Evaluation of the effect of preoperative rectal misoprostol use on the postoperative outcomes of hysteroscopic myomectomy.

AIM: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of using two doses of rectal misoprostol on postoperative results in hysteroscopic myomectomy.

METHODS

This retrospective study was carried out at two hospitals in which the medical records of patients who underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy between November 2017 and April 2022 were evaluated, and subjects were grouped depending on the administration of misoprostol before hysteroscopy. In recipients, two rectal doses of misoprostol (400 μg) were administered, 12 h and 1 h before the planned operation. Outcomes evaluated were: postoperative reduction in hemoglobin (Hb), pain at 12 and 24 h (VAS score), and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

The mean age of 47 women in the study group was 27.38 ± 5.12 (range 20-38) years. Hb levels reduced significantly in both groups after hysteroscopic myomectomy (p < 0.001). In misoprostol recipients, VAS score was found to be significantly lower at 12 h (p < 0.001) and 24 h after the operation (p = 0.004). Multiple linear regression analyses for each of the outcomes revealed the following: greater myoma size was associated with greater Hb decrease (p = 0.010), misoprostol use was associated with lower 12th and 24th hour VAS scores (p < 0.001), longer duration of operation was associated with higher 12th and 24th hour VAS scores (p < 0.001), and finally, longer duration of operation was associated with prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of two doses of rectal misoprostol before hysteroscopic myomectomy was effective in reducing postoperative pain. Prospective, population-based studies evaluating different uses of misoprostol in hysteroscopic myomectomy are needed.