Vaginal Repair of Cesarean Section Scar Diverticula Diagnosed in Non-pregnant Women

Study Objective

Cesarean section scar diverticulum (CSD) lead to many long-term complications. CSD is more prevalent in patients with a retroflexed uterus than in those with an anteflexed uterus. Therefore, we wanted to estimate the association between flexion of the uterus and the outcome of treatment for CSD treated by vaginal repair.

Determination of Isthmocele Using a Foley Catheter During Laparoscopic Repair of Cesarean Scar Defect

Study Objective

To demonstrate a new technique of isthmocele repair via laparoscopic surgery.

An Effective Assisted Method Using Hysteroscopy Transmittance Test and a Foley Catheter to Repair Previous Cesarean Scar Defect by Laparoscopy

Study Objective

To introduce an effective assisted method using the hysteroscopy transmittance test and a Foley catheter to repair previous cesarean scar defect (PCSD) by laparoscopy.

Transvaginal Methotrexate Injection for the Treatment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: Efficacy and Subsequent Fecundity

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of local methotrexate (MTX) injections under transvaginal ultrasound guidance for treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) and to assess fecundity after treatment.DesignRetrospective review (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).SettingUniversity hospital.PatientsEight women with CSP.InterventionTransvaginal MTX injection.Measurements and Main ResultsWe retrospectively reviewed 8 CSP cases treated with local MTX injection under transvaginal ultrasonographic guidance. In all cases, the serum human chorionic gonadotropin concentration was monitored and the gestational sac was evaluated using ultrasonography after treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed as necessary. Patient clinical characteristics, clinical course after treatment, treatment efficacy, and fecundity after treatment in patients desiring subsequent pregnancies were evaluated. All 8 women were successfully treated without the need for blood transfusions or surgical procedures, although 2 required additional MTX therapy via local injection or systemic administration. The mean (SD) time to human chorionic gonadotropin normalization was 78.5 (37.7) days (range, 42–166 days). Four of 5 patients desiring subsequent pregnancies after the treatment had uneventful parturition, and recurrent CSP was diagnosed in 1 patient.ConclusionsTransvaginal MTX injection was effective and safe as sole treatment of CSP. Although the treatment course tended to be long, this method can be considered the first choice of treatment in patients desiring future pregnancies. However, careful attention should be paid to the possibility of CSP recurrence.     

Sonographic Prediction of Scar Dehiscence in Women with Previous Cesarean Section

Purpose

To estimate the risk of uterine dehiscence/rupture in women with previous cesarean section (CS) by comparing the thickness of lower uterine segment (LUS) and myometrium with trans-abdominal (TAS) and trans-vaginal sonography (TVS).

Method

In this case-control study, in 100 pregnant women posted for elective CS (with or without previous CS; group 1 and group 2 respectively), the thickness of LUS and myometrium was measured sonographically (TAS and TVS). Intra-operatively, LUS was graded (grades I–IV), and its thickness was measured with calipers. The primary outcome of the study was correlation between echographic measurements (TAS and TVS) and features of LUS (grades I–IV) at the time of CS. Secondary outcomes were correlation between myometrial thickness, number of previous CS, and inter-delivery interval with LUS (grades I–IV).

Results

Sonographic measurements of LUS and myometrium were significantly different between the two groups (both TAS and TVS p value = 0.000 each). However, the number of previous CS (p = 0.440) and inter-delivery interval (p = 0.062) had no statistically significant correlation with thickness of LUS.

Conclusions

Sonographic evaluation of LUS scar and myometrial thickness (both with TAS and TVS) is a safe, reliable, and non-invasive method for predicting the risk of scar dehiscence/rupture. Specific guidelines for TOLAC, after sonographic assessment of women with previous CS, are need of the hour.Keyword: Transabdominal ultrasonography, Transvaginal ultrasonography, Cesarean section, Pregnancy, Cesarean scar     

Comparison of Hysteroscopic Cesarean Scar Defect Repair with 26 Fr Resectoscope and 16 Fr Mini-resectoscope: A Prospective Pilot Study

Study ObjectiveSeveral studies have been published on hysteroscopic treatment of cesarean scar defect using the 26 Fr resectoscope. This study compared the effects of the 26 Fr resectoscope with those of the 16 Fr mini-resectoscope in terms of efficacy, safety profile, and peri- and postoperative complications.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingTertiary care university hospital (S. Orsola–Malpighi, Bologna, Italy).PatientsThree hundred and nine women having symptoms and with a cesarean scar defect diagnosis were divided into 2 groups according to a temporal criterion: from March 2012 to March 2015, 155 consecutive women (control group) underwent isthmoplasty with the 26 Fr resectoscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany), whereas from April 2015 to March 2018, 154 consecutive women (study group) underwent isthmoplasty with the 16 Fr mini-resectoscope (Gubbini system, Tontarra Medizintechnik, Tuttlingen, Germany).InterventionsOne hundred and fifty-five women (control group) underwent isthmoplasty with the 26 Fr resectoscope, and 154 women (study group) underwent isthmoplasty with the 16 Fr mini-resectoscope. The so-called “channel-like” 360° endocervical resection technique was applied.Measurements and Main ResultsThe isthmoplasty time with the 2 resectoscopes, excluding cervical dilatation, was similar (p = .25), whereas the overall surgical time was shorter in the case of the mini-resectoscope. The use of the 16 Fr mini-resectoscope was significantly associated with a reduced volume of distension medium used (p <.001) and a lower fluid absorption (p <.001). A significant increase (p = .01) in postoperative complications in the control group (9/155; 5.8%) compared with the study group (1/154; 0.7%) was also found. No significant reduction in discharge time was observed between the 2 groups (p = .13). Patient satisfaction immediately after surgery was significantly higher (p <.001) in the study group than in the control group.ConclusionIsthmoplasty with a 16 Fr mini-resectoscope seems to be as effective as isthmoplasty with a 26 Fr resectoscope in reducing postmenstrual abnormal uterine bleeding and suprapubic pelvic pain. It is associated with a significant reduction in overall surgical time owing to the non-necessity of performing cervical dilatation. The 16 Fr mini-resectoscope facilitates surgery in small anatomical spaces such as the cervical canal and reduces the complication rate linked to blind maneuvers not respecting the uterine anatomy.     

剖宫产后瘢痕处妊娠经阴道超声图像分析的临床意义

目的:探讨剖宫产后瘢痕处妊娠超声图像特点及其对临床处理的指导意义.方法:回顾性分析经阴道超声检查诊断为瘢痕处妊娠的40例患者的超声图像及其对应的临床处理资料.结果:①40例患者经二维阴道超声检查均明确诊断,超声图像表现为孕囊型6例、空泡型9例、团块型25例;CDFI表现为血流信号丰富15例、有血流信号20例、无血流信号5例,其中血流信号丰富患者的CDFI频谱多为高速低阻,占87%(阻力指数RI＜0.5).②根据团块或孕囊与肌层的关系分为4级.其中0级5例,均选择保守治疗全部成功;1级18例,行保守治疗成功17例,1例行子宫病灶切除术加子宫修补术;2级13例,11例行保守治疗成功,1例行子宫切除术,1例行子宫修补术;3级4例,3例行子宫切除术,1例行子宫修补术.结论:掌握阴道超声检查剖宫产后瘢痕处妊娠声像图特点,为正确诊断瘢痕处妊娠提供了依据.根据声像图中孕囊或团块与肌层的关系进行分级,并结合彩色血流检查结果,有利于指导选择合适的临床处理方案.     

Predictors of Obstetric Fistula Repair Outcomes in Lubango,Angola

ObjectiveObstetric fistulas have a significant physical and social impact on many women in Angola. The majority of the population of this sub-Saharan African nation does not have access to high-quality obstetric care, and this is associated with a risk of prolonged labour and formation of obstetric fistulas. Fistulas are challenging to correct surgically and may require repeated operations. The objective of the study was to determine predictors of successful obstetric fistula repair.MethodsIn this retrospective study, data from all recorded cases of fistula repair performed between July 2011 and December 2016 at the Centro Evangélico de Medicina do Lubango (CEML) hospital located in Lubango, Angola, were reviewed. Analysis of the data was carried out to determine factors affecting the success of fistula repair; parametric and non-parametric tests were used for group comparisons and logistic regression for outcome prediction (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).ResultsA total of 407 operations were performed on 243 women. Of these, 224 women were diagnosed with a vesicovaginal fistula and 19 with a combined vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistula. The success rate for the attempted repairs was 42%. On multivariate analysis, the success of first surgery was negatively affected by the difficulty of repair (odds ratio 0.28; P < 0.01). For patients requiring repeat surgery, the odds of success were increased with each subsequent operation (odds ratio 5.32; P < 0.01).ConclusionAlthough fistulas rated as difficult to repair had a higher likelihood of initial failure, successive attempts at repair increased the likelihood of a successful outcome.     

Obstetric Risks and Outcomes of Refugee Women at a Single Centre in Toronto

ObjectivesWomen who are refugees during pregnancy may be exposed to homelessness, poor nutrition, and limited access to health care, yet the pregnancy outcomes of this vulnerable population have not been systematically evaluated. We undertook a study to determine the risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes among refugee women in Toronto.MethodsUsing a retrospective cohort design, we examined pregnancy outcomes for refugee and non-refugee women delivering at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010. The primary outcome measures were preterm delivery (< 37 weeks’ gestational age), low birth weight (< 2500 g), and delivery by Caesarean section.ResultsMultiparous refugee women had a significantly higher rate of delivery by Caesarean section (36.4%), and a 1.5-fold increase in rate of low birth weight infants when compared with non-refugee women. In subgroup analysis by region of origin, women from Sub-Saharan Africa had significantly higher rates of low birth weight infants and Caesarean section than non-refugee control subjects. Further, compared with non-refugee control subjects, refugee women had significantly increased rates of prior Caesarean section, HIV-positive status, homelessness, social isolation, and delays in accessing prenatal care.ConclusionsRefugee women constitute a higher-risk population with increased rates of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. These findings provide preliminary data to guide targeted public health interventions towards meeting the needs for obstetric care of this vulnerable population. Recent changes to the Interim Federal Health Program have highlighted the importance of identifying and diminishing disparities in health outcomes between refugee and non-refugee populations.     

Cesarean Scar Defects: An Underrecognized Cause of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Other Gynecologic Complications

The gynecologic sequelae due to deficient uterine scar healing after cesarean section are only recently being identified and described. These include conditions such as abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, infertility, and cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, as well as a potentially higher risk of complications and difficulties during gynecologic procedures such as uterine evacuation, hysterectomy, endometrial ablation, and insertion of an intrauterine device. The proposed mechanism of abnormal uterine bleeding is a pouch or “isthmocele” in the lower uterine segment that causes delayed menstrual bleeding. The prevalence of symptomatic or clinically relevant cesarean scar defects (CSDs) ranges from 19.4% to 88%. Possible risk factors for CSD include number of cesarean sections, uterine position, labor before cesarean section, and surgical technique used to close the uterine incision. There are no accepted guidelines for the diagnostic criteria of CSD. We propose that a CSD be defined on transvaginal ultrasound or saline infusion sonohysterography as a triangular hypoechoic defect in the myometrium at the site of the previous hysterotomy. We also propose a classification system to aid in standardized classification for future research. Surgical techniques for repair of CSD include laparoscopic excision, resectoscopic treatment, vaginal revision, and endometrial ablation.     

Treatment for Uterine Isthmocele,A Pouchlike Defect at the Site of a Cesarean Section Scar

An isthmocele appears as a fluid pouchlike defect in the anterior uterine wall at the site of a prior cesarean section and ranges in prevalence from 19% to 84%, a direct relation to the increase in cesarean sections performed worldwide. Many definitions have been suggested for the dehiscence resulting from cesarean sections, and we propose standardization with a single term for all cases—isthmocele. Patients are not always symptomatic, but symptoms typically include intermittent abnormal bleeding, pain, and infertility. Pregnancy complications that result from an isthmocele include ectopic pregnancy, low implantation, and uterine rupture. Magnetic resonance imaging and transvaginal ultrasound are the gold standard imaging techniques for diagnosis. Surgical treatment of an isthmocele is still a controversial issue but should be offered to symptomatic women or the asymptomatic patient who desires future pregnancy. When surgery is the treatment choice, laparoscopy guided by hysteroscopy, hysteroscopy alone, or vaginal repair are the best options depending on the isthmocele's characteristics and surgeon expertise.     

Anesthesia Drugs in the Obstetric and Gynecologic Practice

The obstetrician-gynecologist is often solely responsible for analgesia/sedation and regional blocks during office-based and outpatient procedures. The American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines for the provision of analgesia/sedation for nonanesthesiologists provide helpful recommendations to maximize patient safety during office-based and outpatient procedures. This article provides a review of the fundamentals of sedation/analgesia, monitored anesthesia care, and local anesthetics.Key words: Sedation/analgesia, Monitored anesthesia care, Lipid rescue, Local anesthetic toxicity, Maximum dose recommendationsAnalgesic techniques for obstetric and gynecologic patients include local infiltration and regional blocks with or without sedation, parenteral agents and neuraxial blockade during labor, and general anesthesia for more extensive surgeries and, occasionally, for cesarean deliveries. Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) have established goals to ensure prompt provision of anesthetic services in all hospitals providing obstetric care, ensuring such services remains a challenge, particularly in smaller hospitals or in rural locations.¹ As a result, anesthesia expertise may not be available for routine labor management and, rarely, during emergency cesarean deliveries. In addition, the obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) is often solely or primarily responsible (in conjunction with nursing staff) for analgesia and sedation during office-based or outpatient procedures. This article provides a review of the fundamentals of sedation/analgesia, monitored anesthesia care (MAC), and local anesthetics.     

Clinical Success Rate of Extensive Hysteroscopic Cesarean Scar Defect Excision and Correlation to Histologic Findings

Study ObjectiveCesarean scar defect (CSD) is often associated with postmenstrual bleeding, infertility, and pain. Hysteroscopic CSD repair was described in the past, mainly as excision of the proximal edge of the defect to allow continuous blood flow during menstruation. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of extensive hysteroscopic cesarean scar niche excision in symptomatic patients.DesignA retrospective cohort study.PatientsSymptomatic patients treated with hysteroscopic CSD excision who were considered eligible for the procedure when myometrial thickness of 2 mm or more was observed on sonohysterography.SettingTertiary referral center.InterventionsExtensive CSD excision was performed using a cutting loop and pure cutting current. The proximal and distal edges of the defect were resected. This was followed by resection of tissue at the base of the niche, until underling muscular tissue was evident. Tissue sampled from the base of the CSD was collected for histologic examination. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year after hysteroscopic CSD excision. Clinical information obtained included detailed obstetric history and preoperative and postoperative menstruation pattern.Measurements and Main ResultsBetween 2011 and 2016, 95 patients underwent extensive hysteroscopic niche excision; 67 were included in the study, whereas the remaining were lost to follow-up. Patient mean age at the time of the procedure was 38 ± 5.5 years. Twenty-nine patients (43%) had a history of high-order repeat cesarean surgeries. Sixty-six patients (98.5%) presented with postmenstrual bleeding, 26 with secondary infertility (38.8%), and 2 with pelvic pain (2.9%). After hysteroscopic niche excision, 63.4% of patients reported significant improvement or resolution of postmenstrual bleeding. A statistically significant reduction in number of bleeding days per cycle (15.5 ± 4.8 vs 9.8 ± 4.7, p < .001) was also noted. Histologic evidence for myometrial tissue within the obtained samples was associated with better outcomes. A histologic specimen from patients who experienced significant improvement or resolution of postmenstrual bleeding was more likely to reveal myometrial tissue (p = .04). Of the 26 patients who suffered from infertility, 19 attempted to conceive spontaneously after CSD excision. Of those, 10 patients (52.6%) conceived and 9 delivered at least once (47.36%).ConclusionExtensive hysteroscopic surgical excision of cesarean scar niche should be considered in symptomatic patients suffering from irregular menstrual bleeding. The quality of the excision at the apex of the niche could be associated with a higher success rate. The role of niche excision to overcome secondary infertility should be further evaluated.     

Laparoscopic Repair of Post-Cesarean Section Uterine Scar Defects Diagnosed in Nonpregnant Women

Herein we describe laparoscopic repair of uterine scar defects after cesarean section and pregnancy outcomes in a series of 13 patients. Defects and the residual anterior uterine wall were evaluated using ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients' clinical symptoms were recorded. Pregnancy outcomes were investigated after laparoscopic surgical repair. Intervention included laparoscopic repair of the defect, including excision of fibrotic tissue and laparoscopic closure of the anterior uterine wall. The defect was completely corrected using this technique in all 13 patients. Four patients became pregnant spontaneously, 3 delivered via cesarean section between 38 and 39 weeks, and 1 is currently pregnant. Evaluation of uterine scar defects after cesarean section can be performed using ultrasound and MRI, and the defect can be repaired via laparoscopy, with reproducible postoperative anatomic and functional outcomes.     

Four Surgical Strategies for the Treatment of Cesarean Scar Defect: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis network meta-analysis compared treatment via laparoscopy, hysteroscopy (HP), combined laparoscopy with HP (LH), and vaginal repair (VR) for reducing intermittent abnormal uterine bleeding and cesarean scar defect (CSD) diverticulum depth in patients with CSD.Data SourcesElectronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Integrated) were searched for articles published through June 13, 2018.Methods of Study SelectionThe search included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of surgical treatment for CSD. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. RCTs were evaluated by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, observational studies by Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Intervention, and overall evidence quality by grade. Data were analyzed by STATA (version 15.0; StataCorp, College Station, TX) and R software for windows (version 3.5.0; R Core Team, 2018).Tabulation, Integration, and ResultsTen studies (n = 858; 4 RCTs and 6 observational studies) were included. Patients who underwent uterine diverticulum resection by LH had a shorter duration of abnormal uterine bleeding than those by HP (SMD = 1.36, 95% CI, 0.37–2.36; p = .007) and VR (SMD = 1.58, 95% CI, 0.97–2.19; p <.0001). LH reduced the CSD diverticulum depth more than VR (SMD = 1.57, 95% CI, 0.54–2.61; p = .003). There was no significant difference in efficacy among the surgical procedures.ConclusionLH reduced intermittent abnormal uterine bleeding and scar depth more than the other surgical interventions. Larger clinical trials are warranted to verify this analysis.     

腹腔镜在治疗剖宫产后子宫瘢痕妊娠中的应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜在治疗剖宫产后子宫瘢痕妊娠(CSP)中的应用价值.方法:回顾分析2008年3月至2011年5月经腹腔镜诊治7例CSP患者的临床资料.结果:7例患者均腹腔镜下完成手术,治愈并保留子宫,手术成功率100％,平均手术时间85.7±17.2分钟,平均手术出血量202.9±270ml,无中转开腹.6例同时行瘢痕修补,术后血人绒毛膜促性腺激素(β-HCG)降至100 U/L以下时间平均14.6±5.2天,超声显示子宫恢复正常时间平均21.7±30.2天,1例未同时行瘢痕修补的患者,超声显示3个月后子宫恢复正常.结论:腹腔镜在明确CSP诊断的同时还能在阻断双侧子宫动脉后行妊娠物清除和瘢痕修补,是治疗CSP的理想方法.     

Perioperative Outcomes of Total Vaginal Hysterectomy in Women with Prior Cesarean Delivery

Study ObjectiveTo compare the incidence of perioperative complications of total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH) in women with and without a prior cesarean section (CS).DesignRetrospective cohort.SettingTertiary care academic institution.PatientsA total of 742 women who underwent TVH over a 5-year period.InterventionsTVH.Measurements and Main ResultsPrior CS did not increase the overall rate of Clavien-Dindo grades 2 to 3 complications (p =.20). The incidence of cystotomy (2.2% CS vs 1.1% no CS, p =.29), ureteral injury (1.1% vs 0.2%, p =.23), proctotomy (1.1% vs 0.2%, p =.23), postoperative bleeding (1.1% vs 0.6%, p =.47), or reoperation (0.0% vs 0.3%, p = 1.00) was not increased from having a prior CS. Prior CS increased blood transfusion (5.6% vs 0.6%, p <.05) but did not increase conversion to laparotomy (2.2% vs 0.6%, p =.15), length of hospitalization (11.2% vs 14.1% discharge on the same day, 66.3% vs 63.6% discharge on postoperative day 1, and 22.5% vs 22.4% discharge on or after postoperative day 2, p =.76), or 30-day readmission rates (1.1% vs 3.5%, p =.34).ConclusionIn patients who underwent TVH, a prior CS increased postoperative blood transfusion but did not increase the risk for overall perioperative complications.