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Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. This study sought to quantify the potential health impact (morbidity and mortality reductions) that a low-cost uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) could have on women suffering from uncontrolled PPH due to uterine atony in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: The Maternal and Neonatal Directed Assessment of Technology (MANDATE) model was used to estimate maternal deaths, surgeries averted, and cases of severe anemia prevented through UBT use among women with PPH who receive a uterotonic drug but fail this therapy in a health facility. Estimates were generated for the year 2018. The main outcome measures were lives saved, surgeries averted, and severe anemia prevented.Results: The base case model estimated that widespread use of a low-cost UBT in clinics and hospitals could save 6547 lives (an 11% reduction in maternal deaths), avert 10,823 surgeries, and prevent 634 severe anemia cases in sub-Saharan Africa annually.Conclusions: A low-cost UBT has a strong potential to save lives and reduce morbidity. It can also potentially reduce costly downstream interventions for women who give birth in a health care facility. This technology may be especially useful for meeting global targets for reducing maternal mortality as identified in Sustainable Development Goal 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Postpartum hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal deaths worldwide, the majority of which occur in low-resource settings. Uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) is an effective method of addressing uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) from uterine atony; however, UBT devices are often not affordable. We report on three novel uses of an ultra-low-cost condom uterine balloon tamponade (ESM-UBT) device. Cases. ESM-UBT devices were used in innovative ways to arrest severe uncontrolled pregnancy-related hemorrhage among three women in India and Tanzania. The first had sustained deep vaginal lacerations, the second a cervical pregnancy, and the third a complete molar pregnancy. Conclusion. The ESM-UBT device may be useful for control of obstetric hemorrhage caused by complex vaginal tears as well as cervical and molar pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]