Results of hysterosalpingogram in women with previous B-Lynch suture

The Discriminant Use of Intrauterine Balloon Tamponade and Compression Sutures for Management of Major Postpartum Hemorrhage: Comparison of Patient Characteristics and Clinical Outcome

Background

Intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) and compression sutures have been widely used in recent years in the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). However, there is scant literature directly comparing the clinical scenarios that led to the discriminant selection of these management modalities and the direct clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study is to compare the patient characteristics and clinical risk factors that led to the use of IUBT and compression sutures in the management of major PPH as well as the immediate outcome in a retrospective cohort.

Methods

Patients who had IUBT or compression sutures applied due to major PPH (>1000 ml) from 2014 to 2018 in a single obstetric unit were recruited. The patient characteristics and clinical outcome of the two groups were compared.

Results

A total of 67 patients had IUBT and 29 patients had compression sutures applied as the first uterine sparing technique. Apart from more vaginal deliveries (25.4% vs. 3.5%) in the IUBT group compared to compression sutures, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of patient characteristics. The IUBT group had a slightly higher blood loss at the start of the uterine sparing procedure (239 ml, p = 0.049) and received more transfusions, despite no differences in the total blood loss, hemogloblin level, incidence of coagulopathy, and intensive care unit admission between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the overall success rate between IUBT and compression sutures to control PPH without additional surgical intervention or hysterectomy (73.1% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.15) or the success rate for PPH due to uterine atony (32.8% vs. 20.7%), though IUBT apparently performed better than compression sutures in cases of placenta praevia (77.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.01). Blood loss > 1.5 l at the start of the procedure, presence of placenta accreta, and presence of coagulopathy were found to be significant poor prognostic factors for both procedures to control PPH.

Conclusions

There were no dominating patient characteristics that favoured the selection of either IUBT or compression sutures in the management of severe PPH except for the mode of delivery. Both procedures had equally high overall success rates to control PPH, but IUBT performed better in placenta praevia cases as compared to compression sutures.

Risk of postpartum uterine synechiae following uterine compression suturing during postpartum haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Uterine compression suturing is considered a successful, safe, inexpensive and simple ‎method for the conservative treatment of atonic postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). However, insufficient data are available about the potential risk of subsequent intrauterine ‎synechiae (IUS).

AIM

To determine the risk of postpartum uterine synechiae in women who received isolated uterine compression suturing for the management of major uncontrolled PPH.

MATERIALS & METHODS

All women with major PPH from May 2005 to June 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnostic hysteroscopy was performed to assess the uterine cavity in the 27 women who successfully underwent isolated uterine compression suturing for major atonic PPH and fulfilled the study inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Among the 27 women who underwent isolated uterine compression suturing, 5 (18.5%) were found to have IUS on hysteroscopic examination. The mode of delivery for all women who developed IUS was caesarean section. Among these five women, three had mild IUS, one had moderate IUS and one had severe IUS. All adhesions were later successfully resected by hysteroscopy, except for one case with dense IUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Uterine compression suturing was found to be associated with a risk of postpartum uterine synechiae formation, which may subsequently affect future fertility.