title: Compressive suture of the lower uterine segment for the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage due to complete placenta previa: a preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of a uterine compression suture technique in controlling hemorrhage after removal of complete placenta previa during cesarean section.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was performed in a tertiary referral hospital and included 18 patients with postpartum hemorrhage following removal of complete placenta previa during elective cesarean section. All 18 patients underwent bilateral anteroposterior compression suture of the lower uterine segment. All patients were followed postpartum for evaluation of uterine cavity and menstrual cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anteroposterior compressive suture of the lower uterine segment achieved immediate complete hemostasis in all 18 patients. No surgical complication was observed. All patients recovered normal menstrual cycles. Normal patency of the uterine cavity was documented with sonohysterography in all patients at the 6-month follow-up visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This quick and simple suture technique seems to be effective in stopping hemorrhage following complete placenta previa removal during cesarean section. Normal patency of the uterine cavity seems not to be impaired at medium-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istituto Ostetrico e Ginecologico Luigi Mangiagalli, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. mauro.penotti@libero.it
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Penotti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vercellini
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bolis
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fedele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010923:Placenta Previa / Q000601:surgery*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*