CONTROL OF POSTPARTUM UTERINE ATONY BY INTRA-MYOMETRIAL PROSTAGLANDIN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (6) , S47-S50
Abstract
Five patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony and unresponsive to oxytocin, ergonovine and massage were treated with intramyometrial injection of 250 .mu.g of the prostaglandin [PG] (15S)-15-methyl PGF2.alpha.-Tham. Four patients received 2 injections (500 .mu.g), and 1 patient required 1 injection (250 .mu.g). Three (60%) of 5 patients responded successfully with an increase in uterine tone and cessation of uterine hemorrhage, thus obviating the need for hysterectomy. Two patients had no uterine response, possibly because of delayed use of the drug, excessive blood loss and accompanying shock; they required hysterectomy. Intramyometrial injection of PG is an effective and safe method of managing severe postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to oxytocin and ergonovine, but it must be used early during the management of atony to obtain maximum effect. This method should precede surgical management of uterine atony.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: