Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-7dd5485656-tbj44 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-31T16:20:53.244Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 17 - Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 October 2025

Sir Sabaratnam Arulkumaran
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
Get access

Summary

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a disorder that describes the pathological attachment of the placenta to the myometrium. The continuously rising PAS rates combined with its significant association with a history of caesarean delivery increase the likelihood of encountering women with PAS in obstetric practice. This multifactorial disorder could be associated with serious maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is critical to recognise women at risk and provide tailored antenatal care. This chapter discusses the aetiology, impact and known risk factors for PAS. It lists the available diagnostic tools, based on antenatal sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging, and provides recommendations for optimal management of women suspected to have PAS. It summarises the surgical options such as the classical peripartum hysterectomy and compares it to other conservative options using the best available evidence. This chapter provides a comprehensive literature review followed by key learning points for appropriate management.

Information

Type
Chapter
Information
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Reddy, UM, Abuhamad, AZ, Levine, D, Saade, GR, Fetal Imaging Workshop Invited Participants. Fetal imaging: executive summary of a joint Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Radiology, Society for Pediatric Radiology, and Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Fetal Imaging Workshop. J Ultrasound Med. 2014;33(5):745–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silver, RM, Branch, DW. Placenta accreta spectrum. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(16):1529–36.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jauniaux, E, Hussein, AM, Zosmer, N, et al. A new methodologic approach for clinico-pathologic correlations in invasive placenta previa accreta. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;222(4):379 e1–e11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chantraine, F, Langhoff-Roos, J. Abnormally invasive placenta – AIP: awareness and pro-active management is necessary. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2013;92(4):369–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fitzpatrick, KE, Sellers, S, Spark, P, Kurinczuk, JJ, Brocklehurst, P, Knight, M. The management and outcomes of placenta accreta, increta, and percreta in the UK: a population-based descriptive study. BJOG. 2014;121(1):6270.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chantraine, F, Nisolle, M, Petit, P, Schaaps, JP, Foidart, JM. Individual decisions in placenta increta and percreta: a case series. J Perinat Med. 2012;40(3):265–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wu, S, Kocherginsky, M, Hibbard, JU. Abnormal placentation: twenty-year analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005;192(5):1458–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mogos, MF, Salemi, JL, Ashley, M, Whiteman, VE, Salihu, HM. Recent trends in placenta accreta in the United States and its impact on maternal-fetal morbidity and healthcare-associated costs, 1998–2011. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2016;29(7):1077–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jauniaux, E, Collins, S, Burton, GJ. Placenta accreta spectrum: pathophysiology and evidence-based anatomy for prenatal ultrasound imaging. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;218(1):7587.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jauniaux, E, Jurkovic, D. Placenta accreta: pathogenesis of a 20th century iatrogenic uterine disease. Placenta. 2012;33(4):244–51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Modest, AM, Toth, TL, Johnson, KM, Shainker, SA. Placenta accreta spectrum: in vitro fertilization and non-in vitro fertilization and placenta accreta spectrum in a Massachusetts cohort. Am J Perinatol. 2021;38(14):1533–9.Google Scholar
Salmanian, B, Fox, KA, Arian, SE, et al. In vitro fertilization as an independent risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;223(4):568 e1–e5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Einerson, BD, Comstock, J, Silver, RM, Branch, DW, Woodward, PJ, Kennedy, A. Placenta accreta spectrum disorder: uterine dehiscence, not placental invasion. Obstet Gynecol. 2020;135(5):1104–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
O’Brien, JM, Barton, JR, Donaldson, ES. The management of placenta percreta: conservative and operative strategies. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1996;175(6):1632–8.Google Scholar
Solheim, KN, Esakoff, TF, Little, SE, Cheng, YW, Sparks, TN, Caughey, AB. The effect of cesarean delivery rates on the future incidence of placenta previa, placenta accreta, and maternal mortality. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2011;24(11):1341–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clausen, C, Lonn, L, Langhoff-Roos, J. Management of placenta percreta: a review of published cases. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2014;93(2):138–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wright, JD, Pri-Paz, S, Herzog, TJ, et al. Predictors of massive blood loss in women with placenta accreta. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2011;205(1):38 e1–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stotler, B, Padmanabhan, A, Devine, P, Wright, J, Spitalnik, SL, Schwartz, J. Transfusion requirements in obstetric patients with placenta accreta. Transfusion. 2011;51(12):2627–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morlando, M, Schwickert, A, Stefanovic, V, et al. Maternal and neonatal outcomes in planned versus emergency cesarean delivery for placenta accreta spectrum: a multinational database study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2021;100(Suppl 1):41–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
El Gelany, S, Mosbeh, MH, Ibrahim, EM, et al. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders: incidence, risk factors and outcomes of different management strategies in a tertiary referral hospital in Minia, Egypt: a prospective study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019;19(1):313.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Amsalem, H, Kingdom, JCP, Farine, D, et al. Planned caesarean hysterectomy versus “conserving” caesarean section in patients with placenta accreta. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2011;33(10):1005–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Soleymani Majd, H, Collins, SL, Addley, S, et al. The modified radical peripartum cesarean hysterectomy (Soleymani-Alazzam-Collins technique): a systematic, safe procedure for the management of severe placenta accreta spectrum. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2021;225(2):175 e1–e10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eller, AG, Porter, TF, Soisson, P, Silver, RM. Optimal management strategies for placenta accreta. BJOG. 2009;116(5):648–54.Google Scholar
Shellhaas, CS, Gilbert, S, Landon, MB, et al. The frequency and complication rates of hysterectomy accompanying cesarean delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(2 Pt 1):224–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tol, ID, Yousif, M, Collins, SL. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): the psychological sequelae of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). Placenta. 2019;81:42–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fitzpatrick, KE, Sellers, S, Spark, P, Kurinczuk, JJ, Brocklehurst, P, Knight, M. Incidence and risk factors for placenta accreta/increta/percreta in the UK: a national case-control study. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(12):e52893.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baldwin, HJ, Patterson, JA, Nippita, TA, et al. Antecedents of abnormally invasive placenta in primiparous women: risk associated with gynecologic procedures. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(2):227–33.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Silver, RM, Landon, MB, Rouse, DJ, et al. Maternal morbidity associated with multiple repeat cesarean deliveries. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107(6):1226–32.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jauniaux, E, Bhide, A, Kennedy, A, et al. FIGO consensus guidelines on placenta accreta spectrum disorders: prenatal diagnosis and screening. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2018;140(3):274–80.Google Scholar
Jauniaux, E, Alfirevic, Z, Bhide, AG, et al. Placenta praevia and placenta accreta: diagnosis and management: Green-top Guideline No. 27a. BJOG. 2019;126(1):e1e48.Google ScholarPubMed
D’Antonio, F, Timor-Tritsch, IE, Palacios-Jaraquemada, J, et al. First-trimester detection of abnormally invasive placenta in high-risk women: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2018;51(2):176–83.Google ScholarPubMed
Cali, G, Timor-Tritsch, IE, Forlani, F, et al. Value of first-trimester ultrasound in prediction of third-trimester sonographic stage of placenta accreta spectrum disorder and surgical outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2020;55(4):450–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jauniaux, E, Ayres-de-Campos, D, Langhoff-Roos, J, et al. FIGO classification for the clinical diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2019;146(1):20–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morlando, M, Collins, S. Placenta accreta spectrum disorders: challenges, risks, and management strategies. Int J Womens Health. 2020;12:1033–45.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bailit, JL, Grobman, WA, Rice, MM, et al. Morbidly adherent placenta treatments and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125(3):683–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Collins, S, Ashcroft, A, Braun, T, et al. Proposal for standardized ultrasound descriptors of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2016;47(3):271–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
D’Antonio, F, Iacovella, C, Bhide, A. Prenatal identification of invasive placentation using ultrasound: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2013;42(5):509–17.Google ScholarPubMed
Philips, J, Gurganus, M, DeShields, S, et al. Prevalence of sonographic markers of placenta accreta spectrum in low-risk pregnancies. Am J Perinatol. 2019;36(8):733–80.Google ScholarPubMed
Fratelli, N, Prefumo, F, Maggi, C, et al. Third-trimester ultrasound for antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum in women with placenta previa: results from the ADoPAD study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2022;60(3):381–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Allwood, RX, Self, A, Collins, SL. Separation sign: novel ultrasound sign for ruling out diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2022;60(3):390–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Familiari, A, Liberati, M, Lim, P, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting the severity of abnormal invasive placenta: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2018;97(5):507–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Einerson, BD, Rodriguez, CE, Kennedy, AM, Woodward, PJ, Donnelly, MA, Silver, RM. Magnetic resonance imaging is often misleading when used as an adjunct to ultrasound in the management of placenta accreta spectrum disorders. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;218(6):618 e1–e7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morel, O, Collins, SL, Uzan-Augui, J, et al. A proposal for standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) descriptors of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) – from the International Society for AIP. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2019;100(6):319–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Collins, SL, Alemdar, B, van Beekhuizen, HJ, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the management of abnormally invasive placenta: recommendations from the International Society for Abnormally Invasive Placenta. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;220(6):511–26.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Silver, RM, Fox, KA, Barton, JR, et al. Center of excellence for placenta accreta. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;212(5):561–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wing, DA, Paul, RH, Millar, LK. Management of the symptomatic placenta previa: a randomized, controlled trial of inpatient versus outpatient expectant management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1996;175(4 Pt 1):806–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kavle, JA, Stoltzfus, RJ, Witter, F, Tielsch, JM, Khalfan, SS, Caulfield, LE. Association between anaemia during pregnancy and blood loss at and after delivery among women with vaginal births in Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania. J Health Popul Nutr. 2008;26(2):232–40.Google ScholarPubMed
Green, L. Prevention and management of postpartum haemorrhage: Green-top Guideline No. 52. BJOG. 2017;124(5):e106–e49.Google Scholar
Allen, L, Jauniaux, E, Hobson, S, et al. FIGO consensus guidelines on placenta accreta spectrum disorders: nonconservative surgical management. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2018;140(3):281–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rac, MWF, Wells, CE, Twickler, DM, Moschos, E, McIntire, DD, Dashe, JS. Placenta accreta and vaginal bleeding according to gestational age at delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125(4):808–13.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stock, SJ, Thomson, AJ, Papworth, S, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. Antenatal corticosteroids to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality: Green-top Guideline No. 74. BJOG. 2022;129(8):e35e60.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, JF, Roberts, CL, Ellwood, DA. Emotional and physical health outcomes after significant primary post-partum haemorrhage (PPH): a multicentre cohort study. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011;51(4):365–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Paterson‐Brown, S, Singh, C. Developing a care bundle for the management of suspected placenta accreta. TOG. 2011;12(1):21–7.Google Scholar
Tam Tam, KB, Dozier, J, Martin, JN, Jr. Approaches to reduce urinary tract injury during management of placenta accreta, increta, and percreta: a systematic review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012;25(4):329–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Al-Khan, A, Gupta, V, Illsley, NP, et al. Maternal and fetal outcomes in placenta accreta after institution of team-managed care. Reprod Sci. 2014;21(6):761–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jauniaux, E, Bhide, A. Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis and outcome of placenta previa accreta after cesarean delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;217(1):2736.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sentilhes, L, Goffinet, F, Kayem, G. Management of placenta accreta. Obstetric Anesthesia Digest. 2014;34(3):133–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hoffman, MS, Karlnoski, RA, Mangar, D, et al. Morbidity associated with nonemergent hysterectomy for placenta accreta. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;202(6):628 e1–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Upson, K, Silver, RM, Greene, R, Lutomski, J, Holt, VL. Placenta accreta and maternal morbidity in the Republic of Ireland, 2005–2010. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2014;27(1):24–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woldu, SL, Ordonez, MA, Devine, PC, Wright, JD. Urologic considerations of placenta accreta: a contemporary tertiary care institutional experience. Urol Int. 2014;93(1):74–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sentilhes, L, Ambroselli, C, Kayem, G, et al. Maternal outcome after conservative treatment of placenta accreta. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;115(3):526–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, PS, Kempner, S, Miller, M, et al. Multidisciplinary approach to manage antenatally suspected placenta percreta: updated algorithm and patient outcomes. Gynecol Oncol Res Pract. 2017;4(1):11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Society of Gynecologic Oncology, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, et al. Placenta accreta spectrum. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;219(6):B2B16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sentilhes, L, Kayem, G, Silver, RM. Conservative management of placenta accreta spectrum. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2018;61(4):783–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Timmermans, S, van Hof, AC, Duvekot, JJ. Conservative management of abnormally invasive placentation. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2007;62(8):529–39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Palacios-Jaraquemada, JM, Fiorillo, A, Hamer, J, Martínez, M, Bruno, C. Placenta accreta spectrum: a hysterectomy can be prevented in almost 80% of cases using a resective-reconstructive technique. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2020:1–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Palacios-Jaraquemada, JM, Basanta, N, Fiorillo, A, Labrousse, C, Martinez, M. Neonatal outcome after conservative-reconstructive surgery for placenta accreta spectrum disorders. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022;35(25):4994–6.Google ScholarPubMed
Nieto-Calvache, AJ, Palacios-Jaraquemada, JM, Aryananda, R, et al. How to perform the one-step conservative surgery for placenta accreta spectrum move by move. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023;5(2):100802.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Palacios-Jaraquemada, JM, Basanta, N, Labrousse, C, Martinez, M. Pregnancy outcome in women with prior placenta accreta spectrum disorders treated with conservative-reconstructive surgery: analysis of 202 cases. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2022;35(25):6297–301.Google ScholarPubMed
Morel, O, van Beekhuizen, HJ, Braun, T, et al. Performance of antenatal imaging to predict placenta accreta spectrum degree of severity. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2021;100(Suppl 1):21–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Takai, N, Eto, M, Sato, F, Mimata, H, Miyakawa, I. Placenta percreta invading the urinary bladder. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2005;271(3):274–5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Konijeti, R, Rajfer, J, Askari, A. Placenta percreta and the urologist. Rev Urol. 2009;11(3):173–6.Google ScholarPubMed

Accessibility standard: Unknown

Why this information is here

This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.

Accessibility Information

Accessibility compliance for the PDF of this book is currently unknown and may be updated in the future.

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×