Table 7 Balloon catheter plus misoprostol vs. misoprostol alone for labour induction with unfavourable cervix. Results of recent randomised, controlled trials.

Author, year	Number of patients (n)	Intervention	Control	Significant findings
Kehl et al. 2011 57	122	Double balloon catheter (up to 24 h) + 50 µg misoprostol p. o. (dose increase to 100 µg possible)	50 µg misoprostol p. o. (dose increase to 100 µg possible)	Induction to delivery time (median): 15.3 vs. 20.8 hoursInduction failure: 9.3 vs. 21.2 %
Ande et al. 2012 61	100	Foley catheter + 50 µg vaginal misoprostol following catheter insertion	50 µg vaginal misoprostol (6-hourly)	Vaginal delivery rate in 12 hours: 92.5 vs. 60 %Caesarean section: 20 vs. 40 %
Carbone et al. 2013 58	123	Foley catheter + 25 µg vaginal misoprostol (4-hourly)	25 µg vaginal misoprostol (4-hourly)	Induction to delivery time (median): 15.3 vs. 18.3 hoursCervical dilatation rate (median): 13.7 vs. 17.1 hours
Ugwu et al. 2013 59	150	Foley catheter + 25 µg vaginal misoprostol (4-hourly)	25 µg vaginal misoprostol or Foley catheter alone	1st stage of labour approx. 3 hours shorterOxytocin: 40 vs. 17.5 vs. 25.6 %
Lanka et al. 2014 60	126	Foley catheter + 25 µg vaginal misoprostol (4-hourly)	25 µg vaginal misoprostol (4-hourly)	Uterine hyperstimulation: 7.9 vs. 39.7 %Meconium stained liquor: 6.3 vs. 27 %
Kehl et al. 2015 62	326	Double balloon catheter, after 24 h 50 µg misoprostol p. o. (100 µg possible)	50 µg misoprostol p. o. (100 µg possible)	Induction to delivery time (median): 32.4 vs. 22.5 hoursTotal misoprostol dose 100 vs. 200 µg