Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS): Diagnosis and Management

- Antenatal Diagnosis: The identification of fetal or maternal conditions before birth, typically using imaging modalities such as ultrasound or MRI.

- Caesarean Section Hysterectomy: A surgical procedure involving the removal of the uterus immediately after delivering the baby via caesarean section, commonly performed in severe PAS cases to control life-threatening bleeding.

- Expectant Management: A conservative approach to PAS where the placenta is left in situ (inside the uterus) to allow for natural resorption or later surgical intervention, used in specific clinical scenarios.

- Interventional Radiology: A medical specialty utilizing minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging techniques (e.g., embolization) to manage complications like massive obstetric hemorrhage in PAS.

- Massive Obstetric Haemorrhage: Severe blood loss during pregnancy or childbirth, commonly associated with PAS due to abnormal placental attachment and separation.

- Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): A group of healthcare professionals from various specialties working collaboratively to provide comprehensive care, particularly crucial in managing complex conditions like PAS.

- Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS): A range of conditions characterized by abnormal adherence of the placenta to the uterine wall, which includes placenta accreta (superficial attachment), placenta increta (invasion into the uterine muscle), and placenta percreta (penetration through the uterine wall to adjacent organs).

- Placenta Accreta: A condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall without penetrating the muscle, leading to difficulties in placental separation after childbirth.

- Placenta Increta: A more severe form of PAS where the placenta invades the uterine muscle but does not extend beyond it.

- Placenta Percreta: The most severe form of PAS, where the placenta penetrates through the entire uterine wall and can invade nearby organs, such as the bladder.

- Placenta Praevia: A condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the internal opening of the cervix, increasing the risk of severe bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.

- Uterus-Preserving Surgery: A surgical approach aimed at managing PAS while maintaining the integrity of the uterus, often considered for women who desire future fertility.