TOCOLYSIS FOR RECURRENT PRETERM LABOR USING A CONTINOUS SUBCUTANEOUS INFUSION-PUMP

This study attempted to determine the best method of treatment for pat ients with recurrent preterm labor: administration of terbutaline via an automated, programmable, subcutaneous infusion pump or oral terbuta line. fit this retrospective, controlled study, 32 patients diagnosed with recurrent preterm labor, as determined by persistent uterine cont ractions with cervical change, were treated with a programmable infusi on pump adjusted to control uterine contraction frequency to less than or equal to 4 contractions per hour. Patients in this group were matc hed for age, race, parity, gestational age and cervical dilation at di agnosis of recurrent preterm labor in subjects taking oral terbutaline . The patients receiving oral terbutaline were given an average of 6.5 mg every four to six hours to maintain uterine quiescence, while thos e in the pump group were given basal rates of terbutaline and in addit ion received four to six boluses pel day (<3 mg/d total dose) to achie ve this outcome. Patients using the pump were mol e likely to reach te rm and less likely to Jail tocolytic therapy than were those taking ov al terbutaline. The terbutaline re pump appeared to be more successful in prolonging pregnancies to term after the diagnosis of recurrent pr eterm labor than diet oral terbutaline.