Hysteroscopic enlargement metroplasty for T-shaped uterus: 24 years’ experience at the Strasbourg Medico-Surgical and Obstetrical Centre (CMCO)

Abstract

Study questionWhat is the impact of hysteroscopic enlargement metroplasty for T-shaped uterus on the live birth rate? Summary answerPerforming enlargement metroplasty appears to improve the obstetrical prognosis and fertility in patients with a T-shaped uterus. What is known alreadyT-shaped uterus is linked to an excess of myometrium in the uterine walls giving rise to a subcornual constriction ring which causes dysmorphism and hypoplasia of the uterine cavity. It is commonly associated with infertility or a sequence of repeated miscarriages. Study designSingle-centre observational cohort study in 112 patients who underwent enlargement metroplasty for T-shaped uterus between 1992 and 2016 in a Strasbourg university hospital centre. Main resultsThe mean age of patients was 33.2; they had been attempting to conceive on average for 56 months for subfertile patients and 42.2 months for infertile patients. Prior to surgery, patients had succeeded in becoming pregnant 161 times, i.e. a mean gravidity of 1.4 pregnancies. For subfertile patients the mean gravidity was 2.67. Mean parity was 0.04. In the overall population, one hundred pregnancies occurred following enlargement metroplasty. The live birth rate increased in a statistically significant manner following enlargement metroplasty: 4 (2.5%) vs. 60 (60%), p < 0.05. In parallel, the miscarriage rate was statistically reduced: 126 (78.3%) vs. 22 (22%), pnull< .05. Intraoperative complications were 1 case of cervical laceration (0.9%) and 1 case of false passage (0.9%). Subsequent pregnancies remained at risk of miscarriage (22%) and premature delivery (20%) but not extra uterine gestation. Delivery took place by Caesarean section in 61% of cases. In the subgroup of infertile patients, the live birth rate was also markedly increased and 49% of pregnancies which occurred were spontaneous. LimitationsThis study was descriptive and retrospective. Wider implicationsThese results are consistent with those in the literature. Hysteroscopic enlargement metroplasty is now a well-established technique with few complications but which should nevertheless be reserved for symptomatic patients.