Uterine tamponade for the control of acute uterine bleeding

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.

Uterine venous malformations in the puerperium: 2 Atypical cases and literature review

Uterine arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a rare but high-risk cause of uterine bleeding. The clinical management of this condition is challenging, as the ultrasound picture can sometimes be unambiguously interpreted. Moreover, in the puerperium in which acquired AVMs are most frequently formed, it is necessary to discuss the correct management in a multidisciplinary and personalized manner. We present two cases of AVMs developing in the puerperium, both with a vaginal delivery and spontaneous and complete secondment. The symptom of onset was an episode of bright red blood loss in the puerperium, on the 14th and 21st postpartum days, respectively. Transvaginal ultrasound showed a hypervascularized lesion in the myometrium with turbulent vascular flow, confirmed by transabdominal ultrasound and angiography. To date, there are no guidelines on the management of MAVs. In our cases we opted for a conservative approach, in order to preserve the fertility of the patient. These experiences reported have the purpose of enriching a literature still sparse on the subject and in the future to be able to represent a fulcrum for official recommendations.

Efficacy of Prophylactic Antibiotics in Bakri Intrauterine Balloon Placement: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis and Literature Review

Objective  Bakri intrauterine balloon (BIUB) placement is an effective treatment for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). This study aims to evaluate the risk of infection during BIUB placement. Study Design  Data for all deliveries ( n  = 2,144) at our institution between January 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients diagnosed with PPH ( n  = 758) were included in our analysis, further divided into BIUB ( n  = 80) and non-BIUB groups ( n  = 678), and subdivided into vaginal delivery (VD), elective cesarean delivery (CD), and emergency CD groups. Postpartum endometritis rate was compared in each group. A single dose of prophylactic antibiotics was administered for BIUB placement in the VD group. In the CD groups, antibiotics were administered preoperatively once, and no additional antibiotics for BIUB placement were administered. To obtain an antibiotics administration protocol to be applied during BIUB placement, we electronically searched the PubMed and Scopus databases. Results  No significant differences were observed in endometritis rates between BIUB and non-BIUB groups of all groups. In the literature review, of 27 suitable publications identified, multiple doses of antibiotics were administered in 17 (62.9%) studies and none investigated the efficacy of a protocol for antibiotic. Conclusion  Our protocol might be effective and sufficient in preventing postpartum BIUB placement-related endometritis.

Assessment of extravasation on ruptured uterine artery pseudoaneurysm using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography during uterine balloon tamponade

Objective

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEU) has been used in critical trauma situations to visualize extravasation; however, its use is limited in the field of obstetrics. Cases of ruptured uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) were analyzed to clarify the efficacy to CEU during uterine balloon tamponade.

Methods

Cases of ruptured UAP diagnosed at a teaching university hospital from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. UAP was diagnosed using color Doppler ultrasonography. Extravasation was identified using computed tomography and double checked using CEU with an intravenously administered contrast agent (Sonazoid; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and an ultrasound instrument (HI VISION Preirus; Hitachi Aloka Medical, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). A balloon was then inserted into the uterine cavity and inflated at the point of bleeding until extravasation ceased.

Results

Three patients exhibited ruptured UAP during the study period. Bleeding points were successfully identified using CEU in all cases, and hemostasis was achieved using uterine balloon tamponade. Obliteration of UAP was confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging, and no patients developed recurrent UAP or any complications.

Conclusion

CEU can be used at the bedside to promptly diagnose ruptured UAP. Moreover, it precisely facilitates balloon compression at the point of bleeding.

ACOG Technology Assessment No. 13: Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is performed to view and treat pathology within the uterine cavity and endocervix. Diagnostic hysteroscopy allows visualization of the endocervical canal, endometrial cavity, and fallopian tube ostia. Operative hysteroscopy incorporates the use of mechanical, electrosurgical, or laser instruments to treat intracavitary pathology and perform hysteroscopic sterilization procedures. Selection of a distending medium requires consideration of the advantages, disadvantages, and risks associated with various media as well as their compatibility with electrosurgical or laser energy. A preoperative consultation allows the patient and physician to discuss the hysteroscopic procedure, weigh its inherent risks and benefits, review the patient's medical history for any comorbid conditions, and exclude pregnancy. Known pregnancy, genital tract infections, and active herpetic infection are contraindications to hysteroscopy. The most common perioperative complications associated with operative hysteroscopy are hemorrhage, uterine perforation, and cervical laceration. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be used with a high degree of safety.

The Patient with Non-Pregnancy-Associated Vaginal Bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) unrelated to pregnancy affects 20% to 30% of women at some point in life and is a common emergency department (ED) and urgent care (UC) presentation. AUB is a complex condition with extensive terminology, broad differential diagnosis, and numerous treatment options, yet few published evidence-based guidelines. In the ED or UC setting most affected patients are often more frustrated than acutely ill. These factors can make for a challenging patient encounter in the EC/UC setting. This article reviews acute and chronic AUB in the nonpregnant patient and suggests a simplified approach for its evaluation and management.

Managing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Women at Risk of Thrombosis

Management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in a woman with a history of thrombosis, or who is otherwise at high risk of thrombosis, or who takes medications for anticoagulation can present a challenge to health care providers. The goal of treating HMB is to reduce menstrual blood loss. First-line therapy is typically hormonal, and hormonal therapy can be contraindicated in women with a history of thrombosis unless they are on anticoagulation. As 70% of women on anticoagulation experience HMB, successful management of HMB may involve a modification in the anticoagulation or antiplatelet regimen, hormonal therapy tailored to the patient's situation, and/or surgical therapy.

Long-term uterine balloon tamponade for treatment and obliteration of ruptured uterine pseudoaneurysm

OBJECTIVE

Rupture of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) is a life-threatening event after childbirth. Hysterectomy or uterine arterial embolization was often needed for hemostasis. However, such procedures may cause severe morbidities for these women. To estimate the efficacy of uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) for controlling ruptured UAP bleeding, a retrospective analysis in a single teaching hospital was performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the medical record of Juntendo University Hospital in 2015. All the women diagnosed with UAP were recruited to this study and management for UAP was investigated.

RESULTS

Three women were treated with UBT for ruptured UAP. All cases achieved hemostasis. One case had recurrent UAP after 24 h of UBT, and was retreated with UBT for a longer duration. The UAP was obliterated after more than 2 days of UBT in all cases.

CONCLUSION

UBT has potential as a therapeutic technique not only for treatment of a ruptured UAP but also for obliteration of a UAP.

Innovative Uses of Condom Uterine Balloon Tamponade for Postpartum Hemorrhage in India and Tanzania

Background

Postpartum hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal deaths worldwide, the majority of which occur in low-resource settings. Uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) is an effective method of addressing uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) from uterine atony; however, UBT devices are often not affordable. We report on three novel uses of an ultra-low-cost condom uterine balloon tamponade (ESM-UBT) device.

Cases

ESM-UBT devices were used in innovative ways to arrest severe uncontrolled pregnancy-related hemorrhage among three women in India and Tanzania. The first had sustained deep vaginal lacerations, the second a cervical pregnancy, and the third a complete molar pregnancy.

Conclusion

The ESM-UBT device may be useful for control of obstetric hemorrhage caused by complex vaginal tears as well as cervical and molar pregnancies.

Successful use of balloon tamponade in the management of postpartum hemorrhage in a case of bicornuate uterus

Worldwide 50%-70% of all cases of maternal morbidity have been attributed to postpartum hemorrhage. This report discusses a case of bicornuate uterus in a term pregnancy. The delivery was by cesarean section, which was followed by massive postpartum hemorrhage, managed successfully with balloon tamponade. This is the second reported case of successful management of post partum hemorrhage in a bicornuate uterus with balloon tamponade. A 22-year-old primigravida at 39 weeks of gestational age presented with vaginal leaking of clear fluid. Cesarean section was done due to meconium stained liquor in early labor; with an incidental finding of bicornuate uterus followed by massive postpartum hemorrhage managed successfully with balloon tamponade. The use of uterine balloon tamponade as an effective method to control postpartum hemorrhage has been studied extensively, but use in cases of hemorrhage associated with uterine malformations has not been reported much in literature. Use of uterine balloon tamponade in case of uterine malformations has been highlighted in our case as an effective non-surgical method to control hemorrhage.

A low-cost uterine balloon tamponade for management of postpartum hemorrhage: modeling the potential impact on maternal mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa

Background

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. This study sought to quantify the potential health impact (morbidity and mortality reductions) that a low-cost uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) could have on women suffering from uncontrolled PPH due to uterine atony in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

The Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology (MANDATE) model was used to estimate maternal deaths, surgeries averted, and cases of severe anemia prevented through UBT use among women with PPH who receive a uterotonic drug but fail this therapy in a health facility. Estimates were generated for the year 2018. The main outcome measures were lives saved, surgeries averted, and severe anemia prevented.

Results

The base case model estimated that widespread use of a low-cost UBT in clinics and hospitals could save 6547 lives (an 11% reduction in maternal deaths), avert 10,823 surgeries, and prevent 634 severe anemia cases in sub-Saharan Africa annually.

Conclusions

A low-cost UBT has a strong potential to save lives and reduce morbidity. It can also potentially reduce costly downstream interventions for women who give birth in a health care facility. This technology may be especially useful for meeting global targets for reducing maternal mortality as identified in Sustainable Development Goal 3.

How I treat heavy menstrual bleeding associated with anticoagulants

Anticoagulant-associated heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is an underrecognized but not uncommon problem in clinical practice. Premenopausal women should be advised of the potential effect of anticoagulant therapy on menstrual bleeding at the time of treatment initiation. Consequences of HMB should be assessed and treated on an ongoing basis. In the acute setting, the decision to withhold anticoagulants is based on an individual patient's risk of thrombosis and the severity of the bleeding. For women who require long-term anticoagulation, a levonorgestrel intrauterine system, tranexamic acid (during menstrual flow), high-dose progestin-only therapy, or combined hormonal contraceptives are effective for controlling HMB. The risk of thrombosis during anticoagulant therapy with these treatments is not well studied but is likely to be low. Selection of type of hormonal therapy is based on patient preference, other indications for and contraindications to therapy, adverse effect profile, and ongoing thrombotic risk factors. Women who do not respond to medical treatment or who do not wish to retain their fertility should be considered for surgical management.

Heavy menstrual bleeding: work-up and management

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), which is the preferred term for menorrhagia, affects ∼90% of women with an underlying bleeding disorder and ∼70% of women on anticoagulation. HMB can be predicted on the basis of clots of ≥1 inch diameter, low ferritin, and "flooding" (a change of pad or tampon more frequently than hourly). The goal of the work-up is to determine whether there is a uterine/endometrial cause, a disorder of ovulation, or a disorder of coagulation. HMB manifest by flooding and/or prolonged menses, or HMB accompanied by a personal or family history of bleeding is very suggestive of a bleeding disorder and should prompt a referral to a hematologist. The evaluation will include the patient's history, pelvic examination, and/or pelvic imaging, and a laboratory assessment for anemia, ovulatory dysfunction, underlying bleeding disorder, and in the case of the patient on anticoagulation, assessment for over anticoagulation. The goal of treatment is to reduce HMB. Not only will the treatment strategy depend on whether there is ovulatory dysfunction, uterine pathology, or an abnormality of coagulation, the treatment strategy will also depend on the age of the patient and her desire for immediate or long-term fertility. Hemostatic therapy for HMB may serve as an alternative to hormonal or surgical therapy, and may even be life-saving when used to correct an abnormality of coagulation.

The fertility sparing management of postpartum hemorrhage: A series of 47 cases of Bakri balloon tamponade

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the success rate of Bakri balloon tamponade (BBT) for managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), intractable to conservative medical treatment, as a fertility sparing intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated 47 women treated with BBT who had severe postpartum hemorrhage and uncontrollable bleeding due to failed treatment with uterotonic agents. The main outcome measure was successful management and preservation of the uterus.

RESULTS

Forty-seven women were identified for BBT treatment due to severe PPH. BBT was used to successfully manage hemorrhage in 43 patients, and there was no need for hysterectomy. Four patients required an additional surgical procedure. Of the four failures, a subtotal hysterectomy was performed in two patients, and the other two patients underwent a total hysterectomy. The overall success rate was 91.4%, which was comparable to rates reported earlier. The main cause of PPH was uterine atony (43%).

CONCLUSION

Uterine preservation is an important issue when managing PPH. BBT is an effective, easy to use, and safe procedure for massive PPH that can minimize recourse to hysterectomy after failed medical treatment.

A case of congenital uterine arterio-venous malformation managed by hysterectomy

Background

A uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare cause of uterine bleeding. It may have varied presentations ranging from being completely asymptomatic; to features of congestive heart failure to vaginal bleeding which may at times life be threatening. Clinical findings in such cases are often un-reliable; requiring a high index of suspicion to make the diagnosis. Sonographic gray scale features are non-specific requiring confirmation with colour and spectral Doppler.

Case Report

We report a case of a 46-year-old lady who presented with heavy vaginal bleeding and ultrasound/colour Doppler evidence of uterine AVM managed by abdominal hysterectomy, describing the imaging features on ultrasound and Doppler. We also discuss in brief about this uncommon but serious condition which the radiologist/gynaecologist may encounter in thier practise.

Conclusions

Uterine AV Malformation is a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of menorrhagia which must be kept in the differential diagnosis of sudden and massive vaginal bleeding. Ultrasound remains the modality of choice in diagnosing the condition which requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Color and spectral Doppler ultrasound should be used to supplement the findings and to confirm the diagnosis.

Use of an intrauterine inflated catheter balloon in massive post-partum hemorrhage: a series of 52 cases

AIM

Massive post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) is an important cause of maternal death that occurs as a complication of delivery. We report a large case series to evaluate the efficacy of uterine balloon tamponade to treat PPH avoiding hysterectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This prospective study was conducted in two Italian hospitals (from December 2002 to July 2012). Fifty-two patients with PPH not responsive to uterotonics were treated by Rusch balloon. A follow-up was conducted among the study population to assess the subsequent fertility.

RESULTS

The most frequent cause of PPH was atony (59.6%), followed by placenta previa (21.2%), placenta accreta (9.6%), and placenta previa and accreta (9.6%). The balloon success rate to control hemorrhage was 75%. From the sample of 52 patients, 13 patients needed additional procedures. In three failure cases, other conservative techniques were used and the overall effectiveness of them was 80.7%. The follow-up group consisted of 31 women. Of these women, 24 women (77.4%) had no further pregnancies, but only one due to sterility. Four of seven patients with subsequent pregnancies made it to term without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The Rusch balloon is effective in controlling non-traumatic PPH in 75% of cases. It is simple to use, readily available and cheap. If necessary, this technique does not exclude other procedures. We suggest that this balloon should be included routinely in the PPH protocol.

Acute uterine bleeding unrelated to pregnancy: a Southern California Permanente Medical Group practice guideline

Acute uterine bleeding unrelated to pregnancy has been defined as bleeding "sufficient in volume as to, in the opinion of the treating clinician, require urgent or emergent intervention." The Southern California Permanente Medical Group updated its guidelines for the management of this condition on the basis of the best available evidence, as identified in a systematic review of the available literature. Given the paucity of studies evaluating this condition, the guidelines, by necessity, include recommendations largely based on opinion or other sources such as case series that are, in general, categorized as low-quality evidence. Medical interventions with single or combined gonadal steroidal agents administered parenterally or orally show promise, but more high-quality studies are needed to better define the appropriate drugs, dose, and administrative scheduling. There is also some evidence that intrauterine tamponade may be useful in at least selected cases. Special attention must be paid to both diagnosing and treating inherited disorders of hemostasis, such as von Willebrand disease, that may otherwise be underdiagnosed in both adolescent and adult women.

Initial experience with a dual-balloon catheter for the management of postpartum hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

When uterotonics fail to cause sustained uterine contractions and satisfactory control of hemorrhage after delivery, tamponade of the uterus can be effective in decreasing hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony.

STUDY DESIGN

These data are from a postmarketing surveillance study of a novel dual-balloon catheter tamponade device, the Belfort-Dildy Obstetrical Tamponade System (ebb).

RESULTS

A total of 57 women were enrolled: 55 women had the diagnosis of postpartum hemorrhage, and 51 women had uterine balloon placement within the uterine cavity. This study reports the outcomes in the 51 women who had uterine balloon placement within the uterine cavity for treatment of postpartum hemorrhage, as defined by the "Instructions for Use." We further assessed 4 subgroups: uterine atony only (n = 28 women), placentation abnormalities (n = 8 women), both uterine atony and placentation abnormalities (n = 9 women), and neither uterine atony nor placentation abnormalities (n = 6 women). The median (range) time interval between delivery and balloon placement was 2.2 hours (0.3-210 hours) for the entire cohort (n = 51 women) and 1.3 hours (0.5-7.0 hours) for the uterine atony only group (n = 28 women). Bleeding decreased in 22/51 of cases (43%), stopped in 28/51 of cases (55%), thus decreased or stopped in 50/51 of the cases (98%) after balloon placement. Nearly one-half (23/51) of all women required uterine balloon volumes of >500 mL to control bleeding.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that uterine/vaginal balloon tamponade is very useful in the management of postpartum hemorrhage because of uterine atony and abnormal placentation.

Uterine arteriovenous malformation with sudden heavy vaginal hemmorhage

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is a common presentation in the emergency department and has a wide differential. Most presentations of DUB are in hemodynamically stable patients and can be evaluated as an outpatient. Uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is one presentation that can result in a life-threatening medical emergency with unexpected sudden and massive vaginal bleeding. We describe a case of a 24-year-old female with sudden heavy vaginal bleeding requiring a blood transfusion, ultrasound evidence of uterine AVM, and a treatment method of expectant management using an intrauterine device in an attempt to preserve fertility.

The Bakri balloon for the management of postpartum hemorrhage in cases with placenta previa

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the success rate of the Bakri balloon in the event of uncontrollable hemorrhage due to placenta previa.

STUDY DESIGN

We evaluated 25 patients who were treated with the Bakri balloon who had severe postpartum hemorrhage with placenta previa and failed medical treatment with uterotonic agents.

RESULTS

The Bakri balloon was inserted abdominally during cesarean section in 24 of 25 cases. In only one case was it inserted vaginally. The Bakri tamponade was effective in 22 cases (88%). There were three cases with failure: two patients needed an additional procedure (hypogastric artery ligation and B-Lynch suture) and one patient needed hysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The Bakri balloon is the least invasive, rapid method in the management of bleeding due to placenta previa with minimal complications.

Placement of a cervical cerclage in combination with an intrauterine balloon catheter to arrest postpartum hemorrhage

Placement of a cervical cerclage postpartum allows retention of a uterine tamponade balloon in women with a dilated cervix. This novel indication for a cervical cerclage may be a useful adjunct to intrauterine balloon catheter in management of postpartum uterine hemorrhage.

Abdomino-pelvic packing to control severe haemorrhage following caesarean hysterectomy

Surgically uncontrollable peri-operative obstetric haemorrhage associated with coagulopathy, developed in five women who were managed by emergency caesarean hysterectomy. All women had a morbidly adherent anterior placenta praevia and a previous lower segment caesarean section scar. Conventional medical and surgical therapy to control bleeding from pelvic and abdominal raw surfaces were unsuccessful. Abdomino-pelvic packing was performed with 10-12 dry laparotomy pads applied firmly over bleeding sites. The abdomen was closed after observation of the cessation of bleeding for 5-10 minutes. Following correction of coagulation and haemodynamic disorders relaparotomy for pack removal was performed 34-48 hours later. One patient developed small bowel obstruction on the 5th post-operative day, however, there was no long term gynaecological morbidity in any of the cases. Abdomino-pelvic packing achieved complete haemostasis in all of the five women which we believe may have been impossible using alternative measures.

Systematic Review of Conservative Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage: What to Do When Medical Treatment Fails

We performed a systematic review to identify all studies evaluating the success rates of treatment of major postpartum hemorrhage by uterine balloon tamponade, uterine compression sutures, pelvic devascularization, and arterial embolization. We included studies reporting on at least 5 cases. All searches were performed independently by 2 researchers and updated in June 2006. Failure of management was defined as the need to proceed to subsequent or repeat surgical or radiological therapy or hysterectomy, or death. As the search identified no randomized controlled trials, we proceeded to search for observational studies. This identified 396 publications, and after exclusions, 46 studies were included in the systematic review. The cumulative outcomes showed success rates of 90.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7%-94.0%) for arterial embolization, 84.0% (95% CI, 77.5%-88.8%) for balloon tamponade, 91.7% (95% CI, 84.9%-95.5%) for uterine compression sutures, and 84.6% (81.2%-87.5%) for iliac artery ligation or uterine devascularization (P = 0.06). At present there is no evidence to suggest that any one method is better for the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage. Randomized controlled trials of the various treatment options may be difficult to perform in practice. As balloon tamponade is the least invasive and most rapid approach, it would be logical to use this as the first step in the management.

Hysteroscopic complications

Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopic procedures are performed to evaluate women with abnormal uterine bleeding structural uterine anomalies. Diagnostic and minimally invasive hysteroscopic surgical procedures in the hands of well-trained, experienced hysteroscopists offer little chance of serious complications. More extensive procedures offer greater risks, with fluid overload being the most common. The well-prepared and experienced hysteroscopic surgeon should have the ability, equipment, ancillary personnel, and facilities to prevent and to treat this problem, as well as the knowledge necessary to handle mechanical accidents, anesthetic complications, and post-procedure infections. The greatest risk in this procedure is, as always, an inadequately trained or ill-prepared operator.

Hemostatic cervical suturing technique for management of uncontrollable postpartum haemorrhage originating from the cervical canal

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel cervical suturing technique for management of uncontrollable postpartum haemorrhage originating from the cervical canal.

STUDY DESIGN

Cervical suturing was performed on three women to control intractable postpartum haemorrhage originating from the cervical canal and not responding to classic management. Haemostatic cervical suturing by using no. 1 chromic catgut is a new surgical technique which approximates anterior and posterior cervical lips. It controls cervical haemorrhage by attachment and compression of the haemorrhage site of the cervical lips and lower uterine segment.

RESULTS

The procedure was effective in all cases and hysterectomy was not needed in any case. No complication occurred and the survival rate was 100%. The procedure required no special expertise or extraordinary equipment.

CONCLUSION

Cervical suturing technique for management of postpartum haemorrhage originating from the cervical canal is an easy, safe and highly effective conservative surgical technique that may be alternative to hysterectomy.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation as a complication of intrauterine balloon tamponade for posthysteroscopic acute uterine bleeding

Although there is anecdotal evidence of balloon tamponade for posthysteroscopic acute uterine bleeding, a literature review disclosed no articles describing complications of the technique. In our patient, balloon tamponade for acute posthysteroscopic bleeding resulted in disseminated intravascular coagulation. In a second woman the procedure was successful.

Intraoperative and early postoperative complications of operative hysteroscopy

With preoperative evaluation, meticulous technique, and vigilance for impending problems, intraoperative and early postoperative complications of operative hysteroscopy are largely preventable. Fluid overload is the most common serious complication. The hysteroscopist must understand the significant differences between hypotonic, electrolyte-free distention media and isotonic, electrolyte-containing media and their respective sequelae. As new operative tools become available, hypotonic and electrolyte-free distention media may become obsolete. The physiology and management of air embolism, the most grave intraoperative complication, are essential to the knowledge base of any active hysteroscopist. Mechanical accidents, anesthetic complications, laser and electrical injury, and infections can be reduced by knowledge and preparation. Technologic advances, ongoing research, and postgraduate training in hysteroscopic technique continue to expand the safe and beneficial applications of hysteroscopy into the next century.

Complications of hysteroscopy-their cause, prevention, and correction

Complications of hysteroscopy occur more frequently in operative than in diagnostic cases. Problems related to uterine distention are common, usually preventable, and potentially extremely serious. Perforation of the uterus may occur during hysteroscopy but do not always cause significant problems. In procedures of high risk for perforation the use of mechanical energy is safer than either laser or electrical energy. Laparoscopy and ultrasonography have some limited use in facilitating operative hysteroscopic procedures. Most complications occur during the hysteroscopic surgical procedure. However, some problems may not be apparent until the post operative period.