Early first-trimester transvaginal ultrasound screening for Cesarean scar pregnancy in patients with previous Cesarean delivery: analysis of the evidence.

Obstetric hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. An important etiology of obstetric hemorrhage is placenta accreta spectrum. In the last two decades, there has been increased clinical experience of the devastating effect of undiagnosed, as well as late diagnosed, cases of Cesarean scar pregnancy. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that Cesarean scar pregnancy is an early precursor of second- and third-trimester placenta accreta spectrum. As such, Cesarean scar pregnancy should be diagnosed in the early first trimester. This early diagnosis could be achieved by introducing regimented sonographic screening in pregnancies of patients with previous Cesarean delivery. This Opinion article evaluates the scientific and clinical basis of whether Cesarean scar pregnancy, with special focus on its early first-trimester discovery, complies with the accepted requirements of a screening test. Each of the 10 classical screening criteria of Wilson and Jungner were systematically applied to evaluate if the criteria were met by Cesarean scar pregnancy, to analyze if it is possible and realistic to carry out screening in a population-wide fashion.

Paradoxical air embolism in patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery for cesarean scar pregnancy: A case report and review of the literatures.

Cesarean scar pregnancy cases who undergo hysteroscopic suction aspiration could be at higher risk of air emboli due to dilated, low-resistant, high-velocity blood vessels.

Cesarean Scar Pregnancy With Surgical and Conservative Managements: A Case Report.

A cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Proper diagnosis and management of CSP are incredibly important secondary to the risk of uterine rupture and life-threatening hemorrhage. Various medical and surgical management have been described previously. This report looks at two cases of CSP diagnosed at an urban hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The first woman was 30 years old with a history of five prior CS. She was referred from an abortion clinic for CSP at 6 weeks 2 days gestation. She did not desire future fertility and opted for a hysterectomy. The second woman was 38 years old with a history of three prior CS presenting with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain and found to have a CSP with a gestation sac measuring 5 weeks 1 day. Given the patient's desires for future fertility, she was treated with a two-dose regimen of systemic intramuscular methotrexate (MTX) at 1 mg/kg with successful resolution of CSP and subsequent intrauterine pregnancy. Due to the high risk of uterine rupture and hemorrhage with CSP, it is important to have a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Due to the rarity of CSP, and thus difficulty creating quality prospective trials, there is no consensus on the best management yet. Although conservative treatment carries high failure risk, shared decision-making incorporating future fertility desires should be considered when determining management of CSP, and when surgical management is considered a minimally invasive approach should be the standard of care in surgical management.

Systematic evaluation of the efficacy of treatments for cesarean scar pregnancy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a type of ectopic pregnancy associated with severe complications, including significant hemorrhage, the potential need for hysterectomy, and life-threatening risks. Currently, two classification methods exist for CSP: Vial (type Ia and IIa) and Chinese Expert's Consensus (type Ib, type IIb, and type IIIb). However, these methods have limitations in guiding the selection of appropriate treatment plans for CSP. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments for CSP within our clinic. METHOD: Our study included 906 patients with CSP from January 2013 to December 2018. The chi-squared test and logistic analysis were used to compare the clinical characteristics. The median and interquartile range (IQR) was calculated. We also analyzed whether preoperative application of methotrexate (MTX) could improve surgical outcomes and the relevant characteristics of misdiagnosed CSP patients. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in gestational age, gestational sac diameter, gestational sac width, gestational sac area, remnant myometrial thickness, vaginal bleeding and preoperative hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001) but not in the incidence of residual tissue (p = 0.053). The other factors (intraoperative blood loss, hemoglobin decline, first hemoglobin after operation, total hospital stay, hospital stay after operation, transfusion and duration of catheter drain) were significantly different (p < 0.001). For type Ia and type Ib CSP, 39.3% and 40.2% of patients were treated with dilatation and curettage (D&E) under ultrasound, respectively. For type IIa and type IIIb CSP, 29.9% and 62.7% of patients were treated with laparotomy, respectively. There were no differences in surgical methods, residual tissue and reoperation between the MTX and non-MTX groups (p = 0.20), but liver damage, hospital stay and pain perception were more remarkable in the MTX group. It is noteworthy that 14% of the patients were misdiagnosed with an intrauterine pregnancy. The incidence of misdiagnosis in type IIa CSP patients was higher than that in type Ia CSP patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For type I CSP patients, D&E under ultrasound or D&E under hysteroscopy should be recommended. For type IIIb CSP patients, operative resection should be used. It is currently difficult to choose the appropriate treatment methods for type IIa or type IIb CSP patients.

First-trimester ultrasound diagnosis and risk factor analysis of cesarean scar pregnancy after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Background: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is one of the rarest ectopic pregnancies which may be associated with life-threatening complications. Owing to the rarity of CSP, little is known about it. This study aimed to evaluate the value of the first-trimester transvaginal sonography (TVS) diagnosis and the risk factors of CSP after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Methods: This was a retrospective study of women undergoing IVF-ET between January 2013 and December 2018. Women who were diagnosed with a CSP using TVS and confirmed by surgery and histological examination were included. The clinical data and ultrasound findings were collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed for evaluation of possible influence factors. Diagnostic parameters including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of TVS were calculated for the diagnosis of CSP. Results: Overall, 75,438 consecutive women who underwent IVF-ET had received TVS during this period. Of these, 4,817 women (6.4%) had a history of cesarean section and 83 cases were found to have a CSP. Due to the absence of histological data, 19 cases treated conservatively were excluded. Finally, 64 cases were included, among whom 63 cases were correctly diagnosed [including 17 cases of heterotopic CSP (HCSP)] and 1 case was missed using TVS. Another 1 case of inevitable miscarriage was misdiagnosed as a CSP. The maternal age at the initial scan [34.0 (range, 26.0-44.0) years], the infertility duration [4.0 (range, 1-12) years], and the initial diagnostic time after ET [27 (range, 20-50) days] were recorded. A gestational sac (GS) was observed in all 63 cases during ultrasound examinations, including 28 with fetal pole, 25 with a yolk sac only, and 10 with an empty sac. The sensitivity and specificity of first-trimester TVS in diagnosing CSP were 98.44% and 99.98%, respectively; the PPV and NPV were 98.44% and 99.98%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed thinner endometrial thickness (ET) on transfer day [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.76-0.93, P<0.001] and multiple ET (aOR 53.60, 95% CI: 5.31-1,736.00, P=0.008) were independent risk factors for CSP and HCSP, respectively. Conclusions: First-trimester TVS performed by an experienced sonographer has a high sensitivity for making the correct diagnosis of CSP after IVF-ET, which is helpful for clinical intervention and avoiding severe complications. For patients with a history of cesarean section, thinner ET on the transfer day and bigger body mass index (BMI) seem to be risk factors for CSP; single blastocyst transfer should be recommended to decrease the possibility of HCSP. The clinical significance of this study still needs to be considered.

Exaggerated placental site in a cesarean scar: Misdiagnosed as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A case report.

The present study reports a rare case of an exaggerated placental site (EPS) in a caesarean scar that was misdiagnosed as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) by imaging, resulting in unnecessary surgical treatment. A 38-year-old woman underwent hysteroscopic resection of a cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). The patient's serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) level was elevated (76,196 mIU/ml) at the 24-day postoperative follow-up visit. On postoperative day 51, the patient experienced vaginal bleeding for three days and ß-hCG levels were 2,799 mIU/ml. Ultrasonography and MRI revealed a heterogeneous mass and hypervascularity. The patient was diagnosed with a GTN in a cesarean scar and treated with methotrexate (MTX). ß-hCG levels decreased after 3 MTX doses, but the mass did not change in size and was still hypervascular on imaging. Total hysterectomy was performed due to the serious side effects of chemotherapy and the lack of desire to preserve fertility. The histological findings supported the diagnosis of an EPS reaction. The present case is unique because of the rare intrauterine mass and possibility of retained trophoblastic changes causing EPS. EPS differs from GTN both clinically and pathologically and should be considered a possible diagnosis in any woman who has irregular bleeding following CSP resection.

A rare case report of heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy in the 8th week of gestation that was managed successfully by exploratory laparotomy with dilation and curettage.

Key Clinical Message: Swift and precise identification of heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy, coupled with standardized treatment approaches for handling possible serious complications, form an essential component in reaching favorable outcomes for patients experiencing this rare type of pregnancy. Abstract: Heterotopic pregnancy (HP) denotes a form of multiple gestation where intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies coexist. Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy, on the other hand, involves the implantation of a fetus over the previous cesarean scar. This condition poses a significant risk of uterine rupture, which may lead to serious health complications, and even death. We report a case of a fit 37-year-old woman with two previous cesarean deliveries who was diagnosed with a heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy at 8 weeks gestation following symptoms of lower abdominal pain and delayed menstruation. Both pregnancies demonstrated cardiac activity and the portion of the myometrium located between the bladder wall and the gestational sac was noted to exhibit considerable thinness. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy coupled with dilation and curettage and recovered uneventfully. The proper management of a HCSP requires timely diagnosis through ultrasonography. Early diagnosis allows for immediate intervention to prevent complications such as uterine rupture or potentially lethal bleeding.

The Association of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), Systemic Immune-Response Index (SIRI), and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) with Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), Systemic Immune-Response Index (SIRI), and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) with Cesarean Scar Pregnancy (CSP) METHODS: This prospective case-control study was conducted in Ankara City Hospital perinatology clinic between 2022 and 2023. The diagnosis of CSP was made by transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. NLR, SII, and SIRI values were compared between those diagnosed with CSP (n=23) and healthy pregnancies (n=126) at the time of first admission. RESULTS: The study group had significantly higher NLR, SII, and SIRI values compared to the controls. Optimal cut-off values were 3.79 (69 % sensitivity, 78.2 % specificity), 1180.6 (76.7 % sensitivity, 72.7 % specificity), and, 1.9 (83.3 % sensitivity, 72.7 % specificity) for NLR, SII, and SIRI, respectively. When NLR, SII and SIRI values were compared between CSP cases and pregnant women who had previous history of cesarean section but did not have CSP, significantly higher SII values were observed in the CSP group. The optimal cut-off value of SII was found to be 804.4 in predicting CSP among cases with previous history of cesarean delivery (73.9 % sensitivity, 66.2 % specificity). CONCLUSION: SII, SIRI, and NLR may be useful in predicting cesarean scar pregnancy in pregnant women.

Laparoscopic Management of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy with Temporary Clipping of Anterior Trunk of Hypogastric Arteries: A Case Report.

A cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy (CSP) represents an uncommon yet potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate and efficient management. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with a scar pregnancy at 8 weeks of gestation. Laparoscopic surgical management was chosen due to its minimally invasive nature and potential for preserving fertility. During the procedure, temporary clipping of uterine arteries was employed to control intraoperative bleeding. The patient recovered well postoperatively with no complications. This case highlights the feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic intervention combined with temporary uterine artery clipping in the management of scar pregnancies, offering a valuable approach for clinicians faced with similar cases. Through this report, we aim to contribute to the existing literature on the optimal management of CSP and highlight the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in this context.

Treatment Outcomes of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy Under a Novel Classification System: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the new classification system published by Jordans et al for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) can guide management and treatment outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study of women diagnosed with CSP from October 2010 to December 2022 in a single tertiary center was performed. Sonographic records of these women were classified into three types according to the classification published by Jordans et al. Treatment outcomes were compared across each type of CSP. RESULTS: The study included a total of 84 women, where 60 (71.4%), 17 (20.2%), and 7 (8.3%) of them were categorized into Type 1, 2, and 3 CSP, respectively. A total of 47 (55.9%) women were managed with methotrexate, 22 (26.2%) underwent surgical management of the CSP without removal of the Cesarean section (CS) niche, and 11 (13.1%) underwent surgery to remove the CSP and the CS niche. Overall treatment success rates for medical management and surgical management were 70 and 97%, respectively. Four women were managed expectantly and continued their pregnancies, among which three carried beyond 34 weeks and had good neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The classification as published by Jordans et al is easily replicable and readily implemented clinically. Our findings show that a higher proportion of Type 1 and Type 2 CSP were treated successfully by a less invasive medical approach with a high success rate, whereas most Type 3 CSP required surgical resection to successfully remove the CSP and the CS niche. Prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and further validate the clinical utility of this nomenclature system.

Combined hysteroscopic Bigatti shaver (IBS) and resectoscope removal of a heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy in the first trimester.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy reduction using a combined hysteroscopic integrated Bigatti shaver (IBS) and resectoscope with the preservation of a normal gestational sac in the uterine cavity under simultaneous transabdominal ultrasound guidance. DESIGN: Video article. SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENT: A 30-year-old woman, G5P2A2L2, with two previous cesarean deliveries and a history of fertility problems, was admitted with a heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy at 7+2 gestational weeks. Ultrasound examination showed a dichorionic diamniotic pregnancy. The first gestational sac (1.7 × 1.7 × 0.6 cm) was located in the previous hysterotomy scars, with a thin layer of myometrium measuring 0.2 cm in thickness and a rich blood supply. The second chorionic sac (2.8 × 2.4 × 1.8 cm) was observed at the uterine fundus. Normal cardiac activity and yolk sacs were observed in both gestational sacs. The couple strongly desired to preserve the intrauterine pregnancy. INTERVENTION(S): After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, a hysteroscopic IBS combined with a bipolar resectoscope was used to remove the heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy while preserving the intrauterine gestational sac under simultaneous transabdominal ultrasound guidance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy was completely resected using hysteroscopy, and the gestational sac in the uterine cavity was successfully preserved. RESULT(S): Trophoblastic tissue was confirmed using histopathological examination. The patient had an unremarkable postoperative recovery. Subsequent serial ultrasonography confirmed a single ongoing pregnancy with normal growth parameters and a normal placental site. CONCLUSION(S): The inability of an IBS to perform coagulation can be offset by its combination with the bipolar resectoscope. Hysteroscopic IBS combined with resectoscope to remove a heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy offers a short operation time and minimum blood loss. It could be an optimized approach for the management of heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy in the first trimester when an intrauterine pregnancy needs to be preserved.

A combination of laparoscopy and bilateral uterine artery occlusion for the treatment of type II cesarean scar pregnancy: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the efficacy of a combination of laparoscopy and bilateral uterine artery occlusion (BUAO) for the treatment of type II cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS: Patients with type II CSP underwent laparoscopy + bilateral uterine artery embolization (control group) or laparoscopy + BUAO (study group). Data regarding the duration of surgery, intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative complications, the duration of the hospital stay, and the costs of hospitalization were retrospectively collected. One year later, the time to the return of the ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) concentration to normal and to the return of menstruation were compared. RESULTS: The duration of surgery, time to the return of menstruation, and incidence of postoperative complications in the study group were significantly less than in the control group, but there was no significant difference in the time for ß-hCG to return to normal or the volume of intraoperative hemorrhage. The duration of hospitalization and costs for the control group were higher than those for the study group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy in combination with BUAO is associated with minimal trauma, rapid recovery, a short duration of surgery, low cost of hospitalization, and a low postoperative complication rate. Thus, it represents a useful new surgical treatment for type II CSP.

Molar cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: Report of 2 cases with review of literature.

Background: The occurrence of hydatidiform mole at the cesarean scar site is a rare problem. Few cases have been reported, thus there is not enough information for accurate diagnosis and management of this event. Case Presentation: Herein, we present 2 cases of an invasive hydatidiform mole embedded in cesarean scar tissue, one presented with occasional hypogastric pain and nausea and another with spotting both with a history of cesarean section. Transvaginal ultrasonography and a considerably high titer of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin blood test suggested the existence of molar pregnancy on the cesarean scar, which was confirmed through histological assessment. In the first case, evacuation of molar pregnancy followed by scar resection at the cesarean scar site led to successful fertility preservation management. Conclusion: The presence of abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding in a pregnant woman without gestational sac in ultrasonography, strongly suggests ectopic pregnancy. The process of diagnosis should be followed by definitive diagnostic evaluation, including beta-human chorionic gonadotropin titer measurement, ultrasonographic assessment (2 and 3-dimensional), magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic laparoscopy, and finally biopsy of the lesion.

The value of ultrasound parameters in predicting the efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound-guided suction curettage alone in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of ultrasound parameters in assessing the efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS)-guided suction curettage alone for cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). METHODS: Secondary retrospective analysis of a prospective study consisted of 137 women diagnosed with CSP who were performed TAUS-guided suction curettage alone for the first time at Maternity and Child Health Care of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China. Prior to surgery, an ultrasound examination was conducted. Based on the need for secondary intervention, the patients were categorized into failure group and success group, and the predictive factors for failure of TAUS-guided suction curettage alone were analyzed. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression showed that maximum diameter of the gestational sac>29 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 4.043, 95% CI: 1.100-14.862), residual myometrium thickness ≤1.8 mm (OR = 3.719, 95% CI: 1.148-12.048) and chorionic villi thickness at the scar >4.7 mm (OR = 15.327, 95% CI: 4.617-50.881) were independent predictors of failure in TAUS-guided suction curettage alone for CSP. Furthermore, the logistic regression model that was jointly constructed by these three predictors demonstrated an area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and Youden index of 0.913, 0.912, 0.864, and 0.776, respectively. CONCLUSION: The maximum diameter of the gestational sac, residual myometrium thickness, and chorionic villi thickness at the scar has certain predictive efficacy of TAUS-guided suction curettage alone for CSP. Nevertheless, it is more valuable to apply the model of this study, composed of the three ultrasound parameters, for this prediction purpose.

Is there a role for magnetic resonance imaging in cesarean scar pregnancy after the first trimester?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide additional information in cases of cesarean scar pregnancy beyond the first trimester. MRI and 3D reconstructions can demonstrate the relationships between the uterus, cervix, bladder, and placenta, improving the spatial perspective of the pelvic anatomy in cases requiring surgical management. MRI and 3D reconstructions can also provide more comprehensive images for parental counseling, virtual and face-to-face multidisciplinary team discussion, and medical record storage.

Efficacy and safety of treatment modalities for cesarean scar pregnancy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean scar pregnancy may lead to varying degrees of complications. There are many treatment methods for it, but there are no unified or recognized treatment strategies. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to observe the efficacy and safety of treatment modalities for patients with cesarean scar pregnancy. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from their inception to January 31, 2024. In addition, relevant reviews and meta-analyses were manually searched for additional references. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Our study incorporated head-to-head trials involving a minimum of 10 women diagnosed with cesarean scar pregnancy through ultrasound imaging or magnetic resonance imaging, encompassing a detailed depiction of primary interventions and any supplementary measures. Trials with a Newcastle-Ottawa scale score <4 were excluded because of their low quality. METHODS: We conducted a random-effects network meta-analysis and review for cesarean scar pregnancy. Group-level data on treatment efficacy and safety, reproductive outcomes, study design, and demographic characteristics were extracted following a predefined protocol. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools for randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle‒Ottawa scale for cohort studies and case series. The main outcomes were efficacy (initial treatment success) and safety (complications), of which summary odds ratios and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve using pairwise and network meta-analysis with random effects. RESULTS: Seventy-three trials (7 randomized controlled trials) assessing a total of 8369 women and 17 treatment modalities were included. Network meta-analyses were rooted in data from 73 trials that reported success rates and 55 trials that reported complications. The findings indicate that laparoscopy, transvaginal resection, hysteroscopic curettage, and high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage demonstrated the highest cure rates, as evidenced by surface under the cumulative ranking curve rankings of 91.2, 88.2, 86.9, and 75.3, respectively. When compared with suction curettage, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for efficacy were as follows: 6.76 (1.99-23.01) for laparoscopy, 5.92 (1.47-23.78) for transvaginal resection, 5.00 (1.99-23.78) for hysteroscopic curettage, and 3.27 (1.08-9.89) for high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage. Complications were more likely to occur after receiving uterine artery chemoembolization, suction curettage, methotrexate+hysteroscopic curettage, and systemic methotrexate; hysteroscopic curettage, high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage, and Lap were safer than the other options derived from finite evidence; and the confidence intervals of all the data were wide. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that laparoscopy, transvaginal resection, hysteroscopic curettage, and high-intensity focused ultrasound combined with suction curettage procedures exhibit superior efficacy with reduced complications. The utilization of methotrexate (both locally guided injection and systemic administration) as a standalone medical treatment is not recommended.

Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: Results of Treatment Using a Double-Balloon Cervical Ripening Catheter.

Background: Being considered a life-threatening condition, cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) leads to loss of fertility, severe bleeding, and even maternal mortality. We intended to assess the effect of double-balloon cervical ripening catheter insertion on CSP termination before nine weeks of gestation. Method: All participants were diagnosed CSP by abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound. The cases were treated with a sterile, double-balloon cervical ripening catheter inserted with real-time transabdominal ultrasound guidance and removed three days later. The control group consisted of patients treated with systemic methotrexate with or without fetal reduction. Results: Thirty-five patients were eligible for double-balloon ripening and 32 for MTX therapy; the treatment in cases failed in five of the patients. Success rate difference between two methods was insignificant (Pearson Chi-square: 0.383, p-value: 0.536). There were significant differences regarding the time to normal menstruation (OR: 1.303) and the thickness of the myometrium after surgery (OR: 4.721), but there was no significant difference in the time resolve of either ß-HCG or residue of pregnancy. Conclusion: Double-balloon cervical ripening insertion yields acceptable results for terminating CSP. This strategy does not cause bleeding and even prevents it with its tamponade properties. Additionally, this treatment is minimally invasive simple with low morbidity.

Dilatation and Curettage after Uterine Artery Embolization versus Methotrexate Injection for the Treatment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: A Single-Center Experience.

Background and Objectives: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) represents a type of ectopic pregnancy in which the embryo implants inside the scar of a previous cesarean section. This condition can lead to maternal morbidity and mortality. The best therapeutic approach in terms of clinical effectiveness and patient safety for CSP has not been described yet, although different therapeutic strategies are currently available. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the success rate of two different treatments in a single institution. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed among patients diagnosed with CSP at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department of the "Cannizzaro" Hospital in Catania (University of Enna-Italy) from January 2016 to December 2022. The diagnosis was made by 2D/3D transvaginal ultrasound, following Timor-Tritsch criteria. Two treatment strategies were performed: local and systemic methotrexate (MTX) injection and uterine artery embolization (UAE) with subsequent dilatation and curettage (D&C). All treated women underwent subsequent clinical and sonographic follow-up. Complete recovery was defined as the reduction of ß-HCG values until it was undetectable and the disappearance of the mass in the uterine scar on ultrasound. Results: Nineteen patients were included; nine were in the MTX group and ten were in the UAE + D&C group. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of clinical parameters. Treatment was successful in 4 of 10 (44%) patients in the MTX group and 10 of 10 (100%) in the UAE + D&C group (p = 0.01); the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the latter group (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In our experience, administration of MTX is not recommended as the primary treatment or pre-treatment. Dilatation and curettage after uterine artery embolization are better than methotrexate injection for the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy in a single-institution series in terms of complete recovery and length of hospital stay.

Surgical evacuation combined with Shirodkar cervical suture and selective uterine artery embolization: A fertility preserving treatment for 10-15 weeks' live cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies.

INTRODUCTION: Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies (CSEPs) are associated with significant maternal morbidity and termination is often recommended in the early first trimester. Management of more advanced cases is challenging due to higher risks of major intraoperative hemorrhage. Hysterectomy is currently the intervention of choice for advanced cases. This study aimed to investigate if advanced live CSEPs could be managed effectively conservatively using suction curettage and interventional radiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed. A total of 371 women diagnosed with CSEP were identified between January 2008 and January 2023. A total of 6% (22/371) women had an advanced live CSEP with crown-rump length (CRL) of ≥40 mm (≥10 weeks' gestation). Of these, 77% (17/22) opted for surgical intervention, whilst the remaining five continued their pregnancies. A preoperative ultrasound was performed in each patient. All women underwent suction curettage under ultrasound guidance and insertion of Shirodkar cervical suture as a primary hemostatic measure combined with uterine artery embolization (UAE) if required. The primary outcome was rate of blood transfusion. Secondary outcomes were estimated intraoperative blood loss, UAE, intensive care unit admission, reintervention, hysterectomy, hospitalization duration and rate of retained products of conception. Descriptive statistics were used to describe these variables. RESULTS: Median CRL of the 17 patients included was 54.1 mm (range: 40.0-85.7) and median gestational age based on CRL was 12 + 3 weeks (range: 10 + 6-15 + 0). On preoperative ultrasound scan placental lacunae were recorded in 76% (13/17) of patients and color Doppler score was ≥3 in 67% (10/15) of patients. At surgery, Shirodkar cervical suture was used in all cases. It was successful in achieving hemostasis by tamponade in 76% (13/17) of patients. In the remaining 24% (4/17) patients tamponade failed to achieve complete hemostasis and UAE was performed to stop persistent arterial bleeding into the uterine cavity. Median intraoperative blood loss was 800 mL (range: 250-2500) and 41% (7/17) women lost >1000 mL. 35% (6/17) needed blood transfusion. No women required hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical evacuation with Shirodkar cervical suture and selective UAE is an effective treatment for advanced live CSEPs.