Prolongation of the latent period in patients with premature rupture of the membranes by avoiding digital examination.

Fifty three women with PROM between 26 and 34 weeks of gestation were examined. Twenty five women (group A) underwent one digital examination for cervical assessment while in 28 women (group B) the cervix was evaluated by speculum. No pelvic examinations were performed throughout the latent period. The latent period increased from 3.1 days in group A to 9.5 days in group B (P less than 0.005). Chorioamnionitis developed in 24% in group A and in 18% in group B (N.S.).