Anesthetic management of placenta accreta in a low-resource setting: a case series.
BACKGROUND
Current recommendations for the anesthetic management of placenta accreta support a conservative approach with neuraxial anesthesia and uterine artery embolization. These are based on case series from experienced centers in developed countries. The aim of this study was to describe the anesthetic management of placenta accreta in a low-resource setting.


METHODS
A retrospective case note review was performed. From 1 August 2006 to 31 July 2011 placentas from cases of suspected placenta accreta were reassessed histologically to confirm the diagnosis. Patient charts were reviewed and information on anesthetic technique, monitoring, blood transfusion, maternal and fetal outcomes was extracted.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine cases were identified. Mean (± SD) maternal age was 33 ± 5.4 years. Hysterectomy was performed at the time of cesarean section in all cases. Thirty-four patients received neuraxial anesthesia, of whom 15 required conversion to general anesthesia. Invasive blood pressure monitoring was used in all patients and a central venous catheter was inserted in 33 cases. Complications associated with monitoring occurred in five patients. Median [IQR] blood loss was 2000 [1100-2700] mL and the median [IQR] number of units of red blood cell transfused was 2 [0-6]. Vasoactive medication was used in 14 patients and 15 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit postoperatively. No maternal or newborn deaths occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
A multidisciplinary approach can prove valuable when placenta accreta is suspected before delivery. In low-resource settings, lack of interventional radiology services and prenatal diagnostic capability may have an impact on anesthetic management in patients with placenta accreta. However, other than greater blood loss, our study demonstrated that good maternal and neonatal outcomes are possible in spite of limited resources.
Department of Anesthesiology, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Hospital de San Jose, Bogota, Colombia. Electronic address: lamunoz@fucsalud.edu.co.
L A
LA
Muñoz
Department of Anesthesiology, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Hospital de San Jose, Bogota, Colombia.
G J
GJ
Mendoza
Department of Critical Care, Hospital de San Jose, Bogota, Colombia.
M
M
Gomez
Department of Anesthesiology, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Hospital de San Jose, Bogota, Colombia.
L E
LE
Reyes
Department of Anesthesiology, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Hospital de San Jose, Bogota, Colombia.
J J
JJ
Arevalo
D000328:Adult; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003105:Colombia; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010921:Placenta Accreta / Q000601:surgery*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
Anesthetic management; Hysterectomy; Low-resource setting; Placenta accreta