Foley Catheter as a Tourniquet for Hemorrhage Prevention during Peripartum Hysterectomy in Patients with Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS)—A Hospital-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a clinical entity significantly increasing the risk of a peripartum hemorrhage. Various surgical methods have been described in the literature, which aim to reduce the risk of bleeding, although they often lack reproducibility and have been performed on low numbers of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the Foley catheter as a cervical tourniquet during cesarean sections, in patients with PAS. Methods: All patients who underwent peripartum hysterectomy due to PAS in a large single-center registry were included in the present analysis. The general demographics and clinical characteristics of all participants, including blood loss, and maternal and fetal outcomes, were collected and analyzed. Results: Twelve participants were included. The mean blood loss was 1200 ± 760 ml during operation and the mean ± SD procedural duration was 89 ± 17 min. The median (Q1–Q3) length of hospital stay post-procedurally was 5 (4–6) days. None of the patients required subsequent urgent surgical procedures after hysterectomy. The median (Q1–Q3) packed red blood cell units transfused in our cohort was 2 (0–3). Conclusion: Using the Foley catheter as a tourniquet might be an effective method of excessive bleeding prevention in patients with PAS during peripartum hysterectomy.