Perioperative outcomes and causes of postpartum hemorrhage in patients undergoing cesarean delivery in Thailand: A comprehensive retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the characteristics, causes, perioperative anesthetic, and obstetric outcomes of patients experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean delivery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent cesarean delivery at the largest university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, during a 5-year period (January 1, 2016-December 31, 2020). PPH was defined as an estimated blood loss (EBL) of ≥ 1000 ml within 24 hours postpartum. RESULTS: Of 17 187 cesarean deliveries during the study period, 649 patients were included for analysis. The mean EBL was 1774.3 ± 1564.4 ml (range: 1000-26 000 ml). Among the patients, 166 (25.6%) experienced massive PPH (blood loss > 2000 ml). Intraoperative blood transfusions were necessary for 264 patients (40.7%), while 504 individuals (77.7%) needed intraoperative vasopressors. The analysis revealed uterine atony as the leading cause of PPH in 62.7% (n = 407) of the patients, with abnormal placentation following at 29.3% (n = 190). Abnormal placentation was associated with a significantly higher mean EBL of 2345.0 ± 2303.9 ml compared to uterine atony, which had a mean EBL of 1504.0 ± 820.7 ml (P < 0.001). Abnormal placentation also significantly increased the likelihood of blood transfusions and hysterectomies (P < 0.001 for both) and led to more intensive care unit admissions (P = 0.032). The risk of EBL exceeding 2000 ml was markedly higher in patients with abnormal placentation (odds ratio [OR] 5.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.45-7.57, P < 0.001) and in cases involving trauma to the internal organs (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.16-4.71, P = 0.018) than in patients with uterine atony. The study documented three instances of perioperative cardiac arrest, one of which was fatal. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive perioperative management strategies, including the ready availability of adequate blood and blood products, particularly in scenarios predisposed to significant hemorrhage. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrial.gov registration number NCT04833556 (April 6, 2021).

Imaging of Antepartum and Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Severe obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Major hemorrhage in the antepartum period presents potential risks for both the mother and the fetus. Similarly, postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) accounts for up to a quarter of maternal deaths worldwide. Potential causes of severe antepartum hemorrhage that radiologists should be familiar with include placental abruption, placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum disorders, and vasa previa. Common causes of PPH that the authors discuss include uterine atony, puerperal genital hematomas, uterine rupture and dehiscence, retained products of conception, and vascular anomalies. Bleeding complications unique to or most frequently encountered after cesarean delivery are also enumerated, including entities such as bladder flap hematomas, rectus sheath and subfascial hemorrhage, and infectious complications of endometritis and uterine dehiscence. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material. See the invited commentary by Javitt and Madrazo in this issue.

A new step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like uterine compression sutures for intractable postpartum hemorrhage in cesarean section.

BACKGROUND: Intractable postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) during cesarean section has been a significant concern for obstetricians. We aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of a new type of uterine compression suture, the step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like sutures for treating intractable PPH caused by uterine atony and placenta factors in cesarean section. METHODS: The step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like sutures was established on the basis of the artful combination of vertical strap-like sutures and an annular suture-ligation technique. This novel surgical technique was applied to 34 patients diagnosed with PPH during cesarean section due to severe uterine atony and placental factors in our department. The hemostatic effects, clinical outcomes and follow-up visit results were all reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: This new uterine compression suture successfully stopped bleeding in 33 patients, and the effective rate was 97.06%. Only 1 patient failed and was changed to use bilateral uterine arterial embolization and internal iliac artery embolization. The follow-up visits indicated that 33 patients restored menstruation except for 1 who was diagnosed with amenorrhea. The gynecological ultrasound tests of all the patients suggested good uterine involutions, and they had no obvious complaints such as hypogastralgia. CONCLUSIONS: This step-wise surgical technique of knapsack-like uterine compression sutures can compress the uterus completely. It is a technique that can conserve the uterus and fertility function without special equipment in caesarean section for PPH, with the characteristics of being safe, simple and stable (3 S) with rapid surgery, reliable hemostasis and resident doctor to operation (3R).

Peripartum hysterectomy: A 9-year population-based study in Slovakia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of peripartum hysterectomy (PH) in Slovakia. Additionally, we wanted to describe reasons for the procedure, associated clinical circumstances, and complications. METHODS: This was a descriptive, population-based study among women who underwent PH in Slovakia between January 2012 and December 2020. Peripartum hysterectomy was defined as surgical removal of the uterus from the peripartum period up to 42 days postpartum. Data were obtained retrospectively from the standardized questionnaires that are completed in Slovakia for any case of PH. The background population consisted of all other women who delivered during the study period. RESULTS: Of the 436 136 births, there were 397 cases of PH, giving an incidence of 0.91 per 1000 births. It was higher with advanced maternal age, multiparity, multiple pregnancies, and cesarean deliveries. The main reasons for the procedure were placental pathologies and uterine atony in 52.9% and 33.0%, respectively. A total of 150 (37.8%) women required admission to an intensive care unit. The mortality rate was 1.5%. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PH is relatively high in Slovakia when compared with other European countries, highlighting the need to improve prenatal diagnosis of morbidly adherent placenta and the management of peripartum hemorrhage.

Large supralevator haematoma: a dilemma in diagnosis and management.

This is a case of postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery of a primigravida in her late 20s resulting from a supralevator haematoma. She delivered in a low-resource hospital setting, with a late diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia and haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP), subsequently developed traumatic postpartum haemorrhage and vaginal haematoma, and was referred to our hospital for further management. She was constantly monitored, and serial ultrasonography revealed an expanding paravaginal haematoma. CT, 4 hours after admission, showed a large ill-defined collection with hyperdense areas of blood attenuation measuring ~8.0×6.2×12.2 cm in toto in the vaginal canal and right paravaginal region with supralevator extension, abutting the rectum posteriorly. The expanding haematoma caused gradual hypovolaemic shock, and hence, she was taken up for vaginal evacuation of supralevator haematoma with drainage tube insertion under ultrasound guidance. She received multiple blood product transfusion. Drain tube was removed on postoperative day 3. Follow-up scan was done and resolving haematoma noted. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5 in a stable condition. She was followed up in outpatient department, and there was complete resolution of haematoma by 4 weeks.

Indications, risk factors, and outcomes of emergency peripartum hysterectomy: A 7-year retrospective study at a tertiary center in Turkey.

Objective: To determine the incidence, indications, the risk factors, complications, maternal morbidity and mortality of emergency peripartum hysterectomy (EPH), and perinatal outcomes at a tertiary hospital, Turkey. Methods: We analyzed 71 cases of EPH from 2012 to 2019 at a tertiary hospital in a retrospective study. There were 142 control patients. Results: There were 71 EPH out of 69,504 deliveries, for an overall incidence of 1.02 per 1000 births. The main indication for peripartum hysterectomy was abnormal placentation (67.6%), followed by uterine atony (28.1%), and uterine rupture (4.2%). Cesarean section (CS) and previous CS are major risk indicators for EPH. Other risk indicators are advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) and multiparity. All patients with abnormal placentation had a previous CS. 93% of EPH were performed during and/or after CS, and 7% after vaginal delivery. 69% of EPH were made in total and 31% were subtotal. The three most common maternal morbidity included: wound infection and febrile morbidity (26.7%), bladder injury (16.9%), and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (11.2%). There were no maternal deaths but perinatal mortality was 4%. Conclusion: The most common indication for EPH was abnormal placentation. Also, CS and previous CS are major risk factors of EPH. Other risk factors for EPH are advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) and multiparity. Moreover, all unnecessary CS should be avoided.

Peripartum hysterectomy clinical characteristics and outcomes- a hospital based retrospective audit study.

INTRODUCTION: The study aims to evaluate and report on the clinical characteristics, incidence, risk factors and associated complications of emergency and planned peripartum hysterectomy in a single training and research tertiary health care centre in Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a 6-year retrospective cross-sectional study from the 1st January 2016 until 31st December 2021. Clinical, demographic characteristics, perioperative parameters, operative indications, blood loss, maternal/neonatal outcomes and complications were analysed. Patients were subdivided, analysed and studied in two subgroups- emergency hysterectomy (EH) and planned hysterectomy (PH). RESULTS: There were 65 cases of peripartum hysterectomy out of total 100,567 deliveries, with a prevalence rate of 0.06%. Overall, the majority of patients were multiparous (96.9%), having previous caesarean scar (73.8%) or diagnosed with placenta praevia (75.4%). More than half of the total patients (61.5%) have both previous caesarean scar and concomitant placenta praevia. EH was carried out in 39(60%) patients while 26(40%) patients underwent PH. The only indication for surgery in the PH group (100%) was abnormal placentation while the most common indication for surgery in the EH group (53.8%) was postpartum haemorrhage related to abnormal placentation. Patients who underwent EH were more likely to have massive blood loss (p=0.001), require ICU admissions (p=0.001), have DIVC cycles transfused (mean [SD] regime: 1.35 [0.95] vs 0.54 [0.99]; p=0.002), have lower postoperative haemoglobin level (mean [standard deviation, SD] haemoglobin: 9.23g/l [SD1.8] vs. 10.8 g/l [SD1.86]; p=0.001) and have higher difference between pre/post operative haemoglobin level (mean [SD] haemoglobin difference: 1.78g/l [SD6.34] vs 0.32g/l [SD1.7]; p=0.008) compared to patients with PH. Red blood cell transfusion, operating time, length of stay, weight of babies and Apgar score between two groups showed no significant differences. A significant reduction of blood loss between the first and the second half duration of the study (mean [SD] blood loss: 6978 ml [SD 4999.45] vs. 4100ml [SD2569.48]; p=0.004) was also observed. In the emergency group, 'non-placental cause' EH required significantly more red blood cell transfusion than 'placental cause' (p<0.05) while in the PH group, no significant difference was observed between the occlusive internal iliac artery 'balloon' and 'no balloon' subgroup in terms of operating time, total blood loss or blood transfusion. Overall complications showed more cases of post operative fever and relaparotomy in the EH group (18.4% vs. 7.6%) while urinary tract injuries including injuries to bladder and ureter occurred only in the PH group (9.4% vs. 0%). CONCLUSION: The majority of peripartum hysterectomy cases are due to placenta accreta spectrum disorders. Planned peripartum hysterectomies have a lower morbidity rate compared to emergency hysterectomies. Therefore, early identification of placenta accreta spectrum disorders and timely planning for elective procedures are crucial to minimise the need for emergency surgery.

Successful perioperative management with damage control surgery following cardiac arrest due to massive postpartum hemorrhage: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Although declining, maternal mortality due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains significant. Here we report the case of a 31-year-old primipara patient admitted with cardiac arrest due to PPH. CASE PRESENTATION: Labor was induced at gestational week 39, and the infant was delivered rapidly. Cardiac arrest due to PPH occurred during the transfer to our hospital, and the patient underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation upon arrival to the emergency room. On admission, her hemoglobin level was 0.7 g/dL and she was in hypovolemic shock. Resuscitation and hysterectomy were performed immediately, including damage control surgery and gauze packing, to control the diffuse oozing bleeding due to severe disseminated intravascular coagulation. Relaparotomy for hemostasis was subsequently performed because of a decrease in hemoglobin level and blood pressure, and gauze packing was reinserted with temporary abdominal closure. Two days later, the abdominal wall was closed after confirming the absence of bleeding and the patient recovered well without further intervention. CONCLUSION: A prompt and assertive intensive response through collaborative efforts, utilizing feasible damage control surgery, can elegantly salvage uncontrolled bleeding in PPH patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Hysterectomy following severe primary postpartum hemorrhage: A five year review in Abidjan University Hospitals.

Hemostasis hysterectomy is a mutilating technique responsible for definitive side effect on the woman's fertility. The aim was to document to document hemostasis hysterectomies performed in obstetrics units of university hospitals in Côte d'Ivoire. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study from January 2013 to January 2018 in the three university hospital centers of Abidjan. It involved all parturients of the said university hospital centers who presented a severe postpartum hemorrhage and in whom a hemostasis hysterectomy was performed. The overall frequency of hemostasis hysterectomy in the three university hospitals was 0.32%. The most common etiologies were atony and uterine rupture. Hemostasis hysterectomy was indicated immediately. The deaths recorded were most often intraoperative and in the immediate postoperative period. The reduction of its incidence requires a good surveillance of the third period of delivery.

Comparison of H-Hayman uterine compression suture with conventional vertical sutures: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary center.

OBJECTIVE: To compare H-Hayman, a modified uterine compression suturing technique (UCS) that we describe for the first time in the literature, with conventional vertical UCS techniques. METHODS: The H-Hayman technique was used in 14 women and the conventional UCS technique in 21 women. In order to provide standardization in the study, only patients who had developed upper-segment atony during cesarean section were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Bleeding control was achieved in 85.7% (12/14) of the cases using the H-Hayman technique. In the remaining two patients with persistent hemorrhage in this group, bleeding control was provided with bilateral uterine artery ligation, and a hysterectomy was avoided in all cases. With the conventional technique, bleeding control was achieved in 76.1% (16/21) of the patients, and the overall success rate was 95.2% after bilateral uterine artery ligation in those with persistent hemorrhage. In addition, the estimated blood loss and the need for erythrocyte suspension transfusion were significantly lower in the H-Hayman group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found the H-Hayman technique to be at least as successful as conventional UCS. In addition, patients who underwent suturing with the H-Hayman technique had less blood loss and a lower requirement for erythrocyte suspension transfusion.

Improving blood product management in placenta accreta patients with severe bleeding: institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accrete spectrum (PAS) is a significant risk factor for postpartum hemorrhage and effective blood product management is critical in ensuring patient safety. In PAS patients undergoing cesarean section (CS) blood transfusion management guided by the combined clinical experience of the anesthesiologist and surgeon with point-of-care coagulation testing appears safe and effective. We describe and evaluate our experience and identify potential areas for improvement with blood product management in this patient population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of peri-operative demographic, anesthetic, and obstetric data was conducted for all patients with PAS undergoing CS between 2012 and 2018 at our center. To facilitate a practical evaluation of blood product management, we divided patients into two groups based on the severity of bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 221 parturients with PAS underwent CS, with 133 in group 1 requiring excessive amounts of transfusion and 88 in group 2 requiring management similar to other uncomplicated CS cases. There were no deaths or instances of disseminated intravascular coagulation, and intensive care unit admission occurred in five cases (2.2%). Patients in group 1 had higher mean nadir values of intra-operative hemoglobin and platelet count. We observed a high rate of missing data for peri-operative measurement of lactate and fibrinogen, PAS grade documentation, and temperature monitoring. CONCLUSION: Given no significant morbidity or mortality, clinical judgment in experienced centers appears safe for the management of PAS patients undergoing CS. The adoption of an institutional protocol and point-of-care coagulation testing could decrease over-transfusion and associated complications.

[Placenta percreta management in a patient with a severe congenital hypofibrinogenemia]. / Gestion d'un placenta percreta chez une patiente atteinte d'une hypofibrinogénémie congénitale sévère.

The obstetrical follow-up of patients with a severe hypofibrinogenemia requires a multidisciplinary collaboration because of potential maternal-fetal complications (recurrent miscarriages, intrauterine fetal demise, post-partum hemorrhage, thrombosis). We report the obstetrical management of a multiparous patient with a severe congenital hypofibrinogenemia associated with a platelet disorder (abnormal phospholipid externalization). A therapeutic strategy based on a biweekly administration of fibrinogen concentrates associated with enoxaparin and aspirin allowed the maintenance of pregnancy. But this last one got complicated by a placenta percreta requiring a salvage hysterectomy with an appropriate hemorrhage prophylaxis.

B-Lynch Suture Management among Patients with Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Postpartum haemorrhage is the most life-threatening complication during pregnancy and atonic postpartum haemorrhage being the commonest one, often poses difficulties in management. B-Lynch suture with a high success rate has emerged as a life-saving measure in uncontrolled atonic postpartum haemorrhage refractory to uterotonics. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of B-Lynch suture management among patients with post-partum haemorrhage in a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care centre from 1 April 2017 to 1 April 2021 after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee of the same institution [Reference number: 497(6-11)C-2077/078]. All patients with post-partum haemorrhage during the study period were included in the study. Patients with traumatic post-partum haemorrhage, congenital malformations, complete placenta previa/accreta, bleeding disorders, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and retained bits of placenta were excluded from the study. A convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 90% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Out of 72 patients, 19 (26.39%) (17.85-34.93, 90% Confidence Interval) underwent B-Lynch suture management for atonic post-partum haemorrhage. Uterus salvage was done in 18 (94.74%) whereas 1 (5.26%) underwent a cesarean hysterectomy. Conclusions: The prevalence of the use of B-Lynch suture was similar to other studies done in similar settings. B-Lynch suture is a valuable addition for controlling intractable atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage refractory to uterotonics, thus saving the life as well as preserving the future fertility of the woman. Keywords: cesarean section; postpartum haemorrhage; suture.

Menstrual, fertility and psychological impacts after uterine compression sutures for postpartum hemorrhage: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Uterine compression suture is an important conservative surgical technique in managing atonic postpartum hemorrhage. In this study, we aim to evaluate the subsequent menstrual, fertility and psychological outcomes after uterine compression sutures. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study between 2009 and 2022 conducted in a tertiary obstetric unit (6000 deliveries per year) in Hong Kong SAR. Women with primary postpartum hemorrhage successfully treated with uterine compression sutures were followed-up in postnatal clinic for two years after delivery. Data on menstrual pattern were collected during each visit. Psychological impact after uterine compression suture was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Subsequent pregnancies were identified by territory-wide computer registry and telephone interviews. Women with postpartum hemorrhage treated with uterotonic agents only were chosen as controls. RESULTS: In our cohort (n = 80), 87.9% of women had return of menses within six months after delivery. Regular monthly cycle was observed in 95.6% of women. Majority of women reported similar menstrual flow (75%), menstrual days (85.3%) and no change in dysmenorrhea status (88.2%) as compared before. Among eight (11.8%) women who reported hypomenorrhea after uterine compression sutures, two cases of Asherman's syndrome were diagnosed. Among 23 subsequent pregnancies (16 livebirths), no significant differences in outcome were observed except more omental or bowel adhesions (37.5% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.007), recurrence of hemorrhage (68.8% vs. 7.5%, p < 0.001) and repeated compression sutures (12.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.024) were seen in women with previous compression sutures. Over half of the couple declined future fertility after uterine compression sutures with 38.2% of women recalled unpleasant memories and 22.1% reported life-long adverse impact especially tokophobia. CONCLUSION: Majority of women with history of uterine compression sutures had similar menstruation and pregnancy outcomes as compared to those who did not have sutures. However, they had higher intrapartum risk of visceral adhesions, recurrence of hemorrhage and repeated compression sutures next pregnancy. Furthermore, couple could be more susceptible to negative emotional impact.

[Retrospective analysis of associated factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of different types of placenta previa].

Objective: To analyze associated factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of puerperae with different types of placenta previa. Methods: This retrospective research was a case-control study. Puerperae with cesarean section of placenta previa from January 2019 to December 2020 in Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University were collected and divided into the<1 000 ml control group or ≥1 000 ml postpartum hemorrhage group according to the amount of blood loss during cesarean section. Differences in continuous variables were analyzed by t-test and categorical variables were analyzed by χ2 test. The risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression. Results: A total of 962 puerperae were enrolled with 773 cases in the control group and 189 cases in the postpartum hemorrhage group. The incidence of gestational weeks, gravidity, parity, induced abortion, placental accreta and preoperative hemoglobin<110 g/L was significantly different between two groups in different types of placenta previa (P<0.001). Logistic multivariate regression model analysis showed that the independent risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of low-lying placenta included placental accreta (OR=12.713, 95%CI: 4.296-37.625), preoperative hemoglobin<110 g/L (OR=2.377, 95%CI: 1.062-5.321), and prenatal vaginal bleeding (OR=4.244, 95%CI: 1.865-9.656). The independent risk factors of postpartum hemorrhage in the caesarean section of placenta previa included once induced abortion (OR=2.789, 95%CI:1.189-6.544), induced abortion≥2 (OR=2.843, 95%CI:1.101-7.339), placental accreta (OR=6.079, 95%CI:3.697-9.996), HBsAg positive (OR=3.891, 95%CI:1.385-10.929), and placental attachment to the anterior uterine wall (OR=2.307, 95%CI:1.285-4.142). The rate of postpartum hemorrhage and premature delivery in puerperae with placenta previa was higher than that in puerperae with low-lying placenta (P<0.001). Conclusions: The associated factors of postpartum hemorrhage in puerperae with different types of placenta previa are different. Placenta accreta is the common risk factor of postpartum hemorrhage in puerperae with low-lying placenta and placenta previa.

The use of the double uterine segment tourniquet in obstetric hysterectomy for bleeding control in patients with placenta accreta spectrum.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate surgical outcomes of using a double uterine segment tourniquet in obstetric hysterectomy for bleeding control in patients with placenta accreta spectrum. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study conducted at the Central Hospital of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Patients with the diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum who underwent obstetric hysterectomy were included. Two groups were formed: in the first, a double uterine segment tourniquet was used; and in the second, the hysterectomy was performed without a tourniquet. Primary surgical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Forty patients in each group were included. The use of a double uterine segment tourniquet had lower total blood loss compared with the non-tourniquet group (1054.00 ± 467.02 vs. 1528.75 ± 347.12 mL, P = 0.0171) and a lower drop in hemoglobin (1.74 ± 1.10 vs. 2.60 ± 1.25 mg/dL, P = 0.0486). Ten patients (23.80%) in the double tourniquet group required blood transfusion, compared with 26 (65.00%) in the non-tourniquet group (P = 0.0003). Surgical time did not show a statistical difference between groups. CONCLUSION: The use of a uterine segment tourniquet in obstetric hysterectomy may improve surgical outcomes in patients with placenta accreta spectrum with no difference in surgical time and urinary tract lesions.