OBJECTIVE:

Evaluation of the benefits and harms of bilateral uterine artery ligation for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in patients with risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Prospective, experimental, randomized, case-control, longitudinal, comparative study conducted during 2022, which included patients with risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage who terminated pregnancy by emergency cesarean section. Two groups were included: the experimental group, in which the technique of bilateral uterine artery ligation was applied, and the control group, in which only cesarean section was performed. Before and after the surgical procedure, blood loss, hemoglobin and hematocrit parameters were estimated and compared with the control group.

RESULTS:

Ninety-one patients were studied: 45 in the experimental group and 46 in the cesarean only group. Significant differences were observed in blood loss in the experimental group (345.56 ± 64.69 mL) compared to the control group (426.06 ± 125.49 mL; p = 0.000247), in hemoglobin (experimental group: 11:13 ± 1.62 g/dL; control group: 10.49 ± 1.32 g/dL, p = 0.037) and hematocrit (experimental group: 33.86%; control group: 31.87%; p = 0.017).

CONCLUSION:

Bilateral uterine artery ligation in patients with risk factors for post-cesarean hemorrhage is an effective preventive measure that helps to reduce blood loss. When combined with uterotonics, it reduces the volume of bleeding.

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