Specialists at Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital successfully perform a high risk surgery to save a mother with blocked Cervix & her preterm baby!

· Mother was detected with a perilous condition, Placenta Percreta in her 5th month of pregnancy

· Placenta was impeding the passage of the baby from the womb

· Incidence of Placenta Percreta is about 7%, with a mortality rate of 3.9%

Hyderabad: A 32-year-old women in an advanced stage of pregnancy, with placenta blocking the Cervix, was saved along with her pre-term baby; by a multi-specialty team at Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Jubilee Hills. The Doctors led by Dr Lakshmi Rathana M., Sr. Consultant Obstetrics & Gynecology, Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital; performed a complex cesarean hysterectomy, spanning over four hours, from Barkas, Hyderabad. Both the mother and the healthy female baby who needed minimal NICU support, have since recovered and been discharged.

The patient was earlier diagnosed in her fifth month of pregnancy with a perilous condition called Placenta Percreta, where placenta extends into the vagina and sides of the uterus, thereby blocking the Cervix. The Cervix is the narrow passage for the baby to pass through from the womb, at the time of delivery. The blocking of the cervix impedes the delivery of the baby, thereby immensely risking the lives of both the mother and the baby. The incidence of Placenta Percreta is about 7% in pregnant women and the mortality and morbidity of such patients could be to the extent of 3.9%. The treatment for Placenta Percreta involves either removal of uterus while keeping the placenta intact or retaining the placenta inside and awaiting for the resolution of the problem in the course of the next 3 to 4 months. This patient developed Placenta Percreta condition because of her undergoing cesarian sections for three of her previous deliveries and the best possible treatment option for her was removal of the uterus.

Cesarean hysterectomy involving removal of the uterus immediately after delivery of the baby is a potential high-risk procedure, therefore multidisciplinary intervention was necessary, besides taking all precautions to save precious lives. The vigilant and timely actions of both Anesthesia and Surgical teams could save the patient despite massive blood loss and transfusions, says Dr Lakshmi Rathna M

Prior to the surgery, the specialists took all the precautions necessary for a minimal complication and safe delivery, right from the time of detection of the complication during the twentieth week of the patient’s pregnancy. They ensured regular checkups and close supervision. The per-vaginal bleeding was controlled by serial Ultrasound and Hemoglobin levels were maintained with oral Hematinics to avoid anemia till the delivery. The patient and attenders were continuously counselled for any inheritable disorders. A team of comprising of Obstetricians, Dr Lakshmi Rathna M.; Dr Sapna, Dr Nandini; teams of Surgeons, Anesthetists, Neonates & Pediatric Team and support staff ensured the success of the surgery.