POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE (PPH) – “TIME IS OF GREAT ESSENCE MANAGEMENT
Peripartum hemorrhage remains one of the main causes of maternal mortality for decades worldwide.
A key element of the hemostatic management is the development of standard operatingprotocols combining surgical as well as medical and hemostatic treatments depending on the cause and severity of bleeding.
The presentation comprises the significance of using newer uterotonics, tranexamic acid, blood products such as FFP platelets , PRBC .
In addition :the significance of antenatal evaluation and preparedness, vigilant monitoring and quick decision making in dealing with obstetric haemorrhage goes a long way in reducing morbidity.
DISCUSSION:
The three take away messages
PPH is any bleeding >500ml on mean within 24hrs of birth .
But it is recommended to be in individualizedbased on the antenatal risk factors andgeographical factors the women belongs to .
The first step of PPH is to recognize that.
PPH is not a diagnosis but it’s a clinical sign of an underlying condition that by itself requires diagnosis.
Though not predicable the major morbidities and mortalities caused by PPH is entirely preventable only by Vigilant Monitoring of not only High Risk But Also Low Risk women and the swiftness and certainty of the team is the greatest predictor of the outcome .
STANDARD OPERATING PROTOCOL - (PPH)
It is highly recommended that every obstetric department develop SOP adopted to its location ,infrastructure and logistics.
SOP should clearly aim to identify PPH at the earliest ,have an escalating mode of management ,draft transfusion protocols checkout the short term and long term mobilities, derive strong consensus for high risk obstetrics.
Assessing biochemical parameters during early labour in all high risk women .
Prophylactic uterotonics .
Cross matching samples.
AMTSL.
Our hospital prefers – inj carbetocin (better shelf life )100ug in during delivery of baby .
Prior information to from blood bank.
Obstetrician and paramedical team on site.
Experienced anesthetist on call.
“TIME IS OF GREAT ESSENCE MANAGEMENT”
A difficult situation of antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage is an enormous source of stress for the team and the patient as well.
Here we highlight the two significant cases..
CASES-1
30years | G2P1L1 | Pre caesarean delivery | term /Anemia treated with iron sucrose antenatally / late onset severe preeclampsia ( diagnosed a week back ) / |admitted ( first visit ) on 14/05/2021 @ 8.00 Am with C/O bleeding P/V diagnosed ---ABRUPTION with DI C – Grade IV (with IUD & HELLP ) UNDERWENT laparotomy AT 08.30 AM – intrauterine – dead fetus delivered and retroplacental clots-800gm removed / couvelaire uterus.
Packed RBC and FFPS’AND Platelets transfused .
Postoperatively Patient had central serous retinopathy managed conservatively with CT and opthal opinion
DISCUSSION -
Early intervention in pre eclampsia would have prevented morbidities
Pre eclampsia and anemia is a dreaded combination
It takes just few hours for a pre eclampsia women to land up in HELLP / DIC /IUD – so a vigilant monitoring and stringent protocol is absolutely essential.
CASES-2
G2P1L1 | Pre FTND |booked and immunised outside/ admitted in active phase of labour @ 03.15 pm ( second visit)with thick meconium ,labour progressed well deliverd safe @ 04.35 pm .
Interestingly we found the OS closing within 5 mins of delivery without expulsion of placenta DURING THIRD PHASE OF LABOUR
Patient taken up for vaginal exploration and manual removal of placenta under shout GA @ ---The ends of placenta could not be reached, only the few cotyteledons were palpable on the left cornual end of the uterine cavity.
Decieded for emergency laparotomy @_05.30 pm with high risk consent .
INTRAOP FINDINGS :
BICORNUATE uterus with a communication -placenta in the left horn –at about 500ml of clots in the right horn.
DISCUSSION
A previous normal delivery doesn’t necessarily rule out uterine anomalies
All retained placentae need not be given 30 min separation time.
Uterus is a wonder organ as always - in this case we saw the cavity closes as soon as its empty.
Need not panic about the closing os – understanding the basic physiology would help in diagnosis.
AS ALWAYS KNOWN- MANY UTERINE ANOMALIES ARE DIAGNOSED PERIPARTUM .
During Dec 2020 –Nov 2021 , we encountered eleven cases of postparatum hemorrhage
each with different etiology - constitutes incidence of 10% of deliveries .
SEVERITYCAUSES
MAJOR PPH - 9 , MINOR PPH - 2ATONICITY-9, TISSUE -1, THROMBIN -1
Hysterectomy is one of the common gynecological surgery performed through abdominal/ vaginal /laparoscopic routes. Vaginal techniques have been practiced for centuries, but has been outdated especially in recent years after the practice of Laparoscopic hysterectomies. This is due to lack of training and enthusiasm among evolving gynecologist and due to misconception that abdomen route is safer and easier.
Vaginal route is the least invasive route of all, utilizing a naturally existing anatomical orifice .
The ease and convenience offered by an abdominal incision have led to the preponderance of abdominal hysterectomies.
However proper selection of patient is a critical factor is determining the success of vaginal procedures.
Lack of expertise and curve in learning the technique has major impact on choosing the route of hysterectomies.
In our center hysterectomy is performed by Laparoscopic, Abdominal and vaginal routes.
However we prefer the later route as we find it less time consuming and cost effective for patients.
CASE DISCUSSION - I:
48years Mrs. S , Heavy menstrual bleeding -6 years, Fibroid uterus 14 weeks - 5 cm Intra manual fibroid with Adenomyosis.
Patient was a K/C/O systemic Lupus erythematosus on immunosuppressants.
With H/O lung involvement four years back for which she underwent tracheostomy.
She had several risk factors like hypertension, Renal impairment secondary to SLE/morbid obesity.
We opted for trial vaginal Hysterectomy as even Laparoscopic on abdominal route was risky often this patient.
Patient underwent vaginal Hysterectomy with multi disciplinary perioperative case and was discharged 4 th post operative day.
CASE DISCUSSION - II:
44 years Mrs. X, A P2L2 / Sterilised.
K/C/ - Fibroid Uterus, submucosal with 3cm fibroid polyp protruding through the os.
With C/O - Heavy menstrual bleeding and pain 1yrs.
P/V - Uterus 12week mobile, VTT positive. Underwent vaginal Hysterectomy for non descent Uterus.
Patient discharged on II POD.
DISCUSSION - DOCTORS CORNER:
NDVH is a Passion of Gynec Surgeon.
Vaginal route is the safest and most cost effective route because of shorter hospital stay,
No visible scar .
No risk of General Anesthesia hence can be used in cases with Cardio Pulmonary complications where Laparoscopic route is difficult.
More time Saving is experienced hands. Laparoscopic route is associated with increased operating times and risk injuries.
Quick recovery and early discharge.
Using single clamps is easier in difficulty cases with decreased space.
