3. Introduction
Relatively uncommon
± serious morbidity & even maternal death.
± difficult to diagnose
{symptoms non-specific and
bleeding is often concealed}.
Haematoma:
localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels
> 2.5 cm
4. Incidence
1:300 to 1:1000 deliveries
(Thakar and Sultan 2009)
>4 cm: 1/1000 deliveries.
Supralevator < infralevator
Surgical intervention:
1/1000 deliveries
5. Types
I. Infralevator:
below the levator ani muscle
usually around vulva, perineum& lower vagina
1. Vulval:
limited to the vulval tissues superficial to the
anterior urogenital diaphragm.
Haematoma: evident on the vulva.
9. 3. Paravaginal
confined to the paravaginal tissues
in the space bounded
inferiorly by the pelvic diaphragm and
superiorly by the cardinal ligament.
not obvious externally but can be diagnosed by
vaginal examination.
often occludes the vaginal canal
extends into the ischiorectal fossa.
10. II. Supralevator: Supravaginal= Subperitoneal
Spread
Upwards&outwards beneath the broad lig. or
Downwards to bulge into the wall of the upper
vagina, or
Backwards into the retroperitoneal space.
13. Aetiology
Injury
Direct: episiotomy, forceps or
Indirect: stretching of the birth canal as the fetus
passes through.
80 %: failure to achieve haemostasis
e.g. at the apex of an episiotomy or tear.
20 %: concealed ruptured vessel with an
apparently intact perineum
50 %: spontaneous delivery.
15. I. Infralevator
Usually associated with vaginal birth
1.Vuval or vulvovagial
injury to the branches of the pudendal artery:
posterior rectal
transverse perineal
posterior labial arteries
2. Paravaginal
Injury to descending branch of the uterine artery.
17. II. Supralevator
Injury to uterine artery branches in the broad lig.
May occur after spontaneous birth
More commonly
operative vaginal birth
difficult CS
Due to an extension of a tear of the cervix, vaginal
fornix or uterus
19. Presentation and differential diagnosis
Onset
usually within a few hours of delivery.
Speed of diagnosis depend on
extent of the bleeding
associated consequences
level of awareness of medical staff.
20. Classical symptoms
Pain:
Excessive perineal pain is a hallmark symptom
Should prompt pelvic examination.
Over a few days in a small haematoma in an
episiotomy
Restlessness
Rectal tenesmus
Constant need to empty bowels within a few
hours after birth
21. Collapse:
within a few hours of delivery in large haematoma
Bleeding
Continued vaginal: if haematoma ruptures into the
vagina
DD: other causes of PPH: e.g. atonic uterus.
Rare symptoms
Retention of urine
unexplained pyrexia.
22. Vulval and vulvovaginal haematomas
Typical symptoms:
pain and swelling in the perineum.
DD:
abscesses.
pain of an episiotomy
tear or
haemorrhoids: Examination
23. Paravaginal haematomas
Typical symptoms:
Rectal pain
lower abdominal pain (often vague)
symptoms of hypovolaemia: often out of
proportion to revealed blood loss.
These non-specific symptoms can readily be
attributed to other causes: delay the correct
diagnosis.
24. Supravaginal haematoma
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain
no vaginal symptoms.
Signs
hypovolaemia: collapse.
shock: elevated pulse, decreased BP, pale,
sweaty, clammy, dizzy
Abdominal examination:
uterus is deviated upward and laterally, to the
opposite side from the broad ligament
haematoma.
DD:
pelvic mass: abscess
intra-abdominal bleeding.
25. Investigations
Blood tests
CBC
Coagulation screen
mandatory {determine baseline values}
should be repeated as necessary.
Cross matching
according to the clinical picture.
{Transfusion more likely with paravaginal and
subperitoneal than with vulval haematomas}.
26. Imaging
US, CT and MRI
diagnosing haematomas above pelvic
diaphragm
assess any extension into the pelvis
MRI
location, size and extent of a haematoma
monitoring progress or resolution.
DD between other causes of a pelvic mass:
abscess or endometrioma.
28. Assessment: high index of suspicion is required.
Prompt examination of vulva, perineum, vagina:
Identify site of haematoma
Whether it is still expanding
Estimate blood loss
often underestimated
Monitor ongoing blood loss:
29. 1. Resuscitative measures
First line of treatment.
Fluid replacement:
crystalloids/colloids: Hartmann’s, sodium
chloride 0.9 %, Gelafusine
Assessment of coagulation status:
essential if
heavy bleeding or
signs of hypovolaemia.
Blood should be available for transfusion.
Urinary catheter
monitor fluid balance
avoid possible urinary retention resulting from
pain, oedema or the pressure of a vaginal pack.
30. 2. Conservative management
Indication
Small (5 cm), static haematomas
Not for
Larger haematomas:
{longer stays in hospital
An increased need for antibiotic, blood
transfusion & operative intervention}.
Expanding haematoma
{unlikely to settle with conservative measures}.
31. Steps
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Ice packs
Analgesia:
1. Regular paracetamol
2. NSAID:
diclofenac [Voltaren®] 50 mg tds),
contraindications: pp hge, PET, renal
disease, concurrent use of other NSAIDs,
aspirin, digoxin
3. intramuscular opioid
4. Avoid rectal administration of analgesics
Regular review
{ensure that bleeding has settled and haematoma
has resolved}.
32. 3. Surgical
Indication
Large (5 cm) vulval haematomas
Steps:
Adequate anaesthesia
Evacuation:
Incisions should be placed to minimise
scarring (this is often medially).
Clot should be evacuated
Any apparent bleeding points ligated.
33. Primary closure
The exact origin of the bleeding is rarely identified
The space should be closed with deep mattress
sutures
Overlying skin reapproximated without tension.
Avoid damage to contiguous structures:
ureters, bowel and bladder
Compression
The vagina should be packed tightly for 12–24 h.
34. Drains:
usually brought through a separate site distant
from the repair.
useful to highlight ongoing or recurrent bleeding.
defeat the object of packing, which is to
tamponade bleeding vessels.
What is optimal management ?
primary repair (with or without drains)
primary repair with packing, and
packing alone have all been advocated.
35. Subperitoneal haematomas
1. Small, stable: conservative.
2. Larger:
Surgical abdominal approach:
identification and ligation of bleeding vessels.
Arterial embolisation
under radiological control is now an alternative
Broad spectrum antibiotic
Regular review
{ensure bleeding has settled and haematoma has
resolved}.
36. Persistent bleeding
{Haematomas can recur after surgical management}:
Continued monitoring for signs of blood loss: essential.
If first line management fails:
further surgical intervention
The haematoma cavity should be explored again.
Ligation of the internal iliac artery, or even
hysterectomy, may be necessary. or
occlusion of the internal iliac artery/ies by balloon
catheter or embolisation
37. 4. Pelvic arteriography and arterial embolisation
Success rate: over 90%.
Steps:
Pelvic circulation is accessed via the femoral a
Angiography is used to identify bleeding vessels
before selective embolisation.
Embolic agents
temporary: absorbable, gelatin-impregnated
permanent: metal coils.
Performed under light sedation
take 1–2 h
38. Complications
Uncommon: 9%
low grade fever
pelvic infection
ischaemic buttock pain
temporary foot drop
groin haematoma
Vessel perforation.
Use of temporary embolic agents:
reduces the risk of ischaemic problems.
39. Advantages:
preserve fertility (despite exposure of the ovaries to ionising radiation)
most women continue to menstruate.
avoid the risks of laparotomy, although the option
of surgery is retained.
limitation
experience
equipment.
Indication
first line treatment for persistent bleeding
40. (a) Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) image of left
internal iliac artery runs showing contrast
extravasation (arrows) from the inferior vesicle
branch (arrowheads) indicating an active bleed.
(b) An oblique view showing more extravascular contrast
accumulation in the delayed phase (arrows).
41. Post embolisation image showed blockage of the
inferior vesicle artery and the bleeding was
successfully arrested.
42. Prevention
Good surgical technique, with attention to
haemostasis in the repair of lacerations and
episiotomies
However, haematomas are not unavoidable.
43. Conclusion
Genital tract haematomas are uncommon and can
cause diagnostic confusion.
Clinicians must be alert to haematomas as a dd of
postpartum pain and bleeding.
44. Key elements of management of puerperal genital
haematoma
The most important factor in correct diagnosis is
clinical awareness
Excessive perineal pain is a hallmark symptom: its
presence should prompt examination
Aggressive fluid resuscitation/blood transfusion
may be required
45. Coagulation status should be monitored
Treatment should be carried out in an operating theatre
A urinary catheter should be used to prevent urinary
retention and monitor fluid balance
The threshold for using antibiotics should be low
There is no evidence to support best management,
which can be primary repair or packing, with or
without insertion of a drain
Awareness should be maintained after primary
repair/packing, as recurrence is common