Efficacy of Prophylactic Bakri Balloon Tamponade during Cesarean Delivery for Placenta Previa in Singleton Term Pregnancies

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 915–926

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJOG/000557

Original Research Article

Title: Efficacy of Prophylactic Bakri Balloon Tamponade during Cesarean Delivery for Placenta Previa in Singleton Term Pregnancies

Names of Authors: Emeka J. Obi¹, Funmilayo R. Adeyemi², Zainab H. Dogara¹

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria
² Maternal Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract:
Placenta previa carries a high baseline risk of severe intraoperative and postpartum hemorrhage originating from a poorly contractile lower uterine segment during cesarean section. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic Bakri balloon tamponade placement immediately following placental extraction during cesarean delivery for stable, complete placenta previa. One hundred and twenty pregnant women undergoing scheduled cesarean sections for complete placenta previa were randomized to either the prophylactic Bakri balloon group (n = 60) or the conventional management group (oxytocin plus standard surgical hemostatic sutures; n = 60). The primary outcome measured was total calculated perioperative blood loss. The mean total intraoperative and postoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the Bakri balloon group compared to the conventional control group (645.2 ± 180.4 mL vs. 985.6 ± 290.2 mL, p < 0.001). The requirement for emergency secondary surgical interventions, such as uterine artery ligation or B-Lynch compressed sutures, was significantly reduced in the balloon cohort (1.7% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.028). Packed red blood cell transfusion requirements were also significantly decreased in the prophylactic intervention arm (5.0% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.024). There were no cases of secondary balloon displacement, uterine rupture, or post-procedural endometritis in the intervention group. Prophylactic placement of the Bakri balloon tamponade during cesarean sections for complete placenta previa is a safe strategy that effectively limits perioperative blood loss and prevents additional surgical hemostatic interventions.

Keywords: Placenta Previa; Bakri Balloon; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Cesarean Section; Balloon Tamponade; Blood Transfusion.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 10, 2026; Revised: September 08, 2026; Accepted: September 18, 2026; Published: September 28, 2026.

Citation: Obi EJ, Adeyemi FR, Dogara ZH. Efficacy of Prophylactic Bakri Balloon Tamponade during Cesarean Delivery for Placenta Previa in Singleton Term Pregnancies. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; 14(9): 915–926.

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