Ultrasound Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ultrasound, including details on screening, diagnosis, pregnancy, detection.

Sonographic cervical assessment to predict the success of labor induction: a systematic review with metaanalysis.

Hatfield AS, Sanchez-Ramos L, Kaunitz AM

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA. ann.hatfield@jax.ufl.edu

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to review the literature that evaluates sonographic cervical assessment to predict successful induction of labor. STUDY DESIGN: Published prospective trials that measured sonographic cervical length before labor induction was initiated were evaluated. Trials were excluded if they contained data presented in later articles or did not contain extractable data. The total analysis included 20 trials with 3101 aggregate participants. RESULTS: Cervical length predicted successful induction (likelihood ratio of positive test, 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-2.31) and failed induction (likelihood ratio of negative test, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.39-0.67). Cervical length did not predict any specific outcome (eg, mode of delivery). The assessment of cervical wedging proved to be a useful diagnostic test, with a likelihood ratio of a positive test result of 2.64 and a likelihood ratio of a negative test result of 0.64. CONCLUSION: Sonographic cervical length was not an effective predictor of successful labor induction. Further evaluation of cervical wedging in the prediction of labor induction appears warranted.

Published 10 August 2007 in Am J Obstet Gynecol, 197(2): 186-92.
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