comparison of foley catheter and intravenous oxytocin versus intravaginal prostaglandin E2 for mid-trimester pregnancy termination

ABSTRACT

To compare the efficacy, safety and adverse side effects of Foley catheter with intravenous oxytocin versus intravaginal prostaglandin E2 for second trimester termination of pregnancy. This study was carried out on 92 women at King Hussein Medical Center between January 1999 and June 2000. All women were in need of second-trimester uterine evacuation and were divided into two groups Group 1 consisted of 46 women who were allocated to the cervical Foley catheter plus intravenous oxytocin modality for induction, while group 2 consisted of the 46 women for whom two doses of 3 mg intravaginal prostaglandin E2 at 12 hour intervals were used. Using the t-test, the mean time from initiation of termination to uterine evacuation was not significantly different between the two groups. The rate of successful fetal evacuation at 24 hours was the same. The success rate and the incidence of adverse effects were similar in both groups. The use of a Foley catheter with intravenous oxytocin for mid-trimester pregnancy termination is safe and the success rate is compatible with intravaginal prostaglandin E2