Chandigarh: A dangerous and complex pregnancy complication that puts thousands of mothers at risk every year is finally getting a dedicated, world-class treatment space.The new Advanced Mother and Child Centre at PGI will feature a highly specialised operating theatre (OT) exclusively equipped to treat placenta accreta — a severe condition in which the placenta attaches too deeply to the wall of the uterus.For expecting mothers, the facility could be lifesaving.In a normal pregnancy, the placenta attaches to the uterus and separates naturally after childbirth. In cases of placenta accreta, however, the placenta grows into the uterine muscle and, in severe cases, can even invade nearby organs such as the urinary bladder.Surgery for the condition is extremely challenging and can trigger life-threatening bleeding. A single procedure can occupy an operating room for more than three hours and may require between three and 11 units of blood transfusion to save the mother.Because of the complexity of the condition, it cannot be managed at most local hospitals.“Patients are routinely flown or driven into this tertiary care center from hundreds of miles away, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Amritsar. The hospital manages 70 to 80 of these high-risk cases every year,” said Prof Vanita Jain, head of the Advanced Mother and Child Centre.Until now, these surgeries had to compete for operating room space with other emergency procedures, often forcing patients to wait for hours.“Having a dedicated surgical suite means patients with this specific condition no longer have to wait for an open slot in a general emergency room. Also, this new room is being packed with cutting-edge medical technology that brings the hospital at par with the absolute best private facilities in the world,” said Prof Jain.The theatre will be equipped with advanced 3D imaging cameras, providing surgeons with high-definition views during surgery. The technology will enable minimally invasive procedures through small incisions, reducing the need for large open surgeries. Conditions such as ectopic pregnancies and early-stage scar complications can also be treated more effectively.Critical areas of the centre will be fitted with advanced ultrasound machines equipped with artificial intelligence that can automatically track and measure key parameters, helping doctors make faster and more accurate clinical decisions when time is crucial.
