Single square hemostatic suture for postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to describe a novel technique for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage and evaluate its effectiveness and safety.

METHODS

Single square hemostatic suture was performed for uterine atony when postpartum hemorrhage did not respond to medical therapy and bilateral uterine artery ligation. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 11 women and evaluated their endometrial cavity with hydrosonography after a follow-up period of 8-34 months.

RESULTS

The single square hemostatic suture successfully stopped bleeding in all of the cases. Of the 11 women, 2 could not be traced. Menstruation started without delay in nine women. One of the women achieved pregnancy 25 months after surgery. The six women who underwent hydrosonography had an intact endometrial cavity.

CONCLUSIONS

For women who desire future fertility, and when bilateral uterine artery ligation is not sufficient to control PPH, single square suturing may be used as an effective and safe procedure.