Uterine balloon tamponade in the management of refractory postpartum haemorrhage: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings. Uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) has emerged as a simple, cost-effective intervention for refractory PPH.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of uterine balloon tamponade in managing refractory postpartum hemorrhage.
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at PMCH, Patna, from March 2025 to February 2026. A total of 51 women with refractory PPH not responding to first-line medical management were included. Data regarding demographic profile, cause of PPH, mode of delivery, success rate of UBT, need for surgical intervention, and complications were recorded and analysed.
Results: The success rate of UBT in controlling hemorrhage was 82.4%. Uterine atony was the most common cause (64.7%). Surgical intervention was avoided in 76.5% of cases. Complications were minimal, with pain (11.8%) being the most common complication, followed by infection (7.8%) and balloon displacement (5.9%). Statistically significant association was found between early UBT insertion and successful outcome (p<0.05).
Conclusion: UBT is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive method for managing refractory PPH and can significantly reduce the need for surgical interventions.