[Ripening the cervix using intracervical administration of PGE2 with a butterfly needle in terminating pregnancy]

By intracervical administration of 0.75 mg PGE2, using a butterfly needle, the authors preinduced 32 patients with an immature portio vaginalis cervicis (CS 5 points) who had indications for termination of a full-term pregnancy. Slow administration lasted cca 6 hours. Maturation of the portio vaginalis cervicis occurred in 93.5%, in 71% regular uterine contractions started. The length of labour stages, the loss of blood, frequency of injuries during labour and foetal hypoxia were similar as in spontaneous deliveries. Side-effects were recorded in 20.7%. The described method is a suitable alternative to administration of gel substances, in particular because it is cheaper because it is well tolerated by the patients and is simple.