Improvement of symptoms after hysteroscopic isthmoplasty in women with abnormal uterine bleeding and expected pregnancy: A prospective study

Abstract

BackgroundCesarean scar myometrial defect as known as niche is associated with postmenstrual spotting, suprapubic pain and secondary infertility. Hysteroscopic isthmoplasty has been proposed in the treatment of niche. This study aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of hysteroscopic isthmoplasty in postmenstrual spotting treatment and improvement of spontaneous conceiving. Materials and methodA prospective study was performed at Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Vietnam. We studied women who developed postmenstrual spotting related to niches and had desired to conceive for more than six months. Women with residual myometrium less than 2.5 mm were excluded. Twenty-three eligible women underwent hysteroscopic isthmoplasty with four main steps, including identification of relevant anatomy, resection of the cephalad edge of fibrosis, resection of the caudal edge of fibrosis, and ablation of the niche base. Participants were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. ResultsThe mean surgical duration was 17 min, and no complications took place. The number of women with improved postmenstrual spotting symptoms after 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.1% (9/23), 61.9% (13/21) and 68.8% (11/16), respectively. Suprapubic pain resolved in 94% (15/16) of the women in the first month. The rate of spontaneous pregnancies within 6 months of isthmoplasty was 30.4% (7/23). There were no differences in depth niche and residual myometrium thickness on ultrasound in the period before and after hysteroscopy. ConclusionOur study supports that hysteroscopic isthmoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for women with a niche and postmenstrual spotting and wish to conceive.