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Is oxytocin given during surgical termination of first trimester pregnancy useful? A randomized controlled trial
Ingerid Helene Herstad Nygaard1, Annelill Valbø, Helene Christine Heide
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Asker and Baerum Hospital, Norway. IngeridHeleneHerstad.Nygaard@vestreviken.no
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.
