Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery combined with ultrasound-guided suction curettage in the treatment and management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery (FUAS) combined with ultrasound-guided suction curettage in the management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP). Study designWe retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with CSP from April, 2017, to December, 2019. All the patients received one session of FUAS, and suction curettage under ultrasound guidance was performed 1–3 days after FUAS. The intraoperative blood loss in suction curettage, duration of vaginal bleeding after curettage, reproductive outcomes, and adverse effects were recorded and analyzed. ResultsAll the 52 patients completed one session of FUAS combined with suction curettage without serious adverse effects. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 32.81 ± 53.83 mL. 47 (90.38 %) patients had a successful suction curettage with a blood loss of less than 80 mL. 5 (9.62 %) patients had an active bleeding of ≥80 mL; however, the bleeding was stopped effectively by Foley's urinary catheter and no evident bleeding presented when the catheter was removed 24 h later. The mean duration of vaginal bleeding was 7.88 ± 4.24 days. 48 (92.30 %) patients recovered with little vaginal bleeding after curettage. 4 (7.69 %) type III CSP patients experienced late-onset severe bleeding and required UAE or surgery. During 6–36 months of the follow-up period, 12 patients expressed reproductive plan, in which 4 patients delivered by cesarean section, 3 patients had an ongoing pregnancy and 1 patient had an abortion in the early pregnancy. ConclusionsFUAS combined with ultrasound-guided suction curettage is a safe and effective treatment strategy in the management of CSP type I and CSP type II and is particularly advantageous for CSP patients with reproductive requirements. However, further studies are warranted to determine the meticulous inclusion criteria for patients with type III CSP.