Control of postpartum hemorrhage with uterine packing.

Abstract

A historic survey of the literature and nine recent examples of uterine packing for control of postpartum hemorrhage are presented. Once a frequently practiced art, intracavitary packing for the control of uterine postpartum bleeding became a lost skill to most physicians after the 1950s. Objections to the practice are presented through a review of the literature. The technique of uterine packing is critical in the control of hemorrhage and is briefly reviewed. Whether used early or late in patient management, uterine packing for the control of postpartum hemorrhage is a safe, quick, and effective procedure.