Reproductive outcome of a complete septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty

3D reconstruction of the uterus and automatic segmentation of the uterine cavity on 3D magnetic resonance imaging: A preliminary study

Purpose

To determine the differences in 3D shape features between septate uterus (SU) and normal uterus and to train a network to automatically delineate uterine cavity on 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

A total of 43 patients (22 cases of partial septate uterus and 21 cases of complete septate uterus) were included in the experimental group. Nine volunteers were recruited as a control group. The uterine cavity (UC), myometrium (UM), and cervical canal of the uterus were segmented manually using ITK-SNAP software. The three-dimensional shape features of the UC and UM were extracted by using PyRadiomics. The recurrent saliency transformation network (RSTN) method was used to segment the UC.

Results

The values of four 3D shape features were significantly lower in the control group than in the partial septate group and the complete septate group, while the values of two features were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The UCs of the three groups were significantly different in terms of flatness and sphericity. The values of six features were significantly lower in the UMs of the control group than in those of the partial septate group and the complete septate group (p < 0.05). After the deep learning networks were trained, the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) scores of the four folds for different thresholds were all over 80 %. The average volume ratio between predictions and manual segmentation was 101.2 %.

Conclusions

Based on 3D reconstruction, 3D shape features can be used to comprehensively evaluate septate uterus and provide a reference for subsequent research. The UC can be automatically segmented on 3D MRI using the RSTN method.

Reproductive outcomes and risk factors of women with septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty

Background

Hysteroscopic metroplasty of the uterine septum has been the standard treatment strategy to improve reproductive outcomes, but there are still controversies about the appropriateness of metroplasty. In addition, there have been few studies of the factors related to reproductive outcomes of women after surgery. The study aimed to evaluate the reproductive outcomes and the associated risk factors that influence reproductive outcomes after hysteroscopic metroplasty of women with septate uterus and the desire to conceive.

Methods

This study was an observational study. Cases were screened by searching electronic patient files, and demographic factors were collected. We conducted telephone follow-ups to collect the postoperative reproductive outcomes. The primary outcome of this study was live birth, and secondary outcomes were ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, early miscarriage, and preterm birth. Demographic variables included patients' age, body mass index (BMI), the type of septum, infertility and miscarriage history, and complications including intrauterine adhesions, endometrial polyps, endometriosis, and adenomyosis were collected to perform univariate and multivariate analyses to predict the risk factors of reproductive outcomes after surgery treatment.

Results

In total, 348 women were evaluated and followed up. There were 95 cases (27.3%, 95/348) with combined infertility, 195 cases (56.0%, 195/348) with miscarriage history, and cases combined with intrauterine adhesions, endometrial polyps, endometriosis, and adenomyosis were 107 (30.7%, 107/348), 53 (15.2%, 53/348), 28 (8.0%, 28/348), and 5 (1.4%), respectively. Following surgery, the live birth rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher than prior to surgery (84.6% vs 3.7%, p= 0.000; and 78.2% vs 69.5%, p= 0.01, respectively), early miscarriage rate and preterm delivery rate were significantly lower (8.8% vs 80.6%, p= 0.000; and 7.0% vs 66.7%, p=0.000, respectively). After adjusting for body mass index, miscarriage history, and complications, multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age ≥ 35 years and primary infertility as independent factors that affected postoperative clinical pregnancy (OR 4.025, 95% CI 2.063-7.851, p= 0.000; and OR 3.603, 95% CI 1.903-6.820, p= 0.000; respectively) and ongoing pregnancy (OR 3.420, 95% CI 1.812-6.455, p= 0.000; and OR 2.586, 95% CI 1.419-4.712, p= 0.002; respectively).

Conclusions

Hysteroscopic metroplasty could lead to improved reproductive outcomes of women with septate uterus. Both age and primary infertility were independent factors for postoperative reproductive outcomes.

Trial registration

Chi ECRCT20210343.

Diagnosis of septate uterus

The septate uterus is the most common structural uterine anomalies and it is associated with the poor reproductive outcome. It is believed to be the result of the failure in resorption of the tissue connecting the 2 paramesonephric ducts prior to the 20th embryonic week. The true prevalence of uterine septum is difficult to ascertain, as many uterine septal defects are asymptomatic. The septate uterus is usually diagnosed during an infertility evaluation and affects reproductive health by impairing fertility and increasing adverse pregnancy outcomes. The variations in uterine and cervical/vaginal anomalies collectively referred to as Müllerian anomalies. No consistent gold standard for the diagnosis of Müllerian anomalies exists. The preferred diagnostic method for Müllerian anomalies is two-dimensional ultrasound, other methods such as three-dimensional ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, hysterosalpingo contrast sonography, hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, and laparoscopy are also used to improve accuracy.

Effects of Septum Resection for Secondary Infertility on Subsequent Reproductive Outcomes of in vitro Fertilization-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of uterine septum resection on reproductive outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) / intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in patients with secondary infertility complicated with uterine septum.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study included 269 patients. Surgical group included 169 patients with secondary infertility complicated with uterine septum, who underwent 252 embryo-transfer (ET) cycles following septum resection. Control group consisted of 100 patients with secondary infertility and uterine septum, who underwent 178 ET cycles. Cumulative pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate after one complete assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle were the primary outcomes.

RESULTS

The results showed that the cumulative pregnancy rate was higher in the surgery group, and statistically significant difference was observed in the cumulative pregnancy rate between the two groups (71.0 vs. 59%, P = 0.044). In fresh ET cycle, no statistically significant difference between the two groups was evident (54.9 vs. 40.6%, P = 0.061). Statistical analysis of other results of the fresh ET cycle did not differ significantly between the two groups. In terms of frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle outcomes, the clinical pregnancy rate and delivery rate in surgery group were 52.7 and 38.2%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (38.2 and 22.5%, respectively) (P = 0.028 and P = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

The reproductive outcomes of IVF/ICSI after septum resection in patients with secondary infertility were better than that in the untreated group, suggesting that uterine septum resection can be performed in patients with uterine septum combined with infertility to improve their reproductive outcomes.

Effect of hysteroscopic septum resection on subsequent in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in cases of primary infertility

OBJECTIVE

Women with septate uteri are at risk for subfertility, recurrent miscarriage, and preterm birth. It is not clear if hysteroscopic septum resection is beneficial to subsequent in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection o (IVF/ICSI) outcomes in women with primary infertility.

STUDY DESIGN

We analyzed all 278 women with uterine septum and primary infertility between January 2011 and January 2019. In this retrospective cohort study, the patients were divided into a surgery group and an expectant (non-surgery) group.

RESULTS

Among them, 87 had a complete and 191 a partial septate uterus. The IVF-ET characteristics of the two groups showed no significant differences in the patients' age, body mass index, or basal follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol levels (P>0.05). The miscarriage rate in those who underwent hysteroscopic septum resection, however, was significantly reduced (5.1% vs. 12.9%, P = 0.035). In contrast, the live birth rate between the two groups revealed no significant difference (51.4% vs. 43.6%, P = 0.1771), nor did the obstetric and neonatal outcomes (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hysteroscopic septum resection can be recommended prior to IVF/ICSI.

Reproductive Performance Following Hysteroscopic Surgery for Uterine Septum: Results from a Single Surgeon Data

Uterine septum can negatively affect reproductive outcomes in women. Based on evidence from retrospective observational studies, hysteroscopic incision has been considered a solution to improve reproductive performance, however there has been recent controversy on the need for surgery for uterine septum. High quality evidence from prospective studies is still lacking, and until it is available, experts are encouraged to publish their data. We are therefore presenting our data that involves analysis of the patient characteristics, surgical approach and long-term reproductive outcomes of women who received treatment for uterine septum under the care of a single surgeon. This includes all women (99) who underwent hysteroscopic surgery for uterine septum between January 2001 and December 2019. Of those 99 women treated for intrauterine septum who were trying to conceive, 91.4% (64/70) achieved pregnancy, 78.6% (55/70) had live births and 8.6% (6/70) had miscarriages. No statistically significant difference was found in the live birth rates when data was analyzed in subgroups based on age, reason for referral/aetiology and severity of pathology. Our study results support the view that surgical treatment of uterine septa is beneficial in improving reproductive outcomes.