Labor induction with a combined method (pharmacologic and mechanical): A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a combined misoprostol-Foley catheter induction of labor protocol against the current guidelines of our department. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted comparing two cervical ripening study groups: combined misoprostol-cervical Foley and the current department practice (misoprostol alone or dinoprostone alone). Women were stratified randomly according to parity for the two intervention groups. The primary outcome was defined as time to delivery (in hours). Secondary outcomes were cesarean delivery rate, time to active labor (defined as dilatation 6 cm or greater), delivery within 12 h, delivery within 24 h, maternal length of stay and indication for cesarean delivery. A composite of maternal morbidity and neonatal morbidity were also analyzed. RESULTS: 142 women were randomized into one of the two groups (74 for treatment group and 68 for control group). Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar among the two groups. The primary outcome, the average time to delivery, was faster in the treatment group (22.7 h vs 27.2 h, p = 0.03) and this difference was higher in the nulliparous subgroup (24.2 h vs 29.2 h, p = 0.03). Active phase of labor was achieved faster in the treatment group (17.9 h vs 22.7 h, p = 0.008). The risk for cesarean section was similar in both groups (OR 0.801 (0.527-1.217) vs OR 1.203 (0.871-1.662), p = 0.278). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the combined method of cervical Foley with vaginal misoprostol for women presenting to induction of labor with unfavorable Bishop scores reduces time to delivery safely. The risk for cesarean section was similar in both groups.

Erosive Vulvar Lichen Planus and Risk of Vulvar Neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of vulvar cancer and precursors in a cohort of women with vulvar lichen planus (LP) and the clinical and therapeutic features of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, including all the women with the diagnosis of vulvar LP, followed in one institution during a period of 11 years, was performed. Demographic and clinical data, as well as treatment, follow-up, and histology results, were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 127 women were diagnosed with vulvar LP. The mean follow-up time was 3.9 ± 0.5 years (range = 1-11 years). Ultrapotent topical corticosteroids were first-line treatment in 91.8% (n = 112), with 32 cases (25.2%) needing an alternative treatment. Overall, 30 biopsies were performed in 19 women (15%). Vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion was diagnosed in 3 women (2.4%), 2 (1.6%) of whom were later diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. No cases of differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Premalignant/malignant transformation in women with vulvar LP under surveillance and compliant with treatment is low. A close follow-up seems to be crucial to prevent future malignancy. Biopsies should be performed whenever a suspicious lesion seems during follow-up.

Effect of obesity on labor duration among nulliparous women with epidural analgesia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the effect of obesity on the duration of labor, specifically latent and active phases of labor, and on mode of delivery, among nulliparous women with epidural analgesia.Study design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, comparing a sample of nulliparous obese women (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, n = 121) with a random sample of normal weight nulliparous (18.5 kg/m2 ≤body mass index ≤25 kg/m2, n = 161). Analysis included all obese women delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Centro Hospitalar, São João, Porto, Portugal between 1 January and 31 December, 2016. Only women submitted to epidural analgesia were included. Information on maternal age, obstetric history, current pregnancy and labor characteristics (gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery, total duration of labor, latent and active phases duration) was retrieved from electronic obstetrical databases and labor charts.Results: In our department, the prevalence of maternal obesity was 12.0%. Obese women had a significantly higher rate of cesarean delivery (47.1 versus 27.3%), fewer normal vaginal deliveries (28.9 versus 32.9%) and fewer instrumental vaginal deliveries (24.0 versus 39.8%). Labor induction was significantly more frequent among obese women (51.2 versus 29.2%; p = 0.001). The median (interquartile range) for length of latent phase when labor was induced with prostaglandins in the obese group was 23.3 hours (20.9). This was significantly longer than in normal weight women -15.6 hours (13.15) (p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in latent phase duration when labor was induced with oxytocin (12.4 versus 9.4 hours; p = 0.150). The medians (interquartile range) for length of latent phase in spontaneous delivery -6.5 hours (6.8) versus 6.6 hours (6.5) did not differ (p = 0.992). The duration of active phase was not significantly different between obese and normal weight (5.1 versus 5.1 hours; p = 0.784). For spontaneous labor, there was no difference between the two groups in the total duration of labor (11.9 versus 11.3 hours; p = 0.573). But for induced labor, the total duration was significantly higher among obese women (31.1 versus 21.4 hours; p = 0.001).Conclusion: Latent phase was longer in obese than normal weight women undergoing labor induction with prostaglandins. Obesity had no effect on duration of active phase. Obese women undergoing labor induction had a longer total duration of labor, compared to normal weight women mainly due to prolonged latent phase.