[Labor induction with an unfavorable cervix by the modified Krause method]

When delivery induction with an unfavorable cervix, is required, the traditional conduct has been to use oxitocin and more recently prostaglandins as gel. The purpose of this report is to communicate the experience of a prospective work with a group of 48 patients with amenorrhea from 16 to 42.5 weeks of gestation with an unfavorable cervix. The idea was to modify cervical features in order to facilitate delivery induction in patients with the following diagnosis: 1, Prolonged pregnancy in 32 patients. 2. Severe pre-eclampsia in seven. 3. High blood pressure in five. 4. Intrauterine growth retardation in four. All the patients were evaluated with a Bishop index of three or less. The procedure consisted of introduction of a No. 14 or 16 Foley catheter through the cervical canal, filling the balloon with 30 ml, and simultaneous application of intravenous oxitocin controlled with an infusion pump. Cervical maturation was seen in all the patients, time was from 2 to 24 hours. In all the cases Bishop's index was greater than five after the procedure. Delivery via was vaginal in 26 patients, and cesarean section in 22. There were no infectious complications, nor other type in women nor in newborns. It was concluded that despite criticism, this procedure has shown to be useful, dependable, to mature the cervix, its is available for all gyneco-obstetricians and easy to carry out.