[Evaluation of the use of prostaglandins E2 in cervical maturation]

This is a prospective study in order to know the efficacy of prostaglandin E2 gel in the induction of labor by intravaginal administration at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología. All pregnancies had between 16 and 34 weeks of gestation. There were two groups: Group A (n = 40) patients in whom the induction was made with prostaglandin plus oxitocin, and Group B (n = 40) when just oxitocin was employed. In the first group it was shown a shortening in the length of time of induction, hospitalization days and resolution of the pregnancy by vaginal route in the 100% of the cases. We did not observed side effects in relation to the use of the prostaglandin.