Outcomes associated with peripartum hysterectomy in the setting of placenta accreta spectrum disorder

Although peripartum hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum disorder is known to be associated with complications at the time of delivery, there are limited data on postpartum outcomes and readmission risk in this population.

This study aimed to analyze risks for adverse outcomes and postpartum readmissions in the setting of peripartum hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum disorder by severity of placenta accreta spectrum disorder subcategory.

Using the 2016-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database, this retrospective cohort study identified peripartum hysterectomies with a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder. The primary exposure was placenta accreta spectrum disorder, subcategorized as placenta accreta vs increta/percreta. The primary outcome was readmission rate and delivery complications. Complications evaluated included the following: (1) nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity (ntSMM), (2) venous thromboembolism, (3) reoperation, (4) intraoperative complications, (5) hemorrhage, (6) sepsis, and (7) surgical site complications. We additionally evaluated delivery hospitalization and readmission mean length of stay, and hospital costs. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were fit for outcomes adjusting for clinical, demographic, and hospital factors. The association measures were expressed as unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Between 2016 and 2020, 7864 hysterectomies during a delivery hospitalization with a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder were identified (66.5% with placenta accreta and 33.5% with placenta increta/percreta diagnoses). The overall 60-day all-cause readmission rate was 7.3%. Most readmissions (57.2%) occurred within 10 days of hospital discharge. Compared with peripartum hysterectomy with a diagnosis of placenta accreta, hysterectomies with placenta increta/percreta diagnoses carried significantly increased risk of 60-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.71), inpatient mortality (odds ratio, 13.23; 95% confidence interval, 3.35-52.30), nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.71), intraoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio, 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-2.77), and surgical site complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.95). The median length of stay during delivery hospitalization was longer for placenta increta/percreta (5.8 days; 95% confidence interval, 5.4-6.1) than for placenta accreta (4.2 days; 95% confidence interval, 4.1-4.3; P<.05). In addition, delivery hospitalization costs were higher in cases of placenta increta/percreta (median, $30,686; 95% confidence interval, $28,922-$32,449) than placenta accreta (median, $21,321; 95% confidence interval, $20,480-$22,163).

Complication and readmission risks after peripartum hysterectomy with placenta accreta spectrum disorder are high. Compared with patients with placenta accreta, patients with placenta increta/percreta had increased risk for delivery and postoperative complications and postpartum readmission, and increased costs and length of stay.