Differentiated approaches to surgical correction of post-caesarean uterine scar niche

Bezhenar V.F., Grigorian A.E., Romanova M.L.

Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic metroplasty with hysteroscopic assistance and laparoscopic metroplasty combined with transabdominal cerclage in correcting the post-caesarean uterine scar niche.
Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial included 38 patients with a post-caesarean uterine scar niche. Group 1 comprised of 18 patients who underwent laparoscopic metroplasty with simultaneous hysteroscopy and transabdominal cerclage. Group 2 included 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic metroplasty with simultaneous hysteroscopy. Scar thickness was assessed before and six months after surgery using pelvic MRI data.
Results: Six months after surgery, the study group exhibited greater scar thickness (6.0 [4.0; 7.3] mm) than the control group (5.0 [4.0; 6.65] mm), as determined by pelvic MRI. MRI data revealed a significant change in scar thickness in both groups before and after laparoscopic metroplasty (p=0.0002 and p=0.0001, respectively). Following the surgical procedure, a notable reduction in the severity of clinical symptoms was observed. In group 1, the duration of postmenstrual bleeding decreased from 5 to 2 days, while in group 2, the duration decreased from 4 to 2 days. Prior to surgery, the mean dyspareunia score according to the visual analog scale (VAS) was 6 in group 1, decreasing to 4 postoperatively. In group 2, the mean score was 5, which decreased to 3 after the metroplasty. No complications were observed after surgery in any of the patient groups.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic correction of the post-caesarean uterine scar niche using both methods increased the thickness of the uterine scar and reduced the severity of the clinical symptoms associated with a thinned uterine scar.

Authors’ contributions: Bezhenar V.F. – conception and design of the study, drafting and editing of the manuscript; Grigorian A.E. – material collection and processing, statistical analysis, editing of the manuscript; Romanova M.L. – drafting and editing of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: There was no funding for this study.
Ethical Approval: The study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Pavlov First Saint Petersburg SMU, Ministry of Health of Russia.
Patient Consent for Publication: All patients provided informed consent for the publication of their data.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Bezhenar V.F., Grigorian A.E., Romanova M.L. Differentiated approaches to 
surgical correction of post-caesarean uterine scar niche.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (11): 118-127 (in Russian)
Authors’ contributions: Bezhenar V.F. – conception and design of the study, drafting and editing of the manuscript; Grigorian A.E. – material collection and processing, statistical analysis, editing of the manuscript; Romanova M.L. – drafting and editing of the manuscript.
Conflicts of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding: There was no funding for this study.
Ethical Approval: The study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Pavlov First Saint Petersburg SMU, Ministry of Health of Russia.
Patient Consent for Publication: All patients provided informed consent for the publication of their data.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement: The data supporting the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author after approval from the principal investigator.
For citation: Bezhenar V.F., Grigorian A.E., Romanova M.L. Differentiated approaches to 
surgical correction of post-caesarean uterine scar niche.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (11): 118-127 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.231

Keywords

cesarean section
uterine scar
scar niche
metroplasty
cerclage

References

  1. Tsuji S., Nobuta Y., Hanada T., Takebayashi A., Inatomi A., Takahashi A. et al. Prevalence, definition, and etiology of cesarean scar defect and treatment of cesarean scar disorder: A narrative review. Reprod. Med. Biol. 2023; 22(1): e12532. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12532.
  2. Мартынов С.А., Адамян Л.В. Рубец на матке после кесарева сечения: терминологические аспекты. Гинекология. 2020; 22(5): 70-5. [Martynov S.A., Adamyan L.V. Cesarean scar defect: terminological aspects. Gynecology. 2020; 22(5):70-5. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.26442/20795696.2020.5.200415.
  3. Donnez O. Cesarean scar defects: Management of an iatrogenic pathology whose prevalence has dramatically increased. Fertil. Steril. 2020; 113(4): 704-16. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.01.037.
  4. Klein Meuleman S.J.M., Min N., Hehenkamp W.J.K., Post Uiterweer E.D., Huirne J.A.F., de Leeuw R.A. The definition, diagnosis, and symptoms of the uterine niche – a systematic review. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Obstet. Gynaecol. 2023; 90: 102390. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2023.102390.
  5. Jordans I.P.M., de Leeuw R.A., Stegwee S.I., Amso N.N., Barri-Soldevila P.N., van den Bosch T. et al. Sonographic examination of uterine niche in non‐pregnant women: A modified Delphi Procedure. Ultrasound Obstet. Gynecol. 2019; 53(1): 107-15. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/uog.19049.
  6. Antila R.M., Mäenpää J.U., Huhtala H.S., Tomás E.I., Staff S.M. Association of cesarean scar defect with abnormal uterine bleeding: The results of a prospective study. Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2020; 244:134-40. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.11.021.
  7. Zakherah M., Mohamed A.A., Rageh A.M., Abdel-Aleem M. Navigating uterine niche 360 degree: a narrative review. Middle East Fertility Society Journal. 2024; 29(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s43043-024-00185-7.
  8. Vissers J., Hehenkamp W., Lambalk C.B., Huirne J.A. Post-caesarean section niche-related impaired fertility: hypothetical mechanisms. Hum. Reprod. 2020; 35(7): 1484-94. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deaa094.
  9. Kremer T.G., Ghiorzi I.B., Dibi R.P. Isthmocele: An overview of diagnosis and treatment. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira. 2019; 65(5): 714-21. https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.65.5.714.
  10. Stegwee S.I., Hehenkamp W.J.K., de Leeuw R.A., de Groot C.J.M.,Huirne J.A.F. Improved health-related quality of life in the first year after laparoscopic niche resection: A prospective cohort study. Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2020; 245: 174-80. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.01.003.
  11. Armstrong F., Mulligan K., Dermott R.M., Bartels H.C., Carroll S., Robson M.et al. Cesarean scar niche: An evolving concern in clinical practice. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2022; 161(2): 356-66. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14509.
  12. Беженарь В.Ф., Трофимова Т.Н., Григорян А.Э., Кошелев Т.Е. Способ хирургического лечения локального истончения рубца на матке с формированием «ниши» после операции кесарева сечения. Патент №2823054 РФ; Заявл.11.12.2023; Опубл. 17.07.2024. [Bezhenar V.F., Trofimova T.N., Grigoryan A.E., Koshelev T.E. A method of surgical treatment of local thinning of the scar on the uterus with the formation of a "niche" after cesarean section surgery. Patent No. 2823054 of the Russian Federation; Application 11.12.2023; Publ. 17.07.2024. (in Russian)].
  13. Vervoort A., Vissers J., Hehenkamp W., Brölmann H., Huirne J. The effect of laparoscopic resection of large niches in the uterine caesarean scar on symptoms, ultrasound findings and quality of life: A prospective cohort study. BJOG. 2017; 125(3): 317-25. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.14822.
  14. Zhang X., Yang M., Wang Q., Chen J., Ding J., Hua K. Prospective evaluation of five methods used to treat cesarean scar defects. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2016; 134(3): 336-9. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2016.04.011.
  15. Van Horenbeeck A., Temmerman M., Dhont M. Cesarean scar dehiscence and irregular uterine bleeding. Obstet. Gynecol. 2003; 102(5, Pt 2): 1137-9.
  16. Di Spiezio Sardo A., Zizolfi B., Calagna G., Giampaolino P., Paolella F., Bifulco G. Hysteroscopic isthmoplasty: Step-by-step technique. J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2018; 25(2): 338-9. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2017.09.002.
  17. Harjee R., Khinda J., Bedaiwy M.A. Reproductive outcomes following surgical management for isthmoceles: A systematic review. J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2021; 28(7): 1291-302.e2. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2021.03.012.
  18. Zeller A., Villette C., Fernandez H., Capmas P. Is hysteroscopy a good option to manage severe cesarean scar defect? J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2021; 28(7): 1397-402. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2020.11.005.
  19. Casadio P., Raffone A., Alletto A., Filipponi F., Raimondo D. et al. Postoperative morphologic changes of the isthmocele and clinical impact in patients treated by channel-like (360°) hysteroscopic technique. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2023; 160(1): 326-33. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14387.
  20. Vitale S.G., Ludwin A., Vilos G.A., Török P., Tesarik J., Vitagliano A. et al. From hysteroscopy to laparoendoscopic surgery: What is the best surgical approach for symptomatic isthmocele? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 2020; 301(1): 33-52. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-020-05438-0.
  21. Chen H., Wang H., Zhou J., Xiong Y., Wang X. Vaginal repair of cesarean section scar diverticula diagnosed in non-pregnant women. J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2019; 26(3): 526-34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2018.06.012.
  22. Zhou X., Yang X., Chen H., Fang X., Wang X. Obstetrical outcomes after vaginal repair of caesarean scar diverticula in reproductive-aged women. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018; 18(1): 411. https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-2015-7.
  23. Schepker N., Garcia-Rocha G-J., von Versen-Höynck F., Hillemanns P., Schippert C. Clinical diagnosis and therapy of uterine scar defects after caesarean section in non-pregnant women. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 2014; 291(6): 1417-23. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3582-0.
  24. Gkegkes I.D., Psomiadou V., Minis E., Iavazzo C. Robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of cesarean scar defect: a systematic review of clinical evidence. J. Robot. Surg. 2022; 17(3): 745-51. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11701-022-01502-w.
  25. Mashiach R., Burke Y.Z. Optimal isthmocele management: hysteroscopic, laparoscopic, or combination. J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2021; 28(3): 565-74. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2020.10.026.
  26. Nirgianakis K., Oehler R., Mueller M. The Rendez-vous technique for treatment of caesarean scar defects: a novel combined endoscopic approach. Surg. Endosc. 2016; 30(2): 770-1. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00464-015-4226-6.
  27. Akdemir A., Sahin C., Ari S.A., Ergenoglu M., Ulukus M., Karadadas N. Determination of isthmocele using a Foley catheter during laparoscopic repair of cesarean scar defect. J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2018; 25(1): 21-2. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2017.05.017.
  28. Krentel H., Lauterbach L.-K., Mavrogiannis G., De Wilde R.L. Laparoscopic fluorescence guided detection of uterine niche - the next step in surgical diagnosis and treatment. J. Clin. Med. 2022; 11(9): 2657. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092657.
  29. Макиян З.Н., Адамян Л.В., Карабач В.В., Чупрынин В.Д. Новый метод хирургического лечения несостоятельности рубца на матке после кесарева сечения с помощью манипулятора с желобом. Акушерство и гинекология. 2020; 2:104-10. [Makiyan Z.N., Adamyan L.V., Karabach V.V., Chuprynin V.D. A new method for surgical treatment of uterine scar insuffisiency after a previous cesarean section using an intrauterine manipulator with a groove. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2020; (2): 104-10. (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2020.2.104-110.
  30. Donnez O., Donnez J., Orellana R., Dolmans M.M. Gynecological and obstetrical outcomes after laparoscopic repair of a cesarean scar defect in a series of 38 women. Fertil. Steril. 2017; 107(1): 289-96.e2. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.09.033.
  31. Zhang N.N., Wang G.W., Zuo N., Yang Q. Novel laparoscopic surgery for the repair of cesarean scar defect without processing scar resection. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021; 21(1). https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04281-8.
  32. Ножницева О.Н., Беженарь В.Ф. Ниша рубца после операции кесарева сечения: новая проблема репродуктивного здоровья женщины. Журнал акушерства и женских болезней. 2020; 69(1): 53-62.[Nozhnitseva O.N., Bezhenar V.F. The niche in the uterine cesarean scar: a new problem of women’s reproductive health. Journal of Obstetrics and Women’s Diseases. 2020; 69(1): 53-62. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.17816/jowd69153-62.

Received 13.09.2024

Accepted 29.10.2024

About the Authors

Vitaly F. Bezhenar, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology/Reproductology, Head of the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 197022, Russia, St. Petersburg, Leo Tolstoy str., 6-8, +7(812)338-78-66,
bez-vitaly@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7807-4929
Anna E. Grigorian, PhD Student at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 197022, Russia, St. Petersburg, Leo Tolstoy str., 6-8, +7(981)104-91-84, Annagrigoryan2112@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1674-7753
Maria L. Romanova, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology, Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 197022, Russia, St. Petersburg, Leo Tolstoy str., 6-8, +7(905)205-25-13, Mariaro@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4378-6424

Similar Articles

By continuing to use our site, you consent to the processing of cookies that ensure the proper functioning of the site.