Fertility and pregnancy outcomes following uterine devascularization for severe postpartum haemorrhage

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the fertility and pregnancy outcomes following uterine devascularization for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: All patients who required uterine devascularization, i.e. bilateral uterine artery ligation (Group A), and either bilateral utero-ovarian ligament (Group B) or suspensory ligament of ovary ligation (Group C) in cases of persistent haemorrhage, for PPH with no concomitant procedures from December 1997 to March 2004 were included. Data were retrieved from medical files and telephone interviews. RESULTS: Data were available for 32 of the 40 (80%) patients included in the study. All patients but 4 had a return to normal menses. Postpartum amenorrhea was secondary to ovarian failure in two cases, and synechiae or necrotic uterus each in one case. These four patients belonged to Group C, whereas no adverse events were observed in groups A and B. Thirteen patients had 16 pregnancies with 13 term deliveries, 1 ectopic pregnancy and 2 abortions. Clinical course of the 13 complete gestations were uneventful but PPH recurred in 4 (31%) due to placenta accreta in three cases. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine artery ligation, whether or not associated with utero-ovarian ligament ligation, for PPH does not appear to compromise the patients' subsequent fertility and obstetrical outcome. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved.