Speculum compared to digital insertion of the Foley catheter for labour induction in nulliparas
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN13804902 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN13804902 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 2017104-5636.V1 |
- Submission date
- 10/11/2017
- Registration date
- 15/11/2017
- Last edited
- 01/06/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Foley catheter (tube) insertion is a well-established method of inducing labour. It is recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and is widely used in Malaysia as well as in developed countries. There are two methods of Foley catheter insertion, namely using a speculum (device) or digitally (with fingers). The speculum method is more commonly used but a recent small study suggests digital insertion may be better tolerated. There is no currently recommended method of insertion and care providers used a method based on personal preference. The aim of this study is to assess the ease and tolerability of digital compared to speculum insertion of Foley catheter for induction of labour.
Who can participate?
Pregnant women aged 18 and over
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to either speculum or digital insertion of the Foley catheter. Following successful insertion, standard induction of labour is carried out in both groups. The time taken for successful insertion, failure of insertion, and associated pain are assessed in both groups.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
No major benefits or risks are expected from the proposed interventions. If the participant is allocated to the superior method of insertion, her insertion will be easier and better tolerated. It is possible that both methods may be equivalent. No additional risks are expected expected to routine Foley catheter induction of labour.
Where is the study run from?
University of Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2017 to December 2018
Who is funding the study?
University of Malaya Medical Centre (Malaysia)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Hang Min Chia
Contact information
Scientific
Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
Study information
| Study design | Single-centre randomised controlled trial with no blinding |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Speculum compared to digital insertion of the Foley catheter for labour induction in nulliparas: a randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | SPEDIG |
| Study hypothesis | Digitally guided insertion of Foley catheter through the cervix for induction of labour is easier and better tolerated than visually guided insertion using the vaginal speculum. |
| Ethics approval(s) | University of Malaya Medical Research Ethics Committee (UMMC-MREC), 25/10/2017, ref: 2017104-5636 |
| Condition | Induction of labour |
| Intervention | Randomisation is by the opening of sealed opaque and numbered envelope with lowest available envelope assigned in strict order. Randomisation sequence will be generated using a random number generator at Random.org in random block of 4 or 8 sequence, generated by investigator who is not involved in recruitment. Participants will be randomised into two groups: the digital group or the speculum group. Only specified investigators will perform the intervention using a standardised protocol In both group, participants will be placed on lithotomy position. 1. In the digital group, the Foley catheter tip will be guided through the cervical os by operator’s gloved index and middle fingers in the vagina with aid of a water-soluble lubricant 2. In the speculum group, a sterile Cusco speculum lubricated with a water-soluble lubricant will be inserted into the vagina and adjusted to visualise cervix, a sponge forcep will be used to guide Foley catheter tip through the cervical os. In both arms, after the catheter tip has been passed through the cervical canal, the Foley balloon will then be inflated with 60mls of sterile water and gently retracted till it meets resistance.The external end of the catheter will be taped without tension to the medial aspect of the women’s thigh. In the event of a failed insertion, cross over to the other method will apply. Following successful insertion of the Foley catheter, standard institutional care applicable to Foley catheter labour induction shall apply. |
| Intervention type | Procedure/Surgery |
| Primary outcome measure | Measured during and at the end of the first attempt of the procedure, process will not be more than 6 minutes: 1. Time taken to successful insertion (first attempt): measurement of insertion time using a stop watch, begins when the operator’s finger or speculum entered the vagina and ended at full inflation of the catheter balloon 2. Failure of insertion (first attempt) 3. Pain score associated with the Foley catheter insertion, measured using Visual Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) scored from 0 to 10, with higher score denoting greater pain, assessed immediately after the first insertion attempt |
| Secondary outcome measures | Maternal outcomes: 1. Preference of insertion method: question will be asked after intervention (insertion) 2. Use of additional method(s) for cervical ripening, obtained from patient’s medical record 3. Insertion-to-balloon expulsion or removal interval, obtained from patient’s medical record 4. Epidural analgesia usage, obtained from patient’s medical record 5. Oxytocin for labour induction or augmentation (not for third stage), obtained from patient’s medical record 6. Induction to delivery interval, obtained from patient’s medical record 7. Mode of delivery and indication for operative delivery, obtained from patient’s medical record 8. Estimated blood loss, obtained from patient’s medical record 9. Maternal satisfaction with their care from intervention to birth, assessed within 24 hours of delivery 10. Fever: single or more readings of temperature ≥38oC (intrapartum and day 1 postpartum), diagnosis of chorioamnionitis or endometritis, obtained from patient’s medical record Neonatal outcomes, obtained from patient’s medical record: 1. Apgar score 2. NICU admission 3. Birth weight 4. Cord pH |
| Overall study start date | 01/07/2017 |
| Overall study end date | 31/12/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target number of participants | 84 |
| Total final enrolment | 86 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 18 years and above 2. Nulliparous women 3. Gestational age of > 37 weeks at enrollment 4. Fetus in cephalic presentation 5. Singleton fetus 6. Reassuring pre-induction fetal cardiotocography 7. Unfavourable cervix (Bishop score ≤ 5) 8. Intact membrane 9. Able to read and understand informed consents and questionnaires |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Previous use of an induction or preinduction agent 2. Suspicion of chorioamnionitis or clinical genital tract infection 3. Allergy to latex 4. Known gross fatal anomaly |
| Recruitment start date | 01/12/2017 |
| Recruitment end date | 31/12/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Malaysia
Study participating centre
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of Malaya Medical Centre
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
59100
Malaysia
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/00rzspn62 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Hospital/treatment centre
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/07/2019 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal, aim for publication in July 2019. |
| IPD sharing plan | The data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 29/05/2020 | 01/06/2020 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
01/06/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
