Vaginal infection therapy after premature rupture of the membranes.

Fig. l In accordance with the technique of infection prophylaxis during labor which we developed two years ago (1), we now use this new method modified accordingly also in cases of premature rupture of the membranes (2). All patients in our prenatal care unit are advised to come to the hospital directly after the membranes have ruptured. Immedi^ ately after admission a thin cathether is fixed onto the portio with a knotted suture or it is inserted into the vagina by means of a ring pessary onto which it is knotted with a silk thread (Fig. 2). Through this cathether a strongly diluted (0.5%) PVP-iodine solution is applied continuously into the vagina. The speed of the infusion is 20ml/h. The infusion should always be performed using an infusion pump to exclude interruptions in the flow. This continuous disinfection of the lower birth canal is performed until the start of labor.