The Bakri® Balloon is a medical device invented by Dr. Younes Bakri.
Contents
The obstetrical balloon is a 24 French, 54 cm-long, silicone catheter with a filling capacity of 500 mL. The device is used for the temporary control and reduction of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).
According to the World Health Organization, around 100,000 maternal deaths occur every year from PPH and is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the developed world.
Use
The Bakri Balloon Tamponade is a silicone, obstetrical balloon specifically designed to treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Also referred to as the Bakri Postpartum Balloon (BPB), the device is used for the "temporary control or reduction of postpartum hemorrhage when conservative management of uterine bleeding is warranted."
Cases
The literature in both case reports and case series highlight the balloon’s effectiveness in treating postpartum bleeding and potentially avoiding hysterectomies. One study in Finland involving 50 patients recorded an overall success rate of 86% when using the Bakri Balloon in managing PPH. A German study involving 20 patients cited an overall success rate of 90% when the balloon is used in combination with B-Lynch sutures.
Endorsements
Both the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) have approved the balloon as one of the primary support tools in treating PPH.