Archives of gynecology and obstetrics
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Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. · Sep 2010
Multicenter StudyApplication of uterotonics on the basis of regular ultrasonic evaluation of the uterus prevents unnecessary surgical intervention in the postpartum period.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the postpartum uterus to prevent retained placental tissue complications is still a matter of debate, and it is difficult to interpret its necessity on the basis of previous studies. We hypothesized that the application of uterotonics on the basis of regular postpartum ultrasound scanning of the uterus may reduce the number of unnecessary curettages in a large unselected population. ⋯ In this study, routine ultrasound evaluation of the uterus in the postpartum period with regular application of uterotonics decreased the rate of surgical interventions. We strongly advise the introduction of postpartum uterine scanning into obstetrical practice, most suitably provided around day 3 after delivery.