Obstetric Hemorrhage during the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Experience in a University Hospital in Guinea

Aims: Obstetric hemorrhage, especially during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, causes maternal, fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. We attempted to characterize its clinical features in Guinea. The objectives of this study were to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, identify the causes and contributing factors, describe the management and evaluate the maternal-fetal prognosis in such patients. Methods: We retrieved and analyzed patients with 3rd trimester hemorrhage whom we managed at Ignace Deen National Hospital, Guinea during 1-year period (1st of December 2019-30th of November 2020). Results: We experienced recorded 401 patients with 3rd trimester obstetric hemorrhage out of 5468 deliveries during the corresponding period;the rate being 7.33%. The main causes were as follows: placental hematoma (65.33%), placenta previa (27.68%) and uterine rupture (6.99%). The socio-demographic profiles were as follows: the age group of 25 - 29 years (28.42%), married (94.51%), uneducated (50.12%), and with a liberal profession. (43.64%) and pauciparous (30.42%). The conditions were considered to be preventable by managing risk factors during the prenatal consultation (PNC): 7.73% underwent no PNC. Cesarean accounted for 84.78% of patients. Prognosis was as follows: 14 maternal deaths (3.45% of a fatality), 34.66% of anemia, and 16.95% of hemorrhagic shock. Fetal/neonatal prognoses were poor. Conclusion: Obstetric hemorrhage during 3rd trimester remains the main cause of poor outcomes in Guinea. This study identified that this type of hemorrhage still represents an important cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in developing countries.

Acute Care/Trauma Surgeon＇s role in obstetrical/ gynecologic emergencies (The OBCAT Alert)

BACKGROUND:Overwhelming hemorrhage or other intra-abdominal complications may be associated with obstetrical or gynecologic(OB/GYN) procedures and may require the surgical training of an Acute Care/Trauma Surgeon.The OB Critical Assessment Team(OBCAT Alert) was developed at our institution to facilitate a multidisciplinary response to complex OB/GYN cases.We sought to review and characterize the Acute Care/Trauma Surgeon's role in these cases.METHODS:We conducted a retrospective review of all emergency consults during an OB/GYN case at our institution from 2008 to 2015.An OBCAT is a hospital based alert system designed to immediately notify OB/GYN,anesthesiology,Acute Care/Trauma,the intensive care unit(ICU),and the blood bank of a potential emergency during an OB/GYN case.RESULTS:There were 7±3 OBCAT alerts/year.Seventeen patients required Acute Care/Trauma surgery intervention for hemorrhage.Thirteen patients required damage control packing during their hospitalization.Blood loss averaged 6.8±5.5 L and patients received a total of 21±14units during deliveries with hemorrhage.There were 17 other surgical interventions not related to hemorrhage;seven of these cases were related to adhesions or intestinal injury.Seven additional cases required evaluation post routine OB/GYN procedure;the most common reason was for severe wound complications.There were three deaths during this study period.CONCLUSION:Emergency OB/GYN cases are associated with high morbidity and may require damage control or other surgical techniques in cases of overwhelming hemorrhage.Acute Care/Trauma Surgeons have a key role in the treatment of these complex cases.

Sick sinus syndrome associated with hypopituitarism:a case report and literature review

Though an association between autoimmune diseases and sick sinus syndrome has been reported,there has been no report on the association of hypopituitarism and sick sinus syndrome.Herein,we provide the first case report of hypopituitarism accompanying sick sinus syndrome in a 51-year-old woman presented to our hospital with syncope due to cardiac arrest.The patient was successfully managed by pacemaker installation and hormone replacement therapy.

Early vs. Delayed Cord Clamping at Full-Term Planned Cesarean Section: A Randomized Study

Objective: In cesarean section (CS), which, early vs. delayed cord clamping is better for neonatal and maternal hematocrit/hemoglobin level is not yet completely determined. This randomized controlled study attempted to determine this issue. Methods: Study population consisted of 64 full-term pregnant women/neonates undergoing planned CS: 32 received early cord clamping (ECC: 15 seconds after birth) and 32 delayed cord clamping (DCC: 90 seconds). We measured and analyzed 1) neonatal hematocrit at the first 24 - 48 hours, and 2) maternal-hemoglobin-change before and after CS. Results: Infants with ECC and DCC showed hematocrit (24 - 48 hours) of 57.47 ± 8.65 vs. 59.54 ± 7.67, showing no significant difference. Also, no significant differences were observed in the change in maternal hemoglobin in two groups. Conclusions: Cord clamping at 15 vs. 90 seconds did not yield neonatal hematocrit change or maternal hemoglobin change. As far as the present data (neonatal and maternal anemia) was concerned, cord may be clamped at 15 seconds in planned term CS.

The Active Management of Postpartum Uterine Atony—A Checklist Based Approach

Uterine atony remains the major cause of postpartum hemorrhage, and of death from postpartum hemorrhage in the United States. While existing guidelines outlining a general approach to postpartum hemorrhage are useful, recent data suggest that greater specificity may be necessary to significantly impact mortality. We present a highly specific and methodical approach to the management of uterine atony, which addresses what we believe to be the most common cause of preventable maternal hemorrhagic death in the US—lack of an intensive, focused approach to atony and perseverance with therapies that are not working. This protocol should result in cessation of hemorrhage by medical or surgical means within 1 hour of diagnosis. We then apply this protocol to a number of illustrative cases of maternal death due to atony. An approach involving the active management of uterine atony may assist clinicians in avoiding severe morbidity and mortality from uterine atony.

The Usefulness of Zhukovsky Double Balloon in Obstetric Hemorrhage

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of a modified Zhukovsky double(vaginal and uterine)balloon to improve the results of treatment in women with obstetric hemorrhage.Methods:We conducted an observational controlled study including 701 puerperas,which were divided into two groups:The main group consisted of 508 women,who underwent a combined management,that is,traditional(transfusion of fresh frozen plasma,erythrocyte mass,uterotonics,hemostatic agents),surgical hemostasis in cases of caesarean section,and insertion of a double Zhukovsky balloon;while the comparison group included 193 patients,who were managed traditionally.The main group and the comparison group were divided into subgroups according to the main etiology of obstetric hemorrhage:ⅠA andⅠB-postpartum;ⅡA andⅡB-placenta accreta;ⅢA andⅢB-postpartum hysterectomy.Results:The most frequent causes of massive obstetric hemorrhage were atony of the uterus(39.2%),placenta previa(29.1%),and placental abruption(11.5%).Of the 508 balloon insertions,345(70.7%)were inserted for hemorrhage during cesarean section and 148(29.3%)for obstetric hemorrhage after spontaneous delivery.Among the obstetric hemorrhage at caesarean section,lower segment bleeding prevailed(78.1%),caused mainly by placenta previa,placenta accreta,placental abruption,polyhydramnios,and uterine scar defects.Combined management,including surgical hemostasis and insertion of vaginal and uterine balloon of Zhukovsky,reduced blood loss by 1.5 times and the number of hysterectomies by 6.72 times compared to controls.Conclusion:The use of a modified Zhukovsky double balloon in the management of obstetric hemorrhage may reduce the number of hysterectomies and the amount of blood loss.

How Learning from Trauma Benefits the Obstetric Population?Damage Control Surgery

The recent implementation of trauma-validated damage control strategies in severe postpartum hemorrhage proves the importance of interdisciplinary management in the obstetric patient.Massive hemorrhage control techniques and damage control surgery are clear examples of how learning from trauma can benefit the obstetric population.Currently,most obstetric programs do not include training in this type of interventions.Nevertheless,it has been shown that these interventions are useful in the management of severe postpartum hemorrhage.The aim of this article is to introduce the application of damage control surgery principles in the management of massive obstetric hemorrhage.We propose to include appropriate training and the implementation of damage control surgery in obstetric management protocols.The prompt application of damage control principles can be considered in patients with persistent hemodynamic instability despite control of the source of bleeding.