W. Parewijck

Chronic stimulation of uterine prostaglandin synthesis during cervical ripening before the onset of labor

Concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM) were measured in plasma of six carefully selected primigravid women with an unripe cervix at term before and at various intervals after extra-amniotic insertion of a Foley catheter with or without methylhydroxyethylcellulose (Tylose) gel. The procedure caused an acute elevation of PGFM levels within 5 min (P less than 0.025), which was maintained for at least 6 hours in the absence of uterine activation at 179 +/- 32% of the initial values (P less than 0.01). Extra-amniotic administration of Tylose gel caused an increase in PGFM levels which was both higher and more prolonged (greater than 12 hours) than insertion of a Foley catheter alone. The observations indicate that cervical ripening without concomitant uterine activation is associated with an increase in PGFM levels. They also demonstrate that prolonged activation of (intra) uterine prostaglandin synthesis may occur several hours before the onset of labor-like uterine activity. A chance finding further suggests that spontaneous rupture of the membranes too may be preceeded by an increase in (intra) uterine prostaglandin synthesis. In their totality these observations lend strong support to the proposition that an increase in (intra) uterine prostaglandin production is a prerequisite to rather than a consequence of the initiation of labor.

Endocervical prostaglandin E2 gel for preinduction cervical softening

A single, endocervical application of a new commercial preparation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel, 0.5 mg of PGE2 in 2.5 ml (3 g), was evaluated for preinduction cervical softening. Safety and efficacy were assessed in a comparison with a 2.0 mg PGE2 vaginal tablet and placebo in normal nulliparous women at term, with low Bishop scores. Treatment was administered in randomized, double blind fashion. Overall success, defined as a progression in Bishop score of at least 3 points within 12 hours, was achieved in 22/40 (55%) of the gel group, 15/41 (37%) in the tablet treated women, and 8/40 (20%) in those receiving placebo. Of interest was the observation that of women with very unfavorable induction features (Bishop score 0-2), the cervical gel treatment resulted in a 6/8 (75%) success rate compared with 2/13 (15%) success for the vaginal tablet and 0/17 (0%) for placebo. In as much as a very low incidence of side effects accompanied this treatment scheme, expanded multi-center testing is recommended.

Candidiasis in women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device

Summary. Vaginal colonization by Candida spp. was compared in 117 women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD users) and in 100 women not wearing an IUCD (control group). None of the subjects had factors currently assumed to predispose to yeast colonization or infection. Yeasts were present significantly more often in the IUCD users (20%) than in the control group (6%). In two of the 21 women with positive cultures the tail of the IUCD yielded substantially more colonies than the vaginal specimen and in seven, only the tail culture was positive. These findings strongly suggest that the IUCD is a predisposing factor in vaginal colonization by Candida strains. In half the women the presence of yeasts in the vagina was not associated with signs and symptoms of clinical infection. Of the 29 yeast strains isolated 17 were C. albicans, there was no difference in the prevalence of C. albicans between IUCD users and non‐users or between symptomatic and asymptomatic women.

Immediate postplacental insertion and fixation of the CuFix postpartum implant system

Since promising results were obtained with the CuFix interval implant system in international clinical trials conducted worldwide, a modification of the device adapting it for immediate postplacental insertion and fixation (IPPIF) seemed a logical approach to solve the expulsion problem of IUDs inserted at that particular time. Seventy-three insertions were performed at three university centers, during 1990 and 1991, both by skilled and unskilled investigators. The results of this multicenter study show the excellent retainability of the modified IUD supporting the validity of the anchoring principle. The insertion procedure is easy, requiring minimal training, and the insertion technique appeared to be safe.

Clinical experience with the GYNE-T 380 * postpartum intrauterine device

OBJECTIVE The insertion of conventional intrauterine devices (IUDs) during the 1st 10 days after delivery is associated with a high rate of expulsions. DESIGN The GYNE-T 380 (Ortho Pharmaceutical [Canada] Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada) IUD was modified by the addition of a loose loop of knotted biodegradable no. 2 catgut to the top of the IUD (GYNE-T 380 postpartum IUD). After delivery, a special inserter was used to imbed the knotted portion of the loop into the myometrium of the uterine fundus. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS This modified IUD was evaluated in a phase II trial involving 190 women at four clinical sites. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES There were no pregnancies during the 1st year of the study. The continuation rate was 74 per 100 women and a life table expulsion rate of 9.6 and 13.3 per 100 women was observed at 6 and 12 months, respectively. RESULTS Complications associated with the insertion and the use of this IUD were minimal. Large scale trials evaluating this IUD are in progress.

Assessment of a two dose scheme of PGE2 gel for preinduction cervical softening

A single dose technique of endocervically administered 0.5 mg PGE2 triacetin gel has been reliably effective for preinduction cervical softening. This study examined the value of a 2 times 0.25 mg dosing scheme over a 12 hour period and compared it with the single dose method. It was concluded that there was no advantage in the two dose scheme and given the potential for contamination or inadvertent rupture of the membranes with more frequent dosing, the single application remains the procedure of choice.