Repair of a chronic myometrial defect with successful pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To surgically demonstrate preconceptional laparoscopic repair of a chronic myometrial defect with mesh reinforcement, resulting in a successful pregnancy outcome. DESIGN: Video case report. The Institutional Ethical Committee was consulted, and the requirement for approval was waived because the video describes a modified surgical technique. The patient included in this video gave consent for publication of the video and posting of the video online, including on social media, the journal website, scientific literature websites (such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and others), and other applicable sites. SETTING: A referral advanced gynecological endoscopy center. PATIENT: A 27-year-old woman (P0A1) was diagnosed with myomas during pregnancy, resulting in miscarriage at 22 weeks. Laparotomy and myomectomy were performed 2 months later, and three 8-cm myomas were removed. The endometrial cavity opened posteriorly during surgery, and retained products of conceptions were removed. Periconceptional imaging done after two years showed few intramural myomas and a deficient myometrium in the posterior fundal region. Laparoscopy revealed a defect in the posterior fundal aspect of the uterus with leakage of dye, which was converted to laparotomy and myomectomy with the repair of the myometrial defect. After 1 year, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed thinned-out posterior myometrium with a focal area of absent myometrium in the midline and endometrial prolapse. The patient was advised on surrogacy, but she wanted to repair the defect again and try for pregnancy, so she was referred to our center. With the background of a few case reports using mesh to reinforce myometrial repair (1, 2), we counseled the patient about the myometrial repair with the additional use of mesh as an off-label use. INTERVENTION: The risk of uterine rupture after myomectomy is rare (<1%) (3), but it is a severe complication. High-risk cases, like significant myometrial defects or previous ruptures, may require surgical correction. Native repair may not achieve optimal results in all cases. Alternative approaches, like the additional use of mesh or biological materials, have been reported (4). In this case, we demonstrate the use of dual mesh for scar repair. Synthetic mesh over the uterus is used in laparoscopic procedures like sacrohysteropexy and cerclage. We used Parietex (Covidien, New Haven, CT, USA) mesh, a composite macroporous polyester mesh usually used for ventral hernia repair. It has an outer hydrophilic, absorbable collagen barrier that reduces adhesion formation. Laparoscopically, after adhesiolysis, a significant defect was demonstrated on the posterior wall of the uterus (Fig. 1). A complete resection of the fibrotic tissue along the edges of the scar defect was done to expose healthy myometrium. Myometrium was repaired in two layers, excluding the endometrium, with a V-Loc (Covidien, Dublin, Ireland) No. 1-0 suture. Parietex mesh was sutured over the repaired posterior myometrium to reinforce it (Fig. 2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The postoperative myometrial thickness on imaging and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: Postoperative ultrasound scan after 6 weeks demonstrated restoration of posterior wall myometrial thickness of 14 mm. The patient was conceived through in vitro fertilization techniques 4 months after surgery. Antenatal follow-up was uneventful except for suspicion of posterior placenta accreta. She underwent an elective cesarean section with uterine artery embolization at 34 weeks and delivered a healthy infant weighing 1,950 g. Placental removal was uneventful. On inspection, the posterior surface of the uterus was intact without dehiscence, meshing in situ with minimal adhesions (Fig. 3). CONCLUSION: Myometrial scar defects can cause potential obstetric complications. Native repair of scar defects may not achieve optimal results, as in our case. Mesh repair of myomectomy scar defects can be used as an alternative approach, as exemplified in this case. However, further studies are required to establish the safety and efficacy of this approach.

Vaginoscopic Management of OHVIRA (Obstructive Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the vaginoscopic management of longitudinal vaginal septum in the case of obstructive hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) syndrome. DESIGN: Surgical video describing step-by-step management. SETTING: OHVIRA syndrome also known as Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome is a triad of obstructed hemivagina, uterus didelphys, and ipsilateral renal anomaly [1] (Supplimentary Video 1). Patients usually present after menarche with progressive dysmenorrhea, lower abdominal pain, a paravaginal mass, foul mucopurulent discharge, and intermenstrual bleeding due to hemi hematocolpos [2]. Magnetic resonance imaging is the choice of investigation [3]. Surgical resection of the septum is the choice of treatment, which can be done vaginoscopically to reduce postoperative pain and promote enhanced recovery [4]. In this video, we will demonstrate a case of a 28-years old, nulliparous woman diagnosed with uterine didelphys having lower abdominal pain and persistent vaginal discharge. INTERVENTIONS: The video demonstrates the technique of vaginoscopic excision of the right hemi-vaginal septum that resulted in complete visualization of both cervices. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed uterine didelphys. The left cervix was visualized and the hysteroscope was negotiated into the cervical canal (Supplimentary Video 2). The left cavity was normal with left ostia. Intraoperative transrectal-ultrasound was done to localize the cystic collection in the right hemivagina. Needle aspiration of cystic collection was done over the bulging portion of the right hemivagina and mucoid material was aspirated. Longitudinal obstructive vaginal septum was incised using a collins knife and mucoid secretions were drained (Supplimentary Video 3). Hysteroscope inserted into opened right hemivagina, negotiated through the right cervix and right hemiuterus with right ostia was visualized. The residual septum was resected with a loop electrode and hemostasis was ensured. Cystoscopy done, left ureteric orifice with urine reflux visualized. Vaginal examination showed both cervices with near normal reconstructed vagina. CONCLUSION: The possibility of OHVIRA syndrome should be considered in all cases of uterine didelphys. Vaginoscopic management is a safe and effective method with a minimally invasive approach.