Successful pregnancy after in-vitro fertilization and transmyometrial embryo transfer in a patient with congenital atresia of cervix: case report.

A case report of a patient with congenital cervical atresia diagnosed at the age of 24 years is given. The attempts to create a neocervix were unsuccessful. Since no signs of retrograde menstruation or haematometra were observed, in agreement with the patient hysterectomy was not performed. At the age of 32 years, a successful pregnancy was achieved after an in-vitro fertilization and transmyometrial embryo transfer. Due to rapidly progressing pre-eclampsia, an elective Caesarean section was performed at 32 weeks gestation. A 1610 g healthy male infant in breech presentation was born. The post-partum period was uneventful.     

Cervicovaginal agenesis: spontaneous gestation at term after previous reimplantation of the uterine corpus in a neovagina: Case Report

We present an exceptional case of a patient with complete cervical atresia and total vaginal aplasia. After McIndoe vaginoplasty, cervicoitsmic resection with implantation and reimplantation of the uterine corpus in the neovagina, and conservative surgery for endometriosis, the patient had normal menstruations and became pregnant spontaneously. A Caesarean section was performed at week 36. This is the third published case report of a successful spontaneous pregnancy and Caesarean section at term in a patient with complete cervicovaginal aplasia, and the first published case study of a patient becoming pregnant after McIndoe vaginoplasty, cervicoistmic resection and utero-neovaginal anastomosis. Gestation developed successfully without cerclage. We recommend conservative surgery in patients with congenital cervical atresia. McIndoe vaginoplasty should be performed as soon as possible in adolescence if there is associated vaginal aplasia. Nevertheless, fibrotic stenosis can occur, even after several years and, therefore, additional operations and uterine reimplantation may be required.     

Successful end-to-end cervico-cervical anastomosis in a patient with congenital cervical fragmentation: case report

Cervical agenesis or dysgenesis (fragmentation, fibrous cord and obstruction) is an extremely rare congenital anomaly. Conservative surgical approach to these patients involves uterovaginal anastomosis, cervical canalization, and cervical reconstruction. In failed conservative surgery, total hysterectomy is the treatment of choice. We report what we believe to be the first successful end-to-end cervico-cervical anastomosis of an unusual case of congenital cervical fragmentation. A 15 year old Caucasian female presented complaining of primary amenorrhoea and cyclic, monthly abdominal pain. At laparotomy, a symmetrical transverse disruption of the cervix in a central and distal part was found and an end-to-end cervico-cervical anastomosis of the two cervical fragments was performed with the use of a 16F Foley catheter as a stent into the endocervical canal. One month after surgery the patient had normal menses. We conclude that a thorough investigation of the patient with suspected cervical anomaly is necessary and conservative surgical treatment should be applied as a first-line treatment option. In the presence of functional and intact cervical segments, the reconstruction of the cervical canal with an end-to-end cervico-cervical anastomosis is feasible and effective.     

Transmyometrial embryo transfer and junctional zone contractions

BACKGROUND: Embryo transfer is a crucial step in IVF-embryo transfer cycles. Several studies have explored transmyometrial embryo transfer, but although this procedure has several favourable characteristics, its role in assisted reproduction has not yet been established. Junctional zone (JZ) contractions during embryo transfer are associated with a negative outcome and factors which increase JZ contractions should be avoided. METHODS: In this study, we have investigated the effect of transmyometrial embryo transfer on JZ contractions. Ten patients with a previously difficult embryo transfer, or a difficult mock embryo transfer, underwent transmyometrial embryo transfer. Before and after this procedure a transvaginal ultrasound scan was performed and this was recorded on videotape for 5 min. The recordings were digitized and then analysed for JZ contractions. RESULTS: Transmyometrial embryo transfer causes a significant increase in JZ contractions. CONCLUSION: The increase in JZ contractions after transmyometrial embryo transfer forms a theoretical objection to this procedure. However, its alternative, a difficult transcervical embryo transfer, is also associated with an increase in JZ contractions. We therefore suggest a large prospective study to investigate the most effective method of embryo transfer in cases where a difficult transcervical embryo transfer is anticipated due to cervical factors.     

CASE REPORT: Quadruplet pregnancy in a 51-year-old menopausal woman following oocyte donation

A quadruplet pregnancy occurred in a woman 51 years of age followingoocyte donation and embryo transfer. Successful pregnancy occurredfollowing two previously unsuccessful attempts. The patientunderwent a selective reduction of her pregnancy to two fetusesat approximately 13 weeks gestational age. Her pregnancy continueduneventfully and she underwent the delivery of two viable infantsat 38 weeks gestational age by Caesarean section. This caserepresents the first quadruplet pregnancy to be establishedin a woman of 50 years of age or older. It illustrates boththe benefits and risks of oocyte donation to women of advancedreproductive age.     

Utero-vaginal anastomosis in women with uterine cervix atresia: long-term follow-up and reproductive performance. A study of 18 cases

BACKGROUND: Atresia of the uterine cervix is an uncommon Müllerian anomaly. Total hysterectomy remains the classical treatment of this malformation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional results and reproductive performance of women who had conservative surgical procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The medical records of 18 patients admitted to our centre between 1969 and 1998 for the treatment of uterine cervix atresia, were reviewed. Seven women had an associated high vaginal aplasia. Fifteen women had a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery before referral, with an unsuccessful attempt at canalization in five cases. Associated pelvic endometriosis or adhesions were observed in 12 cases. The utero-vaginal anastomosis procedure was performed successfully in all cases. A secondary stenosis of the anastomosis occurred in one case and this required canalization. Median follow-up after surgery was 4.5 years. Sexual intercourse was satisfactory for the 12 patients who began sexual activity. Ten patients had a pregnancy, four of which resulted in a total of six successful spontaneous pregnancies. Of the six remaining women, five had an evident cause of infertility. CONCLUSIONS: Utero-vaginal anastomosis should be proposed in women with congenital atresia of the uterine cervix, even when it is associated with vaginal aplasia. Early diagnosis and surgery appear necessary to avoid the development of pelvic associated lesions.     

Twin pregnancy following transmyometrial-subendometrial embryo transfer for repeated implantation failure

Most in-vitro fertilization (IVF) failures are due to failure of implantation. We present a case of a successful attempt at transvaginal/transmyometrial/subendometrial embryo transfer in a patient with seven previous failures in assisted conception cycles. We demonstrate achievement of a twin pregnancy, which resulted in the delivery of healthy twin girls in January 1997, following a novel technique of embryo transfer.      

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of a fetal renal mesoblastic nephroma occurring after transfer of a cryopreserved embryo.

Here we report the first case of prenatally diagnosed fetal renal mesoblastic nephroma occurring after transfer of a cryopreserved embryo. A 37 year old woman, having immunological infertility, was treated by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. Following unsuccessful IVF using fresh embryos, the patient conceived after transfer of cryopreserved-thawed embryos. The chromosomal analysis identified a normal karyotype at 16 weeks' gestation when amniocentesis was performed. The pregnancy course was uneventful until 28 weeks' gestation when polyhydramnios associated with fetal renal tumour was detected using ultrasonography. A male infant weighing 2564 g was born via Caesarean section at 34 weeks' gestation. A left nephrectomy was performed 5 days after delivery and the tumour was identified histologically as a mesoblastic nephroma. The postoperative course was uncomplicated to this point.     

Term delivery in a woman with severe congenital neutropenia, treated with growth colony stimulating factor

The patient was diagnosed in childhood as having severe congenital neutropenia and had recurrent admissions with severe infections. In 1987, prior to getting married, she was sterilized. She continued to require i.v. antibiotics when she contracted a severe infection. On one occasion, she was treated with growth colony stimulating factor (G- CSF). Her increased neutrophil count was sustained following this treatment. In June 1993, she wished to start a family and underwent in- vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. G-CSF was given prior to oocyte retrieval. She conceived on her first cycle and an ultrasound scan revealed a singleton pregnancy. Throughout the course of the pregnancy, her white cell count was monitored closely and remained at <1.0x10(9)/l. The pregnancy progressed uneventfully and at 37 weeks gestation she was admitted for G-CSF injections. At 38 weeks she was delivered of a boy weighing 3350 g, by elective Caesarean section. His white cell count was normal. This is the first case of G-CSF being used before conception and during pregnancy in a patient with congenital neutropenia. It shows that advances in cytokine therapy and close interdisciplinary liaison can lead to a successful outcome and help patients, who would otherwise remain childless, to achieve a family.      

Difficult or repeated sequential embryo transfers do not adversely affect in-vitro fertilization pregnancy rates or outcome

In order to assist the medical team in the decision-making process and in adequate counselling of patients when encountering technical difficulties at the time of embryo transfer, we investigated the effect of difficult embryo transfer, with or without the need for cervical dilatation or repeated sequential attempts because of retained embryos in the catheter system, on in-vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy rates and outcome. A total of 854 consecutive embryo transfer procedures were prospectively categorized as (i) easy (smooth, unforced), (ii) difficult (requiring uterine manipulation or increased force or cervical grasping and/or accompanied by trauma), (iii) requiring cervical dilatation, or (iv) multiple (two or three) sequential attempts because of embryos retained in the catheter system. Embryo transfer was easy in 734 cases (85.9%). It was difficult in 72 (8.4%), cervical dilatation was required in 21 (2.5%), and one or two repeated attempts were needed in 27 cases (3.2%). Pregnancy rates for the different categories of embryo transfer were 23.3, 23.6, 23.8 and 29.6% respectively. There were no significant differences in the percentage of the ongoing/delivered pregnancies for the different categories of embryo transfer (69, 64.6, 60 and 62.5% respectively). There were no significant differences in the distribution of embryo transfer types among the six infertility specialists who performed the procedures. To conclude, embryo transfers that are difficult to perform or that require cervical dilatation or repeated attempts do not adversely affect pregnancy rates and outcome following IVF. Cervical dilatation, if needed for patients with cervical stenosis, should be performed at the time of the embryo transfer and not earlier. Surgical transmyometrial embryo transfer or rescheduling patients for delayed embryo transfer could be avoided in most patients. This information is important for patient management and counselling in cases of embryo transfer that are not easy to perform.      

Laparoscopic management of an ectopic pregnancy in a previous Caesarean section scar.

A case of laparoscopic management of an ectopic pregnancy in a previous Caesarean section scar is reported. A 30 year old woman was admitted to our hospital for profuse vaginal bleeding 2 weeks after an abortion had been performed. A urine pregnancy test was positive. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a well-encapsulated bulging mass over the lower anterior uterine wall measuring 7x5 cm. Hysteroscopy revealed retained gestational tissue in the lower corpus despite a normal uterine cavity. An incision was made over the most prominent area of the mass by operative laparoscopy. Dark reddish tissue suggestive of the products of conception was removed using grasping forceps. One-layer of continuous endoscopic sutures along the affected uterine wall was made with 1-0 Prolene. Laparoscopy enabled the successful treatment of an unruptured ectopic pregnancy in a previous Caesarean scar and made it possible to preserve the patient's reproductive capability.     

Infertility: CASE REPORT Astonishing fertility from a single oocyte recovery

A 36 year old patient underwent in-vitro fertilization (IVF)and embryo transfer. Three embryos were transferred to her uterusand eight spare embryos were cryopreserved. The patient conceiveda quadruplet pregnancy and delivered two boys and two identicaltwin girls by Caesarean section at 30 weeks gestation. The couplesubsequently donated their cryopreserved embryos to the embryodonation programme for the use of other couples. Two agonadalpatients received these cryopreserved-thawed embryos, each ina hormone replacement cycle. Both conceived, one has safelydelivered twins and the other conceived a twin pregnancy, oneof the fetuses has vanished and the otter is progressing normally.The overall embryo implantation rate was seven out of nine (78%).     

Quintuplet pregnancy following transfer of two blastocysts: Case report

A 36-year-old single woman presented at the out-patient clinic in March 2000 requesting donor insemination. Between May 2000 and May 2001 she underwent six cycles of intrauterine insemination with donor sperm after clomiphene citrate stimulation without achieving a pregnancy. In January 2002, ICSI was performed; two embryos were transferred on day 3 and a dizygotic bichorionic pregnancy was achieved, which ended in a miscarriage at 21 weeks of gestation. After a second unsuccessful ICSI attempt in which a single embryo transfer was performed, she embarked upon her third attempt in March 2003 at 39 years of age. Two blastocysts were transferred after ICSI, resulting in a quintuplet gestation consisting of a monochorionic biamniotic pregnancy and a monochorionic triamniotic pregnancy. The current case report indicates that monozygotic pregnancies consisting of both twins and triplets are possible after treatment by assisted reproductive technologies. An association between extended culture, manipulation of the zona pellucida, ovarian stimulation and occurrence of monozygotic pregnancies has been suggested by retrospective studies. However, in order to identify more reliably predictive factors for the occurrence of monozygotic pregnancies, it is necessary to perform prospective trials.     

Ectopic pregnancies in Caesarean section scars: the 8 year experience of one medical centre

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to supplement the mostly individual case reports on the rarely occurring and life-threatening condition of ectopic pregnancy developing in a Caesarean section scar. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight of all the patients treated in our department between 1995 and 2002 had been diagnosed for ectopic pregnancy that developed in a Caesarean section scar. They comprised this case series group. Four of them underwent methotrexate treatment; one had expectant management, one transcervical aspiration of the gestational sac and two by open surgery. All the non-surgically treated women had an uneventful outcome. One underwent a term Caesarean hysterectomy and the other first trimester hysterotomy and excision of the pregnancy located in the scarred uterus. Analysis of all these women's obstetric history revealed that five of them (63%) had been previously operated because of breech presentation, one had a cervical pregnancy and one had placenta previa. Four of them (50%) had multiple (> or = 2) Caesarean sections. CONCLUSIONS: The women at risk for pregnancy in a Caesarean section scar appear to be those with a history of placental pathology, ectopic pregnancy, multiple Caesarean sections and Caesarean breech delivery. Heightened awareness of this possibility and early diagnosis by means of transvaginal sonography can improve outcome and minimize the need for emergency extended surgery.     

Successful pregnancy in an infertile patient with conservatively treated endometrial adenocarcinoma after transfer of embryos obtained by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

A rare case of successful pregnancy in a woman with early-stage endometrial adenocarcinoma conservatively treated is presented. The patient, having polycystic ovaries, was initially diagnosed with hyperplasia of the endometrium and treated with several cycles of ovulation induction following intrauterine insemination. Then dilatation and curettage were carried out when hysteroscopy was performed. The histology report identified a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. After repeated endometrial curettage, in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer were introduced for immediate treatment of the patient's infertility in order to avoid the risk of recurrence of neoplastic endometrial lesions by oestrogens. A single pregnancy was achieved after transfer of the embryos obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This was performed due to the poor semen characteristics (asthenozoospermia). The patient delivered a healthy normal male infant at term. A transvaginal ultrasound examination 2 months after delivery showed a smooth, linear endometrium. Moreover, the histology report after endometrial biopsy was free of any malignancies. The patient now desires another pregnancy. We conclude that conservative treatment of early-stage endometrial adenocarcinoma in young women wishing to preserve fertility should be considered in carefully selected cases. Assisted reproductive technologies may be helpful for immediate achievement of pregnancy in such patients.     

Successful monozygotic twin delivery following in vitro maturation of oocytes retrieved from a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome: case report

The incidence of monozygotic twinning (MZT) appears to be increasing within the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), although the factors contributing to the phenomenon are still far from being identified. On the contrary, in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is becoming more accepted and more and more babies have been born worldwide using this procedure. Assessing its safety and impact on monozygotic twinning (MZT), and following up the health of these babies, is essential. We report here a first case of successful monozygotic (MZ) twin delivery following IVM. The patient was a 28-year-old Japanese female, referred to the IVF clinic for primary infertility. Several previous cycles of ovarian stimulation had resulted in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The patient received norethisterone-mestranol to initiate the menstruation, and oocyte retrieval was performed 36 h after hCG. A total of 22 immature oocytes were obtained. Following incubation for 24 h in IVM medium, 50% of the oocytes were matured to the metaphase II (MII) stage. Nine oocytes were fertilized after ICSI with the husband's sperm. Three day 3 embryos were transferred into the uterus on the fourth day following oocyte retrieval. Three weeks after embryo transfer, a single gestational sac was visualized in the uterus. At 7 weeks of gestation, two fetal poles with cardiac activity were seen in the single gestational sac. Serial ultrasound examinations revealed a MZ, monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy. After intensive perinatal monitoring, two healthy male infants were delivered by Caesarean section at 35 weeks of gestation.     

Pregnancy after Caesarean section: fewer or later?

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether having a Caesarean section results in fewer subsequent pregnancies with longer intervals between pregnancies, an effect which may impact on the reproductive performance of a population. Our aim was to determine the implications of a Caesarean section on the subsequent fecundity and interpregnancy interval. METHODS: This is a cohort study. The obstetric follow-up of primiparous women who delivered by a Caesarean section of a singleton infant in breech presentation is compared with the follow-up of women who delivered vaginally of a singleton infant after a physiological, uncomplicated pregnancy. RESULTS: A total of 279 women delivered a singleton infant in breech presentation at term. From these women, 165 (59.1%) had a Caesarean section. In this group, 131 (79.4%) women had a subsequent pregnancy. In the reference group of 268 women who delivered vaginally, 208 (77.6%) became pregnant again. The median interval between birth of the first child and the beginning of the next pregnancy was 20 months for the Caesarean section group and 18 months for the reference group. No significant difference in interpregnancy interval between the different groups was found. CONCLUSIONS: Women who delivered by Caesarean section at term in their first pregnancy do not have fewer second pregnancies compared with women who delivered vaginally. The interpregnancy interval between first and second pregnancy was not prolonged.     

Non-functioning pituitary tumour after long-term treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists in a patient with vaginal agenesis who underwent neovaginoplasty and cauterization of endometriosis under laparoscopy.

Vaginal agenesis combined with a functional uterus is a rare condition in which treatment modalities that preserve reproductive function are controversial. A 21 year old female presented with congenital vaginal agenesis combined with cervical atresia. She was treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists for a total period of over 5 years when a non-functioning pituitary tumour was detected by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A laparoscopically assisted reconstruction of a neovagina and neoendocervical canal was performed utilizing lyophilized porcine dermal skin to line the neovagina. Endometriosis of the pelvis was revealed and adhesiolysis and cauterization were also carried out under laparoscopy. The GnRH agonist was discontinued and the patient resumed cyclic menses with no abdominal pain. The pituitary tumour decreased in size 6 months after the cessation of GnRH agonists. We raise the question as to whether pituitary MRI should be performed for patients who need long-term administration of GnRH agonists.     

Quadruplet pregnancy following transfer of two embryos: Case report

Following a long period of secondary unexplained infertility, a couple had assisted conception treatment with IVF and transfer of two embryos 2 days later. The woman conceived and was found to have a quadruplet pregnancy. Following spontaneous labour onset at 34 weeks gestation, she was delivered by immediate Caesarean section. All four babies (three boys, one girl) were eventually discharged home with the mother. All the boys were found to be of differing zygosity. The quadruplet pregnancy was attributed to natural conception following intercourse and fertilization of oocytes not collected at the time of IVF. The wisdom of intercourse during a cycle of IVF is discussed.     

Pregnancy after zygote intra-fallopian transfer using spermatozoa from a patient with Kallmann's syndrome.

A successful zygote intra-Fallopian transfer has been performed using spermatozoa from a patient with Kallmann's syndrome. Spermatogenesis was induced by hormonal treatment but even so, semen quality remained slightly impaired and no pregnancy occurred over 4 years, despite ovulation induction in the patient's spouse. Finally she conceived after assisted procreation by in-vitro fertilization and delivered a healthy baby.