Israeli survey of anesthesia practice related to placenta previa and accreta

The Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder

This chapter provides insight into current management strategies for the placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). PAS is one of the most morbid conditions of pregnancy, with significant maternal hemorrhage and surgical morbidity risks, and its increasing incidence. Here, we review the available data to help guide the clinical management of PAS, from time of diagnosis through delivery and postpartum care, while acknowledging the many areas of continued uncertainty. The evidence is strong for the importance of team-based, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary care for patients with PAS. However, much else remains uncertain and is predominantly guided by expert opinion. Ultimately, we aim to provide a current understanding of available literature and to emphasize that continued research is paramount to explore management and surgical approaches to move toward optimization of patient outcomes, including the patient experience.

A Novel Approach for Conservative Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder Cases: Experience of a Single Surgeon: PAS Disorders and Conservative Management

Background: This study is aimed at evaluating the conservative surgical treatment of patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder and at presenting the experience of a single surgeon. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 245 patients with placenta previa accompanied by PAS disorders operated at a university hospital between June 2013 and December 2023. The diagnosis of PAS was made by a single perinatologist using a combination of transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasonography. All patients were operated with conservative surgical technique by the same surgeon. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the anesthesia and incision types used, and the details of the surgical technique were evaluated. Results: Of the patients, 165 were operated on at the scheduled time, 80 were operated on under emergency conditions, and 232 (94.69%) of them were operated on under spinal anesthesia. All patients were operated on with a Pfannenstiel incision followed by a transverse incision to the upper border of the placenta to enter into the uterus. An average of 0.52 units of red blood cells per patient was transfused to all patients. Spontaneous intra-abdominal bleeding developed in five patients, and surgical complications occurred in eight patients. No cesarean hysterectomy was performed, and no maternal mortality was detected in any of the cases. The mean time duration of surgery was 54.44 ± 11.37 (30-90) min, and the mean length of hospital stay was 1.71 ± 1.30 (1-9) days. Conclusions: We recommend this procedure as a novel technique and a robust and safe alternative to peripartum hysterectomy and other conservative surgical management procedures for cases with complete PP accompanied with PAS. This technique preserves the uterus as well as reduces blood loss, and transfusion requirement, and thus maternal morbidity and mortality in PAS cases.

The anesthetic approach to a patient with placenta accreta spectrum

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Placenta accreta poses significant risk of morbidity and mortality to a laboring patient. Here we review available treatment options, highlight trends in bleeding prevention and diagnosis that have been shown to improve patient outcome, and provide best practice suggestions. We also discuss the decision-making process for choice of anesthesia, as it is not based on a gold-standard paradigm.

RECENT FINDINGS

The use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta has been gaining popularity around the world. It has been shown to cause an equivocal reduction in perioperative bleeding in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), reduce the rate of hysterectomies, and is a safe and relatively easy technique. There are other invasive radiology techniques that have also proven to be beneficial in bleeding prevention: balloon occlusion of hypogastric arteries intraoperatively, internal iliac artery embolization, and intraoperative ligation of the hypogastric or uterine arteries.

SUMMARY

Optimal management of PAS begins with early and definitive diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach along with preparation of special equipment and the use of a check-list maximize the chance for success. Anesthesia could be done with all types of regional or under general, considering case-by-case factors but most importantly choosing according to the institution's best facility and skill.

Caesarean Section for Placenta Previa: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Anaesthesia Techniques

OBJECTIVE

Placenta previa is associated with maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aims to add to the limited literature from the developing world on the association of different anaesthetic techniques with blood loss, the need for blood transfusion, and maternal/ neonatal outcomes among women undergoing caesarean section with placenta previa.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted at Aga University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The patient population included parturients undergoing caesarean section for placenta previa from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

Out of 276 consecutive cases of placenta previa progressing to caesarean section during the study period, 36.24% were performed under regional anaesthesia and 63.76% under general anaesthesia. When compared to general anaesthesia, significantly less regional anaesthesia was used for emergency caesarean section (26% vs. 38.6%, P = .033) and for grade IV placenta previa (50% vs. 68.8%, P = .013). Blood loss was found to be significantly low with regional anaesthesia (P = .005) and posterior placenta (P = .042), while it was found to be high in grade IV placenta previa (P = .024). The odds of requiring blood transfusion were low in regional anaesthesia (odds ratio = 0.122; 95% CI = 0.041-0.36, P = .0005) and posterior placenta (odds ratio = 0.402; 95% CI = 0.201-0.804, P = .010), while they were high in grade IV placenta previa (odds ratio: 4.13; 95% CI = 0.90-19.80, P = .0681). The rate of neonatal deaths and intensive care admission was significantly lower in regional anaesthesia than in general anaesthesia (7% vs. 3% and 9% vs. 3%). The maternal mortality was zero; however, intensive care admission was less in regional anaesthesia compared to general anaesthesia (<1% vs. 4%).

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated less blood loss, need for blood transfusion, and better maternal and neonatal outcomes with regional anaesthesia for caesarean section in women with placenta previa.

Anesthetic management for Placenta Accreta

Дослідження виконані у 82 вагітних і породіль при кесаревому розтині з приводу передлежання плаценти з вростанням на 37–38 тижні. Органозберігаюча операція була виконана за такою методикою: лапаротомія за Джоель Кохен, донний кесарів розтин з залишенням плаценти, перев’язка трьох пар магістральних маткових судин і внутрішніх клубових артерій з обох сторін (поетапна деваскуляризація матки) з подальшим видаленням стінки матки (метропластика) при вростанні плаценти. Операції виконані в умовах спінальної анестезії (Сан) 0,5 % гіпербаричним розчином бупівакаїну. Інфузійна програма будувалася відповідно до рекомендацій з обмежувальної інфузії. Преінфузію проводили збалансованим кристалоїдом Реосорбілакт (10–15 мл/кг) з подальшим введенням на етапах операції збалансованого кристалоїду і компонентів крові за необхідності. Оцінювали гемодинаміку, КОР та електроліти крові. Оцінку крововтрати проводили гравіметричним способом. Дослідження показали, що Сан і Реосорбілакт у програмі малооб’ємної інфузійної терапії зберігають доставку кисню на фізіологічному рівні, стабілізують гемодинамічний профіль і КОР. При вростанні плаценти використання сучасних технологій в анестезіології реаніматології та акушерстві, з мультидисциплінарним підходом, дозволяють реалізувати органозберігаючу тактику у цієї категорії жінок

Placenta accreta spectrum disorder: updates on anesthetic and surgical management strategies

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a leading contributor to major obstetric hemorrhage and severe maternal morbidity in the developed world. In the United States, PAS has become the most common cause of peripartum hysterectomy. Over the last 40 years, clinicians have also witnessed a dramatic increase in the incidence of PAS. In the 1950s, the incidence of PAS was reported to be 0.03 per 1000 pregnancies. Recent epidemiological studies estimate that the PAS incidence is between 0.79 and 3.11 in 1000 pregnancies. As a consequence, obstetric anesthesiologists are increasingly likely to be called upon to manage women with suspected PAS for delivery. Given the increasing incidence and the morbidity burden associated with PAS, anesthesiologists play a vital role in optimizing maternal outcomes for women with PAS. This review will provide up-to-date information on nomenclature, pathophysiology, risk factors, antenatal detection, systemic preparations (includes timing of delivery, location of surgery, pre-operative evaluation and patient positioning), surgical and anesthetic approach, intra-operative management, invasive radiology and postoperative plans.

Management of abnormal invasive placenta in a low- and medium-resource setting

The purpose of this review is to describe the panorama of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder management in low- and middle-income countries, providing information that allows for the improvement of maternal and perinatal outcomes in the management of this pathology. This spectrum of disorders is associated with implications of high morbidity and mortality, both maternal and perinatal, which is why clinical practice guidelines based on management are produced in settings where there is a wide range of available resources. This situation often contrasts with what the reality is in low-resource countries. Prenatal diagnosis of placental accreta is essential to carry out adequate surgical planning in centres where multidisciplinary teams are in place, which improve results and reduce complications. These ideal scenarios should be developed in countries with more significant difficulties in the availability of human and technological resources, through teamwork in the different hospital centres and the adequate transfer of patients at higher risk to centres with the best interdisciplinary management skills.

A comparison of recent guidelines in the diagnosis and management of placenta accreta spectrum disorders

Accreta placentation and in particular its invasive forms are impacting maternal health outcomes globally and the prevalence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) continues to increase. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) have updated their national guidelines, whereas the Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) have developed new guidelines on the diagnosis and management of PAS. A comparison of these guidelines highlights common strong recommendations on the need to carefully evaluate women at high risk for PAS (e.g. prior uterine surgery presenting with anterior low-lying placenta or placenta previa), using multi-modal ultrasound imaging. For women diagnosed with PAS, multidisciplinary team-based care, with full logistic support structures (immediate access to comprehensive blood products, adult and neonatal intensive care) and established expertise in complex pelvic surgery, is critical to maximise safe outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Anesthetic considerations for repeat cesarean section

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The prevalence of cesarean delivery is increasing worldwide despite the advance of Trial of Labor After Cesarean section. In many countries, a history of previous cesarean section is an almost absolute indication for a repeat cesarean section. The purpose of this review was to examine if the perioperative anesthetic management of patients with repeat cesarean section is different from the anesthetic management of patients with primary cesarean section.

RECENT FINDINGS

This review discusses important topics, such as early diagnosis of cases with a potentially high risk for complications; the need for assessment of patients diagnosed with abnormal placentation; the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that includes interaction of the anesthesiologist, gynaecologist, and invasive radiologist; emphasizing the need for reinforcement of new methods of invasive procedures; management of massive bleeding, use of new technologies, and development of an institutional protocol for management of patients with abnormal placentation.

SUMMARY

According to this review, we show that the management of patients with repeat cesarean section without abnormal placentation is almost the same as the management of patients for primary cesarean section. Timely diagnosis of patient with abnormal placentation and multidisciplinary approach is crucial for prevention of morbidity or even mortality.

Clinical outcomes and anesthetic management of pregnancies with placenta previa and suspicion for placenta accreta undergoing intraoperative abdominal aortic balloon occlusion during cesarean section

Background

This retrospective study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of parturients with placenta previa (PP) and placenta accreta (PA) according to their severity, when they were managed with intraoperative abdominal aortic balloon occlusion (IAABO) during cesarean section.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 57 cases of PP and suspicion for PA in which IAABO was performed during cesarean section between April 2014 and June 2016. Based on preoperative examination and clinical risk factors, patients were divided into the low suspicion PA group and the high suspicion PA group. We compared the demographic characteristics, methods of anesthesia, intra- and postoperative parameters, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Results

The two groups showed similar demographic characteristics and intraoperative outcomes. Four women underwent cesarean hysterectomy. Eight neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and three did not survive. Neonatal Apgar scores were significantly higher in the low suspicion PA group. Eight patients experienced postoperative femoral artery thrombosis and one patient complicated hematoma in the front wall of the common femoral artery. Patients who received neuraxial anesthesia showed significantly lower intraoperative blood loss, lower intraoperative, postoperative and total blood transfusion and shorter surgery than patients who received general anesthesia.

Conclusions

Our data suggested that the severity of aberrant placental position does not affect intraoperative blood loss during a cesarean section while the IAABO is performed. We propose that neuraxial anesthesia is preferred for conducting these surgeries without contraindications.

Retrospective Evaluation of Anesthetic Management in Cesarean Sections of Pregnant Women with Placental Anomaly

Background

In this study, patients who underwent cesarean section and had placenta previa and placenta accreta were examined and compared in terms of haemorrhagic indicators and perioperative anesthetic management.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in a university hospital in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. It included 95 pregnant women who had placental anomaly and underwent cesarean section between December 15, 2014, and February 15, 2016.

Results

The pregnant women were divided into two groups: Group P (previa) (n = 67) and Group A (accreta) (n = 28). The types of anesthesia administered were general anesthesia (GA), which was administered to 50 patients (74.6%) in Group P and 27 patients (96.4%) in Group A, and spinal anesthesia (SA), which was administered to 17 patients (25.4%) in Group P and one patient (3.6%) in Group A.. The mean blood loss was 685.82 ± 262.82 in Group P and 1582.14 ± 790.71 in Group A, and the given amount of crystalloid was higher in Group A with an average of 1628.57 ± 728.19 ml. The use of erythrocyte and fresh frozen plasma solution was higher in Group A than Group P. Eleven patients were intubated and taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Group A. Postoperative mechanical ventilation duration was significantly higher in Group A (75.14 ± 43.84 h) (p < 0.001). ICU stay was longer in Group A with 2.80 ± 1.13 days. (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The intraoperative management and the availability of postoperative ICU conditions are important in placental anomalies cases. The communication between operation team with regard to the development of a standard protocol for these cases will be of great benefit in reducing morbidity and mortality.

What's new in obstetric anesthesia in 2018?

The Gerard W. Ostheimer Lecture presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) is a one-year summary of the literature published in domains of interest to anesthesiologists who manage and care for obstetric patients. One individual is asked to review the literature and present the lecture. This manuscript summarizes aspects of the Gerard W. Ostheimer Lecture presented at the 2019 SOAP meeting; the relevant literature from 2018 was summarized. The topics included in this review are maternal morbidity, antibiotic prophylaxis, anaphylaxis, the Lancet series on increasing cesarean delivery rates, the Robson Ten-Group Classification System, pelvic floor disorders, timing of delivery in nulliparous women, placenta accreta disorders, anesthesia for cesarean delivery, labor analgesia (including parturients with thrombocytopenia and tattoos, and epidural maintenance with the programmed intermittent epidural bolus technique), ultrasound use in obstetric anesthesia, and drugs in pregnancy.

Creating a Multidisciplinary Placenta Accreta Program

OBJECTIVE

To develop a formalized comprehensive placenta accreta (PA) program to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with a PA birth.

DESIGN

To develop a clinically innovative PA program, goals were identified and teams were created to collaboratively address best practices in each phase of clinical patient care, along with the financial and marketing aspects necessary for a sustainable program.

SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM

A Level 3 perinatal center in the Southwestern United States.

IMPLEMENTATION

A diverse multidisciplinary team addressed each aspect of care associated with a PA birth, including team members from the main operating room; trauma surgery; blood bank; interventional radiology unit; NICU; and gynecology-oncology, anesthesia, and urology departments.

MEASUREMENTS

Pre- and postprogram clinical outcome measures were examined including estimated blood loss at birth, postbirth ICU transfers and length of stay, and postpartum length of stay.

RESULTS

Clinical outcomes after program implementation showed decreased blood loss at birth (from an estimated 6,350 ml to 1,300-1,400 ml), reduced postbirth ICU length of stay (from approximately 3 days to less than 1 day, with many women bypassing ICU transfer altogether), and shortened postpartum length of stay (from 8 days to 4 days).

CONCLUSION

With implementation of this PA program, women receive a proactive approach to care that includes education, holistic care, and an organized team approach to birth made possible by the innovative care delivery model, structures, and processes. Standardized checklists and workflows help each clinician understand his or her role in the process, and resources are directed effectively and efficiently. Multidisciplinary, multispecialty collaboration results in decreased variation in care with associated improved patient outcomes.

Anesthesia management of complete versus incomplete placenta previa: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Placenta previa (PP) is a major cause of obstetric hemorrhage. Clinical diagnosis of complete versus incomplete PP has a significant impact on the peripartum outcome. Our study objective is to examine whether distinction between PP classifications effect anesthetic management.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This multi-center, retrospective, cohort study was performed in two tertiary university-affiliated medical centers between the years 2005 and 2013. Electronic delivery databases were reviewed for demographic, anesthetic, obstetric hemorrhage, and postoperative outcomes for all cases.

RESULTS

Throughout the study period 452 cases of PP were documented. We found 134 women (29.6%) had a complete PP and 318 (70.4%) had incomplete PP. Our main findings were that women with complete PP intraoperatively had higher incidence of general anesthesia (p = .017), higher mean estimated blood loss (p < .001), increased blood components transfusions (p < .001), and significant increase in cesarean hysterectomy rate (p < .001) than women with incomplete PP. Additionally, complete PP was associated with more postoperative complications: higher incidence of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (p < .001), more mechanical ventilation (p = .02), a longer median postoperative care unit (PACU) (p = .02), ICU (p = .002), and overall length of stay in the hospital (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Complete PP is associated with increased risk of hemorrhage compared with incomplete PP. Therefore distinction between classifications should be factored into anesthetic management protocols.