Treatment Overview
Placenta previa and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders are among the most serious high-risk pregnancy conditions, requiring expert diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, and precise surgical care. In Korea, advanced maternal-fetal medicine programs offer specialized Placenta Previa & Accreta Management Pathways designed to optimize safety for both mother and baby.
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, leading to bleeding during pregnancy or delivery. Placenta accreta, and its more severe forms—increta and percreta—occur when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall, sometimes invading nearby organs. These complex cases demand expert surgical teams, state-of-the-art imaging, and coordinated delivery planning, all of which are strengths of Korea’s leading tertiary hospitals.
Korea’s systematic management pathway integrates early detection, risk assessment, multidisciplinary surgical planning, and postpartum recovery, achieving some of the best maternal outcomes in Asia for these high-risk obstetric conditions.
Purpose & Benefits
Purpose:
- To detect placenta previa and accreta early through precise imaging and screening.
- To manage risks of maternal hemorrhage, preterm labor, and placenta-related complications.
- To prepare individualized surgical and anesthetic plans for safe delivery.
- To preserve maternal health and, when possible, fertility through conservative or organ-preserving techniques.
Benefits:
- Accurate diagnosis using advanced 3D and Doppler ultrasound.
- Lower rates of emergency bleeding due to planned cesarean or cesarean-hysterectomy procedures.
- Coordinated care by multidisciplinary teams of obstetricians, anesthesiologists, urologists, and interventional radiologists.
- Immediate access to blood transfusion, ICU care, and neonatal intensive care (NICU).
- Improved maternal survival and reduced complication rates.
Ideal Candidates
- Pregnant women diagnosed with placenta previa, low-lying placenta, or placenta accreta spectrum.
- Women with a history of previous cesarean sections or uterine surgeries, which increase accreta risk.
- Expectant mothers with multiple pregnancies or assisted reproductive technology (ART) conceptions.
- Patients with placental abnormalities detected via early or mid-trimester ultrasound.
- Women presenting with recurrent vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester.
Possible Risks & Complications
Without proper management, placenta previa and accreta can lead to serious outcomes such as:
- Massive postpartum hemorrhage, often requiring transfusion or hysterectomy.
- Preterm delivery due to maternal or fetal distress.
- Placental abruption or uterine rupture in severe cases.
- Bladder or bowel injury in cases of placenta percreta.
- Postoperative infection or long-term uterine scarring.
- Maternal morbidity and mortality if uncontrolled bleeding occurs during delivery.
In Korea, these risks are minimized through planned interventions, interventional radiology, and high-volume surgical expertise.
Medical & Surgical Techniques Used
Korean hospitals employ a combination of advanced imaging, interventional, and surgical methods to manage placenta previa and accreta safely and effectively:
- High-Resolution Ultrasound & MRI Imaging: Used to identify placental location, depth of invasion, and organ involvement.
- Multidisciplinary Planning: Obstetricians, anesthesiologists, urologists, and radiologists collaborate to create a personalized delivery strategy.
- Scheduled Cesarean Section or Cesarean Hysterectomy: Performed in tertiary hospitals equipped for large-volume blood loss management.
- Prophylactic Balloon Catheter Placement: Interventional radiology technique used in selected cases to control uterine and pelvic bleeding.
- Intraoperative Cell Salvage Systems: Allow safe reinfusion of the patient’s own blood during surgery.
- Conservative Uterine Preservation Techniques: For selected cases, partial resection or leaving placenta in situ with close postoperative monitoring.
- Intensive Care Unit Support: Postoperative stabilization, transfusion management, and infection control.
Korea’s centers of excellence in high-risk obstetrics are equipped with hybrid operating rooms that allow seamless collaboration between surgeons and interventional radiologists during delivery.
Recovery & Aftercare
- Immediate Postpartum Care: Intensive observation for 24–72 hours to monitor bleeding, uterine contraction, and vital stability.
- Blood and Fluid Management: Close monitoring of hemoglobin and coagulation status to prevent secondary hemorrhage.
- Pain Management and Infection Control: Antibiotic prophylaxis and analgesic care for smooth recovery.
- Rehabilitation & Counseling: Physical and emotional support after high-risk delivery, including fertility counseling for future pregnancies.
- Follow-Up Imaging: Postoperative ultrasound or MRI to ensure proper uterine healing and placental resorption (if conservative approach used).
- Long-Term Health Monitoring: Regular gynecologic checkups to assess uterine integrity and recovery.
Postpartum recovery programs in Korea’s maternity centers often integrate both medical care and traditional wellness practices, ensuring full rehabilitation after complex surgeries.
Results & Longevity
Korea’s structured Placenta Previa & Accreta Management Pathway delivers consistently high survival rates and reduced maternal complications compared to international averages.
- Planned delivery at 34–36 weeks typically results in optimal neonatal outcomes.
- Hemorrhage control success rates exceed 90% in tertiary centers using hybrid surgical and radiologic approaches.
- Reduced hysterectomy rates when conservative techniques are applied in properly selected patients.
- Strong postpartum recovery outcomes, supported by dedicated maternal ICU and rehabilitation programs.
Long-term maternal health and fertility preservation remain key focuses, supported by continuous monitoring and follow-up systems.
Treatment Process in Korea
1. Early Detection and Diagnosis
During the second-trimester ultrasound, abnormal placental positioning or invasion signs are identified. Detailed imaging with Doppler ultrasound or MRI confirms the diagnosis.
2. Risk Stratification and Referral
High-risk patients are referred to tertiary maternal-fetal medicine centers equipped with dedicated placenta teams and surgical facilities.
3. Multidisciplinary Planning
The treatment plan involves specialists from obstetrics, anesthesiology, urology, radiology, and neonatology. Blood banks and surgical support systems are prepared in advance.
4. Pre-Delivery Preparation
Scheduled cesarean section or cesarean hysterectomy is arranged, often between 34–36 weeks. Balloon catheters or stents may be placed to minimize intraoperative bleeding.
5. Delivery and Surgical Management
Delivery occurs in a controlled environment, often with interventional radiology assistance. Immediate neonatal resuscitation and maternal stabilization follow.
6. Postpartum Intensive Care and Rehabilitation
Mothers receive ICU-level monitoring, blood replacement therapy, and physical recovery support. If hysterectomy is performed, psychological and fertility counseling are offered.
Why Korea Is a Top Destination
- Highly specialized placenta accreta teams in major hospitals with decades of experience.
- Advanced imaging and hybrid operating rooms designed for maternal-fetal interventions.
- Comprehensive perinatal care system linking MFICU and NICU units for mother and baby.
- Cutting-edge surgical innovation combined with holistic postpartum rehabilitation.
- Multilingual support and international patient services for medical tourists seeking safety and expertise.
Unique Korean Methods & Technology
- AI-based imaging interpretation to improve accreta diagnosis accuracy.
- Blood-loss prediction systems using digital monitoring for real-time surgical control.
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways customized for cesarean-hysterectomy patients.
- Postpartum integrated care combining medical recovery with Korea’s traditional wellness approaches.
Cost Range
The cost of placenta previa and accreta management in Korea varies based on severity, procedures, and hospital level:
- Diagnostic imaging and consultation: USD 500 – 1,000
- Prenatal management and monitoring: USD 2,000 – 5,000
- Cesarean section with specialized team: USD 6,000 – 10,000
- Cesarean hysterectomy with interventional radiology support: USD 10,000 – 20,000
- Postpartum ICU and recovery care: USD 2,000 – 4,000
- NICU for preterm infant: USD 1,500 – 5,000 (depending on length of stay)
Comprehensive medical tourism packages often include translation, accommodation, and follow-up services.
Popular Hospitals and Centers in Korea
- Asan Medical Center (Seoul): Specialized placenta accreta team with hybrid operating facilities.
- Samsung Medical Center (Seoul): Advanced imaging and interventional support for complex placental cases.
- Severance Hospital (Yonsei University Health System): Pioneer in multidisciplinary placenta accreta care.
- CHA Bundang Women’s Hospital: Expert in placenta previa management and fertility-preserving surgery.
- MizMedi Women’s Hospital: Provides full-spectrum high-risk pregnancy care and postpartum rehabilitation.
