The use of intra-umbilical oxytocine for the management of retained placenta

Abstract EN

Postpartum haemorrhage & retained placenta are the most common serious abnormalities encountered during the third stage of labour, the aim of this study was to compare three different management protocols for retained placenta.

This prospective study was carried out in Basrah Maternity & Children hospital during the period from March 2001 till March 2002.

A total of 75 women with retained placenta after active management of third stage of labour were included, they were divided into three groups, the first group received oxytocin and normal saline injected in the umbilical vein, the second received normal saline and the third was the expectant group.

In 56 % of women in the oxytocin group, placental expulsion occurred within 45 minutes compared to 16 % in the expectant group and 24 % in the saline group respectively.

Also 44 % of women in the oxytocin group needed manual removal of the placenta compared to 84 % in the expectant and 76 % in the saline group.

We conclude that intraumbilical vein injection in cases with retained placenta seems simple and promising technique to reduce the incidence of potentially morbid procedures.