Incarcerated Gravid Uterus Liberated by Placement of a Vaginal Balloon

Abstract

Background: Incarceration of the gravid uterus is an infrequent obstetric complication that can cause severe complications.

Case: A 37-year-old woman, G3P2002, at 14 weeks of gestation presented with vomiting, back pain, and urinary retention. She was noted to be in acute renal failure, with a creatinine level of 9.24 mg/dL, and results of her physical examination were concerning for uterine incarceration. Passive maneuvers and manual pressure failed to resolve the incarceration. Under spinal anesthesia, a Bakri balloon was inflated in the posterior vagina, elevating the fundus and relieving the incarcerated uterus.

Conclusion: An intravaginal balloon may aid in the alleviation of uterine incarceration.