[Uterine reactions to prostaglandins in induced labor--results of a multicenter study]

During a prospective multicentric study concerning labor induction with prostaglandins 1472 prostaglandin-inductions were documented. With a Bishop Score < 5 a gel containing 0.5 mg of PgE2 was applied intracervically, with a Bishop Score > = 5 a tablet containing 3 mg of PgE2 was applied retrocervically inside vagina. In case of lacking success the application was repeated after 6 to 8 hours and after 24 hours according to the actual Bishop-Score. Coordinated labor after application of PG-gel or PG-tablet was observed in 85.2% (83.3% respectively), polycystolia or tetani in 13.9% of cases (9.1% respectively). Differences were not statistically significant. Uterine reactions started in the mean 5-6 hours after the last PG-application, but intervals showed a significant spreading among single cases. In 16.0% of the patients successfully treated with Pg-gel and in 8.3% of the patients successfully treated with a PG-tablet due to a uterine hyperstimulation a tocolytic treatment became necessary. With a ripe cervical score (Bishop-Score > 7 points) a significant shortening of the induction-interval was observed.