A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Intraoperative Intravenous Oxytocin and Intramuscular Oxytocin Versus Conventional Intramuscular Oxytocin for Third-Stage Labour in Elective Cesarean Section

Objective To study the efficacy of intraoperative IV oxytocin and intramuscular (IM) oxytocin versus conventional intramuscular oxytocin alone for active management of the third stage of labor in lower segment cesarean section (CS). The study was performed to determine the effect of 5 IU (International Unit) oxytocin infusion at the time of skin incision and that of 10 IU IM oxytocin infusion after delivery in reducing blood loss during and after CS, in comparison with the effect of administrating conventional 10 IU IM oxytocin in the same time period. In addition, it assessed the ability of the IV+IM oxytocin group to reduce the need for additional uterotonic as well as its safety determination and postoperative blood transfusion in CS. Materials and methods It is a randomized control study. The effect of 5 IU of oxytocin infusion at the time of skin incision and 10 IU of IM oxytocin (IV+IM) in reducing blood loss during and after the CS was compared to conventional 10 IU IM oxytocin. Results The study showed that the IV+IM group had a mean blood loss of 316.5 ± 74.36 ml, while the IM group had a mean loss of 403.90 ± 107.2 ml (p-value < 0.001) from placental delivery to the end of CS. A total of 90% of the patients in the IV+IM group had blood loss <50 ml compared to 95% of patients in the IM group who had a blood loss between 50 and 100 ml range from the end of cesarean to two hours postpartum. When total blood loss was compared in both groups, 84% of patients had a blood loss between 300 and 400 ml, compared to 81% of the patients in the IM group who had blood loss of 400-500 ml. Total blood loss in the IM group was 483.20 ± 115.86 ml, which was significantly higher compared to the IV group, 362.60 ± 78.07 ml (p-value=<0.001). Conclusion 5IU oxytocin infusion at the time of skin incision and 10 IU IM oxytocin after delivery of the baby significantly reduced the amount of blood loss, need for blood transfusion, and additional uterotonics during and after lower segment CS.