Is there yet a role for internal iliac artery ligation in obstetric hemorrhage with the current gain in popularity of other uterus sparing techniques?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success rates and subsequent fertility outcomes of internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) in uterine atony (primary ligated and secondary added to other uterus sparing techniques), retroperitoneal hematoma, and placenta adherent abnormalities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty two women who underwent IIAL for different causes of postpartum hemorrhage were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS: Among 26 women with intractable uterine atony, 12 had primary, and 14 secondary IIAL, due to ongoing bleeding following the B-Lynch suture or the Bakri balloon tamponade. The success rates were 91% and 71.4% in the primary and secondary IIAL groups, respectively. The success rates of IIAL in 12 women with placental adhesion abnormalities and another 12 with obstetric retroperitoneal hematoma were 75% (9/12) and 83% (10/12) respectively. Nine (17%) hysterectomies were performed after failure of IIAL. Two maternal deaths occurred in our study. The rate of achieving pregnancy was not significantly different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Hysterectomy rates might be decreased with the addition of IIAL provided that other uterus sparing techniques; B-Lynch or the Bakri balloon was to fail separately. IIAL can save lives in severe obstetric retroperitoneal hematoma. IIAL does not affect fertility even it is combined with other uterus sparing techniques like the Bakri balloon and B-Lynch suture.