Sonographic follow-up of a placenta left in situ after delivery of the fetus in an abdominal pregnancy.

A case of abdominal pregnancy was followed until 34 weeks' gestation, when rupture of the amniotic sac was noted. A live and anatomically normal female weighing 1400 g was delivered by laparotomy and the placenta was left in place. Color Doppler imaging and measurement of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) were successfully used to follow the placental involution after delivery. A progressive increase in the resistance index in the utero-ovarian and subplacental vessels was observed while beta-hCG disappeared 45 days after laparotomy. The mother and baby left hospital 20 days after delivery and are both doing well.