title: Inhibitory effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on oxytocin-induced contractions of isolated pregnant human myometrium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of desflurane and sevoflurane on oxytocin-induced contractions of isolated human myometrium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following delivery of the infant and placenta, a small segment of myometrium was excised from the upper incisional surface of the lower uterine segment and 20 strips, randomly assigned into two groups (n = 10), were obtained from 20 non-laboring term parturients. The study protocol consisted of a 60-min period of spontaneous contractions, control recording with oxytocin 2 x 10(9) m (10-min period), washout interval of 10 min, volatile administration (three times per 15-min period) of 0.5, 1 and 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), response to oxytocin (10-min period), a further washout interval (10-min period) and subsequent control recording with oxytocin without anesthetics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After oxytocin administration, the frequency and amplitude of contractions increased (P < 0.05) and the duration decreased (P < 0.05). The frequency and amplitude of contractions induced with oxytocin decreased significantly at 0.5, 1 and 2 MAC of desflurane and sevoflurane (P < 0.05). The amplitude of contractions was significantly different at 1 MAC between the two groups (P < 0.05). The duration of contractions at 2 MAC decreased in both groups (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Desflurane and sevoflurane at 0.5, 1 and 2 MAC inhibit the frequency and amplitude of myometrial contractions induced with oxytocin in a dose-dependent manner. However, desflurane inhibits the amplitude less than sevoflurane at 1 MAC. We suggest that 0.5 MAC of both agents and 1 MAC of desflurane may be safely used in the presence of oxytocin following delivery of the infant and placenta during Cesarean section without fear of uterine atony and hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. karamy@erciyes.edu.tr
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dogru
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dalgic
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Serin
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sezer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Madenoglu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boyaci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077335:Desflurane; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D010121:Oxytocin; D000077335:Desflurane; D007530:Isoflurane