Do prophylactic prostaglandins reduce the transfusion rate at cesarean section in high-order multiple pregnancies?
OBJECTIVE: Cesarean section is the more usual mode of delivery in high-order multiple pregnancy (> or =3). Excessive uterine distension increases the risk of bleeding and the need for transfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate if prophylactic use of prostaglandins at cesarean section for high-order multiple pregnancies reduces blood loss and transfusion requirement based on historic data. STUDY DESIGN: We studied a prospective series of 28 parturients with high-order multiple pregnancy (group 2) who were treated, after clamping the last umbilical cord, with oxytocin (5IU intravenous then 35IU in a 24h infusion) combined with intravenous prostaglandin. A comparable retrospective series of 14 patients (group 1) had been given oxytocin alone at the same dose. Postoperative serum hemoglobin and transfusion rate as well as adverse effects were compared between the two groups. Student’s t-test was used to compare continuous variables. Chi square test and Fisher exact test were use
