Comparing the efficacy of dilapan with extra-amniotic saline infusion and oral misoprostol for cervical ripening in term pregnancies

Introduction Labor induction is an important issue in modern obstetrics. One of the important factors for the success of induction of labor is the Bishop score of cervix. Objective The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of dilapan with extra-amniotic saline infusion and oral misoprostol for cervical ripening in term pregnancies. Methods This clinical trial study was performed on 120 nulliparous pregnant women with the Bishop score of less than 5. Group one, group two and group three received dilapan, extra amniotic saline infusion (EASI) and misoprostol respectively. All three groups were compared for duration from beginning of the intervention up to cervical ripening and Bishop Score of >= 7, duration of active phase and the second stage of labor, number of deliveries in the first 24 h, duration from beginning of the intervention up to delivery, rout of delivery as well as neonatal weight, neonatal Apgar score; hyper- stimulation, and need for oxytocin and oxytocin doses administered after 12 h of intervention. Results The number of deliveries in the first 24 h after intervention were not significantly different between the three groups. There was no significant difference between the three groups according to duration from beginning of the intervention up to cervical ripening and Bishop Score of >= 7, duration of active phase and the second stage of labor, duration from beginning of the intervention up to delivery, rout of delivery as well as neonatal weight, neonatal Apgar score; and hyperstimulation. The Bishop Score was higher in the misoprostol group 6 h after intervention [dilapan: 4.32 +/- 1.38, EASI: 5.47 +/- 1.28, and misoprostol: 6.72 +/- 1.61 (p = .000)], Oxytocin requirement [dilapan: 38 (95%) women, EASI: 37 (92.50%) and misoprostol: 30 (75%) women, p = .013], and required dose [dilapan: 7543 +/- 2465 miu/ml, EASI: 5758 +/- 1615miu/ml and misoprostol: 4930 +/- 2589miu/ml, p = .000] were lower in misoprostol group. Conclusion Dilapan is an effective and safe method for cervical ripening in full term gestations. In cases where misoprostol and EASI cannot be used or are not desirable, dilapan can be used as an alternative. Trial registration number and registry website: IRCT20091023002624N25

Automated summary

This study evaluated and compared the efficacy of different methods for cervical ripening in full term pregnancies, finding that dilapan is an effective and safe option. The misoprostol group showed higher Bishop Score and lower need for oxytocin compared to the other groups.