Obstructed Labour in Patient Safety, Preventive & Ethics — 28yo Woman | Ethics | SMLE Q#11198
SMLE Question #11198
Patient Safety, Preventive & Ethics
Ethics
Objective: OBJ-243
Last updated: February 2026
A 28-year-old woman has an emergency lower-segment cesarean section for obstructed labour after consenting to cesarean delivery and anaesthesia only. Intraoperatively, she develops severe postpartum haemorrhage due to uterine atony unresponsive to uterotonics, uterine massage, balloon tamponade, and compression sutures. She is under general anaesthesia and cannot participate in decisions. Two senior obstetric consultants agree that hysterectomy is required to prevent imminent death. Her husband is in the hospital. What is the most appropriate next step for the surgeon?
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