Aortic Compression to Control Massive Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Kim, Gwang Jun; Kim, Suk Young; Yoon, Sung Jun; Lee, Soon Pyeu; Choi, Yu Duk; Lee, Eui Don

Obstet Gynecol Sci > Volume 46(8); 2003 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2003;46(8):1577-1584.
Published online August 1, 2003.

Aortic Compression to Control Massive Postpartum Hemorrhage.

Gwang Jun Kim, Suk Young Kim, Sung Jun Yoon, Soon Pyeu Lee, Yu Duk Choi, Eui Don Lee

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Gachon Medical School, Gil Hospital, Inchon, Korea.

Abstract

Traditionally postpartum hemorrhage is a bleeding more than 500 ml that occurs immediately after the placenta is delivered. It remains one of the most common causes of maternal mortality. Morbid adhesion of the placenta is emerging as a major cause of massive postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to medical therapy. We experienced three cases of major postpartum hemorrhage over 5,000 ml, developed from anterior placenta previa totalis with adhesion of placenta. The hemorrhage had been controlled successfully by compressing abdominal aorta intermittently with the operator's hand during Cesarean hysterectomy. In immediate life- threatening postpartum hemorrhage this simple and safe technique can be used in slowing the bleeding while stabilizing the patient and preparing for definitive treatment.

Key Words: Postpartum hemorrhaege, Placenta previa totalis, Aortic compression