Uterine rupture at 33rd week of gestation after laparoscopic myomectomy with signs of fetal distress. A case report and review of literature

The Impact of Laparoscopic Myomectomy on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the impact of laparoscopic myomectomy techniques on pregnancy outcomes, with a specific focus on the correlation between the type of suture used during the procedure and the incidence of uterine rupture. Additionally, the study aims to examine how the localization and size of myomas, key factors in laparoscopic myomectomy, may influence fertility outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

extensive searches were conducted using MDPI, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from 2008 to November 2023.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

The study involved women of reproductive age diagnosed with fibroids who underwent surgical removal of fibroids using either laparotomy or laparoscopy. The evaluation of pregnancy outcomes focused on indicators such as live birth rates, miscarriage rates, stillbirth rates, premature delivery rates, and cases of uterine rupture. Quality assessment was systematically performed by employing the National Institutes of Health Study Quality Assessment Tools, with the subsequent formulation of clinical recommendations that were meticulously graded in accordance with the robustness of the underlying evidence.

RESULTS

The pregnancy outcomes post-myoma treatment, as reflected in one of the presented tables, show a promising number of pregnancies and live births, but also indicate the potential risks of miscarriages and preterm births. The diversity in outcomes observed among various studies underscores the imperative for tailored patient care, as well as the necessity for additional research aimed at optimizing fertility and pregnancy outcomes following myoma treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study offers insights into the criteria for patient selection and intraoperative methodologies specifically related to laparoscopic myomectomy. To enhance our understanding of the associations between fibroid characteristics (location, size) and reproductive outcomes, additional research is warranted, particularly through well-designed clinical trials.

Trial of labor after cesarean, vaginal birth after cesarean, and the risk of uterine rupture: an expert review

The decision to pursue a trial of labor after cesarean delivery is complex and depends on patient preference, the likelihood of successful vaginal birth after cesarean delivery, assessment of the risks vs benefits of trial of labor after cesarean delivery, and available resources to support safe trial of labor after cesarean delivery at the planned birthing center. The most feared complication of trial of labor after cesarean delivery is uterine rupture, which can have catastrophic consequences, including substantial maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although the absolute risk of uterine rupture is low, several clinical, historical, obstetrical, and intrapartum factors have been associated with increased risk. It is therefore critical for clinicians managing patients during trial of labor after cesarean delivery to be aware of these risk factors to appropriately select candidates for trial of labor after cesarean delivery and maximize the safety and benefits while minimizing the risks. Caution is advised when considering labor augmentation and induction in patients with a previous cesarean delivery. With established hospital safety protocols that dictate close maternal and fetal monitoring, avoidance of prostaglandins, and careful titration of oxytocin infusion when induction agents are needed, spontaneous and induced trial of labor after cesarean delivery are safe and should be offered to most patients with 1 previous low transverse, low vertical, or unknown uterine incision after appropriate evaluation, counseling, planning, and shared decision-making. Future research should focus on clarifying true risk factors and identifying the optimal approach to intrapartum and induction management, tools for antenatal prediction, and strategies for prevention of uterine rupture during trial of labor after cesarean delivery. A better understanding will facilitate patient counseling, support efforts to improve trial of labor after cesarean delivery and vaginal birth after cesarean delivery rates, and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with uterine rupture during trial of labor after cesarean delivery.

Unexpected Uterine Rupture-A Case Report, Review of the Literature and Clinical Suggestions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Women with a history of cesarean section are a high-risk group because they are likely to develop uterine rupture during their next pregnancy. Current evidence suggests that a vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) is associated with lower maternal mortality and morbidity than elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD). Additionally, research suggests that uterine rupture can occur in 0.47% of cases of trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC).

CASE DESCRIPTION

A healthy 32-year-old woman at 41 weeks of gestation, in her fourth pregnancy, was admitted to the hospital due to a dubious CTG record. Following this, the patient gave birth vaginally, underwent a cesarean section, and successfully underwent a VBAC. Due to her advanced gestational age and favorable cervix, the patient qualified for a trial of vaginal labor (TOL). During labor induction, she displayed a pathological CTG pattern and presented symptoms such as abdominal pain and heavy vaginal bleeding. Suspecting a violent uterine rupture, an emergency cesarean section was performed. The presumed diagnosis was confirmed during the procedure-a full-thickness rupture of the pregnant uterus was found. The fetus was delivered without signs of life and successfully resuscitated after 3 min. The newborn girl of weight 3150 g had an Apgar score of 0/6/8/8 at 1, 3, 5, and 10 min. The uterine wall rupture was closed with two layers of sutures. The patient was discharged 4 days after the cesarean section without significant complications, with a healthy newborn girl.

CONCLUSIONS

Uterine rupture is a rare but severe obstetric emergency and can be associated with maternal and neonatal fatal outcomes. The risk of uterine rupture during a TOLAC attempt should always be considered, even if it is a subsequent TOLAC.

Pregnancy outcomes of patients undergoing single-layer sutured laparoscopic myomectomy

AIM

In this study, we aimed to investigate the pregnancy outcomes of 102 patients who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) with single-layer suturing.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 102 women who underwent single-layer sutured LM in the obstetrics and gynaecology clinic of our hospital between September 2017 and April 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients underwent LM and colpotomy. Sixty-two patients were planning conception. Thirty-three (53.2%) of the sixty-two patients became pregnant until the study date. The mean age of the pregnant patients was 34 ± 8.2 years. In the pregnant patients, myoma localisation was anterior in 12 (50%), posterior in 7 (29%) and other in 5 (21%) patients. The mean duration between the operation and the first pregnancy was 10.2 months (2-24 months). Of the first pregnancies, 12 (50%) were between 0 and 6 months, and 12 (50%) were between 6 and 24 months to the operation. Twenty-four pregnant patients were delivered with caesarean section, six patients had a miscarriage and two patients resulted in intra-uterine pregnancy in the second trimester. Of these patients, eight were pregnant again, and eight were delivered by caesarean section. Curettage and dilatation were performed in six patients with miscarriage. None of the patients developed uterine rupture.

CONCLUSION

Single-layer closure of the uterine defect in LM is safe for subsequent pregnancies, and the risk of uterine rupture is low.

Subsequent pregnancy outcomes after abdominal vs. laparoscopic myomectomy

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether abdominal (open) vs. laparoscopic myomectomy affects the obstetrical outcomes of subsequent pregnancies.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary university medical center. The study population included women who had a documented birth following a myomectomy at our institution between the years 1997 and 2018. The obstetrical characteristics and immediate perinatal outcomes of the subsequent pregnancy following open vs. laparoscopic myomectomy were collected and compared. Data were retrieved from patients' medical records via the institutional computerized database. Cases that lacked detailed surgery and delivery reports were excluded. Data were analyzed using a chi-square test for categorical variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous variables. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

During the study period, 57 women met the inclusion criteria, of whom 66.6% (38/57) had an open and 33.3% (19/57) had a laparoscopic myomectomy. Women who underwent an open myomectomy had a higher rate of cesarean birth than those in the laparoscopic group (89.5 vs. 42.1%, p < .001). No cases of severe maternal or perinatal complications, uterine ruptures, or placental abruptions were identified in either study group. No other significant differences were noted between the two types of myomectomy.

CONCLUSION

Open myomectomy is associated with a higher rate of cesarean delivery than laparoscopic. No severe adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes were detected in either study group.

Time to conceive after myomectomy: should we advise a minimum time interval? A systematic review

The optimal time interval between myomectomy and pregnancy is unclear and no specific guidelines exist. The aim of this review was to study the time interval from myomectomy to pregnancy and the occurrence of uterine rupture after myomectomy. Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies and retrospective studies were used to assess the primary objective, and case reports, cases series or letters to the editor for the secondary objective. Only articles reporting myomectomy performed via the vaginal route, laparotomy, laparoscopy or robot-assisted surgery were selected for inclusion. Among 3852 women who wanted to become pregnant after the surgery, 2889 became pregnant, accounting for 3000 pregnancies (77.9%) and 2097 live births (54.4%). Mean time between myomectomy and pregnancy was estimated at 17.6 months (SD 9.2) for 2451 pregnant women. Among 1016 women, a third were advised to delay attempting to conceive for between 3 and 6 months and another third for between 6 and 12 months. A total of 70 spontaneous uterine ruptures with a mean gestational age of 31 weeks at occurrence were identified. No linear relationship was found between gestational age at the event and time interval from myomectomy to conception (P = 0.706). There are insufficient data to advise a minimal time interval between myomectomy and conception.

Risk factors and outcomes of uterine rupture in Singapore: Emerging trends

ABSTRACT Introduction: Uterine rupture is uncommon but has catastrophic implications on the pregnancy. A scarred uterus and abnormal placentation are known contributory factors. The aim of our study was to review the contributing factors, clinical presentation, complications and management of uterine rupture in our population in light of the changing nature of modern obstetric practices. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital by studying proven cases of uterine rupture in the period between January 2003 and December 2014. These cases were analysed according to their past history, clinical presentation, complications, management and outcome. Results: A total of 48 cases of proven uterine rupture were identified. The incidence of uterine rupture was 1 in 3,062 deliveries. The ratio of scarred uterus rupture to unscarred uterus rupture was approximately 3:1. The most common factor was previous lower segment caesarean section for the scarred group, followed by a history of laparoscopic myomectomy. Abdominal pain was the common clinical presentation in the antenatal period, while abnormal cardiotocography findings were the most common presentation in intrapartum rupture. Conclusion: There is a notable shift in the trend of uterine rupture cases given the increasing use of laparoscopic myomectomy and elective caesarean sections. While ruptures from these cases were few, their presentation in the antenatal period calls for diligent monitoring with informed patient involvement in their pregnancy care. Keywords: Antenatal, laparoscopic myomectomy, birth after caesarean, rupture, VBAC

Risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage during cesarean myomectomy

OBJECTIVE

We intended to identify the risk factors of intraoperative hemorrhage on occasions of a combined operation of myomectomy with cesarean section for patients with uterine leiomyoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was done of all patients who underwent cesarean myomectomy for intramural leiomyoma at a single university hospital. Cases identified with subserosal leiomyoma, placental disorder, and comorbid conditions related to coagulopathy were excluded. All the included cases were classified into intraoperative hemorrhage and non-hemorrhage group. Obstetric and demographic factors and parameters of leiomyoma were compared between two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 302 women underwent cesarean myomectomy during the study period. Among these women, 212 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria. Intraoperative hemorrhage occurred in 43 women (20.3%). There was no significant intergroup difference in the number of removed leiomyomas. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lower segmental location (odds ratio [OR], 2.827; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.033-7.734, P = 0.043) and the diameter (OR, 1.167; 95% CI, 1.044-1.305, P = 0.006) were significant independent risk factors for hemorrhage during cesarean myomectomy. The combination of ≥ 8 cm diameter or lower segmental position of the leiomyoma yielded a specificity of 79.3% for operative hemorrhage during cesarean myomectomy. The negative predictive value of this combination was 88.7% for operative hemorrhage with a prevalence of 20%.

CONCLUSION

The large size and lower segmental position of the leiomyoma are significantly risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage during cesarean myomectomy. If the leiomyoma is located in the uterine fundus or body and its diameter is less than 8 cm, the removal of leiomyoma may be considered at the time of cesarean section.

Uterine rupture in patients with a history of laparoscopy or hysteroscopy procedures: Three case reports

RATIONALE

Uterine rupture is a rare incidence but can lead to catastrophic maternal and fetal consequences. We still need to place a high premium on these cases.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patients all showed hemodynamic shock with complaints of serious pain in the abdomen. They all had a history of laparoscopy or hysteroscopy procedures.

DIAGNOSES

Case 1 and 2 were diagnosed during surgery. Case 3 was diagnosed by an urgent abdominal ultrasonogram before surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

We performed emergency surgeries for the 3 cases.

OUTCOMES

Three patients all recovered well. But only the child in case 2 survived.

LESSONS

It must be emphasized that pregnant women with a history of such surgeries should be aware of uterine rupture during pregnancy.