Conservative management of placenta increta with selective arterial embolization preserves future fertility and results in a favorable outcome in subsequent pregnancies

Objective: To present a case of selective arterial embolization for the treatment of placenta increta in a patient with subsequent pregnancy. Design: Case report and literature review. Setting: Community-based hospital. Patient(s): A 31-year-old G2P1 woman with placenta increta presenting with delayed postpartum hemorrhage. Intervention(s): Selective uterine artery embolization. Main Outcome Measure(s): Cessation of uterine hemorrhage, future pregnancy. Result(s): The patient's uterine bleeding immediately resolved. She subsequently delivered a healthy neonate at term without recurrence of abnormal placentation. Conclusion(s): Arterial embolization is effective for treating placenta increta in women who wish to preserve fertility. A review of the literature demonstrates a 76.9% success rate and an 11% complication rate. (Fertil Steril (R) 2006; 86: 1514.e3-7. (C) 2006 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)