During a cesarean section, Ms. K. (33 years old, Cambodian national) experienced severe postpartum hemorrhage, necessitating an emergency hysterectomy to save her life.
During the surgery, her condition worsened, leading to cardiac arrest. The local medical team performed intensive resuscitation and transfused four units of blood but, due to no improvement, she was transferred to a higher-level facility for further treatment.
At the higher-level hospital, doctors noted severe coagulopathy and uncontrolled bleeding. Despite additional transfusions of five units of blood and the use of vasopressors, her health continued to deteriorate.
Facing the imminent loss of their daughter-in-law, her mother-in-law became desperate and planned to take her home. After being introduced by relatives, they decided to transfer her to a hospital across the Vietnam-Cambodia border in search of hope.
Postpartum hemorrhage patient in critical condition, transferred from Cambodia to Vietnam for treatment (Photo: Hospital).
Upon arrival at the hospital in Tây Ninh province, the patient was in a confused state with pale mucous membranes, difficult-to-measure blood pressure, and weak pulse.
An immediate red alert was activated, and a multidisciplinary team including Emergency, Intensive Care, Obstetrics-Gynecology, General Surgery, Urology, and Anesthesia-Analgesia specialists initiated intensive care, ordered relevant diagnostics, and tests to determine the best course of action.
CT scans revealed significant intra-abdominal fluid, leading to a consensus among specialties to move the patient to the operating room for surgical intervention to control the bleeding.
After relentless efforts, the surgical team successfully stabilized the patient.
Following surgery, she was closely monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Two days later, as her health stabilized, she was transferred to the Obstetrics-Gynecology ward for continued treatment.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Vietnamese doctors, the Cambodian patient overcame the critical situation (Photo: Hospital).
Dr. Nguyễn Tấn Phát, Head of the ICU, stated that Ms. K.’s case was an extremely critical postpartum hemorrhage, directly threatening her life.
Upon admission, she was in severe hypovolemic shock and coagulopathy, her body weakened from multiple previous blood transfusions and surgeries.
This was a delicate moment; any delay could have been fatal. Quick and accurate decisions were crucial.
“Fortunately, despite the Tet holiday, the hospital had sufficient resources and unity to provide hope for the patient. Now, Ms. K.’s health is recovering well.
This not only boosts the morale of the medical team but also brings immense joy to her family, sparing her mother from losing her daughter, her husband from losing his wife, and her three young children from becoming orphans,” Dr. Phát said.
Mrs. S., the mother-in-law, shed tears of emotion, sharing her gratitude: “I am very thankful. Thank you to all the doctors who worked tirelessly and saved my daughter-in-law from death, like bringing her back from the brink.”
