[Incidence and therapy of hyperstimulation following local prostaglandin administration for labor induction]

A major cause of concern with respect to local prostaglandin (PG) E2 application is uterine hyperstimulation. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of hyperstimulation and the possibility of treating this complication. A total of 181 cases were registered in two obstetric centres over a 51-month period. The rates of hyperstimulation were 7.3% in the group receiving intravaginal PG E 2 tablets (3 mg), 2.9% with intravaginal gel (2.5 mg), and 0.5% with intracervical gel (0.5 mg). In 178 cases (98.3%) the infusion of a beta-2 adrenergic drug (hexoprenaline or terbutaline) led, without adverse effects, to the rapid resolution of the alarming findings. Caesarean section was necessary in 3 patients. Depressed Apgar scores and an umbilical artery pH less than 7.20 were uncommon and, indeed, no more frequent than in PG E 2-treated cases without hyperstimulation. We conclude that uterine hyperstimulation is uncommon after low-dose PG E 2 therapy and is usually rapidly reversible, without apparent untoward intrapartum or neonatal effects.