Objective: To evaluate the influence of oxytocin on peroperative blood loss during myomectomy.
Study design: From October 1998 to May 2002, 94 patients requiring surgical myomectomy by laparotomy or by the vaginal approach were enrolled in a randomized double blind study. Patients were randomized to two groups. In the first group (47 patients) oxytocin was administered during myomectomy and in the second group (47 patients) a placebo was used. The main outcome measures were peroperative blood loss and rates of blood transfusion and autotransfusion.
Results: Peroperative blood loss was no different between the oxytocin group and the placebo group (508 +/- 558 ml versus 451 +/- 336 ml; P=0.55). Rates of autotransfusion and blood transfusion were also similar in both groups.
Conclusion: Administration of oxytocin during myomectomy did not reduce peroperative blood loss in our study. The benefits of using oxytocin to prevent hemorrhage during myomectomy seem to be limited.