Placenta accreta spectrum – from first-trimester diagnosis of caesarean scar pregnancy towards emergency hysterectomy. Our experience.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders, comprising placenta accreta, increta and percreta, are associated with serious maternal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of PAS has increased in the recent years due the rising numbers of caesarean section births, but it is linked also to uterine surgeries like myomectomy, history of placenta accreta in previous pregnancy, and endometrial curettages. At the University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, due to access to transcatheter arterial embolization, we treat first-trimester caesarean scar pregnancy either diagnosed in our department or referred from different centers by the following algorithm: uterine artery embolization followed by safe aspiration. For cases of advanced pregnancies with PAS that come to our setting, we start to complete, preferably as early as the second trimester, the checklist required for a programmed caesarean section performed by a multidisciplinary team, including oncological gynecological surgeons in our department, urology specialist, and with a thorough intensive care preparation. The psychological support and the continuous counseling are performed as needed due to the continuous requirements of reassurance of the patient. We present a series of cases of caesarean scar pregnancies in order to underline the various ultrasonographic aspects of the early first trimester. We consider of utmost importance the early diagnosis and management of these cases that should not be missed in order to avoid future morbidity and mortality. We also present the ultrasonographic aspects of advanced pregnancies where PAS was identified and the management algorithms that we use in the treatment of these life-threatening obstetrical emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]