Postpartum unscarred uterine rupture caused by placenta accreta: A case report and literature review

Placenta percreta in primigravida with unscarred uterus complicated by uterine rupture and sudden maternal and fetal death: an autopsy case report

Placenta percreta is a rare, aggressive, and severe form of the placenta accreta spectrum. One of its most devastating effects is the sudden rupture of uterus. Uterine scarring is the leading risk factor for uterine rupture, although it can also happen, but rarely, in an unscarred uterus showing more severe repercussions. The present study reported a case of an Egyptian primigravida female, aged 29 years old, at 32 weeks of gestation who died suddenly due to uterine rupture complicating placenta percreta, the diagnosis of which was first settled during autopsy. There was no history of abdominal trauma. No medical history of significance was present. Autopsy denoted an intrauterine fetal death of 32 weeks gestational age. The fundus of the uterus had a laceration (rupture) of the uterine wall including the serosa and myometrium. The placenta has extensively infiltrated the fundus uterine wall and penetrated the myometrium and serosa. Histopathological examination of the ruptured site on the uterus confirms total invasion of the uterine wall by chorionic villi with the presence of hemorrhage and fibrin indicating placenta percreta. Uterine rupture due to placenta percreta may go unnoticed, especially when no associated high-risk factors exist. The current case depicts that placenta percreta is a rare but critical complication of pregnancy that may exist at any stage of pregnancy without any associated high-risk factors with unusual symptoms and leads to uterine rupture and sudden death.

Antepartum unscarred uterine rupture caused by placenta percreta: a case report and literature review

The main risk for uterine rupture is the presence of a uterine scar due to prior cesarean delivery or other uterine surgery. However, rupture in an unscarred uterus is extremely rare, and risk factors include multiple gestations, trauma, congenital anomalies, use of uterotonics and placenta accreta spectrum.

Placenta accreta spectrum, also known as morbidly adherent placenta, is becoming increasingly common and is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

We report a case of unscarred uterine rupture due to placenta percreta in a multiparous woman that required emergency peripartum hysterectomy.

Placenta accreta spectrum on an unscarred uterus in the third-trimester pregnancy: two rare cases at Tu Du Hospital in Vietnam

Introduction and importance

Placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PASD) refer to an uncommon obstetrical conditions leading to significant life-threatening obstetrical issue for mothers and foetus during pregnancy. Rarely, this pathology can occur in the uterus without a history of uterine surgery, localize at unusual site of the uterus, and result in the spontaneous uterine rupture. We herein reported two unusual cases managed successfully in the third trimester of pregnancy at our tertiary referral hospital.

Case presentation

Two pregnant women were hospitalized at our maternity hospital for a dilemma diagnosis of PASD without history of previous caesarean scar. Following the suspected images of PASD on ultrasound combined with a hematoma anterior to the body of the uterus, especially a sudden onset of abdominal pain and intraperitoneal fluid without a clear etiology, we made the suspected diagnosis of uterine rupture associated with PASD. Moreover, a gradual reduction of hemoglobin concentration also supported this diagnosis. Both cases underwent immediately caesarean hysterectomy for saving the life of the mother and baby following suspicion.

Clinical discussion

PASD associated with an unscarred uterus is an uncommon placentation during pregnancy. Although an extremely rare cases, PASD may be present without association with placenta praevia. Timely management by caesarean hysterectomy can avoid adverse maternal-foetal outcomes.

Conclusion

PASD can be appeared on the uterus without a previous uterine scar, thus leading to unexpected complications during pregnancy. Closely strict monitoring helps avoiding the materno-foetal mortality. Further data is needed to summarize this rarely uncommon entity.

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Physicians should be aware of PASD although unscarred uterus and without placenta previa.

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A sudden onset of abdominal pain and intraperitoneal fluid, diagnosis of uterine rupture can be made.

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Following image of PASD on ultrasound combined with a hematoma anterior to the body of uterus is potential.

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Gradually decreased Hemoglobin concentration may support for this diagnosis.

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Timely surgery by caesarean hysterectomy can save the life of mothers and infants.