Placental polyp: causes, symptoms, treatment, complications
The content of the article:
- The reasons
- Placental polyp symptoms
-
Diagnostics and treatment
- Hysteroscopy
- Removal of a polyp
- Postoperative period
- Complications
- Prevention
- Video
A placental polyp is a benign neoplasm formed from the remnants of placental tissue in the uterine cavity. It is a growth on a thin stem or broad base. The formation can cause bleeding and other serious complications, so it must be removed.
Placental polyp formation can occur after childbirth, abortion, or miscarriage
Placental polyp code according to ICD-10: O90.8 - other complications of the postpartum period.
The reasons
The formation of a growth of this kind is preceded by pregnancy. A neoplasm can occur in any outcome:
| Pregnancy outcome | The reason for the formation of the polyp |
| Childbirth or caesarean section | An outgrowth can form if the postpartum period is improperly managed. |
| Spontaneous termination of pregnancy (miscarriage) or medical abortion | A neoplasm occurs if the chorionic villi and particles of the mucous membrane are retained at the site of attachment of the ovum |
Lobules of the placenta, or placental villi, are tightly attached to the walls of the uterus. If they are incompletely removed after childbirth, improperly performed curettage during miscarriage or abortion, tissue particles remain in the cavity.
Fibrin and blood clots accumulate on these ingrown fragments of placental tissue for a short period. They sprout with connective tissue, turning into a mushroom or flat creeping growth.
After a medical abortion, polyps appear in the uterine cavity, consisting of intact villi. After childbirth or cesarean section, polypous formations of destructive villi can form.
Placental polyp symptoms
The formation of placental growths in the uterine cavity is completed approximately 3-5 weeks after childbirth or termination of pregnancy. This fact is indicated by the onset of bleeding. Often women blame it on manipulations or childbirth. But in the presence of a placental polyp, bleeding is profuse and prolonged.
Initially, a woman may develop scanty spotting, the amount of which increases with the growth of education. The bleeding is so intense that it forces the woman to see a doctor.
If the chorionic polyp forms in the second week after the termination of pregnancy or childbirth, then it can cause a slight leak of blood.
Diagnostics and treatment
At the initial stage, the doctor interviews the patient. At the same time, he finds out when the curettage or medical abortion was performed. If it was childbirth, then how was the delivery carried out and how difficult this process was. The gynecologist also specifies when exactly the bleeding began, its duration and intensity.
In order to determine the localization of the growth and its size, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is performed
At the next stage, an examination is carried out in the mirrors, the current state of the uterus is examined. To determine the localization of the formation and its size, an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is necessary. For the examination to be informative, a transvaginal sensor is used.
Hysteroscopy
If there is a difficulty in making a diagnosis, hysteroscopy is performed. For this purpose, a special telescopic illuminated instrument (hysteroscope) is used. It transmits an image of the uterine cavity and cervical canal to the screen, which makes it possible to identify the polyp. In most cases, during such a procedure, the neoplasm is immediately removed.
Hysteroscopy allows you to identify and remove the polyp
Diagnostic hysteroscopy can be performed without anesthesia, but general anesthesia is usually required for the treatment procedure. The patient is in the gynecological chair. The uterine cavity is gradually expanded and a hysteroscope (a long rod with a video camera and a light source at the end) is inserted through the cervical canal.
Isotonic sodium chloride or carbon dioxide may be used to expand the cavity a little. When a neoplasm is detected, a tool is introduced with which the formation is removed.
Removal of a polyp
If the lower part of the mass is visible in the cervical canal, it is removed using forceps or a surgical laser.
In all cases, the procedure is complemented by curettage of the cervical canal and uterine cavity. During this manipulation, the mucous membrane lining the inner surface of the organ is removed.
In order to exclude the presence of oncological diseases, the material taken during the manipulation is sent for histological examination. After receiving the results, it is necessary to consult a doctor to discuss a further treatment plan.
Postoperative period
After removal of the formation, spotting may leak within 1-3 days. Mild abdominal pain also occurs, which can be relieved with analgesics. To strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to take vitamin complexes.
To minimize the risk of infection, after surgery for three weeks, you need to refrain from sexual activity, using tampons and douching. Also, during this period, you cannot take a bath, swim in pools and open water bodies and visit a bath or sauna.
If bleeding caused by a placental or decidual polyp causes anemia, the woman is prescribed iron supplements (Sorbifer, Totema, Aktiferrin). They are taken according to the instructions for 2-3 months until the level of hemoglobin in the blood is normalized.
Complications
If you do not remove the build-up in time, endometritis may develop. The disease is an inflammation of the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) as a result of the penetration of pathogens into its cavity.
Infection occurs due to a decrease in local immunity and a violation of the protective barrier at the entrance to the uterus. Endometritis manifests itself in the form of purulent and bloody discharge, an increase in body temperature and pain in the lower abdomen. It can be complicated by peritonitis, sepsis, adhesions, infertility.
To avoid the development of complications, when symptoms of pathology appear, you need to consult a doctor
Other possible complications:
- anemia. Loss of blood can lead to a significant drop in hemoglobin levels. In milder forms of the disease, weakness, pallor of the skin, and drowsiness are noted. If bleeding lasts a long time, the patient may experience dizziness, fainting, dermatological problems;
- sepsis. Blood infection occurs as a result of pathogenic microbes entering the bloodstream from the focus of inflammation. A sign of intoxication is weakness, dizziness, heart palpitations, chills. The lungs, heart, brain, and other organs are affected. If treatment is not started on time, death is possible.
Prevention
In order to avoid the appearance of a placental polyp, a woman needs to closely monitor her health. First of all, it is worth protecting yourself, which will make it possible to avoid abortion. An ultrasound of the uterine cavity should be performed 2-3 weeks after the miscarriage.
If bleeding begins a few weeks after giving birth, miscarriage or abortion, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor. The sooner the placental polyp is eliminated, the more likely it is to avoid complications.
Video
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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