Placenta accreta spectrum disorders-experience of management in a German tertiary perinatal centre

Abstract

Purpose: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders can cause major intrapartum haemorrhage. The optimal management approach is not yet defined. We analysed available cases from a tertiary perinatal centre to compare the outcome of different individual management strategies.

Methods: A monocentric retrospective analysis was performed in patients with clinically confirmed diagnosis of PAS between 07/2012 and 12/2019. Electronic patient and ultrasound databases were examined for perinatal findings, peripartum morbidity including blood loss and management approaches such as (1) vaginal delivery and curettage, (2) caesarean section with placental removal versus left in situ and (3) planned, immediate or delayed hysterectomy.

Results: 46 cases were identified with an incidence of 2.49 per 1000 births. Median diagnosis of placenta accreta (56%), increta (39%) or percreta (4%) was made in 35 weeks of gestation. Prenatal detection rate was 33% for all cases and 78% for placenta increta. 33% showed an association with placenta praevia, 41% with previous caesarean section and 52% with previous curettage. Caesarean section rate was 65% and hysterectomy rate 39%. In 9% of the cases, the placenta primarily remained in situ. 54% of patients required blood transfusion. Blood loss did not differ between cases with versus without prenatal diagnosis (p = 0.327). In known cases, an attempt to remove the placenta did not show impact on blood loss (p = 0.417).

Conclusion: PAS should be managed in an optimal setting and with a well-coordinated team. Experience with different approaches should be proven in prospective multicentre studies to prepare recommendations for expected and unexpected need for management.

Keywords: Caesarean hysterectomy; Maternal morbidity; Peripartum haemorrhage; Placenta accreta spectrum.