research article

Hysteroscopic Metroplasty for a Septate Uterus: A Tertiary Center, 10-Year Experience

Afaf Felemban1*, Asem Alfagih1, Musab Almatrafi1, Omer Felimban1, Shahad Zuhairy1, Jawaher alsahabi1, Hayat Alrabeeha1

1Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Reproductive and infertility medicine, King Abdulazia medical city, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding author: Afaf Felemban, Department of Obstetrics and gynecology, Reproductive and infertility medicine, King Abdulazia medical city, Saudi Arabia. Tel: +966555441287; Email:  FillimbanA@NGHA.MED.SA

Received Date: 14 January, 2019; Accepted Date: 05 February, 2019; Published Date: 12 February, 2019

Citation: Felemban A, Alfagih A, Almatrafi M, Felimban O, Zuhairy S, et al. (2019) Hysteroscopic Metroplasty for a Septate Uterus: A Tertiary Center, 10-Year Experience. Gynecol Obstet Open Acc: OBOA-134. DOI:10.29011/2577-2236/100034


1.       Introduction

Uterine septum is a common congenital anomaly of the female reproductive tract [1]. The reported population prevalence ranges from 0.4 to 5% in general for uterine abnormalities, and rates in women with recurrent miscarriage are significantly higher [2]. In a review of 22 studies with more than 573,000 women screened for these malformations, Nahum et al. reported the distribution of uterine anomalies as follows: bicornuate 3%, septate 34%, didelphic 11% arcuate 7%, unicornuate 5% and hypo/aplastic, 4%. These anomalies may be discovered during routine pelvic examinations, cesarean deliveries, laparoscopies for tubal sterilization, or infertility evaluations [2]. In general, congenital uterine anomalies have commonly affected women with recurrent miscarriage. Septate uterus is caused when a resorption defect leads to a persistent complete or partial longitudinal uterine cavity septum. This might result in multiple complications, such as diminished fertility as well as increased risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, preterm delivery, and malpresentation. The poorly vascularized uterine septum likely causes abnormal implantation or defective early embryo development and miscarriage.

Many studies have reviewed the effect of hysteroscopic metroplasty and shared their experience regarding the outcomes from a fertility point-of-view. Our objective in this study is to share our experience with patients with uterine septa and their fertility outcomes at the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Unit at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

2.       Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective study. We reviewed data from May 2005 to March 2015, in the IVF Unit at KAMC. More than 200 files were reviewed, and 127 cases were identified with uterine septa and continued their follow-up either in the IVF unit or the general obstetrics and gynecology clinic. A case report form was developed to collect all the relevant data from patient files. This form included around 20 questions, covering obstetrical history, current assessment of the patient, operative details, post-surgery outcomes and fertility outcomes. This study was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Simple descriptive statistics were used to define the characteristics of the study variables through a form of counts and percentages for the categorical and nominal variables while continuous variables were presented by mean and standard deviations. To establish a relationship between categorical variables, this study used the chi-square test. While comparing the two group means, an independent t-test was used. These tests were done with the assumption of normal distribution. Finally, a conventional p-value < 0.05 was the criteria to reject the null hypothesis (Table 1).

3.       Results

Table 1: demonstrates an overview of our patient demographic details; the youngest patient was 13 years old and the oldest was 45 years old. The mean parity in our data was 0.10, indicating low fertility outcomes for such patients. Approximately 7.1% of our patients had a mispresented fetus during their previous pregnancy, 7.9% had a premature delivery, and the remaining patients had not had a chance to follow-up on their pregnancy (Table 2). 

One year was the minimum duration of infertility and 16 years being the maximum (mean, 5.5 years). The usual practice for such patients referred to our IVF unit is to go for laboratory diagnostic tests and radiological studies to identify the cause of infertility. As shown in Table 2, 86% of patients had a uterine septum, followed by 2.4% with a uterine septum combined with tubal blockage. A low percentage of patients (0.8%) had just tubal blockage, followed by ovulatory disorder combined with uterine septum and hyperprolactinemia.

The usual imaging modalities practiced in the IVF unit for diagnosing such patients begins with ultrasound, both transabdominal and transvaginal. If unclear or showing an unexclusive finding, other modalities will be used. The most frequent and efficient modality is ultrasound, at (61.4%), and the least common were MRI (3.1%), interventional (3.1%), as well as ultrasound and MRI companied (3.1%). Interventional diagnostic modality indicates the use of an office hysteroscopy. This was used on only four patients that were at risk with other modalities (such as pelvic inflammatory disease [PID]), or that had unclear findings that required the use of an office hysteroscopy (Table 3).

Table 3 shows the intraoperative findings and all the relevant data. Operative times reached 180 minutes with a mean of 51 minutes. Estimated blood loss was minimal in most cases, reaching a maximum of 60 mL. Intraoperative findings were divided into two parts: complete septum and incomplete septum, in addition to separate category for the small septum with submucosal fibroid. Most our patients were found to have an incomplete septum (113n 89%) and the complete septum count for (11n 8.7%). The lowest type of uterine anomaly was with those patients who had a small septum and submucosal fibroid. For surgical management, 89% had only hysteroscopy, 10.2% had hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, and 0.8% (one case) had hysteroscopy, laparoscopy and laparotomy. This unique case was complicated by a uterine perforation that warranted multiple surgical procedures.

From an instrument point of view, operative hysteroscopy was the most frequent instrument used (88.2%) followed by a laparoscopy diet test and operative hysteroscopy (11%) when an intraoperative finding indicated the need for a laparoscopy entrance. A rectoscope was used only in one case. Uterine perforation was the only complication recorded (3.1%). Most of our patients tolerated the surgery and discharge with no complication in their stable condition (table 4).

Table 4 demonstrates the fertility outcomes of our patients. Fifty-two cases (40.9%) were able to conceive, while the rest could not. Follow-up was through the IVF Unit or General Obstetrics and Gynecology clinic in KAMC. A high percentage of the patients that did not conceive were not eligible for follow-up in KAMC or missed their appointment in the unit. Minimum duration after surgery to confirm the conception was 14 weeks and maximum 260 weeks with a mean of 85 weeks. Twenty-nine patients conceived spontaneously, and 23 patients needed assisted methods. As outcomes of these conceptions, 35 had a live-birth baby and 17 ended with first and second trimester miscarriages. Of those who conceived, 25 had a normal vaginal delivery without any complication and 10 patients delivered by cesarean section. Two patients required cervical cerclage. One case had abnormal placental implantation and had a straight forward cesarean section where the uterus was preserved (Table 5).

In correlation, 47 of our patients who conceived had a uterine anomaly as the primary reason for their referral to our IVF unit. Most had a small or complete septum. The mean age of the patients was 29 years. 

4.       Discussion

Resection of the septum may restore the normal function of the endometrium. Although current evidence is not strong enough to justify surgical intervention in patients with unexplained infertility, the reported pregnancy rates for patients in self-controlled studies are between 29% and 71%. Indication of hysteroscopic metroplasty in the unit was based either on multiple abortions or diagnostic modalities. Moreover, this resulted in good outcomes. Approximately 40.1% became pregnant while 39.3% had no follow-up with the unit. In correlated with others, Querleu et al. found that around 72% from the indicated group had successful early pregnancies [3]. However, in our study of the final outcomes post-surgery, 67.3% of those who got pregnant had a live birth and 32.7% had miscarriages. This shows an improvement on previous reports; Fedele et al. found that 39% had live birth rates and 67% had miscarriages [4]. 

Regarding the mode of delivery, all the patients who became pregnant were informed and counselled during their antenatal care visit about the possibility of normal vaginal delivery, except one patient, who had abnormal placental implantation. About 71.4% had a normal vaginal delivery while 28.6% had a cesarean section. This is higher than what has been reported by Yilmaz et al, where the cesarean section rate reached 58%, and 42% had a normal vaginal delivery [5]. Nevertheless, many patients in our study chose to have a cesarean section due to maternal request and the preciousness of the pregnancy after years of infertility.

Intraoperative blood loss was minimum and did not exceed 100 ml. In addition, most of our patients had the surgery in the One-Day Surgery Unit (ODSU) and were discharged on the same day in good health and with stable conditions.

The data obtained from our retrospective study show that hysteroscopic metroplasty can improve the reproductive performance of a septate uterus significantly and should be considered and recommended highly as a corrective approach for these patients.

5.       Weaknesses and strengths

A large percentage of our patients did not meet the criteria of eligibility in KAMC-MNGHA, it would have affected the study’s final results. We recommend an extension of their eligibility even after the surgery, to keep the follow-up.

This is the first study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reviewing hysteroscopic metroplasty with a large number of patients.

6.       Conclusion

In conclusion, hysteroscopic metroplasty significantly improves reproductive performance in patients with unexplained infertility and a septate uterus, although postoperative reproductive performance remains better in patients that were able to conceive previously. For these patients, the procedure should be highly considered as a corrective approach.


Demographics

N

Min

Max

Mean

SD

Patient Age

127

20

45

31.12

5.6

Gravida

127

0

8

0.69

1.3

Para

127

0

4

0.1

0.5

Abortion

127

0

8

0.59

1.2

Count

%

Total

127

100

Malpresentation

Yes

9

7.1

Not documented

3

2.4

Not applicable

115

90.6

Premature Delivery

Yes

10

7.9

Not documented

3

2.4

Not applicable

114

89.8

Preoperative Medication

Yes

51

40.2

No

73

57.5

Not documented

3

2.4

SD: Standard deviation

Table 1. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the sample.

Variables

N

Min

Max

Mean

SD

Duration of Infertility

126

1

16

5.42

3.6

Count

%

Total

127

100.0

Type of Infertility

Ovulatory disorder

5

3.9

Uterine septum

109

85.8

Tubal blockage

1

.8

Hyperprolactinemia

2

1.6

Ovulatory disorder and tubal blockage

2

1.6

Uterine septum and tubal blockage

3

2.4

Uterine septum and hyperprolactinemia

2

1.6

Ovulatory disorder, uterine septum and hyperprolactinemia

1

.8

Ovulatory disorder and uterine septum

2

1.6

Diagnostic Tools

Ultrasound

78

61.4

MRI

4

3.1

HSG

37

29.1

Interventional

4

3.1

Ultrasound and MRI

4

3.1

Abbreviations: HSG, hysterosalpingography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SD, standard deviation.

Table 2: Type of infertility.


Variables

N

Min

Max

Mean

SD

Operative Time

127

10

126

50.16

23.85

Estimated Blood loss

127

30

60

49.92

2.0

Count

%

Total

127

100.0

Type of Septum

Complete

11

8.7

Incomplete

113

89.0

Small and submucosal fibroid

3

2.4

Surgical Management

Hysteroscopy

113

89.0

Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy

13

10.2

Laparotomy, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy

1

0.8

Instrumental Used

Rectoscope

1

0.8

Operative hysteroscopy

112

88.2

Laparoscopy diet test and operative hysteroscopy

14

11.0

Complication

No complication

123

96.9

Uterine perforation

4

3.1

Table 3: types of septum and type of procedure.


Variables

N

Min

Max

Mean

SD

Time from Surgery to Conception

52

14

260

85.31

56.9

Count

%

Total

127

100.0

Conception

Yes

52

41.1

No

75

19.6

 

No follow-up

50

39.3

Type of Conception

Spontaneous

29

22.8

Assisted

23

18.1

Not applicable

75

59.1

Mode of Delivery

NVD

25

19.7

C/S

10

7.9

Not applicable

92

72.4

Outcomes of Conception

Live

35

67.3

Abortion

17

32.7

Not applicable

75

- - -

 

Yes

2

1.6

Cervical Cerclage Needed

No

50

39.4

 

Not applicable

75

59.1

 

Yes

1

.8

Abnormal Implantation of Placenta

No

51

40.2

 

Not applicable

75

59.1

Abbreviations: C/S, cesarean section; NVD, normal vaginal delivery.

Table 4: obstetric outcome.


Variables

Total

Outcomes of Conception

p-value

Live

Abortion

Patient Age

31.1 ± 5.6

28.83 ± 5.3

30.18 ± 5.02

0.384

Operative Time (minutes)

50.2 ±23.9

55.1 ± 25

46.8 ± 21.4

0.243

Type of Infertility

Uterine septum

47

30 (63.8%)

17 (36.2%)

 

 

 

 

0.748

Tubal blockage

1

1 (100.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Ovulatory disorder and tubal blockage

1

1 (100.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Uterine septum and tubal blockage

1

1 (100.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Uterine septum and hyperprolactinemia

1

1 (100.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Ovulatory disorder and uterine septum

1

1 (100.0%)

0 (0.0%)

Type of Septum

Complete

9

7 (77.8%)

2 (22.2%)

0.637

Incomplete

43

28 (65.11%)

15 (34.88%)

Instrument Used

Operative hysteroscope

45

28 (62.2%)

17 (37.8%)

0.047a

Laparoscopy diet test and operative hysteroscope

7

7 (100.0%)

0 (0.0%)

a Significant using the chi-square test at < 0.05 level.

Table 5: obstetric outcomes.

1.              Committee on Adolescent Health Care (2013) Committee opinion: no. 562: müllerian agenesis: diagnosis, management, and treatment. Obstet Gynecol 121: 1134-1137.

2.              Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, Spong CY, Dashe JS, et al. (2014) Williams Obstetrics.

3.              Querleu D, Brasme TL, Parmentier D (1990) Ultrasound-guided transcervical metroplasty. Fertility and Sterility 54: 995-998.

4.              Fedele L, Bianchi S (1995) Hysteroscopic metroplasty for septate uterus. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North 22: 473-489.

5.              Saygili-Yilmaz E, Yildiz S, Erman-Akar M, Akyuz G, Yilmaz Z (2002) Reproductive outcome of septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty. Arch Gynecol Obstet 268: 289-292.


© by the Authors & Gavin Publishers. This is an Open Access Journal Article Published Under Attribution-Share Alike CC BY-SA: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International License. With this license, readers can share, distribute, download, even commercially, as long as the original source is properly cited. Read More About Open Access Policy.

Obstetrics & Gynecology: Open Access

Update cookies preferences