Transverse parallel compression suture: a new suturing method for successful treating pernicious placenta previa...

To report a novel method to achieve hemostasis and to evaluate efficacy and safety of controlling hemorrhage from the lower uterine segment (LUS) during cesarean section for placenta previa and accrete compared with conventional surgery.

From January 2017 to June 2019, there were 65 cases of pernicious placenta previa admitted in our obstetric department. They all had performed selective cesarean sections. Transverse parallel compression suture was applied in 32 cases during cesarean sections. The bladder was reflected downward till the lowest point of placenta implanted. Two plastic drains were inserted into internal and through the external os, as a support for compressing and draining the uterine cavity. First, at one side of LUS, a Vicryl number one stitch was inserted borderline of myometrium from the anterior to the posterior. The stitch was then inserted borderline of myometrium from the posterior to anterior at the other side in horizontal direction and tightened on the anterior wall of uterine surface. Another suture was inserted superiorly or inferiorly to the first one, at 1 cm interval. Then, such sutures were stitched until the bleeding and dilated LUS became all compressed. The uterine incision was then stitched [group 1 (Gr1)]. Other 33 cases were managed with conventional surgery [group 2 (Gr2)]. The efficiency of this novel technique, in term of blood loss, operation time, the intensive-care unit (ICU) admission rate and hospitalization time after surgery, complications, and postoperative recovery, was compared over the same period.

With our transverse parallel compression suture, we were able to preserve the uterus in all cases, while two patients underwent hysterectomy in Gr2. Our success rate in hemostasis was 93.8% (30/32). The operation time, the length of ICU stay, and the rate of ICU admission of Gr1 were lower than Gr2. All patients resumed a normal menstrual flow, and no long-term complications were observed during follow-up.

Transverse parallel compression suture is an easy, effective, and safe method to stop bleeding from the lower uterine segment in women with placenta previa and accrete.