Author: Albaro José Nieto Calvache, MD. Placental Accretion Spectrum Clinic
Cesarean section is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide. In Colombia, more than half of all births are by cesarean. While it is a generally safe procedure, complications can occur, as with any surgery. Pregnancies following a cesarean section are more likely to experience complications, and one of the most serious is placenta accreta, also known as placenta accreta spectrum.
This condition involves the placenta adhering too closely to the uterine wall, and most cases occur in women who have had a cesarean section in a previous pregnancy and also have placenta previa in the current pregnancy. Placenta previa is described as occurring when it is located low in the uterus, between the baby and the vagina. Placenta accreta occurs in approximately 1 in 300 to 500 pregnancies, but this number is increasing due to the growing frequency of cesarean births worldwide, especially in Latin America.
It is important that all patients who become pregnant after a cesarean section receive a thorough evaluation of the placenta's location. If the placenta is "previa," the risk of placenta accreta ranges from 10% in patients with a history of one cesarean section to 40% in patients with three or more previous cesarean sections.
This document will describe the most important aspects of this disease and provide some recommendations for patients and their families.
