OB Hemorrhage - Uterine Balloons Resources

OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness of a large volume, fluid-filled tamponade balloon in the management of post-partum hemorrhage originating from the implantation site of low-lying placenta/placenta previa.
METHODS: A silicone, fluid-filled balloon was designed for tamponade function, with a filling capacity volume of 500 cc of sterile saline, and strength to withstand a maximum internal and external pressure of 300 mmHg. Five women with postpartum bleeding caused by low-lying placenta/placenta previa, and one woman with cervical ectopic pregnancy, underwent a tamponade balloon insertion as a conservative measure in the management of bleeding.
RESULTS: The tamponade balloon was used in five women with post-partum bleeding caused by low-lying placenta/placenta previa, and in one woman with cervical pregnancy. The balloon was effective in controlling post-partum hemorrhage originating from the placental site of the lower uterine segment, and bleeding from the implantation site of cervical ectopic pregnancy.
CONCLUSION: Hemostasis in cases of post-partum bleeding caused by low-lying placenta/placenta previa can be achieved by using a large volume, fluid-filled tamponade balloon.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage remains a leading cause of severe maternal morbidity and death. In addition to the appropriate use of oxytocic agents for uterine atony, surgical techniques, including uterine tamponade, major vessel ligation, compression sutures, and hysterectomy, may be required. On the rare occasions they are needed, the instruments and equipment required for these surgical techniques may not be readily available.
OBJECTIVE: To record our experience with an obstetric hemorrhage equipment tray for surgical management of severe obstetric hemorrhage.
METHODS: A severe obstetric hemorrhage equipment tray was established and included packing (5-yard roll) and balloon device for uterine tamponade, straight (10 cm) eyed-needles and large curved eyed-needles for use with No. 1 suture, 3 Heaney vaginal retractors, 4 sponge forceps, and diagrams and instructions for the various types of compression sutures and tamponade techniques.
RESULTS: Of the 4400 deliveries that occurred at 1 tertiary maternity hospital during 2002, the obstetric hemorrhage tray was used on 9 occasions: 3 Caesarean sections with placenta previa (uterine tamponade used in 2 cases, compression sutures in 1); 2 Caesarean sections with uterine atony (compression sutures); 1 Caesarean section with placenta previa accreta (major vessel ligation and compression sutures); and 3 vaginal deliveries (suturing of cervical and vaginal lacerations in 2 of the cases, uterine tamponade used in the third case). In all cases, hysterectomy was avoided.
CONCLUSION: The ready availability of an obstetric hemorrhage equipment tray on the labour ward facilitates prompt surgical management of severe obstetric hemorrhage, and may reduce the need for blood transfusion and hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Massive postpartum hemorrhage is a major cause of pregnancy-related death in the United States. To date there is no diagnostic test to identify those women with intractable hemorrhage who will need surgery. Delay in making this decision can be catastrophic. The successful use of the inflated stomach balloon of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube as a therapy for obstetric hemorrhage has been reported previously. Using the insertion of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube as a diagnostic test has not been reported. An inflated Sengstaken-Blakemore balloon catheter creates tamponade and identifies those who will or will not need surgery. This is the basis for the "tamponade test." We evaluated the tamponade test in the management of women with massive postpartum hemorrhage.
METHODS: In this prospective study, 16 cases of intractable postpartum hemorrhage were managed by the tamponade test. All 16 women had persistent bleeding despite the maximal and optimal application of conservative measures. Their condition deteriorated, such that surgical intervention was considered mandatory. It was at this predefined end point that the tamponade test was applied.
RESULTS: Fourteen (87.5%) had a positive tamponade test result and therefore did not require surgery. Two (12.5%) had a negative test result and underwent laparotomy.
CONCLUSION: This diagnostic test rapidly identifies those patients with postpartum hemorrhage who will require a laparotomy. Even when results are positive, life-threatening hemorrhage is arrested and time is also allowed to correct any consumptive coagulopathy.

This article reviews our experience with the use of intrauterine tamponade with balloon catheters in the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage. This is a case series report of 23 patients with postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to medical therapy managed with intrauterine balloon tamponade. We identified these patients by International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes and by reviewing labor and delivery logs. Balloon tamponade was attempted in 23 patients. When properly placed, catheters controlled postpartum hemorrhage in 18 of 20 cases (90%). In two cases, hysterectomy was required despite successful placement of the catheter. For hemorrhage due to uterine atony, our success rate was 100% (11/11 cases). In three cases, technical difficulties led to placement failure. For bleeding due to retained placenta, our success rate was 80% (4/5; failure with placenta percreta). Vaginal bleeding was stopped with the catheter in two of three cases of amniotic fluid embolus and in one case after dilation and curettage for postpartum septic shock. Thus balloon tamponade is an effective adjunct in the treatment of severe postpartum hemorrhage, especially when due to uterine atony when medical therapy 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

Postpartum haemorrhage remains a significant complication of childbirth in the UK and worldwide. The most common cause of postpartum haemorrhage is uterine atony, but placent accreta is becoming more frequent. In these situations tamponade may be required. The successful use of the inflated stomach balloon (300ml) of a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube has been reported previously. We describe an innovative method of 'tamponade' which is simple and effective, using the Rüsch urological hydrostatic balloon catheter. In two cases of failed medical therapy for PPH, where the catheter has been tried, further surgical interventions have been avoided.

Tamponade techniques using a uterine balloon in management of postpartum haemorrhage has been reported increasingly in recent years. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the use of the Rusch hydrostatic balloon in the management of severe postpartum haemorrhage not controlled by medical measures. All women had risk factors for PPH. The Rusch balloon was used in all cases of PPH apart from traumatic PPH, which is considered as a contraindication for its use. The Rusch balloon was successful in seven out of the eight cases treated. We have introduced guidelines for using the Rusch balloon and they are provided in this paper.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage can become rapidly catastrophic. If medical management fails, then, according to recent reports, the use of an intrauterine inflated Foley catheter balloon for tamponade gives excellent results and can help avoid invasive procedures.
CASE: We present one case of profuse hemorrhage following evacuation of the fetus after intrauterine fetal death at 17 weeks' gestation controlled with intrauterine balloon tamponade and two cases of severe postpartum hemorrhage (one immediate and one late) following normal vaginal deliveries, both controlled with Foley catheters. In either case the patient required no blood transfusions, and major surgery was avoided.
CONCLUSION: Intrauterine balloon tamponade is highly effective. The catheter is readily available, is not expensive, does not require special training for insertion and, extremely important, can avoid major surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of surgical interventions for control of postpartum hemorrhage.
STUDY DESIGN: At cesarean delivery, patients with persistent bleeding from uterine atony after the administration of oxytonics were treated with the placement of a B-Lynch suture. When the B-Lynch failed, subsequent placement of an intrauterine Bakri balloon followed. This combination is termed the uterine sandwich.
RESULTS: The uterine sandwich was successful for all 5 patients undergoing this approach. The median nadir hematocrit was 21.1% (range 20.1% to 28%). The balloon was in place for a median duration of 11 hours (range 10-24 hours). The median volume infused into the balloon was 100 mL (range 60-250 mL). No complications were observed.
CONCLUSION: Placing an intrauterine Bakri balloon in conjunction with the B-Lynch uterine compression suture was successful in treating uterine atony.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Haemorrhage remains a cause of significant maternal morbidity and mortality. This review summarizes the prevention, management and treatment of obstetric haemorrhage and highlights recent advances and developments.
RECENT FINDINGS: Postpartum haemorrhage is the most common cause of major obstetric haemorrhage and is usually due to uterine atony. Pharmacological treatment has not altered much in recent years with oxytocin and ergometrine remaining first-line options. Although controversy surrounds its advantages over other uterotonics, the use of misoprostol has been increasing, especially in resource-poor countries. Placenta accreta is becoming more common, a sequelae to the rising caesarean section rate. Interventional radiology may reduce blood loss in these cases. Uterine compression sutures, intrauterine tamponade balloons and cell salvage have all made their debut in the last decade.
SUMMARY: Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of obstetric haemorrhage can reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. This review outlines the current evidence.