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Pregnancies in Challenging Locations


Learning objectives

  • List key specialties to include in interdisciplinary planning of complex surgical cases.

  • Describe clinical and sonographic findings of abdominal pregnancy.

  • Describe sonographic findings of cesarean scar pregnancy.

  • Develop interdisciplinary plan for management of complex surgical cases.

There are times when a pregnancy implants in abnormal locations and develops to an advanced gestational age. Under certain circumstances, these pregnancies can result in delivery of a healthy infant. However, the safety of both the mother and the infant relies heavily on preoperative planning and an interdisciplinary approach. In this chapter, we review important considerations for interdisciplinary planning of these difficult cases. We report complex cases managed at our institution that resulted in positive outcomes for both the mother and the fetus.

Interdisciplinary Planning for Complex Surgical Cases

Preoperative discussion should include representatives from many specialties, which depending on the clinical scenario may include the following steps:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

  • Maternal–fetal medicine

  • Anesthesia

  • General surgery

  • Vascular surgery

  • Urology

  • Critical care

  • Interventional radiology

  • Neonatology

  • Nursing

Topics to Discuss

  • Timing of delivery (and if premature, should betamethasone and magnesium sulfate be administered?)

  • Location of delivery

    • Is your institution appropriate for maternal and neonatal needs? If not, consider referral to tertiary care center

    • Within your institution, is patient better served in main operating room or labor and delivery unit?

  • Preoperative imaging needed

  • Preferred vascular access

  • Anticipated operative approach

  • Anticipated blood product needs

  • Special equipment needs

  • Anticipated postoperative needs

Communication With Patient and Family

  • It is important to have an open and honest discussion with patient and her family about the risks to both her and the baby of the given condition

  • Allow multiple opportunities for patient and family to ask questions, as their understanding of the condition will likely evolve over time

  • On the day of the surgery, designate someone to keep the patient's family updated so the surgical team can focus on their primary responsibilities in the operating room

Abdominal Pregnancy

A patient presented to our institution at 27 weeks gestation because of a suspicion for an abnormal pregnancy. On ultrasound, the fetus was noted to be developing outside of the uterine cavity ( Fig. 29.1A–D ). Diagnosis of abdominal pregnancy was made. An interdisciplinary meeting was held that involved maternal–fetal medicine, vascular surgery, general surgery, anesthesia, and neonatology. Given the concern for unpredictable, catastrophic maternal hemorrhage, the decision was made to proceed with delivery after administration of antenatal steroids. At surgery, a midline incision was made. The gestational sac was noted to be intact, posterior to the uterus ( Fig. 29.2 ). The membranes were ruptured, and the infant was delivered without difficulty. The vascular surgeon then identified and ligated the maternal vessels that extended from the sigmoid colon to the placenta. The placenta was attached to the right adnexa, cul-de-sac, and sigmoid colon. The placenta was removed intact. Excellent hemostasis was obtained. Both the mother and the infant were discharged home in good condition.

Fig. 29.1, Ultrasound findings in abdominal pregnancy at 27 weeks' gestation. (A) Note the fetus is behind the uterus. (B) Ultrasound of the uterus that is empty. (C) The placenta is implanted above the sigmoid colon. (D) Uterine artery with velocity waveforms; the uterine artery (red color) is directed towards the uterus.

Fig. 29.2, Abdominal pregnancy with gestational sac behind the uterus.

A second case had occurred 5 years earlier at our institution. The pregnancy was at 35 weeks' gestation. There was no prenatal care. At cesarean delivery, the placenta was found to be implanted on the omentum. It was removed and both mother and infant did well.

These two cases emphasize that an abdominal pregnancy may end with alive and healthy babies.

Clinical Signs of Healthy Abdominal Pregnancy

  • Inability to induce labor

  • Abdominal pain, particularly with fetal movements

  • Easy abdominal palpation of fetal parts

Ultrasound Findings in Abdominal Pregnancy

  • Lack of myometrial wall between gestational sac and bladder

  • Suspected bicornuate uterus without myometrium surrounding the fetus

  • MRI can be useful to help clarify ultrasound findings

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