B-Lynch suture: a case series.

OBJECTIVE

To report an 8-year institutional experience in the use of the B-Lynch Suture for the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

STUDY DESIGN

Cases with B-Lynch suture utilization for severe postpartum hemorrhage were identified, from March 1997 to March 2005, at White Memorial Medical Center. Case charts were reviewed, and postoperative follow-up after hospital discharge was conducted by telephone interview and outpatient clinic chart review. Historical characteristics and outcome of these patients are described.

RESULTS

B-Lynch suture was performed on 22 patients, between March 1997 and March 2005, to control intractable PPH at cesarean section that did not respond to uterotonic agents. In 12 instances, the B-Lynch suture was the only intervention, whereas in 10 it was combined with vessel ligation. The procedure resulted in control of bleeding with uterine preservation in 77% of the cases. In those cases where the etiology of PPH was uterine atony, the B-Lynch suture was successful in 85% of the cases. Hysterectomy was avoided in 17/22 cases.

CONCLUSION

The B-Lynch suture is an alternative surgical procedure for uterine preservation that may be used to control postpartum hemorrhage from uterine atony.