Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report

Abstract Background The refractory obstetric hemorrhage occurring as a result of placenta percreta has been a major cause of maternal mortality. The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders has significantly increased recently, with the increasing frequency of cesarean sections and oth...

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Main Authors: Qingge Zhang, Zongyu Liu, Ruimin Zhao, Fei Wu, Limei Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07897-2
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author Qingge Zhang
Zongyu Liu
Ruimin Zhao
Fei Wu
Limei Fan
author_facet Qingge Zhang
Zongyu Liu
Ruimin Zhao
Fei Wu
Limei Fan
author_sort Qingge Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The refractory obstetric hemorrhage occurring as a result of placenta percreta has been a major cause of maternal mortality. The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders has significantly increased recently, with the increasing frequency of cesarean sections and other procedures such as myomectomy, which contribute to uterine scarring. Placenta percreta resulting in uterointestinal injury, however, is far less common. This report describes a case of placenta percreta complicated with bowel injury and delayed puerperal infection. Case A 38-year-old G2P1 female was presented to the hospital 34 days following a normal delivery with symptoms including 10 days of irregular vaginal bleeding and a 1-day history of fever. She had previously undergone surgical treatment for multiple smooth muscle uterine tumors. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings suggested myometrial occupancy, prompting speculation of placental percreta. Open exploratory surgery was performed following anti-infection treatment and the correction of anemia. The placenta was found to have penetrated the uterus and caused small bowel erosion. A subtotal hysterectomy and partial small bowel resection were performed, and postoperative pathology confirmed a case of placental percreta. Conclusion Placenta percreta is a rare complication with few testing options available, therefore complicating its diagnosis. Greater awareness of this condition is thus emphasized to minimize the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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issn 1471-2393
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
spelling doaj-art-a33926a3259f4d74be8cd64e5cea9d8d2025-08-20T03:06:36ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-07-012511610.1186/s12884-025-07897-2Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case reportQingge Zhang0Zongyu Liu1Ruimin Zhao2Fei Wu3Limei Fan4The Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityThe Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityThe Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityThe Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityThe Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityAbstract Background The refractory obstetric hemorrhage occurring as a result of placenta percreta has been a major cause of maternal mortality. The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders has significantly increased recently, with the increasing frequency of cesarean sections and other procedures such as myomectomy, which contribute to uterine scarring. Placenta percreta resulting in uterointestinal injury, however, is far less common. This report describes a case of placenta percreta complicated with bowel injury and delayed puerperal infection. Case A 38-year-old G2P1 female was presented to the hospital 34 days following a normal delivery with symptoms including 10 days of irregular vaginal bleeding and a 1-day history of fever. She had previously undergone surgical treatment for multiple smooth muscle uterine tumors. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging findings suggested myometrial occupancy, prompting speculation of placental percreta. Open exploratory surgery was performed following anti-infection treatment and the correction of anemia. The placenta was found to have penetrated the uterus and caused small bowel erosion. A subtotal hysterectomy and partial small bowel resection were performed, and postoperative pathology confirmed a case of placental percreta. Conclusion Placenta percreta is a rare complication with few testing options available, therefore complicating its diagnosis. Greater awareness of this condition is thus emphasized to minimize the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07897-2Placental percretaSubtotal hysterectomyDelayed puerperal infectionIntestinal tract injury
spellingShingle Qingge Zhang
Zongyu Liu
Ruimin Zhao
Fei Wu
Limei Fan
Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Placental percreta
Subtotal hysterectomy
Delayed puerperal infection
Intestinal tract injury
title Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report
title_full Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report
title_fullStr Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report
title_short Undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection: a case report
title_sort undiagnosed placenta percreta complicated by bowel injury and puerperal infection a case report
topic Placental percreta
Subtotal hysterectomy
Delayed puerperal infection
Intestinal tract injury
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07897-2
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AT ruiminzhao undiagnosedplacentapercretacomplicatedbybowelinjuryandpuerperalinfectionacasereport
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