Doctors from Kasturba Medical College and Hospital operate a complicated case of placenta accrete spectrum
Manipal, Aug 10, 2023: A 31-year-old woman, in her second pregnancy at 34 weeks, was referred to Kasturba Hospital Manipal due to a complex pregnancy complication. The woman was diagnosed with central placenta previa along with placental accreta spectrum.
She had previously undergone a cesarean delivery for her first child. Detailed ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis, prompting a collaborative effort by a team of doctors from Interventional Radiology, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and Anesthesiology.
Dr. Shripad Hebbar, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, explained that after thorough preoperative counseling, the medical team planned the surgery in the Cath Lab. They initiated the procedure by accessing the femoral arteries and placing balloon catheters in the internal iliac arteries. A cesarean section was then performed to safely deliver the live baby, followed by separation of the adherent placenta from its attachment without significant bleeding.
Using a gel foam embolization technique, the team ensured minimal postoperative bleeding and a stabilized condition for the patient. Despite moderate bleeding during the surgery, only a small amount of blood transfusion was required. The patient, along with her newborn, was discharged in a healthy state after spending seven days in the hospital.
This intricate procedure was carried out in a hybrid operation theater, equipped with specialized equipment and provisions for arterial balloon placement and embolization. Dr. Mithun Shekhar, an Interventional Radiologist, emphasized that this procedure not only saved the mother from potential catastrophic events but also preserved her uterus.
Placenta accreta, a condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall, poses serious risks, including life-threatening bleeding during cesarean delivery. Dr. Avinash Shetty, the Medical Superintendent of Kasturba Hospital Manipal, praised the medical team’s success in handling this complex procedure. He urged the public to utilize this specialized facility, emphasizing that this surgery marked the first time such techniques were employed in Karnataka to ensure the safety of both mothers and newborns.
