B-Lynch Compression Suture As An Alternative To Paripartum Hysterectomy
B-Lynch Compression Suture As An Alternative To Paripartum Hysterectomy
B-Lynch Compression Suture As An Alternative To Paripartum Hysterectomy
Abstract
Obstetrics haemorrhage is a major killer of women of all categories of class, religion, so
cial and economic status. Women of third world countries suffer the most adversity be
cause of poor resources and infrastructure. In major substandard care, haemorrhage
emerges as the major cause of severe maternal morbidity in almost all near miss audits
in both developed and developing countries [1, 2, 24].
1. Introduction
1.1. The Management of paripartum haemorrhage: Avoiding paripartum hysterectomy
1.1.1. Medical management
The medical management of PPH includes using ecbolic such as syntometrin, carboprost, and
misoprostol. Sometimes medical management fails and it becomes necessary to proceed to
surgical treatment to save the womans life.
2015 The Author(s). Licensee InTech. This chapter is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
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Figure 1. The fist of one hand is placed deep into the vagina while the other hand firmly compresses the uterine fun
dus in an effort to control bleeding.
Bakri Balloon
In PPH following vaginal delivery, a balloon, such as Bakri, with sufficient volume capacity
can be inserted into the uterine cavity after excluding any retained products and also ascer
taining that there is no genital tract trauma. The volume of fluid depends on what is needed
to achieve haemostasis. The capacity of the balloon is important to correlate with the tension
that must be created to maintain adequate haemostasis. This is the tamponade test [11, 12].
The duration of tamponade will vary with the efficiency of bleeding control. Before its complete
removal, the balloon could be deflated but left in place to ensure that bleeding does not reoccur.
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hysterotomy [14] and in 2007, Ghezzi et al. reported success in 10 of 11 cases of women
managed with this modified technique [15-17].
It has been reported that hysterectomy was averted in 42 of 52 cases (81%) women where
haemostatic brace suturing was used for the management of major PPH [10, 14].
The physiological effect of compression suture is twofold:
First is to enhance the effect of the uterine muscle to slide into contraction
Secondly, it occludes the vascular spaces within the uterus
Since the b-lynch compression suture was first described by B-Lynch et al. (1997), evidence
suggest that over 8,000 women lives and uteri have been saved (B-Lynch personal Commu
nication 2014, www.cblynch.co.uk) [17].
Hayman technique
The potential disadvantages are:
Restricted drainage of endometrium because anterior and posterior surfaces are compressed
Suture anchoring causes shouldering, therefore when it slips can cause venous return
occlusion, central ischemia, and there is a possibility of pyometra of the uterus
Special Features
It pierces the uterus 32 times.
It impairs involution. It causes poor drainage because the cavity is occluded.
It does not close all transverse branches of the vascular supply.
It can cause pyometra and Asherman Syndrome [18].
It is difficult to apply and to achieve haemostasis when there is DIC (Disseminated Intra
vascular coagulation).
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ThespecialfeaturesofBLynchsutureare:
Figure
3. Posterior View
Even
Tension;
No
necrosis;
No
Ischemia;
Freedrainageofcavity
Placenta percreta
Noshouldering
Wrong
technique causing uterine necrosis
Uncontrolled
DIC
Facilitatesinvolution
No pre-operative test done
Easytoconfirmhaemostasis
Confirmsnoretainedproductsanduterinecavityisempty
Easytoconfirmnodecidualtear/trauma
The uterus should be exteriorised and the surgeon demonstrates to his assistant
Delayed application
1.2.4. Other surgical techniques
Internal iliac artery ligation
A recent case series describes 84 women with PPH from various causes who underwent
internal iliac artery ligation as the first-line surgical intervention. Hysterectomy was required
in 33 (39%) of the women.
Stepwise de vascularisation (sites of vascular occlusion)
This is relatively easy to perform but time consuming.
Selective arterial occlusion or embolisation by interventional radiologist
A 2002 review summarised a case series totalling 100 women and reporting 97% success with
selective arterial embolisation for obstetric haemorrhage [19, 20].
Method
No. of Cases
Success Rate
94
90.4 %
Arterial embolization
218
91.0 %
Arterial ligation
264
83.7 %
135
83.7 %
Table 1. Table of success rate of each procedure (B-Lynch Personal Communication 2014)
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Figure 4. [31].
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Prior to these efforts, the Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), together with the
Confederation of Midwives (ICM), advocated the Global Initiative on the Prevention of Postpartum Haemorrhage in 2004. In addition, both organizations recommend that every skilled
attendant (doctors, nurses, and midwives) likely to be present at birth have training in uterine
massage and bimanual compression. The same document also advises that all skilled birth
attendants have access to technical training in administering uterotonics and other techniques
such as intravenous infusions and tamponade balloons, and that every doctor who can perform
laparotomy be provided with surgical training to perform simple conservative surgery for
PPH including compression sutures and sequential devascularisation [27].
In the UK, successive Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths have linked the increased
numbers of deaths from PPH to recent changes in medical training. Specifically, the reduction
in the overall length of obstetric training and in working hours during training may have
reduced the amount of experience gained compared with the experiences obtainable in the
past. Moreover, these reports have shown a trend towards sub-specialization among consul
tants in the UK, and those with a special interest in obstetrics do not necessarily have highly
developed surgical skills. These reports recommend regular fire drills or skills drills for the
modern management of PPH for all grades of staff in every obstetric unit.
The 2004 and 2007 Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) reports
repeatedly highlight the role of inadequate clinical care, as well as poor communication and
teamwork, within labour ward teams and suggest that as many as half of all maternal deaths
might be prevented with better care [28, 29]. Following this line of thought, the 2011 CEMACH
report recommended that all units should have protocols in place for the identification and
management of PPH and that all clinicians responsible for the care of pregnant women,
antenatal, postnatal, and intrapartum, including those practicing in the community, should
carry out regular skills training for such scenarios [30]. The need for such a recommendation
follows the 2007 survey among obstetric trainees in London that documented a reported
decline in the numbers of individuals who could manage major PPH. 44.6% of respondents
felt confident to perform a caesarean hysterectomy, whereas a similar number (41.7%) could
apply a B-Lynch suture, and a much smaller number (27.1%) could dissect the ureter if need
be. Additionally, a few respondents were less confident in performing any surgical procedure
necessary in the management of major obstetric haemorrhage. This finding may have serious
implications in the provision of out of hours senior cover for maternity units in the future (32).
The Scottish Confidential Audit of Severe Maternal Morbidity 2008 highlighted errors and
substandard care in the management of women who have sustained PPH. It is essential that
blood transfusion service and laboratory test results are obtained and not ignored. There
should be teamwork and efficient equipment to comply with PPH management. Any defi
ciency could be improved with adequate and target training.
The UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) publication [34] echoes the growing recogni
tion articulated that prompt action is essential in managing PPH. Those who provide care
should try to do so within the first 2 hours of the diagnosis and certainly not beyond a delay
of 6 hours. Morbidity rises sharply after 2 hours, when it becomes much more likely that
hysterectomy will be necessary.
4. Lecture-based training
PPH is one of the catastrophic events where proper management requires a variety of hospital
workers with different unique expertise. It is often difficult to get all these people together to
arrange a simulation or hands-on training, and lecture-based teaching may be more appro
priate. All staff should attend, obstetric physicians, midwives, nurses, house staff, anaesthesia
providers, scrub technicians, and unit secretaries participate in the same formal classroom
instruction. The purpose is for all team members to hear the same material, to learn the same
teamwork language and behaviours, and to feel empowered to flatten hierarchy. The partici
pants from varying disciplines should be allowed ample opportunity for conversation and
sharing of varying points of view. It is mandatory that the team should be able to understand
each others roles and competing interests that may not be self-evident.
5. Simulation
There are two types of simulators, those with high and low fidelities. The high fidelity type is
often used to describe computer driven simulators, whereas the term low fidelity is used to
describe simulators that are not computer controlled. High fidelity is desirable in simulation,
because the more contextually accurate is the simulation-based instruction, the more likely the
learning that takes place will transfer to the reality of applied practice. The disadvantages of
this type of training include costs, the need to remove clinicians from clinical care, and a lack
of realism compared with the clinicians own experience [35, 36].
Simulation-based training is an appropriate proactive approach for reducing errors and risk
in obstetrics, improving teamwork and communication, and giving students a multiplicity of
transferable skills to improve their performances. The drivers for simulation include patient
safety, limitation of current educational processes, shortening of the training period, high risk
emergencies, and the pressure of health care agencies in an attempt to reduce malpractice
concerns [37, 38, 39]. Haemorrhage drills and simulation-based training may help providers
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achieve timely and coordinated responses [40]. Protocols may help to standardise management
in cases of PPH, thereby minimizing unnecessary errors or delays in care [41].
Only a few models have been used for PPH training. Deering et al. used a standard obstetric
birthing model equipped with an inflatable uterus to simulate uterine atony. The residents
were assessed upon completion of this exercise. The authors found that the majority were
unable to correct the haemorrhage within 5 minutes and half made at least one error, either in
the dose or the route of administration of medications used to arrest the bleeding [41, 42].
Teamwork training in a simulation setting resulted in improvement of knowledge, practical
skills, communication, and team performance in acute obstetric situations. Training in a
simulation centre did not further improve outcome compared with training in a local
hospital [40].
A simple low fidelity model has been used for the past few years by the authors. It is made of
knitted wool and has an incision-like opening in the lower part to give the impression of a
Paripartum uterus after the baby and the placenta have been expelled, along with the blood
supply of the uterus and the ovaries. It is a useful tool to learn the placement of a B-Lynch or
other type of compression suture and it also gives one the ability to practice a form of stepwise devascularisation.
2.
A short video demonstration of the B-Lynch suturing technique. This video is presented
in real video format. There is a link provided to download, which is available at: http://
www.cblynch.co.uk/video-of-an-operation-demonstrating-the-b-lynch-suturing-techni
que/.
3.
4.
Poster of the B-Lynch suture technique to be displayed in the labour ward. This is available
at: www.sapienspublishing.com/pph_pdf/PPH_ Poster.pdf.
5.
Pocket manual of the synopsis of PPH. A special leaflet or wall chart summarising the
immediate action that needs to be taken when PPH occurs. www.sapienspublishing.com/
pph_pdf/PPH- Guidelines.pdf.
6.
A Comprehensive Textbook of Paripartum Haemorrhage, 1st edition, 2006, edited by BLynch (43). This first standalone textbook describes a comprehensive guide to evaluation,
management, and surgical intervention for PPH. Available at: www.sapienspublish
ing.com and also from www.glowm.com.
7.
PPH issue of Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology [44].
Figure 5. Uterine model (a) front view and (b) rear view.
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of study days and workshops in both Cairo and Alexandria with successful feedback response.
It seems that this training program and workshop would be beneficial to other developing
countries to reduce maternal mortality rate from PPH [48].
Simulators should be put together to give the candidate and trainees the confidence of feeling
a real life situation.
Multiple training modalities are used to accomplish knowledge transfer for modern manage
ment of PPH. All are necessary, as it is clear that the traditional methods of reading or attending
a lecture are insufficient to prepare the trainee for responsible action when it is needed in an
emergency situation. Like many other skills in medicine, the training necessary to attend to a
patient who has a life-threatening haemorrhage cannot be thought of as see one, do one, and
teach one.
9. Post-operative care
9.1. Intensive and high-dependency unit
Once the bleeding has been controlled and initial resuscitation has been completed, continuous
close observations in either intensive care unit or high-dependency unit is required. The
recording of the observation on an obstetric early-warning score system would help in the
early identification of continuous bleeding, especially in cases that are not apparent, as
recommended by CEMACH [2].
10. Debriefing
To avoid future complications and need of care, an action plan should be prepared for all
subsequent pregnancy management.
11. Conclusion
B-Lynch suture has been the most effective and successful haemostatic compression suture to
prevent maternal morbidity and mortality by controlling severe PPH and in reducing the need
for hysterectomy. It is important that conservative methods such as bi-manual compression
of the uterus, balloon tamponade, and, more recently, endometrial suction and selective
arterial occlusion are carried out before hysterectomy is considered.
Author details
Christopher Balogun-Lynch1* and Tahira Aziz Javaid2
*Address all correspondence to: [email protected]
1 Milton Keynes General Hospital, Oxford Deanery, UK
2 Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK
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