Major placenta previa among patients with and without previous cesarean section: Maternal characteristics, outcomes and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: To compare maternal characteristics and outcomes among patients having major placenta previa (PP) with and without previous cesarean section (CS). And to determine if previous CS alone is a risk factor for associated adverse maternal outcomes in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis including two groups of major PP patients, with previous CS (n = 184) and without CS (n = 115); who were admitted to Abha Maternity and Children's Hospital over the last ten-years (January 2012-December 2021), Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Compared to those without previous CS, major PP patients with previous CS had significantly advanced ages with higher mean numbers of gravidity and parity, but significantly less rates of previous uterine surgery and IVF pregnancies. Moreover, they were more likely to acquire higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes. In the same way, these patients had an increased Odds Ratios of cesarean hysterectomy (OR of 20.462), urinary tract injuries (OR of 12.361), associated PAS (OR of 4.375), moderate/ heavy intra-operative bleeding (OR of 2.153) and the need for transfusion of 3+ units of packed RBCs (OR of 1.849). CONCLUSION: (1) Patients with combined existence of major PP and previous CS had significantly higher rates of adverse maternal outcomes (2) Alone, prior CS in major PP patients increased the Odds Ratios of cesarean hysterectomy, urinary tract injuries, diagnosis of PAS, excessive intra-operative bleeding and repeated packed RBCs transfusions. (3) Among our PP patients with previous CS, the increased rate and OR of PAS diagnosis could in-part explain the adverse maternal outcomes.

Placenta accreta spectrum in major placenta previa diagnosed only by MRI: incidence, risk factors, and maternal morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal assessment of maternal risk factors and imaging evaluation can help in diagnosis and treatment of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in major placenta previa (PP). Recent evidence suggests that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could complement ultrasonography (US) in the PAS diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and maternal morbidity related to the MRI diagnosis of PAS in major PP. DESIGN: A 10-year retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on patients with major PP who had cesarean delivery in Abha Maternity and Children's Hospital (AMCH) over a 10-year period (2012-2021). They were evaluated with ultrasonography (US) and color Doppler for evidence of PAS. Antenatal MRI was ordered either to confirm the diagnosis (if equivocal US) or to assess the depth of invasion/extra-uterine extension (if definitive US). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors for PAS in major PP and maternal complications. SAMPLE SIZE: 299 patients RESULTS: Among 299 patients, MRI confirmed the PAS diagnosis in 91/299 (30.5%) patients. The independent risk factors for MRI diagnosis of PAS in major PP included only repeated cesarean sections and advanced maternal age. The commonest maternal morbidity in major PP with PAS was significantly excessive intraoperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: MRI may be a valuable adjunct in the evaluation of PAS in major PP; as a complement, but not substitute US. MRI may be suitable in major PP/PAS patients who are older and have repeated cesarean deliveries with equivocal results or deep/extra-uterine extension on US. LIMITATION: Single center, small sample size, lack of complete histopathological diagnosis. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

A retrospective study of the incidence and predisposing factors of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rates of third- and fourth-degree tears and related predisposing factors for the tears in singleton vaginal deliveries. Methods: This was a retrospective study of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears in all women who underwent vaginal delivery in a tertiary hospital in Assir region between January 2014 and December 2019. There are approximately 5000 deliveries per year at the Abha Maternity and Children Hospital. The total number of deliveries during the study period was 31,788, of which 19,374 were delivered vaginally. Results: A total of 85 women (0.43% of all vaginal deliveries) had third-degree (n=81) or fourth-degree (n=4) perineal tears. The mean age of the women was 31 years (range: 16-46 years). Fifty-two of the 85 women (61%) were primiparous. Of the various obstetric parameters, episiotomy, occipitoposterior presentation, primigravida, multipara, and a previous episiotomy were found to be significant predisposing factors to third- and fourth-degree tears in our patients. CONCLUSION: The low incidence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries in this study is likely the result of proactive manual protection of the perineum, valid indications for episiotomy, and attendance of senior staff members at all difficult deliveries.