Assessing tubal patency with transvaginal salpingosonography after the reversal of tubal ligation for female sterilization

The objective of this study was to assess tubal patency using transvaginal salpingosonography (TSSG) among women treated by tubal ligation after sterilization and to compare these results with those obtained using X-ray hysterosalpingography (HSG). Twenty-one healthy women were recruited. Air was used as a contrast medium in TSSG and Omnipaque as a water-soluble contrast medium in the HSG examination. All women underwent at least one TSSG. If the woman did not become pregnant during the follow-up or had a miscarriage or tubal pregnancy, she was re-examined with a second TSSG and the results were compared with those of HSG undertaken during the same menstrual cycle. Because of the high pregnancy rate the final number of patients was reduced to 10. The observed agreement between the two TSSGs was 70%, which was low compared with our earlier results. The kappa coefficient was only 0.41. The sensitivity of TSSG for the detection of tubal occlusion was 54%. This can be explained by the fact that the mean time interval between the two TSSGs was long (5.5 months) and results were not therefore comparable or repeatable. We can conclude that the women with patent tubes became pregnant after the first TSSG while the women taking part in the second TSSG had impaired tubal function. There were more occluded tubes observed in the second TSSG than in the first. An analysis comparing the second TSSG with HSG produced better results. The observed agreement was 84%, kappa coefficient 0.67, demonstrating a good reproducibility of TSSG; the sensitivity of TSSG for the detection of tubal occlusion was 83%, specificity 85%, positive predictive value 91% and negative predictive value 75%. Thus, TSSG should be regarded as a reliable, rapid, safe and inexpensive method for testing tubal patency after reversal of tubal ligation for sterilization. It also allows simultaneous scanning of the uterine corpus, endometrium and ovaries and may have a clearing action on occluded tubes. TSSG can thus replace X-ray HSG in the primary evaluation of tubal status, even in this special group of patients.

Perinatal and neonatal outcome and late pulmonary sequelae in infants born after preterm premature rupture of membranes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate fetal outcome and long-term impact of very early preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, 78 women with singleton pregnancies who delivered at the Oulu University Central Hospital between 1990 and 1996 and who had early PROM, between the 17th and 30th gestational weeks, were matched with 78 women with spontaneous preterm delivery during the same time (control group). The main outcome measures were maternal morbidity, interval from early PROM to delivery, perinatal and neonatal mortality rates and neonatal morbidity, need for primary and recurrent hospitalization and later pulmonary complications of the infants, and growth and neurologic findings at 1 year of corrected age.

RESULTS

The perinatal mortality was 282 per 1000 births in the early PROM group and 256 per 1000 births in the control group. Histopathologically defined chorioamnionitis and puerperal infections were significantly more common in the early PROM group than in controls (51 versus 29%, odds ratio [OR] 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3, 4.9 and 38 versus 22%, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1, 5.1, respectively). There were no differences in neonatal infections between groups. Pulmonary hypoplasia was detected more often in the early PROM group (in nine infants) compared with the control group (no infants). The duration of rehospitalization up to 1 year of age due to respiratory problems was a mean of 5 days in the early PROM group and a mean of 1 day in the control group (P = .01; 95% CI 0.9, 6.9). Symptomatic chronic lung disease at 1 year of age was detected more often in the early PROM group than in controls (22 versus 9%; OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.9, 6.5).

CONCLUSION

Early PROM seems to be a major obstetric and neonatal problem with pulmonary ramifications extending beyond the neonatal period. However, most of these infants can be saved.

The effect of diclofenac on uterine artery blood flow resistance during menstruation in patients with and without a copper intrauterine device

The aim was to evaluate the effect of diclofenac on uterine artery blood flow resistance during the first day of menstruation. A total of 28 regularly menstruating women were examined longitudinally with and without a copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) by transvaginal colour Doppler ultrasonography. The uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) was first measured, after which 50 mg of diclofenac was infused i.v. After 15 min the PI was measured again. The patients evaluated their menstrual pain with a scoring system before and after the diclofenac infusion. The mean PI (SD) during menstruation was significantly lower with the IUD [2.13 (0.43)] than without [2.39 (0.62)], P = 0.05. The mean PI in nine patients who experienced advanced menstrual pain was also lower in the presence of the IUD [2.16 (0.42)] than without it [2.83 (0.78); P < 0.05]. Diclofenac was effective in revealing menstrual pain both with and without the IUD, and reduced the PI in the absence of an IUD [pre-treatment 2.39 (0.62) versus post-treatment 2.12 (0.45); P < 0.001], but had no effect when the IUD was present [pre-treatment 2.13 (0.43) versus post-treatment 2.10 (0.41)]. The results indicate that by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis one can reduce the resistance to blood flow in the uterine arteries during menstruation. This does not hold true when an IUD is present, however, suggesting that the device might induce the production of vasoactive agents other than prostaglandins in the surrounding tissue.

The effects of a copper-intrauterine device on the uterine artery blood flow in regularly menstruating women

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a copper-intrauterine device (IUD) on uterine artery blood flow during the midluteal phase and on the first day of the menstrual cycle using pulsed colour Doppler ultrasonography. Twenty-one regularly menstruating women (18-45 years) who were willing to use copper-IUD contraception participated in the study. The patients were first examined without the IUD in the midluteal phase 6-9 days before the expected onset of menstruation and on the first day of menstruation, after which the IUD was inserted. Three months later the patients were examined again on the corresponding cycle days. The patients estimated the level of dysmenorrhoeic pain with a scoring system. Transvaginal ultrasonography with colour flow imaging was used to measure the pulsatility index (PI) in the uterine arteries. There were no significant changes in the uterine artery blood flow after the insertion of the IUD during menstruation or in the midluteal phase. In patients with increased IUD-related pain during menstruation (n = 5), however, there was a decrease in PI (2.87 +/- 0.52 versus 2.41 +/- 0.23, P = 0.05) after IUD insertion. The decrease in the mean PI was present in all five patients. In conclusion, copper-IUD does not induce any major changes in the resistance of the uterine artery blood flow, although during menstruation in patients with increased menstrual pain after IUD insertion there seems to be a decrease in the uterine artery PI.

A randomized study comparing air to Echovist as a contrast medium in the assessment of tubal patency in infertile women using transvaginal salpingosonography

This study was undertaken to compare two different contrast media (air and Echovist) in the assessment of tubal patency using transvaginal salpingosonography (TSSG) in 32 infertile women referred to an infertility outpatient clinic. Altogether, 59 Fallopian tubes were examined with TSSG. Laparoscopic chromopertubation was used as a reference method. In group A (air), concordance was 90%, Cohen's kappa coefficient 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.64-0.77], sensitivity 63%, specificity 100%, negative predictive value 88% and positive predictive value 100%. In group B (Echovist), the corresponding parameters were as follows: 93%, 0.71 (CI: 0.67-0.76), 60, 100, 93 and 100% respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between these two contrast media. Either one can reliably be used for assessing tubal patency with TSSG in infertile women as a primary phase examination modality.

Effect of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on the uterine artery pulsatility index in postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of continuous intrauterine release of progestin on the uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) in women on postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The voluntary participants, 13 symptomatic postmenopausal women received transdermal estradiol (50 micrograms/day) for 1 month before combining the levonorgestrel-releasing (20 micrograms/day) intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with estrogen replacement therapy. The PI of uterine artery blood flow was measured by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography before the onset of HRT, 1 month after the treatment with estradiol (estradiol-only phase) and 1, 3 and 6 months after insertion of the LNG-IUS. The mean uterine artery PI decreased significantly from its pretreatment level after 1 month of transdermal estradiol treatment (p < 0.05), but the LNG-IUS induced an increase in PI, and 6 months after its insertion the PI did not differ significantly from the pretreatment level (p > 0.05). Compared with the estradiol-only phase, the last measurement of the PI was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The results suggest that continuous intrauterine release of levonorgestrel abolishes the vasodilatory effect on the uterine arteries accomplished by postmenopausal estradiol treatment.

Reproducibility of transvaginal Doppler velocimetry measurements in the uterine arteries of postmenopausal women

Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of transvaginal Doppler velocimetry measurements in uterine arteries were assessed by two observers in 20 postmenopausal women. In addition, the agreement between the observers regarding the detection of an ovary as well as the presence or absence of intraovarian arterial blood flow was documented. Pulsatility index (PI), peak systolic velocity (PSV) and time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV) measurements in uterine arteries were made twice by the same investigator (IJ). Thereafter, the same measurements were made by the second investigator (AT). The agreement in categorical data was studied by using 2 x 2 tables and Cohen's kappa-coefficient. Reproducibility of the Doppler measurements was analyzed by using coefficient of variation, repeatability coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient, mean differences and limits of agreement. In addition, the 95% confidence interval was calculated as appropriate. There was agreement of 95-100% between the observers with respect to the detection of an ovary in transvaginal scanning. Agreement regarding the presence or absence of intraovarian arterial blood flow, however, was only 75-81%. Intraobserver repeatability was very good, the intraclass correlation coefficient being 0.98-0.99 and the coefficient of variation 6% in PI measurements. The PSV measurements showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.94-0.96 and a coefficient of variation of 10-12%. The intraclass correlation coefficient for TAMV measurements was 0.94 and the coefficient of variation varied from 12 to 16%. Interobserver agreement was good. There was no bias between the observers' measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficient for PI measurements was between 0.93 and 0.95, and the coefficient of variation was 11%. For PSV measurements, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.79-0.80 and the coefficient of variation was 18-29%. TAMV measurements showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83-0.84 and a coefficient of variation of 19-29%. When the limits of agreement for Doppler velocimetry measurements are considered, we expect the two observers to give PI measurements that differ by less than 0.7, with any discrepancy being equally likely in either direction. In conclusion, based on the high intraclass correlation coefficients, the intraobserver repeatability of all Doppler parameters was very good, the most reliable measurement being the PI. Variation in PSV and TAMV measurements increased considerably, however, when Doppler velocimetry was carried out by two investigators instead of one.

Agreement between two successive transvaginal salpingosonography assessments of tubal patency

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the agreement between repeat transvaginal sonographic assessments of tubal patency using a combination of air and saline.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-nine patients were examined twice by the same investigator (H.S.). There was a three-month interval between the observations, and the investigator was blinded to the results of the first examination. Each patient was evaluated using three categories classified as: 1) bilateral patency, 2) unilateral patency and 3) bilateral occlusion. In addition, the pooled data from individual tubes was examined with respect to the detection of patency or occlusion. Data from the right and left tubes were analyzed separately as well. Agreement between the two examinations was subsequently determined using Cohen's kappa coefficient (kappa). When there were more than two categories, a weighted kappa coefficient was used.

RESULTS

There was good (kappa = 0.61) agreement between the two examinations when each patient was evaluated individually. For the pooled data of all tubes (n = 46), the kappa coefficient was 0.53, but increased to 0.66 after correction for prevalence. There was no systematic bias between the successive examinations of tubes. There was more consistency between repeated observations in the right (kappa = 0.70) than in the left (kappa = 0.37) tubes. The prevalence of occlusion was higher in the left tubes.

CONCLUSION

Transvaginal salpingosonography was shown to be a reliable method for the assessment of tubal patency.

The clinical significance of an absent end-diastolic velocity in the umbilical artery detected before the 34th week of pregnancy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of absent or reversed (ARED) flow detected in the late second or early third trimester in the umbilical artery in high-risk pregnancies.

METHODS

Eighty-three women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes or a suspected disorder of the fetus (e.g. small-for-gestational age) were included in this retrospective study. A constant finding of ARED flow in the umbilical artery was registered with the pulsed Doppler method between the 23+/-0 and 33+/-6 gestational weeks. Perinatal mortality (PNM) rates, Apgar scores and arterial umbilical pH values, birth weights, the frequency of SGA, gestational ages at birth, NICU (=neonatal intensive care unit) days, anomalic fetuses and the mode of delivery were registered. Mann-Whitney U-test and chi-squared test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The PNM in the entire group under study was 19.3% (16 infants/fetuses). The rate of structurally or chromosomally abnormal fetuses was 15.7% (13 infants/fetuses). When anomalic fetuses were excluded the PNM was 18.6%. No non-anomalic fetuses/newborns were lost in cases in which ARED was detected after the 30th week. No statistically significant difference was observed in PNM and SGA frequencies when comparing AEDV (absent end-diastolic velocity) fetuses with those who had REDV (reversed end-diastolic velocity). When anomalic fetuses were excluded the PNM rate in the AEDV group was 8.9% compared with the PNM rate of 35.7% in the REDV group; (p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

An early ARED finding (before the 34th week) in the umbilical artery signifies a marked warning signal of fetal distress. In these cases the rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality are very high, which is a reflection of the severity of the condition. The majority of fetuses can, however, be saved.

Intraobserver variation in transvaginal Doppler blood flow measurements in benign ovarian tumors

Intraobserver variation in transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound measurements in ovarian tumors was evaluated in 20 women selected from a group of patients undergoing surgical exploration for an ovarian lesion. Only those cases who were suspected of having a benign ovarian tumor other than a unilocular simple cyst were recruited. Pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic velocity (PSV) and time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMXV) were measured from intratumoral arteries in two repeat ultrasound sessions by the same observer. In each session, only two vessels with optimum Doppler signals were investigated. The repeatability of the measurements was studied by calculation of the within-subjects standard deviation (SD), the value below which the difference between the repeat measurements will lie with a probability of 0.95, the coefficient of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (intra-CC). The CV was 15% for the PI, 13% for the RI, 17% for the PSV and 23% for the TAMXV when the average value from two vessels was used. The corresponding intra-CC values were 0.86, 0.83, 0.96 and 0.90, respectively. In contrast, when a lowest (PI or RI) or a highest (PSV or TAMXV) value was preferred, the CV increased to 25% for the PI, to 18% for the RI, to 28% for the PSV and to 33% for the TAMXV. Similarly, the intra-CC values decreased. All in all, the averaged PI and RI measurements in intratumoral arteries were considered to be reliable. Averaged PSV and TAMXV measurements had high CV figures, raising some doubt as to the consistency of these variables. Averaged index values were more consistent than the extreme (lowest or highest) values.

Assessment of tubal patency with transvaginal salpingosonography after treatment for tubal pregnancy

Tubal patency was studied in 32 patients who had previously undergone a laparoscopic or laparotomy procedure (salpingostomy, salpingectomy or tubal resection), or who had received a local injection of hypertonic glucose because of tubal pregnancy. Transvaginal salpingosonography (TSSG) was subsequently performed in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, and laparoscopic chromopertubation was carried out as a comparative method after TSSG. Of 32 patients (47 Fallopian tubes examined), the affected tube was observed to be patent by TSSG in 68%. The contralateral tube was patent in 93%. Nine patients became pregnant and were thus not subsequently assessed with laparoscopy. Two of these pregnancies ended in a miscarriage and one in a recurrent tubal pregnancy. A concordance of 86% for Fallopian tubes was achieved between the TSSG and laparoscopic chromopertubation methods. When checking the Fallopian tubes separately, the concordance for the results in the affected tubes was 67%, and 100% for the contralateral tube. Therefore TSSG appears to be a practical method for the primary examination of tubal patency in patients treated previously for tubal pregnancy. Guidelines for the treatment of infertility after tubal pregnancy can also be set out according to TSSG findings.

Single bolus compared with a fractionated dose injection technique of bupivacaine for extradural Caesarean section: effect on uteroplacental and fetal haemodynamic state

We studied 26 healthy parturients undergoing elective Caesarean section, allocated randomly to receive extradural block with 0.5% plain bupivacaine in a double-blind manner in either a single bolus or fractionated doses. After a 3-ml test dose, an additional 20 ml of bupivacaine were given over a 5-min period in the single bolus group (n = 13) and over a 25-min period in the fractionated dose group (n = 13). We studied the effects of bupivacaine on blood flow velocities in the maternal placental and non-placental uterine and fetal umbilical arteries before and four times during establishment of extradural block using a pulsed colour Doppler technique. Median sensory block reached T3 in the single-dose group compared with T4 in the fractionated-dose group. Two subjects in each group required i.v. ephedrine to correct transient hypotension (systolic arterial pressure < 90 mm Hg). Blood flow velocity waveform indices of the uterine and umbilical arteries did not differ significantly within or between groups during the study. There was no significant difference in neonatal outcome, as assessed by Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH values. In conclusion, we observed no deterioration in uteroplacental circulation after administration of a single bolus dose of bupivacaine.

Long-term outcome of fetal hydrocephaly

Long-term outcome of 25 fetuses with ventriculomegaly diagnosed before delivery who survived the neonatal period up to school age was examined at 10.1 (standard deviation, 2.6) years of age. Twelve children had normal motor and mental development, seven were severely handicapped, and six showed intermediate outcome. The fetuses with severe handicaps on long-term follow-up had more severe ventricular dilation than the fetuses with good long-term outcomes. Eighteen of the children had surgical treatment, and seven of them had normal long-term development. Thirty percent of surviving fetuses with ventriculomegaly have poor long-term outcomes. In isolated progressive ventriculomegaly, early delivery as soon as fetal lung maturity allows might be reasonable for achievement of better long-term prognosis.

Maternal and uteroplacental haemodynamic state in pre-eclamptic patients during spinal anaesthesia for Caesarean section

We have studied the effects of crystalloid (Ringer's acetate 1 litre) preloading and subsequent spinal anaesthesia in 12 pre-eclamptic parturient patients undergoing elective Caesarean section. Maternal placental uterine artery circulation was measured using a pulsed colour Doppler technique with simultaneous measurement of maternal haemodynamic state. Despite preloading, mean maternal systolic arterial pressure (SAP) decreased significantly and marked maternal hypotension (SAP < 80% of baseline value) was recorded in two patients after induction of spinal anaesthesia. Mean central venous pressure increased significantly after preload, but decreased to baseline shortly after induction of spinal anaesthesia. Mean pulsatility index (PI) in the uterine artery did not change during preload or spinal block. In one patient, uterine artery PI increased significantly when SAP decreased to 71% of the baseline value, 14 min after induction of spinal anaesthesia. These results suggest that preload with crystalloid solution does not prevent maternal hypotension in pre-eclamptic patients, and that changes in uterine artery velocity waveforms were minor when SAP was 80% or more of baseline during spinal anaesthesia. These changes did not appear to have any major effect on the clinical condition of the neonate, as assessed by Apgar score and umbilical artery pH values.

Controversies in assessment of ovarian tumors with transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound

BACKGROUND

The observations made in the late 1980s indicated that the transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound can be used in the detection of ovarian cancer. This has generated a stream of clinical trials. The conflicting results of numerous publications, however, have led to a major controversy. The aim of this communication is to review the literature and our own observations in order to provide more insight into the subject.

RESULTS

The performance characteristics of the 32 previous transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound studies showed a considerable heterogeneity: the sensitivity was 25%-100%, the specificity was 46%-100%, the positive predictive value was 28.6%-100% and the negative predictive value was 63%-100%. The accuracy varied between 57% and 100%. An indisputable overlap was found between the ranges of pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) values from the benign and malignant adnexal tumors. The RI was <0.40 in 43% of benign tumors and in 25% of the normal vascular ovaries.

CONCLUSION

The current cut-off levels for PI or RI values should not be used in clinical decision making due to their poor specificity.

The intensity of labor pain in grand multiparas

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to investigate differences in pain experiences and requirements for pain control in parturients with different birth experience. Previous studies have shown that the labor pain experience is significantly less intense in multiparas than in primiparas and requirements for analgesic treatment have therefore been assumed to be minimal in this group.

METHODS

The pain experience during labor was assessed by 70 consecutive grand multiparas (a minimum of five previous deliveries) compared to that of primiparous (n=70) and II-V parous women (n=70). Pain intensity was repeatedly assessed on a pain intensity scale (0-10) according to the progress of cervical dilatation at the first and second stage of labor.

RESULTS

During the latent phase of cervical dilatation (0-3 cm) grand multiparas had a median pain score of 3 compared to 4 in II-V paras and 6 in primiparas (p<0.001). At the end of the first stage and during the second stage the intensity of pain in grand multiparas was significantly higher compared to that in primiparas (median scores 7 to 8 vs 6 to 7, p<0.05). Epidural blocks were administered to 40% of primiparas, 3% of II-V paras and to no grand multiparas (p<0.0001). Twenty-one percent of grand multiparas rated their pain as intolerable (pain scores 9-10) during the second stage compared to 10% of primiparas (p<0.05%). On the third day after delivery, 47% of grand multiparas regarded their analgesia insufficient.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of parturients, including grand multiparas, suffered from intense pain during labor. After delivery, a significant number of grand multiparas felt that they had received insufficient pain relief.

Comparison of uterine blood flow characteristics between spontaneous and stimulated cycles before embryo transfer

The Doppler blood flow characteristics of uterine arteries were evaluated prospectively in 57 patients undergoing embryo transfer. A total of 32 women underwent frozen-thawed (FT) embryo transfer during a spontaneous menstrual cycle (FT-embryo transfer), and 25 patients underwent in-vitro fertilization treatment (IVF-embryo transfer). The endometrial thickness, pulsatility index (PI), maximum peak systolic velocity (MPSV), minimum diastolic velocity (MDV) and flow velocity waveform type of the uterine artery blood flow were assessed with transvaginal colour Doppler ultrasonography before embryo transfer. The mean (SD) endometrial thickness was 9.2 (2.0) mm in FT-embryo transfer patients and 12 (3.4) mm in IVF-embryo transfer patients (P < 0.0003). There were no conception cycles in which the uterine arteries bilaterally had a flow velocity waveform with an absent end-diastolic flow. Compared to spontaneous cycles, the median PI was statistically lower and the MDV was higher in IVF cycles. In contrast, no difference was found in the median MPSV values between the two groups. There was no difference in Doppler velocimetry measurements between the conception and non-conception cycles in either the FT-embryo transfer or the IVF-embryo transfer groups. In conclusion, an inadequate uterine blood flow impaired implantation, while optimum uterine blood perfusion did not necessarily lead to conception.

Intraobserver reproducibility of transvaginal Doppler measurements in uterine and intraovarian arteries in regularly menstruating women

The intraobserver reproducibility of the pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and maximum peak systolic velocity (MPSV) measurements in uterine and intraovarian arteries was assessed in ten regularly menstruating women by means of transvaginal pulsed Doppler ultrasound. Three different sources of variation in repeat measurements, i.e. beat-to-beat, between-frame and temporal variability, were studied using the coefficient of variation (CV) and intra-class correlation coefficients. Beat-to-beat and between-frame variabilities in all Doppler parameters were negligible. The following figures were obtained from the assessment of temporal variability. The uterine artery PI and MPSV measurements had a CV of 10% and 15%, respectively. Intra-class correlation coefficients for these parameters were 0.99 and 0.88, respectively. In the intraovarian arteries, the CV was between 15 and 19% for the PI and between 8 and 12% for the RI. The CV values for intraovarian MPSV measurements were 14 and 16%. In contrast, the intra-class correlation coefficients for the intraovarian MPSV measurements showed considerable variation, from 0.63 to 0.68. Uterine artery Doppler velocimetry proved to be a reliable method. The PI and RI measurements in the intraovarian arteries were also reproducible. In contrast, the inconsistency observed in velocity measurements in the intraovarian arteries raises some doubt as to the reliability of these measurements.

Postpartum haemorrhage

Most cases of postpartum haemorrhage are caused by uterine atony, maternal soft-tissue trauma, retained placenta or its parts, and obstetric coagulopathy. The factors most significantly associated with haemorrhage include advanced maternal age, prolonged labour, pre-eclampsia, obesity of mother, multiple pregnancy, a birth weight of more than 4000g, and previous postpartum haemorrhage. It seems that multiparity itself is only a weakly associated factor. The prophylactic use of oxytocic drugs (oxytocin or its combination with ergometrine at the third stage of labour is always recommended for decreasing the bleeding. Prostaglandins should be used as a second line treatment if uterine atony cannot be abolished by uterine massage and oxytocin infusion. In the surgical management, the role of hypogastric artery ligation is decreasing. The stepwise uterine devascularization may be a reasonable method in the most severe uncontrollable postpartum bleeding. The uterine tamponade with gauze or specific tubes may also be a useful alternative in some cases. Selective arterial embolization is a promising new method that seems to have success in controlling the heavy postpartum bleeding unresponsive to more usual measures. However, the value of this method should be evaluated in bigger series.