OBJECTIVETo compare the effectiveness and safety of using the combination of dinoprostone suppository and ethacridine and ethacridine alone for the induction of mid-term pregnancy.

METHODSThe clinical data of 96 patients at 16-27+6 gestational weeks in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2008 to December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into combination group (n=54) and ethacridine alone group (n=42) based on their induction methods. The efficacy and side effect were compared between these two groups after the induction.

RESULTSThe effectiveness rate was 70.4% (38/54) in the combination group,which was significantly higher than that in ethacridine alone group (4.8%) (2/42) (P=0.001). The durations of the first and second,and total stage of labor were found to be significantly shorter in combination group [(287∓39) and (513∓39) min)] when compared with ethacridine alone group [(546∓84) and (661∓82) min] (P=0.01). The bleeding volume in the combination group was (69∓4) ml, which was significantly less than that in control group (96∓7) ml (P=0.02). The two groups had no significant differences in terms of in-labor duration (P=0.45), postpartum placenta remnants (P=0.91), and fetal membrane remnants (P=1.31).

CONCLUSIONThe combination of dinoprostone suppositories and ethacridine is more effective and safer than ethacridine alone for induction of mid-term pregnancy.