Rectal misoprostol vs 15-methyl prostaglandin F 2α for retained placenta after second-trimester delivery

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare rectal misoprostol (RM) with 15-methyl prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF(2alpha)) for the management of retained placenta after second-trimester deliveries. A retrospective study of all second-trimester deliveries between the years 2000 and 2005 was performed. Women were divided into 2 groups, depending on whether they received RM or PGF(2alpha) after the delivery. Three hundred three second-trimester deliveries were analyzed. The time from the administration of medications to the placental delivery was significantly shorter in women who received PGF(2alpha), compared with the RM group (49.5 vs 89 minutes; P < .01). Women who received PGF(2alpha) had lower rates of retained placenta (4.9% vs 12.4%; P = .02). The use of PGF(2alpha) after second-trimester deliveries results in shorter third stage of labor and lower rates of retained placenta compared with RM.