Cesarean section and the risk of emergency peripartum hysterectomy in high-income countries: a systematic review

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) as adjunct treatment in life threatening postpartum hemorrhage: Fourteen years' experience from a single Norwegian center

INTRODUCTION

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a global health problem. The introduction of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in 2008 sought to enhance the management of hemorrhagic shock during PPH. In this study, we present a single Norwegian center's experience with REBOA as a supportive treatment in combating life threatening PPH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a historical cohort study from St Olav's University Hospital, with data from period 2008-2021. It includes all patients who underwent REBOA as an adjunct treatment due to life threatening PPH, analyzing the outcomes and trends over a 14-year period.

RESULTS

A total of 37 patients received REBOA as an adjunct treatment. All procedures were technically successful, achieving hemodynamic stability with an immediate average increase in systolic blood pressure of 36 ± 22 mmHg upon initial balloon inflation. Additionally, a downward trend was noted in the frequency of hysterectomies and the volume of blood transfusions required over time. No thromboembolic complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our 14 years of experience at St Olav's Hospital suggests that REBOA serves as a safe and effective adjunct interventional technique for managing life-threatening PPH. Furthermore, the findings indicate that incorporating a multidisciplinary approach to enable rapid aortic occlusion can potentially reduce the necessity for blood transfusions and hysterectomies.

Rate and direct medical costs of cesarean sections among supplementary health plan holders living in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: 2015-2021

Brazil has the second largest cesarean section rate in the world. Differences in rates exist between the public and private health sectors. This study used data on admissions of supplementary health plan holders aged between 10 and 49 years living in the state of São Paulo admitted between 2015 and 2021 to determine cesarean section rates and costs in the private health sector. We conducted a partial economic analysis in health from a supplementary health perspective focusing on the direct medical costs of admissions. A total of 757,307 admissions were analyzed with total costs amounting to R$7.701 billion. The cesarean section rate over the period was 80%. Rates were lowest in young women (69%) and highest in the oldest age group (86%), exceeding 67% across all groups. The rate was 71% higher than in public services. The proportion of admissions with use of the intensive care unit was higher among cesarian deliveries. The median cost of a cesarean was 15% higher than that of a normal delivery and twice as high in insurance companies than healthcare cooperatives. There is an opportunity to apply policies that are widely used in public services to the private sector with the aim of reducing cesarean rates in private services, direct costs of admission, and the cost of supplementary health plans.

Peripartum Hysterectomy Outcomes: Our Eleven-Year Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Aim

To investigate the outcomes of peripartum hysterectomies (PHs) conducted to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality at a tertiary care hospital with 15,000 deliveries per year.

Method

Patients who underwent PHs during delivery and/or within 24 h of delivery between the years 2011-2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Hysterectomies not performed in the peripartum period, cases that were managed by methods such as balloon tamponade, compression suture, or arterial ligation rather than hysterectomy, and hysterectomies performed before 20 weeks were excluded. Obstetric and demographic characteristics of the cases, as well as indications and outcomes of PH, were investigated.

Results

Among the 130 patients who underwent PH, 4 (3.04%) patients delivered vaginally, 1 (0.7%) patient delivered vaginally after cesarean section, 12 (9.2%) patients delivered by primary cesarean section, and 113 (86.9%) patients delivered by secondary cesarean section. Placenta accreta spectrum disorder was the reason for PH in 54.6% (n = 71) of the cases while 16.1% (n = 21) underwent PH due to uterine atony. The PH rate was 0.75 per 1000 births, and the maternal mortality rate was 7.6 per 1000 hysterectomies in this study.

Conclusion

Obstetricians in developed/ing countries support the active management of the third stage of labor mainly to mitigate the preventable risk factors of post-/peri-partum hemorrhage. The current study suggests that obstetricians need to focus on the placenta in order to reduce PH.

Emotional factors, medical interventions and mode of birth among low-risk primiparous women in Poland

Background and objectives

Birth is a critical event in women's lives. Since humans have evolved to give birth in the context of social support, not having it in modern settings might lead to more complications during birth. Our aim was to model how emotional factors and medical interventions related to birth outcomes in hospital settings in Poland, where c-section rates have doubled in the last decade.

Methodology

We analysed data from 2363 low-risk primiparous women who went into labor with the intention of giving birth vaginally. We used a model comparison approach to examine the relationship between emotional and medical variables and birth outcome (vaginal or c-section), including sociodemographic control variables in all models.

Results

A model with emotional factors better explained the data than a control model (Δ_AIC = 470.8); women with continuous personal support during labor had lower odds of a c-section compared to those attended by hospital staff only (OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.09 - 0.16). A model that included medical interventions also better explained the data than a control model (Δ_AIC = 133.6); women given epidurals, in particular, had increased odds of a c-section over those who were not (OR = 3.55, 95% CI = 2.95 - 4.27). The best model included variables for both the level of personal support and the use of epidural (Δ_AIC = 598.0).

Conclusions and implications

Continuous personal support during childbirth may be an evolutionarily informed strategy for reducing complications, including one of the most common obstetrical complications in modern hospital settings, the c-section.

Indications, risk factors, and outcomes of emergency peripartum hysterectomy: A 7-year retrospective study at a tertiary center in Turkey

Objective

To determine the incidence, indications, the risk factors, complications, maternal morbidity and mortality of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH), and perinatal outcomes at a tertiary hospital, Turkey.

Methods

We analyzed 71 cases of EPH from 2012 to 2019 at a tertiary hospital in a retrospective study. There were 142 control patients.

Results

There were 71 EPH out of 69,504 deliveries, for an overall incidence of 1.02 per 1000 births. The main indication for peripartum hysterectomy was abnormal placentation (67.6%), followed by uterine atony (28.1%), and uterine rupture (4.2%). Cesarean section (CS) and previous CS are major risk indicators for EPH. Other risk indicators are advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) and multiparity. All patients with abnormal placentation had a previous CS. 93% of EPH were performed during and/or after CS, and 7% after vaginal delivery. 69% of EPH were made in total and 31% were subtotal. The three most common maternal morbidity included: wound infection and febrile morbidity (26.7%), bladder injury (16.9%), and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (11.2%). There were no maternal deaths but perinatal mortality was 4%.

Conclusion

The most common indication for EPH was abnormal placentation. Also, CS and previous CS are major risk factors of EPH. Other risk factors for EPH are advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) and multiparity. Moreover, all unnecessary CS should be avoided.

Incidence, Indications, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Emergency Peripartum Hysterectomy Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence, indications, risk factors, outcomes, and management of emergency peripartum hysterectomy globally and to compare outcomes among different income settings.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Emcare databases up to December 10, 2021.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

Update of a systematic review and meta-analysis (2016). Studies were eligible if they reported the incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy, defined as surgical removal of the uterus for severe obstetric complications up to 6 weeks postpartum. Title and abstract screening and full-text review were performed using Endnote data-management software. Of 8,775 articles screened, 26 were included that were published after 2015, making the total number of included studies 154. A subanalysis was performed for the outcomes of interest per income setting.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 154 studies: 14,409 emergency peripartum hysterectomies were performed in 17,127,499 births in 42 countries. Overall pooled incidence of hysterectomy was 1.1 per 1,000 births (95% CI 1.0-1.3). The highest incidence was observed in lower middle-income settings (3/1,000 births, 95% CI 2.5-3.5), and the lowest incidence was observed in high-income settings (0.7/1,000 births, 95% CI 0.5-0.8). The most common indications were placental pathology (38.0%, 95% CI 33.9-42.4), uterine atony (27.0%, 95% CI 24.6-29.5), and uterine rupture (21.2%, 95% CI 17.8-25.0). In lower middle-income countries, uterine rupture (44.5%, 95% CI 36.6-52.7) was the most common indication; placental pathology (48.4%, 95% CI 43.5-53.4) was most frequent in high-income settings. To prevent hysterectomy, uterotonic medication was used in 2,706 women (17%): 53.2% received oxytocin, 44.6% prostaglandins, and 17.3% ergometrine. Surgical measures to prevent hysterectomy were taken in 80.5% of women, the most common being compressive techniques performed in 62.6% (95% CI 38.3-81.9). The most common complications were febrile (29.7%, 95% CI 25.4-34.3) and hematologic (27.5%, 95% CI 20.4-35.9). The overall maternal case fatality rate was 3.2 per 100 emergency peripartum hysterectomies (95% CI 2.5-4.2) and was higher in lower middle-income settings (11.2/100 emergency peripartum hysterectomies 95% CI 8.9-14.1) and lower in high-income settings (1.0/100 emergency peripartum hysterectomies 95% CI 0.6-1.6).

CONCLUSION

Substantial differences across income settings exist in the incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy. Women in lower-income settings have a higher risk of undergoing emergency peripartum hysterectomy and suffer more procedure-related morbidity and mortality. The frequency of emergency peripartum hysterectomy is likely to increase in light of increasing cesarean delivery rates.

Peripartum hysterectomy due to severe postpartum hemorrhage: A hospital-based study

INTRODUCTION

A peripartum hysterectomy is typically performed as a lifesaving procedure in obstetrics to manage severe postpartum hemorrhage. Severe hemorrhages that lead to peripartum hysterectomies are mainly caused by uterine atony and placenta accreta spectrum disorders. In this study, we aimed to estimate the incidence, risk factors, causes and management of severe postpartum hemorrhage resulting in peripartum hysterectomies, and to describe the complications of the hysterectomies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eligible women had given birth at gestational week 23+0 or later and had a postpartum hemorrhage ≥1500 mL or a blood transfusion, due to postpartum hemorrhage, at Oslo University Hospital, Norway, between 2008 and 2017. Among the eligible women, this study included those who underwent a hysterectomy within the first 42 days after delivery. The Norwegian Medical Birth Registry provided the reference group. We used Poisson regression to estimate adjusted incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals to identify clinical factors associated with peripartum hysterectomy.

RESULTS

The incidence of hysterectomies with severe postpartum hemorrhage was 0.44/1000 deliveries (42/96313). Among the women with severe postpartum hemorrhage, 1.6% ended up with a hysterectomy (42/2621). Maternal age ≥40, previous cesarean section, multiple pregnancy and placenta previa were associated with a significantly higher risk of hysterectomy. Placenta accreta spectrum disorders were the most frequent cause of hemorrhage that resulted in a hysterectomy (52%, 22/42) and contributed to most of the complications following the hysterectomy (11/15 women with complications).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of peripartum hysterectomies at Oslo University Hospital was low, but was higher than previously reported from Norway. Risk factors included high maternal age, previous cesarean section, multiple pregnancy and placenta previa, well known risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorders and severe postpartum hemorrhage. Placenta accreta spectrum disorders were the largest contributor to hysterectomies and complications.

Incidence of Emergency Peripartum Hysterectomy in a Tertiary Obstetrics Unit in Romania

Background and Objectives: Emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) is a life-saving surgical procedure performed when medical and surgical conservative measures fail to control postpartum hemorrhage. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of EPH and to determine the factors leading to this procedure and the maternal outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study with all cases of EPH performed at Filantropia Clinical Hospital in Bucharest between January 2012 and May 2021. Results: There were 36 EPH, from a total of 36,099 births recorded. The overall incidence of EPH was 0.99 per 1000 deliveries, most cases being related to placenta accreta spectrum disorder and uterine atony. Conclusions: Peripartum hysterectomy is associated with an important maternal morbidity rate and severe complications. Efforts should be made to reduce the number of unnecessary cesarean deliveries.

Indications and outcomes of emergency obstetric hysterectomy; a 5-year review at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital, Cameroon

BACKGROUND

Emergency Obstetric Hysterectomy (EOH) is removal of the uterus due to life threatening conditions within the puerperium. This life saving intervention is associated with life threatening complications. In our setting, little is known on EOH.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence, indications and outcomes of emergency obstetric hysterectomy while comparing both postpartum hysterectomy and caesarean hysterectomy.

METHODS

A 5-year hospital-based retrospective cohort study involving medical records of patients who underwent emergency obstetric hysterectomies between 1st January 2015 and 31st December 2019, was carried out at the Bafoussam Regional Hospital (BRH) from 1st February 2020 to 30th April 2020. Cases were classified as caesarean hysterectomy (CH) or postpartum hysterectomy (PH). Epidemiological data, indications, and complications of EOH were collected and analyzed in EPI-INFO 7.2.2.1. The chi-squared test was used to compare the two groups, and bivariate analysis was used to identify indicators of adverse outcomes of EOH. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There were 30 cases of emergency obstetric hysterectomy (24 caesarean hysterectomies and 6 postpartum hysterectomies), giving a prevalence rate of 3.75 per 1000 deliveries. The most common indication for CH, was intractable postpartum haemorrhage and uterine rupture (33.33% each), while abnormal placentation (50%) was commonly indicated for PH. Anaemia (both groups) (p = 0.013) and sepsis (PH group only, 33.33%) (p = 0.03) were the most statistically significant complications of EOH respectively. Absence of blood transfusion prior to surgery (p = 0.013) and prolonged surgery lasting 2 or more hours (p = 0.04), were significantly associated with a negative clinical outcome.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of EOH is high. There were no differences in the sociodemographic profile, risk factors and indications of both groups. PH group was more likely to develop sepsis as complication. Lack of blood transfusion prior to surgery and prolonged surgeries were significantly associated to complication. Meticulous care and timely recognition of negative prognostic factors of delivery as well as those of EOH will help improve maternal outcomes of pregnancy.

Incidence, Management and Outcomes in Women Undergoing Peripartum Hysterectomy in a Tertiary Care Centre in India

Background Peripartum hysterectomy (PRH) is the surgical removal of the uterus performed in obstetrical complications such as uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), unrepairable uterine rupture, and sepsis. Its incidence has increased in recent years. The objective of this study was to review all the cases of PRH in a tertiary care teaching hospital over three years (January 2017-December 2019) to determine its incidence and analyse clinico-demographic characteristics in these women. Method All women undergoing PRH from January 2017 to December 2019 were included in the study. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records, of patients who underwent a PRH at the time of delivery, or within 24 hours, or performed any time before discharge from the same hospitalization and obstetric event. The total number of deliveries including caesarean and vaginal deliveries were recorded. Main outcome measures were the incidence of PRH, indication for hysterectomy, management option used, maternal outcomes (PPH, bladder injury and maternal death) and fetal outcomes (stillbirth). Results There were a total of 3904,4 deliveries; 27,337 vaginal and 11,697 caesarean sections in three years. A total of 50 patients underwent a PRH. The incidence of PRH in our study was 1.3 per 1,000 deliveries and 3.5/1,000 caesareans, respectively. PRH was found to be more common following cesarean sections than vaginal deliveries (odds ratio 22.86 [95% CI: 8.16 to 63.98]). Morbid adherent placenta (MAP) (n=30, 62%) was the most common indications of PRH. Seven (15%) women had PRH due to uterine rupture. Twenty-seven women of the 30 women (90%) with the MAP had a previous caesarean delivery. The case fatality rate per hysterectomy was 4%. Stillbirth rate (SBR: n=8,16%) among women having PRH was seven-fold higher than overall SBR in our country. Conclusion There has been a rise in MAP as an indication of PRH in our study for a decade in comparison to uterine atony. Caesarean delivery is a significant risk factor for PRH. Previous caesarean section and major placenta previa were common occurring obstetric risk factors present in the MAP in our cohort. Our maternal mortality in PRH was low and the stillbirth rate was high when compared with national data.

Evaluation of Hospital Cesarean Delivery-Related Profits and Rates in the United States

IMPORTANCE

A high cesarean delivery rate in US hospitals indicates the potential overuse of this procedure; however, underlying causes of the excessive use of cesarean procedures in the US have not been fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between the probability of cesarean delivery at the patient-level and profit per procedure from cesarean deliveries.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This observational, cross-sectional study used a nationally representative sample of hospital discharge data from women at low risk for cesarean birth who delivered newborns between 2010 and 2014 in the US. Data were gathered from the Nationwide Readmissions Database from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Data cleaning and analyses were conducted between August 2019 and May 2020.

EXPOSURES

Hospital-level median value of profits from cesarean deliveries, defined as the difference between the charge and the cost for cesarean delivery calculated for each hospital.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Our primary outcome was the individual-level probability of undergoing a cesarean delivery. We examined the association with the hospital-level median value of profits per procedure for cesarean delivery (defined as the difference between the charge and the cost for cesarean delivery) using hierarchical regression models adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics and year-fixed effects.

RESULTS

A total of 13 215 853 deliveries were included in our analyses (mean [SE] age, 27.4 [0] years), of which 2 202 632 (16.7%) were cesarean deliveries. After adjusting for potential confounders, pregnant women were more likely to have a cesarean birth when they delivered at hospitals with higher profits per procedure from cesarean deliveries. Women cared for at hospitals with the highest (adjusted odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.14; P = .005) and second-highest profit quartiles (adjusted odds ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13; P = .007) had higher probabilities of a cesarean delivery compared with those cared for at hospitals in the lowest profit quartile.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cross-sectional study of US nationally representative hospital discharge data, hospitals with higher profits per cesarean procedure were associated with an increased probability of delivering newborns through cesarean birth. These findings highlight the potential influence financial incentives play in determining a high cesarean delivery rate in the US.

Peripartum Hysterectomies over a Fifteen-year Period

OBJECTIVE

 To determine the indications and outcomes of peripartum hysterectomies performed at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (a university hospital in Southern Brazil) during the past 15 years, and to analyze the clinical characteristics of the women submitted to this procedure.

METHODS

 A cross-sectional study of 47 peripartum hysterectomies from 2005 to 2019.

RESULTS

 The peripartum hysterectomies performed in our hospital were indicated mainly due to placenta accreta or suspicion thereof (44.7% of the cases), puerperal hemorrhage without placenta accreta (27.7%), and infection (25.5%). Total hysterectomies accounted for 63.8% of the cases, and we found no difference between total versus subtotal hysterectomies in the studied outcomes. Most hysterectomies were performed within 24 hours after delivery, and they were associated with placenta accreta, placenta previa, and older maternal age.

CONCLUSION

 Most (66.0%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Those who did not need it were significantly older, and had more placenta accreta, placenta previa, or previous Cesarean delivery.

The association between race/ethnicity and peripartum hysterectomy and the risk of perioperative complications

OBJECTIVE

To compare perioperative outcomes by patient race/ethnicity.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study identified 7 331 638 childbirth hospitalizations for women aged 12-55 years in the USA between 2004-2014. Peripartum hysterectomy, in-hospital mortality, perioperative complications, length of stay, and cost of hysterectomy data were analyzed using SAS.

RESULTS

Among childbirth hospitalizations (52.9% white, 13.5% black, 23.0% Hispanic, 5.2% Asian, and 5.4% other), peripartum hysterectomy occurred in 6619. The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 90.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 87.7-93.0) per 100 000 hospitalizations, and higher for black (111.0, 95% CI 104.5-117.4), Hispanic (104.9, 95% CI 99.1-110.8), and Asian women (119.6, 95% CI 109.1-130.2) compared to whites (75.7, 95% CI 72.8-78.5). After adjustment, Hispanic women had an 18% higher odds of undergoing peripartum hysterectomy (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.29; P=0.004) than white women. Non-white women had a 2-3-fold higher odds of in-hospital mortality (OR_black 2.76, 95% CI 1.44-5.30; OR_Hispanic 1.99, 95% CI 1.04-3.82; OR_Asian+other 2.44, 95% CI 1.11-5.40. Black and Asian/other women were more likely to undergo blood transfusions.

CONCLUSION

Women of color have higher rates of peripartum hysterectomy and experience higher rates of poor perioperative outcomes and mortality.

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy at Jordan University hospital - a teaching hospital experience

Introduction

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH) is a foremost operation and is perpetually implemented in the presence of life intimidating hemorrhage during or immediately after abdominal or vaginal deliveries. The aim of this study was to review cases managed at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Jordan University Hospital (JUH).

Material and methods

All women who underwent EPH due to any cause in the period from January 2010, to December 2017 were included in the study. Data were collected retrospectively using the patients’ files namelessly. Main measures: age, gravidity, parity, number of previous cesarean sections, previous uterine surgeries, indication for hysterectomy, complications, antepartum bleeding and the need for blood transfusion.

Results

In total, 74 cases of EPH were managed during the study period. The incidence of EPH ranged from 0.24 to 8.7 per 1000 deliveries. EPH was found to be more common following cesarean sections than vaginal deliveries. The prime indication was abnormal placentation, uterine atony, and uterine rupture. The risk factors included previous cesarean sections, scarred uteruses, multiparity, older age group. Maternal morbidity ranged from 26.5 to 31.5% and mortality from 0 to 12.5% with a mean of 4.8%.

Conclusions

EPH is the most demanding obstetric surgery performed in very tiresome circumstances of life threatening hemorrhage. The indication for EPH in recent years has changed from outdated uterine atony to abnormal placentation. Antenatal eagerness of the risk factors, engrossment of proficient obstetricians at an early stage of management and a prompt hysterectomy after adequate resuscitation would go a long way in tumbling morbidity and mortality.

Epidemiological analysis of peripartum hysterectomy across nine European countries

INTRODUCTION

Peripartum hysterectomy is a surgical procedure performed for severe obstetric complications such as major obstetric hemorrhage. The prevalence of peripartum hysterectomy in high-resource settings is relatively low. Hence, international comparisons and studying indications and associations with mode of birth rely on the use of national obstetric survey data. Objectives were to calculate the prevalence and indications of peripartum hysterectomy and its association with national cesarean section rates and mode of birth in nine European countries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a descriptive, multinational, population-based study among women who underwent peripartum hysterectomy. Data were collected from national or multiregional databases from nine countries participating in the International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems. We included hysterectomies performed from 22 gestational weeks up to 48 hours postpartum for obstetric hemorrhage, as this was the most restrictive, overlapping case definition between all countries. Main outcomes were prevalence and indications of peripartum hysterectomy. Additionally, we compared prevalence of peripartum hysterectomy between women giving birth vaginally and by cesarean section, and between women giving birth with and without previous cesarean section. Finally, we calculated correlation between prevalence of peripartum hysterectomy and national cesarean section rates, as well as national rates of women giving birth after a previous cesarean section.

RESULTS

A total of 1302 peripartum hysterectomies were performed in 2 498 013 births, leading to a prevalence of 5.2 per 10 000 births ranging from 2.6 in Denmark to 10.7 in Italy. Main indications were uterine atony (35.3%) and abnormally invasive placenta (34.8%). Relative risk of hysterectomy after cesarean section compared with vaginal birth was 9.1 (95% CI 8.0-10.4). Relative risk for hysterectomy for birth after previous cesarean section compared with birth without previous cesarean section was 10.6 (95% CI 9.4-12.1). A strong correlation was observed between national cesarean section rate and prevalence of peripartum hysterectomy (ρ = 0.67, P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of peripartum hysterectomy may vary considerably between high-income countries. Uterine atony and abnormally invasive placenta are the commonest indications for hysterectomy. Birth by cesarean section and birth after previous cesarean section are associated with nine-fold increased risk of peripartum hysterectomy.

Old and novel insights into emergency peripartum hysterectomy: a time-trend analysis

PURPOSE

To assess changing trends, role of the triad patient-pregnancy-health professionals and health care cost in emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH).

METHODS

Demographics, indications, perinatal outcomes, perioperative complications in EPH cases performed in a 10-year period were extracted from the local birth registry. Experience of health professionals in the management of the post-partum haemorrhage was valued. Two subgroups (Period I, 2009-2013 vs. Period II, 2014-2018) were recognized. Overall and detailed EPH ratios/1000 deliveries were calculated. Cost analysis was achieved in agreement with the diagnosis-related group (DGR) system.

RESULTS

A total of 39 EPH were performed among 36,053 deliveries. EPH incidence increased from 0.8 to 1.32‰ across study periods (p < 0.001). The mean maternal age (36.9 ± 4.7 vs. 38.9 ± 5.9 years, p = 0.035) and the high socio-economic status (0 vs. 19.2%, p = 0.027) were statistically different. Multiparity (84.6 vs. 96.2%, p = 0.005), previous caesarean section (CS) (0.9 ± 0.9 vs. 1.2 ± 1.6, p = 0.049), and emergent CS (7.7 vs. 19.2%, p = 0.048) were found statistically different. In Period II, increased attempts in conservative approaches (7.7 vs. 36.8%, p = 0.007), reduction in blood loss (3184 ± 1753 vs. 2511 ± 1252 mL, p = 0.045), advanced age of gynecologists performing EPH (54.5 ± 9.2 vs. 60.3 ± 6.4 years, p = 0.024), and augmented health care costs (mean DRG of € 2.782 vs. 3.371,95, p < 0.001) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

As a "near-miss" event, advances on identification of EPH factors are mandatory. Time-trend analyses might add information and address novel strategies.

The Role of Tranexamic Acid in the Management of an Acutely Hemorrhaging Patient

Background: Acute hemorrhage, both traumatic and nontraumatic, leads to significant morbidity and mortality, both in the United States and globally. Traditional treatment of acute hemorrhage is focused on hemostasis and blood product replacement. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic agent that may reduce acute hemorrhage through inhibition of plasminogen. Newer research suggests that coagulopathy, specifically fibrinolysis, may contribute significantly to the pathology of acute hemorrhage. Methods: We searched the PubMed database for relevant articles from 2000 to 2018 for the terms "tranexamic acid," "TXA," "antifibrinolytic," "hyperfibrinolysis," and "coagulopathy." Our search was limited to studies published in the English language. Results: A total of 53 studies were included in this review. These articles suggest a potential role for tranexamic acid in the management of acute intracranial hemorrhage, epistaxis, hematuria, postpartum hemorrhage, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and trauma-related hemorrhage. A theoretical risk of thrombotic events following tranexamic acid use exists, though large clinical trials suggest this risk remains exceedingly small. Conclusions: Recent studies suggest a mortality benefit with tranexamic acid following acute hemorrhage. First responders such as emergency medical technicians and emergency department clinicians should consider tranexamic acid as an adjunct therapy in the management of acute, severe traumatic and nontraumatic hemorrhage.

Population-attributable fraction of risk factors for severe maternal morbidity

Background

Severe maternal morbidity is an important proxy for maternal mortality. Population attributable fraction is the proportion of a disease that is attributable to a given risk factor and can be used to estimate the reduction in the disease that would be anticipated if a risk factor was reduced or eliminated.

Objective

We sought to determine the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of potentially modifiable risk factors for severe maternal morbidity.

Study Design

We used a retrospective cohort of 86,260 delivery hospitalizations from Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA for this analysis (2003-2012). Severe maternal morbidity was defined as any of the following: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention International Classification of Diseases 9^th Revision diagnosis and procedure codes for the identification of maternal morbidity; prolonged postpartum length of stay (defined as >3 standard deviations beyond the mean length of stay: >3 days for vaginal deliveries and >5 days for Cesarean deliveries); or maternal intensive care unit admission. We used multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to estimate the association of prepregnancy overweight or obesity, maternal age ≥35 years, preexisting hypertension, preexisting diabetes, excessive gestational weight gain, smoking, education, and marital status with severe maternal morbidity. We then calculated the PAF for each risk factor. We also examined the impact of modest reductions and elimination of risk factors on the PAF of severe maternal morbidity.

Results

The overall rate of severe maternal morbidity was 2.0%. Overweight and obesity, maternal age ≥35 years, preexisting hypertension, excessive gestational weight gain, and lack of a college degree had PAF ranging from 4.5% to 13%. If all risk factors were eliminated, 36% of cases could have been prevented. Modest reductions in the prevalence of excessive BMI and advanced maternal age had minimal impact on preventing severe maternal morbidity. Smoking during pregnancy and marital status were not associated with severe maternal morbidity.

Conclusions

Our data suggest maternal morbidity can be reduced by modifying common, individual-level risk factors. Nevertheless, the majority of cases were not attributable to the patient level risk factors we examined. These data support the need for large studies of patient-, provider-, system- and population-level factors to identify high-impact interventions to reduce maternal morbidity.

Women undergoing peripartum hysterectomy due to obstetric hemorrhage: A prospective population-based study

INTRODUCTION

Peripartum hysterectomy is usually undertaken in cases of life-threatening obstetric hemorrhage to prevent the death of the mother. Near-miss events are still under-researched and inappropriate care continues to be a critical issue, even in countries with advanced obstetric surveillance systems. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence, associated factors, management and intraoperative and postoperative complications of peripartum hysterectomy due to obstetric hemorrhage.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective population-based study has been conducted in six Italian regions covering 49% of births in Italy. The study population comprised all women aged 11-59 years undergoing peripartum hysterectomy, from September 2014 to August 2016, due to obstetric hemorrhage within 7 days of delivery. In each maternity unit a trained reference person reported incident cases using electronic data collection forms. The background population comprised all women who delivered in the participating regions during the study period.

RESULTS

The overall peripartum hysterectomy prevalence was 1.09 per 1000 maternities, with a large variability among regions, ranging from 0.52 to 1.60. Previous cesarean section (relative risk [RR] 4.97, 95% CI 4.13-5.96), assisted reproductive technology (RR 5.99, 95% CI 4.42-8.11) multiple pregnancy (RR 5.03, 95% CI 3.57-7.09) and maternal age ≥35 years (RR 2.69, 95% CI 2.25-3.21) were the main associated factors for hysterectomy. The most common causes of peripartum hysterectomy were uterine atony (45.1%) and abnormally invasive placentation (40.2%). Intensive care unit admission was reported in 49.9% of cases, 16.8% of women suffered severe morbidity and 5 women died.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of peripartum hysterectomy in Italy was three times higher compared with the UK, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries. The wide difference may be associated with women's characteristics, such as age at delivery and previous cesarean section, and with different management options leading to peripartum hysterectomy.

Women receiving massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage: A comparison over time between two nationwide cohort studies

Introduction

Incidence of massive transfusion after birth was high in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2006 compared with other high‐income countries. This study investigated incidence, causes, management and outcome of women receiving massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage in the Netherlands in more recent years.

Material and methods

Data for all pregnant women who received eight or more units of packed red blood cells from a gestational age of 20 weeks and within the first 24 hours after childbirth, during 2011 and 2012, were obtained from a nationwide retrospective cohort study, including 61 hospitals with a maternity unit in the Netherlands.

Results

Incidence of massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage decreased to 65 per 100 000 births (95% CI 56‐75) between 2011 and 2012, from 91 per 100 000 births (95% CI 81‐101) between 2004 and 2006, while median blood loss increased from 4500 mL (interquartile range 3250‐6000) to 6000 mL (interquartile range 4500‐8000). Uterine atony remained the leading cause of hemorrhage. Thirty percent (53/176) underwent peripartum hysterectomy between 2011 and 2012, compared with 25% (83/327) between 2004 and 2006. Case fatality rate for women who received massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage was 2.3% (4/176) between 2011 and 2012, compared with 0.9% (3/327) between 2004 and 2006.

Conclusions

The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage with massive transfusion decreased in the Netherlands between both time frames, but remained an important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, including peripartum hysterectomy. National surveillance of maternal morbidity and mortality due to postpartum hemorrhage through an improved and continuous registration with confidential enquiries may lead to the identification of clear improvements of maternal care.

Massive hemorrhage protocol activation in obstetrics: a 5-year quality performance review

BACKGROUND

A structured approach to hemorrhagic emergencies in obstetrics has gained popularity with the implementation of massive hemorrhage protocols. The trauma literature suggests that routine quality reviews should be in place to improve patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop quality indicators and assess compliance by the clinical team.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary team set the institutional quality indicators for the massive hemorrhage protocol review. A retrospective review of all obstetrical massive hemorrhage protocol activation events from September 2010 to January 2015 was performed. All protocol events occurred before the creation of the quality indicators. Data were retrieved from patient records.

RESULTS

There were 17 (0.09%) protocol activations for 19 790 deliveries during the study period. All 17 (100%) patients received at least one unit of red blood cells. Overactivation, defined as the transfusion of <2 units of red blood cells, occurred in two cases (12%). Common causes of non-compliance were: 24% (4/17) temperature monitoring, 18% (3/17) lactate measurement, 41% (7/17) arterial blood gas sampling, and 18% (3/17) hemoglobin maintenance within the target range of 55-95 g/L. Admission to intensive care and peripartum hysterectomy occurred in 12 and 5 cases (71% and 29%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Suboptimal compliance was found in multiple areas, which may be attributable to the low frequency of activation of our massive haemorrhage protocol in obstetrics. The quality targets identified in this report can act as a basis for other institutions developing quality indicators to evaluate performance.

Organisational interventions designed to reduce caesarean section rates: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing body of evidence to indicate that both primary and subsequent caesarean sections are associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity. Efforts to reduce the number of clinically unnecessary caesarean sections are urgently required. Our objective is to systematically review published evidence on the effectiveness of maternity service organisational interventions, such as models of maternity care, that aim to reduce caesarean section rates.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Databases will be searched, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, Maternity and Infant Care, EMBASE and SCOPUS. Search terms related to caesarean section and organisational intervention will be used. Research published before 1980 will be excluded and only randomised controlled trials, cluster-randomised controlled trials, quasi-randomised controlled trials, controlled before and after studies and interrupted time series studies will be included. Data extraction and quality assessments will be undertaken by two authors.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not required for this systematic review. The results of this study will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication and presentation at professional conferences.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016039458.

Risk factors for peripartum hysterectomy among women with postpartum haemorrhage: analysis of data from the WOMAN trial

Background

Peripartum hysterectomy can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Most studies of peripartum hysterectomy are from high income countries. This cohort study examined risk factors for peripartum hysterectomy using data from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Methods

We used data from the World Maternal Antifibrinolytic (WOMAN) trial carried out in 193 hospitals in 21 countries. Peripartum hysterectomy was defined as hysterectomy within 6 weeks of delivery as a complication of postpartum haemorrhage. Univariable and multivariable random effects logistic regression models were used to analyse risk factors. A hierarchical conceptual framework guided our multivariable analysis.

Results

Five percent of women had a hysterectomy (1020/20,017). Haemorrhage from placenta praevia/accreta carried a higher risk of hysterectomy (17%) than surgical trauma/tears (5%) and uterine atony (3%). The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for hysterectomy in women with placenta praevia/accreta was 3.2 (95% CI: 2.7–3.8), compared to uterine atony. The risk of hysterectomy increased with maternal age. Caesarean section was associated with fourfold higher odds of hysterectomy than vaginal delivery (AOR 4.3, 95% CI: 3.6–5.0). Mothers in Asia had a higher hysterectomy incidence (7%) than mothers in Africa (5%) (AOR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.9–1.7).

Conclusions

Placenta praevia/accreta is associated with a higher risk of peripartum hysterectomy. Other risk factors for hysterectomy are advanced maternal age, caesarean section and giving birth in Asia.

Placenta accreta spectrum disorder trends in the context of the universal two-child policy in China and the risk of hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To identify both the trends in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders in the context of the universal two-child policy in China and risk factors for hysterectomy.

METHODS

The present retrospective analysis included confirmed PAS disorders during cesarean delivery at a tertiary hospital in Changsha, Hunan, China, from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2016. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of hysterectomy.

RESULTS

During the 10-year study period, the overall incidence of cesarean delivery was 51.6% (13 530/26 214) and that of PAS disorders was 1.2% (302/26 214). The PAS rate increased from 0.1% (5/4617) in 2007-2008 to 2.1% (133/6351) in 2015-2016, alongside a rise in elective repeat cesarean delivery from 5.0% (106/2124) to 38.4% (1385/3603). Previous cesarean delivery greatly increased the likelihood of PAS disorders (odds ratio [OR] 97.4; P<0.001). Invasive depth (OR 92.0; P<0.001), inter-cesarean interval less than 36 months (OR 7.0; P=0.002), rural residence (OR 5.3; P=0.018), and advanced maternal age (OR 3.0; P=0.045) were independent risk factors for hysterectomy among women with PAS disorders.

CONCLUSION

The increasing incidence of elective repeat cesarean delivery combined with a high overall rate of cesarean delivery implies a high prevalence of PAS disorders within the context of the universal two-child policy in China. The main predictor of hysterectomy was invasive depth.

Maternal complications and cesarean section without indication: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the risks of severe acute maternal complications associated with cesarean section without medical indication.

METHODS

A systematic review was carried out with meta-analysis. The literature search was performed systematically, in multiple stages, in the PubMed, Lilacs, and Web of Science databases using the following descriptors: (postpartum period) and (cesarean section or natural childbirth) and ((morbidity or mortality) or (postpartum hemorrhage) or (puerperal infection) or (surgical infection) or (puerperal disorders)). The protocol of the study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42016032933. A total of 1,328 articles were found; after selection, eight publications that met the study objective and inclusion criteria were selected, with information on 1,051,543 individuals.

RESULTS

The results obtained in the meta-analyses indicate that women with cesarean section have a higher chance of maternal death (OR = 3.10, 95%CI 1.92–5.00) and postpartum infection (OR = 2.83, 95%CI, 1.585.06), but they have a lower chance of hemorrhage (OR = 0.52, 95%CI 0.48–0.57). For the blood transfusion outcome, the group effect was not associated with the type of delivery (95%CI 0.88–2.81).

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of evidence was considered low for hemorrhage and blood transfusion and moderate for postpartum infection and maternal death. Thus, cesarean sections should be performed with caution and safety, especially when its benefits outweigh the risks of a surgical procedure.

Emergency obstetric hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage: A 12-year review

The aim of the study was to review the operative experiences of emergency hysterectomy for life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) performed over a 12-year period at Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital; to examine the incidence and risk factors for emergency obstetric hysterectomy; and to evaluate the curative effectiveness and safety of subtotal hysterectomy for life-threatening PPH.The records of all cases of emergency obstetric hysterectomy performed at Fujian Maternity and Children Health Hospital between January 2004 and June 2016 were analyzed. The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of hysterectomy, the peripartum complications, and the coagulation function indices were evaluated.A total of 152,023 of women were delivered. The incidence of emergency postpartum hysterectomy was 0.63 per 1000 deliveries: 96 patients underwent hysterectomy for uncontrolled PPH, 19 (0.207‰) underwent hysterectomy following vaginal delivery, and 77 (1.28‰) underwent the procedure following cesarean delivery (P < .001). Common risk factors included postpartum prothrombin activity ≤ 50% (61.5%), placenta accreta (43.76%), uterine atony (37.5%), uterine rupture (17.5%), and grand multiparity > 6 (32.3%). Forty-one patients underwent subtotal abdominal hysterectomy (STH) and 55 patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy (TH). The mean operation time was significantly shorter for TH (193.59 ± 83.41 minutes) than for STH (142.86 ± 78.32 minutes; P = .002). The mean blood loss was significantly greater for TH (6832 ± 787 mL) than for STH (6329 ± 893 mL; P = .003). The mean number of red cell units transfusion was higher during TH (16.24 ± 9.48 units vs 12.43 ± 7.2, respectively; P = .047). Postoperative prothrombin activity was significantly higher than preoperative levels (56.84 ± 14.74 vs 44.39 ± 15.69, respectively; P < .001) in women who underwent TH and in those who underwent STH (57.63 ± 15.68 vs 47.87 ± 12.86, respectively; P < .001). There was no significant difference in the maternal complications after TH or STH for PPH.Cesarean deliveries were associated with an increased risk of emergency hysterectomy, and postpartum prothrombin activity < 50% was the greatest risk factor for hysterectomy in most women who underwent hysterectomy. STH was the preferred procedure for emergency obstetric hysterectomy.

Analysis of the cost-effectiveness of carbetocin for the prevention of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery in Ecuador

AIM

To compare the cost of carbetocin with that of oxytocin for the prevention and management of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery in Ecuador.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We developed a decision tree based cost-effectiveness model to compare carbetocin with oxytocin in the prevention of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery in Ecuador. Our model was run from a third party payer perspective and was validated by local experts in the field. The efficacy of the interventions was determined based on a systematic review of the literature. Direct costs were calculated based on current National Health Service price lists and retail price. Since the period covered by the analysis was 1 year, costs and health effects were not discounted.

RESULTS

The difference in costs between the interventions was US$16.26, with a difference in effectiveness of 0.0067 disability adjusted life years averted. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for carbetocin compared with oxytocin for prevention of hemorrhage following cesarean delivery was US$2432.89 per disability adjusted life year averted.

CONCLUSION

Carbetocin is as efficacious and safe as oxytocin for primary prevention of hemorrhage in cesarean delivery in Ecuador. It is highly cost effective for reducing the need for additional uterotonic drugs in both emergency and elective cesarean delivery.

Preoperative infrarenal abdominal aorta balloon catheter occlusion combined with Bakri tamponade reduced maternal morbidity of placenta increta/percreta

BACKGROUND

Placenta increta/percreta is an increasingly common and life-threatening obstetric complication. It poses a management challenge to clinicians. The present study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of preoperative placement of infrarenal abdominal aorta balloon catheter (IAABC) alone or combined with Bakri tamponade for the management of cases with placenta increta/percreta.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all cases with placenta increta/percreta at a tertiary referral teaching hospital in China between the year 2014 and 2017. Statistical analysis considered the individual subgroups: IAABC placed group and control group (without IAABC), and compared their maternal-fetal outcomes.

RESULTS

The study covered 86 cases with placenta increta. For cases in the IAABC placed group (n = 48), significant reductions were noted in maternal morbidity including estimated blood loss (EBL), EBL ≥ 2000 mL, blood products transfusions, postpartum hemorrhage, operative time, intensive care unit admission, and postoperative days (P < .05 for all). The overall rate of hysterectomy was much lower (4.2%vs 23.7%, P = .018), compared with those in the control group (n = 38). Furthermore, in the IAABC placed group, hysterectomy was avoided in a further 17 cases combined with Bakri tamponade. In the control group, 10 cases were successful in preserving uterus by Bakri tamponade. Four cases failed and needed reoperation (3 uterine arterial embolism, 1 hysterectomy). There were no differences in fetal outcomes between the 2 groups. Eighteen cases were diagnosed with placenta percreta. Almost all the cases (17/18) inevitably underwent caesarean hysterectomy. Only 1 case was treated with a combination of IAABC and Bakri tamponade, and successfully reserved uterus. No differences were observed in any other outcomes, except for a significant less mean operative time (P = .017) in cases with IAABC placed (n = 10), compared with those without IAABC (n = 8). Only 1 case had a femoral artery thrombosis directly related to IAABC placement and recovered after conservative treatment. There was no maternal or neonatal death in this study.

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic insertion of IAABC alone or combined with Bakri tamponade should be safe and effective in controlling intraoperative bleeding due to placenta increta, thus hysterectomy could be avoided. It seems to be less beneficial to women with placenta percreta. Bakri tamponade can be a good choice in the management of placenta increta/percreta before more aggressive surgeries.

Multidisciplinary team learning in the management of the morbidly adherent placenta: outcome improvements over time

BACKGROUND

Morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is a serious obstetric complication causing mortality and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether outcomes of patients with MAP improve with increasing experience within a well-established multidisciplinary team at a single referral center.

STUDY DESIGN

All singleton pregnancies with pathology-confirmed MAP (including placenta accreta, increta, or percreta) managed by a multidisciplinary team between January 2011 and August 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Turnover of team members was minimal, and cases were divided into 2 time periods so as to compare 2 similarly sized groups: T1 = January 2011 to April 2014 and T2 = May 2014 to August 2016. Outcome variables were estimated blood loss, units of red blood cell transfused, volume of crystalloid transfused, massive transfusion protocol activation, ureter and bowel injury, and neonatal birth weight. Comparisons and adjustments were made by use of the Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ² test, analysis of covariance, and multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 118 singleton pregnancies, 59 in T1 and 59 in T2, were managed during the study period. Baseline patient characteristics were not statistically significant. Forty-eight of 59 (81.4%) patients in T1 and 42 of 59 (71.2%) patients in T2 were diagnosed with placenta increta/percreta. The median [interquartile range] estimated blood loss (T1: 2000 [1475-3000] vs T2: 1500 [1000-2700], P = .04), median red blood cell transfusion units (T1: 2.5 [0-7] vs T2: 1 [0-4], P = .02), and median crystalloid transfusion volume (T1: 4200 [3600-5000] vs T2: 3400 [3000-4000], P < .01) were significantly less in T2. Also, a massive transfusion protocol was instituted more frequently in T1: 15/59 (25.4%) vs 3/59 (5.1%); P < .01. Neonatal outcomes and surgical complications were similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that patient outcomes are improved over time with increasing experience within a well-established multidisciplinary team performing 2-3 cases per month. This suggests that small, collective changes in team dynamics lead to continuous improvement of clinical outcomes. These findings support the development of centers of excellence for MAP staffed by stable, core multidisciplinary teams, which should perform a significant number of these procedures on an ongoing basis.

Incidence of adhesions and maternal and neonatal morbidity after repeat cesarean section

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

We investigated the effect of repeat cesarean sections (CSs) and intra-abdominal adhesions on neonatal and maternal morbidity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed intra-abdominal adhesions of 672 patients.

RESULTS

Among the patients, 173, 206, 151, and 142 underwent CS for the first, second, third, and fourth time or more, respectively. There were adhesions in 393 (58.5 %) patients. Among first CSs, there were no adhesions, the rate of maternal morbidity [Morales et al. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 196(5):461, 2007)] was 26 %, and the rate of neonatal morbidity (NM) was 35 %. Among women who have history of two CSs, the adhesion rate was 66.3 %, the adhesion score was 2.05, MM was 14 %, and NM was 21 %. Among third CSs, these values were 82.1, 2.82, 23, and 14 %, respectively. Among women who have history of four or more CSs, these values were 92.2, 4.72, 31.7, and 18 %, respectively. Adhesion sites and dense fibrous adhesions increased parallel to the number of subsequent CSs. Increased adhesion score was associated with 1.175-fold higher odds of NM and 1.29-fold higher odds of MM. The rate of NM was eightfold higher in emergency-delivered newborns (emergency: 39.4, 40 %; elective: 4.9 %). MM was 20 and 26 % for elective and emergency CSs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency operations and adhesions increased complications.

Risk of peripartum hysterectomy in births after assisted reproductive technology

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether women who conceive after assisted reproductive technology (ART) are at higher risk for emergency peripartum hysterectomy.

DESIGN

A case-control study using a prospectively maintained institutional database.

SETTING

A tertiary referral university teaching maternity hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Thirty-one women who underwent peripartum hysterectomy for management of hemorrhage, and 19,902 control women.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Association between potential predictors and peripartum hysterectomy.

RESULT(S)

The incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 1.7 cases per 1,000 births (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.4). After adjustment for maternal age and twin pregnancy, placenta previa (odds ratio [OR] 50.78, 95% CI 23.30-110.68), prior cesarean delivery (OR 6.72, 95% CI 2.99-15.09 for one cesarean; OR 6.80, 95% CI 1.45-31.90 for two or more cesareans), previous myomectomy (OR 24.59, 95% CI 6.70-90.19), and ART conception (OR 5.98, 95% CI 2.18-16.40) were all antenatal predictors for peripartum hysterectomy. In women having a peripartum hysterectomy, 13.4% of the risk is attributable to mode of conception.

CONCLUSION(S)

A history of ART increases the likelihood of needing a peripartum hysterectomy to control hemorrhage. Further investigation is needed to determine whether ART conception should be included in algorithms of risk stratification for emergency cesarean hysterectomy and plan of care be modified accordingly.

Post-traumatic stress disorder following emergency peripartum hysterectomy

PURPOSE

Our objective was to explore if women who experience emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH), a type of severe maternal morbidity, are more likely to screen positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to women who did not experience EPH.

METHODS

Using a retrospective cohort design, women were sampled through online communities. Participants completed online screens for PTSD. Additionally, women provided sociodemographic, obstetric, psychiatric, and psychosocial information. We conducted bivariate and logistic regression analyses, then Monte Carlo simulation and propensity score matching to calculate the risk of screening positive for PTSD after EPH.

RESULTS

74 exposed women (experienced EPH) and 335 non-exposed women (did not experience EPH) completed the survey. EPH survivors were nearly two times more likely to screen positive for PTSD (aOR: 1.90; 95 % CI: 1.57, 2.30), and nearly 2.5 times more likely to screen positive for PTSD at 6 months postpartum compared to women who were not EPH survivors (aOR: 2.46; 95 % CI: 1.92, 3.16).

CONCLUSION

The association of EPH and PTSD was statistically significant, indicating a need for further research, and the potential need for support services for these women following childbirth.