Intraluminal pressure of uterine balloon tamponade in the management of severe post-partum hemorrhage

The use of intrauterine balloon therapy in reproductive medicine and surgery: a guidance for practice

The use of balloon therapy in obstetric practice especially in postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is well established and has recently been reviewed. However, little attention has been drawn regarding the use of intrauterine balloon (IUB) in gynaecological practice. This study focuses on the various usage of IUB in gynaecological practice. An electronic literature search through Medline, EMBASE and Clinicaltrial.gov from inception to August 2022 was conducted. The study focuses on the three following areas: (1) Indications: prevention and removal of intrauterine adhesions, management of ectopic pregnancy, facilitation of endoscopic surgery and other clinical usages; (2) Practical aspects of balloon therapy including ultrasound guidance, choice of balloon, inflation volume, duration of balloon therapy; and (3) Potential complications including pain, infection, uterine rupture and how they can be avoided. IUB therapy is a simple, inexpensive and effective method that can be applied in various gynaecological conditions ranging from IUA to intrauterine haemorrhage. Complications are rare, but in most cases can be avoided with correct use.

Efficacy of Intra-Uterine Tamponade Balloon in Post-Partum Hemorrhage after Cesarean Delivery: An Impact Study

Invasive therapies (surgery or radiological embolization) are used to control severe post-partum hemorrhage. The intra-uterine tamponade balloon is a potential alternative, well documented after vaginal delivery. However, available data on its use after cesarean delivery remain scarce. This study assessed the efficacy of the intra-uterine tamponade balloon during post-partum hemorrhage in a cesarean delivery setting. Using a retrospective impact design, post-partum hemorrhage-related outcomes before (“pre-balloon” period) versus after implementation of intra-uterine tamponade balloon (“post-balloon” period) were compared. All women with post-partum hemorrhage requiring potent uterotonic treatment with prostaglandins after cesarean delivery over a 9-year period were eligible. The primary outcome was the rate of invasive procedure (conservative surgery, radiological embolization and/or hysterectomy). p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 279 patients were included (140 vs. 139). Most baseline characteristics were comparable between the two studied periods. The success rate of the intra-uterine tamponade balloon was 82%, and no related complications occurred. Rates of invasive procedures and transfusion were significantly reduced (28.6% vs. 11.5%, p < 0.001 and 44.3% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.006 respectively) during the “post-balloon” period, and length of hospital stay was shorter (p < 0.001). Implementation of intra-uterine tamponade balloon during post-partum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery appears to be safe and effective, with a decrease in both invasive procedures and transfusion rates.

Use of balloon tamponade in management of vaginal laceration and its possible complication of urinary stress incontinence: a case report

BACKGROUND

Postpartum haemorrhage from vaginal lacerations can occasionally be refractory to suturing and vaginal packing. Bakri uterine balloon has been widely adopted to stop uterine bleeding, but its use to stop bleeding in vaginal lacerations and its possible complications have seldom been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a patient who had vacuum delivery for fetal distress and subsequently had postpartum hemorrhage due to previous caesarean uterine scar rupture and multiple vaginal lacerations. The severe bleeding persisted despite total abdominal hysterectomy, pelvic embolization and vaginal gauze packing, but was finally controlled by a Bakri balloon tamponade inserted into the vagina. The patient suffered from severe stress incontinence after delivery. The possible use of balloon tamponade in vaginal lacerations and the different types of vaginal balloons that are available in the market for this purpose are reviewed. The possible causes leading to stress incontinence is reported to alert the obstetrician that such management is not free of complications.

CONCLUSION

The use of Bakri balloon can help to control bleeding in severe vaginal lacerations that are unresponsive to traditional vaginal gauze packing. Further studies are needed to evaluate the risks of stress incontinence as a possible complication of vaginal balloon tamponade.

The association between intrauterine balloon tamponade volume and postpartum hemorrhage outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) on the outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) according to the balloon volume and to investigate the clinical factors associated with poor PPH outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in which patients with PPH underwent IUBT from January 2016 to August 2018. Patients with an IUBT volume greater than 350 mL (n=76) were compared to patients with an IUBT volume less than 350 mL (n=213). The clinical outcomes related to PPH included blood transfusion, estimated blood loss (EBL) after balloon placement, uterine artery embolization (UAE) after IUBT, and postpartum hospitalization. The results were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

None of the clinical outcomes related to PPH and evaluated in our study were favorable in patients with an IUBT volume greater than 350 mL. Other factors associated with poor PPH outcomes after IUBT were placental site hemorrhage, shock index (SI) before IUBT, and antenatal hemoglobin.

CONCLUSION

It is better to avoid unnecessary balloon inflation in IUBT if the bleeding is reduced, and more attention should be paid to the procedure when the balloon is large (≥350 mL) than when it is small (<350 mL).

Mechanical Properties of the Every Second Matters for Mothers-Uterine Balloon Tamponade (ESM-UBT) Device: In Vitro Tests

Objective  Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the most common cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide, most of which occurs in resource-poor settings. Placement of a uterine balloon may be life-saving in uncontrolled PPH. The Every Second Matters for Mothers-Uterine Balloon Tamponade (ESM-UBT) device is an ultra-low-cost uterine balloon designed for global access. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of the ESM-UBT device. Study design  Intraluminal pressures, diameters, and burst volumes of condom uterine balloons and Foley catheter balloons of ESM-UBT devices were measured in open air and inside uterus models. Condom uterine balloons were tested with uterus model sizes of 100, 250, and 500mL. The condom-catheter O-ring attachment tensile strength was also evaluated. Results  All 28 samples of ESM-UBT condom uterine balloons maintained their integrity for at least 3 hours when subjected to pressures of 200 mm Hg or greater across each of the tested uterine volumes. No Foley catheter balloons burst after instillation of 30mL, O-rings withstood forces of 15.4 ± 2.1 N, and condom uterine balloons stretched to 35.8 ± 2.1 cm without loss of integrity. Conclusion  The mechanical properties of the ESM-UBT device make it attractive for scale across resource-poor settings.