Packing of lower uterine segment for control of postcesarean bleeding in instances of placenta previa.

Hemorrhage remains a serious obstetric complication with uterine atony as its most common cause. Postpartum atony is controlled with oxytocics and prostaglandins. Uterine arterial ligation is used to decrease the degree of postpartum hemorrhage. Hypogastric arterial ligation and hysterectomy are used when conservative measures fail. With placenta previa accreta, the aforementioned techniques are often not successful in the control of bleeding in the lower segment. The technique of packing of the lower uterine segment is described for use when local control of bleeding points is unsuccessful and hysterectomy is contemplated. Preservation of reproductive potential may be accomplished with this technique with minimal maternal morbidity.