The B-Lynch technique for the management of intraoperative uterine atony

Abstract

This paper reports the experience of 150 B-Lynch suture applications for the management of uterine atony during caesarean section that did not respond to conventional therapeutical measures. Technique was considered effective if the need for hysterectomy was avoided. High-risk antenatal obstetrical conditions included: pre-eclampsia (12%), oligohydramnios (8%), polyhydramnios (4.7%). A total of 36% were primigravid, 66% had been in active labour, 4.7% received misoprostol and 26.7% used oxytocin for labour augmentation. Suture was successful in 95.3%, with only five cases requiring hysterectomy combined with uterine artery ligation and two uterine artery ligations alone to control bleeding and uterine atony (‘floppiness’). Although 26.7% of cases required transfusions, no maternal deaths were reported, and overall women were discharged after a median 4-day hospital stay without further complications upon follow-up. The B-Lynch technique was an effective intraoperative measure to control uterine atony. Despite the encouraging results, long term assessment on a larger sample is needed in our clinical scenario.

Keywords::

• B-Lynch suture
• postpartum haemorrhage
• pregnancy
• uterine atony

Acknowledgment

The study was partially supported by the B/024535/09 AECID (‘Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo’) grant from the Spanish ‘Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación’.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.