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.

Laparoscopic Isthmocele Repair: Efficacy and Benefits before and after Subsequent Cesarean Section

Objective: To evaluate the effect of laparoscopic isthmocele repair on isthmocele-related symptoms and/or fertility-related problems. The residual myometrial thickness before and after subsequent cesarean section was also evaluated. Design: Retrospective, case series. Setting: Public university hospital. Population: Women with isthmocele (residual myometrium < 5 mm) complaining of abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain or secondary infertility not otherwise specified. Methods: Women’s complaints and the residual myometrium were assessed pre-operatively and at three to six months post-operatively. In patients who conceived after surgery, the latter was measured at least six months after delivery by cesarean section. Main Outcome Measures: Resolution of the main symptom three to six months after surgery and persistence of laparoscopic repair benefits after subsequent cesarean section were considered as primary outcome measures. Results: Overall, 31 women underwent laparoscopic isthmocele repair. The success rates of the surgery as improvement of abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain and secondary infertility were 71.4% (10 of 14), 83.3% (10 of 12) and 83.3% (10 of 12), respectively. Mean residual myometrial thickness increased significantly from 1.77 mm pre-operatively to 6.67 mm, three to six months post-operatively. Mean myometrial thickness in patients who underwent subsequent cesarean section (N = 7) was 4.49 mm. In this sub-group, there was no significant difference between the mean myometrial thickness measured after the laparoscopic isthmocele repair and that measured after the subsequent cesarean section. None of these patients reported recurrence of their symptoms after delivery. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the laparoscopic isthmocele excision and repair is an appropriate approach for the treatment of isthmocele-related symptoms when done by skilled laparoscopic surgeons. The benefit of this new surgical approach seems to persist even after a subsequent cesarean section. Further investigations and prospective studies are required to confirm this finding.

Transvaginal Sonographic Evaluation of Cesarean Section Scar Niche in Pregnancy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Background and Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of a Cesarean section (CS) scar niche during pregnancy, assessed by transvaginal ultrasound imaging, and to relate scar measurements, demographic and obstetric variables to the niche evolution and final pregnancy outcome. Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, we used transvaginal sonography to examine the uterine scars of 122 women at 11+0–13+6, 18+0–20+6 and 32+0–35+6 weeks of gestation. A scar was defined as visible on pregnant status when the area of hypoechogenic myometrial discontinuity of the lower uterine segment was identified. The CS scar niche (“defect”) was defined as an indentation at the site of the CS scar with a depth of at least 2 mm in the sagittal plane. We measured the hypoechogenic part of the CS niche in two dimensions, as myometrial thickness adjacent to the niche and the residual myometrial thickness (RMT). In the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the full lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness and the myometrial layer thickness were measured at the thinnest part of the scar area. Two independent examiners measured CS scars in a non-selected subset of patients (n = 24). Descriptive analysis was used to assess scar visibility, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to show the strength of absolute agreement between two examiners for scar measurements. Factors associated with the CS scar niche, including maternal age, BMI, smoking status, previous vaginal delivery, obstetrics complications and a history of previous uterine curettage, were investigated. Clinical information about pregnancy outcomes and complications was obtained from the hospital’s electronic medical database. Results: The scar was visible in 77.9% of the women. Among those with a visible CS scar, the incidence of a CS scar niche was 51.6%. The intra- and interobserver agreement for CS scar niche measurements was excellent (ICC 0.98 and 0.89, respectively). Comparing subgroups of women in terms of CS scar niche (n = 49) and non-niche (n = 73), there was no statistically significant correlation between maternal age (p = 0.486), BMI (p = 0.529), gestational diabetes (p = 1.000), smoking status (p = 0.662), previous vaginal delivery after CS (p = 1.000) and niche development. Uterine scar niches were seen in 56.3% (18/48) of the women who had undergone uterine curettage, compared with 34.4% (31/74) without uterine curettage (p = 0.045). We observed an absence of correlation between the uterine scar niche at the first trimester of pregnancy and mode of delivery (p = 0.337). Two cases (4.7%) of uterine scar dehiscence were confirmed following a trial of vaginal delivery. Conclusions: Based on ultrasonography examination, the CS scar niche remained visible in half of the cases with a visible CS scar at the first trimester of pregnancy and could be reproducibly measured by a transvaginal scan. Previous uterine curettage was associated with an increased risk for uterine niche formation in a subsequent pregnancy. Uterine scar dehiscence might be potentially related to the CS scar niche.

Repair of the myometrial scar defect at repeat caesarean section: a modified surgical technique

Background To investigate whether the existing surgical technique for uterine closure at repeat lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS) can be modified to achieve adequate residual myometrial thickness (RMT) to ensure scar integrity and reduce complications in future pregnancy. Methods Women with a significant scar defect at repeat LSCS had the anterior uterine wall closed by a single experienced obstetrician with a technique focused on recognition, mobilisation and apposition of the retracted myometrial edges at the boundary of the defect. This was aimed at anatomical restoration of the lower segment. The RMT at the scar area was assessed by postnatal pelvic ultrasound scan at three months. Results Thirty women with a history of at least one previous CS, incidentally found to have a large defect at operation underwent the technique with prior consent. A postnatal scan showed a mean residual myometrial thickness of 8.4 mm (SD ±1.3 mm; range 5.6–11.0 mm). The average operating time was 91 mins and the average blood loss 728 ml. Two women who underwent the repair have gone on to have a further uneventful CS. Conclusion This modified technique resulted in scan evidence of an RMT indicative of uterine wall stability postnatally and offers the potential for reducing the risk of rupture and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in future pregnancy.

Relationship between myometrial thickness and latency interval of pregnancy after preterm premature rupture of membranes

Background: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) increases the risk of prematurity and leads to a number of other perinatal and neonatal complications. Prolonged latency interval increases probability of complications in mothers with PPROM. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the myometrial thickness and the length of latency interval after PPROM.Methods: This study included 62 pregnant women admitted due to spontaneous PPROM from 26 to 37 weeks gestational age. All selected cases were subjected to full medical history, full clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and ultrasound evaluation with measurement of myometrium thickness at lower uterine segment and uterine fundus, measurement of amniotic fluid index.Results: A total 32 (51.7%) of our patients had latency interval <1 week while the rest of patients had latency interval ≥1 week with mean latency interval value was 5.45±2.4 days. Sonographic evaluation of the myometrial thickness showed that the mean thickness at lower uterine segment was 6.6±1.26 mm and at fundus was 6.1±1.28 mm. we found that at cut off point ≥6.9 mm lower uterine segment myometrial thickness had 87.5% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity in prediction of latency interval≥1 week, while at cut off point≥6.4 mm uterine fundus myometrial thickness had 81.3% sensitivity and 63.3% specificity in prediction of latency interval more than 1 week.Conclusions: Sonographic evaluation of myometrial thickness appears to be helpful in prediction of latency interval in PPROM.

Anatomy of the sonographic post-cesarean uterus

Purpose We aim to describe the sonographic uterine anatomy after a cesarean section (CS), test the reproducibility of predefined measurements from the BSUM study, and report the distribution of these measurements. Methods This is a descriptive observational study where 200 women with a history of only one CS were recruited 12–24 months postoperatively. A 5–13 MHz micro-convex transvaginal transducer was used for the acquisition of volumetric datasets for evaluating the CS scars. We defined 15 distinct measurements including the residual myometrial thickness (RMT). RMT ratio was calculated as a percentage of RMT to the assumed pre-cesarean anterior uterine wall thickness. A P value below 0.05 is utilized for significant statistical analysis. Results Patients were included on average 18.5 months post-cesarean. The uterus was anteflexed in 82.5% and retroflexed in 17.5%. Myometrial defects at the site of CS manifest in two forms, either as a niche or as fibrosis. Patients are classified into four groups: those with isolated niches (45%), combined niches and fibrosis (38.5%), isolated fibrosis (11%), and lacking both (5%). The median RMT ratio for these groups was 63.09, 40.93, 59.84, and 100% with a standard deviation of 16.73, 12.95, 16.59, and 0, respectively. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) remained above 0.9 for all distinct measurements among these groups except for those of RMT, where ICC varied between 0.47 and 0.96. The RMT ratio shows a constant ICC at 0.94 regardless of the group. Conclusion The post-cesarean uterus is often anteflexed, and a myometrial loss of about 50% is normally expected. The pattern of this loss is in the form of a predominantly sharp-edged and echogenic niche, fibrosis, or a combination of both. The proposed RMT ratio takes these changes into consideration and results in a reproducible quantification. We hypothesize that different adverse outcomes could be attributed to the different scar patterns.

Sonohysterography: A Formidable Diagnostic Tool in the Evaluation of the Caesarean Scar Defect in Comparison to MRI

Introduction: The use of the caesarean section (C-section) in obstetric care has exponentially increased in the past few decades. The caesarean scar defect (CSD) is a potential complication of C-section and is associated with a wide range of problems. The purpose of this study was to compare the evaluation of the CSD in non-pregnant women by sonohysterography (SHG) and MRI. Methods: This study was performed in patients having undergone a single C-section more than 6 months prior, presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhoea, or pelvic pain. Since ultrasonography and pelvic examination were inconclusive, these patients underwent MRI followed by saline infusion SHG. Measurements and characteristics of the ‘niche’ were acquired from both MRI and SHG and compared for analysis. Results: Patients with a single C-section presenting with prolonged bleeding, spotting, and dysmenorrhoea were included in this prospective study. SHG and MRI were used to measure scar thickness, width, depth, and adjacent myometrial thickness, in which the findings concurred. The mean defect depth was greater in patients with postmenstrual bleeding. Conclusion: SHG is noninferior to MRI, and SHG has the potential to assess the dynamic status of the CSD, with morphological clarity.

Isthmocele, an underecognised cause of secondary infertility and pregnancy outcome after endoscopic repair: a case report

Isthmocele is a niche at the area of previous cesarean scar. 38 year old lady presented with secondary infertility and decreased ovarian reserve for IVF with previous caesarean 8 years back. Isthmocele confirmed on 3D USG. Hysteroscopic guided laparoscopic repair done after initial failed ET without surgery. Postsurgical observations were increased myometrial thickness, improvement of abnormal bleeding, pain and successful conception and delivery with frozen embryo transfer. Isthmocele is an iatrogenic pathology associated with obstetric and gynecological complications. It’s an under recognised cause of secondary infertility. Etiology could be poor tissue healing or surgical techniques favouring niche formation. It’s imperative to address to its causes during caesarean section to prevent it. Diagnosis is mostly missed. Given the absence of a clearly defined surgical method in literature, choosing the proper approach to treating isthmocele can be arduous. Laparoscopy provides a minimally invasive procedure in women with this defect with secondary infertility and improves the chances of conception.