Antenatal Detection of Succenturiate Placenta with Uneventful Outcome: A Case Report

Abstract

Succenturiate placenta is a rare placental morphological variant characterized by one or more accessory lobes connected to the main placental disc by fetal blood vessels traversing the membranes. Although often asymptomatic, it is clinically significant due to its association with serious complications such as fetal distress, placental abruption, postpartum hemorrhage, and retained placental tissue, which may lead to significant maternal and fetal morbidity if not identified antenatally. Early recognition of this condition is therefore essential for appropriate intrapartum planning and timely obstetric decision-making. We report the case of a 35-year-old multigravida at 38+6 weeks of gestation who was antenatally diagnosed with succenturiate placenta on ultrasonography. She underwent elective lower segment cesarean section for breech presentation and delivered a healthy male neonate with good Apgar scores. Intraoperatively, the accessory placental lobe with vascular connections to the main placental mass was confirmed, and the placenta was delivered completely without complications. The postpartum period was largely uneventful except for an episode of fever, which was managed appropriately. Both maternal and neonatal outcomes were satisfactory. This case highlights the importance of meticulous antenatal ultrasonographic evaluation in identifying rare placental anomalies such as succenturiate placenta. Early diagnosis allows for careful obstetric planning and can contribute to favorable maternal and fetal outcomes despite the potential risks associated with this condition.