ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

Reproduction with a unicornuate uterus with a functional rudimentary horn

Baranouskaya A.I., Voronetsky A.N., Bogush M.A., Budzko N.N.

1) Belarusian State Medical University, Minsk, Republic of Belarus; 2) City Clinical Maternity Hospital No. 2, Minsk, Republic of Belarus

Background: A unicornuate uterus occurs with a frequency of 0.02% in the population and 10% among all congenital uterine anomalies (CUAs). CUAs are associated with preterm birth, assisted reproductive technologies and cesarean section.
Case report: The article presents the clinical case report of consecutive unsuccessful pregnancies, in vitro fertilization (IVF), surgical treatment of CUA and the use of reproductive technologies that resulted in the birth of a healthy full-term child. 
In the clinical report, two uteri were visualized using a two-dimensional pelvic ultrasound in a patient after completing her first pregnancy with a spontaneous miscarriage at 9 weeks gestation. The second pregnancy was ectopic and therefore the patient underwent laparoscopic salpingectomy on the right. Additionally, the type of CUA was determined, namely, a unicornuate right uterus with a rudimentary horn on the left. Subsequently, pregnancy did not occur and hysterosalpingography revealed that the right fallopian tube was blocked. Then there were the following events: unsuccessful IVF, surgery to remove the rudimentary horn of the uterus, unsuccessful transfer of two thawed embryos, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for aneuploidy, elective transfer of one embryo with a clinical pregnancy resulting in the birth of a healthy full-term baby by cesarean section.
Conclusion: Reproductive disorders are the most significant clinical manifestations of CUAs. The diagnosis of CUA is limited in time in women of advanced reproductive age planning pregnancy; therefore, it is necessary to use the most effective imaging techniques. Surgical removal of the rudimentary horn is the treatment of choice. IVF, PGT and elective single embryo transfer contribute to the achievement of pregnancy and its successful outcome.

Authors’ contributions: Baranouskaya A.I., Voronetsky A.N. – developing the concept and design of the study, editing the article; Baranouskaya A.I., Voronetsky A.N., Bogush M.A., Budzko N.N. – collecting and processing the material; Baranouskaya A.I. – writing the text. 
Conflicts of interest: Authors declare lack of the possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was carried out without sponsorship.
Patient Consent for Publication: The patient signed an informed consent for the publication of her data and associated images.
For citation: Baranouskaya A.I., Voronetsky A.N., Bogush M.A., Budzko N.N. 
Reproduction with a unicornuate uterus with a functional rudimentary horn.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (3): 191-197 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2025.289

Keywords

congenital uterine anomaly
unicornuate uterus
hysterosalpingography
ultrasound
infertility
in vitro fertilization
assisted reproduction
pregnancy
cesarean section

References

  1. Kadour Peero E., Badeghiesh A., Baghlaf H., Dahan M.H. What type of uterine anomalies had an additional effect on pregnancy outcomes, compared to other uterine anomalies? An evaluation of a large population database. J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. 2022; 35(26): 10494-501. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2022.2130240
  2. Mandelbaum R.S., Anderson Z.S., Masjedi A.D., Violette C.J., McGough A.M., Doody K.A. et al. Obstetric outcomes of women with congenital uterine anomalies in the United States. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. MFM. 2024; 6(8): 101396. https://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101396
  3. Naeh A., Sigal E., Barda S., Hallak M., Gabbay-Benziv R. The association between congenital uterine anomalies and perinatal outcomes – does type of defect matters? J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. 2022; 35(25): 7406-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2021.1949446
  4. Alshareef B.S.S., Alaqeeli A.K., Wahbah E., Albayati Y., Shata Y., Alsabti M.I. et al. Gestation within a non-communicating rudimentary horn of a unicornuate uterus: a case report. Cureus. 2025; 17(9): e92641. https://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.92641
  5. Moawad G., Zizolfi B., Borrelli D., D'Angelo G., Nardelli F., Guerra S., Di SpiezioSardo A. A combined endoscopic and ultrasonographic approach to a complex U4a uterine anomaly. Facts Views Vis. Obgyn. 2025; 17(2): 204-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.52054/FVVO.2025.13
  6. Qian L., Ding J., Shi L., Yu Q., Zhu J., Huang A. Analysis of hemi-uterus pregnancy outcomes in uterine malformations: a retrospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2023; 23(1): 836. https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-06136-w
  7. Kim M.A., Kim H.S., Kim Y.H. Reproductive, obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with congenital uterine anomalies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Clin. Med. 2021; 10(21): 4797. https:/dx./doi.org/10.3390/jcm10214797
  8. Krishnan M., Parker V.L., Baxter A.J., Jha S., Marrappan B., Ola B. Early first trimester diagnosis and total laparoscopic management of rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy. Radiol. Case Rep. 2024; 19(12): 6487-90. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2024.08.137
  9. Есипова И.А., Краснова И.А., Бреусенко В.Г. Возможности трехмерной эхографии в диагностике аномалий мюллеровых протоков. Акушерство и гинекология. 2020; 10: 125-34 [Esipova I.A., Krasnova I.A., Breusenko V.G. Possibilities of three-dimensional echography in the diagnosis of Mullerian duct anomalies. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2020; 10: 125-34 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2020.10.125-134
  10. Сафронов О.В., Брюхина Е.В., Ищенко Л.С., Сафронова Л.Е., Мшак-Манукян Г.Н. Современные классификационные системы и методологические подходы в диагностике аномалий развития матки. Акушерство и гинекология. 2019; 3: 18-24. [Safronov O.V., Briukhina E.V., Ishchenko L.S., Safronova L.E., Mshak-Manukyan G.N. Current classification systems and methodological approaches in the diagnosis of uterine malformations. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019; (3): 18-24 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2019.3.18-24
  11. Минашкина Е.В., Ожогина Е.В. Клинический случай однорогой матки с нефункционирующим рудиментарным рогом в сочетании с двухсторонним уретероцеле и уретерогидронефрозом. REJR. 2024; 14(2): 155-61. [Minashkina E.V., Ozhogina E.V. Minashkina E.V., Ozhogina E.V. Unicornuate uterus with a non-functioning rudimentary horn combined with bilateral ureterocele and ureterohydronephrosis. REJR. 2024; 14(2): 155-61 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.21569/2222-7415-2024-14-2-155-161
  12. Cekdemir Y.E., Mutlu U., Acar D., Altay C., Secil M., Dogan O.E. The accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasonography in the diagnosis of Müllerian duct anomalies and its concordance with magnetic resonance imaging. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. 2022; 42(1): 67-73. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2021.1877646
  13. Xydias E.M., Liasidi P.N., Papageorgouli D., Tsakos E., Gouliopoulos N., Thanasas I. et al. Three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound versus MRI in the diagnosis and classification of congenital uterine anomalies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. 2025; 312: 114560. https://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2025.114560
  14. Grimbizis G.F., Gordts S., Di SpiezioSardo A., Brucker S., De Angelis C., Gergolet M. et al. The ESHRE / ESGE consensus on the classification of female genital tract congenital anomalies. Hum. Reprod. 2013; 28(8): 2032-44. https://dx.doi.org/ 10.1093/humrep/det098
  15. Pfeifer S.M., Attaran M., Goldstein J., Lindheim S.R., Petrozza J.C., Rackow B.W. et al. ASRM müllerian anomalies classification 2021. Fertil. Steril. 2021; 116(5): 1238-52. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.09.025
  16. Kiblboeck S., Oppelt P., Oppelt P., Stein R., Ommer S., Pavlik R. et al. Can classifications adequately represent genital malformations? EVA study(E SHRE/ESGE | V CUAM | A FS) – a prospective multicenter study to evaluate the current female genital malformation classifications. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2023; 83(7): 827-34. https://dx.doi.org/10.1055/a-2043-9982
  17. Lastinger J., Palasz N., Oppelt P., Toktarbekov G., Terzic M., Stein R. et al. Evaluation of clinical usability and reproducibility of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Müllerian Anomalies Classification. Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol X. 2025; 27: 100425. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2025.100425
  18. Адамян Л.В., Кулаков В.И., Хашукоева А.З. Пороки развития матки и влагалища. М.: Медицина; 1998. 327 c. [Adamyan L.V., Kulakov V.I., Khashukoyeva A.Z. Malformations of the uterus and vagina. Moscow: Meditsina; 1998. 327 p. (in Russian)].
  19. Makiyan Z. Systematization for female genital anatomic variations. Clin. Anat. 2021; 34(3): 420-30. https://dx.doi.org/ 10.1002/ca23668
  20. Giampaolino P., Zizolfi B., Della Corte L., Serafino P., De Angelis M.C., Carugno J. et al. Unicornuate uterus with noncommunicating rudimentary horn (Class U4aC0V0/ESHRE/ESGE Classification) and a communicating bladder endometriotic nodule. J. Minim. Invasive Gynecol. 2022; 29(7): 816-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2022.04.008
  21. Макиян З.Н., Адамян Л.В., Асатурова А.В., Ярыгина Н.К. Маточные рудименты: клинико-морфологические варианты и оптимизация хирургического лечения. Акушерство и гинекология. 2019; 12: 126-32. [Makiyan Z.N., Adamyan L.V., Asaturova A.V., Yarygina N.K. Uterine rudiments: clinical and morphological options of surgical treatment and its optimization. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2019; (12): 126-32 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2019.12.126-132
  22. Хащенко Е.П., Аллахвердиева Э.З., Аракелян А.С., Уварова Е.В., Чупрынин В.Д., Кулабухова Е.А., Лужина И.А., Учеваткина П.В., Мамедова Ф.Ш., Асатурова А.В. Особенности дифференциальной диагностики и тактики ведения пациенток с редкой формой порока развития мюллеровых протоков ACUM и маточного рудиментарного рога в раннем репродуктивном возрасте. Акушерство и гинекология. 2021; 6: 156-67. [Khashchenko E.P., Allakhverdieva E.Z., Arakelyan A.S., Uvarova E.V., Chuprynin V.D., Kulabukhova E.A., Luzhina I.A., Uchevatkina P.V., Mamedova F.Sh., Asaturova A.V. Differential diagnosis and management tactics in patients with a rare developmental Müllerian duct anomaly ACUM and a rudimentary uterine horn at early reproductive age. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021; (6): 156-67 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2021.6.156-167
  23. Qiu J., Du T., Chen C., Lyu Q., Mol B.W., Zhao M. et al. Impact of uterine malformations on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of IVF/ICSI-frozen embryo transfer. Hum. Reprod. 2022; 37(3): 428-46. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deac003
  24. Yoshihara T., Okuda Y., Yoshino O. Association of congenital uterine anomaly with abnormal placental cord insertion and adverse pregnancy complications: a retrospective cohort study. J. Matern. Fetal. Neonatal. Med. 2024; 37(1): 2382309. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14767058.2024.2382309

Received 14.10.2025

Accepted 12.01.2026

About the Authors

Alena I. Baranouskaya, MD, Professor, Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology with a course for advanced training and retraining, Belarusian State Medical University. 220083, Dzerzhinsky Ave., 83, Minsk, Belarus, elena_baranovska@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2116-4675
Aliaksandr N. Voronetsky, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Pediatric Surgery with a course for advanced training and retraining, Belarusian State Medical University, 220083, Dzerzhinsky Ave., 83, Minsk, Belarus, anvoron@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7091-376X
Maria A. Bogush, obstetrician-gynecologist, Head of the Consultative and Diagnostic Department, City Clinical Maternity Hospital No. 2, 220015, Belsky str, 60, Minsk, Belarus.
Natallia N. Budzko, obstetrician-gynecologist, Head of the Pregnancy Pathology Department, City Clinical Maternity Hospital No. 2, 220015, Belsky str., 60, Minsk, Belarus.
Corresponding author: Alena I. Baranouskaya, elena_baranovska@mail.ru

Similar Articles