A randomized study comparing intravaginal prostaglandin (PGE2) with oxytocin for induction of labour in premature rupture of membrane at term.

This is a prospective randomized study conducted in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital from February 2008 to January 2009. Total 72 women with Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) were included. Thirty-six women received PGE2 vaginal gel and thirty-six received iv oxytocin. Induction was successful in majority of cases in both the groups; 88.8% in PGE2 and 83.3% in oxytocin group (p value = 0.063). Time duration from induction to active stage was comparable (p value = 0.273). Induction to delivery interval was significantly low in oxytocin group (p value = 0.002) but leaking to delivery interval was similar in both the groups (p value = 0.083). PGE2 had slightly higher side effect than oxytocin. PGE2 and oxytocin were both effective and safe for induction of labour in women with PROM at term. There was no significant difference in maternal and fetal outcome, hospital stay, leaking to delivery interval, maternal and neonatal side effects, though induction to delivery interval was significantly less with oxytocin.