Objective: To calculate the risk of recurrence of retained placenta (RP) and to investigate predisposing factors for recurrence.
Design: Retrospective.
Setting: Ikazia Hospital Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Method: Childbirths of all patients who delivered between 1986 and 1989 and who had a RP were investigated and analysed.
Results: A total of 134 patients with RP were included in the study. 17 of 75 patients who had given birth before had a recurrence of RP (23%). 17 of 53 patients (32%) who had a successive pregnancy had a recurrence of RP. Three of five patients with placenta accreta, had RP at the next delivery. Four patients who delivered after two successive RPs all had a third RP.
Conclusion: The recurrence of RP was high: 32%. Placenta accreta and a history of multiple RPs appear to predispose to recurrence.