Uterine rupture of a cornual pregnancy: an obstetric emergency

Cornual pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. Its diagnosis is challenging as the fetus usually appears as being inside the uterus on ultrasound scanning. Cornual pregnancy is more dangerous than other forms of ectopic pregnancy since a severe maternal hemorrhage can result during a cornual rupture. A case of a uterine rupture in a 14-week cornual pregnancy is reported.     

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of uterine rupture following open fetal surgery

Background: Reported cases of uterine rupture diagnosed by ultrasound have shown fetal membranes ballooning through uterine rupture sites, or adjacent areas of hemorrhage.Case: A 27-year-old gravida 3, para 2 had open fetal surgery to repair a fetal myelomeningocele at 28 weeks’ gestation. Her postoperative course was complicated by threatened preterm labor and anhydramnios. At 33 weeks’ gestation, with maternal symptoms of bowel obstruction, ultrasound showed a fetal leg and section of umbilical cord protruding through the uterine wall.Conclusion: Even in the presence of anhydramnios, uterine wall rupture was identified, because ultrasound evaluation of the uterine wall showed prolapsed fetal parts and umbilical cord. Persistent anhydramnios after open fetal surgery should prompt a search for uterine rupture.     

Rupture of the preterm uterus in the nonlaboring woman: a report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND: Uterine rupture in a laboring patient is a well-known pregnancy complication. There is a paucity of information regarding uterine rupture at a preterm gestational age in a nonlaboring patient. CASE: Three women experienced spontaneous uterine rupture at a preterm gestational age prior to the onset of labor. All women presented with a primary complaint of abdominal pain that was nonfocal and had been noted over hours to days. In no case was a common risk factor for uterine rupture present. On initial evaluation, no woman appeared hemodynamically unstable, and all fetuses had a reassuring status. In all cases, rapid deterioration of maternal and/or fetal status resulted in emergency delivery. CONCLUSION: Uterine rupture at a preterm gestational age in a nonlaboring woman may present with nonspecific findings and be associated with rapid maternal and fetal decompensation. Awareness of this complication is necessary if maternal and fetal outcomes are to be optimized.     

Combined cornual pregnancy and intrauterine twin pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer: report of a case.

A case of combined cornual pregnancy and intrauterine twin pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and transfer of six embryos is presented. The case was diagnosed as intrauterine triplets ultrasonographically at seven weeks of gestation. Unfortunately, the patient suffered from severe lower abdominal pain and hypovolemic shock at 10 weeks of gestation, and an emergent laparotomy was done. During the operation, a ruptured cornual pregnancy with accompanying hemoperitoneum was found. Because fetal heart beats were not detected by intraoperative ultrasonography in the other two intrauterine fetuses, evacuation of the gestational contents through the uterine defect was done, and the rupture site was repaired. The incidence, mechanism and management of heterotopic pregnancies after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer are discussed.     

Intrauterine head entrapment of a second twin by a uterine synechia

BACKGROUND: Fetal head entrapment during delivery is a rare occurrence in modern obstetrics. We present a case of intrauterine head entrapment of a second twin by a uterine synechia diagnosed by ultrasound and subsequent complications that occurred. CASE: A woman with a twin intrauterine pregnancy presented at 19 weeks for evaluation of a shortened cervix. Ultrasound examination demonstrated fetal head entrapment of twin B by a uterine synechia, as well as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The patient experienced preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24 weeks' gestation and underwent a cesarean delivery for a nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracing of twin B, with findings of a constricting band of fibrous tissue around the neck of twin B. CONCLUSION: Uterine synechia might cause intrauterine head entrapment and IUGR.     

Repair of Uterine Rupture in Twin Gestation after Laparoscopic Cornual Resection

Spontaneous uterine rupture in the course of pregnancy is a rare event that usually occurs in a scarred uterus. The event occurs mostly during the intrapartum period and is potentially catastrophic for both mother and fetus. We report a case of 2-cm cornual rupture in a pregnant woman at 13 weeks twin gestation with previous history of cornual pregnancy successfully managed via laparoscopy. Sudden onset of abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding was noted first. Physical examination revealed stable vital signs, lower abdominal tenderness, and mild rebounding pain. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed twin pregnancy at 13 weeks with extrauterine saccular structure 6 cm in diameter located on the left fundus and contiguous with an intrauterine oligohydramnics twin. Exploratory laparotomy was promptly performed, and a small rupture about 2 cm in diameter was observed on the upper portion of the left fundus, the site of a previous laparoscopic cornual resection scar. A protruding amniotic sac of about 6 cm diameter and containing some part of the umbilical cord was seen. The uterine rupture site was repaired directly after aspiration of amniotic fluid from the protruding sac. After surgery, the patient received antibiotics, 17-OH-progesterone for potential rupture of membranes and prematurity. Tocolysis with Ritodrine for irregular uterine contractions was given at 22 weeks gestation. Steroids were given at 24 weeks gestation. The pregnancy ended with a successful delivery by cesarean section because of uncontrollable uterine contractions at 30 5/7 weeks gestation. In conclusion, although termination of pregnancy would normally be recommended when uterine rupture occurs, a different approach to management may now be accepted.     

Uterine rupture in midtrimester abortion. A complication of gemeprost vaginal pessaries and oxytocin. Case report

The 1st reported case of uterine rupture in pregnancy termination associated with the administration of gemeprost and oxytocin involved a 24-year-old UK women with 3 previous uncomplicated pregnancies. Pregnancy termination, performed at 16 weeks of gestation, involved the insertion of 1 mg gemeprost vaginal pessaries into the posterior fornix at 3-hour intervals. A total dose of 5 mg of gemeprost was administered in the 1st 24 hours. Another treatment course was instituted the following day, and the patient's cervix remained closed despite the onset of contractions and slight vaginal bleeding. During the 2nd course of 5 pessaries, the patient also received 4 15 mg doses of intramuscular papaveretum. On the 3rd day, a intrauterine pregnancy was visible on ultrasound scan, but no fetal heartbeat was detected. A total dose of 50 IU of oxytocin was then administered over a 22-hour period. The diagnosis of uterine rupture was made on day 4 when vaginal examination revealed a large bulging lower uterine segment anteriorly and a closed cervix posteriorly. The patient's hemoglobin concentration had fallen from an admission value of 11.4 g/dl to 6.5 g/dl. Laparotomy revealed a large left broad ligament hematoma extending anteriorly into which the fetus had been extruded. Total abdominal hysterectomy was required. The uterine rupture is assumed to have occurred during the 2nd course of gemeprost. The absence of previously reported cases of gemeprost-associated uterine rupture may reflect the rarity of this method of pregnancy termination in the 2nd trimester.     

Ischemic optic neuropathy after hemorrhage from a cornual ectopic gestation

A case of ischemic optic neuropathy resulting from uterine hemorrhage is reported in which a 37-year-old white woman, gravida 1, para 0, was diagnosed at 8 weeks' gestation with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. After diagnostic laparoscopy the patient underwent a minilaparotomy, cornual wedge resection, and right salpingectomy with a total estimated blood loss of 3000 ml. Her postoperative course was uneventful until postoperative day 4, when the patient complained of vision loss for the last 1 to 2 days, total body edema, and headache. Ophthalmologic examination revealed findings consistent with ischemic optic neuropathy. Multiple studies of the cerebrospinal fluid were negative, as were computed tomography studies and magnetic resonance imaging of the head. Ischemic optic neuropathy, whose pathogenesis is still unclear, is a rare complication of massive hemorrhage and may cause permanent vision loss.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:1550-2.)     

宫角妊娠的治疗及对术后生育能力的影响分析

目的：分析比较宫角妊娠不同治疗方案的临床效果及对术后生育能力的影响。方法：对我院2012年1月-2015年12月收治的95例宫角妊娠患者进行回顾性分析,按照治疗方法将其分为5组：清宫术组（n=21）、开腹探查手术组（n=27）、腹腔镜手术组（n=33）、减胎术组（n=5）、药物治疗组（n=9）。分析比较不同治疗方案的临床效果及对术后生育能力的影响。结果：手术患者均获得成功,术后均未发生明显不良反应。开腹探查手术组的术中出血量最多,清宫术组最少,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;清宫术组手术时间短于开腹探查手术组和腹腔镜组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,而腹腔镜手术组与开腹探查手术组的手术时间比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;术后3 d人绒毛膜促性腺激素β亚单位（β-hCG）下降程度清宫术组显著优于开腹探查手术组和腹腔镜组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;术后住院时间比较,清宫术组最短,开腹探查手术组最长,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。药物治疗组的9例患者中,有8例孕囊完全排出,孕囊排出时间3~5.5 h,平均（4.1±1.2）h;阴道出血时间5~8 d,平均（7.2±1.4）d;其余1例因不完全流产转行清宫术。随访至治疗后1年,除减胎术组5例成功分娩外,其余90例患者中,计划妊娠81例,再次宫内妊娠者41例,药物治疗组再妊娠率最高,开腹探查手术组最低,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：对于宫角妊娠应根据患者的病情,妊娠包块大小、位置及是否破裂,患者的意愿,以及医师的实践经验和手术技巧综合考虑,力求对患者创伤程度最低,对术后再生育能力影响最小。     

Heterotopic pregnancy

The heterotopic pregnancy is a combination of an intra-uterine and extra-uterine pregnancy, at the same time. The spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy is a rare illness with an estimated frequency below one per 20,000 and one per 30,000. The first case was reported in France by Duverney in 1708 during an autopsy. The frequency of this pregnancy has increased with the implementation of assisted reproduction techniques. This paper is the report of a case of spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy seen at the Angeles Mexico Hospital. A 32 year old woman, gravida 1; dilatation and curettage was performed on 13th February because of a blighted ovum, a lot of products of conception were obtained. The patient was discharged the next day only with analgesics. She returns to the emergency room on February 16th with hypovolemic shock and acute abdomen. A normocitic normocromic anemia was found on the hematic biometry, the transvaginal ultrasound reported amount of blood in the cul-de-sac, echogenic adnexal mass, suggesting a gestational sac with embryo. An emergency laparotomy was used to perform a left cornual resection; the findings were 600 cc of hemoperitoneum and a left ruptured ectopic pregnancy. She had an uneventful postoperative course, and was discharged 72 hours later without complications. Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare illness and must always be considered for the increase in pregnancy related with assisted reproduction techniques, although, it should be considered in a spontaneous pregnancy too.     

Uterine rupture of placenta accreta

The uterine rupture during pregnancy is one of the most serious complications, increase morbidity and maternal and fetal mortality. The uterine rupture by percrete placenta is rare. We present the case of a 39 years-old patient, pregnancy of 16.3 weeks by ultrasound, which enters by abdominal pain 48 hours of evolution, of predominance in the hypogastric region, that during its evolution presented hemodynamic compromise and increase of abdominal pain. By ultrasound: free liquid in abdominal cavity is observed. With laparothomy we found perforated uterus with placenta free and product in abdominal cavity, obstetrical hysterectomy was performed, we confirmed the diagnosis of uterine rupture by percrete placenta.     

Cornual gestation: a systematic literature review and two case reports of a novel treatment regimen

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To introduce a novel tubal-sparing regimen for the treatment of nonruptured cornual pregnancies. DESIGN: Case report and systematic review of the literature. SETTING: Tertiary Care University setting. PATIENTS: Two patients referred for care in our subspecialty clinic. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic surgery, dilation and evacuation, and postoperative methotrexate injection. Systematic review of the literature. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both medical and surgical treatments for cornual gestation exist; however, each is not without its shortcomings. Medical treatment is associated with failure rates that may result in uterine rupture and catastrophic hemorrhage. Surgical treatment that involves hysterectomy causes a loss of future childbearing capability. Surgical treatment that involves resection of the involved cornual region is associated with decreased fertility rates and increased rates of uterine rupture in future pregnancies. Our treatment regimen is safe and effective and conserves future fertility. CONCLUSION: A cornual gestation is one of the most hazardous types of ectopic gestation. The diagnosis and treatment of such a pregnancy is challenging and constitutes an urgent medical situation. We herein introduce a novel regimen for the treatment of nonruptured cornual pregnancies. The existing treatment regimens are also systematically reviewed.     

Heterotopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: A ruptured cornual pregnancy is a rare and challenging problem. We present two cases of cornual pregnancies after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treated by cornual resection, with an excellent perinatal outcome for the intrauterine pregnancy in both cases. A literature review of cornual pregnancy after IVF-ET is also included. CASE REPORTS: Two women had undergone IVF-ET because of tubal problems. Emergent laparotomy was performed because of internal bleeding at 12 weeks of gestation in one case and 17 weeks in the other, and in both cases, ruptured cornual pregnancies were found. Cornual resection and primary repair were performed. The women were discharged on the 6th and 7th postoperative day, respectively, and they underwent an elective cesarean delivery at 37 weeks of pregnancy. They were delivered of healthy babies, one weighing 2700 g and the other 2310 g. CONCLUSION: These cases illustrate that good perinatal outcomes can be achieved by surgical intervention in heterotopic pregnancies, even in the event of a ruptured cornu.     

宫角妊娠并胎盘植入引起子宫破裂一例并文献复习

宫角妊娠是一种少见的特殊类型异位妊娠,因其位置特殊极易漏诊,继续妊娠可能引起各种并发症,如流产、胎盘植入和子宫破裂等。穿透性胎盘植入更是产科少见的并发症,当宫角妊娠合并胎盘植入时,极易引起子宫破裂而发生大出血危及母儿生命。现报道吉林大学第二医院收治的1例宫角妊娠并胎盘植入引起子宫破裂的病例资料,并复习相关文献。探讨其发病原因、诊断和治疗方法,为临床诊断及治疗提供思路。     

Uterine Rupture During Labour in a Primigravida

EDITORIAL COMMENT: We accepted this case for publication because it will interest readers. Certainly the woman had a haemoperitoneum and signs indistinguishable from a case of rupture of the uterus although technically this is not a rupture because the tear did not extend through the uterine wall to the endometrial cavity. The editor saw a patient some 38 years ago who had a haemoperitoneum and who came to laparotomy on 2 occasions where it appeared that the bleeding had come from a tear in the peritoneum between the uterosacral ligaments. This patient died during her third laparotomy. There is also literature describing tears in the peritoneum over the uterosacral ligaments as a cause of chronic pelvic pain. The editorial committee find it feasible that a patient in labour can develop a tear in the peritoneum and superficial myometrium in her posterior uterine wall which if it involved vessels could cause a life-threatening haemoperitoneum. Of course similar tears occur due to trauma such as a motor-car accident when the woman is wearing a seat belt which can localize trauma to the uterus.
Summary: Uterine rupture ie extremely rare in the absence of any of the commonly recognized risk factors. We describe here a case of incomplete uterine rupture in a woman in her first pregnancy who had no previous instrumentation to the genital tract. Her only significant history was that of 2 episodes of minor antepartum haemorrhage occurring prior to induction of labour with artificial rupture of membranes and intravenous oxytocin. The rupture was manifested by 450 mL blood in the peritoneal cavity when an emergency Caesarean section was performed for persistent fetal bradycardia.     

Interstitial pregnancy: results generated from the Society of Reproductive Surgeons Registry

OBJECTIVE: To summarize management of interstitial pregnancy and its outcome among 32 reported cases in the world. METHODS: From 1999 to 2002, 32 cases of interstitial pregnancy were reported to the registry of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons. The participants completed a five-page questionnaire regarding when and how diagnosis was made, the characteristics of the pregnancy, treatment modalities, and subsequent reproductive outcome. RESULTS: History of ipsilateral salpingectomy was encountered in 37.5% of patients, and the diagnosis was made by ultrasound in 71.4% of the patients. Eight women were treated with methotrexate either systemically (n = 4), locally under ultrasound guidance (n = 2), or under laparoscopic guidance (n = 2). Eleven patients were treated by laparoscopy and 13 by laparotomy. Three patients failed systemic methotrexate treatment and subsequently required surgery. Persistently elevated serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels were found in one patient after laparoscopic cornual excision, and she was successfully treated with methotrexate. Fourteen cases (43.7%) of rupture of interstitial pregnancy were found. This included five cases (15.6%) of heterotopic pregnancy; all were the results of in vitro fertilization, and all ruptured at the time of diagnosis. Subsequent pregnancy was achieved in ten patients. No uterine rupture was encountered during pregnancy or labor. CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral salpingectomy, previous ectopic pregnancy, and in vitro fertilization are predisposing factors for interstitial pregnancy. Contrary to previous belief, rupture of interstitial pregnancy occurs relatively early in pregnancy. In selected patients, laparoscopic cornual excision is a viable treatment option.     

Curetaje cornual como tratamiento conservador del embarazo ectópico accidentado

The classical treatment of cornual ectopic pregnancy is cornual resection or hysterectomy. Currently, a more conservative approach is feasible. We describe a case of cornual ectopic pregnancy treated with tubal cornual curettage and review the various options in the management of this entity. This technique may reduce the risk of uterine rupture in future pregnancies, even though studies on this topic are lacking.     

Spontaneous uterine rupture in the 33rd week of IVF pregnancy after laparoscopically assisted enucleation of uterine adenomatoid tumor

Although a uterine leiomyomectomy or adenomyomectomy is an accepted procedure to treat symptoms such as dysmenorrhea or hypermenorrhea to enhance fertility, the risk of future uterine rupture is a major concern for patients who become pregnant following these surgery. Although uterine rupture very rarely occurs, this is the most feared complication in pregnancy and is associated with a high rate of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. A 37-year-old nulliparous woman had a 2-year history of infertility. A transvaginal ultrasound revealed multiple uterine tumors that resembled leiomyomas on the posterior and fundal walls of the uterine body. After the patient had three failed in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer treatments, the uterine tumor was enucleated, and pathologically diagnosed as an adenomatoid tumor. Five months after the operation, the patient became pregnant as a result of a fourth in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. At the 33rd week of gestation, she complained of a sudden onset of abdominal pain. The patient was diagnosed with a ruptured uterus based on an ultrasound, and an emergency cesarean section was performed. The rupture occurred at the site of the operation scar on the posterior wall of the uterine body. The fetal legs extruded into the abdominal cavity from the uterine cavity but were enclosed within the unruptured chorioamniotic membrane. A male neonate (1956 g) was delivered without asphyxia and had Apgar scores of 8 and 9. The ruptured uterine wall could be repaired by suturing. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of uterine rupture during pregnancy after resection of an adenomatoid tumor in the uterine body.     

Uterine rupture after re-implantation of fallopian tubes

Spontaneous uterine rupture in the second trimester of pregnancy with twins following a previous re-fertilization is very rare. A case of spontaneous cornual uterine rupture following re-implantation of the Fallopian tubes in a 35-year-old multigravid woman is described. The atypical clinical presentation and the findings at the operation are discussed.     

Spontaneous uterine artery rupture during pregnancy in a woman with sickle cell disease: a case report

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous rupture of uterine vessels during pregnancy is rare and usually involves uteroovarian veins. Presenting symptoms include acute-onset abdominal pain and maternal hypovolemic collapse due to hemoperitoneum. An atypical case of subacute uterine artery rupture at 27 weeks of gestation occurred in a woman with sickle cell disease. CASE: A 28-year-old, nulliparous woman with sickle cell disease was admitted at 27 weeks of gestation for sharp abdominal pain radiating to the right flank. The first diagnosis included acute renal colic and a sickling vasoocclusive crisis. One week after admission the patient experienced paroxysmal, diffuse abdominal pain associated with acute fetal distress requiring an emergency cesarean section. Laparotomy revealed an 800-mL hemoperitoneum. Active bleeding from a ruptured uterine artery was observed and successfully treated by selective suture. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous rupture of the uterine artery during pregnancy may present as a 2-step process.