Septate uterus: reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic metroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hysteroscopic metroplasty and its effect on reproductive outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-five patients consulted for uterine septum between January 1996 to December 2000 at "La Sapienza" University in Rome were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty patients attempted pregnancy and a total of 30 spontaneous pregnancies resulted (75% pregnancy rate). The uterine cavity was normal at hysteroscopic follow-up in 68% of cases. CONCLUSION: Correction of uterine septum improves pregnancy outcome of patients. Broadening the indications for hysteroscopic metroplasty should be encouraged for patients who desire to conceive.     

Septate uterus: role of hysteroscopic metroplasty

The uterus septum is the most frequently encountered uterine malformation. The prevalence of the uterine septa in the infertile patients is estimated at approximately 1%. On the other hand, it increases to reach 3,3% among women presenting repeated fetal losses. The objective of this article is to propose an updating of the data of the literature concerning the cure of uterine septa by hysteroscopic metroplasty. Operative hysteroscopy, with its simplicity, its reproducibility and its low morbidity between the hands of a trained operator, remains the gold standard treatment of the uterine partitions. The abortive disease always constitutes the main indication of the cure of septum. In the infertile patients, a metroplasty seems to be legitimate in the following situations: women more than 35 years old; unexplained infertility, resistant to any technique of assisted reproduction; discovery of a uterine septum at the time of the coelioscopy and the diagnostic hysteroscopy realized within the framework of an assessment of infertility; patients for whom it is assumed that Assisted reproductive technique (ART) is needed; women with past obstetrical history. The complications related to the hysteroscopic metroplasty are not very frequent. However, the hysteroscopic resection of a uterine septum could expose later to the risk of uterine rupture.     

Reproductive outcome of septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty

We evaluated the reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic metroplasty in the patients with septate uterus. The reproductive performance of 361 patients with septate uterus during the follow-up period of 18 months after the surgery was analyzed retrospectively for a period of 10 years. A total of 180 (49.8%) pregnancies were achieved after metroplasty during the follow-up period of 18 months. Of the 180 pregnancies 117 (57.2%) reached to term and 34 (18.8%) ended in preterm delivery and the remaining 29 (16%) resulted in abortion. Of the preterm babies 18 (52.9%) were able to live. We obtained 135 (75%) live babies totally. Hysteroscopic metroplasty improves the reproductive performance of septate uterus significantly especially in the cases with recurrent pregnancy loss and should be considered highly as a corrective approach for such patients.     

Reproductive outcome after strassman metroplasty in women with a bicornuate uterus

OBJECTIVE: To describe the reproductive outcome in 22 women with a bicornuate uterus who underwent Strassman metroplasty. STUDY DESIGN: The study analyzed pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Of women who had undergone Strassman metroplasty, 88% achieved pregnancies that ended with the birth of a viable infant. A total of 19 infants were born. All pregnancies that ended at term had normal courses, and a cesarean section was performed in all cases. The "take-home-baby" rate was 100% for the first postoperative pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The postmetroplasty reproductive capacity of women with a bicornuate uterus was very good. Strassman metroplasty should be reserved for selected women with bicornuate uteri who have experienced recurrent spontaneous abortion or preterm birth.     

Lysinuric protein intolerance in pregnancy: case report with successful outcome

We present a 28-year-old pregnant woman who exhibited intolerance to lysinuric protein. However, she gave birth to a normal child without serious maternal complications. Since four of seven similar patients reported previously developed serious complications such as hemorrhage and eclampsia, patients with lysinuric protein intolerance are considered to be at high risk during pregnancy. A successful outcome can be achieved, provided that the anemia, thrombocytopenia, toxemia and hyperammonemia are well controlled.     

Successful outcome of twin gestation after endoscopic metroplasty of complete septate uterus

The successful outcome of twin gestation after the endoscopic metroplasty of uterus septus class Va was described. Authors described and discussed the technical details of diagnosis and treatment of this rare malformation. Five months after treatment the patient spontaneously became pregnant. The pregnancy was determined as dizygotic twins. The cesarean section was performed in the 36th week of gestation because of growth arrest of one fetus and two healthy newborns were delivered.     

Ruptured heterotopic pregnancy with successful obstetrical outcome: a case report and review of the literature

Emergency medicine has encountered in the last decades a gradual increase in cases of heterotopic pregnancy (HP) with rupture of the ectopic part. The rise of this entity is mainly due to ovulation induction performed in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART), but in natural cycles is still rare and unexpected. Diagnosis is often delayed especially in cases where no predisposing factors exist, causing life threatening situations. We report a case of a ruptured heterotopic pregnancy presenting at seven weeks of gestation that was treated with immediate laparotomy. The rest of the pregnancy course was uneventful with spontaneous vaginal delivery of a healthy infant at 39 weeks of gestation. A review of the diagnosis and management of heterotopic pregnancy is also given.     

Hysteroscopic metroplasty for septate uterus and repetitive abortions: reproductive outcome

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess fertility outcome and obstetrical prognosis of 63 patients after hysteroscopic section of uterine septa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study about 63 patients consulting for septate uterus and repeated pregnancy loss or abnormal fetal presentation between January 1988 and December 1996 in La Conception hospital in Marseille. Septal lysis was performed with microscissors or resectoscope. Statistical analysis was performed using the CHI2-test. RESULTS: The anatomical result was considered satisfactory in 57.1% of cases. Forty-five pregnancies were obtained, two after an IVF-program in 56 patients. Twenty-eight living children were born: twenty-six at term. Twenty patients delivered normally. Two women are still pregnant. Obstetrical prognosis of these patients is statistically improved by the treatment (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Obstetrical prognosis of patients presenting repeated pregnancy loss and septate uterus is statistically improved by hysteroscopic metroplasty.     

Medically complex pregnancy: a case report illustrating CNM/MD collaborative management

In contemporary society, many women with complex medical conditions are attempting fertility and becoming pregnant. The patient presents with an impressive medical complication, yet many of her key educational and psychosocial needs are typical of those for any pregnant woman. Striving for "normalcy," she may actively seek midwifery care to help her create a family-centered birth experience. Indeed, the midwife practicing with physician colleagues may have the opportunity to collaboratively manage increasingly complex cases. This article describes the case of collaborative management during pregnancy and delivery of a patient with the cardiac syndrome Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome (WPW). First diagnosed with WPW at the age of 13, the patient's condition was initially controlled with oral medication. Eventually, the patient's symptomology worsened and required repeated treatment by cardiac ablation of the accessory pathway. Illustrative of the possibilities for enhanced care of the medically complex pregnant patient via collaborative management, the discussion details not only the pertinent physiologic events but the benefits and process of care. A review of the cardiophysiology of WPW is also presented.     

Reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained infertility

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reproductive outcome of hysteroscopic metroplasty performed in women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained primary infertility. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Tertiary center for reproductive medicine. PATIENT(S): Sixty-one patients with uterine septa and otherwise unexplained primary infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Hysteroscopic division of the uterine septum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic metroplasty. RESULT(S): Of 61 women, 25 (41%) conceived within 8-14 (mean 11.2) months after hysteroscopic metroplasty. Of these, 18 (29.5% of the total group) had live births (13 carried to term and 5 had preterm deliveries), and 7 (11.5% of the total group) had spontaneous abortions. Cervical cerclage was performed in 9 women; only 1 (11.1%) of these patients and 4 (44.4%) of the 9 who did not have a cerclage had preterm deliveries. Twelve of the 18 women (66.6%) who had live births were delivered by cesarean section. CONCLUSION(S): Women with uterine septum and otherwise unexplained infertility might benefit from hysteroscopic metroplasty.     

Unique case of successful twin pregnancy after spontaneous conception in a patient with uterus bicornis unicollis

Introduction Abnormal fusion of the mullerian ducts or failure of absorption of the septum causes varying degrees of congenital uterine malformation. Twin gestation in a case of bicornuate uterus is extremely rare. We are reporting this case because of its extremely rare presentation, where twins have managed to reach term after spontaneous conception. Case report A 28-year-old second gravida, para one was initially diagnosed to have diamniotic dichorionic twins on ultrasound. At term, she was referred to us with severe pre-eclamptic toxaemia. On examination, she was found to have a bicornuate uterus with one fetus in each horn. Both siblings were successfully delivered by caesarean section. So far, only one similar case has been reported following in vitro fertilisation. Conclusion Although poor reproductive performance has been documented in previous reports of bicornuate uterus with twin gestation, our patient managed to reach term with delivery of healthy siblings by caesarean section.     

The outcome of pregnancy after threatened abortion

A prospectively collected group of 93 pregnancies complicated by threatened abortion was carefully monitored throughout pregnancy, during birth and in the perinatal period, and any deviation from a completely uneventful course was registered. Comparison was made with a selected group of 282 non-risk pregnant women. A significant association was found between threatened abortion and the overall number of complications in the second half of pregnancy requiring medical intervention and/or admission to hospital, impending pre-term birth requiring betamimetics, pre-term birth, retention of the placenta, birth weight below 2000 g, light-for-dates infants in case of pre-term birth or birth weight below 2000 g, and hyperbilirubinemia in infants with birth weight below 2000 g. The incidences of perinatal mortality and congenital malformations did not differ significantly from those of the control group. Pregnancies complicated by threatened abortion constitute a risk group requiring careful obstetric and perinatal supervision and follow-up.     

Septate uterus with double cervix and longitudinal vaginal septum. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital uterine anomalies in the general population are estimated to have an incidence of 0.001-10%. The septate uterus, the most common form of structural uterine anomaly, has the highest reproductive failure rate. A rare developmental variant is a septate uterus with cervical duplication and a complete longitudinal vaginal septum. The existence of this anomaly challenges classical müllerian developmental theory. Traditional transabdominal metroplasty has been replaced by operative hysteroscopy in the surgical correction of a septate uterus, with laparoscopy aiding in the diagnosis and contributing to the safety and efficiency of the procedure. CASE: A 28-year-old, nulliparous woman with a septate uterus with cervical duplication and complete longitudinal vaginal septum was diagnosed by combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Excision of the complete longitudinal vaginal septum followed by hysteroscopic partial resection of a thick uterine septum with laparoscopic assistance was performed. However, because of the septum's broad base and the rigidity of the operative resectoscope, we opted to proceed with transabdominal metroplasty. CONCLUSION: Only six cases of septate uterus with cervical duplication and complete longitudinal vaginal septum have been reported. Although its counterpart, the septate uterus, has effects on preterm labor, fetal presentation, infertility and spontaneous abortion, its reproductive outcome has not been assessed. Review of the literature suggests that surgical correction in the setting of poor reproductive outcome has been beneficial. Laparoscopically assisted hysteroscopic resection of the uterine septum is a safe, effective surgical technique of uterine reunification and is preferable to transabdominal methods. However, in certain cases, conventional transabdominal metroplasty may still be required.     

Methotrexate in local treatment of cervical heterotopic pregnancy with successful perinatal outcome: case report

This case report describes a case of heterotopic cervical ectopic pregnancy in a nulliparous woman that was successfully treated with single-dose local, intra-amniotic methotrexate injection in the gestational sac. Pregnancy was achieved spontaneously. The patient had previously undergone hysteroscopic myomectomy. By using local, single-dose treatment we avoided the continued effects of the drug on the intrauterine pregnancy and the possible adverse effect of systemically applied methotrexate. The treatment resulted in the term vaginal delivery of a healthy child and preserved the patient's fertility for future pregnancies.