Healthcare providers experiences of using uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) devices for the treatment of post-partum haemorrhage: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality and severe morbidity globally. When PPH cannot be controlled using standard medical treatments, uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) may be used to arrest bleeding. While UBT is used by healthcare providers in hospital settings internationally, their views and experiences have not been systematically explored. The aim of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesize available evidence about the views and experiences of healthcare providers using UBT to treat PPH. METHODS: Using a pre-determined search strategy, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, LILACS, AJOL, and reference lists of eligible studies published 1996-2019, reporting qualitative data on the views and experiences of health professionals using UBT to treat PPH. Author findings were extracted and synthesised using techniques derived from thematic synthesis and confidence in the findings was assessed using GRADE-CERQual. RESULTS: Out of 89 studies we identified 5 that met our inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted in five low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa and reported on the use of simple UBT devices for the treatment of PPH. A variety of cadres (including midwives, medical officers and clinical officers) had experience with using UBTs and found them to be effective, convenient, easy to assemble and relatively inexpensive. Providers also suggested regular, hands-on training was necessary to maintain skills and highlighted the importance of community engagement in successful implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Providers felt that administration of a simple UBT device offered a practical and cost-effective approach to the treatment of uncontrolled PPH, especially in contexts where uterotonics were ineffective or unavailable or where access to surgery was not possible. The findings are limited by the relatively small number of studies contributing to the review and further research in other contexts is required to address wider acceptability and feasibility issues.

Scaling up interventions: findings and lessons learned from an external evaluation of Niger's National Initiative to reduce postpartum hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Niger has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in Sub Saharan Africa, of which postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause. In 2014, Health and Development International and the Ministry of Health of Niger launched an initiative to introduce and scale-up three PPH interventions in health facilities nationwide: misoprostol, uterine balloon tamponade, and the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment. METHODS: A two-phase mixed-methods evaluation was conducted to assess implementation of the initiative. Health facility assessments, provider interviews, and household surveys were conducted in May 2016 and November 2017. RESULTS: All evaluation facilities received misoprostol prevention doses. However, shortages in misoprostol treatment doses, UBT kits, and NASG stock were documented. Health provider training increased while knowledge of each PPH intervention varied. Near-universal uterotonic coverage for PPH prevention and treatment was achieved and sustained throughout the evaluation period. Use of UBT and NASG to manage PPH was rare and differed by health facility type. Among community deliveries, fewer than 22% of women received misoprostol at antenatal care for self-administered prophylaxis. Among those who did, almost all reported taking the drugs for PPH prevention in each phase. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first external evaluation of a comprehensive PPH program taking misoprostol, UBT, and NASG to national scale in a low resource setting. Although gaps in service delivery were identified, results demonstrate the complexities of training, managing stock, and implementing system-wide interventions to reach women in varying contexts. The experience provides important lessons for other countries as they develop and expand evidence-based programs for PPH care.

Comparison of results of Bakri balloon tamponade and caesarean hysterectomy in management of placenta accreta and increta: a retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative results of the patients who were treated with Bakri balloon tamponade or hysterectomy for placenta accreta and increta. Patients who were diagnosed with placenta accreta or increta preoperatively and intraoperatively and treated with Bakri balloon tamponade (Group 1) or caesarean hysterectomy (Group 2) were compared in regards to the postoperative results. Among the 36 patients diagnosed with placenta accreta or increta, 19 patients were treated with Bakri balloon tamponade while 17 cases were treated with hysterectomy. Intraoperative blood loss amount was 1794 ± 725 ml in G1, which was lower than that in G2 (2694 ± 893 ml). Blood transfusion amount was 2.7 ± 2.6 units in G1, lower than that in G2 (5.7 ± 2.4 units), too. Operation time was 64.5 ± 29 min and 140 ± 51 min in G1 and G2, respectively, showing significant differences between two groups. The success rate of Bakri balloon was determined as 84.21%. In conclusion, cases with placenta accreta/increta, with predicted placental detachment who are willing to preserve fertility, application of uterine balloon tamponade devices before the hysterectomy is encouraging with its advantages compared with the hysterectomy. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Invasive placental anomalies are the most common indication of postpartum hysterectomy. Recently, uterine balloon tamponade was also included in the treatment modalities of postpartum haemorrhage.This study aimed to compare the postoperative results of UBT or hysterectomy for patients with placenta accreta and increta. What the results of this study add: In this study, the total amount of blood loss was higher in the caesarean hysterectomy group when compared with the Bakri balloon tamponade group. The mean transfusion requirement, mean operation time and hospitalisation period was significantly longer in the caesarean hysterectomy group. The success rate of the Bakri balloon was determined as 84.21%. Two patients who were treated with balloon application had a successful pregnancy and delivery later. Maternal mortality was reported in neither balloon nor hysterectomy groups. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: In conclusion, patients diagnosed with placenta accreta/increta with ultrasound should be taken into the operation in elective conditions, if possible, on lithotomy position. In cases with predicted placental detachment that are willing to preserve fertility, application of uterine balloon tamponade devices before the hysterectomy has advantages compared with the hysterectomy.

Impact of uterine balloon tamponade on the use of invasive procedures in severe postpartum hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of tamponade when uterotonic agents fail, on the need for surgery or interventional radiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All women who received sulprostone for postpartum hemorrhage were retrospectively compared over two periods [December 2008 to December 2010 without use of tamponade (period 1) and June 2011 to June 2013 with use of tamponade (period 2)] in the case of sulprostone failure (STROBE compliant retrospective cohort study). During period 2, interventional radiology or surgery was used only in the case of tamponade failure. RESULTS: 165 women were included (74 for period 1, 91 for period 2). The rate of interventional radiology or surgery significantly decreased from period 1 (21 of 74 women, 28.4%) to period 2 (six of 91 women, 6.6%, p = 0.0003). The rate of assumed failure of uterotonic agents was higher for period 2: 22 of 74 women (29.7%) during period 1, and 41 of 91 (45.1%, p = 0.0439) during period 2. The success rate of tamponade was 92.1% (35 of 38 women). CONCLUSIONS: Although the efficacy of tamponade should be viewed in the light of its widespread use, our findings confirm that tamponade significantly reduces the need for interventional radiology or surgery for postpartum hemorrhage treatment.

Intrauterine balloon tamponade for management of severe postpartum haemorrhage in a perinatal network: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) for management of severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). To identify the factors predicting IUBT failure. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Ten maternity units in a perinatal network. POPULATION: Women treated by IUBT from July 2010 to March 2013. METHODS: The global IUBT success rate was expressed as the number of women with severe PPH who were successfully treated by IUBT divided by the total number treated by IUBT. IUBT failure was defined as the need for arterial embolisation or surgery. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate factors predicting IUBT failure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Global IUBT success rate. Factors associated with IUBT failure. RESULTS: Intrauterine balloon tamponade was attempted in 226 women: 171 after vaginal delivery (VD) (75.7%) and 55 during or after caesarean delivery (CD) (24.3%). The global success rate was 83.2% (188/226) and was significantly higher after VD (152/171, 88.9%) than CD (36/55, 65.5%, P < 0.01). The percentage of CD was significantly higher in the failure group (50.0 versus 19.1%, P < 0.01), as was mean (SD) estimated blood loss before IUBT: 1508 ± 675 ml versus 1064 ± 476, P < 0.01. Coagulopathy was significantly more frequent in the failure group (50.0% versus 17.2%, P < 0.01). CD [Odds ratio (OR) 3.5; 95% CI 1.6-7.6], estimated blood loss before IUBT (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.5-6.8) and coagulopathy (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.5-13.0) were predictive of IUBT failure. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine balloon tamponade is an effective method for treating severe PPH. Early balloon deployment before the development of coagulopathy increases its success rate. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Intrauterine balloon tamponade is effective for achieving haemostasis in intractable postpartum haemorrhages.