Outcomes in subsequent pregnancies after wedge resection for interstitial ectopic pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

Ectopic first pregnancy treated by methotrexate versus salpingectomy-Maternal and perinatal outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To study obstetric outcomes of a second pregnancy among women with a first ectopic pregnancy (EP) treated with methotrexate compared with laparoscopic salpingectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study including all women with a first EP and a following pregnancy that concluded by delivery at ≥24 weeks of gestation between March 2011 and April 2021. Second pregnancy outcomes were compared between women treated with methotrexate and those treated with salpingectomy in their first pregnancy.

RESULTS

Overall, 125 women were included, of which 64 (51.2%) were treated with methotrexate and 61 (48.8%) were treated with salpingectomy. In women treated with salpingectomy, the proportion of women conceiving by in vitro fertilization and those with measured gestational sac diameter or β-subunit human chorionic gonadotropin was higher. The proportion of women conceiving by in vitro fertilization in their second pregnancy was higher in the salpingectomy group (55.2% versus 18.0%, P < 0.001). All maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar in both groups. The rate of low birth weight < 2500 g was 7.8% in the methotrexate group versus 18% in the salpingectomy group (P = 0.111).

CONCLUSION

Maternal and neonatal outcomes of a second pregnancy among women treated for EP in their first pregnancy are similar in women treated by methotrexate and those treated by salpingectomy.

Spontaneous complete uterine rupture with protrusion of foetal limbs at the third trimester following laparoscopic cornuostomy: A case report

RATIONALE

Spontaneous complete uterine rupture during gestation is rare and has no specific symptoms; however, it is a life-threatening event for both the fetus and mother. The rupture typically happens in labor and is uncommon before labor. Herein, we present the case of a woman, encountering complete rupture at third trimester followed by laparoscopic cornuostomy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 26-year-old woman presented with acute right lower abdominal pain at 33 weeks and 5 days of gestation.

DIAGNOSES

We made a diagnosis of threatened uterine rupture.

INTERVENTION

Urgent cesarean section performed. Exploration of the uterine dehiscence wound demonstrated that the myometrium was completely ruptured at the primary laparoscopic surgical scar with a defect of 40 mm, and live birth and preservation of the uterus was achieved.

OUTCOME

On the third day of operation, she had a good recovery and was discharged. After a 6-week postpartum follow-up, she displayed a good level of rehabilitation.

LESSONS

Pregnancy after laparoscopic cornuostomy should be treated as high-risk gestation and the rupture during gestation of the uterine scar should be suspected once lower abdominal pain occurred. Swift diagnosis and prompt intervention play a crucial role in saving the lives of the fetus and the mother.

Effect of previous wedge resection for interstitial pregnancy on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes following frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles of IVF/ICSI: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to evaluate pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in women, with a previous history of wedge resection for interstitial pregnancy, in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles of IVF/ICSI.

METHODS

The present study involved a retrospective case-control assessment of 75 cases and 375 control subjects over 6 years in a single center. To compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes between cases, treated using wedge resection, and controls without any previous history of ectopic pregnancy, propensity score matching (1:5) was utilized. The study also compared subgroups in the case group.

RESULTS

Women with previous wedge resection exhibited higher rates of ectopic pregnancy and uterine rupture rate as compared to control subjects (9.1% vs 1.3%, P = 0.025 and 4.5% vs 0%, P = 0.035, respectively). No statistically significant differences were recorded between the two cohorts with regard to clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, and neonatal outcomes. For pregnancy type subgroup analysis, Z-score and rates of large for gestational age were recorded to be significantly lower in twin pregnancy subgroup when compared with singleton pregnancy subgroup (0.10 (- 0.59, 0.25) vs 0.50 (- 0.97, 1.39), P = 0.005; 4.5% vs 26.1%, P = 0.047, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicated that previous wedge resection correlated to a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy and uterine rupture. However, it might not be related to an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. The study recommended cesarean section in these patients. Further studies are required to verify the validity of current recommendations.

The feasibility of laparoscopically assisted, hysteroscopic removal of interstitial pregnancies: A case series

OBJECTIVE

The study objective was to assess the feasibility of the management of interstitial pregnancy by laparoscopically assisted hysteroscopic removal.

METHODS

This retrospective study included a case series of 17 patients who were diagnosed interstitial pregnancy with dilated proximal tubal ostium by transvaginal ultrasonography at the Women's hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University between August 2017 and October 2020. Laparoscopically assisted hysteroscopic removals of the products of conception were performed. Various data were collected including age, surgical and obstetric history, gestational age, preoperative symptoms, human chorionic gonadotropin level and ultrasonography results. The outcomes measured were intraoperative bleeding, pathologic findings, conversions.

RESULTS

Eleven cases were successfully resected the interstitial gestational products with laparoscopically assisted hysteroscopy. There were four cases failed of hysteroscopic removal, for the proximal tubal ostia were too small for the surgical instruments to enter. Then cornual wedge resections were performed. Two cases were identified as intramural pregnancy by hysteroscopic and laparoscopic view. Most of the intramural pregnancy tissue of one patient was removed by hysteroscopy. The other one converted to laparoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopically assisted hysteroscopic management could be a feasible surgical option to interstitial pregnancies. Further clinical studies are needed to establish detailed criteria to select the appropriate cases for hysteroscopic management.

Ectopic pregnancy: perinatal outcomes of future gestations and long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring

PURPOSE

To evaluate perinatal outcomes and long-term neurological morbidity of offspring to mothers with a history of ectopic pregnancy.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, perinatal outcomes and long-term neurological morbidity of offspring were assessed among mothers with a history of ectopic pregnancy, either medically or surgically treated. The study groups were followed until 18 years of age for neurological-related morbidity. For perinatal outcomes, generalized estimated equation (GEE) models were used to control for confounders. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative neurological morbidity incidence and Cox proportional hazards model was conducted to control for confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 243,682 mothers were included; 1424 mothers (0.58%) had a previous ectopic pregnancy, of which 25.6% (n = 365) were treated medically, and 74.3% (n = 1059) were treated surgically. Using GEE models, controlling for confounders, both surgically and medically treated ectopic pregnancies were noted as independent risk factors for preterm delivery in the subsequent pregnancies. Maternal history of surgically treated ectopic pregnancy was also independently associated with cesarean delivery. Offspring to mothers with previous ectopic pregnancy had comparable rates of long-term neurological morbidity. In the Cox proportional hazards model, controlling for confounders, being born to a mother with a history of previous ectopic pregnancy was not found to be independently associated with long-term neurological morbidity of offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal history of ectopic pregnancy is independently associated with preterm delivery. However, offspring of mothers with a history of ectopic pregnancy are not at an increased risk for long-term neurological morbidity.

Risk factors and clinical characteristics of recurrent ectopic pregnancy: A case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To compare signs and symptoms between patients with recurrent ectopic pregnancies (REP) and primary ectopic pregnancies (PEP) and to identify potential risk factors of REP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 2014 to 2016 were analyzed. The study included 81 women each diagnosed with REP and PEP with no recurrence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) before January 2019. Information, including historical factors and findings at presentation of both group were collected. Data were compared between the two groups. Associations between REP and the risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

The findings revealed that compared to the patients in the PEP group, REP patients had significantly lower education (P = 0.001), higher proportion of previous infertility (P < 0.001) and different methods of PEP treatment (P = 0.001). Clinical data of the last operation revealed significantly higher occurrences of pelvic and peritubal adhesions (P < 0.05). Further multiple regression analysis showed that lower educational background (odds ratio [OR] = 4.183 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.311-13.344 P = 0.016), nulliparity (OR = 12.312 95% CI 3.382-44.824 P < 0.001), history of salpingotomy (OR = 7.129 95% CI 1.022-49.748 P < 0.05) and abortion (OR for one abortion = 21.576, P = 0.001; OR for two abortions =36.794, P < 0.001; OR for three abortions or more = 119.013, P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for REP.

CONCLUSION

Active education on contraception is required for patients with lower educational level and history of abortion. Different plans should be formulated for patients with EP. For EP patients wanting fertility, the risk between fertility preservation and REP needs to be evaluated as reproductive function cannot be pursued blindly while ignoring the risk of recurrence.