Methods of delivering the placenta at caesarean section

Cochrane Review by Anorlu RI, Maholwana B, Hofmeyr GJ

This record should be cited as: Anorlu RI, Maholwana B, Hofmeyr GJ. Methods of delivering the placenta at caesarean section. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD004737. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004737.pub2.

ABSTRACT

Title

Methods of delivering the placenta at caesarean section

Background

Worldwide, caesarean section is themost common major operation performed on women. Some of the reported short-termmorbidities include haemorrhage, postoperative fever and endometritis. Themethod of delivering the placenta is one procedure thatmay contribute to an increase or decrease in the morbidity of caesarean section. Two common methods used to deliver the placenta at caesarean section are cord traction and manual removal.

Objectives

To compare the effects of manual removal of the placenta with cord traction at caesarean section.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group’s Trials Register (30 September 2007).

Selection criteria

All randomised controlled trials comparing manual removal and cord traction or spontaneous of delivery of the placenta.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors independently assessed studies and extracted data.

Main results

We included 15 studies (4694 women). There was significant heterogeneity for the duration of surgery, blood loss and haematological outcomes. The only possible contributing factor found was greater protection from blood loss in two trials in which cord traction was combined with uterine massage. A random-effects model meta-analysis was used for these outcomes. Manual removal of the placenta was associated with more endometritis (relative risk (RR) 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42 to 1.90; 4134 women, 13 trials); more blood loss (ml) (weighted mean difference (WMD) 94.42 ml, 95% CI 17.19 to 171.64; 2001 women, eight trials); more blood loss > 1000 ml (RR 1.81, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.28; 872 women, two trials); lower haematocrit after delivery (%) (WMD -1.55, 95% CI -3.09 to -0.01; 384 women, two trials); greater haematocrit fall after delivery (%) (WMD 0.39, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.78; 1777 women, five trials); longer duration of hospital stay (days) (WMD 0.39 days, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61; 546 women, three trials). The duration of surgery was shorter in one trial but not overall. There were no significant differences in feto-maternal haemorrhage, blood transfusion, puerperal fever (numbers studied for these outcomes were small).

Authors' conclusions

Delivery of the placenta with cord traction at caesarean section has more advantages compared to manual removal. These are less endometritis; less blood loss; less decrease in haematocrit levels postoperatively; and shorter duration of hospital stay. Future trials should provide information on interval between the delivery of the infant and of the placenta, change in lochia, blood splashing during placental removal and uterine pain after operation, as well as the effects of delayed cord clamping.

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