Background: The distinguished Triple-P procedure has been reported as a conservative surgical alternative to peripartum hysterectomy for placental accreta spectrum (PAS). In this study, we modified the procedure combined with prophylactic abdominal aorta balloon occlusion and/or tourniquet and evaluated the effect and long-term outcomes.
Methods: This was a retrospective study involving pregnant patients with clinically confirmed severe PAS (including placenta increta and percreta) between January 1st, 2017 and June 30th, 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. A total of 334 pregnant women were recruited in this study. The 142 women that were subjected to modified Triple P Procedure were regarded as the observation group while 194 pregnant women that were treated with other sutures were regarded as the control group. Demographic characteristics, placental accreta spectrum score (PAS score), estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, blood transfusion rate and volume, neonatal weight, post-operative hospital stays and costs were evaluated. Short-term complications, including fever, hematoma, thrombus, bladder rupture and intensive care unit (ICU) transfer rate, as well as long-term outcomes including breast feeding, menstruation, intrauterine adhesion, and chronic abdominal pain among others were followed up in the outpatient clinic and by phone calls.
Results: For all cases, EBL was lower in the observation group than in the control group, 1,200 (687-1,812) ml and 1,300 (800-2,500) ml, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Operative time were statistically significantly shorter in the observation group [99.5 (84.0-120.0) min and 109.0 (83.8-143.0) min, P < 0.05]. Lengths of postoperative hospital stays were 4 (4-7) and 5 (4-7) days in the observation and control group, which was significantly shorter in the observation group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in PAS scores, blood transfusion volume, neonatal weight, fever, hematoma, thrombus, bladder rupture and ICU transfer rates between the two groups. All patients, except one in control group, had preserved uterus. There were no statistically significant differences in short-term and long-term complications between two groups.
Conclusion: In summary, when combined with tourniquet and/or prophylactic abdominal aorta balloon occlusion, modified Triple-P procedure may be effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss and hysterectomy in patients with placenta increta/percreta. It is a safe and effective surgical alternative to peripartum hysterectomy. However, the complications associated with interventional radiology service should be evaluated furthermore.
Keywords: Triple-P procedure; abdominal aorta; balloon occlusion; conservative treatment/methods; peripartum hysterectomy; placenta accreta spectrum (PAS).
Copyright © 2022 Zhao, Zhao, Chen, Tao and Guo.