title: The boldest procedure possible for checking the bleeding--a new look at an old operation, and a series of 13 cases from an Australian hospital.
abstract: Ligation of the internal iliac (hypogastric) arteries in cases of massive obstetric and gynaecological haemorrhage can be a life-saving operation, but it has never been widely practised in the British gynaecological tradition. There may be historical reasons for this. A series of 13 cases is presented from one Australian hospital over a 5-year period, and a very low rate of Caesarean hysterectomy is demonstrated. A wider knowledge of the technique is recommended. Alternative methods of management, including angiographic embolization and the use of prostaglandins are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Kirwan Hospital for Women, Townsville, North Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Likeman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000601:surgery; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D008026:Ligation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy; D011793:Queensland