Hysterectomy as a management option for morbidly adherent placenta.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of interval (delayed) hysterectomy as compared to cesarean (immediate) hysterectomy in cases of placental invasion in previous cesarean sections. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unit II, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2008 to June 2011. METHODOLOGY: The study subjects included 28 women with history of previous cesarean section who had low lying as well as morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) of variable degree. Patients were classified into two groups (group A and B) according to whether cesarean or interval hysterectomy was needed at time of delivery. Demographic data, obstetrical risk factors such as parity and number of previous cesarean sections were compared as well as radiological and histopathological findings, and details of the management. Chi-square, Fisher's exact and t-tests were used to compare proportions and mean values. RESULTS: The frequency of MAP in previous cesarean sections turned out to be 1.83/1000 (28/15,340) deliveries. Mean maternal age (26.54 vs. 29.13 years, p=0.05), mean gestational age (33.8 vs. 36 weeks, p=0.05), estimated blood loss (2615.38 vs. 1506.6 mL, p=0.001), volume of blood transfused (9.76 vs. 2.9 pints, p=0.001) and the duration of hospital stay (10.69 vs. 32.86 days, p=0.001) differed significantly between group A and group B. One maternal death occurred in each group. Eight patients had other complications in group A compared to 3 patients in group B. Three neonatal deaths occurred in group A compared to nil in group B. CONCLUSION: The frequency of morbidly adherent placenta was 1.83/1000 deliveries. The management and outcome differed markedly according to emergency and scheduled antenatal diagnosis. Counselling and antenatal radiological screening can reduce the high morbidity and mortality associated with it.

Spontaneous rupture of primigravid uterus due to morbidly adherent placenta.

Morbidly adherent placenta in a nulliparous woman is a rare phenomenon. An unusual case of a 20 years old primigravida presented in emergency with unstable haemodynamics and abdominal pain at 17 weeks of gestation is reported. She was found to have complete placental invasion and haemoperitoneum on laparotomy. Although there is an increased risk of placental invasion (increta and percreta) causing uterine rupture in previous cesareans but morbid adhesion resulting in placenta percreta without previous uterine surgery is a rarity. Exact pathogenesis is still unknown. Prenatal diagnosis with the help of Doppler ultrasound and MRI is important to reduce both fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality.

Therapeutic termination of second trimester pregnancies with low dose misoprostol.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of 50 microg misoprostol for midtrimester termination of pregnancies. DESIGN: Experimental, cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Unit II, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, a tertiary care centre, from 1st Jan 2003 to 30th June 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study subjects were 54 pregnant women admitted during the 2nd trimester (14-26 weeks) of gestation, willing or requiring termination of pregnancy. Those patients were included in the study who were admitted with closed cervical os, either had intrauterine death, fetal anomaly, medical disorder (hypertension or diabetes) or history of previous ceasrean section. Cases of placenta previa, acute asthma, glaucoma, cardiac diseases and allergy to prostaglandins were excluded. Each patient received 50 microg misoprostol intravaginally. Maximum 4 doses were given at 4 hours interval and state of cervical os was assessed by vaginal examination before insertion of next dose or at the onset of uterine contractions. After 4 doses of misoprostol, patients were kept under observation and watched for uterine contractions to start or for expulsion of products. Syntocinon infusion was started to augment labour where products of conception failed to expel out inspite of open os. Outcome measures include success rate of termination within 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours, mean induction - abortion time interval and maternal side effects. RESULTS: The success rate of termination within 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours were 27.7%, 83.3%, 94.4% and 96.3% respectively. Mean induction to abortion time interval, in case of abortion within 48 hours, was found to be 18.9 +/- 11.58 (range 4 - 48 hours). Dead fetuses were aborted earlier than alive fetuses. The mean induction abortion time interval was 17.01 +/- 8.7 hours in dead and 23.4+/-15.9 hours in alive fetuses (t -value:1.9, p: 0.05). Two patients failed to deliver within 48 hours of induction. Two patients suffered from febrile illness. CONCLUSION: Vaginal administration of 50 microg misoprostol every 4 hourly is an effective and safe agent for ripening of cervix and convenient way of inducing abortion during 2nd trimester of pregnancy in a women either with alive or dead fetus. It is associated with a low frequency of side effect.