Comparison Between Two Medical Devices for Labor Induction After Previous C-section

NCT ID: NCT06506721

Last Updated: 2025-01-14

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

137 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-12-29

Study Completion Date

2026-12-28

Brief Summary

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The objective of the study ist to compare the Dilapan-S and the Cook Ballon device for the mechanical induction of labour in women with a previous C-section. There is currently lack of data regarding this comparison of the two methods for mechanical labour induction in this patient collective. Any method used for labour induction is therefore off-label. The primary outcome is the time between placement of the device and delivery. Ad secondary outcomes are among others the cesarean delivery rate and patient satisfaction with the induction method.

Detailed Description

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The cesarean section (CS) rate is increasing worldwide, with previous CS being an important factor contributing to this trend. The investigators think that VBAC may be safe, provided a careful selection of the patients is performed. The individual birth management is particularly important if labour has to be induced, as in case of approximately 25% of women attempting VBAC. Counselling patients about labour induction can be challenging, as they should be offered not only a safe, but also an effective method. Labor induction can be achieved by using several approaches: administration of drugs, which induce uterine contractions, such as prostaglandins or oxytocin, performing an amniotomy, or using mechanical methods. In Switzerland and implicitly in the investigators' institution, PGE after CS are rarely employed in carefully selected cases. Oxytocin administration after performing amniotomy is considered to be a safe method, but may be less effective with an unfavorable BISHOP score (\<6).

An possible alternative in case of unripe cervix is induction of labour by use of mechanical methods: balloon catheters and laminaria stents. The investigators currently use the double balloon catheter device (Cook Inc) for this purpose. This device is inserted transcervically and both ballons are inflated with sterile 0.9% saline solution. The catheter remains in place until spontaneously expelled or until start of active labour. If neither happens, it will be removed after 12 hours, followed by oxytocin administration and amniotomy.

Recently, an alternative method for mechanical induction is gaining increased attention: the use of hygroscopic cervical dilators. The method seems to be equally effective and safe as directly compared to a single device catheter in a low risk population of women without uterine scar. When used in patients with previous cesarean section, the rate of spontaneous labour seems to resemble existent data for induction with balloon catheter, this including the investigators' collective.

One of the advantages of Dilapan-S® could be the lack of vaginal protrusion and the fact that it does not have to be fixated under tension. Women seem to feel more mobile with Dilapan®, the perception of relaxation moments between contractions as well as sleep periods during the induction seem to be improved with Dilapan®.

Conditions

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Delivery, Obstetric Cesarean Section Obstetric Delivery

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Open (unblinded) prospective randomized trial
Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

NONE

due to nature of the induction method, blinding of women an/ or doctors is considered non-feasible

Study Groups

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Double balloon device

In this group of patients, the labour will be induced using the Cook double balloon device

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Double ballon device, Cook

Intervention Type DEVICE

Cook double balloon will be introduced transcervically. The double balloon will be inflated with sterile 0-9% saline solution (maximum 80 ml in each balloon of the double device), then the catheter will be fixed with a tape at the women's thigh without traction. The catheter will remain in place until spontaneously expelled or start of active labour.

If neither happens, the device will be removed after 12-24 hours and oxytocin will be administered and amniotomy as soon as feasible. If the cervix remains unfavorable after two cycles of 6 hours of oxytocin infusion, the induction will be classified as unsuccessful and C-section will be performed.

Hygroscopic cervix dilators

In this group of patients, the labour will be induced using the hygroscopic cervix dilators Dilapan-S

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Hygroscopic cervix dilators, Dilapan-S

Intervention Type DEVICE

A maximum number of 5 hygroscopic cervical dilator rods will be inserted transcervically, after humidification with sterile 0.9% saline solution. They will be fixed in this position by inserting a humidified compress into the vagina. They will remain in place until spontaneously expelled or until start of active labour.

In neither happens, the devices will be removed after 12-24 hours and oxytocin will be administered and amniotomy as soon as feasible. If the cervix remains unfavorable after two cycles of 6 hours of oxytocin infusion, the induction will be classified as unsuccessful and C-section will be performed.

Interventions

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Hygroscopic cervix dilators, Dilapan-S

A maximum number of 5 hygroscopic cervical dilator rods will be inserted transcervically, after humidification with sterile 0.9% saline solution. They will be fixed in this position by inserting a humidified compress into the vagina. They will remain in place until spontaneously expelled or until start of active labour.

In neither happens, the devices will be removed after 12-24 hours and oxytocin will be administered and amniotomy as soon as feasible. If the cervix remains unfavorable after two cycles of 6 hours of oxytocin infusion, the induction will be classified as unsuccessful and C-section will be performed.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Double ballon device, Cook

Cook double balloon will be introduced transcervically. The double balloon will be inflated with sterile 0-9% saline solution (maximum 80 ml in each balloon of the double device), then the catheter will be fixed with a tape at the women's thigh without traction. The catheter will remain in place until spontaneously expelled or start of active labour.

If neither happens, the device will be removed after 12-24 hours and oxytocin will be administered and amniotomy as soon as feasible. If the cervix remains unfavorable after two cycles of 6 hours of oxytocin infusion, the induction will be classified as unsuccessful and C-section will be performed.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* All women \>= 18years old with a previous CS and an indication of labour induction, between 24-42 weeks of pregnancy.
* Modified Bishop-Score \< 6
* Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* More than 1 CS
* Premature rupture of membranes
* Vaginal infection
* Intrauterine fetal demise
* Twin pregnancy
* Contraindication against labour induction or vaginal delivery
* Vaginal bleeding
* Simultaneous external administration of prostaglandins planned
* Placenta praevia, vasa praevia or placenta accreta spectrum
* Transverse fetal orientation
* Prolapsed umbilical cord
* Prior hysterotomy, classic uterine incision, myomectomy or any other full thickness uterine incision (except C-section)
* Pelvic structural anomaly
* Active genital herpes infection
* Invasive cervical cancer
* Abnormal fetal heart rate pattern
* Breech presentation
* Maternal heart disease
* Polyhydramnios
* Presentic part above the pelvic inlet
* Severe maternal hypertension
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

60 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Daniel Surbek, Prof. Dr.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Co-Chairman, Departament of Obstetrics an Gynäkology, Head of Obstetrics and feto-maternal Medicine, University Hospital Bern

Locations

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University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynäkologie, Inselspital

Bern, , Switzerland

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Switzerland

Central Contacts

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Anda P Radan, PD Dr. med.

Role: CONTACT

+41/0316321010

Mihaela M Fluri, Dr. med.univ.

Role: CONTACT

+41/0316321010

Facility Contacts

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Anda P Radan, PD Dr. med.

Role: primary

0041/ 0316321010

Mihaela M Fluri, Dr. med. univ.

Role: backup

0041/ 0316321010

References

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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.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16880321 (View on PubMed)

Menacker F, Declercq E, Macdorman MF. Cesarean delivery: background, trends, and epidemiology. Semin Perinatol. 2006 Oct;30(5):235-41. doi: 10.1053/j.semperi.2006.07.002.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17011392 (View on PubMed)

Greene MF. Vaginal birth after cesarean revisited. N Engl J Med. 2004 Dec 16;351(25):2647-9. doi: 10.1056/NEJMe048277. Epub 2004 Dec 14. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15598961 (View on PubMed)

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (College); Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Caughey AB, Cahill AG, Guise JM, Rouse DJ. Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;210(3):179-93. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.01.026.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24565430 (View on PubMed)

Martel MJ, MacKinnon CJ; Clinical Practice Obstetrics Committee, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Guidelines for vaginal birth after previous Caesarean birth. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2005 Feb;27(2):164-88. doi: 10.1016/s1701-2163(16)30188-8. English, French.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15943001 (View on PubMed)

Ravasia DJ, Wood SL, Pollard JK. Uterine rupture during induced trial of labor among women with previous cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000 Nov;183(5):1176-9. doi: 10.1067/mob.2000.109037.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11084562 (View on PubMed)

Grobman WA, Gilbert S, Landon MB, Spong CY, Leveno KJ, Rouse DJ, Varner MW, Moawad AH, Caritis SN, Harper M, Wapner RJ, Sorokin Y, Miodovnik M, Carpenter M, O'Sullivan MJ, Sibai BM, Langer O, Thorp JM, Ramin SM, Mercer BM. Outcomes of induction of labor after one prior cesarean. Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Feb;109(2 Pt 1):262-9. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000254169.49346.e9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17267822 (View on PubMed)

Saad AF, Villarreal J, Eid J, Spencer N, Ellis V, Hankins GD, Saade GR. A randomized controlled trial of Dilapan-S vs Foley balloon for preinduction cervical ripening (DILAFOL trial). Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Mar;220(3):275.e1-275.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.01.008. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30790569 (View on PubMed)

Radan AP, Amylidi-Mohr S, Mosimann B, Simillion C, Raio L, Mueller M, Surbek D. Safety and effectiveness of labour induction after caesarean section using balloon catheter or oxytocin. Swiss Med Wkly. 2017 Nov 8;147:w14532. doi: 10.4414/smw.2017.14532. eCollection 2017.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29120029 (View on PubMed)

Gupta J, Chodankar R, Baev O, Bahlmann F, Brega E, Gala A, Hellmeyer L, Hruban L, Maier J, Mehta P, Murthy A, Ritter M, Saad A, Shmakov R, Suneja A, Zahumensky J, Gdovinova D. Synthetic osmotic dilators in the induction of labour-An international multicentre observational study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2018 Oct;229:70-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.08.004. Epub 2018 Aug 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30107363 (View on PubMed)

Koenigbauer JT, Schalinski E, Jarchau U, Gauger U, Brandt K, Klaucke S, Scharf JP, Rath W, Hellmeyer L. Cervical ripening after cesarean section: a prospective dual center study comparing a mechanical osmotic dilator vs. prostaglandin E2. J Perinat Med. 2021 Aug 2;49(7):797-805. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0157. Print 2021 Sep 27.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 34333894 (View on PubMed)

Mueller M, Kolly L, Bauman M, Imboden S, Surbek D. Analysis of caesarean section rates over time in a single Swiss centre using a ten-group classification system. Swiss Med Wkly. 2014 Feb 19;144:w13921. doi: 10.4414/smw.2014.13921.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 24554332 (View on PubMed)

Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Osterman MJ, Curtin SC, Matthews TJ. Births: Final Data for 2014. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2015 Dec;64(12):1-64.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26727629 (View on PubMed)

Christmann-Schmid C, Raio L, Scheibner K, Muller M, Surbek D. Back to "once a caesarean: always a caesarean"? A trend analysis in Switzerland. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2016 Nov;294(5):905-910. doi: 10.1007/s00404-016-4055-4. Epub 2016 Mar 15.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26980229 (View on PubMed)

Related Links

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https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2006-924757

Surbek D, Rath W. Vaginale Geburt nach vorausgegangener Sectio - riskant?

https://www.dilapan.com/

Dilapan Information for patients

Other Identifiers

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10000993

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

2019-02112

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

CIV-21-12-038486

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

1650

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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