Overdiagnosis, overdetection, and overdefinition of the septate uterus: reexamination of the ASRM and ESHRE-ESGE criteria is urgently needed

3D transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis of uterine septa according to different classifications: are there other measurements that correlate to reproductive outcome in small indentation length?

Background: High discrepancy between current classifications was observed in the definition of uterine septa, especially for indentation lengths >5 <10mm. Objectives: To assess the discrepancy between current classifications in the diagnoses of septate uterus and to correlate them with reproductive outcomes; to detect 3D transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) additional measurements, which can better correlate small indentation lengths >5 <10mm to reproductive failures. Material and methods: Observational study enrolling 664 women of reproductive age with 3D ultrasound diagnosis of an indentation length ≥3mm. For each patient a detailed reproductive history was taken before performing 3D transvaginal examination. Patients with previous uterine surgery or metroplasty were excluded. Main Outcome Measure(s): Indentation lengths >5 <10mm showed high discrepancy in the diagnosis of uterine septum between different classifications. For these small indentations additional 3D measurements (indentation angle, septal width and septal length/ fundal myometrial thickness (L/M) ratio) were correlated to infertility and recurrent miscarriage. Results: Among the cohort, 215 patients showed an indentation length >5 <10mm; 136 tried to conceive: 69 (51%) were infertile, 38 (28%) had recurrent miscarriages (≥2) and 5 (4%) had at least one delivery. Recurrent miscarriage significantly correlated to an indentation angle >134°; whereas infertility to an indentation width <32mm and a L/M ratio >75%. Conclusions: Wide discrepancies between different classifications are more evident in indentation lengths >5 <10mm. Additional measurements on 3D coronal section may help to evaluate the risk of infertility or recurrent miscarriage. What is new? Additional 3D TVS measurements, beyond septal lengths, in particular for small fundal indentation, may help in predicting the risk of developing adverse reproductive outcomes.

Daily practice management of septate uterus: reproductive outcome after septoplasty

Background

Septate uterus is the most common uterine malformation found in women presenting poor reproductive history. Hysteroscopic septoplasty (HS) restores the uterine anatomy in a safe procedure.

Objectives

The goal of our study is to determine the reproductive outcomes after HS of symptomatic septate uterus.

Materials and Methods

In a retrospective observational single centre study the reproductive outcomes and complications after HS were evaluated in 31 women with symptomatic septate uterus. The patients were separated into two groups according to the symptoms - infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Main outcome measures

were the pregnancy and live birth rate and secondarily the complication rate. Furthermore, the results were analysed depending on the need of assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

Results

The treatment has resulted in an overall pregnancy rate of 71% for both groups. The spontaneous pregnancy rate is 45% and 8 pregnancies resulted from ART (26%). The overall first live birth rate is 51.6%. A decrease has been noticed in the miscarriage rate from 95.24% to 24% (p<0.001) in the overall population.

Conclusions

In patients with a symptomatic septate uterus hysteroscopic septoplasty is a safe and effective procedure. The favourable results pointing out the benefits of surgery on the reproductive outcomes as well as the relatively simple and safe technique of HS make the intervention attractive.