Open AccessIs oxytocin given during surgical termination of first trimester pregnancy useful? A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
NYGAARD INGERID HELENE HERSTAD,
VALBØ ANNELILL,
HEIDE HELENE CHRISTINE,
KRESOVIC MILENA
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0412.2010.01025.x
Subject(s) - medicine , nausea , misoprostol , pregnancy , randomized controlled trial , oxytocin , obstetrics , uterotonic , vaginal bleeding , anesthesia , surgery , abortion , biology , genetics
Objective. To compare the impact of 5 IU (international units) of oxytocin administered during surgical termination of first‐trimester pregnancy compared to no oxytocin, on postoperative bleeding, pain and nausea. Design. A randomized controlled single‐blinded study. Setting. A Norwegian community hospital with 1,064 consecutive legal abortions in the 20 months of study period. Sample. A total of 378 women undergoing surgical termination of first‐trimester pregnancy and willing to participate in the study Methods. Women were randomized into two groups: Group 1, receiving a standard procedure of 5 IU of oxytocin during the surgical procedure, or Group 2, receiving no oxytocic agent. All women had preoperative misoprostol. Main Outcome Measures. Vaginal bleeding, pain and nausea recorded by weighing pads immediately after the surgical procedure and counting pads during the three following days. Results. No significant differences between the two groups could be demonstrated with regard to the recorded postoperative blood loss, pain and nausea. Conclusions. The standard routine of administering oxytocin during surgical termination of first‐trimester pregnancy should be revised.