Clinical characteristics, treatment indications and treatment algorithm for post-partum hematomas

Abstract

Aim: Post-partum hematomas are a serious obstetrical complication. Choosing treatments for post-partum hematomas is difficult, and the application of transcatheter arterial embolization remains unclear. We aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics, identify the treatment indications and create a treatment algorithm for post-partum hematomas.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with post-partum hematomas were enrolled. Hematomas were categorized according to location: upper vaginal, lower vaginal and vulvar. Blood loss, treatment methods and other clinical data were collected from the patients' medical records and analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Five, 19 and 30 patients had upper vaginal wall, lower vaginal wall and vulvar hematomas, respectively. All upper vaginal wall hematomas required transcatheter arterial embolization to control bleeding, and the average blood loss was 2473 ± 1689 mL. Most lower vaginal wall hematomas were treated surgically; however, two patients required transcatheter arterial embolization, and the average blood loss in these patients was much higher (2010 ± 1145 mL) than that in patients with lower vaginal wall hematomas (395 ± 316 mL). No patient with vulvar hematomas was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization. Two and four patients with vulvar and lower vaginal wall hematomas, respectively, were managed with observation.

Conclusion: We created an algorithm for post-partum hematoma management. Post-partum hematoma location should guide treatment selection. Transcatheter arterial embolization should be selected for upper vaginal wall hematomas. Most lower vaginal wall hematomas are treatable with surgery, but transcatheter arterial embolization should be considered for hemostasis in difficult cases. Management with observation may also be possible for lower vaginal wall and vulvar hematomas.

Keywords: post-partum hematoma; post-partum hematoma treatment algorithm; supralevator hematoma; transcatheter arterial embolization; vaginal wall hematoma.