Conservative management of placenta previa-accreta by prophylactic uterine arteries ligation and uterine tamponade.

Background: Placenta previa-accreta is associated with severe hemorrhage occurring while separating the placenta during cesarean delivery and hysterectomy is considered the treatment of choice. Conservative management has recently been proposed.

Methods: A 26-year-old woman had pregnancy complicated by placenta previa with suspected accreta. During elective cesarean section a prophylactic double bilateral ligation of uterine arteries was performed before removal of the placenta; subsequently, the continuous small bleeding from the placental bed was stopped by tamponade with a balloon catheter filled with saline solution. The patient was discharged 5 days later. An ultrasonographic color Doppler follow-up demonstrated a renewed uterine vascularization.

Conclusions: Double bilateral ligation of uterine arteries can be used as a prophylactic surgical treatment when a severe bleeding because of placenta previa-accreta is expected, in order to avoid hysterectomy.