A novel low uterine segment sandwich technique (Caliskan's technique) for the management of post-cesarean hemorrhage due to placenta previa accreta

Objective:

Placenta previa (PP) and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders are major causes of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). There is a variety of surgical management options with inexplicit reported success rates. Uterine sandwich is a combination of uterine compression sutures and intrauterine balloon placement to achieve hemostasis. The aim of this study was to present our experience of seven women managed with a novel “lower uterine sandwich” technique to control post-cesarean hemorrhage due to PP accreta.

Materials and Methods:

Seven pregnant women diagnosed as having PP totalis accreta underwent a post-cesarean procedure combining bilateral ligation of the uterine artery, utero-ovarian artery, and internal iliac artery, Pereira compression sutures implemented on the uterine isthmus, Foley catheter placement into the lower uterine segment, and transvaginal cervical cerclage application, namely “Caliskan’s uterine sandwich technique”.

Results:

All women included in this study had placental invasion abnormalities of varying degrees. Postoperative diffusion magnetic resonance imaging assessment revealed a completely normal and preserved uterine blood supply. All women menstruated regularly in their postoperative follow-up period and two women conceived again and delivered uneventfully. None of the patients experienced morbid complications nor required hysterectomy.

Conclusion:

This novel procedure appears to be a plausible fertility and organ-preserving option in cases of intractable PPH, particularly in lower uterine segment bleeding. This uterine sandwich technique may allow physicians to manage massive hemorrhage due to PAS conservatively by preserving the uterus and its functions without major complications.

Uterine Inversion: A Review of a Life-Threatening Obstetrical Emergency

Importance

Uterine inversion is frequently accompanied by postpartum hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock. Morbidity and mortality occur in as many as 41% of cases. Prompt recognition and management are of utmost importance.

Objective

The aim of this review is to describe risk factors, clinical and radiographic diagnostic criteria, and management of this rare but potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy.

Evidence Acquisition

A PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL search was undertaken with no limitations on the number of years searched.

Results

There were 86 articles identified, with 25 being the basis of review. Multiple risk factors for a uterine inversion have been suggested including a morbidly adherent placenta, short umbilical cord, congenital weakness of the uterine wall or cervix, weakening of the uterine wall at the placental implantation site, fundal implantation of the placenta, uterine tumors, uterine atony, sudden uterine emptying, fetal macrosomia, manual removal of the placenta, inappropriate fundal pressure, excessive cord traction, and the use of uterotonic agents prior to placental removal. The diagnosis is almost exclusively clinical, and successful treatment depends on prompt recognition of the uterine inversion. Treatment options include manual and surgical replacement of the inverted uterus. There is no consensus regarding mode of delivery in subsequent pregnancies as reinversion in a subsequent pregnancy is unpredictable. However, if surgical replacement was required in the index pregnancy and involved an incision into the contractile portion of the uterus, cesarean delivery is a reasonable management option similar to that offered for a prior classic cesarean section.

Conclusions

Successful treatment is dependent on prompt recognition. Management should include resuscitation of maternal hypovolemic shock, as well as repositioning of the inverted uterine fundus.

Relevance

Uterine inversion is a rare but potentially life-threatening obstetrical emergency.

A novel 'uterine sandwich' for haemorrhage at caesarean section for placenta praevia

Although massive haemorrhage at caesarean section (CS) for placenta praevia is a serious concern, effective treatment is not yet determined. We performed a new uterine sandwich to achieve haemostasis at CS for total placenta praevia in five consecutive cases in whom the placenta reached up to >5 cm from the internal cervical os in all directions of an uterine wall. A Matsubara-Yano (MY) uterine compression suture was placed, followed by placement of an intrauterine balloon. Haemostasis was achieved in all five cases with median blood loss of 1618 mL. No short-term adverse events were observed. The MY sandwich can be used to achieve haemostasis at CS for placenta praevia.