Effectiveness of combined use of rectal misoprostol and oxytocin for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean section

Abstract

Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH) is defined as the loss of blood which is greater than 500ml after vaginal delivery or greater than 1000 ml after a cesarean section delivery. About 28% of the total maternal deaths were due to PPH particularly in developing countries. Oxytocin has been considered as the ‘gold standard’ drug in the treatment and prevention of PPH. Prophylactic use of prostaglandin analogue i.e., misoprostol in addition to oxytocin during cesarean section is expected to reduce the incidence of PPH. This study aims at comparing the efficacy of combined use of rectal misoprostol and oxytocin infusion with oxytocin in the prevention of PPH. A comparative observational study was conducted on 200 subjects which were divided into two equal groups by Simple Random Selection. One group was treated with Inj. Oxytocin 20U I.V infusion alone while the other group was treated with Tab. Misoprostol 600mcg, rectal route and Inj. Oxytocin 20U I.V infusion. Majority of the subjects were observed under the age group of 21-25years, under primigravidae. A significant decrease in the volume of mean blood loss (740.00 ± 164.00 ml: p = 0.045) and the mean drop of hemoglobin level(Hb) (0.88±0.74gm/dl; p = 0.0001) were observed in group treated with Tab. Misoprostol 600mcg and Inj. Oxytocin and was found to be statistically significant. Preoperative administration of misoprostol per rectal route and oxytocin infusion after the cesarean section have shown, a better control of bleeding and maintenance of hemoglobin level when compared to oxytocin infusion alone. Thus, instead of oxytocin monotherapy combined use of misoprostol and oxytocin would be more effective in prevention of PPH.