Improvised condom catheter with a draining channel for management of atonic post partum haemorrhage

Abstract

Primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the five leading causes of maternal mortality in both developed and developing countries [1] . During the last two decades various uterine taponade devices have been used successfully in the management of PPH [2-5]. Success rates for the control of postpartum bleeding have ranged from 71% to 87% [6, 7]. So far, the Bakri balloon is the only balloon product that is specifically designed for ‘the control of postpartum uterine bleeding’ (Cook Medical; enclosed instruction leaflet J-SOS1106). It has a drainage lumen which allows real-time assessment of ongoing blood loss above the level of the bulb and may prevent delayed treatment. This advantage is not present in the condom catheter. We report an improvised version of the condom catheter with a draining channel which was successfully used to manage two cases of PPH with uterine atony.