Uterine artery ligation to control postpartum hemorrhage

Uterine-sparing surgical procedures to control postpartum hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the principal causes of maternal mortality in the United States and throughout the world. Its management, which must be multidisciplinary (obstetrics, midwifery, anesthesiology, interventional radiology, and nursing), depends on the speed of both diagnosis and implementation of medical and surgical treatment to control the hemorrhage. The aim of this work is to describe the various techniques of vessel ligation and of uterine compression for controlling and treating severe hemorrhage, and to present the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is not difficult to perform vessel ligation of the uterine arteries: O'Leary's bilateral ligation of the uterine artery, Tsirulnikov's triple ligation, and AbdRabbo's stepwise uterine devascularization (that is, stepwise triple ligation). These procedures are associated with a high success rate (approximately 90%) and a low complication rate. Bilateral ligation of the internal iliac (hypogastric) arteries is more difficult to perform and potentially less effective (approximately 70% effectiveness) than the previously mentioned procedures. Its complication rate is low, but the complications are most often serious. There is no evidence that future fertility or subsequent obstetrical outcomes are impaired by ligation of either the uterine or internal iliac arteries. There are many techniques used for uterine compression sutures, and none has shown clear superiority to another. Uterine compression suture has an effectiveness rate of approximately 75% after failure of medical treatment and approximately 80% as a second-line procedure after unsuccessful vessel ligation. The risk of synechiae after uterine compression suture has not yet been adequately evaluated, but is probably around 5%. The risk of synechiae after uterine compression suture has not yet been adequately evaluated, but probably ranges between 5% and 10%. The methodologic quality of the studies assessing uterine-sparing surgical procedures remains limited, with no comparative studies. Accordingly, no evidence suggests that any one of these methods is better than any other. Accordingly, the choice of surgical technique to control hemorrhage must be guided firstly by the operator's experience. If the hemorrhage continues after a first-line uterine-sparing surgical procedure and the patient remains hemodynamically stable, a second-line procedure can be chosen. Nonetheless, the application of these procedures must not delay the performance of a peripartum hysterectomy in cases of hemodynamic instability.

Subsequent pregnancy in women who have undergone bilateral uterine artery ligation during cesarean section: A case series

Bilateral uterine artery ligation (BUAL) serves as an effective surgical devascularization procedure in obstetric emergencies. However, concerns regarding the impact of uterine devascularization have evoked dispute. Here, the fetal growth index and obstetrical outcomes during the subsequent pregnancy of women who had undergone BUAL during cesarean section are reported. The case series of women who underwent BUAL during cesarean section and had another delivery later at the Xiamen Women and Children's Hospital between 2011 and 2020 is described. Pregnancies that did not continue beyond 20 weeks of gestation were excluded. Cases were identified from neonatal and obstetric databases and the clinical data of all cases were extracted. A total of 12 cases were identified retrospectively. Fetal biometric parameters of subsequent pregnancies in all cases including biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length are presented graphically across the different gestational ages and were all within the range of the 3rd-97th percentile. No maternal or neonatal morbidity was observed. BUAL did not appear to compromise a woman's subsequent obstetric outcomes. As a safe and simple surgical technique, it is safe to recommend BUAL in clinical practice.

Intrauterine balloon tamponade in the management of severe postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal delivery: Is the failure early predictable?

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality world-wide. The arrival of intrauterine balloon devices has revolutionised PPH management. However, it seems interesting to know the situations of failure to improve the management. The objective is to define the factors related to failure of intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) in women with a postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) after vaginal delivery, and especially blood loss after placement to avoid delaying management. Retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2 centers. All PPH after vaginal deliveries treated by IUBT were included. Two groups were defined (successes and failures) and compared. Failure was defined as the need of invasive procedure. Calculated area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and thresholds of bleeding at 10 min were also calculated for prediction of failure. 127 women were included. The overall success rate was 78.0 % (95 % CI 70.7-85.1 %). Blood loss at 10 min was factor prognostic of early IUBT failure. The ROC curve of blood loss at 10 min for prediction of failure of IUBT had an area under the curve of 0.876 (95 % CI 0.782-0.970). The predictive positive value of blood loss at 10 min were respectively 0.53, 0.8 and 0.94 for blood loss of 100, 200 and 250 mL. Physicians should be alerted if blood loss are more than 200 mL at 10 min after placement of IUBT and considered invasive procedure if more than 250 mL to avoid delaying management of PPH.

Uterus preserving surgery versus hysterectomy in the treatment of refractory postpartum haemorrhage in two tertiary maternity units in Cameroon: a cohort analysis of perioperative outcomes

Background

Little evidence exists on the efficacy and safety of the different surgical techniques used in the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). We aimed to compare uterus preserving surgery (UPS) versus hysterectomy for refractory PPH in terms of perioperative outcomes in a sub-Saharan African country with a known high maternal mortality ratio due to PPH.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study comparing the perioperative outcomes of all women managed by UPS (defined as surgical interventions geared at achieving haemostasis while conserving the uterus) versus hysterectomy (defined as surgical resection of the uterus to achieve haemostasis) for PPH refractory to standard medical management in two tertiary hospitals in Cameroon from January 2004 to December 2014. We excluded patients who underwent hysterectomy after failure of UPS. Comparison was done using the Chi-square test or Fisher exact test where appropriate. Bonferroni adjustment of the p-value was performed in order to reduce the chance of obtaining false-positive results.

Results

We included 24 cases of UPS against 36 cases of hysterectomy. The indications of surgery were dominated by uterine rupture and uterine atony in both groups. Types of UPS performed were seven bilateral hypogastric artery ligations, seven hysterorraphies, six bilateral uterine artery ligations, three B-Lynch sutures and one Tsirulnikov triple ligation with an overall uterine salvage rate of 83.3%. Types of hysterectomies were 26 subtotal hysterectomies and 10 total hysterectomies. UPS was associated with maternal deaths (RR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.38–3.93.; p: 0.0015) and postoperative infections (RR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.1–3.49; p: 0.0215). The association of UPS with maternal death was not attenuated after Bonferroni correction. Hysterectomy had no statistically significant adverse outcome.

Conclusion

Hysterectomy is safer than UPS in the management of intractable PPH in our setting. The choice of UPS as first-line surgical management of PPH in resource-limited settings should entail diligent anticipation of these adverse maternal outcomes in order to lessen the perioperative burden of PPH.

Intrauterine balloon tamponade for management of severe postpartum haemorrhage in a perinatal network: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) for management of severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). To identify the factors predicting IUBT failure.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Ten maternity units in a perinatal network.

POPULATION

Women treated by IUBT from July 2010 to March 2013.

METHODS

The global IUBT success rate was expressed as the number of women with severe PPH who were successfully treated by IUBT divided by the total number treated by IUBT. IUBT failure was defined as the need for arterial embolisation or surgery. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate factors predicting IUBT failure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Global IUBT success rate. Factors associated with IUBT failure.

RESULTS

Intrauterine balloon tamponade was attempted in 226 women: 171 after vaginal delivery (VD) (75.7%) and 55 during or after caesarean delivery (CD) (24.3%). The global success rate was 83.2% (188/226) and was significantly higher after VD (152/171, 88.9%) than CD (36/55, 65.5%, P < 0.01). The percentage of CD was significantly higher in the failure group (50.0 versus 19.1%, P < 0.01), as was mean (SD) estimated blood loss before IUBT: 1508 ± 675 ml versus 1064 ± 476, P < 0.01. Coagulopathy was significantly more frequent in the failure group (50.0% versus 17.2%, P < 0.01). CD [Odds ratio (OR) 3.5; 95% CI 1.6-7.6], estimated blood loss before IUBT (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.5-6.8) and coagulopathy (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.5-13.0) were predictive of IUBT failure.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine balloon tamponade is an effective method for treating severe PPH. Early balloon deployment before the development of coagulopathy increases its success rate.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Intrauterine balloon tamponade is effective for achieving haemostasis in intractable postpartum haemorrhages.

Trends in the rate of invasive procedures after the addition of the intrauterine tamponade test to a protocol for management of severe postpartum hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in invasive procedure rates after the addition of intrauterine balloon tamponade as an initial second-line therapy to our protocol for the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage.

STUDY DESIGN

We compared the outcomes of all patients with postpartum hemorrhage that was unresponsive to prostaglandin during 2 equal periods, before (first period) and after (second period) the introduction of a balloon tamponade protocol.

RESULTS

During the second period, 43 women had uterine tamponade with a Bakri balloon as their initial second-line therapy (after vaginal delivery, 31; after caesarean delivery, 12). The global success rate was 86% (37/43 women). Among patients who delivered vaginally, the rates of arterial embolization (8.2% vs 2.3% in the first and second period; P = .006; odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.72) and conservative surgical procedures (5.1% vs 1.4%, in the first and second period; P = .029; odds ratio, 0.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.95) were significantly lower after the uterine tamponade test was added to our protocol.

CONCLUSION

Intrauterine balloon tamponade is an attractive adjunctive strategy for the achievement of hemostasis in intractable hemorrhages and prevention of the need for invasive procedures.

Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy in a patient with placenta percreta

Placenta percreta is a problem encountered with increasing frequency due to the rising rate of cesarean delivery. Conservative management of this condition is associated with decreased perioperative morbidity. When hysterectomy is necessary, a laparoscopic approach can provide additional benefits. We present the case of a woman with placenta percreta with bladder invasion who was undergoing conservative management and then required delayed hysterectomy. Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy was successfully performed. We review the techniques used to ensure a good outcome and the advantages of a minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy in this patient with placenta percreta.

Fertility and obstetric outcome after conservative management of placenta accreta

OBJECTIVE

To determine the fertility and obstetric outcomes after conservative management of placenta accreta.

METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study of all identified cases of placenta accreta from 1993 to 2007 in 2 tertiary university hospitals in France. For patients treated conservatively, maternal and fetal morbidity, reproductive function, fertility, and subsequent pregnancies were recorded.

RESULTS

During the study period, 46 patients were treated by conservative management; 6 patients underwent a secondary hysterectomy. Of the remaining 40 patients, 35 were followed up for a median of 65 months (range 18-156 months). Patients resumed their menstrual cycles after a median of 130 days (range 48-176 days). Menses were irregular in 11 patients (31%), but none had amenorrhea. Twelve of the 14 patients desiring another pregnancy achieved a total of 15 pregnancies; 2 patients had recurrent placenta accreta. Five spontaneous abortions and 1 termination of pregnancy occurred during the first trimester. The median term at delivery was 37 weeks (range, 35-40 weeks). Four patients delivered prematurely.

CONCLUSION

Conservative management of placenta accreta can preserve fertility, although the risk of recurrent placenta accreta appears to be high.

A new uterine suture technique to control PPH in congenitally malformed uterus during caesarean section

The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous devascularisation and compression suture for the control of PPH in a congenitally malformed uterus during caesarean section while classic management failed. The technique adopted for devascularisation was ligation of uterine arteries bilaterally below the hysterotomy wound and for the compression of the uterine musculature, suture passing through and through the anterior and posterior wall above the hysterotomy wound closed to either side, tied anteriorly. The majority (75%) of the women were primigravida and mostly presented with malpresentation of the fetus. Mothers were in the age group of 19-24 years. Out of eight cases, four (50%) cases had a bicornuate uterus, two cases had unicornuate and two had a sub-septate uterus. This procedure was effective in 87.5% (7/8) of cases. In follow-up, normal puerperium, menstruation and pregnancy were observed. This procedure is a simple, effective and safe technique to control PPH in congenitally malformed uterus in the field of conservative surgical approaches.

Systematic Review of Conservative Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage: What to Do When Medical Treatment Fails

We performed a systematic review to identify all studies evaluating the success rates of treatment of major postpartum hemorrhage by uterine balloon tamponade, uterine compression sutures, pelvic devascularization, and arterial embolization. We included studies reporting on at least 5 cases. All searches were performed independently by 2 researchers and updated in June 2006. Failure of management was defined as the need to proceed to subsequent or repeat surgical or radiological therapy or hysterectomy, or death. As the search identified no randomized controlled trials, we proceeded to search for observational studies. This identified 396 publications, and after exclusions, 46 studies were included in the systematic review. The cumulative outcomes showed success rates of 90.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7%-94.0%) for arterial embolization, 84.0% (95% CI, 77.5%-88.8%) for balloon tamponade, 91.7% (95% CI, 84.9%-95.5%) for uterine compression sutures, and 84.6% (81.2%-87.5%) for iliac artery ligation or uterine devascularization (P = 0.06). At present there is no evidence to suggest that any one method is better for the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage. Randomized controlled trials of the various treatment options may be difficult to perform in practice. As balloon tamponade is the least invasive and most rapid approach, it would be logical to use this as the first step in the management.

Prise en charge chirurgicale des hémorragies sévères du post-partum

Surgical management of an intractable postpartum haemorrhage after failure of medical and obstetric measures is not limited to the emergency peripartum hysterectomy. Uterine atony and abnormal placental insertions are the major causes of primary postpartum haemorrhages. Involving mostly young women, having few or no child, before with a healthy uterus, in first intention conservative option is recommended. The simplest methods must be known and be applied. It will be essentially progressive uterine arteries' ligation, which can be adapted to the majority of situations. Internal iliac arteries' ligation is a little less effective and technically more difficult to carry out. It remains interesting in obstetrical traumatic hurts, which do not concern the uterus. New and easier surgical methods, such as uterine compression or hemostatic suturing techniques have been described for which we lack experience. The quality of the result depends of the length of intervention and the cause of the bleeding. Nevertheless the main cause of failure with conservative treatments is placenta accreta. In case of failure of a conservative treatment, it would be dangerous to multiply techniques. Emergency peripartum hysterectomy then should remain the choice procedure.

Surgical Management of Severe Obstetric Hemorrhage: Experience with an Obstetric Hemorrhage Equipment Tray

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage remains a leading cause of severe maternal morbidity and death. In addition to the appropriate use of oxytocic agents for uterine atony, surgical techniques, including uterine tamponade, major vessel ligation, compression sutures, and hysterectomy, may be required. On the rare occasions they are needed, the instruments and equipment required for these surgical techniques may not be readily available.

OBJECTIVE

To record our experience with an obstetric hemorrhage equipment tray for surgical management of severe obstetric hemorrhage.

METHODS

A severe obstetric hemorrhage equipment tray was established and included packing (5-yard roll) and balloon device for uterine tamponade, straight (10 cm) eyed-needles and large curved eyed-needles for use with No. 1 suture, 3 Heaney vaginal retractors, 4 sponge forceps, and diagrams and instructions for the various types of compression sutures and tamponade techniques.

RESULTS

Of the 4400 deliveries that occurred at 1 tertiary maternity hospital during 2002, the obstetric hemorrhage tray was used on 9 occasions: 3 Caesarean sections with placenta previa (uterine tamponade used in 2 cases, compression sutures in 1); 2 Caesarean sections with uterine atony (compression sutures); 1 Caesarean section with placenta previa accreta (major vessel ligation and compression sutures); and 3 vaginal deliveries (suturing of cervical and vaginal lacerations in 2 of the cases, uterine tamponade used in the third case). In all cases, hysterectomy was avoided.

CONCLUSION

The ready availability of an obstetric hemorrhage equipment tray on the labour ward facilitates prompt surgical management of severe obstetric hemorrhage, and may reduce the need for blood transfusion and hysterectomy.

[Intractable postpartum haemorrhages: where is the place of vascular ligations, emergency peripartum hysterectomy or arterial embolization?]

OBJECTIVE

Update of knowledge on the various methods of management of intractable postpartum haemorrhage.

METHOD

PubMed, MEDLINE were the electronic sources, in English and French languages, used for data retrieval. Uterine atony and abnormal placental insertions (placenta praevia or accreta) are the major causes of primary postpartum haemorrhages. To preserve fertility, we dispose of angiographic selective embolization or surgical vascular ligations. Embolization is a non-invasive method practicable by simple catheterization under local anesthesia. Vascular ligations of the uterine vessels or internal iliac arteries require mostly laparotomy. New and easier surgical methods, such as uterine compression or hemostatic suturing techniques have been described for which we lack experience.

RESULTS

For uterine atony, the success rate of arterial embolization and uterine artery ligations is close to 100%. Ligation of internal iliac arteries is a little less effective and technically more difficult to carry out. It remains interesting in obstetrical traumatic hurts, which do not concern the uterus. If bleeding from the lower segment occurs during caesarean section, low uterine artery ligatures are necessary. These methods are all the more effective than they are prematurely implemented before the rise of major coagulopathy. In this case, uterine devascularization has also to be applied to ovarian vessels. With placenta accreta, accreta portion of the placenta can be left in place and arterial embolization or vascular ligations can be done. Nevertheless the main cause of failure with conservative treatments is placenta accreta.

CONCLUSION

The simplest and the least morbid methods must be retained. After vaginal birth, arterial embolization can be done, if there is no maternal haemodynamic disorder nor interventional vascular radiology unit nearby. During caesarean section, progressive uterine artery ligation can be done adapted to the bleeding cause. In case of failure of a conservative treatment, it would be dangerous to multiply techniques. Emergency peripartum then should remain the choice procedure.

Massive obstetric hemorrhage

Massive obstetric haemorrhage is a major cause of maternal death and morbidity; abruption of the placenta, placenta praevia and postpartum haemorrhage being the main causes of haemorrhages. A delay in the correction of hypovolaemia, diagnosis and treatment of defective coagulation and/or surgical control of bleeding are the avoidable factors in most maternal deaths caused by haemorrhage. The main goal is to maintain effective circulating intravascular volume by prompt and adequate replacement of blood, crystalloids or fresh-frozen plasma through more than one intravenous line (it might be necessary to pump blood under pressure) with constant monitoring of the pulse rate and the arterial blood pressure. The rapid correction of hypovolaemia with crystalloids and red cells is the first priority, followed by blood component therapy. Oxytocin and prostaglandin will correct uterine atony, and appropriate surgical intervention is required for traumatic bleeding. Ligation of the uterine arteries, ovarian arteries and hypogastric arteries will usually control uterine bleeding and arterial embolization is also effective. Hysterectomy should also be considered in severe cases. All gynecologists should be able to perform without delay the operative maneuvers which are necessary to control the bleeding, including hypogastric artery ligation, or even emergency hysterectomy. This topic may have received little attention because it is perceived as being associated with maternal morbidity rather than mortality in developed countries; it is only recently that the extent and importance of postnatal maternal morbidity has been recognized.

Laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels to manage delayed postpartum hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a big challenge for obstetricians. Fertility-preserving procedures are encouraged, especially in young women. Bilateral hypogastric (internal iliac) artery ligation, bilateral uterine artery ligation after vaginal delivery or after cesarean delivery, and uterine artery embolization are well documented vascular occlusive methods for treating PPH. To our knowledge, the laparoscopic approach to uterine artery ligation has not been reported. A 29-year-old woman experienced delayed PPH. Although curettage of the uterine cavity to remove retained placenta was performed, bleeding did not stop. We successfully performed a relatively new method--laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of uterine vessels--to stop bleeding and preserve the uterus.

Is selective embolization of uterine arteries a safe alternative to hysterectomy in patients with postpartum hemorrhage?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selective arterial embolization to control severe postpartum hemorrhage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-five women with intractable postpartum hemorrhage underwent uterine embolization in our institution during a 6-year period.

RESULTS

Angiography revealed arterial extravasation in 13 patients (52%). Sixty-nine arteries were embolized. External bleeding resolved immediately or was markedly decreased in 24 women. In one patient, embolization failed to control the bleeding, and surgical treatment was required. No major complication of embolization therapy was observed. Ten women were followed up for an average of 2 years. Menstruation resumed in all patients, and one woman became pregnant.

CONCLUSION

Embolization of acute postpartum hemorrhage is a safe and effective alternative to hysterectomy.

Stepwise uterine devascularization: a novel technique for management of uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage with preservation of the uterus

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of a novel stepwise technique of uterine devascularization for management of uncontrollable postpartum hemorrhage.

STUDY DESIGN

Stepwise uterine devascularization was performed for 103 patients to control intractable postpartum hemorrhage not responding to classic management. This technique entails five successive steps, so if bleeding is not controlled by one step the next step is taken until bleeding stops. The steps were (1) unilateral uterine vessel ligation, (2) bilateral uterine vessel ligation, (3) low uterine vessel ligation, (4) unilateral ovarian vessel ligation and (5) bilateral ovarian vessel ligation.

RESULTS

The procedure was effective in all cases (100%), and hysterectomy was not needed in any case. No complications occurred, and the survival rate was 100%. Among the patients followed up normal menstruation and pregnancy occurred.

CONCLUSION

Stepwise uterine devascularization is an effective and safe alternative to hysterectomy for management of uncontrollable postpartum hemorrhage.