Case Report

A Life-Threatening Uterine Inversion and Massive Post Partum Hemorrhage Caused by Uterine Atony in A Primigravida Uterine Inversion

10.4274/Haseki.1016

  • Işıl Uzun Çilingir
  • Volkan Atalay
  • Ayşe Karahasanoğlu
  • Barış Kaya
  • Işık Akın

Med Bull Haseki 2013;51(3):139-140

Uterine inversion is a rare and life-threatening complication of third stage of labour. It has been reported that the incidence of uterine inversion varies between 1 in 550 and 1 in several thousand in normal deliveries. The high maternal mortality rate may be attributed to associated life-threatening blood loss and shock. Herein, we report the case of a primiparous patient with uterine inversion in whom hysterectomy was performed in order to control bleeding.

Keywords: Uterin inversiyon, histerektomi, postpartum kanama, atoni

Introduction

Uterine inversion is a life treating complication of vaginal delivery. If It is not recognized and treated immediately, life-threatening bleeding and shock may occur. The reported incidence varies between one in 2148 and one in 6407 births (1,2).

We present the case of a primiparous patient with uterine inversion in whom hysterectomy was performed in order to control bleeding.


Case

20 years old nulliparous patient was admıtted with regular contractions at the 41 weeks of gestation.She had no medical problems and all investigations were between normal limits. Oxytocin was used for augmentation. After 12 hours she gave a 3600 gr healthly boy. She had an uneventful vaginal delivery. The placenta remained adherent despite intermittent controlled cord traction. Nearly 20 minutes later, the placenta was at the cervical os. At this time, approximately 500 ml fresh blood loss has been occured. On the physical examination, the uterus was totally inverted. The placenta came spontaneously with further heavy blood loss of approximately 500 ml. There was no evidence of placenta accreta at the inspection of placanta.

A clinical diagnosis of acute inversion of uterus was made. Under anesthesia, vaginal manual reposition was attempted, which failed due to tight cervical ring. Total blood loss was estimated to be 1000 ml. Finally, abdominal reposition was planned and she was operated by Haultain’s technique.After reposition of the uterus ıntra venous oxytocin and metergine was adminestered to provide uterine contractions. Uterine contractions were not satisfactory to maintain hemostasis. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation following bilateral uterine artery ligation were attempted to control bleeding , but, both were unsuccessful. At this time the patient’s general condition was worsened. A heart rate of 150 beats/ minute, a thready pulse, prolonged capillary refill time, and an unrecordable arterial pressure was observed.. At the end of 5 units of packed red blood cells transfusion her haemoglobin was 5 g/ dl. The decision was to perform hysterectomy because of ongoing severe blood loss.

Her post-transfusion haemoglobin at the end of the operation was 8 g/ dl. She was totally transfused with 8 units of packed red blood cells. Her subsequent recovery was uneventful and she was discharged at the 8th day of the operation.


Discussion

Uterine inversion is the displacement of the fundus of the uterus. Uterine inversion usually occurrrs during the third stage of labour. It is a complete inversion when the fundus passes through the cervix, or incomplete if it remains above this level (3).

The causes of uterine inversion are not completely understood (2,3).

The cases of uterine inversion has been investigated in several retrospective studies. It has been reported that the range of estimated blood loss was between 500– 2500 ml (4). Details of 11 uterine inversions were investigated in a retrospective study and a blood transfusion of between 2 and 5 U of packed red cells were made only in three of these patients. Also cardiac arrest associated with uterine inversion has been reported as a case report (5).

Managament of uterine inversion should be step wise, comprising of non-surgical and surgical approaches. Surgical procedures are indicated when manual reduction fails. İn our case the uterus was repositioned successfully by Haultain’s technique, but uterine atony as a result necessiated hysterectomy

Address for Correspondence/Yazışma Adresi: Işıl Uzun Çilingir
Acıbadem Bakırköy Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul, Turkey
E-mail: [email protected]
Received/Geliş Tarihi: 03 Şubat 2013 Accepted/Kabul Tarihi: 18 Mart 2013


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