Clinical Value of Arterial Embolization Treatment on Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinic value of super selective transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) treatment on severe postpartum hemorrhage(PPH). Methods Between August 2002 and December 2008, 28 patients did not work on the drugs treatment of severe postpartum hemorrhage, including 25 cases(89.3%)of uterine inertia and 3 cases(10.7%) of placenta previa which were performed super selective transcatheter arterial (uterine artery or iliac artery) embolization with absorbable gelatin sponge (gelfoam particles) by Seldinger technique in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Beijing General Army Hospital. Results Bleeding was cessation after super selective arterial embolization in all patients(another 3 cases accept arterial embolization of ovary). Duration of surgery lasted 35~65 minutes, and the average time was 50 minutes. Both of the catheterization and bleeding halt successful rates were 100%. The follow-up study showed that 28 patients had normal menstrual periods in the next 12 months and no serious complications were found. Conclusion Super selective transcatheter arterial embolization is an effective method for severe postpartum hemorrhage with the characteristics of fast hemostasis and safe mini-invasive therapy. Key words: uterine artery; iliac artery embolization; postpartum hemorrhage