Laparoscopic Removal of a Retroperitoneal Hysteroscopic Microinsert Using Fluoroscopy.

Perforation during placement of hysteroscopic microinserts for permanent sterilization occurs in approximately .9% to 2.6% of women undergoing the procedure. Most of the time perforation results in intraperitoneal placement of the hysteroscopic microinsert requiring laparoscopy or laparotomy for removal of the device. Herein we present a case of hysteroscopic microinsert perforation with subsequent retroperitoneal identification of the device. This is the first such case to our knowledge of retroperitoneal identification and retrieval of a perforated device that required real-time fluoroscopy during laparoscopy.

Rectal perforation in a 42-year-old woman due to Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a case report.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is caused by deposition of IgA-containing immune complexes within the blood vessels. HSP mostly occurs in children and is less common in adults. In addition to palpable purpura, arthritis or arthralgia, renal disease and abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms occur in 50% of children. These can be caused by gastrointestinal hemorrhage, bowel ischemia and necrosis, intussusception, and bowel perforation. In adults, intussusception is less frequent than in children. We report a 42-year-old woman referred to our hospital with acute abdominal pain. After laboratory and radiologic examinations, laparatomy was performed which revealed rectal perforation due to HSP. HSP is a multisystem disorder. Abdominal pain in patients with HSP may herald a serious gastrointestinal problem also in adult patients.

Uterine arteriovenous fistula after perforation during the placement of an intrauterine device - Minimally invasive treatment using uterine artery embolization.

Uterine arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition. Acquired fistulae may occur as a result of trauma or instrumentation, endometrial carcinoma, gestational trophoblastic disease, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Herein the authors present the case of a 33-year-old woman with a uterine AVF developing after uterine perforation during the placement of a levonorgestrel IUD. The fistula was diagnosed using color Doppler ultrasonography and angiography and the treatment was conducted by minimally invasive approach using uterine artery embolization.

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.

IUD String Perforation Through Anterior Cervix: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine devices are increasingly the preferred method of contraception chosen by Canadian women. IUD strings are commonly not visible at follow-up, but rarely are visible yet not located within the endocervical canal. We report a case of IUD strings perforating the ectocervix. CASE: An asymptomatic, 26-year-old woman presented for removal of her levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system, over a year following insertion of the device. Upon examination the IUD strings were found to be emerging from within the cervical tissue, 10 mm above the external os. CONCLUSION: We discuss removal techniques, review the literature, and examine possible reasons for this presentation. These techniques may interest a range of practitioners managing contraceptive care for women.

Contexte : Les dispositifs intra-utérins constituent de plus en plus le mode de contraception privilégié par les Canadiennes. Les fils de DIU ne sont fréquemment pas visibles au moment du suivi; toutefois, lorsqu'ils sont visibles, il est rare que l'on ne soit pas en mesure de les localiser dans le canal endocervical. Nous signalons un cas de fils de DIU ayant perforé l'exocol. Cas : Une femme asymptomatique de 26 ans a sollicité nos services pour le retrait de son système intra-utérin à libération de lévonorgestrel, plus d'un an à la suite de l'insertion de ce dernier. Au moment de l'examen, nous avons constaté que les fils du DIU émergeaient du tissu cervical (10 mm au-dessus de l'orifice externe). Conclusion : Nous discutons des techniques de retrait, nous passons en revue la littérature et nous examinons les raisons possibles d'une telle présentation. Ces techniques pourraient intéresser un certain nombre de praticiens offrant des soins contraceptifs aux femmes.

[COMPLICATIONS OF DIAGNOSTIC AND OPERATIVE HYSTEROSCOPY--REVIEW].

Hysteroscopy is a diagnostic or surgical mini-Invasive gynecologic operating procedure. The complications of this standard procedure are relatively rare. According to retrospective studies they are 0.95-13.6%. They occur more often by an operative rather than a diagnostic hysteroscopy. These complications could be divided into two groups of an approximately equal occurrence--due to a dilation and passing through the cervix uteri (cervical laceration, creative a false cervix uteri, perforation, bleeding, impossibility to pass through the inner orifice of the cervical canal, insufficiency of the cervix uteri) and due to the operative technique itself (uterine perforation, fluid overload, thermal or mechanical trauma of the inner urinaiy and gastrointestinal tract, infection, rupture of the uterus during a subsequent pregnancy). The most occurring complication is namely the uterine perforation--1-9%, the most severe could indeed be the fluid overload--0.01-11%. The gynecologist performing the hysteroscopy should be well grounded in the typical complications. Unveiling and performing a quick intervention of the latter could prevent unwanted consequences for the patient and the legal issues that could follow occur.

Perforated intraperitoneal intrauterine contraceptive devices: diagnosis, management, and clinical outcomes.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a series of intraperitoneal perforated intrauterine contraception devices (IUDs) and to discuss associated findings, methods for diagnosis, and management of this complication. DESIGN: Retrospective review of surgical database between 1998 and 2012 (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven women with a perforated IUD in the intraperitoneal cavity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nineteen copper IUDs (51%), 17 levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs (LNG-IUDs) (46%), and 1 Lippes loop (3%) were identified. Twenty women (54%) had abdominal pain, 16 (43%) had no symptoms, and 1 (3%) was found to have strings protruding from her anus. Twenty-six women (70%) underwent laparoscopy to remove the IUD, and 6 (16%) underwent hysteroscopy along with laparoscopy. Conversion to laparotomy was required in 4 patients (11%). Two IUDs (5%) caused full-thickness rectouterine fistulas that required laparotomy for repair. Dense adhesions were found in 21 women (57%); and of those, 15 (71%) were associated with a copper IUD. Copper IUDs were significantly more likely than LNG-IUDs to be associated with dense adhesions (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Perforated IUDs can be asymptomatic or cause short-term and long-term symptoms. Long-term complications include abscess and fistula formation. Copper IUDs cause a greater inflammatory process than do LNG-IUDs. Even if asymptomatic, we advocate prompt removal of all IUDs that perforate into the peritoneal cavity once they are identified. Laparoscopic surgical removal of an intraperitoneal IUD is a safe and preferred method.

Meconial peritonitis in a rare association of partial ileal apple-peel atresia with small abdominal wall defect.

Intestinal atresia type III B (apple peel) and gastroschisis are both congenital malformations who require early surgical correction in neonatal age. Their association is very rare. We present the case of a full term infant with partial apple peel ileal atresia and a small defect of the anterior abdominal wall, complicated by in utero intestinal perforation and subsequent meconial peritonitis. We observed a partial atresia of small intestine, with involvement of terminal ileus savings of jejunum and a large part of the proximal ileum, small anterior abdominal wall defect with herniation of few bowel loops, intestinal malrotation. Paralytic ileus and infections are the main causes of morbidity and mortality at neonatal age. In our case, in spite of the mild phenotype, prognosis has been complicated by the onset of functional bowel obstruction, caused by chemical peritonitis resulting from contact with either amniotic fluid and meconium.

[Rare complication of a late abortion: a case report]. / Complication rare d'une interruption volontaire de grossesse tardive.

We report the case of a young woman who presented with acute abdomen at our hospital. The control revealed the presence of fetal parts in extra-uterin and intra-abdominal place after a late abortion. The patient was succesfully operated by celioscopy.

Uterine perforation caused by intrauterine devices: clinical course and treatment.

STUDY QUESTIONS: What are the symptoms of uterine perforation caused by modern copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs) and the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS); how is perforation detected and what are the findings in abdominal surgery? SUMMARY ANSWER: Symptoms are mostly mild and ∼30% of women are asymptomatic. Surgical findings are mainly minimal; no visceral complications were found in this study. However, adhesions as well as pregnancies seem to be more common among women using Cu-IUDs. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Prior studies and case reports have suggested that uterine perforation by modern IUDs/IUSs is rarely serious. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A retrospective study of 75 patients (54 LNG-IUS and 21 Cu-IUD) treated surgically for uterine perforation between 1996 and 2009. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The patients treated for uterine perforation by an IUD/IUS at clinics of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District were identified using the National Care Register for Health Institutions in Finland. The clinical data were collected from individual patient records. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The majority of patients (n = 53; 71%) had mild symptoms of abnormal bleeding or abdominal pain or both, in combination with missing IUD/IUS threads. Asymptomatic patients (n = 22; 29%) were examined because of missing threads or pregnancy. Failure to remove the IUD/IUS by pulling visible threads was the reason for referral in seven women (9%) requesting removal of the device. Eleven women (15%) were pregnant. Misplaced IUDs/IUSs were localized by a combination of vaginal ultrasonography (US) and X-ray, hysteroscopy or curettage. Only after this were patients treated by means of laparoscopy. The majority (n = 44; 65%) of the 68 intra-abdominal devices were located in the omentum, the remaining 24 (35%) around the uterus. Partial perforation or myometrial embedding was diagnosed in all seven cases (9%) with visible threads, but unsuccessful removal by pulling. During laparoscopy, filmy adhesions were found in 21 patients (30%). Pregnancy (33 versus 7%, P = 0.009) and intra-abdominal adhesions (58 versus 20%, P = 0.002) were significantly more common in the Cu-IUD group. Infections were rare; one non-specific acute abdominal infection, later found to be unrelated to the IUD, led to laparoscopy and in four cases the IUD was surrounded by pus, but there were no symptoms of infection. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study setting revealed only surgically treated symptomatic patients and asymptomatic women attending regular follow-up. Women not treated, but only followed or not attending follow-up, were not identified, excluding the possibility to analyse missed undiagnosed perforations, or conservative follow-up as a treatment option. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: As surgical findings are minimal, asymptomatic women may need no treatment at all. An alternative form of contraception is, however, important as pregnancies do occur. If a woman plans a pregnancy, a misplaced LNG-IUS should be removed, as it may act as a contraceptive.

Uterine perforation as a complication of surgical abortion causing small bowel obstruction: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Small bowel obstruction after unrecognized or conservatively treated uterine perforation is extremely rare. It is a surgical emergency and the delay in diagnosis and treatment has deleterious consequences for the mother. The purpose of this study is to critically review the available literature and ascertain the level of evidence for the mechanisms, diagnosis and management of small bowel obstruction after uterine perforation due to surgical abortion. METHODS: Systematic literature search was conducted in Pubmed (1946 to 2012) and Pubmedcentral (1900 to 2012) including all available English and French language fulltext articles. Three evaluators reviewed and selected all available case reports and case series. Search terms included small bowel obstruction, bowel obstruction, bowel incarceration, bowel entrapment, vaginal evisceration, uterine perforation, uterine rupture, and abortion. The exclusion criteria were (1) complex injuries where small bowel incarceration was present but with bleeding and/or bowel perforation as the leading symptomatology; (2) articles only numbering the patients without details on the topic. Analyses of incidence, risk factors, mechanisms of the disease, time of clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, treatment, and maternal outcome were included. RESULTS: Of the 73 articles screened 30 cases of small bowel obstruction were included in the review forming incidence, risk factors, and mechanisms of the disease, diagnosis, therapy, and maternal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic review defined four mechanisms of small bowel obstruction after transvaginal instrumental uterine perforation with significant variations in clinical presentation and time of presentation. Duration of symptoms depend on the mechanism of small bowel obstruction. Vaginal evisceration is surgical emergency and treatment is mandatory without diagnostic workup. Survival rate during last century is 93 %. Multicentric trials and publication of all such cases are needed to determine algorithms for diagnosis and management of small bowel obstruction caused by instrumental uterine perforation.

Intraperitoneally displaced intrauterine device.

Intra-abdominal displacement of an intrauterine device (IUD) is a rare but serious complication. This is a case report of a 44-year-old woman who was referred to a surgical department with intermittent abdominal pain. Gynaecological examination and ultrasound failed to identify the patient's IUD. An abdominal CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of the intra-abdominally migrated IUD and the device was extracted by laparoscopy. Surgical removal of the migrating IUD is recommended to prevent long-term complications such as intra-abdominal adhesions, organ perforation, and fistula formation.

Migration of intrauterine devices: radiologic findings and implications for patient care.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a commonly used form of contraception worldwide. However, migration of the IUD from its normal position in the uterine fundus is a frequently encountered complication, varying from uterine expulsion to displacement into the endometrial canal to uterine perforation. Different sites of IUD translocation vary in terms of their clinical significance and subsequent management, and the urgency of communicating IUD migration to the clinician is likewise variable. Expulsion or intrauterine displacement of the IUD leads to decreased contraceptive efficacy and should be clearly communicated, since it warrants IUD replacement to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Embedment of the IUD into the myometrium can usually be managed in the outpatient clinical setting but occasionally requires hysteroscopic removal. Complete uterine perforation, in which the IUD is partially or completely within the peritoneal cavity, requires surgical management, and timely and direct communication with the clinician is essential in such cases. Careful evaluation for intraabdominal complications is also important, since they may warrant urgent or emergent surgical intervention. The radiologist plays an important role in the diagnosis of IUD migration and should be familiar with its appearance at multiple imaging modalities.

Uterine perforation with omentum incarceration after dilatation and evacuation/curettage: magnetic resonance imaging findings.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical dilatation and/or uterine evacuation and curettage (D/E&C) is the most commonly performed and safest gynecological procedure. Although procedure-related uterine perforation is rare, this condition may require surgical intervention. Ultrasound examination and computed tomography are useful for diagnosing such perforations with incarceration of an intra-abdominal organ. However, the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting postabortal uterine damage has seldom been discussed in the literature. CASE REPORT: A 31-year-old woman was referred to our department for lower abdominal pain and a small amount of vaginal bleeding 28 days after D/E&C for a missed abortion. Transvaginal ultrasound examination showed the presence of a hyperechogenic structure in the anterior wall of the uterine body, which was verified to be fatty tissue by MRI, particularly on the fat-suppressed T1-weighted images. An emergency laparotomy showed a uterine perforation with omentum incarceration. After dissecting the omental loop, the uterine perforation site was incised, and the involved omental tissue was debrided appropriately. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report wherein MRI was used for the detection of incarcerated omental fat within the uterus. Delayed presentation of uterine perforation may be observed 1 month or more after D/E&C, although such a finding is extremely rare. Therefore, postabortal follow-up bimanual vaginal examination using transvaginal ultrasonography is recommended. The current study indicates the usefulness of MRI when myometrial perforation with or without incarceration of an extrauterine organ is suspected.

[Intrauterine contraceptive device in an appendix--a case report]. / Wkladka wewnatrzmaciczna w wyrostku robaczkowym--opis przypadku.

The application of an intrauterine contraceptive device can perforate the uterus and migrate to adjacent organs such as the bladder or small bowel. The main symptoms are painful insertion of the intrauterine contraceptive device and missing IUD strings. The diagnosis of perforation and transuterine migration of the IUD is made on the basis of an ultrasound examination and an abdominal X-ray. The proper management is such case is immediate removal of the IUD. The aim of this paper was to present a case of a 34-year-old woman with a copper IUD found during a caesarean section.

Abdominal pain in a postpartum patient.

BACKGROUND: Acute abdominal pain is a very common presenting complaint in the Emergency Department (ED). Making the correct diagnosis may be very complicated and difficult. It is even more difficult and complicated in the postpartum period, because other less common but important diagnoses must be considered. One of these potentially life-threatening diagnoses for which patients should be evaluated is uterine rupture. OBJECTIVES: To discuss uncommon, but important, causes of abdominal pain that may occur in the postpartum period. To learn the clinical presentation, risk factors, evaluation, and management of uterine rupture in the postpartum patient. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented to the ED with 2 days of abdominal pain and fever. The patient had had a caesarian section (C-section) 2 weeks before this admission. This was her fourth C-section. On examination, she had right lower quadrant tenderness. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen with contrast was obtained and it revealed uterine perforation with an adjacent abscess. The patient received intravenous fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics. A laparotomy was performed that confirmed the diagnosis of uterine perforation. The patient subsequently did very well. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine perforation should be considered in any postpartum patient that presents with acute abdominal pain, especially if there are risk factors, such as previous C-sections. Appropriate evaluation, consultations, and management should be done expeditiously to avoid increased morbidity and mortality.

Sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings of pelvic abscess following uterine perforation sustained during office endometrial sampling.

Pipelle endometrial sampling, an outpatient, office-based procedure, provides comparative successful endometrial sampling in comparison with other techniques including conventional dilatation and curettage. We present an unusual occurrence in which office Pipelle endometrial sampling in a perimenopausal patient was complicated 10 days later by lower abdominal pain and intermittent fever. Sonography depicted findings consistent with a large pelvic abscess overriding the uterine fundus. Sonography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of the unusual pelvic abscess and, in addition, noted findings consistent with perforation of the uterus during endometrial sampling.

Sealed-off spontaneous perforation of a pyometra diagnosed preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report.

Spontaneous perforation is a very rare complication of pyometra. The clinical findings of perforated pyometra usually mimic perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases a correct diagnosis can be made only by laparotomy. In our case, the patient's pyometra was sealed and she complained only of mild abdominal pain and showed no signs of peritonitis. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) findings were not suggestive of uterine rupture. However, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a full thickness defect of the myometrium. We discuss the CT and MRI findings that confirmed a correct diagnosis of perforated pyometra.

Clinical characteristics of perforated pyometra and impending perforation: specific issues in gynecological emergency.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of pyometra and the differences between perforated pyometra and early-drained pyometra in order to prevent morbidity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 14 patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2008 with early-drainage pyometra and six patients with perforated pyometra were included. In addition, a review of the literature yielded another 30 perforated pyometra cases for comparison. RESULTS: Of 20 women with pyometra, the main presented symptoms at admission were abdominal pain (80%), fever (45%) and vaginal discharge (25%). The majority of organisms isolated were Bacteroides fragilis (seven cases), Streptococcus species (six cases) and Escherichia coli (five cases). Of the 36 cases with spontaneous uterine perforation to date, 35 cases (97%) had abdominal pain, 11 cases (31%) had fever, and 10 cases (27%) had vomiting. Hypoalbuminemia was found in seven patients (five cases in the perforation group and two cases in the drainage group). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of pyometra before perforation can avoid surgical exploration and decrease morbidity and mortality. Perforated pyometra should be considered as a differential diagnosis in women with pneumoperitoneum and fever. Hypoalbuminemia should be considered as a predisposing factor for pyometra perforation.