Recurrent uterine rupture after hysterescopic resection of the uterine septum

Early diagnosis of impending rupture uterus during U/S: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Uterine rupture is a rare condition that typically occurs in a scarred uterus and can happen during late pregnancy, labor, or the early postpartum period. Since most cases are seen in patients with a history of cesarean surgery, the anterior lower uterine segment is the most affected area. Most patients present with acute symptoms that compromise the fetus and the mother in a life-threatening manner.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of uterine rupture with subacute symptoms occurring in the second trimester, which is extremely rare. The patient was a stable second-trimester multiparous woman with chronic abdominal pain, but without any signs of peritoneal bleeding or instability. No history of previous cesarean section was present, and she had recently undergone a non-complicated hysteroscopic polypectomy. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds were performed, revealing a significant full-thickness myometrial defect in the posterior uterine lower segment. This defect allowed the amniotic sac to protrude into the posterior cul-de-sac. No abdominopelvic hematoma was detected. These findings were confirmed in an urgent MRI, and the patient underwent a laparotomy during which a significant full-thickness defect was discovered at the posterior of the uterus. As it was impossible to continue the pregnancy, the fetus was surgically removed and then prepared using multiple layers.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The difference between our case and the previously reported one is in the aspect of gradual stable presentation and lacks of vaginal bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Previous hysteroscopy carries a risk for future pregnancy complications, such as uterine rupture.

A womb like a broken heart

Uterine perforation during hysteroscopic operative procedures is a potential complication well known to gynaecologists. Uterine septa are a commonly encountered Müllerian anomaly related to pregnancy loss and infertility. Hysteroscopic resection of septa has shown to improve pregnancy outcome. There are limited case reports of uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies after hysteroscopic septal resection. Our patient had a hysteroscopic septal resection done a year prior which was complicated by a uterine fundal perforation, left to spontaneously heal after immediate sealing with cautery. The patient conceived spontaneously soon after and underwent an emergency caesarean section for severe pre-eclampsia. Intraoperatively, after removal of the placenta, we discovered a 3 cm symmetrical circular defect at the fundus of the uterus with no myometrium or serosa. The potentially disastrous consequences of this silent uterine rupture were mitigated due to another life-threatening condition which prevented the onset of labour.

Uterine rupture in pregnancy subsequent to hysteroscopic surgery: A case series

Uterine rupture during pregnancy is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates in both the fetus and the mother. Hysteroscopic surgeries such as myomectomy and septum resection are known risk factors for uterine rupture in pregnancy following the operation. We present four infertile patients who were admitted to Kocaeli Medical Park Hospital between February 2014 and November 2016. Three of the patients underwent hysteroscopic septum resection without complication and one had hysteroscopic myomectomy and a 7-8 mm sized rupture was detected. All of the patients became pregnant in less than a year after the operations. The first three patients had uterine rupture at 22^nd, 38^th, and 10^th week, which is the earliest rupture in the literature. The last patient had an uneventful pregnancy and the rupture was observed during cesarean section. A short interval between hysteroscopy and pregnancy may increase the risk of rupture. It may be possible to become pregnant despite rupture and not have any problems during the entire pregnancy.

Recurrent large uterine fundal dehiscence during cesarean section after hysteroscopic uterine septum resection with uterine perforation

Septum resection using hysterescopy is safe, rapid and efective, but some late complication of it may be seen as uterine rupture or dehiscence of uterine wall during pregnancy due to myometrial damage. We present a case of recurrent large uterine fundal dehiscence conscecutive to cesarean section in a patient who had previously undergone a uterine septum resection. The patient was a 35-year-old who presented at 39 weeks of gestation (Gravida 2, Parity 1) and was admitted for an elective cesarean section. Her reproductive history included a septum resection which resulted in uterine perforation, and one previous cesarean section in which a large fundal defect was found and repaired. Then the examination had shown an aproximately 5 cm large uterine fundus defect including all three layers of uterus which had been repaired. Perforation or excessively deep incision of uterine fundus during hysteroscopic metroplasty may cause chronic weakness of the uterine wall especially at fundal localization. Our case was an incidental uterine wall dehiscence during cesarean section. Patients with an uterine septum resection history should be followed up carefully for uterine rupture during pregnancy.

Complications of Hysteroscopic and Uterine Resectoscopic Surgery

Adverse events associated with hysteroscopic procedures are generally rare, but, with increasing operative complexity, it is now apparent that they are experienced more often. There exists a spectrum of complications that relate to generic components of procedures, such as patient positioning, anesthesia, and analgesia, to a number that are specific to intraluminal endoscopic surgery that largely comprise perforation and injuries to surrounding structures and blood vessels. Whereas a number of endoscopic procedures require the use of distending media, the response of premenopausal women to excessive absorption of nonionic fluids used for hysteroscopy is somewhat unique, and deserves special attention on the part the surgeon. There is also an increasing awareness of uncommon but problematic sequelae related to the use of monopolar radiofrequency uterine resectoscopes that involve thermal injury to the vulva and vagina. Furthermore, the uterus that has previously undergone hysteroscopic surgery may behave in unusual ways, at least in premenopausal women who experience menstruation or who become pregnant. Fortunately, better understanding of the mechanisms involved in these adverse events, as well as the use or development of a number of innovative devices, have collectively provided the opportunity to perform hysteroscopic and resectoscopic surgery in a manner that minimizes risk to the patient.

Reproductive Outcomes of Hysteroscopic Septoplasty Techniques

Background and Objectives:

Since little is known regarding the correlation between different techniques used during hysteroscopic septoplasty and reproductives outcomes, we amied to evaluate the results of two different techniques of hysteroscopic septoplasty (HS).

Methods:

Data were retrospectively reviewed on 49 patients who underwent HS for symptomatic septate uterus from January 1, 2010, through April 30, 2014. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the HS technique used. Group I consisted of 27 patients who underwent HS by monopolar hook cautery with the operating hysteroscope. Group II consisted of 22 patients who had the procedure performed with scissors and guided by an office hysteroscope. All the procedures in the both groups were performed in the operating room under general anesthesia. Pregnancy outcomes within the first year after HS for both groups were evaluated.

Results:

Reproductive outcomes were obtained from 44 patients who attempted to conceive after HS within the first year. In the 25 patients in group I, 23 had pregnancies, of which 15 (65.2%) continued to term, 3 (13%) ended in a preterm live birth, and 5 (21.7%) ended in loss of pregnancy (abortion). In the 19 patients in group II, there were 17 pregnancies, of which 11 (64.7%) continued to term, 2 (11.7%) ended in a preterm live birth, and 4 (23.5%) ended in first- or second-trimester abortion. The overall live-birth rate was 78.2% in group I and 76.4% in group II (P = .85).

Conclusions:

Our data show that the rates of pregnancy that reach term and overall rates of live births are similar between the 2 HS techniques. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the techniques on reproductive outcomes.

An unusual cause for epigastric pain in pregnancy. Spontaneous uterine rupture with herniation of the amniotic sac in a 33-week primigravida

A 29-year-old in vitro fertilisation patient presented at 33 weeks of gestation with abdominal pain. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a cystic lesion adjacent to the fundus. During caesarean section, a defect at the fundus was identified with herniation of the amniotic sac through this defect. There were no complications postoperatively and the patient made an unremarkable recovery. With at least one maternal death reported in the most recent confidential enquiry into maternal death, uterine rupture is an obstetric emergency and can have catastrophic outcomes. The incidence of uterine rupture as a result of previous perforation is unclear with little published data and few case reports. Cases of uterine rupture after perforation following hysteroscopic resection of fibroids, uterine septum are well published but the authors found no known previous cases related to laparoscopy. Counselling patients post perforation should include discussion regarding the management of future pregnancies and the risk of uterine rupture.