title: Uterine packing in the management of complete placenta praeuvia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Complete (type 4) placenta praevia is a major cause of haemorrhage in Obstetrics. Uterine packing is an effective but underutilized life-saving intervention in situation of uncontrolled haemorrahage due to major placenta praevia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To reappraise the effectiveness of uterine packing in the management of complete placenta praevia in order to popularize the practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven case series of complete placenta praevia were managed with uterine packing in Enugu, Nigeria between January 2, 2012 and February 28, 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous Caesarean delivery (85.71%) was the commonest identified risk factor for complete placenta praevia. Uterine packing was effective in preventing blood transfusion in 57.14% of the cases, and further post-operative intervention in 85.71%.Peripartum hysterectomy and maternal death were 100% avoidable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uterine packing is an effective life-saving intervention in management of complete placenta praevia. The technique should be considered whenever there is uncontrollable haemorrage following complete placenta praevia.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Okafori
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Ugwu
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Obis
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Nwogu-Ikojo
mesh_terms: D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010923:Placenta Previa / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome