Placenta Accreta Research Articles

The Soleymani and Collins Obstetric morbidity score (SaCOMS): A quantitative tool for measuring maternal morbidity from complex obstetric surgery such as placenta accreta spectrum (PAS)

It is currently very difficult to compare different management strategies for complex obstetric surgery, such as hysterectomy for severe Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS), as there is no widely accepted consensus for the classification of maternal surgical morbidity. Many studies focus on the amount of blood products transfused or admission to intensive care units (ICU). However, these are dependent on local policies and available resources. It also gives an incomplete representation of the entire ‘patient journey’ after they leave the operating room. Subsequent repeat procedures for lower urinary track damage is arguably worse from the woman’s perspective than a short stay on an intensive care unit (ICU) for observation.We suggest a version of the Clavien-Dindo morbidity classification specific to obstetrics. Then employ it to build a quantitative morbidity score which aims to reflect the whole ‘patient experience’ including the post-operative pathway. We then demonstrate the utility of this system in a cohort of women with Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS).The Clavien-Dindo classification was modified to reflect obstetric procedures and a quantitative morbidity measure, the Soleymani and Collins Obstetric Morbidity Score (SaCOMS), was developed based on this. Both were then validated using a survey-based consultation of a panel of experts in PAS and retrospectively applied to a cohort of 54 women who underwent caesarean hysterectomy for PAS.Clinicians with expertise in PAS believe that the Modified Obstetric Clavien-Dindo classification system and the novel SaCOMS tool can improve assessment of maternal morbidity, and better reflect the ‘patient experience’. Application of the classification system to a single-centre PAS cohort suggested that surgery by gynecologic-oncology surgeons may be associated with decreased incidence and cumulative morbidity outcomes for women with PAS, especially those with the most severe presentation.This study presents a clinically useful obstetric-specific classification system for surgical morbidity. SaCOMS also provides a quantitative reflection of the full patient- journey experienced as a result of surgical complications enabling a more patient-centered representation of morbidity.

Is temporary clamping of the bilateral common iliac artery beneficial in reducing intraoperative blood loss in patients with segmental resected anterior placenta percreta?: A prospective observational study.

The aim of our study was to investigate whether temporary clamping of the bilateral common iliac artery (BCIA) has a role in reducing intraoperative blood loss in patients with segmentally resected anterior placenta percreta or not. This prospective observational study included patients with anterior placenta percreta who underwent cesarean segmental resection either with BCIA temporary clamping or without clamping between October 2022 and September 2023. A comparison of demographic, obstetric, and surgical parameters and the need for transfusion (except for postoperative erythrocyte suspension transfusion) between the two groups revealed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In contrast, the amount of intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.001) (1974 ± 749 mL vs 2702 ± 615 mL) and postoperative erythrocyte suspension transfusion (P = 0.046) in patients who underwent BCIA temporary clamping were significantly lower than in those who did not undergo BCIA temporary clamping. Temporary clamping of BCIA plays a significant favorable role both in reducing blood loss and the need for postoperative transfusion in patients with placenta percreta who underwent segmental uterine resection.

Ultrasound examination in antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum

The rise in caesarean section rates worldwide has led to a great increase in placenta accreta spectrum cases. Accurate diagnostics of placenta accreta before delivery is still difficult, as one-half to two-thirds of placenta accreta cases remain undiagnosed until delivery. Domestic and foreign sources use the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) as the most commonly used method for placenta accreta image because of its inexpensiveness, non invasiveness, and rapidness. In this review, we highlighted the possibilities of prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of placenta accreta. Diagnostic accuracy may be reduced due to posterior wall placenta location and a higher body mass index (BMI). US and MRI are highly specific and useful in diagnosing or ruling out placenta accreta. Unlike MRI, the accuracy of ultrasound depends on the qualification, and therefore single-center studies often overestimate the accuracy of ultrasound. It is necessary to continue studying diagnostic methods for placenta accreta in order to select logical obstetric tactics for managing pregnant women with this pathology.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting placenta accreta spectrum in pregnancies with one previous cesarean delivery.

This study aimed to develop and validate a prenatal nomogram to predict the risk of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in women with one previous cesarean delivery. This retrospective study enrolled 5157 pregnant women with one previous cesarean delivery in China from January 2021 to January 2023. The nomogram was developed from a training cohort of 3612 pregnant women and tested on a validation cohort of 1545 pregnant women. Multivariate regression analysis was performed using the minimum value of the Akaike information criterion to select prognostic factors that can be included in the nomogram. We evaluated the nomogram by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curves, and the decision curve analysis (DCA). PAS occurred in 199 (5.51%) and 80 (5.18%) patients in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Backward stepwise algorithms in the multivariable logistic regression model determined abortion, hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy, fetal position, and placenta previa as relevant PAS predictors. The area under the ROC curve for the nomogram was 0.770 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.733-0.807) and 0.791 (95% CI 0.730-0.853) for the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration curves indicated that the nomogram's prediction probability was consistent with the actual probability. The DCA curve revealed that the nomogram has potential clinical benefit. A prenatal nomogram was developed for PAS in our study, which helped obstetricians determine potential patients with PAS and make sufficient preoperative preparation to reduce maternal and neonatal complications.

The Diagnostic accuracy of Ultrasound and Color Doppler Imaging in predicting of Placenta Accreta Spectrum

The Diagnostic accuracy of Ultrasound and Color Doppler Imaging in predicting of Placenta Accreta Spectrum

Lower Uterine Segment Corrugated Sutures in Hemorrhage during Cesarean Section because Previal and/or Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Case Reports Series and Literature Review.

We present the original technique of compression hemostatic sutures on the lower uterine segment due to early postpartum hemorrhage during cesarean section, with a literature review. A retrospective clinical case study was conducted at the tertiary perinatal center. Twelve patients had nine planned and three urgent cesarean sections due to antenatally verified placenta previa and/or placenta accreta spectrum and defined early postpartum hemorrhage > 1000 mL during cesarean section. As the use of uterotonics failed to produce any effect and hemorrhage persisted, compression sutures of the lower uterine segment were made by our own technique, as follows: below the hysterotomy, a horizontal corrugated suture is placed from the right to the left corner and after 2-3 cm vertically and backwards at several sites from the left to the right corner, where it is tightened. Seven patients had one cesarean section, three patients had two cesarean sections, and seven patients had pregnancy from the in vitro fertilization procedure in their history. There were six patients with placenta previa and six patients with anterior invasive placenta accreta or increta. Original hemostatic procedure was applied successfully in ten cases, and after placement of O'Leary suture and persistent bleeding in two cases. In this group, no hysterectomy was performed, and patients received blood transfusion of 440-880 mL. Three patients later had spontaneous pregnancies. Our own hemostatic method with a simple technique, fast learning, and minimal logistics contributes to successful management of this currently global problem of morbidly adherent placenta previa.

Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveal alterations in trophoblasts at invasion sites and disturbed myometrial immune microenvironment in placenta accreta spectrum disorders

BackgroundPlacenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) are a severe complication characterized by abnormal trophoblast invasion into the myometrium. The underlying mechanisms of PAS involve a complex interplay of various cell types and molecular pathways. Despite its significance, both the characteristics and intricate mechanisms of this condition remain poorly understood.MethodsSpatial transcriptomics (ST) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), were performed on the tissue samples from four PAS patients, including invasive tissues (ST, n = 3; scRNA-seq, n = 4), non-invasive normal placenta samples (ST, n = 1; scRNA-seq, n = 2). Three healthy term pregnant women provided normal myometrium samples (ST, n = 1; scRNA-seq, n = 2). ST analysis characterized the spatial expression landscape, and scRNA-seq was used to identify specific cellular components in PAS. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to validate the findings.ResultsST slices distinctly showed the myometrium in PAS was invaded by three subpopulations of trophoblast cells, extravillous trophoblast cells, cytotrophoblasts, and syncytiotrophoblasts, especially extravillous trophoblast cells. The pathways enriched by genes in trophoblasts, smooth muscle cells (SMC), and immune cells of PAS were mainly associated with immune and inflammation. We identified elevated expression of the angiogenesis-stimulating gene PTK2, alongside the cell proliferation-enhancing gene EGFR, within the trophoblasts of PAS group. Trophoblasts mainly contributed the enhancement of HLA-G and EBI3 signaling, which is crucial in establishing immune escape. Meanwhile, SMC regions in PAS exhibited upregulation of immunomodulatory markers such as CD274, HAVCR2, and IDO1, with CD274 expression experimentally verified to be increased in the invasive SMC areas of the PAS group.ConclusionsThis study provided information of cellular composition and spatial organization in PAS at single-cell and spatial level. The dysregulated expression of genes in PAS revealed a complex interplay between enhanced immune escape in trophoblasts and immune tolerance in SMCs during invasion in PAS. These findings will enhance our understanding of PAS pathogenesis for developing potential therapeutic strategies.

A case report and literature review of spontaneous uterine rupture in mid-pregnancy caused by placenta percreta

A case report and literature review of spontaneous uterine rupture in mid-pregnancy caused by placenta percreta

Trimester-specific diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for detection of placenta accreta spectrum: systematic review and meta-analysis.

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for detecting placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) during the first trimester of pregnancy and compare it with the accuracy of second- and third-trimester ultrasound examination in pregnancies at risk for PAS. PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant studies published from inception until 10 March 2023. Inclusion criteria were cohort, case-control or cross-sectional studies that evaluated the accuracy of ultrasound examination performed at < 14 weeks of gestation (first trimester) or ≥ 14 weeks of gestation (second/third trimester) for the diagnosis of PAS in pregnancies with clinical risk factors. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of sonography in detecting PAS in the first trimester, compared with the accuracy of ultrasound examination in the second and third trimesters. The secondary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of each sonographic marker individually across the trimesters of pregnancy. The reference standard was PAS confirmed at pathological or surgical examination. The potential of ultrasound and different ultrasound signs to detect PAS was assessed by computing summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio and positive and negative likelihood ratios. A total of 37 studies, including 5764 pregnancies at risk of PAS, with 1348 cases of confirmed PAS, were included in our analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated that ultrasound had a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI, 78-92%) and specificity of 63% (95% CI, 55-70%) during the first trimester, and a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI, 84-91%) and specificity of 92% (95% CI, 85-96%) during the second/third trimester. Regarding sonographic markers examined in the first trimester, lower uterine hypervascularity exhibited the highest sensitivity (97% (95% CI, 19-100%)), and uterovesical interface irregularity demonstrated the highest specificity (99% (95% CI, 96-100%)). In the second/third trimester, loss of clear zone had the highest sensitivity (80% (95% CI, 72-86%)), and uterovesical interface irregularity exhibited the highest specificity (99% (95% CI, 97-100%)). First-trimester ultrasound examination has similar accuracy to second- and third-trimester ultrasound examinations for the diagnosis of PAS. Routine first-trimester ultrasound screening for patients at high risk of PAS may improve detection rates and allow earlier referral to tertiary care centers for pregnancy management. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Comprehensive Review of Guidelines.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) represents a range of disorders characterized by abnormal placental invasion and is associated with severe maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to review and compare the most recently published major guidelines on the diagnosis and management of this potentially life-threatening obstetric complication. A descriptive review of guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the International Society for Abnormally Invasive Placenta, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada on PAS disorders was carried out. There is a consensus among the reviewed guidelines regarding the definition and the diagnosis of PAS using specific sonographic signs. In addition, they all agree that the use of magnetic resonance imaging should be limited to the evaluation of the extension to pelvic organs in case of placenta percreta. Moreover, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada agree that screening for PAS disorders should be based on clinical risk factors along with sonographic findings. Regarding management, they all highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach and recommend delivery by elective cesarean section at a tertiary center with experienced staff and appropriate resources. Routine preoperative ureteric stenting and occlusion of pelvic arteries are universally not recommended. Moreover, hysterectomy following the delivery of the fetus, expectant management with placenta left in situ, and conservative management in case of focal disease and desired fertility are all considered as acceptable treatment options. The reviewed guidelines also suggest some measures for intraoperative and postoperative hemorrhage control and recommend prophylactic administration of antibiotics. Methotrexate after expectant management is unanimously discouraged. On the other hand, there is no common pathway with regard to the optimal timing of delivery, the recommended mode of anesthesia, the preferred skin incision, and the effectiveness of the delayed hysterectomy approach. PAS disorders are mainly iatrogenic conditions with a constantly rising incidence and potentially devastating consequences for both the mother and the neonate. Thus, the development of uniform international practice protocols for effective screening, diagnosis, and management seems of paramount importance and will hopefully drive favorable pregnancy outcomes.

Early first-trimester transvaginal ultrasound screening for cesarean scar pregnancy in patients with previous cesarean delivery: analysis of the evidence

Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. An important etiology of obstetric hemorrhage is placenta accreta spectrum. In the last two decades, there has been increased clinical experience of the devastating effect of undiagnosed, as well as late diagnosed, cases of Cesarean scar pregnancy. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that Cesarean scar pregnancy is an early precursor of second- and third-trimester placenta accreta spectrum. As such, Cesarean scar pregnancy should be diagnosed in the early first trimester. This early diagnosis could be achieved by introducing regimented sonographic screening in pregnancies of patients with previous Cesarean delivery. This Opinion article evaluates the scientific and clinical basis of whether Cesarean scar pregnancy, with special focus on its early first-trimester discovery, complies with the accepted requirements of a screening test. Each of the 10 classical screening criteria of Wilson and Jungner were systematically applied to evaluate if the criteria were met by Cesarean scar pregnancy, to analyze if it is possible and realistic to carry out screening in a population-wide fashion.

Differentiating placenta accreta spectrum from scar dehiscence with underlying, non-adherent placenta: A systematic review of scoring systems and primary data analysis.

Accurate discrimination between placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and scar dehiscence with underlying non-adherent placenta is challenging both on prenatal ultrasound and intraoperatively. This can lead to overdiagnosis of PAS and unnecessarily aggressive management of scar dehiscence which increases the risk of morbidity. Several scoring systems have been published which combine clinical and ultrasound information to help diagnose PAS in women at high risk. This research aims to provide insights into the reliability and utility of existing accreta scoring systems in differentiating these two closely related but different conditions to contribute to improved clinical decision making and patient outcomes. A literature search was performed in four electronic databases. The references of relevant articles were also assessed. The articles were then evaluated according to the predefined inclusion criteria. Primary data for testing each scoring system were obtained retrospectively from two hospitals with specialized PAS services. Each scoring system was used to evaluate the predicted outcome of each case. The literature review yielded 15 articles. Of these, eight did not have a clearly described diagnostic criteria for accreta, hence were excluded. Of the remaining seven studies, one was excluded due to unorthodox diagnostic criteria and two were excluded as they differed from the other systems hindering comparison. Four scoring systems were therefore tested with the primary data. All the scoring systems demonstrated higher scores for high-grade PAS compared to scar dehiscence (p < 0.001) with an excellent Area Under the receiver operator characteristic Curve ranging from 0.82 (95% CI 0.71-0.92) to 0.87 (95% CI 0.79-0.96) in differentiating between these two conditions. However, no statistically significant differences were noted between the low-grade PAS and scar dehiscence on all scoring systems. Most published scoring systems have no clearly defined diagnostic criteria. Scoring systems can differentiate between scar dehiscence with underlying non-adherent placenta from high-grade PAS with excellent diagnostic accuracy, but not for low-grade PAS. Hence, relying solely on these scoring systems may lead to errors in estimating the risk or extent of the condition which hinders preoperative planning.

A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis of Pregnancies with Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS): From One-Step Surgery towards Two-Step Surgical Approach.

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) can be the cause of major morbidity and its optimal management is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the traditional one-step surgery with a two-step surgical approach in which the placenta is left in situ and the second final operation is delayed to minimise blood loss. Methods: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study including all patients managed for PAS between 2007 and 2023. The number of units of red blood cells (RBCs) needed during surgery was the primary outcome used to compare these two approaches. Results: A total of 43 cases were included in this analysis. Twenty of these were managed with the delayed two-step surgical approach, whereas 23 received one-step surgery. The median estimated blood loss during surgery was 2000 mL and 2800 mL for two-step and one-step surgery, respectively (p = 0.095). In the two-step surgical approach, the median number of RBC units transfused during surgery was significantly lower (p = 0.049) and the odds ratio for needing more than four units of RBCs was 0.28 (95%-CI: 0.08-0.98, p = 0.043). A longer interval between the caesarean section and the second operation showed a trend toward lower blood loss (p = 0.065) and was associated with a significantly lower number of RBC units needed during surgery (p = 0.019). Conclusions: Two-step surgery for the treatment of PAS was safe in our cohort and could lead to a reduction in blood transfusion. Leaving the placenta in situ and delaying the final operation represents a possible alternative to traditional caesarean hysterectomy.

Association between uterine artery embolization for postpartum hemorrhage and second delivery on maternal and offspring outcomes: a nationwide cohort study.

What are the maternal and neonatal outcomes of second delivery in women who underwent uterine artery embolization (UAE) during their first delivery? Women who underwent UAE during their first delivery exhibited higher risks of placental problems, preterm births, and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in second delivery and the second offspring also showed increased risk of major congenital malformations, admission to the neonatal intensive care units (NICU), necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. UAE is a minimally invasive procedure used as an alternative to hysterectomy for managing severe PPH. However, recent studies have raised concerns about potential obstetric complications, including recurrent PPH, placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), and fetal growth restriction in subsequent delivery following UAE. This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service (K-NHIS) database, covering 50 million individuals from 2004 to 2020. The cohort included 3616923 women with live births between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2019 with follow-up data extending to 31 December 2020. The study included women who had their first live birth between 2005 and 2019, excluding those who underwent hysterectomy (without UAE = 3612389, UAE = 4534). Among them, we selected women who had single gestation secondary delivery (without UAE = 1694600, UAE = 1146). Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding factors, resulting in 11184 women without UAE and 1119 women with UAE for subsequent analysis. Women in the UAE group had significantly higher risks of PAS (odds ratio (OR) = 38.91, 95% CI = 18.61-81.34), placenta previa (OR = 6.98, 95% CI = 5.57-8.75), and preterm birth (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.71-2.90) during their second delivery. The risk of recurrent PPH was also significantly higher (OR = 8.94, 95% CI = 7.19-11.12). Their second offspring were more likely to have major congenital malformations (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.25-2.11) and adverse neonatal outcomes, including NICU admissions (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.48-2.25). Long-term outcomes showed a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (hazard ratio = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.03-2.63) but were otherwise comparable to those in the without UAE group. Retrospective nature of the study may have introduced exposure and outcome misclassifications, despite the reliability of the K-NHIS database. Unmeasured confounders and selection bias due to only including live births could also have influenced the results. Women with a history of UAE require meticulous prenatal care and close monitoring during subsequent deliveries due to increased risks of complications. Counseling and referral to high-risk medical centers may improve outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of complications in both mothers and offspring at sequential delivery, as well as to refine UAE procedures. This study supported by Patient-Centered Clinical Research Coordinating Center (PACEN) funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (HC21C0123). This study was funded by S.-Y.O. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. N/A.

Triaging and Evaluation of Products of Conception in Abortions and Post-Partum Hemorrhage.

The proper evaluation of abortion specimens and placentas from stillbirth and post-partum cases is important for adequate clinical care of post-abortion and post-partum patients. The following topics will be reviewed: (1) the importance of evaluation of both fetal and placental tissue in first trimester abortions to confirm an intrauterine pregnancy versus an ectopic pregnancy; (2) the clinical history associated with an abortion specimen or retained products of conception (POC) influences how the pathologist should triage the specimen; (3) the criteria for diagnosis of a molar pregnancy, which is critical for clinicians to know which patients need follow-up; (4) the utility of genetic studies for both diagnosis and appropriate follow-up of the patient; and (5) the pathologic evaluation of specimens from patients with post-partum hemorrhage for placenta accreta spectrum and subinvolution of maternal vessels.

An unusual case of Uterine window revealing the placenta: A Diagnostic dilemma between Scar dehiscence and the Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

Uterine scar dehiscence, or the "uterine window," is a complication of a repeat cesarean section. Preterm delivery, caesarean sections performed more than twice in the past, or less than a 24-month interval between deliveries are all connected with an increased risk. The terms Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) and uterine scar dehiscence are frequently used interchangeably. A 25-year-old unbooked pregnant woman, gravida 3 para 2 live 1, presented to OPD at 37 weeks gestation. During the intraoperative phase, we discovered a silent scar dehiscence with partially visible placental lobes under the intact serosa mimicking the Placenta Accreta Spectrum. A lower-segment caesarean section was performed, and the placenta was totally separated. After the cesarean incision was closed, the myometrial defect was corrected. It is crucial to distinguish it from disorders in the Placenta Accreta Spectrum, as prenatal imaging can be deceptive if not performed with the requisite expertise to distinguish between the two conditions. This distinction will inform the treatment strategies for uterine dehiscence and PAS disorders, which are distinct.

Implementation and Outcomes of a Uterine Artery Embolization and Tranexamic Acid Protocol for Placenta Accreta Spectrum

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;229(1):61.e1–61.e7) During pregnancy, complications may arise such as placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders. PAS is a continuum of conditions characterized by abnormal placental invasion, posing intraoperative risks during delivery. Patients with PAS often face postpartum complications, typically necessitating scheduled cesarean deliveries (CD) between 34 and 36 weeks gestation, making the delivery high risk. High blood loss and post-CD complications are common in women with placenta accreta, prompting the implementation of specific observations and protocols in medical facilities.

Use of Intraoperative Red Cell Salvage in the Contemporary Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders

(Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth. 2023;70:1544–1546) Management of hemorrhage after cesarean delivery or cesarean hysterectomy is complex. Intraoperative red cell salvage (IOCS) is commonly used in other surgical settings and is increasingly used in obstetrics. The potential risks such as amniotic fluid embolism, bacteremia, sepsis, and coagulopathy in obstetrics remain poorly understood. This study assessed the use of IOCS in the management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders.

Conservative Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Modern Treatment Alternative to Cesarean-Hysterectomy

Conservative Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum: A Modern Treatment Alternative to Cesarean-Hysterectomy

Care considerations for caesarean births in a non-obstetric hospital

Background Births in non-maternity hospitals pose significant challenges to ensure delivery of safe and effective care. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review examining the maternal and neonatal demographics and care needs of women delivering in a non-obstetric general hospital over a 10-year period. Results Cardiac conditions and placenta accreta spectrum disorder were the most common reasons for birth in this location. All 37 births occurred on a weekday, with 29 during core working hours (8 a.m.–4 p.m.). All cases required obstetric, midwifery, anaesthesiology, neonatology and inter-hospital transfer services. Level 3 support was required for 15 women following birth. Neuraxial anaesthesia was utilised in the majority of cases (24/37, 64.8%). One in six infants were breastfed on discharge, with a mean gestational age at birth of 34 weeks. Conclusion We demonstrate the significant input of the multi-disciplinary and highlight the importance of addressing both obstetric and neonatal considerations outside of their native care setting.