Control of postpartum hemorrhage with uterine packing.

OBJECTIVE: A historic survey of the literature and nine recent examples of uterine packing for control of postpartum hemorrhage are presented. Once a frequently practiced art, intracavitary packing for the control of uterine postpartum bleeding became a lost skill to most physicians after the 1950s. Objections to the practice are presented through a review of the literature.

STUDY DESIGN: The technique of uterine packing is critical in the control of hemorrhage and is briefly reviewed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Whether used early or late in patient management, uterine packing for the control of postpartum hemorrhage is a safe, quick, and effective procedure.