[Labor induction with prostaglandin in post-cesarean section status].

60 pregnant women with previous cesarean section and induction of labour with prostaglandins (PGE2) in the following pregnancy were compared to a collective of 1412 patients with PGE2 induction without any previous uterine surgery, and to a collective of 82 patients with previous cesarean section, but an uncomplicated course of pregnancy and therefore no indication for an induction of labour. Uterine hyperstimulation was more frequent in both collectives with previous cesarean section than in the collective without that risk. In the case of previous cesarean section induction of labour with prostaglandins did not lead to an increased number of uterine ruptures compared to cases with a previous cesarean section. Therefore the induction of labour itself in the case of a previous cesarean section doesn't lead to an increased maternal risk during delivery. Uterine hyperstimulation being rare, the increased number of fetal acidosis and vaginal-operative delivery in the group with previous cesarean section and consecutive PGE2 induction of labour seems to originate rather from the risk which was the indication for labour induction than from the PGE2 application itself. The information of a patient with previous cesarean section and planed induction of labour with PGE2 should therefore put the stress in the necessity of an intensive surveillance during delivery because of the basic risk "previous cesarean section" and the secondary risk resulting from the induction of labour.