One-step conservative surgery vs hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta spectrum is a serious condition associated with significant maternal morbidity and even mortality. The recommended treatment is hysterectomy. An alternative is 1-step conservative surgery, which involves the en bloc resection of the myometrium affected by placenta accreta spectrum along with the placenta, followed by uterine reconstruction. Currently, there are no studies comparing the 2 techniques in the setting of a randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVE: We performed a prospectively registered multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing hysterectomy with 1-step conservative surgery. The aim was to collect feasibility and clinical outcomes of the 2 techniques in women assigned to hysterectomy or 1-step conservative surgery. In addition to assessing participants' willingness to be randomized, we also collected data on intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirement, serious adverse event, and other clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty women with strong antenatal suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum were assigned randomly to either hysterectomy (n=31) or 1-step conservative surgery (n=29). RESULTS: During a 20-month period, 60 of the 64 eligible patients (93.7%) underwent randomization. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that the clinical outcomes for 1-step conservative surgery were comparable to those of hysterectomy (median intraoperative blood loss, 1740 mL [interquartile range, 1010-2410] vs 1500 mL [interquartile range, 1122-2753]; odds ratio, 1 [1-1]; P=.942; median duration of surgery, 135 minutes [interquartile range, 111-180] vs 155 minutes [interquartile range, 120-185]; odds ratio, 0.99 [0.98-1]; P=.151; transfusion rate, 58.6% vs 61.3%; odds ratio, 0.96 [0.83-1.76]; P=.768; and adverse event rate, 17.2% vs 9.7%; odds ratio, 1.77 [0.43-10.19]; P=.398; respectively). In the subgroup of women with type 1 class on topographic classification, all participants allocated to 1-step surgery had successful outcomes, which were superior to those of hysterectomy. This was evidenced by the shorter surgery duration (median, 125 [interquartile range, 98-128] vs 180 [129-226] minutes; P=.002), lower transfusion rates (46.2% vs 82.4%), and fewer units of red blood cells transfused (median, 1 [interquartile range, 1-1.8] vs 3 [interquartile range, 2-4] units; P=.007). CONCLUSION: A randomized controlled trial comparing 2 surgical techniques for the treatment of placenta accreta spectrum is feasible. One-step conservative repair is a valid alternative to hysterectomy in the large majority of cases, but this can only be ascertained following intraoperative surgical staging.

Anesthesia and postpartum pain management for placenta accreta spectrum: The healthcare provider perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the management and experiences of healthcare providers around anesthetic care in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). METHODS: This descriptive survey study was carried out over a 6-week period between January and March 2023. Healthcare providers, both anesthesiologists and those involved in operative care for women with PAS, were invited to participate. Questions invited both quantitative and qualitative responses. Qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: In all, 171 healthcare providers responded to the survey, the majority of whom were working in tertiary PAS referral centers (153; 89%) and 116 (70%) had more than 10 years of clinical experience. There was variation in the preferred primary mode of anesthesia for PAS cases; 69 (42%) used neuraxial only, but 58 (35%) used a combined approach of neuraxial and general anesthesia, with only 12 (8%) preferring general anesthesia. Ninety-nine (61%) were offering a routine antenatal anesthesia consultation. Content analysis of qualitative data identified three main themes, which were "variation in approach to primary mode of anesthesia", "perspectives of patient preferences", and "importance of multidisciplinary team care". These findings led to the development of a decision aid provided as part of this paper, which may assist clinicians in counseling women on their options for care to come to an informed decision. CONCLUSIONS: Approach to anesthesia for PAS varied between healthcare providers. The final decision for anesthesia should take into consideration the clinical care needs as well as the preferences of the patient.

Anesthesia and postpartum pain management for placenta accreta spectrum: The patient perspective and recommendations for care.

OBJECTIVE: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a high-risk complication of pregnancy, which often requires complex surgical intervention. There is limited literature on the patient experience during the perioperative period and postpartum pain management for PAS. Therefore, this study aims to explore the patient perspective of anesthesia care. METHODS: Ethical approval was granted by the hospital ethics committee (EC02.2023). This was a descriptive survey study, including women with a history of pregnancy complicated by PAS who were members of two patient advocacy groups. The survey, consisting of both open and closed questions, was performed over a 6-week period between January and March 2023. Content analysis was performed on qualitative data to identify themes, and recommendations for care are suggested. RESULTS: A total of 347 participants responded to the survey; 76% (n = 252) had a cesarean hysterectomy (n = 252), and general anesthesia was the most common primary mode of anesthesia (39%, n = 130). We identified two overarching themes: experiences of anesthesia and experience of postpartum pain management. Under experiences of anesthesia, three subthemes were identified, namely "communication with the anesthesiologist", "deferring to the expertise of the team", and "consequences of decision around the mode of anesthesia." Under postpartum pain management, two subthemes emerged: "support of specialist PAS team" and "poor pain management following PAS surgery". CONCLUSIONS: Women want to be involved in decisions around their care, but do not always understand the consequences of their decision-making, such as missing the birth of their child. An antenatal anesthesiology consultation is important to provide women with information, explore preferences, and develop a plan of care for the birth.

Espectro do acretismo placentário: recomendações atualizadas da perspectiva do profissional de imagem pré-natal / Placenta accreta spectrum disorders: current recommendations from the perspective of antenatal imaging

O parto cesáreo (PC) é o procedimento cirúrgico mais comumente realizado nos Estados Unidos (mais de 1 milhão de cirurgias por ano) e um dos procedimentos mais realizados em todo o mundo.(1) Embora o PC seja um procedimento potencialmente salvador de vidas, quando corretamente indicado, sua frequência aumentou constantemente nas últimas décadas (atualmente 21,1% globalmente, variando de 5%, na África Subsaariana, a 42,8%, na América Latina e no Caribe). Além disso, estudos demonstram tendência continuada de aumento (projeção para 2030: 28,5% globalmente, variando de 7,1%, na África Subsaariana, a 63,4%, no leste da Ásia).(2) República Dominicana, Brasil, Chipre, Egito e Turquia são os líderes mundiais, com taxas de PC variando de 58,1% a 50,8%, respectivamente, o que aponta para uma tendência preocupante de medicalização do parto e indicação excessiva do PC.(2) Outros procedimentos cirúrgicos como dilatação, curetagem, miomectomia e histeroscopia cirúrgica são menos frequentes que o PC. Ainda assim, devido à tendência de maior idade materna, o número de gestantes previamente submetidas a esses procedimentos também tende a aumentar. Esses dados apontam para um número crescente de gestações em úteros manipulados cirurgicamente Gestantes com cicatrizes uterinas prévias correm risco de aumento da morbimortalidade. Complicações como placenta prévia, rotura uterina espontânea, deiscência uterina (com ou sem intrusão placentária), gestação em cicatriz de cesariana (GCC) e distúrbios do espectro do acretismo placentário (EAP) estão associadas a sangramento uterino potencialmente fatal, lesões extrauterinas e parto pré-termo

How to perform the one-step conservative surgery for placenta accreta spectrum move by move.

BACKGROUND: There are 3 treatment options for placenta accreta spectrum: cesarean delivery with hysterectomy, expectant management, and uterine-sparing surgical techniques. One-step conservative surgery is the most extensively described conservative surgical technique, and it has extensive evidence supporting its usefulness; however, few groups apply it, most likely because of the misconception that it is a complex procedure that requires extensive training and is applicable to only a few patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing one-step conservative surgery in 4 placenta accreta spectrum reference hospitals and provided detailed steps for successfully applying this type of surgery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicenter, descriptive, prospective study that described the outcomes of patients with placenta accreta spectrum treated in 4 reference hospitals for this condition. The patients were divided into those managed with one-step conservative surgery and those managed with cesarean delivery and hysterectomy. RESULTS: Overall, 75 patients were included. One-step conservative surgery was possible in 85.3% of placenta accreta spectrum cases (64 patients). Intraoperative staging and placenta accreta spectrum topographic classification allowed for the selection of one-step conservative surgery candidates. The clinical outcomes of the 2 groups were similar, except for the frequency of transfusions (81.8% in the cesarean delivery and hysterectomy group vs 67.2% in the one-step conservative surgery group) and vascular interventions (27.3% in the cesarean delivery and hysterectomy group vs 4.7% in the one-step conservative surgery group), which were both higher in patients who underwent hysterectomy. In addition, the operation time was shorter in the one-step conservative surgery group (164.4 minutes vs 216.5 minutes). CONCLUSION: One-step conservative surgery is a valid procedure in most patients with placenta accreta spectrum. It is an applicable technique even in scenarios with limited resources. However, its safe application requires knowledge of the topographic classification and the application of intraoperative staging.

Internal manual compression of the aorta-an effective way to temporarily control pelvic bleeding in obstetrical hemorrhage.

Obstetrical hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death, and its treatment frequently involves surgical procedures. In the most serious cases, regardless of the etiology, the priority is to stop the bleeding and obtain the conditions to definitively repair the injury that generates the bleeding. Multiple options for achieving hemostasis have been described, but most of them require extensive training or technological resources that are not available in all hospitals. Internal manual aortic compression is a procedure that is widely used in the management of massive pelvic bleeding; it was first described more than 50 years ago in obstetrics but is rarely used by obstetricians today. We describe in detail the technique for internal manual aortic compression and highlight the simplicity and effectiveness of the procedure, especially as an initial measure, to avoid the metabolic consequences of massive blood loss. We hope that internal manual aortic compression is taken into account by each obstetrician when caring for a pregnant woman with massive bleeding.

Telemedicine facilitates surgical training in placenta accreta spectrum.

OBJECTIVE: The training of groups responsible for managing patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is complex because of the lack of hospitals with a high flow of patients and absence of formal educational programs. We report here the results of a virtual training program (VTP) that implemented one-step conservative surgery (OSCS). METHODS: A prospective observation study of OSCS VTP between three expert groups and PAS reference hospitals without experience in OSCS was performed. Accessible or cost-efficient web meeting platforms were used to implement the VTP components: baseline observation of the participant's prior knowledge; instructions about essential PAS surgery topics; case selection and joint planning of surgery; expert group "telepresence" during surgery and postoperative debriefing. RESULTS: One-step conservative surgery was performed successfully at six hospitals. All patients had increta/percreta with a median intraoperative bleeding of 1300 ml (IQR 825-2325) and surgical time of 184 min (IQR 113-240). All groups considered the VTP very useful (n = 33, 97%) or useful (n = 1, 3%), they would use it again (definitely: n = 27, 81.8%; or probably: n = 6, 18.2%), and they would recommend it to other colleagues. CONCLUSION: Tele education and telepresence during PAS surgery facilitates the implementation of OSCS in selected cases.

Placenta accreta spectrum: a hysterectomy can be prevented in almost 80% of cases using a resective-reconstructive technique.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of surgical repair (One-step resective-conservative surgery) in all cases of placenta accreta spectrum. STUDY DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective case series from tertiary referral hospitals in Argentina. A total of 452 patients were accepted from 12 hospitals presenting suspicion of invasive placenta by auxiliary methods (ultrasound, Doppler and MRI). At the time of the surgery, placenta accreta spectrum was classified according to invasion topography (specific blood supply) and local features (proximity to other structures, adhesion process, and multiple anastomotic blood vessels). Type 1: upper posterior bladder; type 2: parametrial; type 3: low posterior bladder; and type 4: low posterior bladder and fibrosis. After the ligature of newly formed vessels between the uterus and pelvic organs, the fetus was delivered through an upper segmental hysterotomy. Hemostasis was achieved by selective ligature of vesical-uterine and colpo-uterine vessels. Then, the invaded myometrium and the entire placenta were removed totally in bloc and until detected healthy tissue in both edges, to guarantee the most physiological hysterotomy in the uterine segment. The uterus was closed with a polyglactin suture, double-layer technique. The main outcome measurements were the uterine conservation, the blood loss and other complications classified according to intrasurgical classification. RESULTS: From 452 accepted patients, 326 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum by histology analysis and surgical-clinical findings. In 126 cases, placenta accreta spectrum was excluded used the same diagnostic criteria (Type 0 or false positive PAS). They were identified 248 cases as type 1, 44 as type 2, 23 as type 3 and 11 as type 4. Uterine conservation was possible in the 81% of type 1 invasion with 500 mL of blood loss (interquartile range, IQR = Q3 - Q1). The modified Pfannenstiel was the most commonly used incision, while midline incision was chosen in all emergencies or in patients with a previous midline incision. Hysterotomy made in the upper part of the uterine segment presented normally attached placentas and not accreta. Selective vessel ligature, also named custom-made hemostasis method (CMHM) was effective at stopping or preventing bleeding associated with PAS. The entire placenta and the invaded area are removed in block, to guarantee to perform the uterine repair with healthy tissue and to avoid a recurrence in the subsequent cesarean. The uterine-ovary artery axis is never occluded or obliterate to guarantee the uterine-endometrial and ovary blood supply as before surgery. No significant differences existed according to the population; however, the presence of total occlusive placenta previa was more frequent in types 3 and 4, which were also associated with older mothers and age-related collagen changes. Lateral and lower segment invasions (types 2 and 3) were most commonly associated with previous terminations of pregnancy, curettage, and manual removal of the placenta. Blood loss and technical difficulty were clearly associated to the invaded area, while invasion degree was a poor marker to predicting bleeding or complications in all locations Uterine conservation was possible in 202/248 (81.5%) of type 1, 21/44 (47.7%) of type 2, 5/23 (21.8%) of type 3 and 0/11 (0%) of type four cases. Type 0 (false positive) were excluded of statistical analysis, and the uterus was preserved in 100% of cases. In a separate report, we will describe the maternal and fetal outcomes as well as 204 subsequent pregnancies after the use of one-step resective reconstructive technique. CONCLUSIONS: Using the resective-reconstructive approach (one-step conservative surgery) to the management of invasive placenta, the uterus can be preserved with minimal morbidity and reduced blood loss in almost 80% of cases. Précis preventing hysterectomy in 80% of placenta accreta spectrum.

How to identify patients who require aortic vascular control in placenta accreta spectrum disorders?

BACKGROUND: The placenta accreta spectrum disorder may lead to severe complications. Helpful interventions to prevent placenta accreta spectrum bleeding include vascular control procedures in the aorta or pelvic vessels. Although these procedures are related to lower intraoperative bleeding, they are associated with complications, so the possibility of selecting patients at highest risk of bleeding while avoiding vascular procedures for all cases is attractive. OBJECTIVE: We describe an intraoperative staging protocol whose objective is to identify the need to use vascular control procedures in patients with placenta accreta spectrum. We also describe the results of its application in a placenta accreta spectrum referral hospital. STUDY DESIGN: This descriptive, retrospective study included patients with suspected prenatal placenta accreta spectrum treated at a referral center for placenta accreta spectrum between April 2016 and June 2020. The use of the resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta allowed the prevention and treatment of excessive bleeding; its application was performed according to 3 approaches: (1) presurgical use in all placenta accreta spectrum patients (Group 1), (2) according to the prenatal placenta accreta spectrum topography (Group 2), and (3) according to the "intraoperative staging" (Group 3). In addition, the frequency of use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta and the clinical results in the management of placenta accreta spectrum were described in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Seventy patients underwent surgery for a prenatal suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum. Of these, 16 underwent intraoperative staging (Group 3); in 20 cases, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was used based on the prenatal imaging topographic classification (Group 2), and in the remaining 34 patients (Group 1), it was always used before the laparotomy. The frequency of use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was progressively lower in Groups 1 (32 patients, 94.1% of cases), 2 (11 patients, 75% of cases), and 3 (4 patients, 25% of cases). Similarly, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta went from being applied predominantly before the laparotomy (all cases in Group 1) to being applied after intraoperative staging (all cases in Group 3). The percentage of endovascular devices applied but not used, decreased from 23.5% in Group 1 to 0% in Group 3. Complications related to the resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta were seen in 4 patients (2 women in Group 1, and 1 woman each in Groups 2 and 3). CONCLUSION: The "intraoperative staging" of placenta accreta spectrum allows the optimization of the use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, which decreases the frequency of its use without increasing the volume of blood loss.

Training facilitated by interinstitutional collaboration and telemedicine: an alternative for improving results in the placenta accreta spectrum.

Placenta accreta spectrum is a severe condition that requires trained, interdisciplinary group intervention. However, achieving the level of training that is required is difficult without academic programs or hospitals dedicated to teaching the necessary skills to deal with placenta accreta spectrum. We describe an interinstitutional collaboration process focused on improving placenta accreta spectrum treatment, which is facilitated by telemedicine. Lastly, we propose a replicable model for other centers. This was a retrospective, descriptive study that included placenta accreta spectrum patients treated over a 10-year period in a low-middle income country hospital (local hospital). We evaluated the clinical results and impact of interinstitutional collaboration with a placenta accreta spectrum expert group at another low-middle income country hospital. Virtual strategies of continuous communication between the local hospital and expert group were used, such as telemedicine, teleradiology, and telepresence during surgeries. A total of 89 placenta accreta spectrum patients were included. We observed a progressive improvement in the clinical outcomes (intraoperative bleeding, transfusion frequency, postoperative length of stay, and frequency of complications) as the fixed interdisciplinary group at the local hospital gained experience by treating more cases. Interinstitutional collaboration (through telemedicine and remote supervision) and placenta accreta spectrum team formation were the 2 factors associated with the best outcomes in the most recent years of observation. Thus, ongoing placenta accreta spectrum team training, facilitated by interinstitutional collaboration and telemedicine, is a valid strategy for improving the clinical outcomes in placenta accreta spectrum.