• T O Tabowei and V O Oboro.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zonal General Hospital, Kwale, Delta State, Nigeria.
• East Afr Med J. 2003 Feb 1; 80 (2): 91-4.

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of low dose misoprostol as a ripening agent compared to the widely used balloon catheter in developing countries is undetermined.ObjectiveTo compare the safety and efficacy of a low dose intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical Foley's catheter for cervical ripening.DesignA prospective randomized controlled trial.SettingZonal General Hospital, Kwale, Nigeria from June 1, 1998 to May 30, 2001.MethodsCandidates for pre-induction cervical ripening were randomized to receive either 250 mcg of intravaginal misoprostol every four hours (n = 60) or intracervical Foley's catheter (n = 61).Main Outcome MeasuresFailure to achieve cervical ripening within 24 hours, need for augmentation, maternal and foetal complications.ResultsFailure to achieve cervical ripening within two hours was reduced with misoprostol (Relative Risk [RR] 0.63, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.43 - 0.92). Need for oxytocin augmentation was less in the misoprostol group (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.91). No significant differences existed in rates for uterine hyperstimulation, Caesarean section, maternal and neonatal morbidity.ConclusionIntravaginal misoprostol in a low dose was compared to intracervical balloon catheter for pre-induction ripening of the cervix.

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