[Misoprostol and oxytocin for induction of cervical ripening and labor in patients with term pregnancy and premature membrane rupture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the concurrent administration of intravaginal misoprostol and oxytocin for cervical ripening and labor induction on length labor, mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred seven patients with singleton pregnancy at term, vertex presentations, premature rupture of membranes and Bishop scores of < or = 4 were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments: Group I: Intravenous oxytocin plus intravaginal misoprostol (n = 36); Group II: Intravenous oxytocin plus placebo intravaginal (n = 34); Group III: Intravaginal misoprostol plus intravenous placebo. The time interval from induction to beginning of the labor, from induction to delivery, mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes were measured. RESULTS: The mean time from induction to beginning of labor was different between the groups: Group I: 48.75 minutes, Group II: 107.50 minutes, Group III: 95.94 minutes (p = 0.0024). The mean time in minutes from induction to delivery was different between the groups: Group I: 359.83; Group II: 537.05; Group III: 474.54 (p < 0.05). The frequency of tachysystole, mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes were similar among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oxytocin that is administered simultaneously with intravaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction in patients with pregnancies at term, premature rupture of membranes and Bishop scores < 4 make the labor beginning quickly, significantly shortens induction to delivery times without affecting the mode of delivery and with no apparent adverse maternal and perinatal effects.