Hemostatic Compression Treatment of Central Placenta Previa with Modified Cho Suture

Paolo Meloni; Sara Izzo; Terenzia Simari; Andrea Polistena; Daniela Messineo; Pierfrancesco Di Cello; Silvia Lai; Luciano Izzo; Marcello Molle; Paolo Izzo

doi:10.20944/preprints202508.1926.v1

Submitted:

25 August 2025

Posted:

26 August 2025

You are already at the latest version

Abstract

Background and Introduction: Placenta previa occurs when the placental edge lies within 2 cm of the internal cervical orifice. In early pregnancy, most cases resolve spontaneously by the third trimester. Placenta previa increases the risk of placenta accreta, especially in women with prior cesarean delivery, uterine surgery, or advanced maternal age. Patients with central placenta previa typically undergo elective cesarean section. Hemorrhagic complications are common even in the absence of accreta. Uterine compression sutures, particularly Cho sutures, are used to manage postpartum hemorrhage and may be modified to address case-specific challenges. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old woman conceived through IVF and had an uneventful pregnancy. A third-trimester ultrasound confirmed central placenta previa. An elective cesarean section was scheduled at 38 weeks due to advanced maternal age. A healthy newborn was delivered. Manual removal of the placenta was difficult, and bleeding from the placental bed persisted. Due to the midline location of the bleeding vessels, standard Cho sutures were avoided to prevent cervical canal closure. Instead, modified Cho compression sutures were applied solely to the posterior uterine wall using resorbable monofilament, achieving effective hemostasis. Discussion and Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and individualized surgical planning in managing placenta previa. Modified compression sutures, when performed by experienced hands, can be adapted to control hemorrhage effectively, reducing the need for more invasive interventions and preserving uterine integrity.

Keywords:

placenta previa

;

cho suture

;

case report

Subject:

Medicine and Pharmacology - Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Background and Introduction

A placenta is defined as previa when the placental edge does not cover the internal orifice but is located within 2 cm of it. The incidence of placenta previa is approximately 5/1000 births [1]. If placenta previa is diagnosed during the early stages of pregnancy, it usually resolves by the 28th week due to the enlargement of the uterus. According to the RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) classification, placenta previa (PP) is classified echographically according to its clinical significance: if the placenta completely covers the internal uterine orifice (IUO ), it is considered major PP (formerly complete and partial central PP); if the placental edge lies on the IUO but does not cover the IUO, it is referred to as minor PP (formerly marginal and lateral PP) [2]. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVU-2D) is the gold standard for diagnosing PP. If PP is suspected on abdominal ultrasound performed at 20-22 weeks, it must then be confirmed with a TVU [3,4]. Placenta previa is a risk factor for placental accreta, which is pathological adhesion to the uterus due to a defect in the basal decidua with invasion of the myometrium by chorionic villi. In the absence of risk factors, the incidence of accreta in cases of placenta previa is approximately 1 case per 22,000 births [5]. The risk of accreta also increases if risk factors are present: previous cesarean delivery, maternal age over 35 years, previous uterine surgery, and multiparity [6,7]. In cases of suspected asymptomatic major PP or in cases of doubtful accreta, a further transabdominal ultrasound (ETA) and ETV should be performed at 32 weeks of gestation to clarify the diagnosis with any further tests, adequate counseling should be provided, and an adequate team should be available to plan the delivery in an appropriate facility [8].

For patients with placenta previa or low insertion, risks include abnormal fetal presentation, premature rupture of membranes, fetal growth restriction, vasa previa, and velamentous insertion of the umbilical cord (in which the placental end of the cord consists of divergent umbilical blood vessels surrounded only by fetal membranes). In women who have had a previous cesarean delivery, placenta previa increases the risk of placenta accreta; the risk increases significantly with the number of previous cesarean deliveries (from approximately 6-10% for one cesarean delivery to > 60% for > 4) [9,10]. Patients with central placenta previa undergo elective cesarean delivery. The afterbirth can cause significant bleeding even in the absence of accreta. Compressive uterine sutures are conservative surgical procedures used as a second-line treatment to control severe post-partum emorragies and avoid hysterectomy [11,12]. The compressive hemostatic suture in these cases is according to Cho suture [13]. This suture involves the use of a straight needle and 0-gauge monofilament to compress the anterior and posterior walls of the uterus with simple stitches that pierce the uterus through its entire thickness. It is a ligature that can be repeated during the same procedure. The Cho suture consists of four multiple square sutures, which appear as a square when viewed from the uterine wall.

Case Presentation

A 46-year-old woman underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). Pregnancy progressed normally, with physiological development and appropriate fetal growth. In the third trimester, an ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of a central placenta previa.

A cesarean section was planned. In preparation, units of packed red blood cells, plasma, and coagulation factors were arranged, and the transfusion center and blood bank were notified due to the risk of potential massive hemorrhage. The surgery was performed electively at 38 weeks of gestation, considering the additional risk factor of advanced maternal age. The newborn was in excellent condition at birth, with an Apgar score of 9/10 and an umbilical cord pH of 7.3.

Manual delivery of the placenta proved challenging, particularly in the central isthmic region covering the internal cervical os. The uterus was exteriorized, and careful removal of the placenta followed by curettage of the implantation site was performed. Although the uterus appeared well-contracted, bleeding persisted from the placental bed. A marker was placed in the cervical canal to prevent closure during suture.

Because the bleeding vessels were located along the midline of the placental bed, standard Cho sutures were deemed unsuitable, as they would require bringing the anterior and posterior uterine walls together—risking closure of the cervical canal. Instead, modified Cho compression sutures were applied exclusively to the posterior isthmic wall. One suture was placed at the cervical level, and the second just above it. A resorbable monofilament thread was used.

The suture technique involved passing the needle through the uterine cavity from anterior to posterior, exiting the posterior wall, and reinserting it 2–3 cm laterally from posterior to anterior. The needle was then passed again from anterior to posterior, exiting the posterior wall approximately 2–3 cm below the previous exit site. Finally, the stitch was completed by reinserting 2–3 cm laterally into the posterior wall. The two ends of the thread were tied using a flat surgical knot to enhance compression. Both sutures were placed medially along the posterior wall at the level of the cervical isthmus.

Discussion and Conclusions

In the clinical case described, several risk factors could significantly impact maternal and fetal outcomes. These include advanced maternal age, the presence of placenta previa, and its central location—factors that collectively contribute to a high-risk obstetric scenario.

Since mass screening for abnormal placentation is not feasible, it is crucial to focus on in-depth evaluation of at-risk populations—those with placenta previa, prior uterine surgery or curettage, or advanced maternal age. Familiarity with the available diagnostic tools is essential. Improved maternal-fetal outcomes are achievable through accurate prenatal diagnosis and a coordinated multidisciplinary approach during delivery.

Transvaginal ultrasound remains the most reliable diagnostic method for identifying placenta previa in all its forms. Surgical management should be entrusted to an experienced team, particularly because the risk of placenta accreta exists even in patients without a history of cesarean delivery, the primary known risk factor.

Compressive sutures are highly effective in managing uterine bleeding and promoting contractility. In this case, a modified Cho suture was used to achieve hemostasis along the median plane of the posterior uterine wall. This demonstrates that, in expert hands, compression sutures can be adapted to the specific challenges of the clinical situation while preserving their effectiveness.

Figures’ Legends

Figure 1. Transvaginal ultrasound confirming diagnosis of central placenta previa.

Figure 2. Hemostatic suture with modified CHO stitches on the posterior wall and cervical isthmus.

Funding

We have no funding to declare.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due to concerns regarding participant anonymity. Requests for access to the data should be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethics statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report. The study was exempt from evaluation by our local Ethical Comitee.

Conflicts of Interest

We have no conflict of interest to declare.

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