Combined Use of Misoprostol Plus Oxytocin versus Oxytocin Alone to Reduce Blood Loss during Cesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Misoprostol is thought to present several improvements over oxytocin for preventing and treating of PostPartum Hemorrhage (PPH). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oxytocin alone versus combination of oxytocin–misoprostol in preventing excessive blood loss after caesarean section. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and two women were included in this study who were attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments, Zagazig University Hospitals and Benha Teaching Hospital. Misoprostol 200 mcg sublingually and oxytocin 5 IU bolus intravenously were administered to 51 patients. The other 51 cases received 5 IU bolus intravenous oxytocin followed by I.V drip of 15 units' oxytocin in 500 mL of Ringer lactate solution over 1 hour. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the misoprostol oxytocin group and the oxytocin group in terms of the requirement for more uterotonics, need for uterine massage, and the uterine tone score following therapy. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in estimated blood loss between the groups that received either oxytocin alone or a low dosage of misoprostol. However, the misoprostol-oxytocin group required more uterotonic and uterine massage during Caesarean section than the oxytocin group.