[Premature rupture of membranes at term. Retrospective study of 88 cases]

A retrospective study enabled us to evaluate the "wait-and-see" attitude adopted in our department in case of premature rupture of the membranes at term. The series included 88 patients (9.74%) who delivered spontaneously or after induction. The following maternal parameters were studied:time between rupture and delivery, pyrexia and chorioamnionitis number of vaginal digital examinations, histology and placental bacteriology. Neonatal criteria were based upon an infection assessment. Our results showed that approximately 80% of patients were in labor within 24 hours following rupture. Cesarean section rate remained stable (13%) in comparison with the overall rate for the department. Neonatal infectious morbidity (5.7%) showed no increase. The incidence of chorioamniotitis did not vary (7 cases) but appeared to be related to the number of vaginal examinations before labor. In conclusion, our attitude of temporization did not result in any increase in the number of cesarean sections nor of neonatal infections in comparison with the general population in the department. Prostaglandins might be useful in unfavorable obstetric situations.