Unplanned return-to-theater obstetrical surgery in ten cases of placenta previa: a retrospective analysis / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze reasons for unplanned return-to-theater obstetrical surgery in patients with placenta previa, and to propose a strategy for prevention.Methods Among 571 patients with placenta previa in the Department of Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2010 to January 2015, ten cases (1.75％) who had an unplanned return-to-theater obstetrical surgery were retrospectively analyzed.Results Seven out of the ten cases returned to the theater due to severe hemorrhage after cesarean section and hysterectomy or uterine artery embolization was performed.The rest three pregnancies were terminated at mid-term with amniotic injection of rivanol, two of which developed severe infection after the induction combined with uterine artery embolization followed by cesarean section,and the other one finally had an emergent hysterectomy due to severe postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean section because of intrapartum hemorrhage.Severe postpartum hemorrhage occurred in eight out of the ten cases, with a mean volume of (4 212± 1 651) ml.Blood loss between the original and return-to-theater surgery was (2 206± 736) ml.In these eight cases, the mean volume of erythrocyte suspension transfusion was (23.7±9.0) U, and [M(min-max)] 1 845(390 3 960) ml for plasma transfusion.Platelet transfusion was performed in five cases, cryoprecipitate transfusion in eight cases, serum albumin transfusion in six cases, and fibrinogen transfusion in five cases.The interval between original and return-to-theater surgery was 2.0(0.5-19.0) h.After the return-to theater surgery, the time of antibiotic use was (9.2±2.3) d, and the duration of hospital stays was (10.6±2.5) d.No patient required further re-operation, and all were discharged without long-term sequelae.All seven neonates had a good prognosis.Conclusions Severe postpartum hemorrhage in patients after initial operation because of placenta previa is the primary indication for unplanned return-totheater surgery.Closed postoperative monitoring, early recognition and expedite return-to-theater surgery are crucial to stop bleeding and save lifes.