Management practices for placenta accreta spectrum patients: a Latin American hospital survey

Abstract

Introduction: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) causes severe morbidity and can result in maternal death. It must be managed in specialized centers with interdisciplinary groups, but few publications have described the usual management within a specific geographic region. We intend to describe the usual approach for PAS in reference centers in Latin America.

Methodology: This was an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Latin American PAS reference centers. A standardized survey was implemented and applied to obstetric service coordinators and leaders of interdisciplinary groups with experience in PAS between September and November 2020.

Results: One hundred fifty-four hospitals were included. Most of them (64.3%) handle approximately one case of PAS every two months, and almost all centers (89.6%) believe that their performance could be improved.

Conclusions: Most of the reference centers for PAS in Latin America attend to a small number of cases each year, and almost all of these hospitals identify opportunities to improve the management or approach for PAS in women.

Keywords: Latin America; Placenta accreta.