Saline solution amnioinfusion for oligohydramnios after premature rupture of the membranes. A preliminary report.

In the conservative management of premature rupture of the membranes, most patients have oligohydramnios caused by continuous leakage of amniotic fluid. To avoid unfavorable effects of oligohydramnios on fetal development and well-being, we infused physiologic saline solution continuously into the amniotic cavity at a flow rate of 10 to 20 ml/hr with a new cervical indwelling catheter (PROM-fence). As a result the average pocket size of amniotic cavity was 2.7 cm before amnioinfusion, 5.9 cm 1 day after, 5.8 cm 5 days after, and 5.0 cm 10 days after amnioinfusion. The saline solution amnioinfusion made it possible to keep the amniotic cavity fluid level adequate. Variable deceleration disappeared in one case. No side effects such as uterine contractions were observed. We recommend the method of saline solution amnioinfusion for its favorable effects on fetal environment during management of premature rupture of membranes.