Injection of Intraumbilical Carbetocin versus Oxytocin in the Management of Retained Placenta

Abstract

Background: Although oxytocin is the most widely accepted uterotonic agent in addition to other drugs, however, which agent is ideal for retained placenta has yet to be clearly identified. Carbetocin is a synthetic long-acting oxytocin analogue that has been recommended for management of retained placenta. Aim of the work: Compare the efficacy of intraumbilical carbetocin versus oxytocin in the management of retained placenta. Patients and methods: The current study included 92 pregnant women with failure to deliver the placenta after 30 minutes after delivery of the baby. They were randomly divided to receive either intraumbilical injection of carbetocin or oxytocin. The cases were followed up and the different outcomes regarding the efficacy of both drugs were reported. Results: The incidence of successful separation of placenta was statistically significantly higher in the carbetocin group. The Time of separation of placenta was statistically significantly shorter in the carbetocin group. The need manual removal of placenta was statistically significantly higher in the oxytocin group. The amount of blood loss was statistically significantly lower in the carbetocin group. The incidence of blood transfusion was statistically significantly higher in the oxytocin group. The need for additional drugs was statistically significantly higher in the oxytocin group. Conclusion: In cases with RP, carbetocin outperformed oxytocin in terms of placenta separation success, removal time, haemoglobin level drop, blood loss, transfusion need, and side effects.