The Feasibility of Conservative Management for Morbidly Adherent Placenta Accidentally Encountered after Vaginal Delivery

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017;82(5):494-499. doi: 10.1159/000452667. Epub 2017 Jan 5.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of conservative management for patients with morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) accidentally encountered after term vaginal delivery.

Methods: Medical records of patients with MAP who were accidentally encountered after term vaginal delivery and treated in our hospital from January 2009 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: A total of 8 eligible patients were included in this analysis. Primary postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 5 (62.5%) cases. Emergent uterine artery embolization, intrauterine balloon occlusion, and blood transfusion were performed in 5 (62.5%), 2 (25%), and 2 (25%) cases, respectively. Placentas were left in situ in all these 8 cases. Subsequent adjunctive medication treatments, including methotrexate, mifepristone, and traditional Chinese medicine, were administered in 7 (87.5%), 4 (50%), and 3 (37.5%) cases, respectively. The retained placenta spontaneously passed out in 4 (50%) patients. Additional curettage operation was performed in 3 (37.5%) patients. Emergent hysterectomy was performed in 1 (12.5%) patient due to cardiac insufficiency and acute pulmonary edema caused by sepsis. No other severe adverse events were identified.

Conclusions: Conservative management is feasible for patients with MAP accidentally encountered after vaginal delivery with close follow-up.

Keywords: Accidentally encountered after vagina delivery; Adjunctive medication treatments; Conservative management; Morbidly adherent placenta.

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents
  • Adult
  • Balloon Occlusion
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Conservative Treatment / methods*
  • Delivery, Obstetric
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy / adverse effects
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Mifepristone / administration & dosage
  • Placenta
  • Placenta Accreta / diagnosis
  • Placenta Accreta / therapy*
  • Placenta, Retained
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Artery Embolization
  • Vagina

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Mifepristone
  • Methotrexate