Control of postpartum and post abortal haemorrhage with uterine packing.

OBJECTIVE To determine safety and effectiveness of uterine packing to stop hemorrhage in postpartum and post abortal cases. METHODS Patients who delivered either vaginally or via Caesarian section who developed primary post partum haemorrhage and post abortal patients developing primary post partum haemorrhage refractory to conventional medical treatment, were included in the study. Packing was done using 8-10 meters sterilized gauze from the fundus to cervix and was left for 12-24 hours or removed earlier in cases of failure to control hemorrhage. Morbidity and effectiveness was assessed. RESULTS Intractable primary hemorrhage was encountered in 20 patients of whom 2 had bleeding after caesarian section, 14 after vaginal delivery and 4 patients had post abortal haemorrhage. Uterine atony was the commonest cause. Failure of packing to control haemorrhage was seen in 3 cases. It was successful in 17 cases. CONCLUSION Whether used early or late in the management of post partum haemorrhage, uterine packing is a safe, quick and effective procedure.