Placenta previa percreta with bladder invasion

Background: Although the clinical presentation and imaging techniques can raise suspicion for placenta previa percreta, this potentially catastrophic condition may remain undiagnosed or its extent underappreciated until delivery. The decision to proceed with definitive surgery in cases of placenta previa percreta should be carefully considered. Case: A case of placenta previa percreta with bladder invasion was diagnosed prenatally. This case illustrates the magnitude of complications that can arise despite aggressive multidisciplinary perioperative management. Conclusion: When possible, hysterectomy performed for placenta previa percreta is best avoided under anything other than ideal conditions. A multidisciplinary approach for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of placenta previa percreta optimizes maternal outcome. (C) 1997 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.