Early identification and conservative treatment of postpartum hemorrhage in the lower uterine segment after vaginal delivery

Objective: This study examined the efficacy of pulling down the cervix and packing it in the vaginal fornix (PC-PVF) on postpartum hemorrhage in the lower uterine segment (PPH-LUS). Methods: All cases of PPH-LUS after vaginal delivery at two tertiary hospitals between January 2019 and December 2022 were retrospectively investigated. Patients treated successfully with conservative measures were divided into routine treatment only (40 patients), routine treatment + early PC-PVF (33 patients), and routine treatment + late PC-PVF (51 patients) groups. Routine treatment consisted of uterine massage, uterotonics, and tranexamic acid administration. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by comparing the volume and rate of bleeding within 24 h after delivery. Results: A total of 124 patients were treated conservatively, except for three patients who underwent laparotomy for hemostasis after PC-PVF failed for incomplete rupture of the lower uterine segment. The efficacy of treatment was 44% (40/91) for routine treatment only and 100% when combined with PC-PVF for PPH-LUS. There was no significant difference in maternal age, gestational week, neonatal weight, and Apgar score. But the total blood loss in the conventional treatment + early PC-PVF group (657.27 ml +/- 131.61 ml) was significantly lower than that in the other two groups, which was 847.13 ml +/- 250.37 ml(p < .01) and 1040.78 ml +/- 242.70 ml (p < .01), respectively. The bleeding rate in the routine treatment + early PC-PVF group decreased significantly after tamponade. Conclusions: PC-PVF is a safe and effective treatment for PPH-LUS. Early identification of PPH-LUS and prompt application of PC-PVF can effectively reduce blood loss after vaginal delivery.