Cesarean delivery with and without uterine artery embolization for the management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder-A comparative study

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2020 Oct;99(10):1374-1380. doi: 10.1111/aogs.13868. Epub 2020 May 20.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare immediate and long-term obstetrical outcomes of patients who underwent cesarean delivery with and without uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the management of placenta accreta spectrum disorder.

Material and methods: A retrospective case control study including all pregnant women admitted to a single tertiary medical center between December 2001 and May 2018 with a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder, who underwent cesarean delivery with and without UAE. Groups were compared for maternal characteristics, operative management, postoperative complication rate and long-term outcomes. Follow up on future obstetrical outcomes was conducted via telephone questionnaire. Non-parametric statistics were used.

Results: During the study period, 272 women met the inclusion criteria: 64 (23.53%) and 208 (76.47%) underwent preservative cesarean section with and without UAE, respectively. UAE procedure was associated with a longer operative time (82.5 [68-110] vs 50.5 [39-77] minutes; P = .001), and higher blood loss (2000 (1500-3000) vs 1000 (600-2000) mL; P = .001). Hysterectomy rate was comparable between the groups (9 [14%] vs 35 [16.82%]; P = .88); however, multivariate logistic regression analysis found UAE to be an independent factor associated with lower hysterectomy rate (P = .02). Postoperative complications were more frequent in the UAE group. Follow up was achieved in 29 (59.18%) and 72 (51.79%) of the women with and without UAE, respectively (P = .36). No differences were found in rate of abortions, pregnancy and deliveries between the groups.

Conclusions: Cesarean delivery using UAE in placenta accreta spectrum disorder is associated with a higher rate of operative and postoperative complications. Nevertheless, in cases of severe adherence of the placenta, embolization reduces the need for hysterectomy, allowing future fertility.

Keywords: long-term outcome; placenta accreta spectrum disorder; uterine artery embolization.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Loss, Surgical / statistics & numerical data
  • Blood Transfusion / statistics & numerical data
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy / statistics & numerical data
  • Operative Time
  • Placenta Accreta / therapy*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Uterine Artery Embolization*