Massive obstetric haemorrhage following removal of a cervical suture

Abstract

The authors present an unusual case of massive ante partum haemorrhage following removal of a cervical suture. This patient was admitted for routine removal of a McDonald's cervical suture at 37 weeks gestation. The suture was densely adherent and after removal she suffered a haemorrhage of 2500 ml from where the suture was removed which led to fetal distress and an emergency caesarean section. The cervix was sutured and a vaginal pack inserted. During the procedure she developed hypovolaemic shock requiring 7 units of blood, 4 units of fresh frozen plasma, 1 unit of platelets and 1 unit of cryoprecipitate. Ten days later she was readmitted with a postpartum haemorrhage of 1000 ml requiring further haemostatic sutures to the cervix. Copyright 2011 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.