Management of caesarean scar pregnancies using an intrauterine or abdominal approach based on the myometrial thickness between the gestational mass and the bladder wall.

AIM: To describe our experience with various interventions for caesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs) based on the myometrial thickness between the gestational mass and the bladder. METHODS: All patients were initially administered methotrexate. Then, the appropriate therapies hysteroscopy alone or combined with uterine artery embolization (group A) and direct laparoscopy alone or combined with laparoscopic uterine artery occlusion (group B) was selected based on the myometrial thickness between the gestational mass and the bladder. RESULTS: The uteri of all 53 patients with CSPs were conserved; no conversion to laparotomy or blood transfusion was required. Uterine rupture occurred in one case during surgery in group A. The operative time in group B was longer than group A (42 ± 18 vs. 80 ± 33 min; p = 0.022). The two groups were also similar with respect to other characteristics (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Myometrial thickness should be considered during the management of CSPs. Surgical approaches in the treatment of CSPs using 2-mm boundaries may yield an optimal clinical outcome.

Temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion combined with vasopressin in control of hemorrhage during laparoscopic management of cesarean scar pregnancies.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with titanium clips in combination with vasopressin as an effective surgical intervention to control hemorrhage during laparoscopic management of cesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs). DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: University hospital in an obstetrics and gynecology department. INTERVENTIONS: Five patients with CSPs underwent removal of gestational ectopic masses via laparoscopy. At the beginning of the procedure, all 5 women had temporary bilateral uterine artery occlusion with titanium clips, and vasopressin 6 U was injected into the myometrium. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical data, serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin levels, operative times, and operative blood loss levels were recorded. The mean gestational age at the time of CSP diagnosis was 9.2 ± 1.9 weeks. The mean serum ß-hCG level on the day of surgery was 14262 ± 12870 IU/L. The mean operative time was 86 ± 21.6 minutes, the mean uterine artery occlusion time was 58 ± 13.8 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 144 ± 79.6 mL. No cases were converted to laparotomy, no blood transfusions were required, and there were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy combined with titanium clip occlusion of the uterine arteries bilaterally with vasopressin injection is an effective, minimally invasive procedure to preserve the uterus in patients with a CSP.