The use of thumbtacks to stop severe presacral bleeding

Massive presacral bleeding arising during gynaecological surgery can be sudden, rapid and life-threatening. Further, its control and management can be challenging, since standard measures are frequently ineffective. The use of thumbtacks to control severe presacral venous haemorrhage was first reported in 1985. Despite this, it does not appear to be widely known or used in gynaecological surgery. A case is presented in which the technique was used, and the literature on its use is reviewed.