Comparative Study Between the Roles of Intrauterine Misoprostol Versus the Sublingual Route for Prevention of Postpartum Blood Loss in Elective Cesarean Sections

After receiving the research approval of the Scientific and Ethical Committee of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, Cairo University, the study purpose was clarified simply and in a lay Arabic speech to all women before registering in the study, and the enrolled women signed informed consent form. Pregnant women who met all the inclusion criteria were evaluated for enrollment. Prior to the study, randomization schedules created by computer program were designed and settled in serially numbered secured opaque envelopes. Simple randomization was applied at one to one ratio within both groups. The recruited women - after giving consent for participation- opened the sealed randomization envelopes for revealing the allocation.

All participants were subjected to Comprehensive history taking including obstetric, medical, and surgical history.

General examination excluding the presence of any abnormalities. Systematic obstetrical examinations. A transabdominal ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and evaluation of fetal condition.

A blood sample collected for complete blood counting, coagulation studies, liver and kidney function tests.

All women were subjected to elective lower segment cesarean section by the same team under spinal anesthesia and antibiotic prophylaxis according hospital protocol.

Women were divided into two equal groups:

Group A: 96 women receiving 400 mcg intrauterine misoprostol + IV oxytocin. Group B: 96 women receiving 400 mcg sublingual misoprostol + IV oxytocin. Both groups were subjected to the same preparation. All cesarean deliveries were performed by a senior obstetrics and gynecology resident and the elective sections were performed at 39th weeks gestation adopting the following operative steps: transverse skin incision (Pfannenstiel), smiley incision at the lower uterine segment, immediate clamping of the cord within 30 seconds, placental extraction after its spontaneous separation, two layers closure of the uterine incision, and abdominal closure anatomically in layers. All surgical steps were done with adequate hemostasis. Furthermore, the investigators excluded sections exceeding 90 minutes from skin incision to skin closure.

After fetal head extraction, participants in both groups were given 5 IU oxytocin (Syntocinon, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland) as intravenous bolus and continued on infusion of 10 IU oxytocin in 500 mL of Ringer lactate at a rate of 125 mL/hour.

• For all women in group A: the surgeon placed two intrauterine misoprostol tablets (Misotac® 200microgram, Sigma Ph., Egypt) at the fundus after placental delivery and swabbing the cavity followed by suturing the first layer of the uterus, while women in group B were given two sublingual misoprostol tablets (Misotac® 200 microgram, Sigma Ph., Egypt) after placental delivery.
• The amount of blood loss was determined through the standardized visual estimation method and rectified by measuring the amount of intraoperative blood loss and 6 hours after surgery. The estimated total blood loss during cesarean section was measured after adding the volume of blood in the suction bottle to the soaked surgical towels (weighting method) then added to the amount of blood lost after section calculated by using blood collection drape. Moreover, hemoglobin (HB) level and hematocrit value were repeated 24 hours postpartum. The patient vitals were observed and recorded intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 20-35 years.
• BMI < 30kg/m2.
• Singleton pregnancy.
• Full term pregnancies (recruiting from 37 weeks of gestation).
• Elective cesarean section (previous one or two cesarean section).

Exclusion criteria

• Active labour before 39 weeks.
• Uterine over distension as due to multiple pregnancies or polyhydramnios.
• Multipara [parity ≥3].
• Pregnancy with obstetric haemorrhage such as placenta Previa, placental abruption or vasa Previa.
• Moderate to severe anemia with HB <9mg/dL.
• Pregnancy with coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia or blood dyscrasias.
• Women with uterine fibroids.
• Medically complicated pregnancy (pregnancy induced hypertension, cardiovascular, DM, hepatic, or renal disorders).
• Women with any contraindication for the use of misoprostol or oxytocin as a history of prostaglandin allergy and current medication which could cause severe drug interaction to prostaglandins such as topical dinoprostone, magnesium-containing antacids or quinapril.