Efficacy of Amnitear vs. Conventional Method for Artificial Rupture of Membranes: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Amnitear is a newer device which is to be worn over gloved index finger for doing artificial rupture of membranes. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Amnitear in doing Artificial Rupture of Membrane (ARM) and to compare the efficacy and safety of amnitear Vs the conventional method (kocher’s clamp) in ARM. Material & Methods: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized study was done to evaluate the efficacy of Amnitear Vs conventional method (kocher’s clamp) for doing ARM. Patients with even Inpatient Department (IPD) number were grouped as ‘A’ (study group) in which ARM was done with amnitear & Group ‘K’ (control group) constituted the patients with odd IPD number in which ARM was done with conventional method (kocher’s clamp). There were 60 patients in each group. Obstetrician comfort level was assessed by the experience felt by the concerned doctor; in terms of excellent, good and poor. Pain and discomfort felt by the patient during the procedure was assessed with the help of visual analogue scale scoring system. Results: One hundered and twenty women in labour requiring ARM were randomized into 2 groups. The efficacy of Amnitear was assessed in terms of number of attempts required to successfully perform the procedure which showed a statistical significant difference (p=0.02) in the two groups. Obstetrician comfort level was significantly better in amnitear group. No statistically significant difference was seen in the pain and discomfort felt by the patient during both the procedure. Conclusion: Amnitear appears to be an efficacious device to do the ARM.

Keywords

• amniotomy
• induction
• labour
• prostaglandin