A 32-year-old woman with placenta previa accreta undergoes elective cesarean hysterectomy at 34 weeks. Preoperatively, internal iliac artery balloon catheters are placed and inflated after delivery of the fetus. What is the primary purpose of this intervention?

• A To prevent ureteric injury
• B To facilitate placental separation
• C To prevent bladder injury
• D To reduce intraoperative blood loss ✓

Explanation

Prophylactic internal iliac artery balloon occlusion (or the Triple-P procedure) aims to reduce pelvic blood flow and thereby decrease intraoperative hemorrhage during cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum. It does not prevent ureteric or bladder injury, nor does it aid placental separation. Evidence for its benefit is mixed but it is widely practiced in high-resource settings.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.