paul C Browne, MD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
University of South Carolina
Locations
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Palmetto Health Richland Hospital
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Countries
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References
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Greybush M, Singleton C, Atlas RO, Balducci J, Rust OA. Preinduction cervical ripening techniques compared. J Reprod Med. 2001 Jan;46(1):11-7.
Matonhodze BB, Hofmeyr GJ, Levin J. Labour induction at term--a randomised trial comparing Foley catheter plus titrated oral misoprostol solution, titrated oral misoprostol solution alone, and dinoprostone. S Afr Med J. 2003 May;93(5):375-9.
Kelly AJ, Malik S, Smith L, Kavanagh J, Thomas J. Vaginal prostaglandin (PGE2 and PGF2a) for induction of labour at term. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Oct 7;(4):CD003101. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003101.pub2.
ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 107: Induction of labor. Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Aug;114(2 Pt 1):386-397. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181b48ef5. No abstract available.
Heinemann J, Gillen G, Sanchez-Ramos L, Kaunitz AM. Do mechanical methods of cervical ripening increase infectious morbidity? A systematic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Aug;199(2):177-87; discussion 187-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.05.005.
James C, Peedicayil A, Seshadri L. Use of the Foley catheter as a cervical ripening agent prior to induction of labor. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1994 Dec;47(3):229-32. doi: 10.1016/0020-7292(94)90566-5.
Cromi A, Ghezzi F, Tomera S, Uccella S, Lischetti B, Bolis PF. Cervical ripening with the Foley catheter. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2007 May;97(2):105-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2006.10.014. Epub 2007 Feb 20.
Saunders JR. Foley-catheter induction of labour. Br Med J. 1972 Oct 28;4(5834):237. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5834.237-a. No abstract available.
Hemlin J, Moller B. Extraamniotic saline infusion is promising in preparing the cervix for induction of labor. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1998 Jan;77(1):45-9.
Karjane NW, Brock EL, Walsh SW. Induction of labor using a foley balloon, with and without extra-amniotic saline infusion. Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Feb;107(2 Pt 1):234-9. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000198629.44186.c8.
Wagman H, Usherwood M. Intrauterine death treated with intrauterine extra-amniotic prostaglandin E2. Br J Clin Pract. 1974 Sep;28(9):318.
Luengo J, Keirse MJ, Bennebroek Gravenhorst J. Extraamniotic prostaglandin F2 alpha for intrauterine death and fetal abnormality. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1977;7(5):325-9. doi: 10.1016/0028-2243(77)90017-x.
Fuchs AR, Goeschen K, Rasmussen AB, Rehnstrom JV. Cervical ripening and plasma prostaglandin levels. Comparison of endocervical and extra-amniotic PGE2. Prostaglandins. 1984 Aug;28(2):217-27. doi: 10.1016/0090-6980(84)90058-3.
Liu HS, Chang YK, Chu TY, Yu MH, Chen WH. Extra-amniotic balloon with PGE2 versus extra-ovular Foley catheter with PGF2alpha in mid-trimester pregnancy termination. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1998 Oct;63(1):51-4. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7292(98)00114-3.
Sherman DJ, Frenkel E, Pansky M, Caspi E, Bukovsky I, Langer R. Balloon cervical ripening with extra-amniotic infusion of saline or prostaglandin E2: a double-blind, randomized controlled study. Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Mar;97(3):375-80. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01168-6.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 342: induction of labor for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Aug;108(2):465-8. doi: 10.1097/00006250-200608000-00045.
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St Onge RD, Connors GT. Preinduction cervical ripening: a comparison of intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel versus the Foley catheter. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1995 Feb;172(2 Pt 1):687-90. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(95)90594-4.
Orhue AA. Induction of labour at term in primigravidae with low Bishop's score: a comparison of three methods. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1995 Feb;58(2):119-25. doi: 10.1016/0028-2243(94)01963-0.
Ghezzi F, Massimo F, Raio L, Di Naro E, Balestreri D, Bolis P. Extra-amniotic Foley catheter and prostaglandin E(2) gel for cervical ripening at term gestation. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2001 Aug;97(2):183-7. doi: 10.1016/s0301-2115(00)00544-3.
Sciscione AC, Nguyen L, Manley J, Pollock M, Maas B, Colmorgen G. A randomized comparison of transcervical Foley catheter to intravaginal misoprostol for preinduction cervical ripening. Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Apr;97(4):603-7. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01186-8.
Chung JH, Huang WH, Rumney PJ, Garite TJ, Nageotte MP. A prospective randomized controlled trial that compared misoprostol, Foley catheter, and combination misoprostol-Foley catheter for labor induction. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Oct;189(4):1031-5. doi: 10.1067/s0002-9378(03)00842-1.
Niromanesh S, Mosavi-Jarrahi A, Samkhaniani F. Intracervical Foley catheter balloon vs. prostaglandin in preinduction cervical ripening. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2003 Apr;81(1):23-7. doi: 10.1016/s0020-7292(02)00392-2.
Al-Taani MI. Comparison of prostaglandin E2 tablets or Foley catheter for labour induction in grand multiparas. East Mediterr Health J. 2004 Jul-Sep;10(4-5):547-53.
Afolabi BB, Oyeneyin OL, Ogedengbe OK. Intravaginal misoprostol versus Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2005 Jun;89(3):263-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2005.02.010. Epub 2005 Apr 2.
Dalui R, Suri V, Ray P, Gupta I. Comparison of extraamniotic Foley catheter and intracervical prostaglandin E gel for preinduction cervical ripening. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005 Apr;84(4):362-7. doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00662.x.
Owolabi AT, Kuti O, Ogunlola IO. Randomised trial of intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labour. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005 Aug;25(6):565-8. doi: 10.1080/01443610500231450.
Adeniji AO, Olayemi O, Odukogbe AA. Intravaginal misoprostol versus transcervical Foley catheter in pre-induction cervical ripening. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2006 Feb;92(2):130-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2005.10.010. Epub 2005 Dec 2. No abstract available.
Saleem S. Efficacy of dinoprostone, intracervical foleys and misoprostol in labor induction. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2006 Apr;16(4):276-9.
de Vaan MD, Ten Eikelder ML, Jozwiak M, Palmer KR, Davies-Tuck M, Bloemenkamp KW, Mol BWJ, Boulvain M. Mechanical methods for induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Mar 30;3(3):CD001233. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD001233.pub4.
Other Identifiers
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2010-60
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id