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Case Report Volume 17 Issue 1
Uterine rupture requiring hysterectomy in a primigravida after Bakri™ uterine tamponade balloon placement for postpartum hemorrhage
Matthew Zuber, Melissa Kozakiewicz, Kaitlin Burchett
Received: February 14, 2026 | Published: February 26, 2026
Citation: Zuber M, Kozakiewicz M, Burchett K. Uterine rupture requiring hysterectomy in a primigravida after Bakri™ uterine tamponade balloon placement for postpartum hemorrhage. Obstet Gynecol Int J. 2026;17(1):34-36. DOI: 10.15406/ogij.2026.17.00819
Abstract
Introduction: Uterine atony is the most frequent cause of post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). Management may include medical, mechanical, and surgical methods. A commercially available uterine tamponade balloon, the Bakri™ tamponade balloon catheter (Cooper Surgical®) is frequently employed to manage PPH due to uterine atony and reported side effects or complications are generally rare.
Case presentation: A primigravida developed terminal fetal bradycardia in the setting of suspected placental abruption in the second stage of induced labor. She underwent a low forceps assisted vaginal birth followed by postpartum hemorrhage due to atony, requiring multiple uterotonics and placement of a Bakri™ uterine compression balloon with cessation of hemorrhage. Within an hour of placement, the patient felt and heard a “pop” with significant abdominal pain and hypotension. On examination, abdominal viscus was present in the vagina consistent with uterine rupture. Laparotomy revealed a total uterine rupture requiring hysterectomy.
Conclusion: Bakri™ balloon remains an available tool in management of atony; however, complications may arise. Clinicians should carefully weigh the potential risks of uterine tamponade balloons against alternative management strategies for uterine atony.
Case presentation: A primigravida developed terminal fetal bradycardia in the setting of suspected placental abruption in the second stage of induced labor. She underwent a low forceps assisted vaginal birth followed by postpartum hemorrhage due to atony, requiring multiple uterotonics and placement of a Bakri™ uterine compression balloon with cessation of hemorrhage. Within an hour of placement, the patient felt and heard a “pop” with significant abdominal pain and hypotension. On examination, abdominal viscus was present in the vagina consistent with uterine rupture. Laparotomy revealed a total uterine rupture requiring hysterectomy.
Conclusion: Bakri™ balloon remains an available tool in management of atony; however, complications may arise. Clinicians should carefully weigh the potential risks of uterine tamponade balloons against alternative management strategies for uterine atony.
Keywords: postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), uterine rupture, Bakri balloon, atony
©2026 Zuber, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.