Success factors for Bakri™ balloon usage secondary to uterine atony: a retrospective, multicentre study

Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) is one of the major obstetric complications and remains a cause of avoidable maternal mortality and morbidity.

The aims of this study were to assess the success and practicability of a Bakri™ balloon intrauterine tamponade for PPH and evaluate the predictive factors for success.

Women who received the Bakri™ balloon secondary to uterine atony and subsequent failure of routine drug treatment were identified at 6 hospital sites. Demographic, obstetric and specific factors in regard to the Bakri™ balloon use were recorded. Factors predictive of Bakri™ balloon success were evaluated.

Intrauterine Bakri™ balloon tamponade was used in 36 women with uterine atony of which 28 received the balloon treatment after vaginal delivery: more than 50% of women (16/28) presented with PPH with blood loss > 1000 mL (mean blood loss: 1130 mL). Two balloon insertions failures were identified. Bakri balloon success was 100% for women with bleeding < 1000 mL. Twenty-five women (69%) did not require invasive treatment; seven (19%) required arterial embolisation and four (11%) surgical management. No short-term complication was observed after balloon insertion.

The use of the Bakri™ balloon method, if undertaken early, is effective for the management of PPH with uterine atony (100% success compared to 69% overall success rate). Intrauterine balloon tamponade should included in PPH management guidelines.