Evaluation of the necessity of laparoscopic repair of a uterine scar defect for cesarean scar pregnancy

Objective This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with the necessity of laparoscopic scar defect repair for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 237 patients with CSP who were treated by ultrasound-guided suction curettage and/or laparoscopy in our hospital from April 2012 to November 2019. A total of 199 of these patients underwent ultrasound-guided suction curettage without uterine scar defect repair, while 38 of these patients underwent laparoscopic resection and uterine scar defect repair. We analyzed various clinical variables and compared the efficacy of treatment between the two groups. Results Gestational age, the maximum transverse diameter (MTD) of the gestational sac, myometrial thickness, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and the duration of the hospital stay were significantly different between the two groups. Gestational age, the MTD of the gestational sac, and myometrial thickness were independent risk factors for laparoscopic repair. Conclusions Gestational age, the MTD of the gestational sac, and myometrial thickness are important factors associated with the necessity for laparoscopic repair of a uterine scar defect.

Evaluation of the Treatment of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Combined With Suction Curettage for Exogenous Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with suction curettage in the treatment of exogenous cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Methods: A total of 41 patients diagnosed with exogenous CSP were enrolled in this study. All patients received HIFU treatment combined with suction curettage. Results: Twenty-nine patients were administered one session of HIFU ablation. In addition, the other 12 patients received 2 HIFU sessions. Suction curettage was performed in all patients after HIFU, and no patient was converted to laparoscopy or hysterectomy. The mean blood loss during suction curettage was 99 ml. Three patients received two sessions of suction curettage. The success rate of our study was 92.68%. The mean time for serum β-HCG normalization was 23.18±3.13 days. The average menstruation recovery time was 29.38±3.34 days. Based on the blood loss during suction curettage, 41 patients were divided into a bleeding group and a control group. The size of the gestational sac in the bleeding group (3.80±0.87 cm) was larger than that in the control group (3.39±0.77 cm) (P <0.05). The thickness of the myometrium between the bladder and gestational sac in the bleeding group (2.37±0.89 mm) was less than that in the control group (2.75±0.75 mm) (P <0.05). Conclusion: The results suggested that HIFU combined with suction curettage could be considered an effective treatment for exogenous CSP of < 9 weeks. The size of the gestational sac and the thickness of the myometrium between the bladder and gestational sac might be high-risk factors for blood loss during this treatment.

The implementation of routine procedural transvaginal sonography to decrease retained products of conception: a quality improvement initiative

Background Retained products of conception (POC) following uterine evacuation can lead to adverse sequelae, including hemorrhage, endometritis, intrauterine adhesions, and reoperation. Use of procedural transvaginal sonography (TVUS) in the operating room has been proposed to help decrease retained POC. Methods A retrospective review of all first trimester uterine evacuation procedures from 1/2015 to 2/2017 was performed, noting use of transabdominal ultrasonography, retained products of conception, and complications. A practice change was implemented in May 2018, in which routine intra-procedural TVUS use was initiated. A second retrospective chart review was conducted to assess for post-implementation incidence of retained POC, re-operation, and associated complications. Results Prior to intra-procedural TVUS implementation, 130 eligible procedures were performed during the specified timeframe, with 9/130 (6.9%) incidence of retained products of conception. TAUS was performed in 59/130 (45.4%) of procedures, and 4/9 (44.4%) of those with retained products. There were eight re-operative procedures in seven patients, and two patients were treated with misoprostol. Complications included hemorrhage, Asherman’s syndrome and endometritis. Following implementation, 95 first trimester procedures were performed with transvaginal sonography, with 0 (0%) cases of retained POC (p = 0.01), no incidences of re-operation (p = 0.02), and one case of Asherman’s syndrome. TVUS findings led to additional focused suction curettage in 20/95 (21.0%) of procedures. The endometrium was measured on procedure completion in 64 procedures, with a mean thickness of 5.5 mm (1–12 mm). Conclusion Implementation of routine TVUS during uterine evacuation may reduce the incidence of retained POC and associated reoperation rates. Further multi-center trials are needed to confirm this finding.

A Misdiagnosed Molar Pregnancy Ended Up in Excessive Haemorrhage Which was Later Diagnosed as a Uterine Arteriovenous Malformation

Uterine vascular abnormalities though are not very common but are potentially life threatening as can lead to torrential vaginal bleeding. Although they are considered relatively rare, with fewer than 150 cases reported in the literature, a true incidence of the uterine AVM may be much higher. We are reporting a case which was diagnosed as molar pregnancy and suction curettage was done, at the time of the evacuation there was excessive bleeding which was immediately dealt with the tamponade by the Foleys catheter and the vaginal packs till the arrangements for the uterine artery embolization were done. At the time of embolization right uterine artery arteriovenous malformation was detected incidentally and embolized along with the uterine arteries. The post op recovery of the patient was uneventful. Retrospectively when the Doppler ultrasound was reassessed hypoechoic lesions and dilated veins were seen in the myometrium which were misdiagnosed as molar. In any patient if the myometrium shows dilated veins and on Doppler if abnormal active vessel flow with a coloured mosaic pattern is detected uterine AVM should be suspected and should be investigated further with the computed tomography (CT) for proper treatment of the patient and prevention of the life-threatening haemorrhage. Key words: Uterine artery embolization, haemorrhage, dilatation and curettage. Uterine AVM.

Successful hysteroscopy and curettage of a caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy

Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies are the rarest type of ectopic pregnancy. The optimum management regime is not yet established. We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented at 11 weeks gestation with painless vaginal bleeding, having had 2 previous caesarean sections. Ultrasound revealed a gestational sac within the caesarean scar niche. On follow-up, her serial ß human chorionic gonadotropin (ßHCG) measurements fell significantly. The woman initially opted for conservative management but subsequently required surgical management. Hysteroscopy demonstrated a sac within the caesarean scar which was successfully evacuated by ultrasound-guided suction curettage, with no complications. Caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies are becoming increasingly common. Diagnosis is primarily through ultrasound using specified criteria. Management may be conservative, medical or surgical excision depending on the clinical circumstances. Hysteroscopy and suction curettage is an effective therapeutic option for caesarean scar ectopic management.