LABOUR INDUCTION;
Objective: To compare the efficacy of misoprostol 50ug (sublingual) incomparison with oxytocin infusion than for induction of labour in cases of PROM (prematurerupture of membrane at term). Design: Prospective randomized study. Setting: Mujahid TrustHospital, Faisalabad. Duration: Conducted from Dec 2006 to April 2008. Methods: Womenwere randomized to receive either 50 microgram of sublingual misoprostol every 4 hours withRinger’s lactate solution or oxytocin infusion 10 lU in one litre of Lactated Ringer’s solution witha sublingual placebo. Main outcome measures: The number of women delivering vaginallywithin 24 hours of labour induction. Results: Fifty two women (83%) in misoprostol group and48 (77 %>) in oxytocin group delivered vaginally within 24 hours [relative risk (RR)1.1. However,the induction to vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group 15+3.7 hourscompared with the oxytocin group 18+4.1. The incidence of tachysystole was more than threefolds higher in misoprostol than in the oxytocin group (14%) versus 4.3%) RR3.3) but this wasnot statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hypertonusor hyperstimulation syndrome, mode of delivery intervention for fetal distress or neonataloutcomes between the two groups. Conclusions: The group of women received misoprostolfor labour induction were found more successful in achieving vaginal delivery in comparativelyshorter time and more acceptable to patients. Further studies on safety with large numbers ofwomen need to be conducted before routine use.