Cromi 2012.
Methods | RCT | |
Participants | 210 patients. Inclusion: singleton gestation, vertex presentation, BS ≤ 6, intact membranes, GA > 34 weeks, and reassuring fetal heart tracing on admission. Exclusion:antepartum bleeding, intrauterine fetal death, prior uterine scars, positive vaginal or rectal group B streptococcus screening cultures, placenta previa, other contraindication to vaginal delivery. | |
Interventions | Double‐balloon catheter (n = 105): inflated with 50 mL in either balloon. The double‐balloon device was left in place for approximately 12 hours. Dinoprostone vaginal insert 10‐mg controlled‐release (n = 105): in the vaginal fornix, max 24 hours | |
Outcomes | Vaginal delivery within 24 hours, improvement in the BS after ripening, caesarean delivery rates, ripening‐to‐delivery interval, oxytocin administration, epidural request, NICU admission, AS < 7 at 5 minutes, umbilical artery pH < 7.00. | |
Notes | Setting: University of In‐subria, Varese, Italy Study period: October 2010 to October 2011 Funding: not reported Declarations of interest: none declared |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Computer‐generated randomisation scheme |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Concealment by keeping random allocation sequence in a file cabinet with access restricted to research staff? |
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Not feasible due to nature of intervention |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Not reported |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | High risk | Not an ITT analysis, women excluded after failed placement balloon or need for PGE2 gel after suppository expulsion. |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | All pre‐specified outcomes were reported in result |
Other bias | Low risk | No other bias detected |