Factors Associated with Placenta Previa: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study in Turkey

BACKGROUND: The incidence of placenta previa is gradually increasing. The major risk factor is a history of cesarean section (CS). Such patients may experience severe bleeding during pregnancy and surgery. Patients with placenta previa were classified based on risk factors in this study. This retrospective study from a single center in Turkey aimed to evaluate the factors associated with placenta previa in 151 women. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients with placenta previa were grouped by the presence/absence of prior CS. Group 1 (123 patients) had undergone at least 1 CS, and Group 2 (28 patients) had not undergone CS. The diagnosis of placenta previa was made by ultrasound. Placenta previa was defined as cases where the placenta crossed the internal os. Duration of surgery, bleeding during surgery, and the amounts of erythrocyte suspensions required were compared between groups. RESULTS: Of Group 1 patients, 67.5% had anterior placenta previa compared to 46.4% in Group 2. The mean duration of surgery was: 52.0±19.2 and 28.5±4.6 min (P<0.001); the number of sutures was 8.4±2.4 and 5.9±0.9 (P<0.001); the bleeding volumes were 720.3±536.2 and 344±137.0 mL (P<0.001); and the amount of erythrocyte suspension administered intraoperatively was 0.2±0.7 and 0.0±0.0 unit (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Mean duration of surgery, number of sutures, bleeding volume, and intraoperatively applied ES volumes were significantly different between groups. Identification of placenta previa patients who have undergone prior CS is vitally important in terms of preoperative preparation.