ROLE OF UTERINE COMPRESSION SUTURES IN MANAGEMENT OF ATONIC POST PARTUM HAEMORRHAGE

Post partum hemorrhage (PPH) is an obstetric emergency that occurs in 1to 5% of both vaginal and cesarean deliveries. PPH is a major cause of maternal mortality morbidity, with sequela such as hemodynamic shock, renal failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulopathy, and sheehans syndrome. Uterine atony is the most common cause of PPH,accounting for 80% of PPH cases. Treatment of PPH due to uterine atony comprises medical and noninvasive treatment. Failure of medical treatment occurs in less than 1% of patients, and surgical methods combined with resuscitative measures will be the line of treatment in them. The prevention and treatment of PPH are therefore vital steps towards improving health care of women during childbirth. The purpose of the uterine compression sutures is to exert persistent mechanical compression to an atonic uterus as a measure to control massive hemorrhage before it results in further complications and ultimately maternal death.