Opportunities for, and barriers to, uterus-preserving surgical techniques for placenta accreta spectrum.

INTRODUCTION: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) can lead to major peripartum morbidity. Appropriate management approaches depend on the clinical severity, each individual's preference, and the treating team's expertise. Peripartum hysterectomy is the most frequently used treatment option. However, it can impact psychological well-being and fertility. We investigated whether conservative treatment with focal resection or leaving the placenta in situ is associated with comparable or lower maternal morbidity than hysterectomy in centers of excellence within the International Society for placenta accreta spectrum (IS-PAS). Furthermore, a survey was conducted to explore potential barriers to conservative management in antenatal counseling and intraoperative decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Confirmed PAS cases in the prospective IS-PAS database from 22 registered centers between January 2020 and June 2022 were included in the analysis. A separate online survey with 21 questions was answered by the IS-PAS center experts about indications, diagnostic criteria, patient counseling, surgical practice, changes from the preoperative treatment plan, and why conservative management may not be offered. RESULTS: A total of 234 cases were included in the analysis: 186 women received hysterectomy and 38 women were treated by focal resection, and 10 by leaving the placenta in situ. Blood loss was lower in the focal resection group and in the placenta in situ group compared to the hysterectomy group (p = 0.04). 46.4% of the women initially planned for focal resection, and 35.7% of those initially planned for leaving the placenta in situ were ultimately treated by hysterectomy. Our survey showed that the IS-PAS centers preferred hysterectomy according to a woman's wishes (64%) and when they expected less blood loss and morbidity (41%). Eighteen percent of centers did not offer focal resection at all due to a lack of experience with this technique. Reasons for not offering to leave the placenta in situ were avoidance of unexpected reoperation (36%), puerperal infection (32%), or skepticism about the method (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Uterus-preserving treatment strategies such as focal resection appear to be safe alternatives to peripartum hysterectomy. However, less than half of the IS-PAS centers perform them. Acceptance of conservative treatments could be increased by standardized criteria for their implementation and by systematic training for PAS experts.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders - The Impact of the Creation of a Multidisciplinary Team on Maternal Outcomes in Portugal.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a cohort of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases from a tertiary care institution and compare the maternal outcomes before and after the creation of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). METHODS: Retrospective study using hospital databases. Identification of PAS cases with pathological confirmation between 2010 and 2021. Division in two groups: standard care (SC) group - 2010-2014; and MDT group - 2015-2021. Descriptive analysis of their characteristics and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 53 cases of PAS (24 - SC group; 29 - MDT group). Standard care group: 1 placenta increta and 3 percreta; 12.5% (3/24) had antenatal suspicion; 4 cases had a peripartum hysterectomy - one planned due to antenatal suspicion of PAS; 3 due to postpartum hemorrhage. Mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 2,469 mL; transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBC) in 25% (6/24) - median 7.5 units. Multidisciplinary team group: 4 cases of placenta increta and 3 percreta. The rate of antenatal suspicion was 24.1% (7/29); 9 hysterectomies were performed, 7 planned due to antenatal suspicion of PAS, 1 after intrapartum diagnosis of PAS and 1 after uterine rupture following a second trimester termination of pregnancy. The mean EBL was 1,250 mL, with transfusion of PRBC in 37.9% (11/29) - median 2 units. CONCLUSION: After the creation of the MDT, there was a reduction in the mean EBL and in the median number of PRBC units transfused, despite the higher number of invasive PAS disorders.

OBJETIVO: Descrever uma coorte de casos do espectro do acretismo placentário (PAS) de uma instituição terciária e comparar os resultados maternos antes e depois da criação de uma equipa multidisciplinar (MDT). MéTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo utilizando bancos de dados hospitalares. Identificação de casos de PAS com confirmação patológica entre 2010 e 2021. Divisão em dois grupos: grupo Standard Care (SC) ­ 2010­2014; e grupo MDT ­ 2015­2021. Análise descritiva de suas características e desfechos maternos. RESULTADOS: Durante o período do estudo, houve 53 casos de PAS (24 - grupo SC; 29 - grupo MDT). Grupo Standard Care: 1 placenta increta e 3 percretas; 12,5% (3/24) tiveram suspeita anteparto; 4 casos tiveram histerectomia periparto ­ uma eletiva devido à suspeita anteparto de PAS; 3 devido a hemorragia pós-parto. A média de perda hemática estimada (EBL) foi de 2.469 mL; transfusão de concentrado eritrocitário (PRBC) em 25% (6/24) - mediana 7,5 unidades. Equipa multidisciplinar: 4 casos de placenta increta e 3 percretas. A taxa de suspeita anteparto foi de 24,1% (7/29); foram realizadas 9 histerectomias, 7 eletivas por suspeita anteparto de PAS, 1 após diagnóstico intraparto de PAS e 1 após rotura uterina após interrupção da gravidez no segundo trimestre. A EBL média foi de 1.250 mL, com transfusão de PRBC em 37,9% (11/29) - mediana de 2 unidades. CONCLUSãO: Após a criação da MDT, houve redução na média de EBL e na mediana do número de unidades de PRBC transfundidas, apesar do maior número de PAS invasivos.

Concerns about the contemporary labor curves and guidelines: Is it time to revisit the old ones?

BACKGROUND: One of the main reasons for the rising caesarean section rate is labor progression abnormalities. New guidelines were released promoting the changing paradigm from Friedman to Zhang's labor curves. However, the lack of evidence of its safety and the unclear effect on caesarean section rates have been challenging its adoption. OBJECTIVE: Comparison between women with Friedman's criteria of arrested labor and women with Zhang's in terms of maternal and neonatal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, single-center cohort study in a tertiary hospital between January 1st 2015 and December 31st of 2016. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: preterm or multiple deliveries, women without entering the active stage of labor, scheduled caesarean deliveries. Women were classified into 3 groups: normal progress, labor arrest by Friedman's criteria or by Zhang's criteria. Maternal morbidity included thrombotic, hemorrhagic, traumatic, infectious, and "total" (any of the previous morbidities). Adverse neonatal outcomes were assessed as a composite. Single and multivariable logistic regression was used to obtain the odd ratio (ORs) of each group and by stage of labor. Statistical significance threshold was set at 0,05. RESULTS: From a total number of 5051 deliveries, 3665 deliveries were included in the study, 2839 with normal labor progression, 426 with labor arrest according to Friedman's criteria and 400 according to Zhang's criteria. Regarding neonatal outcomes, no significant differences were observed. Compared to normal labor, labor arrest was significantly associated with higher total maternal morbidity (OR for Friedman's criteria 3.04; 95% confidence interval, 2.26-4.09; OR for Zhang's criteria 3.59; 2.68-4.80), maternal hemorrhagic (OR for Friedman's criteria 2.87; 1.81-4.55; OR for Zhang's criteria 2.80; 1.75-4.49) and infectious morbidity (OR for Friedman's criteria 3.56; 2.44-5.18; OR for Zhang's criteria 4.77; 3.34-6.80). Results were still significant after adjustment for confounders. Comparing Friedman's and Zhang's criteria, no significant differences regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes were verified. CONCLUSION: Changing criteria of labor arrest from Friedman's to Zhang's was not associated with more maternal morbidity in our study population nor worse neonatal outcomes. Changing labor arrest criteria from Friedman's to Zhang's may reduce caesarean section rates without an important increase in maternal and neonatal morbidities.

Maternal outcomes and risk factors for COVID-19 severity among pregnant women.

Pregnant women may be at higher risk of severe complications associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which may lead to obstetrical complications. We performed a case control study comparing pregnant women with severe coronavirus disease 19 (cases) to pregnant women with a milder form (controls) enrolled in the COVI-Preg international registry cohort between March 24 and July 26, 2020. Risk factors for severity, obstetrical and immediate neonatal outcomes were assessed. A total of 926 pregnant women with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were included, among which 92 (9.9%) presented with severe COVID-19 disease. Risk factors for severe maternal outcomes were pulmonary comorbidities [aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.9-9.5], hypertensive disorders [aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0-7.0] and diabetes [aOR2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.5]. Pregnant women with severe maternal outcomes were at higher risk of caesarean section [70.7% (n = 53/75)], preterm delivery [62.7% (n = 32/51)] and newborns requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit [41.3% (n = 31/75)]. In this study, several risk factors for developing severe complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant women were identified including pulmonary comorbidities, hypertensive disorders and diabetes. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes appear to be influenced by the severity of maternal disease.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders - The Impact of the Creation of a Multidisciplinary Team on Maternal Outcomes in Portugal / Patologia do espectro do acretismo placentário - O impacto da criação de uma equipa multidisciplinar nos desfechos maternos em Portugal

Abstract Objective To describe a cohort of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) cases from a tertiary care institution and compare the maternal outcomes before and after the creation of a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Methods Retrospective study using hospital databases. Identification of PAS cases with pathological confirmation between 2010 and 2021. Division in two groups: standard care (SC) group - 2010-2014; and MDT group - 2015-2021. Descriptive analysis of their characteristics and maternal outcomes. Results During the study period, there were 53 cases of PAS (24 - SC group; 29 - MDT group). Standard care group: 1 placenta increta and 3 percreta; 12.5% (3/24) had antenatal suspicion; 4 cases had a peripartum hysterectomy - one planned due to antenatal suspicion of PAS; 3 due to postpartum hemorrhage. Mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 2,469 mL; transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBC) in 25% (6/24) - median 7.5 units. Multidisciplinary team group: 4 cases of placenta increta and 3 percreta. The rate of antenatal suspicion was 24.1% (7/29); 9 hysterectomies were performed, 7 planned due to antenatal suspicion of PAS, 1 after intrapartum diagnosis of PAS and 1 after uterine rupture following a second trimester termination of pregnancy. The mean EBL was 1,250 mL, with transfusion of PRBC in 37.9% (11/29) - median 2 units. Conclusion After the creation of the MDT, there was a reduction in the mean EBL and in the median number of PRBC units transfused, despite the higher number of invasive PAS disorders.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever uma coorte de casos do espectro do acretismo placentário (PAS) de uma instituição terciária e comparar os resultados maternos antes e depois da criação de uma equipa multidisciplinar (MDT). Métodos Estudo retrospectivo utilizando bancos de dados hospitalares. Identificação de casos de PAS com confirmação patológica entre 2010 e 2021. Divisão em dois grupos: grupo Standard Care (SC) - 2010-2014; e grupo MDT - 2015-2021. Análise descritiva de suas características e desfechos maternos. Resultados Durante o período do estudo, houve 53 casos de PAS (24 - grupo SC; 29 - grupo MDT). Grupo Standard Care: 1 placenta increta e 3 percretas; 12,5% (3/24) tiveram suspeita anteparto; 4 casos tiveram histerectomia periparto - uma eletiva devido à suspeita anteparto de PAS; 3 devido a hemorragia pós-parto. A média de perda hemática estimada (EBL) foi de 2.469 mL; transfusão de concentrado eritrocitário (PRBC) em 25% (6/24) - mediana 7,5 unidades. Equipa multidisciplinar: 4 casos de placenta increta e 3 percretas. A taxa de suspeita anteparto foi de 24,1% (7/29); foram realizadas 9 histerectomias, 7 eletivas por suspeita anteparto de PAS, 1 após diagnóstico intraparto de PAS e 1 após rotura uterina após interrupção da gravidez no segundo trimestre. A EBL média foi de 1.250 mL, com transfusão de PRBC em 37,9% (11/29) - mediana de 2 unidades. Conclusão Após a criação da MDT, houve redução na média de EBL e na mediana do número de unidades de PRBC transfundidas, apesar do maior número de PAS invasivos.

Risk of hemorrhage in abnormally invasive placenta according to its management.

Severe hemorrhage is a major concern during operative procedures for abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). We reviewed published literature with the objective to provide evidence of blood loss with the most common treatment options for AIP. We selected 54 articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Cesarean hysterectomy, with or without occlusion balloons in the internal iliac arteries, was the treatment associated with the greatest blood loss. Major blood loss was also associated with the placenta left in situ (reported in 3 of 10 articles), and with uterine artery embolization (reported in 3 of 15 articles). The best outcomes were seen for cesarean hysterectomy with balloon occlusion of the common iliac arteries (CIA; 9 patients, including 1 with major blood loss), balloon occlusion of the abdominal aorta (27 patients, no major blood loss) and conservative surgery (99 patients, including one with major blood loss). In conclusion, cesarean hysterectomy with balloon occlusion of the CIA or abdominal aorta, and conservative treatments seem to have the best outcomes. However, our results are based on a small number of articles. Hence, it is necessary to have available more reports on the outcomes of these treatments, to arrive at a more definitive conclusion.