Combined medical and surgical management of rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy within a noncommunicating rudimentary horn is a known complication of unicornuate uterus. The risk of rupture approximates 50%, most of which occur in the second trimester. Case: A rudimentary horn pregnancy was discovered at 8 weeks gestation. Medical termination was then performed with fetal intracardiac potassium chloride and intraplacental methotrexate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis was obtained. Laparoscopic uterine horn resection 6 weeks after medical termination was performed. DISCUSSION: While surgical resection of a rudimentary horn pregnancy is necessary, early diagnosis affords the opportunity to take steps that minimize surgical risks. MRI assists surgical planning by demonstrating the form of attachment of the uterine horn to the unicornuate uterus. Preoperative medical termination may decrease vascularity of the gestation, thereby decreasing operative blood loss.     

Rupture of non-communicating rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy

Unicornuate uterus with rudimentary horn is a rare type of uterine malformation associated with obstetrical complications. Rupture of pregnant rudimentary horn is the usual presentation resulting in severe haemoperitoneum with increased maternal morbidity, and at times, mortality. A case of ruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy in a 24-year-old, second gravida, is reported. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a ruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy of 14 weeks gestation with haemoperitoneum. Excision of the rudimentary horn was done and an uneventful recovery followed.     

Laparoscopic management of rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy in the rudimentary uterine horn is an extremely rare clinical condition. Treatment includes surgical removal of the rudimentary horn. METHODS: A rudimentary horn pregnancy was reported that occurred after intrauterine insemination. Similar cases treated with laparoscopic surgery reported in the peer-reviewed journals were reviewed as well. RESULTS: Pregnancy in the right rudimentary horn of 6-weeks gestational age was successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy is a feasible and safe method for treating rudimentary horn pregnancy.     

Acute abdomen at 12 weeks secondary to placenta percreta

With increasing caesarean section rates during the past decades, a rising trend of placenta percreta is observed. Although rare, placenta percreta can present as acute abdomen due to haemoperitoneum during antepartum period. A 24 years old pregnant lady with two previous caesarean sections, presented in emergency at 12 weeks of gestation with syncope, acute abdominal pain and distension. Ultrasonography revealed an ectopic pregnancy in right adnexa with intraperitoneal haemorrhage. On laparotomy, there was moderate hemoperitoneum, both adnexa were normal and placental tissue was protruding through a bleeding previous caesarean scar. Hysterectomy was done. Histopathological report was consistent with the diagnosis of placenta percreta.     

Cesarean section in a pregnant patient with placenta percreta involving the urinary bladder

Placenta percreta involving adjacent structures is serious complication of pregnancy with a high mortality rate. A 32-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 3, who had previously undergone a cesarean section, was admitted to our hospital at 31 weeks' gestation for placenta previa. At 33 weeks' gestation, the diagnosis of placenta percreta with involvement of the urinary bladder was made by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. At 34 weeks' gestation, an elective cesarean section was scheduled. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen before delivery, and with nitrous oxide in oxygen, fentanyl and midazolam after delivery. During the operation, attempts to remove the placenta resulted in massive hemorrhage. Blood loss for the procedure was 13,800 g. Because of the extreme hemorrhage, we encountered hemorrhagic shock and postoperative complications despite the preoperative preparation. In case of placenta percreta, it is essential to prepare adequate volume of blood for transfusion at the start of surgery and secure large bore intravenous lines. A rapid transfusion device may be recommended. Regarding the anesthetic management, general anesthesia is preferable in consideration of the risk of hemorrhagic shock and the length of operation time. Furthermore, we need team approach and preoperative management to prevent the uncontrolled hemorrhage in such a severe case.     

Multidisciplinary management of placenta percreta complicated by embolic phenomena

Hemorrhage and thrombosis are major causes of maternal mortality. This case discusses the management of a woman with placenta percreta complicated by intraoperative pulmonary embolism. A 39-year-old gravida 3 with two previous cesarean deliveries presented at 34 weeks of gestation with an antepartum hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed placenta percreta. The multidisciplinary group including obstetricians, gynecological oncologists, interventional radiologists and anesthesiologists developed a delivery plan. Cesarean delivery was performed with internal iliac artery occlusion and embolization catheters in place. After the uterine incision our patient experienced acute hypotension and hypoxia associated with a drop in the end-tidal carbon dioxide and sinus tachycardia. She was resuscitated and the uterus closed with the placenta in situ. Postoperatively, uterine bleeding was arrested by immediate uterine artery embolization. With initiation of embolization, hypotension and hypoxia recurred. Oxygenation and hemodynamics slowly improved, the case continued and the patient was extubated uneventfully at the end of the procedure. Computed tomography revealed multiple pulmonary emboli. The patient was anticoagulated with low-molecular-weight heparin and returned six weeks later for hysterectomy. Placenta percreta with invasion into the bladder can be catastrophic if not recognized before delivery. The chronology of events suggests that this may have been amniotic fluid emboli. An intact placenta with abnormal architecture, such as placenta percreta, may increase the risk of amniotic fluid embolus. The clinical findings and co-existing filling defects on computed tomography may represent a spectrum of amniotic fluid embolism syndrome.     

胎盘植入62例临床分析

目的对北京协和医院胎盘植入病例的临床处理和结局进行分析。方法对2011年1月至2013年12月北京协和医院收治的胎盘植入病例62例进行回顾性病例分析。并对其中我院分娩的45例孕妇,根据超声或核磁共振结果,分为产前疑诊组和产前未疑诊组,比较两组患者一般情况及产科并发症发生情况。结果 62例胎盘植入病例中,24.2%合并剖宫产史,66.1%合并人工流产史。胎盘部分或全部残留占35.5%,合并产后出血51.6%,严重产后出血共7例。子宫切除共6例。产前疑诊胎盘植入病例合并剖宫产史者显著高于产前未疑诊病例(P=0.043);产前疑诊组合并前置胎盘、产后出血、胎盘穿透发生率均高于未疑诊组,但无统计学差异(P0.05)。6例子宫切除病例中有3例合并中央性前置胎盘,1例胎盘穿透,4例严重产后出血。结论剖宫产史和人工流产史是胎盘植入和胎盘穿透的高危因素,产前疑诊胎盘植入病例有助于制定分娩和抢救计划,以避免严重产科并发症的发生。     

超声及MRI在胎盘植入诊断中的应用现状及评价

胎盘植入是胎盘绒毛因内膜缺陷而直接侵入子宫内膜,或胎盘直接种植到子宫肌层及浆膜层内。根据胎盘绒毛植入子宫肌层的深度,可将胎盘植入分为胎盘粘连、胎盘植入和胎盘穿通。超声和MRI是目前临床最常用于诊断胎盘植入的方法。超声已成为胎盘植入的首选检查方法;但当胎盘位于子宫后壁或需要判断胎盘植入深度时,超声检查结果不可靠。作为超声检查的辅助手段,MRI对于胎盘位于子宫后壁的患者具有较大优势,同时对于胎盘植入的分型(尤其对于胎盘穿通的患者)明显优于超声。对临床怀疑有胎盘植入高危因素的孕妇可先行超声检查;当超声诊断不明确、胎盘位于子宫后壁或不能判断其植入深度时,可进一步行MRI,以优化诊断率。     

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy in rudimentary horn of the uterus

Rudimentary horn is one of the rarest congenital uterine anomalies and consists of a relatively normal appearing uterus on one side with a rudimentary horn on the other side. It is difficult to diagnose before surgery and hazardous to maternal life as rupture of pregnant horn result in severe hemoperitoneum. Case of rudimentary horn pregnancy is reported in a lady with history of habitual abortion and signs and symptoms of acute adnexal pathology. Exploratory laparotomy revealed ruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy. Excision of accessory horn was done.     

Laparoscopic removal of a rudimentary uterine horn in a previously hysterectomized patient.

BACKGROUND: The unicornuate uterine anomaly is often difficult to diagnose and usually low on the list of differential diagnoses for pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea. The authors present a case of a rudimentary uterine horn as a cause for continued pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea in a previously hysterectomized woman. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, presented for evaluation of right lower quadrant pain of several years' duration. Her past surgical history was significant for multiple prior laparoscopies and a vaginal hysterectomy. Radiographic studies revealed a mass in the right lower quadrant. Laparoscopy revealed a solid mass in the right pelvis that was diagnosed as a rudimentary uterine horn. CONCLUSION: Uterine anomalies, although uncommon, should be thought of as part of the differential diagnosis for pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea. A thorough inspection of the pelvis should be performed at the time of any operative procedure for abdominal pain.     

Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy in a patient with placenta percreta

Placenta percreta is a problem encountered with increasing frequency due to the rising rate of cesarean delivery. Conservative management of this condition is associated with decreased perioperative morbidity. When hysterectomy is necessary, a laparoscopic approach can provide additional benefits. We present the case of a woman with placenta percreta with bladder invasion who was undergoing conservative management and then required delayed hysterectomy. Laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy was successfully performed. We review the techniques used to ensure a good outcome and the advantages of a minimally invasive approach to hysterectomy in this patient with placenta percreta.     

A case report of placenta percreta with bladder invasion

A 33-year-old British woman who had undergone caesarean section at 31 years of age was admitted to our hospital at 28 weeks of gestation due to a large amount of genital hemorrhage induced by total placenta previa. Magnetic resonance imaging showed placenta percreta with bladder invasion. To control the sudden hemorrhage at 31 weeks of gestation, we performed an operation emergently. An occlusion ballon was inserted into the bilateral internal iliac arteries by radiologists, caesarian section followed by simple hysterectomy was performed by gynecologists, and then the bladder wall with placenta percreta was removed by urologists. Although the operation was carefully undertaken with multi-department cooperation, 11,550 ml of blood was lost during the 6.5-hour operation. There are few reports of placenta percreta with bladder invasion, about 30 cases including 3 cases in our country have been reported around the world until now.     

Haemoperitoneum due to placenta percreta. A case report

A case of haemoperitoneum due to placenta percreta occurring at approximately 22 weeks' gestation is presented. The diagnosis and treatment are discussed.     

Cesarean hysterectomy for placenta percreta invading the anterior abdominal wall: anesthetic considerations--a case report

Placenta accreta is defined as an abnormal adherence of the placenta to the uterine wall owing to a faulty or an absent decidua basalis. Placenta accreta is further subdivided into placenta accreta vera, increta and percreta, depending on the level of invasion of the uterine wall and surrounding structures. Placenta percreta represents invasion to the serosa and/or other pelvic structures. We herein present the case of a pregnant patient with placenta percreta invading anterior abdominal wall and review the perioperative (Cesarean hysterectomy) anesthetic management of this complication.     

Placenta percreta invading the urinary bladder

The placenta, normally confined to the decidual lining of the uterine cavity, can in some circumstances invade the muscular wall of the uterus, a condition known as placenta accreta. Less common is placenta increta, in which placental cotyledons become intertwined with the muscular stroma of the uterus. Placenta percreta, in which the trophoblastic tissues penetrate the serosa of the uterus and may extend directly to adjacent structures, is even more rare and is potentially life-threatening. There have been only 10 reports of direct invasion of placenta percreta into the urinary bladder. We review these cases and report 3 recent patients, one of whom was diagnosed pre-operatively by ultrasonography.     

Acute urinary bladder tamponade with hypovolemic shock due to placenta percreta with bladder invasion. Case report

A rare case with residual tissue of placenta previa invading posterior parts of the bladder as placenta percreta complicated by massive late hematuria with hypovolemic shock two months after gynecologic-obstetric operation is presented. The patient was finally treated by emergency bladder resection. If a grand multipara with a history of hysterotomies, such as cesarean sections, presents lower abdominal pain involving hematuria during pregnancy, placental invasion of the bladder may be suspected. The primary treatment by hysterectomy should be complemented by bladder resection. This placental type may have high steroidogenesis.     

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for a rudimentary uterine horn with two non-communicating cavities

Due to severe dysmenorrhoea a 29-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 2, was diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus and a rare variety of a rudimentary uterine horn associated with two separate non-communicating cavities. Increasingly intense dysmenorrhoea, refractory to medical treatment, motivated fertility-sparing surgical treatment. A da Vinci S-HD robot was side-docked to facilitate simultaneous vaginal access during surgery. After sacrificing the left uterine artery for hemostatic reasons, the rudimentary horn with one cavity was resected. Guided by vaginal ultrasonography we then completely resected the second cavity located deep in the myometrium without entering the cavity of the functioning hemiuterus. Finally the uterine defect was sutured in two layers. Surgery and postoperative course were uneventful. At 4-month follow-up, dysmenorrhoea was alleviated, and 3 months later the patient had an early intrauterine pregnancy. We believe the precise dissection capabilities of the robot facilitated in particular resection of the second, deeply located cavity and its multilayer reapproximation by sutures. A video of the procedure is provided.     

腹腔镜在宫角妊娠中的应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜诊治宫角妊娠的价值及其安全性。方法:将19例宫角妊娠随机分为两组(剖腹组、腹腔镜组),对其治疗结果、优越性进行比较。结果:腹腔镜检查的诊断率达100%,治疗成功率91.7%,达到剖腹手术的效果,虽然手术时间略长,但术中出血少、损伤小,术后病率低,恢复快。结论:腹腔镜治疗宫角妊娠安全有效,值得临床应用推广。     

Fetal transverse position caused by giant leiomyoma in the lower segment of the uterus. A case report

A 20-year-old primigravida presented at 39 weeks' gestation with the fetus lying in the transverse position. Ultrasound examination indicated an anterior placenta praevia grade II-III. During a vertical lower uterine segment caesarean section, a giant intramural leiomyoma of approximately 25 X 25 cm was found. The uterine incision was extended into the upper segment and a healthy male fetus of 2 568 g delivered. The placenta was situated anteriorly but did not extend into the lower uterine segment. A myomectomy had to be performed to enable closure of the uterine incision. The association of a transverse lie with anterior implantation of the placenta may result in a false ultrasound diagnosis because the lower anterior portion of the uterine wall and the attached portion of the placenta simulate a placenta praevia. In our case, an unsuspected leiomyoma in the lower segment contributed to this. Furthermore, this case illustrates the advantage of using a lower uterine segment vertical incision when performing a caesarean section for transverse lie. The incision can then readily be extended into the upper uterine segment when necessary.     

Placenta percreta with bladder invasion as a cause of life threatening hemorrhage

PURPOSE: Abnormal placental penetration through the myometrium with bladder invasion is a rare obstetric complication with potential for massive blood loss. Urologists are usually consulted after a life threatening emergency has already arisen. Their familiarity with this condition is crucial for effective management. We describe 2 cases of placenta percreta with bladder invasion to highlight the catastrophic nature of this clinical entity, and review the literature on current diagnostic and management strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1998, 250 cases of adherent placenta (0.9%) were identified in 25,254 births at our institution, including 2 (0.008%) of placenta percreta with bladder invasion. We treated these 2 multiparous women who were 33 and 30 years old, respectively. Each had undergone 2 previous cesarean sections. RESULTS: Presenting symptoms were severe hematuria in 1 patient and prepartum hemorrhage with shock in the other. Ultrasound showed complete placenta previa in each with evidence of bladder invasion in 1 patient. Hysterectomy, bladder wall resection and repair, and bilateral internal iliac artery ligation were required to control massive intraoperative hemorrhage. The patients received 22 and 15 units of packed red blood cells, respectively. Fetal death occurred in each case. Convalescence was complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation in patient 1 but subsequent recovery was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion for placenta percreta with bladder invasion is required when evaluating pregnant women with a history of cesarean delivery and placenta previa who present with hematuria and lower urinary tract symptoms. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging may assist in establishing the diagnosis preoperatively. With proper planning and a multidisciplinary approach fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality may be decreased.