Incidence and Clinical Implications of Placenta Accreta Spectrum after Treatment for Asherman Syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, predictors, and clinical implications of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in pregnancies after hysteroscopic treatment for Asherman syndrome (AS). DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study, conducted through a telephone survey and chart review. SETTING: Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery center in an academic community hospital. PATIENTS: Database of 355 patients hysteroscopically treated for AS over 4 years. We identified patients who achieved pregnancy past the first trimester and evaluated the incidence and predictors for PAS as well as associated clinical implications. INTERVENTIONS: Telephone survey. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified 97 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. Among these patients, 23 (23.7%) patients had PAS. History of cesarean delivery was the only variable statistically significantly associated with having PAS (adjusted odds ratio 4.03, 95% confidence interval 1.31-12.39). PAS was diagnosed antenatally in 3 patients (14.3%), with patients having placenta previa more likely to be diagnosed (p <.01). Nine patients (39.13%) with PAS required cesarean hysterectomy, which is 9.3% of those with a pregnancy that progressed past the first trimester. Factors associated with cesarean hysterectomy were the etiology of AS (dilation and evacuation after the second trimester pregnancy or postpartum instrumentation, p <.01), invasive placenta (increta or percreta, p <.05), and history of morbidly adherent placenta in previous pregnancies (p <.05). Two patients with PAS (9.5%) had uterine rupture, and another 2 (9.5%) experienced uterine inversion. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of PAS and associated morbidity in pregnancies after hysteroscopic treatment for AS. There is a low rate of antenatal diagnosis as well as a lack of reliable clinical predictors, which both stress the importance of clinical awareness, careful counseling, and delivery planning.

Uterine adhesion: Is luteal phase prior to follicular phase in uterine adhesiolysis?

ABSTRACT: To compare the patients' outcomes of Asherman syndrome who underwent uterine adhesiolysis in luteal phase or follicular phase.A retrospective cohort study.A tertiary hospital in China.Four hundred sixty-four women suffered intrauterine adhesion who underwent monopolar adhesiolysis from March 2014 to March 2017 were analyzed. One hundred seventy-eight patients underwent operations in follicular phase (OFP) and 286 underwent operations in luteal phase (OLP).Hormone therapy was accompanied with an intrauterine device and a second-look hysteroscopy was performed postoperatively.Endometrial thickness in women was analyzed by a transvaginal 3-dimensional ultrasound examination. Re-adhesion was confirmed by a second-look hysteroscopy 3 months after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. Pregnancy rate was acquired by questionnaires 3 months after a second-look hysteroscopy.OLP has advantages with thicker luteal endometrium (P = .001), higher pregnancy rates (P < .001), and lower re-adhesion rates (P = 0015) compared to these values of OFP.For Asherman syndrome, our study showed that OLP is more feasible than OFP in intrauterine adhesiolysis.

Identifying the risk factors and incidence of Asherman Syndrome in women with post-abortion uterine curettage.

AIM: To evaluate the risk factors and incidence of Asherman Syndrome in women with post-abortion uterine evacuation and curettage. METHODS: A total of 2546 patients who had surgical abortion (uterine evacuation and curettage) before the 20th gestational week with indications of missed abortion, anembryonic pregnancy, incomplete abortion, and elective curettage in a tertiary antenatal care center were recruited. The patients were called and surveyed for their symptoms; including infertility, oligo-amenorrhea and recurrent pregnancy loss, preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation and abnormal placentation as criteria of Asherman Syndrome. Diagnostic (office) hysteroscopy was performed for 177 who had one of those complaints. RESULTS: The incidence of Asherman Syndrome was 1.6% (n = 43/2546). History of ≥3 abortions was the main factor that increased the risk of Asherman Syndrome for by 4.6 times. Use of vacuum aspiration or sharp curettage, premedication for cervical priming, and having a pregnancy >10th gestational weeks were not risk factors for Asherman Syndrome. CONCLUSION: When the diagnosis was based on presence of symptoms who underwent uterine instrumentation, the incidence of Asherman Syndrome was found to be 1.6%. Repeated abortions were the main risk factor for Asherman Syndrome and avoiding from repeated uterine instrumentations may have a role in prevention.

Effects of Asherman Syndrome on Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity with Evaluation by Conception Method.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Create a comprehensive summary of maternal and neonatal morbidities from patients previously treated for Asherman syndrome and evaluate for differences in perinatal outcomes based on conception method. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Community teaching hospital affiliated with a large academic medical center. PATIENTS: Total of 43 singleton births identified from 40 patients previously treated at our institution for Asherman syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: Review of fertility and obstetric data to summarize the maternal and neonatal outcomes in singleton births from patients with Asherman syndrome who had been treated with hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Primary outcomes of maternal morbidity (i.e., hypertensive disease, gestational diabetes, ruptured membranes, postpartum hemorrhage, morbidly adherent placenta [MAP]) and secondary outcomes of neonatal morbidity (i.e., gestational age at birth, method of delivery, weight, length, 1- and 5-minute Apgar score oxygen requirement, anatomic malformations, length of neonatal admission) were evaluated. We identified 40 patients who completed successful treatment of Asherman syndrome and went on to carry a singleton gestation within our institution: 20 (50%) with mild disease, 18 (45%) with moderate disease, and 2 (5%) with severe disease under the March classification system. In total, 43 singleton births were examined, with 27 of 43 (62.8%) conceived without in vitro fertilization (IVF) (group A: non-IVF conception) and 16 of 43 (37.2%) conceived through IVF (group B: IVF conception). The overall rate of preterm birth in Asherman pregnancies was 11.6%, with no difference between the 2 conception groups. We documented 9.3% cases with intrauterine growth restriction, with no difference based on conception groups. The rate of MAP in patients with Asherman syndrome was 14.0%, and the rate of postpartum hemorrhage was 32.6%, with no differences between the conception groups. Newborn anatomic malformations of any cause were documented in 18.6% of all singleton births, with no difference between the conception groups. CONCLUSION: Our series indicates a higher incidence of intrauterine growth restriction, MAP, postpartum hemorrhage, and newborn anatomic malformations in Asherman syndrome pregnancies than that reported in pregnancies within the general population. However, we found no significant differences in the maternal and neonatal outcomes of patients with Asherman syndrome who conceived with or without IVF after being treated with hysteroscopic adhesiolysis.

Concomitant Adenomyosis among Patients with Asherman Syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To characterize obstetric outcomes for concomitant Asherman syndrome and adenomyosis. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A community teaching hospital affiliated with a large academic medical center. PATIENTS: A total of 227 patients with Asherman syndrome with available hysteroscopy and pelvic ultrasound reports. INTERVENTIONS: Telephone survey to assess and compare the obstetric outcomes of patients with Asherman syndrome with concomitant adenomyosis (Group A) vs patients with Asherman syndrome without concomitant adenomyosis (Group B). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A telephone survey and confirmatory chart review were conducted to obtain information on patients' demographics, gynecologic and obstetric history, past medical and surgical history, and Asherman syndrome management. Adenomyosis was a common sonographic finding, detected in 39 patients with Asherman syndrome (17.2%). In this cohort, 77 patients attempted pregnancy and produced 87 pregnancies. Age (odds ratio [OR] 0.67; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.52-0.86) was negatively associated with a pregnancy outcome. Age (OR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.95) and severe Asherman disease (OR 0.06; 95% CI, <0.01-0.99) were negatively associated with a live birth outcome. Adenomyosis was not an independent predictor of pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, or live birth rate among patients with Asherman syndrome. CONCLUSION: Adenomyosis is relatively common in patients with Asherman syndrome. Adenomyosis does not seem to add any distinct detriment to fertility among patients with Asherman syndrome.

Conservatively treated endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia/cancer: Risk of intrauterine synechiae.

INTRODUCTION: To determine whether progestin type or number of dilation and curettage procedures (D&Cs) were associated with intrauterine synechiae (IS) or pregnancy outcomes in patients conservatively treated for endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) or endometrial cancer (EC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated patients conservatively treated for EIN or EC from 2000 to 2017 at an academic center. IS were identified hysteroscopically. We calculated proportions for categorical variables and tested associations between D&C number, progestin, and pregnancy outcomes using Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. A post-hoc power analysis indicated sufficient power to detect livebirth. RESULTS: We analyzed 54 patients, 15 with EIN (28 %) and 39 with EC (72 %), with a mean age of 34 ± 1.2 years. Progestin treatment types included megestrol acetate (MA) (n = 24), MA with levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LngIUD) (n = 10), MA followed by LngIUD (n = 3), and LngIUD alone (n = 6). Mean number of D&Cs was 3.9 ± 0.9. Overall, 53 subjects underwent hysteroscopy; 10 (19 %) had IS. When D&Cs were grouped into 0-2, 3-4 and ≥5, each increase in D&C group had a 2.9 higher odds of IS (OR: 2.91, p = 0.04, CI: 1.05-10.02). LngIUD was associated with a nonsignificant 46 % decrease in the odds of IS (OR: 0.54, p = 0.66, CI: 0.08-2.87). Twenty-two women attempted pregnancy; 14 women achieved a total of 20 pregnancies and 9 women had total of 15 livebirths (41 % livebirth rate). The number of D&Cs and progestin treatment type were not associated with pregnancy outcomes. DISCUSSION: Among 54 patients conservatively treated for EC/EIN, nearly 20 % developed IS. However, hysteroscopic and/or fertility treatments may improve pregnancy outcomes.

Genital tuberculosis screening at an academic fertility center in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a common presentation of female genital tuberculosis in endemic areas. Female genital tuberculosis-related maternal and neonatal complications have increased in recent years after assisted reproductive technology treatments. Despite rising emigration rates to the United States, guidelines to identify those with latent tuberculosis or female genital tuberculosis in fertility centers do not exist. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of female genital tuberculosis in infertile patients at our academic fertility center. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study. All patients presenting for infertility evaluation between January 2014 and January 2017 were assessed for risk factors for latent tuberculosis. Patients at risk for latent tuberculosis underwent screening using QuantiFERON-TB Gold serum assay. QuantiFERON-TB Gold-positive patients underwent further testing for female genital tuberculosis consisting of endometrial biopsy with histopathologic examination by a clinical pathologist, polymerase chain reaction for tuberculosis, and culture for acid-fast Mycobacterium tuberculosis. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 323 infertility patients (7.7%) screened for latent tuberculosis had positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold results. A greater number of patients with a positive test result for QuantiFERON-TB Gold were foreign born than those with a negative test result for QuantiFERON-TB Gold (92% vs 29%; P<.001). Of note, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold-positive population had a higher incidence of both recurrent pregnancy loss (28% vs 7%; P=.003) and Asherman syndrome (8% vs 0.3%; P<.001). Among those with a positive test result for QuantiFERON-TB Gold, chest x-ray was abnormal in only 2 patients (8.0%). Endometrium evaluation revealed abnormalities in 2 patients (8.0%), in whom chest x-ray was normal, with 1 showing evidence of female genital tuberculosis. This was indicated by histology consistent with chronic granulomatous endometritis and positive endometrial testing for tuberculosis by polymerase chain reaction, acid-fast bacilli smear, and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of female genital tuberculosis in infertile women in the United States seems to be low, this study indicates that it can be underdiagnosed without utilization of multiple diagnostic modalities including endometrial sampling. Given the potential for serious maternal and neonatal morbidity in affected patients utilizing assisted reproductive technology, we propose that all at-risk women seeking infertility care in the United States be screened for latent tuberculosis. In patients who screen positive, endometrial biopsy should be obtained for evaluation by histology, polymerase chain reaction, and culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis to rule out female genital tuberculosis before infertility treatments are initiated.

Asherman syndrome: Audit of a single-operator cohort of 423 cases.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of Asherman syndrome, or 'intra-uterine adhesions' is often overlooked when the symptoms of amenorrhea and hematometra are missing. AIMS: This audit reviews the clinical data of a large cohort of patients treated by a single operator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1998 till the end of December 2017, 423 patients with intra-uterine adhesions were treated by a single operator. Clinical information was obtained by review of the medical files and phone interviews. RESULTS: Amenorrhea was recorded in 163/423 patients (38.5%), 225/423 (53.2%) patients did not have amenorrhea and for 35/423 (8.3%) patients the information was missing. A hematometra was documented in 19/423 (4.5%) patients. Pregnancy was achieved in 215/246 (87.4%). Patients with stage II disease did best with a pregnancy rate of 94.5% (P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: Asherman syndrome should be considered in any woman with a history of miscarriage or postpartum curettage who then fails to conceive again.

A Network Meta-Analysis of Efficacy of Different Interventions in the Prevention of Postoperative Intrauterine Adhesions.

This network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy of six interventions, including anti-blocking agents, intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs), estrogens, intrauterine balloon, Foley catheter, and amnion graft for the prevention of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2016. Cohort studies meeting these six interventions in the prevention of IUAs were included. The combination of direct and indirect evidence was conducted to assess the odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean differences and surface under the cumulative ranking curves of the six interventions in the prevention of postoperative IUAs. Finally, 12 eligible cohort studies were included in this network meta-analysis. The results of this network meta-analysis demonstrated that during 1 to 2 months after operation, compared with the surgical group, anti-blocking agent, and estrogens presented with relatively low ratios of postoperative IUAs (OR = 0.30 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10-0.67; OR = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.01-0.78, respectively). Compared with IUDs, estrogens exerted comparatively low ratio of postoperative IUAs (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01-0.90), which indicated that anti-blocking agent and estrogens had relatively better prevention efficacy. The cluster analysis showed that estrogens had relatively better efficacy in the prevention postoperative IUAs. Overall, our findings support that estrogens had relatively better efficacy in the prevention of postoperative IUAs.

The birth weight in pregnant women with Asherman syndrome compared to normal intrauterine cavity: A case-control study.

Women with Asherman syndrome (AS) have damaged endometrium and reduced blood flow to the uterus and placenta which may lead to low birth weight and several obstetric complications.The objective is to determine the association between low birth weight and obstetrical complications in women with AS compared to women with normal intrauterine cavity.A retrospective case-control study was conducted in Women's Specialized Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, from December 2008 to December 2015. Pregnant women with AS undergoing hysteroscopic adhesiolysis who presented to our clinic were matched for age, parity, body mass index, methods of conception, and gestational age to pregnant women without AS based on a 1:3 ratio. The main outcome measure included birth weight and obstetrical complications.The study included 56 women with 14 cases and 42 controls. Pregnant women with AS had significantly lower birth weight (2.23 ±â€Š0.28 kg) compared with pregnant women without AS (3.13 ±â€Š0.383 kg) (P < .001 odds ratio [OR] 0.029, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.006-0.148, P = .001). Complications of delivery including retained placenta, placenta previa, and fetal death were significantly higher in patients with AS compared with controls 28.6% 7.1%, and 7.1% compared to 4.8%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. This was statistically significant (P < .001).Pregnant women with AS delivered low birth weight newborns and had more obstetrical complications as compared with pregnant women with normal cavity.

The association between menstrual cycle pattern and hysteroscopic march classification with endometrial thickness among infertile women with Asherman syndrome.

Women with Asherman syndrome (AS) have intrauterine adhesions obliterating the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopic March classification describes the adhesions which graded in terms of severity. This study has been designed to assess the prevalence and association between of clinical presentations, potential causes, and hysteroscopic March classification of AS among infertile women with endometrial thickness.A retrospective descriptive study was carried out that included 41 women diagnosed with AS. All of the patients underwent evaluation and detailed history. All cases classified according to March classification of AS were recorded. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on measurement of endometrial thickness. Group A consisted of 26 patients with endometrial thickness ≤5 mm, and group B included 15 patients with endometrial thickness >5 mm.The prevalence of AS was 4.6%. Hypomenorrhea was identified in about 46.3%, and secondary infertility 70.7%. History of induced abortion, curettage, and postpartum hemorrhage were reported among 56.1%, 51.2%, and 31.7%, respectively. AS cases were classified as minimal in 34.1%, moderate 41.5%, and severe among 24.4% as per March classification. Amenorrhea was reported by 23.1% of women in group A, compared to 0% in group B (P = .002). Ten of 26 patients (38.5%) from group A had a severe form of March classification, compared with 0 of 15 patients (0%) in group B. This was statistically significant (P < .001).The thin endometrium associated with amenorrhea and severe form of March classification among patients with AS.

A multidisciplinary approach to pregnancy loss: the pregnancy loss prevention center.

Background Pregnancy loss is probably the most common problem faced by women worldwide. There are differences in the rates of early and late pregnancy loss based on geography among the developing compared with the developed nations of the world. Most physicians worldwide have different criteria for treating pregnancy loss. Although pregnancy loss is not a disease, it might be best approached with a medical evaluation in order to define the cause and offer specific treatment. Methods This report describes the results obtained by a multi-disciplinary pregnancy loss prevention center in the initial 104 patients. Results The most common diagnoses were Asherman syndrome (intrauterine adhesions), cervical insufficiency and uterine fibroids, accounting for 47% of the patients. When the diagnosis was not obtained, which occurred in 19% of the patients, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was the treatment provided. Specifically diagnosed and treated patients achieved a 91% success rate. The 19 patients without a specific diagnosis who were treated with IVF had a 60% success rate. Thus patients for whom it was possible to specifically diagnose and treat had better results (P<0.01 t-test). There was an overall success rate of 87% including patients lost to follow-up with this multidisciplinary medical approach. Conclusion A pregnancy loss prevention center using the described multidisciplinary model can accomplish success rates of 85-90%. Preventing recurrent pregnancy loss we suggest can best be achieved by a dedicated center with a multidisciplinary medical approach.

Reproductive Outcomes in Patients With Intrauterine Adhesions Following Hysteroscopic Adhesiolysis: Experience From the Largest Women's Hospital in China.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reproductive outcome of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis and assess the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in infertile women resulting from intrauterine adhesions (IUAs). DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Three hundred and fifty-seven patients with mild, moderate, and severe IUAs who underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis between January 2012 and December 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in the outpatient analgesic setting for infertility and IUAs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 357 patients (135 with mild IUAs, 116 with moderate IUAs, and 106 with severe IUAs) who underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, 334 (93.6%) experienced a completely restored uterine cavity. The reproductive outcomes of 332 women (93%) were followed for an average duration of 27 ± 9 months, and the overall conception rate after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was 48.2%, which decreased with increased IUA severity (mild, 60.7%; moderate, 53.4%; severe, 25%). The mean time to conception following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was 9.7 ± 3.7 months. The miscarriage rate was 9.4%, and the live birth rate was no lower than 85.6%. Eleven patients (7.9%) had postpartum hemorrhage, including 6 (4.3%) due to adherent placenta and 3 (2.1%) due to placenta accreta. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is a feasible and effective way to improve fertility in patients with Asherman's syndrome.

Ultrasound guidance during hysteroscopic myomectomy in G1 and G2 Submucous Myomas: for a safer one step surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the gold standard method for treatment of submucous fibroids. Hysteroscopic myomectomy techniques for removal of submucous fibroids still have controversies. In this study we aimed to describe usefulness of ultrasound guidance in hysteroscopic myomectomy for a safe and effective removal of submucous G1 and G2 fibroids. STUDY DESIGN: This is a multicentre study. 64 symptomatic patients with submucous fibroid underwent ultrasound guided hysteroscopic myomectomy. First we excised intrauterine dome of fibroid until reaching the level of cavity wall by the method of resectoscopic (electrosurgical resection using a loop electrode) slicing. Next remnant intramural node was squeezed by uterine contractions induced. After we had excised the intrauterine dome of fibroid by slicing method, we formed cavitation for the intramural part (newly raised myoma dome). The cavity was filled with distension solution and we evaluated the margins of the uterus and the margins of the myoma by sonographically. Then the myoma was excised under ultrasonographic guidance by transabdominal probe. We obtained a regular uterine cavity. RESULTS: Mean operation time was 42±7min. Mean Mannitol volume was 4.3±1.7l and the mean intraoperational fluid deficit was 500ml. Not in any case uterine perforation was occurred. All fibroids removed totally. In 8 (19%) cases intrauterine synechiae detected and all these synechiaes were incised by a scissor during hysteroscopy. CONCLUSION: There is still no single technique proven to be unequivocally superior to the others for treating fibroids with intramural development (G1-G2). Ultrasound guided hysteroscopy seems to be an effective and safe method for resection of G1 and G2 fibroids.

Results of centralized Asherman surgery, 2003-2013.

OBJECTIVE: To study the success rate of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis and the spontaneous recurrence rate of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) in patients with Asherman syndrome. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University-affiliated hospitals. PATIENT(S): A total of 638 women with Asherman syndrome were included, all diagnosed using hysteroscopy, and operated on between 2003 and 2013. INTERVENTION(S): Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis was classified as successful if a normalization of menstrual blood flow occurred, along with a restored, healthy, cavity anatomy, free of adhesions, with hysteroscopic visualization of ≥ 1 tubal ostium. Recurrences of adhesions were diagnosed using hysteroscopy after an initial successful procedure. RESULT(S): A first-trimester procedure preceded Asherman syndrome in 371 women (58.2%) and caused adhesions of grades 1-2A. In 243 (38.1%) women, a postpartum procedure caused IUAs of grades 3-5. The procedure was successful in 606 women (95%), and restoration of menstrual blood flow occurred in 97.8%; IUAs spontaneously recurred in 174 (27.3%) of these cases. High grades of adhesions were predictive of a higher chance of spontaneous recurrence of adhesions. CONCLUSION(S): In 95% of women with Asherman syndrome, a healthy uterine cavity was restored with hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, in 1-3 attempts, with a 28.7% recurrence rate of spontaneous IUAs.

[Intrauterine synechiae after use of monopolar resectoscope]. / Sinequias intrauterinas postaplicación de un resectoscopio con energía eléctrica monopolar.

BACKGROUND: Uterine synechiae are defined as abnormal adhesions and fibrosis within the uterine cavity due to direct trauma or injury to the basal membrane of the endometrium. OBJECTIVE: To identify, by routine hysteroscopy, how many patients who were treated because of intrauterine pathology developed uterine synechiae within the first six months after treatment with monopolar resectoscope. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, open, observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study was performed at Hysteroscopy Unit, Gynecology Service of General Hospital Manuel Gea Gonzalez, Mexico City. From January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011, we took, from the record books of the operating rooms, the file number of those patients who were treated with monopolar resectoscopy, and subsequently underwent routine hysteroscopy within the first six months. RESULTS: 69 records were included in the study. The main diagnoses were: endometrial polyp in 48% (n=33), submucosal myoma in 45% (n=3 1); 48% (n=33) polypectomy and 45% (n=31) myomectomy. Within the first six months after the main procedure, patients underwent a routine hysteroscopy, which revealed the development of intrauterine synechiae in 5.8% (n=4) of the patients. Of the patients who underwent myomectomy, 5.8% (n=4) developed uterine synechiae; while those patients who underwent polypectomy, synechiaes were not found. Minimal synechiaes were found in 4.3% (n=3) of patients, moderate synechiaes were found in 1.4% (n=1) of patients, and severe synechiaes were found in none patient. CONCLUSION: Uterine synechiaes were found in 5.8% of patients with intrauterine pathology and treated with monopolar resectoscopy. Minimal to moderate synechia occur more commonly after myomectomy.

[Risk of uterine synechiae following uterine compression sutures during postpartum haemorrhage]. / Risque de synéchie utérine après capitonnage utérin pour hémorragie du post-partum.

OBJECTIVES: Uterine compression sutures are highly successful conservative surgical techniques used to treat severe postpartum haemorrhage. These methods can induce subsequent uterine synechiae. To determine this risk of synechiae after conservative uterine compression sutures, which may induce further fertility problems. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical and pathological records of the patients who underwent uterine compression sutures for severe postpartum haemorrhage between January 2003 and March 2013 in a French University Hospital. The Cho's, the B-Lynch's and the Hayman's techniques have been used. The results of the hysteroscopies were detailed. RESULTS: Among the 25 patients included, the B-Lynch or the Hayman's techniques have been used in 13 cases (52%). The Cho's technique has been performed alone for 5 patients (20%) and both techniques have been practiced in 7 situations (28%). In 17 cases (68%), some vascular sutures have been associated and, for 7 patients (28%), a vascular embolisation had been performed before the uterine compressive sutures. Only 19 patients underwent a diagnostic hysteroscopy and among them 13 had a normal uterine cavity (68%), 3 of them had uterine synechiae (16%) and 3 had placental retention (16%). Synechiae and retention have all been successfully removed by operative hysteroscopy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The compressive techniques can induce uterine synechiae, which may impair subsequent fertility.

Asherman syndrome in a Danish population.

Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome) are rare and mainly seen after delivery or abortion in the presence of retained placental tissue. This descriptive study aimed to identify common risk factors for intrauterine adhesions. In a 10-year period 61 women were identified with intrauterine adhesions. The pathology was suspected from symptoms, ultrasonography or on hysterosalpingography, but a final diagnosis could only be given after hysteroscopy. There was no definite evidence regarding methods for prevention and treatment of the disorder. It seems, however, that a conservative approach to curettage, hysteroscopic removal of retained tissue, and the use of distending media are important, together with gentle tissue handling when such procedures are required.

Curettage and Asherman's syndrome-lessons to (re-) learn?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the noted cluster of cases of Asherman's syndrome in an 18-month period at an Early Pregnancy Assessment Centre at a tertiary care institution. METHODS: A practice audit was performed involving (a) a detailed chart review of the six index cases; and (b) compilation of treatment choices for all new patient referrals in the same 18-month time frame from July 2011 to December 2012. Diagnosis of Asherman's syndrome was made with a combination of clinical menstrual symptoms and hysteroscopic diagnosis of intrauterine adhesions. RESULTS: Of 1580 new patient referrals, 884 chose one of four forms of active management for early pregnancy failure. Six women (6/844, 0.7%) were subsequently found to have Asherman's syndrome. All six women (100%) underwent sharp curettage, and three (50%) had repeat curettage performed. No cases of Asherman's were reported following manual vacuum aspiration (0/191) or medical management with misoprostol (0/210). CONCLUSION: Asherman's syndrome remains a risk for those undergoing dilatation and curettage for management of spontaneous abortion and should be an important component of the informed consent for this procedure. Both sharp and repeated curettage remain important risk factors and should be employed judiciously. The evaluation of the common risk factors associated with these cases could target changes in practice.

Objectif : Se pencher sur le groupe de cas de syndrome d'Asherman qui ont été constatés sur une période de 18 mois au sein du centre d'évaluation de la grossesse précoce d'un établissement de soins tertiaires. Méthodes : Nous avons mené un audit de pratique mettant en jeu (a) une analyse détaillée des dossiers des six cas probants et (b) une compilation des choix de traitement pour toutes les nouvelles patientes de ce centre au cours de la même période de 18 mois (de juillet 2011 à décembre 2012). Un diagnostic de syndrome d'Asherman a été porté en fonction d'une combinaison de symptômes menstruels cliniques et d'un diagnostic hystéroscopique d'adhérences intra-utérines. Résultats : Chez les 1 580 nouvelles patientes de ce centre, 884 ont choisi l'une des quatre formes de prise en charge active de l'échec précoce de la grossesse. On a par la suite constaté la présence du syndrome d'Asherman chez six femmes (6/844, 0,7 %). Ces six femmes (100 %) ont subi une dilatation-curetage; trois d'entre elles (50 %) ont dû subir un deuxième curetage. Aucun cas de syndrome d'Asherman n'a été signalé à la suite d'une aspiration manuelle (0/191) ou d'une prise en charge médicale au moyen de misoprostol (0/210). Conclusion : Le syndrome d'Asherman demeure un risque pour les femmes qui subissent une dilatation-curetage aux fins de la prise en charge d'un avortement spontané et devrait constituer une composante importante du processus de consentement éclairé en ce qui concerne cette intervention. La tenue d'une dilatation-curetage et d'un deuxième curetage demeurent d'importants facteurs de risque; ces interventions devraient donc être utilisées de façon judicieuse. L'évaluation des facteurs de risque courants associés à ces cas pourrait permettre de cibler des changements en matière de pratique.