Effectiveness of Foleys Intrauterine Balloon Tamponade in Management of Postpartum Haemorrhage and Factors Associated With its Failure; A Tertiary Care Experience

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and factors associated with the failure of intrauterine balloon tamponade (IUBT) in managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).
METHODOLOGY

We conducted a retrospective observational study including data from 160 patients aged 21-30 years at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, managed for PPH with IUBT, after failed medical treatment from Jan 2020 to December 2021. Data were collected retrospectively in three months, from January to March 2022. IUBT was successful if, after 24 hours of insertion, no or less than 100ml bleeding occurred.
RESULTS

Among the patients managed by IUBT, the majority had uterine atony (81.25%), 17.5% had lower segment hemorrhage, and 1.25% of cases had a placental abruption. The mean estimated blood loss was 1263.7±398.7 ml. The procedure was successful in 89.3% of cases. Sixteen patients underwent a hysterectomy for failed IUBT. There were six maternal deaths, mainly due to acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Between the successful and unsuccessful cases of IUBT, there was a statistically significant difference in the gravidity, mode of delivery, gestations, booking, peripartum BP, pulse rate, hemoglobin, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), blood loss during the procedure, DIC, and intensive care unit admissions (p<0.00). The median hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets count, and lymphocytes were significantly higher before IUBT insertion (p<0.00).
CONCLUSION

IUBT is an effective, easy-to-use, inexpensive, and safe tool in the management of PPH. Low hemoglobin, thrombocytopenia, high PT, aPTT, and DIC are associated with low success rates