Effect of previous uterine surgery on the operative hysteroscopic outcomes in patients with reproductive failure: analysis of 700 cases.

Abstract

To determine the effect of previous uterine surgery according to whether the uterine cavity is opened or not on the operative outcomes in a series of women undergoing surgical hysteroscopy guided by concomitant diagnostic laparoscopy for management of reproductive failure. Records of 700 consecutive major hysteroscopic surgical procedures guided by concomitant diagnostic laparoscopy and performed for women with previous pelvic surgery were reviewed. All women were suffering from reproductive failure. Patients were categorized according to whether the uterine cavity was opened or not and according to the type of hysteroscopic procedure performed. Analysis of overall previous uterine surgery of any type combined and of individual matched types of hysteroscopic procedure separately was done. Patient age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) patient classification, surgical history, perioperative change in serum sodium concentration and hemoglobin level, fluid balance, transfusion rate, rate of failed hysteroscopic procedure, operative hysteroscopic time, complication rate and hospital stay were assessed in each patient. Of the 700 patients, 366 (52%) had never undergone uterine surgery, 105 (15%) had a history of uterine surgery with cavity opened and 229 (33%) had uterine surgery with cavity not opened. Overall previous uterine surgery of any type was associated with an increased age, and higher ASA score (P = 0.001). A history of uterine surgery with cavity opened was associated with increased operative time (P = 0.03) and increased hospital stay (P = 0.02). No patients have required a transfusion. Differences in perioperative serum sodium concentration and hemoglobin level, the complication and failure rates in patients with and without a history of uterine surgery did not attain significance. Outcomes analysis of individual matched types of hysteroscopic surgery showed similar results except for hysteroscopic metroplasty. In these cases, previous uterine surgery was not associated with increased age or ASA score. Previous uterine surgery among young women with reproductive failure whether the uterine cavity is opened or not does not appear to affect adversely the performance and safety of subsequent major surgical hysteroscopy guided by concomitant diagnostic laparoscopy.