Double Balloon Catheter versus Single Balloon Catheter for Induction of Labour

Abstract

Background: Inducing labor is a procedure that is becoming an increasingly widespread practice in the field of obstetrics. Inducing labor can be accomplished through a variety of approaches and balloon catheters are a significant component of some of these approaches. It is not yet clear whether the double-balloon catheter that was built expressly for this purposes superior to the single-balloon device in terms of the efficacy, efficiency, safety, and satisfaction of the patient. Finding even minute distinctions between these two machines could be helpful for guiding clinical practices, further exploring their mechanisms, and for promoting a better understanding of the most effective strategies for labor induction.

Aim: to compare the efficacy, safety, and complications of double versus single balloon usage in the induction of labor.

Patients and methods: A randomized prospective comparative study was established at the Basra Hospital for Women and Children from early January to the end of September on 102 pregnant women who attended the delivery room which randomly and anonymously categorized into two groups (51) participants for each one; group (A) was included the participant who has received a single-balloon catheter for labor induction, and group (B) was included those who received double-balloon catheter. The two groups were compared by several comparative parameters and matched for age and parity. We measured the method of delivery (vaginal, assisted, cesarean section), bishop score increment, bleeding at the time of induction, time to labor, need for oxytocin augmentation, maternal adverse events (postpartum hemorrhage, Uterine hyper stimulation), and neonatal adverse events (low Apgar score). This study was based on a well-designed and data was analysed using a statistical package of social sciences 26.

Results: This study included 102 pregnant women divided into two groups. It was recorded that most of the women in groups (A) and (B) were delivered vaginally (78.4%, and 70.6%) respectively. Most of the studied groups had no history of postpartum haemorrhage and to less extent mild to moderate PPH. Despite that, there was no significant association between the maternal outcomes distribution and the use of a single balloon or double catheters. Regarding neonatal outcomes; both groups had mostly APGAR scores of (7-10), and to slightly differs score (4-6), in addition, most of them were discharged home and small rates of death were recorded which was statistically significant for neonatal fate and non-significant for APGAR score.

Conclusion: The efficacy of both double balloons and single balloons was comparable regarding the time of the delivery and the risk of the caesarean section. Maternal side effects- although it was not significant- they more frequently occur with double rather than a single balloon. Furthermore, neonatal outcomes were more favorable with the single balloon method.