ABSTRACT

Background: Blood loss is one of the important complications during cesarean section (CS). Previous reports have shown that misoprostol is effective in reducing blood loss during and after CS. However, the optimum time for its administration to decrease the amount of PPH is still under discussion. Objective: To compare the effect of preoperative and postoperative administration of sublingual misoprostol (400 μg) in reducing the amount of blood loss during and 24 hours after CS. Setting: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, between January 2017 and July 2018. Study Design: A prospective, randomized clinical trial. Methods: Four-hundred thirty women fulfilling the inclusions criteria: elective lower segment CS at term (≥37 weeks) with normal fetal heart tracing who accepted to participate in the study. Patients were divided into two groups; Patients assigned to group 1 received 400 μg sublingual misoprostol immediately after urinary catheterization and before skin incision, while patients assigned to group 2 received sublingual misoprostol immediately after skin closure. The primary outcome was the estimation of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss for 24 hours. Results: There was a significant reduction in the intraoperative blood loss in group 1 compared with group 2 (403.51 ± 72.99 vs. 460.99 ± 74.66 ml, respectively). Also, there was a significant reduction in postoperative blood loss in group 1 compared with group 2 with a statistical significance (169.45 ± 12.03 vs. 195.77 ± 13.34 ml, respectively). Postoperative hemoglobin and Hematocrit values were significantly higher in group 1 compared with group 2. Conclusions: Preoperative administration of sublingual misoprostol (400 μg) during CS is better than postoperative administration as it is associated with a reduction in the amount of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and drop in hemoglobin level.

Keywords:

Blood Loss, Cesarean Section, Misoprostol, Postpartum Hemorrhage

1. Introduction

Cesarean section (CS) is one of the most frequently performed operative interventions worldwide [1] . Cesarean section rates increase each year throughout the world. Cesarean delivery can lead to some serious maternal and fetal complications [2] including primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Primary PPH is defined as a blood loss of more than 1000 ml during the first 24 hours after delivery [3] , and it is the most common cause of maternal mortality worldwide [4] .

Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog, commonly used for the prevention and management of PPH. It has potent uterotonic properties and fewer side effects at therapeutic doses [5] ; it is absorbed orally, vaginally and across the mucous membranes of the rectum and oral cavity [6] [7] [8] . Misoprostol is affordable, widely available, and easily administrated via multiple routes, and has a good safety profile if properly administrated and monitored, all of which might make it the standard treatment option for PPH in low-resource settings [9] . The benefits (cervical dilatation and uterine contractions) and the adverse effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and chills) are dose-dependent [10] .

Hofmeyr et al. studied the pharmacokinetics of misoprostol administered by various routes. According to this study, the oral route has the most rapid uptake, but the shortest duration. The rectal route has slow uptake but prolonged duration. The buccal and sublingual routes have rapid uptake, prolonged duration and greatest total bioavailability [11] .

Besides that, it can be used for termination of pregnancy in cases of missed or incomplete miscarriage [12] [13] . Also, in cases with retained placenta, it may have a role in the management of associated bleeding which mostly results from atony [14] [15] . In the field of gynecology, misoprostol could be used for induction of cervical ripening before office gynecological procedures [16] [17] [18] . This could decrease the associated pain induced by transcervical passage of instruments.

Intraoperative blood loss is one of the important complications during CS. In 2011, a systematic review that included twenty-one studies revealed that there is an increased incidence of intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion with an increased number of cesarean deliveries [19] . Previous reports have shown that misoprostol is effective in reducing blood loss during and after cesarean delivery regardless of route of administration [20] . However, the optimum time for administration of misoprostol to decrease the amount of PPH is still under discussion.

Therefore the current study aims to compare the effect of preoperative and postoperative administration of sublingual misoprostol (400 μg) in reducing the amount of blood loss during and 24 hours after CS.

2. Materials and Methods

A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted in the emergency unit at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, between January 2017 and July 2018. The study included women would undergo elective lower segment CS at term (≥37 weeks) with normal fetal heart tracing.

Women with placenta previa, classical CS, preterm delivery, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, bleeding tendency, previous history of PPH, concurrent anticoagulant therapy, concurrent long-term use of steroids, fetal distress and antepartum hemorrhage were excluded from the study. The study was approved by the departmental ethics committee and by the corresponding institutional ethics committee. Written consent was obtained from all eligible women.

The eligible women were divided into two groups. A computer-generated random number table was used by an independent statistician to prepare sealed opaque envelopes containing a group assignment. Two groups of envelopes, corresponding to two study groups, were given to a third party (a nurse), who was unaware of the contents. The nurse distributed envelopes to patients, alternating between the groups. Patients assigned to group 1 received sublingual misoprostol (400 μg, Misotac) immediately after urinary catheterization and before skin incision. Patients assigned to group 2 received sublingual misoprostol immediately after skin closure.

Cesarean deliveries were performed by well-trained resident doctor supervised by assistant lecturer or obstetrician consultant. The cesarean Delivery technique was the same in all recruited women. CS was performed under spinal anesthesia. The abdominal skin incision was done through a Pfannenstiel incision 2 to 3 cm above the symphysis pubis, with the midportion of the incision within the shaved area of the pubic hair for a length of about 10 - 12 cm was done. After the rectus fascia was opened, the rectus muscles were separated and dissected off the peritoneum which was picked up between two tissue forceps and opened longitudinally. The uterus was opened through a transverse lower segment incision. Both groups received 10 IU oxytocin intramuscularly after fetal delivery and then 10 IU in 500 ml Ringer lactate solution by intravenous infusion at a rate of 125 mL/hour for 4 hours.

After clamping of the umbilical cord, the women received 1.5 gm Ampicillin-Sulbactam (Ultracillin, Sedico, Egypt) and 80 mg Garamycin (Epigent, EPICO, Egypt). Uterine incision repair was done by absorbable continuous vicryl1 sutures in two layers, parietal peritoneum was sutured by absorbable continuous vicryl1 sutures, rectus sheath was closed by absorbable continuous vicryl2 sutures, the subcutaneous fatty layer was closed by absorbable continuous vicryl1 sutures, and skin was closed by vicryl2-0 by subcuticular sutures.

All the towels were weighed before and after CS, and the weight difference was calculated, the amount of intraoperative blood loss was estimated in the suction apparatus in ml. A trained nurse was responsible for blood and amniotic fluid collection during surgery using two separate suction sets, as well as for weighing the surgical towels before and after surgery; all towels that were used were of the same size and weight, and every 1 gm increase in weight was equated with 1-mL blood loss. The total amount of intraoperative blood loss was calculated (blood loss in suction apparatus plus weight difference of used towels).

A second trained nurse was responsible for postoperative external blood loss measurement during the first 24 hours after surgery by weighing the soaked towels placed in the vulvar area. The postoperative blood loss was calculated (weight difference of towels placed in the vulvar area). The overall blood loss was calculated. Another blood picture was obtained 24 hours postoperative to detect changes in Hb level.

The primary outcome was the estimation of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss for 24 hours. Secondary outcomes included changes in hemoglobin concentration, misoprostol-induced maternal adverse effects, need to use other uterotonic drugs, need to further surgical interventions and need for blood transfusion.

2.1. Sample Size Calculation

The sample size was determined by using G* power version 3.1.9.2 for windows for Power analysis. We estimated 430 patients to be included in the study, 215 patients in each group, would be needed to show a 5% difference in a drop in hemoglobin level between the two groups with statistical power 95% and 0.05% as an alpha error.

2.2. Statistical Analysis

Data entry and analysis were carried out using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences for Windows (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois, USA) version 20. Quantitative variables were presented in terms of mean ± standard deviation, and qualitative variables were expressed as frequency and percentage. Tests of significance (T-test and chi-square) were calculated. The significance level was set at a p value < 0.05.

3. Results

Four hundred sixty-six women were approached to participate in the study. We excluded 29 cases as they did not meet the inclusion criteria and seven women refused to participate in the study as shown in the study flowchart (Figure 1).

Four-hundred thirty women were randomized to both study groups (215 in each arm). In the end, six cases were excluded from the final analysis (two women from preoperative misoprostol group and four women from postoperative misoprostol group) due to failed spinal anesthesia or early discharge before completing the follow-up.

The baseline characteristics of both groups were quite similar with no statistically significant differences regarding age, gravidity, gestational age and number of previous CS as shown in Table 1.

There were no statistically significant differences between both groups regarding preoperative hemoglobin level and Hematocrit value (p > 0.05). Postoperative hemoglobin and Hematocrit were significantly higher in group 1 (p = 0.04 and 0.007 respectively).

Postoperative hemoglobin was significantly lower in both groups than preoperative level (p = 0.001 for both) as shown in Table 2. There was a significant reduction in the intraoperative blood loss in group 1 compared with group 2 (403.51 ± 72.99 vs. 460.99 ± 74.66 mL respectively, p = 0.001). The same observed in postoperative blood loss with a statistical significance (169.45 ± 12.03 vs. 195.77 ± 13.34 mL respectively, p = 0.001). The total estimated blood loss was significantly lower in group 1 (p = 0.001) as shown in Table 3.

There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the rate of intraoperative uterine atony (p = 0.669), the need for additional oxytocin or ergometrine (p = 0.669 and 0.502, respectively) and need for blood transfusion (p = 0.815(. Additionally, no significant difference was observed between both groups regarding the need for additional surgical procedures (p = 0.181), need for postoperative uterotonics (p = 0.622), duration of surgery (p = 0.973) and duration of hospital stay (p = 0.518) as shown in Table 4.

Fever and chills were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 with statistically significant difference (p = 0.036 and 0.002, respectively). The rate of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea was similar in both groups as shown in Table 5.

CS; cesarean section. Variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

*Statistical significant difference. All variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation, ^#p-value obtained by comparing variables using paired t-test. ^$p-value obtained by comparing variables using Student’s t-test.

Variables are presented as mean and standard deviation, *Statistical significant difference.

^#Variables are presented as mean and standard deviation. ^$Variables are presented as frequency and percentage.

*Statistical significant difference. Variables are presented as frequency and percentage.

4. Discussion

In our study, we compared between the effect of preoperative and postoperative administration of sublingual misoprostol (400 μg) in reducing the amount of blood loss during and 24 hours after CS to determine the optimum time for drug administration. We found that administration of sublingual misoprostol significantly reduces the intraoperative and postoperative blood loss if given preoperatively.

Lapaire et al. compared the effectiveness of oral misoprostol (800 µg) and intravenous oxytocin (20 IU) in reducing blood loss in women undergoing CS. The total blood loss was 1083 ± 920 ml in the misoprostol group and 970 ± 560 ml in the oxytocin group (p = 0.59) [21] . This is not coinciding with our results in which the blood loss was much less.

Ragab et al. compared misoprostol (400 μg) given rectally before (group 1) or after (group 2) CS. The total amount of blood loss in group 2 was 844 ± 270. A number of patients requiring additional uterotonic drugs were 38 in group 1 and 69 in group 2. Three patients in group 2 experienced blood loss of more than 1000 ml [22] . In contrast to our study, the total amount of blood loss in group 2 was much less than their study (656.76 ± 82.43 ml). A number of patients requiring additional uterotonic drugs were 13 in group 1 and 18 in group 2. None of our patients experienced blood loss of more than 1000 ml.

In Kumari et al. study, they were comparing between misoprostol vs. placebo in reduction of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss. Misoprostol was given rectally after catheter placement just before spinal anesthesia; the dose of misoprostol was 200 μg. The side effects were slightly higher in the misoprostol group (20%) than in the placebo group (14%) which was statistically insignificant (p = 0.25) [23] . In our study, fever and chills were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2 with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.036 and 0.002, respectively).

In Owonikoko et al. compared sublingual misoprostol with IV oxytocin infusion administered after delivery of the fetus. Estimation of blood loss was only up to 4 hours after CS. Intraoperative blood loss in the oxytocin group was lower than the misoprostol group, but it was statistically insignificant (p = 0.482). Postoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the misoprostol group than oxytocin group (p = 0.02) [24] . In our study, estimation of blood loss was up to 24 hours after CS; both intraoperative and postoperative blood loss was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.001).

Chaudhuri et al. compared misoprostol and oxytocin versus oxytocin and placebo in reduction of blood loss during and after CS. Misoprostol was given sublingually immediately after delivery of the fetus, estimation of blood loss was up to 8 hours postoperative. The mean postoperative blood loss was lower in the misoprostol group than in the placebo group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.07) [25] . In our study, misoprostol was given sublingually immediately after spinal anesthesia in group 1 and immediately after skin closure in group 2, the estimation of blood loss was up to 24 hours postoperative. The postoperative blood loss is much lower in group 1 than in group 2 with a statistical significance (p = 0.001).

5. Limitations

A potential weakness in our study was the administration of 20 IU oxytocin after delivery of the fetus in both study groups which could influence the intraoperative blood loss. Also, the study included patients with no risk for PPH and those at risk of PPH (multiple pregnancy, polyhydramnios, and hydrocephalus) who could benefit more from misoprostol. Finally, we did not have a placebo group to test the utility of misoprostol use. However, previous studies confirmed this point.

6. Conclusion

Preoperative administration of sublingual misoprostol (400 μg) during CS is better than postoperative administration as it is associated with a reduction in the amount of intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and drop in hemoglobin level is less although fever and chills could still happen.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Cite this paper

Youssef, A.E.A., Khalifa, M.A., Bahaa, M. and Abbas, A.M. (2019) Comparison between Preoperative and Postoperative Sublingual Misoprostol for Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage during Cesarean Section: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 9, 529-538. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2019.94052

References