Abstract

Introduction: Misoprostol is a potent uterotonic agent which has been reported to be useful in the prevention and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage; but limited studies have been performed about its effect during cesarean section and prevention from postpartum hemorrhage. This study was performed with the aim to assess the effectiveness of sublingual misoprostol in prevention of bleeding during cesarean delivery. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 186 women who were candidate for cesarean delivery in Tajrish Shohada Hospital during 2008. The women were randomly placed in two groups of misoprostol+ oxytocin and placebo+ oxytocin. The women randomly received 400-microg misoprostol subligually or placebo immediately after cord clamp. All patients also recieved a dilute intravenous oxytocin infusion at delivery. final variable was determining intra-operative blood loss by differences of the preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software (version 15) and t test, chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Results: Two groups were not significantly different in terms of mean age, parity, gestational age, fetus weight, indications for cesarean section, the duration of operation, and other intrapartum variables, and also the preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values (P>0.05). But, drop in hemoglobin 1.01±1.19 in intervention group vs. 1.32±1.74 mg/dl in control group and P= 0.002; and drop in hematocrit 2.97±3.29 in intervention group vs. 3.18±4.87 in control group, and P=0.001, it means that in misoprostol group, drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly lower compared to placebo group. Also, need to additional uterotonic agent was significantly lower in misoprostol group (18.8 vs 47.31; P=0.001). There was not a significant difference between two groups in terms of need to transfusion or the incidence of drug's side effects (P>0.05). Conclusions: Sublingual misoprostol reduces the intra-operative blood loss during cesarean section and also, the need for additional uterotonic agents; however, this reduce in blood loss does not decrease transfusion rate. © 2014, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All Rights reserved.