Transverse vaginal septum associated with tubal atresia

Caudal regression syndrome associated with obstructive genital tract anomaly

Transverse vaginal septum (TVS) is a rare obstructive genital tract anomaly. It is associated with primary amenorrhoea and typically presents with cyclical abdominal pain due to obstruction of the menstrual flow. Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is also a rare congenital anomaly that is frequently associated with anomalies of the neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiac, genitourinary and gastrointestinal systems. Obstructive genital tract anomaly in CRS is exceptionally rare. This report describes the case of a girl in early adolescence with underlying CRS who presented with severe abdominal pain associated with primary amenorrhoea. Clinical and radiological assessment revealed 'haematocolpos' manifesting as a tender 20 weeks' size abdominal mass and an absent vaginal opening. TVS was identified during examination under anaesthesia. The patient subsequently underwent a successful vaginoplasty with no recurrence of symptoms after 2 years.

Transverse Vaginal Septum Resection: Technique, Timing, and the Utility of Dilation. A Scoping Review of the Literature

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Transverse vaginal septae (TVS) are congenital, obstructive anomalies of the vagina typically presenting with abdominal pain and amenorrhea. Currently, the literature about surgical management is sparse. Postoperative complications are common. Vaginal dilation either pre- or postoperatively is sometimes recommended, the outcomes of which are poorly described. The aim of this scoping review was to guide surgical planning, namely, timing and postoperative care, to improve surgical outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute framework. The population of interest was patients 21 years of age or younger with a TVS. MEDLINE, OVID and CINAHL databases were searched using the subject headings listed herein. Literature written in English and French were included. Excluded were reports on patients with concurrent urogenital anomalies or severe developmental disabilities. The resultant articles were reviewed by 2 independent researchers. A third researcher was used in cases of disagreement. Using a descriptive analytical method, data were extracted from the included articles.

RESULTS

We screened 1441 articles for eligibility; 41 articles met criteria, which described 152 cases of TVS. The most common management was simple vaginal excision. Five studies included outcomes from preoperative dilation, and 11 from postoperative dilation. There were 21 cases of postoperative vaginal stenosis; half (11/21) occurred without postoperative dilation.

CONCLUSION

The goal of this review was to describe how TVS are managed and provide guidance for management options. Although the literature was sparse, the authors believe that management in a tertiary center, and surgical delay until the patient is ready to participate in vaginal dilation will improve outcomes for patients with TVS. Further prospective studies are needed to guide surgical planning.

Congenital partial atresia of the Fallopian tube

Partial tubal atresia is a rare anomaly of unknown pathogenesis. It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally, mainly including the proximal isthmic portion or the proximal ampullary segment ('mid-portion'), and is especially associated with uterine anomalies. Any more extensive pelvic surgery, including preoperative diagnosis of associated urological anomalies, must be well planned in such patients. Salpingostomy and fimbrial approximation is a realistic option in patients with congenital ampullary atresia who wish to have a child. A MEDLINE search was performed and 18 patients found with partial atresia of different tubal portions. This report describes a further patient and reviews the available literature.

Fertility potential of women with congenital ampullary atresia of the fallopian tube

OBJECTIVE

To determine the fertility potential of women with congenital ampullary atresia of the fallopian tube.

DESIGN

Case report and review of literature.

SETTING

University-affiliated tertiary care infertility clinic.

PATIENT(S)

Six infertile women with congenital ampullary atresia of the oviduct.

INTERVENTION(S)

Salpingostomy and fimbrial approximation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Pregnancy.

RESULT(S)

Of six reported cases of congenital ampullary atresia of the fallopian tube who underwent surgery, four women conceived intrauterine pregnancies (IUP) and another, a pregnancy of undetermined site.

CONCLUSION(S)

Salpingostomy and fimbrial approximation is a therapeutic option for infertile women with congenital ampullary atresia of the fallopian tube.

Female genital anomalies affecting reproduction

OBJECTIVE

A multitude of female congenital anomalies are uncommon. However, their impact on reproduction can be profound. The aim of this review is to remind the practicing physician of the clinically relevant embryology and summarize the studies that look at the impact of such various anomalies on a woman's fecundity. We review particular surgical therapies that possibly may improve fertility in such women.

DESIGN

Review and critique of available studies in which particular surgical therapies were done and whether they truly improved fertility in these women with congenital reproductive anomalies.

RESULTS

Clear evidence demonstrates that uterine septum resection is effective in women with demonstrated recurrent pregnancy losses. Arcuate uterus has little impact on reproduction. Other studies fail to definitively show that surgical correction will improve pregnancy retention or fertility except for specifically indicated clinical scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

The practicing reproductive specialist should have working knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic options for women with reproductive congenital anomalies. A summary chart has been devised to clearly associate embryologic structures with normal adult derivative as well as anomalous structures.