Oxytocin versus a combination of tranexamic acid and ethamsylate in reducing intraoperative bleeding during abdominal myomectomy: a randomized clinical trial

BMC Womens Health. 2023 Jul 29;23(1):398. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02549-z.

Abstract

Objective: Myomectomy is the preferred surgical approach to manage uterine fibroids. However, uterine fibroids are highly vascular tumors and, consequently, extremely susceptible to problems from myomectomy-related hemorrhage. Hence, we aim to compare oxytocin efficacy and safety profile versus tranexamic acid (TA) with ethamsylate for reducing bleeding during myomectomy.

Methods: This randomized, double-blinded multicenter study was performed between 20th August 2020 and 20th October 2020 at El-Galaa Teaching Hospital, El Hussein University Hospital, Al-Azhar University Hospitals of Assiut, and Al-Azhar University Hospitals of Damietta. One hundred and eighty patients were enrolled and divided into three groups: group (1) received an injection of 30 IU of oxytocin in 500 ml of normal saline; group (2) received injections of 1 g of TA, 250 mg of Ethamsylate, and 110 ml of normal saline IV; and group (3) received an injection of 110 ml of normal saline IV just before surgical incision.

Results: In 180 premenopausal women, oxytocin and TA with ethamsylate had no significant value in lowering intraoperative blood loss compared with the placebo for abdominal myomectomy (666.25 ± 183.03, 630.72 ± 145.83, and 646.67 ± 168.92, respectively (P = 0.506)). Non-significant trends were observed for a reduction in operation time (P = 0.760), intra/postoperative blood transfusion (P = 0.624), hospital stay (P = 0.986), postoperative fever (P = 0.659), and wound infection (P = 1).

Conclusion: Oxytocin and TA with ethamsylate had no significant value in lowering intraoperative blood loss compared with the placebo for abdominal myomectomy which opens a new question about the role of the use of the hemostatic drug during myomectomy especially in centers with limited resources and had higher rates.

Trial registration: The study was registered on Pan African Clinical Trials Registry with the following number: PACTR202008739887429 and was approved on 24/08/2020.

Keywords: Abdominal myomectomy; Blood loss; Ethamsylate; Oxytocin; Tranexamic acid.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Blood Loss, Surgical / prevention & control
  • Ethamsylate*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyoma* / surgery
  • Oxytocin / therapeutic use
  • Saline Solution
  • Tranexamic Acid* / therapeutic use
  • Uterine Myomectomy*

Substances

  • Ethamsylate
  • Tranexamic Acid
  • Oxytocin
  • Saline Solution

Associated data

  • PACTR/PACTR202008739887429