Intraumbilical oxytocin for management of retained placenta.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to investigate the removal of a retained placenta.


METHODS
Oxytocin was injected into the vein of the umbilical cord. A total of 109 patients with retention of the placenta were randomized into two groups. Active management of the third stage of labor was carried out by giving oxytocin 5 IU intravenously and ergometrine maleate 0.2 mg intramuscularly after delivery of the fetus. Group 1, which comprised 68 patients, was allocated to receive 50 IU oxytocin diluted in 10 ml 0.9% sodium chloride solution, and the 41 patients in group 2 were given 20 ml plasma expander (dextran 70) into the umbilical vein.


RESULTS
Forty-nine cases (72%) in the oxytocin group and 22 cases (54%) in the dextran 70 group required manual removal of the retained placenta. No significant differences were found between group 1 (oxytocin) and group 2 (dextran 70).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that intraumbilical vein injection of oxytocin is not effective for removal of a retained placenta.
Makkonen
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Suonio
S
S
Saarikoski
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003911:Dextrans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007749:Labor Stage, Third / Q000187:drug effects*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018457:Placenta, Retained / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014471:Umbilical Veins
D003911:Dextrans; D010121:Oxytocin; D004874:Ergonovine