Selective arterial embolisation: a first line measure for obstetric haemorrhage?

Alternate sequential suture tightening: a novel technique for uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage

Objective. The most commonly described technique of modified B-Lynch suture may not be suitable for all the patients presenting with flabby, atonic uterus. Study Design. A retrospective analysis of twelve patients with uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage, who underwent this procedure from March 2007 to September 2012, was conducted. In this novel technique, sutures are passed in the lower uterine segment and are tightened alternately to control uterine bleeding. Results. Average duration of the procedure was 4 minutes (range 2–7 minutes). Average blood loss was 1625 mL (range 1300–1900 mL). Eleven patients (91.66%) were seen to have a successful outcome with only this technique. No patient required hysterectomy and one patient (8.33%) required additional bilateral internal iliac artery ligation. All the patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 yrs and none of them reported any infertility problems. Conclusion. This technique is simple, quick, and effective. There was no adverse effect on the fertility potential for the observed 2 years; however, a long-term follow-up is required to comment on its actual rate. This technique cannot replace the standard modified B-Lynch technique for uncontrolled postpartum haemorrhage but can be used for unresponsive, flabby, and atonic uterus.

A case series of interventional radiology in postpartum haemorrhage

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries. In some instances, PPH can be anticipated and recent improvements in obstetric imaging techniques allow earlier and more reliable diagnosis of abnormalities associated with haemorrhage such as morbid placentation. However, the majority of PPH is unpredicted. Good practice notes published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists state interventional radiology should be used as emergency intervention in PPH and should be considered when primary management has failed allowing arteries to be embolised to achieve haemostasis. Through collaboration between interventional radiology and maternity, appropriate guidelines need to be developed, on both emergency and elective of interventional radiology in the prevention and management of PPH. As there is mapping for neonatal services, in the future there should be consideration to develop obstetric trauma units. Maternity units which lack facilities for interventional radiology would be able to refer their cases (like placenta accreta) for safe management in units with 24 h interventional radiology services.

[Treating severe acute anemia due to vaginal bleeding in the Jehovah's Witness: a report of 2 cases]

For reasons of religious belief, Jehova's Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions or the infusion of blood products. In situations in which severe, life-threatening anemia develops, patient refusal to receive a transfusion can create serious ethical and legal problems. The principle of patient autonomy, which implies the freedom to accept or reject treatment, comes into conflict with the physician's obligation to safeguard the patient's life using all means possible. We report 2 cases of severe anemia in Jehova's Witnesses. One was due to menorrhagia and the other to postpartum bleeding. The physician should be aware of alternatives to infusion of blood products and know how to cope with an unexpected critical event in these patients. The measures we took were effective in our patients. In the case of menorrhagia, hormone treatment is effective when the woman wishes to preserve the ability to conceive and avoid surgery (endometrial ablation and hysterectomy). In postpartum bleeding refractory to conservative treatment, selective embolization of bleeding vessels may make it unnecessary to resort to more aggressive treatment, such as obstetric hysterectomy.

Emergent management of postpartum hemorrhage for the general and acute care surgeon

BACKGROUND

Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the rare occasions when a general or acute care surgeon may be emergently called to labor and delivery, a situation in which time is limited and the stakes high. Unfortunately, there is generally a paucity of exposure and information available to surgeons regarding this topic: obstetric training is rarely found in contemporary surgical residency curricula and is omitted nearly completely from general and acute care surgery literature and continuing medical education.

METHODS

The purpose of this manuscript is to serve as a topic specific review for surgeons and to present a surgeon oriented management algorithm. Medline and Ovid databases were utilized in a comprehensive literature review regarding the management of postpartum hemorrhage and a management algorithm for surgeons developed based upon a collaborative panel of general, acute care, trauma and obstetrical surgeons' review of the literature and expert opinion.

RESULTS

A stepwise approach for surgeons of the medical and surgical interventions utilized to manage and treat postpartum hemorrhage is presented and organized into a basic algorithm.

CONCLUSION

The manuscript should promote and facilitate a more educated, systematic and effective surgeon response and participation in the management of postpartum hemorrhage.