Ectopic pregnancy in uterosacral ligament following in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in a patient with Allen-Masters syndrome.

We describe the case of a woman with mild endometriosis and Allen-Masters syndrome after in vitro fertilisation (IVF), presenting at 7 weeks 2 days gestation with abdominal pain. A transvaginal ultrasound revealed a gestational sac with a non-viable fetus near the right ovary. Laparoscopy was performed due to escalating abdominal pain which revealed a ruptured ectopic pregnancy at the right uterosacral ligament (USL) and blood in the pouch of Douglas. A peritoneal incision along the USL facilitated drainage and removal of the ectopic pregnancy. A pathological investigation described the presence of endometrial tissue directly adjacent to products of conception, which suggested a retroperitoneal implantation that may have been facilitated by the presence of an endometriotic lesion. This case underscores the distinctive clinical trajectory of unconventional ectopic pregnancies, provides novel insights into the pathophysiological mechanism of ectopic implantation and underscores the crucial role of comprehensive patient assessment during IVF and subsequent pregnancy in ensuring effective management.

Schistosomiasis presenting as ruptured ectopic pregnancy.

A woman from sub-Saharan Africa living in the Middle East, presented with acute abdominal pain and COVID-19 infection. She underwent a laparotomy and left salpingectomy for a left tubal ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The histopathology report revealed the presence of tubal schistosomiasis in addition to the ectopic sac. The report emphasises the importance of considering female genital schistosomiasis as a potential cause of ectopic pregnancy and the need for collaboration between obstetricians and infectious disease physicians in the definitive treatment of the disease to reduce reproductive morbidity. This case report highlights the possibility of female genital schistosomiasis as a cause of ectopic pregnancy in women from endemic regions.

A 20 year experience in the management of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary hospital - a retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Non-tubal ectopic pregnancies account for < 10% of all ectopic pregnancies. Due to its rarity and wide variation in clinical practice, there is no guideline or consensus for its management. We reported our 20-year experience in the management of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all women admitted for non-tubal ectopic pregnancies from January 2003 to December 2022 in a tertiary hospital. Women with non-tubal ectopic pregnancies diagnosed by ultrasound or operation were included for analysis. RESULTS: Within the study period, 180 women were diagnosed to have non-tubal ectopic pregnancies at a mean gestation of 6.8 weeks. 16.7% (30/180) were conceived via assisted reproduction. Medical treatment was the first-line management option for 81 women, of which 75 (92.1%) women received intralesional methotrexate administered under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. The success rate of intralesional methotrexate ranges from 76.5% to 92.3%. Intralesional methotrexate was successful even in cases with a positive fetal pulsation or with high human chorionic gonadotrophin levels up to 252605U/L. Twenty seven women were managed expectantly and 40 underwent surgery. Nine (11.1%), two (6.1%), and one (2.3%) women required surgery due to massive or recurrent bleeding following medical, expectant, or surgical treatment. Hysterotomy and uterine artery embolization were necessary to control bleeding in one Caesarean scar and one cervical pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional methotrexate is more effective than systemic methotrexate and should be considered as first line medical treatment for non-tubal ectopic pregnancies. It has a high success rate in the management of unruptured non-tubal ectopic pregnancies even in the presence of fetal pulsations or high human chorionic gonadotrophin levels, but patients may require a prolonged period of monitoring. Close surveillance and readily available surgery were required due to the risk of heavy post-procedural intra-abdominal bleeding.

Surgical treatment and reproductive outcomes in caesarean scar pregnancy at a single center.

BACKGROUND: To investigate factors associated with different reproductive outcomes in patients with Caesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs). METHODS: Between May 2017 and July 2022, 549 patients underwent ultrasound-guided uterine aspiration and laparoscopic scar repair at the Gynaecology Department of Hubei Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Ultrasound-guided uterine aspiration was performed in patients with type I and II CSPs, and laparoscopic scar repair was performed in patients with type III CSP. The reproductive outcomes of 100 patients with fertility needs were followed up and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Of 100 patients, 43% had live births (43/100), 19% had abortions (19/100), 38% had secondary infertility (38/100), 15% had recurrent CSPs (RCSPs) (15/100). The reproductive outcomes of patients with CSPs after surgical treatment were not correlated with age, body mass index, time of gestation, yields, abortions, Caesarean sections, length of hospital stay, weeks of menopause during treatment, maximum diameter of the gestational sac, thickness of the remaining muscle layer of the uterine scar, type of CSP, surgical method, uterine artery embolisation during treatment, major bleeding, or presence of uterine adhesions after surgery. Abortion after treatment was the only risk factor affecting RCSPs (odds ratio 11.25, 95% confidence interval, 3.302-38.325; P < 0.01) and it had a certain predictive value for RCSP occurrence (area under the curve, 0.741). CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence probability of CSPs was low, and women with childbearing intentions after CSPs should be encouraged to become pregnant again. Abortion after CSP is a risk factor for RCSP. No significant difference in reproductive outcomes was observed between the patients who underwent ultrasound-guided uterine aspiration and those who underwent laparoscopic scar repair for CSP.

Subserosal pregnancy: Systematic review with proposal of new diagnostic criteria and ectopic pregnancy classification.

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a pregnancy where the growing blastocyst implants outside the endometrial cavity. EP account approximately for 0.5-1% of all pregnancies, and extrauterine implant is the leading cause of woman mortality in the first trimester of gestation. Non-tubal pregnancies (NTP) account for less than 5% of all EP. NTP are accompanied by a 7-8 times higher risk of maternal mortality when compared to tubal pregnancies, and their treatment might sometimes be very challenging. Subserosal pregnancy (SP) has been defined as rare variant of intramural pregnancy, where a portion of the gestational sac was surrounded only by the serosa of the uterus. Whereas the treatment of the ectopic pregnancies is crucial for patients' lives and for adequate fertility sparing and considering the need for surgical treatment in many cases, an early diagnosis is important; thus we believe it g might be useful to define some criteria to guide subserosal pregnancy identification, and to distinguish it from other types of non-tubal ectopic pregnancy. A systematic review on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar was performed. Case reports, randomized controlled trials, prospective controlled studies, prospective cohort studies, retrospective studies, and case series were considered eligible. In all databases mentioned were considered manuscripts published from 1990 up to March 2023. Only four articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. All patients underwent to surgical management in laparoscopy. The main risk factors for this type of ectopic pregnancy were previous uterine surgery with opening of the endometrial cavity and assisted reproductive techniques procedures. Considering our results, we propose new classification and diagnostic criteria for subserosal pregnancy, to distinguish it from other types of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies with the aim to preserve fertility following the most correct management.

Chronic interstitial ectopic pregnancy presenting with a negative urine pregnancy test.

The ampulla portion of the fallopian tube is the most common site of ectopic pregnancy (70%), with approximately 2% of pregnancies implanted in the interstitial portion. In general, an interstitial ectopic pregnancy (IEP) is difficult to diagnose and is associated with a high rate of complications-most patients with an IEP present with severe abdominal pain and haemorrhagic shock due to an ectopic rupture. Chronic tubal pregnancy (CTP) is an uncommon condition with an incidence of 20%. The CTP has a longer clinical course and a negative or low level of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin due to perished chorionic villi. This study presents a case of a woman who was diagnosed with a chronic IEP (CIEP) which was successfully treated by surgery. This case also acts as a cautionary reminder of considering a CIEP in women of reproductive age presenting with amenorrhea, vaginal bleeding and a negative pregnancy test.

A combination of laparoscopy and bilateral uterine artery occlusion for the treatment of type II cesarean scar pregnancy: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the efficacy of a combination of laparoscopy and bilateral uterine artery occlusion (BUAO) for the treatment of type II cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS: Patients with type II CSP underwent laparoscopy + bilateral uterine artery embolization (control group) or laparoscopy + BUAO (study group). Data regarding the duration of surgery, intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative complications, the duration of the hospital stay, and the costs of hospitalization were retrospectively collected. One year later, the time to the return of the ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) concentration to normal and to the return of menstruation were compared. RESULTS: The duration of surgery, time to the return of menstruation, and incidence of postoperative complications in the study group were significantly less than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the time for ß-hCG to return to normal or the volume of intraoperative hemorrhage. The duration of hospitalization and costs for the control group were higher than those for the study group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy in combination with BUAO is associated with minimal trauma, rapid recovery, a short duration of surgery, low cost of hospitalization, and a low postoperative complication rate. Thus, it represents a useful new surgical treatment for type II CSP.

Treatment Outcomes of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy Under a Novel Classification System: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the new classification system published by Jordans et al for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) can guide management and treatment outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study of women diagnosed with CSP from October 2010 to December 2022 in a single tertiary center was performed. Sonographic records of these women were classified into three types according to the classification published by Jordans et al. Treatment outcomes were compared across each type of CSP. RESULTS: The study included a total of 84 women, where 60 (71.4%), 17 (20.2%), and 7 (8.3%) of them were categorized into Type 1, 2, and 3 CSP, respectively. A total of 47 (55.9%) women were managed with methotrexate, 22 (26.2%) underwent surgical management of the CSP without removal of the Cesarean section (CS) niche, and 11 (13.1%) underwent surgery to remove the CSP and the CS niche. Overall treatment success rates for medical management and surgical management were 70 and 97%, respectively. Four women were managed expectantly and continued their pregnancies, among which three carried beyond 34 weeks and had good neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The classification as published by Jordans et al is easily replicable and readily implemented clinically. Our findings show that a higher proportion of Type 1 and Type 2 CSP were treated successfully by a less invasive medical approach with a high success rate, whereas most Type 3 CSP required surgical resection to successfully remove the CSP and the CS niche. Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and further validate the clinical utility of this nomenclature system.

Successful laparoscopic resection of retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy between the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava: A case report.

Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancies are extremely rare; only a few cases having been reported. Here, we report laparoscopic removal of an asymptomatic retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy from a 29-year-old woman who was referred to our hospital for a suspected ectopic pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound did not reveal a gestational sac in the uterus or pelvic cavity. However, abdominal contrast-enhanced computer tomography showed a gestational sac between the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. On laparoscopy, the gestational sac was confirmed to be in this retroperitoneal location and successfully removed with minimal bleeding. Histopathologic examination revealed chorionic villi surrounded by lymphatic tissue, suggesting lymphatic spread of the retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy. In summary, contrast-enhanced computer tomography is very useful for locating the site of pregnancy in women suspected of having a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy. Timely diagnosis of a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy before bleeding occurs can enable their safe laparoscopic removal.

A rare case of fundal intramural ectopic pregnancy associated with previous B-Lynch sutures.

BACKGROUND: Intramural ectopic pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy that occurs within the myometrium. It is challenging to diagnose it early because of its nonspecific clinical presentation, and there is no consensus or guideline on the optimal management among gynecologists. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 34-year-old woman who developed fundal intramural ectopic pregnancy after a previous caesarean section with B-Lynch suture. The B-Lynch suture was performed at 38 weeks of gestation for postpartum hemorrhage caused by refractory uterine atony about 8 years ago. Since then, the patient had oligomenorrhea. The diagnosis of intramural ectopic pregnancy was not confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. An exploratory laparoscopy and hysteroscopy was performed to remove the gestational sac without significant bleeding. The surgery was successful and the patient recovered well. The patient was advised to monitor her ß-HCG levels regularly until they returned to normal, and a follow-up pelvic ultrasound showed no complications. However, she has not been able to conceive or have an ectopic pregnancy so far. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing intramural ectopic pregnancy, especially when it is associated with previous uterine surgery and B-Lynch suture. It also demonstrates the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery for treating complete IUP, especially when the gestational sac is located close to the uterine serosa. However, the risk of uterine rupture and hemorrhage should be considered, and the patient should be informed of the possible complications and alternatives. Gynecologists should be familiar with various management strategies and customize the treatment plan according to the patient's clinical situation and preferences.

Evaluation of a scoring system to predict treatment success with single-dose methotrexate in ectopic pregnancy.

PURPOSE: This study sought to assess the efficacy of a newly developed scoring system in predicting treatment outcomes for ectopic pregnancy among patients undergoing single-dose methotrexate therapy. The primary research question centered on the reliability and predictive accuracy of objective parameters in determining methotrexate therapy success. METHODS: Conducted as a retrospective single-center cohort study, data from 172 ectopic pregnancy patients treated with methotrexate between January 2021 and January 2023 were analyzed. Parameters including adnexal mass size, peritoneal fluid presence, yolk sac identification, endometrial thickness, ectopic pregnancy location, and initial B-hCG levels were meticulously evaluated for their association with treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Following the exclusion of 21 emergency surgery cases, the final analysis comprised 151 patients. Notable associations were observed between specific parameters (fetal cardiac activity, adnexal mass size > 3.5 cm, peritoneal fluid presence, yolk sac identification, endometrial thickness > 10 mm, and initial B-hCG levels) and treatment outcomes (p < 0.001). Additionally, the novel scoring system demonstrated promising predictive performance. At a cutoff of 2.50, it achieved a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 59.7%. Increasing the cutoff to 3.50 resulted in a sensitivity of 94.0%, with a specificity of 46.3%. CONCLUSION: Objective parameters, particularly those integrated into the developed scoring system, exhibited substantial associations with methotrexate therapy outcomes in ectopic pregnancy. These findings underscore the potential of an objective scoring model to significantly influence clinical decision-making in therapy, offering avenues for enhanced prognostication and patient care in treatment outcomes.

The value of ultrasound parameters in predicting the efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of ultrasound parameters in assessing the efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS)-guided suction curettage alone for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS: Secondary retrospective analysis of a prospective study consisted of 137 women diagnosed with CSP who were performed TAUS-guided suction curettage alone for the first time at Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China. Prior to surgery, an ultrasound examination was conducted. Based on the need for secondary intervention, the patients were categorized into failure group and success group, and the predictive factors for failure of TAUS-guided suction curettage alone were analyzed. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression showed that maximum diameter of the gestational sac>29 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 4.043, 95% CI: 1.100-14.862), residual myometrium thickness ≤1.8 mm (OR = 3.719, 95% CI: 1.148-12.048) and chorionic villi thickness at the scar >4.7 mm (OR = 15.327, 95% CI: 4.617-50.881) were independent predictors of failure in TAUS-guided suction curettage alone for CSP. Furthermore, the logistic regression model that was jointly constructed by these three predictors demonstrated an area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index of 0.913, 0.912, 0.864, and 0.776, respectively. CONCLUSION: The maximum diameter of the gestational sac, residual myometrium thickness, and chorionic villi thickness at the scar has certain predictive efficacy of TAUS-guided suction curettage alone for CSP. Nevertheless, it is more valuable to apply the model of this study, composed of the three ultrasound parameters, for this prediction purpose.

Total laparoscopic wedge resection for an intramural ectopic pregnancy using an intraoperative ultrasound system: A case report.

Intramural pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy, and the optimal treatment remains uncertain. We describe a 33-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 0) who visited our hospital with suspected ectopic pregnancy. The patient was asymptomatic and hemodynamically stable. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed pregnancy at 6 weeks of gestation and a gestational sac and fetal heartbeat in the anterior muscular layer of the uterus, away from the endometrium. The fetal sac measured 26 mm. The serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level had increased to 27 655 mIU/mL. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with an intramural ectopic pregnancy and underwent total laparoscopic wedge resection using intraoperative ultrasonography. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged after 4 days. Her serum hCG level normalized at 26 days postoperatively. This case indicates that intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography seems viable for treating intramural pregnancies.

Laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy: A comparative study on the clinical benefits and impact on tubal patency and reproductive outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic pregnancy is a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality across the globe. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery in treating ectopic pregnancy, and its impact on tubal patency and reproductive outcomes. METHODS: A clinical study was conducted to compare laparoscopic and medical conservative treatment for ectopic pregnancy. A total of 206 patients were treated for ectopic pregnancy at our hospital from January 2018 to June 2020. Among them, 46 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingectomy, 54 underwent laparoscopic ipsilateral salpingostomy with lesion removal, and 106 were treated conservatively with medication. RESULTS: The age range and average age of each group are provided, with no significant differences in these general demographic characteristics (p> 0.05). Both the salpingostomy and medication groups had higher rates of ectopic pregnancy compared to the salpingectomy group, with statistically significant differences (p< 0.05). The comparison of ectopic pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and medication groups showed no significant difference. Within three years, the salpingostomy group had 10 cases of recurrent ectopic pregnancy, with 2 cases on the same side, while the medication group had 18 cases, with 8 cases on the same side. At 3 months after the normalization of blood ß-HCG, the salpingostomy group showed 43 cases of tubal patency (patency rate: 79.63%), while the medication group showed 57 cases (patency rate: 53.77%), with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p= 0.01). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy offers significant clinical benefits over conservative medical treatment, including higher rates of tubal patency and improved reproductive outcomes. These findings support laparoscopic surgery as an effective approach for the management of ectopic pregnancy.

Laparoscopic Approach for Ectopic Pregnancy in a Rudimentary Horn: Stepwise Demonstration of Surgical Technique.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive, step-by-step presentation of the laparoscopic resolution of ectopic pregnancy within a rudimentary uterine horn. DESIGN: A detailed demonstration of the laparoscopic technique presented through narrated video footage. SETTING: Pregnancy occurring in the rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus represents a rare form of ectopic pregnancy [1]. This condition is associated with a high risk of uterine rupture. Early detection is crucial for effective management and prevention of potential complications [2,3]. In this manuscript, we present a case study of a patient diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy in a rudimentary horn, who underwent successful laparoscopic resection. INTERVENTIONS: Ten main steps were identified and described in detail during the laparoscopic resection: Step 1: identification of the anatomy; Step 2: uterine mobilization; Step 3: Open retroperitoneum; Step 4: Coagulation and section of left round ligament; Step 5: Bladder dissection; Step 6: Identification of vessels; Step 7: Coagulation and section of left utero-ovarian vessels; Step 8: Coagulation and section of uterine vessels; Step 9: Section of uterine septum; Step 10: Specimen removed. CONCLUSION: This publication offers a detailed and instructive account of the laparoscopic resection of ectopic pregnancy within a rudimentary uterine horn. The stepwise approach demonstrated in the accompanying video contributes to a deeper understanding of this complex surgical technique. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Minimally Invasive Management and Diagnosis of Ectopic Splenic Pregnancy.

This report describes the case of a 32-year-old woman with ectopic pregnancy in the spleen, which was complicated by active bleeding. The patient complained of intermittent pain in her left side and lower abdomen that lasted several days. The serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) was increased, but no intrauterine gestational sac was found via transvaginal sonography. A computed tomography (CT) examination revealed the presence of a heterogeneous structure in the left peritoneal cavity, inferior to the spleen; signs of active extravasation; and a large amount of hemorrhagic fluid in the pelvis. An angiography examination also showed slow active extravasation from a small artery that branches off at the lower pole of the spleen. Coil embolization was performed. Splenic ectopic pregnancy can be managed by minimally invasive methods in carefully selected patients.

Ultrasound-guided suction curettage followed by cervico-isthmic placement of foley threeway catheter for cesarean scar pregnancy's treatment. Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare dangerous condition with still no consensus on standard treatment. Suction curettage has been used as the first-line treatment for CSP with controversial outcomes. This study evaluates efficacy of ultrasound-guided suction curettage (UGSC) followed by cervical-isthmic placement of silicon semirigid three-way foley catheter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 24 women with CSP. Preoperative ultrasound study was conducted. UGSC followed by placement of catheter was performed in all patients. The success rate and incidence of major complication, surgical time and hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: The success rate of UGSC followed by placement of foley catheter was 100 %, effectively reduced major complications and none of the patients had a blood loss higher than 900 ml. Median hospital stay was 2 days and median foley stay was 1 day. Surgery had limited last with a median of 17 min. CONCLUSION: UGSC followed by foley placement is a safe effective treatment for CSP with a clinical resolution of 100 %. The catheter is easy to place under ultrasound guidance and prevents bleeding, reducing major procedures to solve the bleeding. Suction curettage in CSP treatment should be performed under ultrasound guidance and followed by cervical-isthmic placement of foley balloon.

Surgical evacuation combined with Shirodkar cervical suture and selective uterine artery embolization: A fertility preserving treatment for 10-15 weeks' live cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION: Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies (CSEPs) are associated with significant maternal morbidity and termination is often recommended in the early first trimester. Management of more advanced cases is challenging due to higher risks of major intraoperative hemorrhage. Hysterectomy is currently the intervention of choice for advanced cases. This study aimed to investigate if advanced live CSEPs could be managed effectively conservatively using suction curettage and interventional radiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed. A total of 371 women diagnosed with CSEP were identified between January 2008 and January 2023. A total of 6% (22/371) women had an advanced live CSEP with crown-rump length (CRL) of ≥40 mm (≥10 weeks' gestation). Of these, 77% (17/22) opted for surgical intervention, whilst the remaining five continued their pregnancies. A preoperative ultrasound was performed in each patient. All women underwent suction curettage under ultrasound guidance and insertion of Shirodkar cervical suture as a primary hemostatic measure combined with uterine artery embolization (UAE) if required. The primary outcome was rate of blood transfusion. Secondary outcomes were estimated intraoperative blood loss, UAE, intensive care unit admission, reintervention, hysterectomy, hospitalization duration and rate of retained products of conception. Descriptive statistics were used to describe these variables. RESULTS: Median CRL of the 17 patients included was 54.1 mm (range: 40.0-85.7) and median gestational age based on CRL was 12 + 3 weeks (range: 10 + 6-15 + 0). On preoperative ultrasound scan placental lacunae were recorded in 76% (13/17) of patients and color Doppler score was ≥3 in 67% (10/15) of patients. At surgery, Shirodkar cervical suture was used in all cases. It was successful in achieving hemostasis by tamponade in 76% (13/17) of patients. In the remaining 24% (4/17) patients tamponade failed to achieve complete hemostasis and UAE was performed to stop persistent arterial bleeding into the uterine cavity. Median intraoperative blood loss was 800 mL (range: 250-2500) and 41% (7/17) women lost >1000 mL. 35% (6/17) needed blood transfusion. No women required hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical evacuation with Shirodkar cervical suture and selective UAE is an effective treatment for advanced live CSEPs.

The effectiveness of hysteroscopy for the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a long-term complication of cesarean section characterized by the localization of a subsequent gestational sac within the scar area or niche developed as a result of a previous cesarean section. Its incidence has increased substantially because of the high global cesarean section rate in recent decades. Several surgical and drug treatments exist for this condition; however, there is currently no optimal treatment. This study compared the effectiveness of direct hysteroscopic removal of the gestational tissue and hysteroscopy combined with vacuum suction for the treatment of CSP. METHODS: From 2017 to 2023, 521 patients were diagnosed with CSP at our hospital. Of these patients, 45 underwent hysteroscopy. Among them, 28 underwent direct hysteroscopic removal (hysteroscopic removal group) and 17 underwent hysteroscopy combined with vacuum suction (hysteroscopic suction group). The clinical characteristics and outcomes of the hysteroscopic removal group and hysteroscopic suction group were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 45 patients, the amount of bleeding and hospitalization cost were significantly higher in the hysteroscopic removal group than in the hysteroscopic suction group (33.8 mL vs. 9.9 mL, P < 0.001; and 8744.0 yuan vs. 5473.8 yuan, P < 0.001; respectively). The operation time and duration of hospitalization were significantly longer in the hysteroscopic removal group than in the hysteroscopic suction group (61.4 min vs. 28.2 min, P < 0.001; and 3.8 days vs. 2.4 days, P = 0.026; respectively). Three patients in the hysteroscopic removal group had uterine perforation and received laparoscopic repair during operation. No complications occurred in the hysteroscopic suction group. One patient in the hysteroscopic removal group received ultrasound-guided suction curettage due to postoperative moderate vaginal bleeding, and one patient in the hysteroscopic suction group received ultrasound-guided suction curettage due to postoperative gestational residue and elevated serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels. Reproductive function was preserved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy is an effective method for treating CSP. Compared with direct hysteroscopic removal, hysteroscopy combined with vacuum suction is more suitable for CSP. However, multicenter prospective studies with large sample sizes are required for verification of these findings.