Conservative management or cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum: the PACCRETA prospective study

Delivery outcomes in the subsequent pregnancy following the conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Cesarean hysterectomy is generally presumed to decrease maternal morbidity and mortality secondary to placenta accreta spectrum disorder. Recently, uterine-sparing techniques have been introduced in conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder to preserve fertility and potentially reduce surgical complications. However, despite patients often expressing the intention for future conception, few data are available regarding the subsequent pregnancy outcomes after conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder. Thus, we aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess these outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to September 2022.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We included all studies, with the exception of case studies, that reported the first subsequent pregnancy outcomes in individuals with a history of placenta accreta spectrum disorder who underwent any type of conservative management.

METHODS

The R programming language with the "meta" package was used. The random-effects model and inverse variance method were used to pool the proportion of pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 5 studies involving 1458 participants that were eligible for quantitative synthesis. The type of conservative management included placenta left in situ (n=1) and resection surgery (n=1), and was not reported in 3 studies. The rate of placenta accreta spectrum disorder recurrence in the subsequent pregnancy was 11.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.1-60.3; I2=86.4%), and 1.9% (95% confidence interval, 0.0-34.1; I2=82.4%) of participants underwent cesarean hysterectomy. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 10.3% (95% confidence interval, 0.3-81.4; I2=96.7%). A composite adverse maternal outcome was reported in 22.7% of participants (95% confidence interval, 0.0-99.4; I2=56.3%).

CONCLUSION

Favorable pregnancy outcome is possible following successful conservation of the uterus in a placenta accreta spectrum disorder pregnancy. Approximately 1 out of 4 subsequent pregnancies following conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder had considerable adverse maternal outcomes. Given such high incidence of adverse outcomes and morbidity, patient and provider preparation is vital when managing this population.

Conservative management or cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum in middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cesarean hysterectomy is a dominant and effective approach during delivery in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). However, as hysterectomy results in a loss of fertility, conservative management is an alternative approach. However, management selection may be affected by a country's overall economic level. Thus the preferred treatment for PAS generates controversy in middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare conservative management and cesarean hysterectomy for managing PAS in middle-income countries.

SEARCH STRATEGY

China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Med Online Databases, Cochrane Library, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov, and Scopus were searched from inception through to October 1, 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included studies that evaluated at least one complication comparing conservative management and hysterectomy. All cases were diagnosed with PAS prenatally and intraoperatively.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The primary outcomes were blood loss, adjacent organ damage, and the incidence of hysterectomy. Descriptive analyses were conducted for studies that did not meet the meta-analysis criteria. A fixed-effects model was used for studies without heterogeneity and a random-effects model was used for studies with statistical heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

In all, 11 observational studies were included, with 975 and 625 patients who underwent conservative management and cesarean hysterectomy, respectively. Conservative management was significantly associated with decreased blood loss and lower risks of adjacent organ injury and hysterectomy. Conservative management significantly reduced blood transfusions, hospitalization duration, operative time, intensive care unit admission rates, and infections. There were no significant differences in the risks of coagulopathy, thromboembolism, or reoperation.

CONCLUSION

Given short-term complications and future fertility preferences for patients, conservative management appears to effectively manage PAS in middle-income countries. Owing to low levels of evidence, high heterogeneity and insufficient long-term follow-up data, further detailed studies are warranted.

Roadmap to safety: a single center study of evidence-informed approach to placenta accreta spectrum

Objective

To assess the impact of an evidence-informed protocol for management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent cesarean hysterectomy (c-hyst) for suspected PAS from 2012 to 2022 at a single tertiary care center. Perioperative outcomes were compared pre- and post-implementation of a standardized Multidisciplinary Approach to the Placenta Service (MAPS) protocol, which incorporates evidence-informed perioperative interventions including preoperative imaging and group case review. Intraoperatively, the MAPS protocol includes placement of ureteral stents, possible placental mapping with ultrasound, and uterine artery embolization by interventional radiology. Patients suspected to have PAS on prenatal imaging who underwent c-hyst were included in the analysis. Primary outcomes were intraoperative complications and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes were blood loss, need for ICU, and length of stay. Proportions were compared using Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables were compared used t-tests and Mood's Median test.

Results

There were no differences in baseline demographics between the pre- (n = 38) and post-MAPS (n = 34) groups. The pre-MAPS group had more placenta previa (95% pre- vs. 74% post-MAPS, p = 0.013) and prior cesarean sections (2 prior pre- vs. 1 prior post-MAPS, p = 0.012). The post-MAPS group had more severe pathology (PAS Grade 3 8% pre- vs. 47% post-MAPS, p = 0.001). There were fewer intraoperative complications (39% pre- vs.3% post-MAPS, p < 0.001), postoperative complications (32% pre- vs.12% post-MAPS, p = 0.043), hemorrhages >1l (95% pre- vs.65% post-MAPS, p = 0.001), ICU admissions (59% pre- vs.35% post-MAPS, p = 0.04) and shorter hospital stays (10 days pre- vs.7 days post-MAPS, p = 0.02) in the post-MAPS compared to pre-MAPS patients. Neonatal length of stay was 8 days longer in the post-MAPS group (9 days pre- vs. 17 days post-MAPS, p = 0.03). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that ureteral stent placement and uterine artery embolization (UAE) may be important steps to reduce complications and ICU admissions. When comparing just those who underwent UAE, patients in the post-MAPS group experienced fewer hemorrhages greater five liters (EBL >5l 43% pre- vs.4% post-MAPS, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

An evidence-informed approach to management of PAS was associated with decreased complication rate, EBL >1l, ICU admission and length of hospitalization, particularly for patients with severe pathology.

Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound findings help to guide the clinical management of placenta accreta spectrum cases

INTRODUCTION

The clinical management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) depends on placental topography and vascular involvement. Our aim was to determine whether transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound signs can predict PAS management.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive prenatally suspected PAS cases in a single tertiary-care PAS center between January 2021 and July 2022. When PAS was confirmed during surgery, abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound scans were analyzed in relation to PAS management. The preferred surgical approach of PAS was one-step conservative surgery (OSCS). Massive blood loss and PAS topography in the lower bladder trigone necessitated cesarean hysterectomy. Transvaginal ultrasound-diagnosed intracervical hypervascularity was split into three categories based on their quantity. Anatomically, the internal cervical os is located at the level of the bladder trigone and was used as landmark for upper and lower bladder trigone PAS.

RESULTS

Ninety-one women underwent OSCS and 35 women underwent cesarean hysterectomy (total 126 women with PAS). Abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound features differed significantly between women that underwent OSCS and cesarean hysterectomy: decreased myometrial thickness (<1 mm), 82.4% vs. 100%, p = 0.006; placental bulge, 51.6% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001; bladder wall interruption, 62.6% vs. 97.1%, p < 0.001; abnormal placental lacunae, 75.8% vs. 100%, p < 0.001; hypervascularity (large lacunae feeding vessels, 57.8% vs. 94.6%, p < 0.001; parametrial hypervascularity, 15.4% vs. 60%, p < 0.001; the rail sign, 6.6% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.003; three-dimensional Doppler intra-placental hypervascularity, 81.3% vs. 100%, p < 0.001; intracervical hypervascularity 60.4% vs. 94.3%, p < 0.001); and cervical length 2.5 ± 0.94 vs. 2.2 ± 0.73, p = 0.038. Other ultrasound signs were not significantly different. The results of multivariable logistic regression showed placental bulge (odds ratio [OR] 9.3; 95% CI 1.9-44.3; p = 0.005), parametrial hypervascularity (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.541-11.085; p = 0.005), and intracervical hypervascularity (OR 9.2; 95% CI 1.905-44.056; p = 0.006) were weak predictors of OSCS. Intracervical hypervascularity Grade 1 (vascularity <50% of cervical tissue) was more present in OSCS than higher gradings two and three (91% vs. 27.6% vs. 14.3%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cesarean hysterectomy is associated with the PAS signs of placental bulge and Grade 2 and 3 intracervical hypervascularity. OSCS is associated with intracervical hypervascularity Grade 1 on transvaginal ultrasound. Prospective validation is required to formulate predictors for PAS management.

Placenta accreta spectrum care infrastructure: an evidence-based review of needed resources supporting placenta accreta spectrum care

The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum, the deeply adherent placenta with associated increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality, has seen a significant rise in recent years. Therefore, there has been a rise in clinical and research focus on this complex diagnosis. There is international consensus that a multidisciplinary coordinated approach optimizes outcomes. The composition of the team will vary from center to center; however, central themes of complex surgical experts, specialists in prenatal diagnosis, critical care specialists, neonatology specialists, obstetrics anesthesiology specialists, blood bank specialists, and dedicated mental health experts are universal throughout. Regionalization of care is a growing trend for complex medical needs, but the location of care alone is just a starting point. The goal of this article is to provide an evidence-based framework for the crucial infrastructure needed to address the unique antepartum, delivery, and postpartum needs of the patient with placenta accreta spectrum. Rather than a clinical checklist, we describe the personnel, clinical unit characteristics, and breadth of contributing clinical roles that make up a team. Screening protocols, diagnostic imaging, surgical and potential need for critical care, and trauma-informed interaction are the basis for comprehensive care. The vision from the author group is that this publication provides a semblance of infrastructure standardization as a means to ensure proper preparation and readiness.

Prophylactic radiologic interventions to reduce postpartum hemorrhage in women with risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorder: a nationwide cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the association between prophylactic radiologic interventions and perioperative blood loss in women with risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorder (PAS).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective nationwide cohort study of women with risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum disorder who underwent planned cesarean section in 69 Dutch hospitals between 2008 and 2013. All women had two risk factors for PAS: placenta previa/anterior low-lying placenta and a history of cesarean section(s). Women with and without ultrasonographic signs of PAS were studied as two separate groups. We compared the total blood loss of women with prophylactic radiologic interventions, defined as preoperative placement of balloon catheters or sheaths in the internal iliac or uterine arteries, with that of a control group consisting of women without prophylactic radiologic interventions using multivariable regression. We evaluated maternal morbidity by the number of red blood cell (RBC) units transfused within 24 h following childbirth (categories: 0, 1-3, >4), duration of hospital admission, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

RESULTS

A total of 350 women with placenta previa/anterior low-lying placenta and history of cesarean section(s) were included: 289 with normal ultrasonography, of whom 21 received prophylactic radiologic intervention, and 61 had abnormal ultrasonography, of whom 22 received prophylactic intervention. Among women with normal ultrasonography without prophylactic intervention (n = 268), the median blood loss was 725 mL (interquartile range (IQR) 500-1500) vs. 1000 mL (IQR 550-1750) in women with intervention (n = 21); the adjusted difference in blood loss was 9 mL (95% confidence interval (CI) -315-513), p = .97). Among women with abnormal ultrasonography, those without prophylactic intervention (n = 39) had a median blood loss of 2500 mL (IQR 1200-5000) vs. 1750 mL (IQR 775-4000) in women with intervention (n = 22); the adjusted difference in blood loss was -1141 mL (95% CI -1694- -219, p = .02). Results of outcomes on maternal morbidity were comparable among women with and without prophylactic intervention.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that prophylactic radiologic interventions prior to planned cesarean section may help to limit perioperative blood loss in women with clear signs of placenta accreta spectrum disorder on ultrasonography, but there was no evidence of a difference within the subgroup without such ultrasonographic signs. The use of these interventions should be discussed in a multidisciplinary shared decision-making process, including discussions of potential benefits and possible complications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Netherlands Trial Registry, https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/28238, identifier NL4210 (NTR4363).

Subsequent pregnancy outcomes and risk factors following conservative treatment for placenta accreta spectrum: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Placenta accreta spectrum can lead to uncontrollable massive hemorrhage in the perinatal period. Currently, the first-line treatment for placenta accreta spectrum recommended worldwide is hysterectomy. However, adverse outcomes after hysterectomy, including surgical complications, such as difficulty in performing the procedure, and sequelae, such as infertility and psychological issues, cannot be ignored. Several surgical approaches for conservative treatment have been proposed. There are few reports on the effectiveness, safety, and long-term complications of conservative treatments, especially subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and identify risk factors of subsequent pregnancies among patients with placenta accreta spectrum who had undergone conservative surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of subsequent pregnancy cases after cesarean delivery with conservative treatment for placenta accreta spectrum from 2011 to 2019 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University to identify clinical outcomes of subsequent pregnancies and the risk factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 883 patients undergoing conservative surgery were included in this study, among which 604 (68.4%) were successfully followed up. There were 75 successful pregnancies in 72 patients, including 22 full-term or near-term deliveries, 1 induced labor in the second trimester of pregnancy, 6 cesarean scar pregnancies (8.0%), 2 ectopic pregnancies, and 44 first-trimester pregnancies (3 miscarriages and 41 elective abortions and 12 medical abortions and 32 vacuum aspirations). All newborns survived in the 22 full-term or near-term deliveries. Moreover, 5 placenta accreta spectrum cases (22.7%) and 6 placenta previa cases were observed. Postpartum hemorrhage was observed in 2 cases, with an incidence rate of 9.1%. All parameters, including age at subsequent pregnancy, gravidity, number of cesarean deliveries, type of previous placenta accreta spectrum, gestational week of pregnancy termination, interpregnancy interval, and the use of vascular occlusion techniques, were not found to be associated with recurrent placenta accreta spectrum and cesarean scar pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that treatment for placenta accreta spectrum does not automatically preclude a subsequent pregnancy. However, patients should be fully informed about the risk of recurrent placenta accreta spectrum, scar pregnancy, and postpartum hemorrhage.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is one of the most dangerous conditions in pregnancy and is increasing in frequency. The risk of life-threatening bleeding is present throughout pregnancy but is particularly high at the time of delivery. Although the exact cause is unknown, the result is clear: Severe PAS distorts the uterus and surrounding anatomy and transforms the pelvis into an extremely high-flow vascular state. Screening for risk factors and assessing placental location by antenatal ultrasonography are essential for timely diagnosis. Further evaluation and confirmation of PAS are best performed in referral centers with expertise in antenatal imaging and surgical management of PAS. In the United States, cesarean hysterectomy with the placenta left in situ after delivery of the fetus is the most common treatment for PAS, but even in experienced referral centers, this treatment is often morbid, resulting in prolonged surgery, intraoperative injury to the urinary tract, blood transfusion, and admission to the intensive care unit. Postsurgical complications include high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, pelvic pain, decreased quality of life, and depression. Team-based, patient-centered, evidence-based care from diagnosis to full recovery is needed to optimally manage this potentially deadly disorder. In a field that has relied mainly on expert opinion, more research is needed to explore alternative treatments and adjunctive surgical approaches to reduce blood loss and postoperative complications.

Sonographic Diagnosis and Management With Delayed Hysterectomy of Two Cesarean Scar Pregnancies That Developed Into Placenta Percreta: Two Case Reports

Approximately two-thirds of the patients with a cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) will develop placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). PAS occurs when the placenta attaches too deeply to the uterine wall, and sometimes, the placenta can extend beyond the uterus, invading surrounding organs. PAS is commonly managed with a cesarean hysterectomy, and these deliveries are often complicated by maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. However, delaying hysterectomy and using chemotherapeutic agents may be a safe and beneficial alternative. We describe the case of a 32 -year-old G3P2002 with a history of two prior cesarean sections (CS) who was referred to our Maternal Fetal Medicine department due to the concern of a gestational sac embedded in the anterior uterine wall in the cesarean scar. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings at 33 weeks confirmed that the patient had developed placenta percreta extending into the sigmoid colon. We also describe the case of a 30-year-old G6P4104 with a history of four prior CS who was referred to our department for concern of a pregnancy complicated by CSP. This patient had an MRI performed at 23 weeks that showed placenta percreta invading the bladder. Patients one and two were managed with a staged procedure, with CS followed by a delayed laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy, respectively, to minimize bowel and bladder injury. After the CS, the patients subsequently received a five-day course of intravenous (IV) etoposide 100mg/m2, and at six weeks postpartum, the patients had a hysterectomy, both showing resolution of the placenta invasion into the surrounding organs on postpartum MRI and confirmed by tissue pathology reports. Our cases present the challenge in diagnosis and management of the most severe presentation of PAS that varies from the generally accepted management recommendations. Delayed hysterectomy with chemotherapy can be a reasonable, conservative surgical approach in the most severe types of PAS. As in our cases, this management could improve maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

A novel approach in the management of placenta accreta spectrum disorders: A single-center multidisciplinary surgical experience at Tu Du Hospital in Vietnam

OBJECTIVE

Placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PASD) are the leading cause which results in highly maternal mortality during pregnancy. Although hysterectomy has been the gold standard for PASD, the recent study along with our experience has been demonstrated that the association between uterine myometrial resection and transverse B-Lynch suture in conservative management might be effective in the appropriate patients, thus we hereby attempted to determine this issue.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective observational study enrolled 65 patients at Tu Du Hospital in Vietnam between January 2017 and December 2018. This study included all pregnant women above 28 weeks of gestational age, who had undergone cesarean delivery due to PASD diagnosed preoperatively by ultrasound or upon laparotomy. Additionally, all patients who desired uterine preservation underwent modified one-step conservative uterine surgery (MOSCUS), avoiding peripartum hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Overall, the rate of successful preservation was 93.8%. Other main outcomes such as average operative blood loss was 987 mL, mean blood transfusion was 831 ± 672 mL; mean operative time was 135 ± 31 min and average postoperative time was 5.79 days. Postoperative complications included six out of 65 cases due to intraoperative bleeding and postoperative infection, requiring hysterectomy in 4 patients.

CONCLUSION

MOSCUS was associated with less operative blood loss and blood transfusion amount. Its success rate of uterine preservation was approximately 94% in our study. Thus, this method can be acceptable in PASD management at our maternity health care center. Further studies might be necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of this method in PASD management.

Colombian Consensus on the Treatment of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS)

INTRODUCTION

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a condition associated with massive postpartum bleeding and maternal mortality. Management guidelines published in high income countries recommend the participation of interdisciplinary teams in hospitals with sufficient resources for performing complex procedures. However, some of the recommendations contained in those guidelines are difficult to implement in low and medium income countries.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this consensus is to draft general recommendations for the treatment of PAS in Colombia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three panelists took part in the consensus with their answers to 31 questions related to the treatment of PAS. The panelists were selected based on participation in two surveys designed to determine the resolution capabilities of national and regional hospitals. The modified Delphi methodology was used, introducing two successive discussion rounds. The opinions of the participants, with a consensus of more than 80%, as well as implementation barriers and facilitators, were taken into consideration in order to issue the recommendations.

RESULTS

The consensus draftedfive recommendations, integrating the answers of the panelists. Recommendation 1. Primary care institutions must undertake active search of PAS in patients with risk factors: placenta praevia and history of myomectomy or previous cesarean section. In case of ultrasound signs suggesting PAS, patients must be immediately referred, without a minimum gestational age, to hospitals recognized as referral centers. Online communication and care modalities may facilitate the interaction between primary care institutions and referral centers for PAS. The risks and benefits of telemedicine modalities must be weighed. Recommendation 2. Referral hospitals for PAS need to be defined in each region of Colombia, ensuring coverage throughout the national territory. It is advisable to concentrate the flow of patients affected by this condition in a few hospitals with surgical teams specifically trained in PAS, availability of specialized resources, and institutional efforts at improving quality of care with the aim of achieving better health outcomes in pregnant women with this condition. To achieve this goal, participants recommend that healthcare regulatory agencies at a national and regional level should oversee the process of referral for these patients, expediting administrative pathways in those cases in which there is no prior agreement between the insurer and the selected hospital or clinic. Recommendation 3. Referral centers for patients with PAS are urged to build teams consisting of a fixed group of specialists (obstetricians, urologists, general surgeons, interventional radiologists) entrusted with the care of all PAS cases. It is advisable for these interdisciplinary teams to use the “intervention bundle” model as a guidance for building PAS referral centers. This model comprises the following activities: service preparedness, disease prevention and identification, response to the occurrence of the disease, and debriefing after every event. Telemedicine facilitates PAS treatment and should be taken into consideration by interdisciplinary teams caring for this disease. Recommendation 4. Obstetrics residents must be instructed in the performance of maneuvers that are useful for the prevention and treatment of massive intraoperative bleeding due to placenta praevia and PAS, including manual aortic compression, uterine tourniquet, pelvic packing, retrovesical bypass, and Ward maneuver. Specialization Obstetrics and Gynecology programs in Colombia must include the basic concepts of the diagnosis and treatment of PAS. Referral centers for PAS must offer online and in-person training programs for professionals interested in improving their competencies in PAS. Moreover, they must offer permanent remote support (telemedicine) to other hospitals in their region for patients with this condition. Recommendation 5. Patients suspected of having PAS and placenta praevia based on imaging, with no evidence of active vaginal bleeding, must be delivered between weeks 34 and 36 6/7. Surgical treatment must include sequential interventions that may vary depending on the characteristics of the lesion, the clinical condition of the patient and the availability of resources. The surgical options (total and subtotal hysterectomy, one-stage conservative surgical management and watchful waiting) must be included in a protocol known by the entire interdisciplinary team. In situations in which an antepartum diagnosis is lacking, that is to say, in the face of intraoperative finding of PAS (evidence of purple bulging or neovascularization of the anterior aspect of the uterus), and the participation of untrained personnel, three options are considered: Option 1: In the absence of indication of immediate delivery or of vaginal delivery, the recommendation is to postpone the cesarean section (close the laparotomy before incising the uterus) until the recommended resources for safe surgery are secured. Option 2: If there is an indication for immediate delivery (e.g., non-reassuring fetal status) but there is absence of vaginal bleeding or indication for immediate PAS management, a two-stage management is suggested: cesarean section avoiding placental incision, followed by uterine repair and abdominal closure, until the availability of the recommended resources for safe surgery is ascertained. Option 3: In the event of vaginal bleeding that prevents definitive PAS management, the fetus must be delivered through the uterine fundus, followed by uterine repair and reassessment of the situation. Sometimes, fetal delivery diminishes placental flow and vaginal bleeding is reduced or disappears, enabling the possibility to postpone definitive management of PAS. In case of persistent significant bleeding, hysterectomy should be performed, using all available resources: manual aortic compression, immediate call to the surgeons with the best available training, telemedicine support from expert teams in other hospitals. If a patient with risk factors for PAS (e.g., myomectomy or previous cesarean section) has a retained placenta after vaginal delivery, it is advisable to confirm the possibility of such diagnosis (by means of ultrasound, for example) before proceeding to manual extraction of the placenta.

CONCLUSIONS

It is our hope that this first Colombian consensus on PAS will serve as a basis for additional discussions and collaborations that can result in improved clinical outcomes for women affected by this condition. Additional research will be required in order to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of these recommendations.

Leaving the Placenta In Situ in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders: A Single-Center Case Series

OBJECTIVE

 The most common treatment for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders is planned primary cesarean hysterectomy. However, other management strategies may improve outcomes and/or allow fertility preservation. The objective of this study was to describe the course and outcomes of patients with PAS managed by leaving the placenta in situ.

STUDY DESIGN

 This is a series of 11 patients with PAS managed by leaving the placenta in situ at a single academic center in the United States from 2015 to 2022. The approach described involves delivery of the fetus via cesarean, no attempt at placental removal, closure of the hysterotomy, prophylactic intravenous antibiotics for up to 1 week, and close outpatient follow-up until the uterus is empty.

RESULTS

 The uterus was successfully preserved in six (55%), minimally invasive hysterectomy was performed in four (36%), and abdominal hysterectomy was performed in 1 (9%). During cesarean delivery, the median estimated blood loss was 650mL (range: 200-1,000mL). The majority of patients had no vaginal discharge for several weeks after delivery, followed by brown or bloody discharge, and intermittent mild-to-moderate cramping. The median time to resolution of PAS was 18 weeks in patients with successful uterine preservation (range: 5-25 weeks). Indications for hysterectomy included hemorrhage (n=1), coagulopathy (n=1), endomyometritis (n=2), and pain (n=1), and these occurred at a median of 5 weeks postpartum (range: 1-25 weeks). Four patients had subsequent pregnancies of whom three were live births at or near term and one was a spontaneous abortion at 19 weeks.

CONCLUSION

 Leaving the placenta in situ may be an appropriate management strategy for some carefully selected and counseled patients with PAS.

KEY POINTS

· Overall, 55% had uterine preservation (6/11).. · Minimally invasive approach in 80% of hysterectomies (4/5).. · Of patients, 67% with uterine preservation had subsequent pregnancies (4/6)..

Risk of Subsequent Hysterectomy after Expectant Management in the Treatment of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders

Management strategies for pregnancies with abnormal adherence/invasion of the placenta (placenta accreta spectrum, PAS) vary between centers. Expectant management (EM), defined as leaving the placenta in situ after the delivery of the baby, until its complete decomposition and elimination, has become a potential option for PAS disorders in selected cases, in which the risk of Caesarean hysterectomy is very high. However, expectant management has its own risks and complications. The aim of this study was to describe the rates of subsequent hysterectomy (HT) in patients that underwent EM for the treatment of PAS disorders. We reviewed the literature on the subject and found 12 studies reporting cases of HT after initial intended EM. The studies included 1918 pregnant women diagnosed with PAS, of whom 518 (27.1%) underwent EM. Out of these, 121 (33.2%) required subsequent HT in the 12 months following delivery. The rates of HT after initial EM were very different between the studies, ranging from 0 to 85.7%, reflecting the different characteristics of the patients and different institutional management protocols. Prospective multicenter studies, in which the inclusion criteria and management strategies would be uniform, are needed to better understand the role EM might play in the treatment of PAS disorders.

Comparison of One-Stage and Two-Stage Intraoperative Uterine Artery Embolization during Cesarean Delivery for Placenta Accreta: Report of Two Clinical Cases at a Tertiary Referral Medical Center

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) described the anchoring placental villi attached or penetrating into/through the myometrium. PAS is clinically important because of the unpredictable bleeding amount when manually removing the defective decidualization at the endometrial-myometrial interface. Therefore, a multidisciplinary strategy for cesarean delivery with PAS is crucial. Postoperative embolization after cesarean hysterectomy in a hybrid suite was studied by many scientists. In this study, we demonstrated two cases of intraoperative embolization without hysterectomy in a hybrid operating room for cesarean delivery with placenta accreta. Our results show that intraoperative uterine artery embolization with a hybrid suite is a time-preserving and safe method for cesarean delivery with PAS owing to avoiding the risk of morbidity and mortality during patient transfer.

Placenta accreta spectrum - variations in clinical practice and maternal morbidity between the UK and France: a population-based comparative study

Objective

To compare the management and outcomes of women with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in France and the UK.

Design

Two population‐based cohorts.

Setting

All obstetrician‐led hospitals in the UK and maternity hospitals in eight French regions.

Population

A cohort of 219 women with PAS in France and a cohort of 154 women with PAS in the UK.

Methods

The management and outcomes of women with PAS were compared between the UK and France.

Main outcome measures

Median blood loss, severe postpartum haemorrhage (≥3 l), postpartum infection and damage to surrounding organs.

Results

The management of PAS differed between the two countries: a larger proportion of women with PAS in the UK had a caesarean hysterectomy compared with France (43% vs 26%, p < 0.001), whereas in France a larger proportion of women with PAS received a uterus‐preserving approach compared with the UK (36% vs 19%, p < 0.001). The total median blood loss in the UK was 3 l (IQR 1.7–6.5 l), compared with 1 l (IQR 0.5–2.5 l) in France; more women with PAS had a severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) in the UK compared with women with PAS in France (58% vs 21%, p < 0.001) [Correction added on 06 May 2022, after first online publication: ‘24 hour’ has been changed to ‘total’ in the preceding sentence]. There was no difference between the UK and French populations for postpartum infection or organ damage.

Conclusions

The UK and France have very different approaches to managing PAS, with more women in France receiving a uterine‐conserving approach and more women in the UK undergoing caesarean hysterectomy. A life‐threatening haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France, which may be the result of differential management and/or the organisation of the healthcare systems.

In women with placenta accreta spectrum, severe haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France.

Tweetable abstract

In women with placenta accreta spectrum, severe haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France.

In women with placenta accreta spectrum, severe haemorrhage was more common in the UK than in France.

Linked article: This article is commented on by Amarnath Bhide, pp. 1686 in this issue. To view this minicommentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17170.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorder Complicated with Endometriosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to assess the relationship between placenta accreta spectrum disorder (PASD) and endometriosis. The relationships among pregnancy, assisted reproductive technology (ART), placenta previa, ART-conceived pregnancy and PASD were also determined. A systematic literature review was conducted using multiple computerized databases. Forty-eight studies (1990–2021) met the inclusion criteria. According to the adjusted pooled analysis (n = 3), endometriosis was associated with an increased prevalence of PASD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96–5.87). In the included studies, the ART rate ranged from 18.2% to 37.2% for women with endometriosis. According to the adjusted pooled analysis, women who used ART were more likely to have placenta previa (n = 13: adjusted OR 2.96, 95%CI, 2.43–3.60) and PASD (n = 4: adjusted OR 3.54, 95%CI 1.86–6.76) than those who did not use ART. According to the sensitivity analysis using an unadjusted analysis accounting for the type of ART, frozen embryo transfer (ET) was associated with an increased risk of PASD (n = 4: OR 2.79, 95%CI, 1.22−6.37) compared to fresh ET. Endometriosis may be associated with an increased rate of PASD. Women with placenta previa complicated with endometriosis who conceived using frozen ET may be a high risk for PASD.