Management of type II unruptured cesarean scar pregnancy: Comparison of gestational mass excision and uterine artery embolization combined with methotrexate

Efficacy and safety of treatment modalities for cesarean scar pregnancy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Cesarean scar pregnancy may lead to varying degrees of complications. There are many treatment methods for it, but there are no unified or recognized treatment strategies. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to observe the efficacy and safety of treatment modalities for patients with cesarean scar pregnancy.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception to January 31, 2024. In addition, relevant reviews and meta-analyses were manually searched for additional references.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Our study incorporated head-to-head trials involving a minimum of 10 women diagnosed with cesarean scar pregnancy through ultrasound imaging or magnetic resonance imaging, encompassing a detailed depiction of primary interventions and any supplementary measures. Trials with a Newcastle-Ottawa scale score <4 were excluded because of their low quality.

METHODS

We conducted a random-effects network meta-analysis and review for cesarean scar pregnancy. Group-level data on treatment efficacy and safety, reproductive outcomes, study design, and demographic characteristics were extracted following a predefined protocol. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle‒Ottawa scale for cohort studies and case series. The main outcomes were efficacy (initial treatment success) and safety (complications), of which summary odds ratios and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects.

RESULTS

Seventy-three trials (7 randomized controlled trials) assessing a total of 8369 women and 17 treatment modalities were included. Network meta-analyses were rooted in data from 73 trials that reported success rates and 55 trials that reported complications. The findings indicate that laparoscopy, transvaginal resection, hysteroscopic curettage, and high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage demonstrated the highest cure rates, as evidenced by surface under the cumulative ranking curve rankings of 91.2, 88.2, 86.9, and 75.3, respectively. When compared with suction curettage, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for efficacy were as follows: 6.76 (1.99-23.01) for laparoscopy, 5.92 (1.47-23.78) for transvaginal resection, 5.00 (1.99-23.78) for hysteroscopic curettage, and 3.27 (1.08-9.89) for high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage. Complications were more likely to occur after receiving uterine artery chemoembolization, suction curettage, methotrexate+hysteroscopic curettage, and systemic methotrexate; hysteroscopic curettage, high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage, and Lap were safer than the other options derived from finite evidence; and the confidence intervals of all the data were wide.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that laparoscopy, transvaginal resection, hysteroscopic curettage, and high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage procedures exhibit superior efficacy with reduced complications. The utilization of methotrexate (both locally guided injection and systemic administration) as a standalone medical treatment is not recommended.

Other treatments for CSP

Caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is an increasingly common clinical conundrum. The non-curettage surgical management of CSP can be categorised into hysteroscopic, vaginal, laparoscopic, and open removal modalities and the choice of treatment is surgeon-dependent. A systematic review of original studies reporting surgical treatment outcomes of CSP until March 2023 was conducted to evaluate the non-curettage surgical management of this highly morbid condition. A total of 60 studies of mostly weak methodological quality were identified involving 6720 CSP cases. Success rates were generally high across all treatment modalities although highest in vaginal and laparoscopic excisional approaches. Morbidity was most associated with haemorrhage although unplanned hysterectomy rates remained low across all treatment groups. Subsequent pregnancies are associated with morbidity despite being underreported and the impact of CSP treatment on future pregnancy is poorly understood. Substantive study heterogeneity precludes meta-analyses of pooled data and treatment superiority has not been demonstrated.

Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy Clinical Classification System With Recommended Surgical Strategy

OBJECTIVE

To establish a new cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy clinical classification system with recommended individual surgical strategy and to evaluate its clinical efficacy in treatment of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy in Qilu Hospital in Shandong, China. From 2008 to 2015, patients with cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy were included to determine risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage during cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy treatment. Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore the independent risk factors for hemorrhage (300 mL or greater) during a cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy surgical procedure. The model was internally validated with a separate cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curve methodology was used to identify optimal thresholds for the identified risk factors to further classify cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy risk, and the recommended operative treatment was established for each classification group by expert consensus. A final cohort of patients from 2014 to 2022 were classified according to the new classification system, and the recommended surgical procedure and clinical outcomes were abstracted from the medical record.

RESULTS

Overall, 955 patients with first-trimester cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy were included; 273 were used to develop a model to predict intraoperative hemorrhage with cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, and 118 served as an internal validation group for the model. Anterior myometrium thickness at the scar (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.51, 95% CI 0.36-0.73) and average diameter of the gestational sac or mass (aOR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07-1.14) were independent risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy. Five clinical classifications of cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy were established on the basis of the thickness and gestational sac diameter, and the optimal surgical option for each type was recommended by clinical experts. When the classification system was applied to a separate cohort of 564 patients with cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, the overall success rate of recommended first-line treatment with the new classification grouping was 97.5% (550/564). No patients needed to undergo hysterectomy. Eighty-five percent of patients had a negative serum β-hCG level within 3 weeks after the surgical procedure; 95.2% of patients resumed their menstrual cycles within 8 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Anterior myometrium thickness at the scar and the diameter of the gestational sac were confirmed to be independent risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage during cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy treatment. A new clinical classification system based on these factors with recommended surgical strategy resulted in high treatment success rates with minimal complications.

Selection of Laparoscopy or Laparotomy for Treating Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: A Retrospective Study

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Evaluation of the treatment of high intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage for exogenous cesarean scar pregnancy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with suction curettage in the treatment of exogenous cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

METHODS

A retrospective single-center observational study was conducted. A total of 41 patients diagnosed with exogenous CSP were enrolled in this study. All patients received HIFU combined with suction curettage.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients were administered one session of HIFU ablation. In addition, the other 12 patients received 2 HIFU sessions. Suction curettage was performed in all patients after HIFU, and no patient was converted to laparoscopy or hysterectomy. The mean blood loss during suction curettage was 99 ml. Three patients received two sessions of suction curettage. The success rate of our study was 92.68%. The mean time for serum β-HCG normalization was 23.18 ± 3.13 days. The average menstruation recovery time was 29.38 ± 3.34 days. Based on the blood loss during suction curettage, 41 patients were divided into a bleeding group and a control group. The size of the gestational sac in the bleeding group (3.80 ± 0.87 cm) was larger than that in the control group (3.39 ± 0.77 cm) (P < 0.05). The thickness of the myometrium between the bladder and gestational sac in the bleeding group (2.37 ± 0.89 mm) was less than that in the control group (2.75 ± 0.75 mm) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that HIFU combined with suction curettage could be considered an effective treatment for exogenous CSP of < 9 weeks. The size of the gestational sac and the thickness of the myometrium between the bladder and gestational sac might be high-risk factors for blood loss during this treatment.

Uterine Artery Embolization Combined with Subsequent Suction Evacuation as Low-Risk Treatment for Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

Objective: The aim of this study is to propose a standardized management of care for patients diagnosed with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). There are two types of CSP: Type 1 (on the scar) vs. type 2 (in the niche). To date there is no international standard to predict the extent of invasion or the optimal management of CSP. Materials and methods: We used intramuscular methotrexate injection followed by uterine artery embolization combined with suction evacuation as a conservative approach for the treatment of seven patients diagnosed with CSP. Our inclusion criteria, to be satisfied simultaneously, were established as follows: (1) patients with CSP; (2) early gestational age ≤ 9 weeks, and (3) written consent of the proposed treatment of the patient. Results: This course of treatment produced a positive outcome in all cases. We did not have any complications (e.g., emergency hysterectomy, perforation of the uterine cavity, severe hemorrhage, or endometritis) during the procedures or in the follow-up. The most important predictors of successful management are early diagnosis of CSP and orientation of the invasive trophoblast opposite to the scar. Conclusions: The main finding from this series of cases is that associating systemic methotrexate and uterine artery embolization provides efficient and low-risk management of CSP. This treatment regime is adequate for both types of CSPs. We consider that early localization diagnosis of pregnancy following a cesarean delivery is mandatory for CSP morbidity prevention.

Cesarean section scar pregnancy: Challenges in choosing treatment approach

Choosing a treatment approach of Cesarean section scar pregnancy is challenging and requires making women aware of material risks inherent in the different approaches that they perceive as having potential impact on their live or quality of life.

Type II caesarean scar pregnancy management by ultrasound-guided local lauromacrogol injection in combination with suction curettage: A case report

INTRODUCTION

The implantation of a gestational sac within the scar of a previous caesarean delivery is defined as caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), which is classified into two types: CSP I and CSP II. CSP II is life threatening, and no clear consensus for CSP II management exists.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 31-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, with a previous caesarean delivery due to macrosomia, presented with an estimated 45 days of amenorrhea. The patient presented to the emergency department with vaginal bleeding for 1 day and no abdominal pain.

DIAGNOSES

An ultrasound examination was performed demonstrating a viable fetus that was embedded in the caesarean scar area and was bulging through the wall of the uterus into the bladder without contact with the uterine cavity or cervical canal. A diagnosis of type II caesarean scar pregnancy was made.

INTERVENTIONS

Local lauromacrogol was used to reduce the gestational sac blood supply. Suction curettage was performed under the guidance of abdominal ultrasound 24 h later, and the amount of bleeding was 20 mL. The response to the treatment was monitored by serial beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG).

OUTCOMES

Patient was followed up with β-hCG weekly levels which became <10 mIU/mL after 4 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided local lauromacrogol injection combined with suction curettage may be a safer and novel therapeutic method.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE) versus Laparoscopic Cesarean Scar Pregnancy Debridement Surgery (LCSPDS) in Treatment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

Background

The present study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) vs. laparoscopic cesarean scar pregnancy debridement surgery (LCSPDS) in the treatment of patients with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

Material/Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 87 CSP patients from March 2012 to February 2017. For the included 87 cases, 51 were treated with UAE and 36 were treated with LCSPDS. The operation success rate, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, length of hospital stay, perioperative complications, and β-HCG level were compared.

Results

For the UAE group, 41 patients underwent successful surgeries (80.4% success rate), and 36 cases in the LCSPDS group were successfully treated, with no case of perioperative death. In the UAE group, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 82.23±45.21 min, 112.58±68.54 mL, and 12.56±3.03 days, respectively. In the LCSPDS group, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 85.45±30.02 min, 108.56±54.12 mL and 7.65±2.48 days, respectively. The length of hospital stay for the UAE group was significantly longer than in the LCSPDS group (P<0.05).

Conclusions

UAE and LCSPDS each have their own advantages and disadvantages in treating CSP. Thus, appropriate individualized surgical programs based on specific patient circumstances are needed to avoid indiscriminately performing complete uterine cavity curettage.

Age at natural menopause in women on long-term methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to compare the natural menopause ages of healthy women with those of women with methotrexate (MTX)-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to specifically assess the effect of disease onset and activity and the use of MTX on the age of the last menstruation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of medical records to identify the ages at which menopause occurred in women with premenopausal RA treated with MTX and in women with postmenopausal onset, irrespective of therapy. Natural menopause ages were also compared between participants with and without RA.

RESULTS

Women with premenopausal onset of RA underwent menopause at a significantly younger age than did healthy women (P < 0.001) or those with postmenopausal disease onset (P = 0.001). Menopause also occurred at younger ages in participants with postmenopausal disease onset than in healthy controls (P = 0.012). The study suggested that menopause age was positively correlated with the age at which RA was diagnosed (R = 0.51; P < 0.001) in women with premenopausal RA onset, but was independent of the participant's age at menarche, number of pregnancies, or MTX therapy. Participants with RA onset at ≤ 35 years of age had a ninefold higher risk of premature menopause (P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The age at which menopause occurs in a patient with RA depends on the patient's age at the time of disease onset and its duration, but is not influenced by MTX treatment.

Risk factors associated with failure of treatment for cesarean scar pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors associated with treatment failure among women with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP).

METHODS

In a retrospective study, the medical records of patients with CSP treated at National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, from 1994 to 2015 were reviewed. The women were managed primarily with hysterotomy, evacuation, or methotrexate. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the factors associated with treatment failure.

RESULTS

Among 90 patients, 44 underwent hysterotomy, 18 underwent evacuation, and 28 received methotrexate. The success rates were 100% (44/44) for hysterotomy, 83% (15/18) for evacuation, and 57% (16/28) for methotrexate (P<0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated that a pregnancy length of 8 weeks and a mean sac diameter (MSD) of 4 cm were both predictive of failure of treatment by primary evacuation and methotrexate. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, an MSD of 4 cm or more was the only independent risk factor for treatment failure (odds ratio 68.99, 95% confidence interval 6.27-759.60; P=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Primary hysterotomy was suitable for treatment of CSP of any size. Failure of primary evacuation or methotrexate usually occurred when the MSD was larger than 4 cm.