Placenta increta/percreta associated with uterine perforation during therapy for fetal death - A case report

BACKGROUND: Placenta accreta involves abnormal adherence of the placenta to the myometrium. Placenta increta and percreta are defined by the degree of trophoblastic penetration of the myometrium. These conditions are rarely o bserved in the first trimester; placenta increta and percreta are exception ally infrequent. CASE: A woman had a uterine perforation after suction curettage for fetal d eath at 11 weeks' gestation, requiring hysterectomy for control of a profus e hemorrhage. Histopathologic examination of the uterus revealed placenta i ncreta involving the lower uterine segment and placenta percreta at the sit e of uterine perforation. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of placenta percreta associated with u terine perforation during therapy for first-trimester fetal death.