HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mawhinney, S. Articles by Holman, R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Mawhinney, S. Articles by Holman, R.

Puerperal genital haematoma: a commonly missed diagnosis

^1. Craigavon Area Hospital Craigavon BT63 5QQ, Northern Ireland Email: sandramawhinney{at}dsl.pipex.com (corresponding author)
^2. Ayrshire Central Hospital Ayrshire KA12 8SS, UK

Key content:

• Although uncommon, puerperal genital haematomas can be associated with serious maternal morbidity.
  
• An abnormally high level of perineal pain following childbirth is a hallmark symptom.
  
• The primary aims of treatment are to prevent further blood loss and correct hypovolaemia.
  
• There is debate regarding the optimal management of genital haematoma.
  

Learning objectives:

• To understand the aetiology of puerperal genital haematoma.
  
• To recognise the signs and symptoms and know how they are classified according to their location.
  
• To learn about the most appropriate methods of treatment.
  

Ethical issues:

• How should we choose the most appropriate treatment when research on the condition is scarce?
  
• Should resources be used to ensure interventional radiology services are available to all maternity units?
  

Please cite this article as: Mawhinney S, Holman R. Puerperal genital haematoma: a commonly missed diagnosis. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2007;9:195–200.

Keywords blood loss / episiotomy / pelvic artery embolisation / perineal pain / puerperal genital haematoma