Successful treatment of combined vaginal and broad ligament hematoma using pelvic pressure pack and arterial embolization

Objective:To assess using the pelvic pressure pack as temporizing treatment for combined vaginal and broad ligament hematoma before selective arterial embolization could be undertaken.Methods:A 29-year-old woman was transferred because of a 10cm right upper vaginal hematoma found shortly after the spontaneous delivery of a 3400g infant at term.Following evacuation of the clots,the patient’s condition deteriorated with the appearance of a painful right pelvic mass,displacing the uterus.At laparotomy,the hematoma extended between the folds of the broad ligament into the pelvic sidewall.After evacuation of the clots,hemostasis failed despite subtotal hysterectomy.Eventually a pressure pack created from joined gauze rolls was used to fill up the pelvic cavity and achieved hemostasis before abdominal closure.When the vaginal pack was removed 30 hours later,vaginal bleeding recurred,and bilateral hypogastric embolization was performed with Gianturco coils.Results:The patient was successfully treated by this way and discharged uneventfully.Conclusion:In combined vaginal and broad ligament hematoma,pelvic pressure pack can be used to ensure maternal survival until definitive treatment with angiographic embolization.