Profuse bleeding after voluntary sexual intercourse is an uncommon reason for admission to the gynaecological wards. Out of 12 such patients admitted to the Ipoh Hospital over a three-year period, one patient had life-threatening upper vaginal injury after coitus. Blood replacement and conventional suturing failed to arrest the bleeding. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation promptly arrested further haemorrhage. Vigorous intercourse increases intra-abdominal pressure in women causing tensing of the cul-de-sac, decreasing the elasticity of the posterior fornix, resulting in vaginal laceration. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation produces a 'pelvic compartment hypotension' converting a high arterial flow system to that of a low one resembling venous flow. The useful role of this procedure to contain pelvic haemorrhage is discussed.
Major perineal injuries following obstetrical complications represent difficult problems of reconstruction. We describe 2 such patients with perineal injuries simulating infantile cloacas. Surgical repair using an abdominoperineal pullthrough procedure in 1 patient, and a Bricker loop type of repair in another resulted in successful restoration of function in both. The operative details and basis for the reconstruction are described.