Comparative study of rectal misoprostol to oxytocin infusion in preventing postpartum haemorrhage after caesarean section

Adanikin, Abiodun, Idowu, Orji, E., Adanikin, P.O. and Olaniyan, O. (2014) Comparative study of rectal misoprostol to oxytocin infusion in preventing postpartum haemorrhage after caesarean section. Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 8 (16), 34-37. (doi:10.3126/njog.v8i2.9767).

Abstract

Aims: This comparative study aimed to compare the efficacy of rectal misoprostol to oxytocin infusion in preventing primary postpartum haemorrhage after caesarean section.

Methods: Fifty pregnant women with identifiable risk factors for post-partum haemorrhage who delivered baby by caesarean section were randomized to receive 600 ?g rectal misoprostol and a placebo infusion intravenously or placebo rectally and a 20 iu oxytocin infusion. Post-operative blood loss four hours after surgery was estimated by application of pads of known weight.

Results: The mean immediate four hours post-operative blood loss was not significantly different between the rectal misoprostol and oxytocin infusion group (100.08 ± 24.85 ml versus 108.20 ± 29.93 ml; p =0.144) and the change between the pre-operative and post-operative hematocrit was similar.

Conclusions: Post-caesarean section rectal misoprostol has comparative efficacy to oxytocin infusion in preventing post-partum haemorrhage. It is recommended for use as alternative uterotonic in settings where there is low refrigeration capacity.

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