Balloon tamponade in the management of postpartum haemorrhage: a review.

Obstetric haemorrhage is a significant contributor to worldwide maternal morbidity and mortality. Guidelines for the management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) involve a stepwise escalation of pharmacological and eventual surgical approaches. The method of uterine tamponade using balloons has recently been added to the armamentarium for managing PPH. There are various balloons available including the Bakri, Foley, Sengstaken-Blakemore, Rusch and condom catheter. This paper reviews these uterine tamponade technologies in the management of PPH.