title: Successful control of atonic primary postpartum haemorrhage and prevention of hysterectomy, using i.v. prostaglandin E2.
abstract: Primary postpartum haemorrhage remains an important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in England and Wales, despite the fact that avoidable causes can be identified in more than half the cases. The management of this potentially dangerous condition has been considered to be far from satisfactory. Conventional methods of management include the administration of oxytocin and ergometrine, and the use of bimanual compression. If these methods fail, surgical intervention, such as ligation of the hypogastric or internal iliac artery or even a hysterectomy, may be necessary. The full therapeutic potential of prostaglandin E2 in the management of atonic postpartum haemorrhage has not been widely recognised, even though it has been used successfully. We report one such case of atonic postpartum haemorrhage in which IV infusion of prostaglandin E2 was used with favourable results after conservative methods failed, thus avoiding a hysterectomy.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Countess of Chester Hospital.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mamo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015232:Dinoprostone