RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF INTRAUMBILICAL VEIN OXYTOCIN IN MIDTRIMESTER PREGNANCY LOSSES

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this double-blind prospective randomized tri al was to determine whether high-dose intraumbilical vein oxytocin inj ection shortens the third stage of labor in midtrimester pregnancy los ses. STUDY DESIGN: Patients (n = 50) with spontaneous or induced midtr imester pregnancy losses (14 to 26 weeks' gestation) were randomized t o receive either 100 IU of oxytocin in 20 ml of normal saline solution or 20 ml of normal saline solution alone as a placebo. The umbilical vein was injected as soon as the cord was clamped. Outcome data were c ollected. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients randomized, 45 completed the stu dy. Five were excluded after randomization because of either cesarean delivery (1 patient) or en caul delivery (4 patients). Twenty-one pati ents received oxytocin, and 14 received placebo. Ten patients who were not injected because of technical failure were evaluated separately. There were no differences between the three groups with regard to gest ational age, fetal weight, length of the third stage, blood loss, or n eed for operative removal of the placenta. CONCLUSION: Injection of hi gh-dose oxytocin into the umbilical vein in second-trimester pregnancy losses does not shorten the third stage of labor or decrease the need for surgical intervention because of retained placenta.