[Placenta percreta and rupture of the uterus (author's transl)].

A placenta percreta must be expected in 7% of all cases of abnormal implantation of the placenta. Placenta percreta is therefore a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. In 15% of the cases spontaneous rupture of the uterus occurs. Depending on the type of delivery, the maternal mortality ranges from 6-30%. Early hysterectomy is the method of choice to prevent serious complications of hermorrhage. Since the degree of infiltration of the myometrium with placenta can not be determined with accuracy, excision of the site of perforation to preserve the uterus does not appear to be indicated. The case of a 41 year old primigravida, with a previous history of infertility and myomectomy is described. Following primary Cesarean section for breech presentation an asymptomatic rupture of the uterus from the placenta percreta was detected. The rupture of the uterus was likely asymptomatic because a loop of sigmoid colon was adherent to the site of perforation.