Karolina Gruca-Stryjak, Mariola Ropacka-Lesiak, Grzegorz H. Bręborowicz
Vol 86, No 12 (2015)
ARTICLES
Abstract
This paper presents a case of a pregnant woman with a history of two cesarean sections. The patient was admitted
to the hospital because of vaginal bleeding. The ultrasound revealed a placenta covering the internal os. The
placenta was characterized by heterogeneous echogenicity, with visible irregular hypoechogenic areas and blurred
border between the placenta and the cervix. Rich vascularity was observed on the border of the placenta, urethra
and the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy showed severe congestion around the urethra. On the back wall of the bladder
a slightly increased vascularity was seen, which did not allow to confirm or exclude placental ingrowth in the urinary
bladder.
At 38 weeks, the patient was scheduled for an elective cesarean section. A classic perpendicular incision and
leaving the placenta in the uterine cavity were proposed.
After opening the abdomen, a strong vascularization in the region of lower part of the uterus and the urinary bladder
was seen. Uterine incision in the fundus and the posterior wall was performed. A female fetus (weight: 2950g,
Apgar: 10,10) was born. Then, the umbilical cord was ligated with non-absorbable suture and inserted back into
the uterus. However, due to the presence of abundant and persistent vaginal bleeding during the next few minutes,
conversion to obstetric hysterectomy was required. During relaparotomy, fragments of the placenta appeared on
the right side after sliding the urinary bladder. The bladder and the left ureter were damaged during surgery. The
urinary bladder was sewn after removal of the uterus. Next, the urologist anastomosed end-to-end the left ureter
on the pigtail catheter. In the third hour of operation, cardiac arrest was caused by ventricular fibrillation. Immediate
resuscitation with defibrillation allowed to restore normal function of the cardiovascular system. Total blood loss
during the operation was 3000-4000 ml. During surgery,10 units of packed RBCs, 7 units of fresh frozen plasma,
and 4 units of cryoprecipitate were transfused. The patient received antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy. Polyuria
was diagnosed in the following days of puerperium, accompanied by electrolyte disturbances in serum and urine.
The patient was treated with vasopressin and the electrolyte disturbances were corrected. On day 10 postpartum,
the urinary catheter was removed, and clear, significant improvement and stabilization of renal function and patient
health were obtained. The patient was discharged from the hospital on day 19 of the puerperium.
In summary, it is clear that the steadily increasing rate of cesarean deliveries may result in the future in an increased
number of abnormal placentation cases. Abnormal placentation is one of the most important risk factors of severe
obstetric complications, including perinatal massive hemorrhage, which can lead to abnormal organ perfusion with
cardiac arrest. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis and identification of abnormal placentation are vital in order to plan
adequately the date, place, and mode of delivery, as well as to ensure the availability of highly qualified specialists
in the field of obstetrics and anesthesia, and organize sufficient amount of blood products and blood substitutes
Abstract
This paper presents a case of a pregnant woman with a history of two cesarean sections. The patient was admitted
to the hospital because of vaginal bleeding. The ultrasound revealed a placenta covering the internal os. The
placenta was characterized by heterogeneous echogenicity, with visible irregular hypoechogenic areas and blurred
border between the placenta and the cervix. Rich vascularity was observed on the border of the placenta, urethra
and the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy showed severe congestion around the urethra. On the back wall of the bladder
a slightly increased vascularity was seen, which did not allow to confirm or exclude placental ingrowth in the urinary
bladder.
At 38 weeks, the patient was scheduled for an elective cesarean section. A classic perpendicular incision and
leaving the placenta in the uterine cavity were proposed.
After opening the abdomen, a strong vascularization in the region of lower part of the uterus and the urinary bladder
was seen. Uterine incision in the fundus and the posterior wall was performed. A female fetus (weight: 2950g,
Apgar: 10,10) was born. Then, the umbilical cord was ligated with non-absorbable suture and inserted back into
the uterus. However, due to the presence of abundant and persistent vaginal bleeding during the next few minutes,
conversion to obstetric hysterectomy was required. During relaparotomy, fragments of the placenta appeared on
the right side after sliding the urinary bladder. The bladder and the left ureter were damaged during surgery. The
urinary bladder was sewn after removal of the uterus. Next, the urologist anastomosed end-to-end the left ureter
on the pigtail catheter. In the third hour of operation, cardiac arrest was caused by ventricular fibrillation. Immediate
resuscitation with defibrillation allowed to restore normal function of the cardiovascular system. Total blood loss
during the operation was 3000-4000 ml. During surgery,10 units of packed RBCs, 7 units of fresh frozen plasma,
and 4 units of cryoprecipitate were transfused. The patient received antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy. Polyuria
was diagnosed in the following days of puerperium, accompanied by electrolyte disturbances in serum and urine.
The patient was treated with vasopressin and the electrolyte disturbances were corrected. On day 10 postpartum,
the urinary catheter was removed, and clear, significant improvement and stabilization of renal function and patient
health were obtained. The patient was discharged from the hospital on day 19 of the puerperium.
In summary, it is clear that the steadily increasing rate of cesarean deliveries may result in the future in an increased
number of abnormal placentation cases. Abnormal placentation is one of the most important risk factors of severe
obstetric complications, including perinatal massive hemorrhage, which can lead to abnormal organ perfusion with
cardiac arrest. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis and identification of abnormal placentation are vital in order to plan
adequately the date, place, and mode of delivery, as well as to ensure the availability of highly qualified specialists
in the field of obstetrics and anesthesia, and organize sufficient amount of blood products and blood substitutes
Keywords
placenta percreta / postpartum hemorrhage / obstetrical hysterectomy /, / cardiac arrest / renal failure
Title
Placenta percreta - serious obstetric complication despite the correct diagnosis - a case report
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 86, No 12 (2015)
Page views
865
Article views/downloads
11675
DOI
10.17772/gp/60833
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(12).
Keywords
placenta percreta / postpartum hemorrhage / obstetrical hysterectomy /
/ cardiac arrest / renal failure
Authors
Karolina Gruca-Stryjak
Mariola Ropacka-Lesiak
Grzegorz H. Bręborowicz