THE EFFICACY OF INTERNAL ILIAC ARTERY LIGATION IN OBSTETRIC HEMORRHAGE

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 160  (3) , 250-253
Abstract
During 1966 to 1982, 18 patients with severe obstetric hemorrhage underwent hypogastric artery ligation. Eight of 14 patients (57%) excluding 3 pregnancies which were terminated and a planned cesarean hysterectomy had failed hypogastric artery ligations necessitating hysterectomy. Placenta accreta accounted for 6 patients of whom 3 required a hysterectomy. Uterine laceration was the 2nd largest cause of hemorrhage in 5 patients, all of whom required a hysterectomy after hypogastric artery ligation failed. Hypogastric artery ligation does have a specific role in the management of obstetric hemorrhage, but it is not without substantial risk of failure. The obstetrician should carefully weigh whether or not the patient can undergo a more conservative procedure at the expense of a delay in the definitive treatment of hemorrhage. The instances presented herein should aid the clinician in deciding what is appropriate management for acute obstetric hemorrhage.

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