IMR Press / CEOG / Volume 43 / Issue 5 / DOI: 10.12891/ceog3132.2016

Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology (CEOG) is published by IMR Press from Volume 47 Issue 1 (2020). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.

Original Research
Pelvic arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage: long term results of a single center experience in 29,091 deliveries
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1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Papa Giovanni XXIII” Hospital, Bergamo
2 Department of Medical Surgical Specialties, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Section, University of Catania, Catania
3 Department of Surgery, University of Catania, Catania
4 Department of Gynecologic Ultrasound Imaging, ALTAMEDICA Fetal Maternal Medical Centre, Rome
5 Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology Department, University of Catania, Catania (Italy)
Clin. Exp. Obstet. Gynecol. 2016, 43(5), 733–736; https://doi.org/10.12891/ceog3132.2016
Published: 10 October 2016
Abstract

Purpose of investigation: To evaluate the rate of all postpartum hemorrhages (PPHs) treated with uterine embolization in a third level delivery center. Materials and Methods: Since January 2008 to March 2014, 29,091 deliveries were registered in the present hospital in Bergamo, Italy. Among these deliveries, 2,002 cases (6.8%) of PPHs occurred. Seventy-three patients with severe obstetric hemorrhage underwent uterine artery embolization (UAE) (47 cases, 1.61/1,000 deliveries) or hysterectomy (26 cases, 0.89/1,000 deliveries). All identified cases were followed up by telephone on January 2015 in order to evaluate long term results. Results: Embolization was performed successfully in 45 patients (95.7%). Two women underwent total abdominal hysterectomy: one patient for uterine atony and one for adherent placenta. In the follow up all the women interviewed reported the return of their menstrual cycle and 95.2% of women reported regular cycles. Conclusions: Embolization showed a success rate of 95.7%. For this reason, in the authors’ opinion, it is the best choice as second line treatment of PPH, when patient is hemodynamically stable.
Keywords
Post-partum hemorrhage
Hysterectomy
Uterine artery embolization
Uterine atony
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