Research Article
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The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported

Year 2018, Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 283 - 287, 01.09.2018
https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.424328

Abstract

Aim: Isthmocele, a long-term complication of Cesarean section (CS) surgery, has drawn increasing worldwide interest. However, not all women with this Cesarean scar defect (CSD) present with clinical symptoms. We studied a group of non-pregnant women with a CS history to determine the prevalence of isthmocele, the potential risk factors for its development, and the most common clinical complaints.

Methods: This study included women who had a cesarean operation more than 6 months ago, who were not pregnant between January 2017 and April 2017 and applied to the gynecology clinic for any reason. The exclusion criteria were the patients in the menopause period. Data was collected on 115 participants, including age, body mass index, duration after CS, and the number of CS surgeries that had been performed. Standardized scar parameters (residual myometrial thickness (RMT) and the depth and width of the triangular hypoechoic niche) were measured using transvaginal-ultrasonography (TVS). Isthmocele symptoms were categorized as asymptomatic, postmenstrual spotting, menometrorrhagia, chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. Associations between isthmocele and menstrual complications were investigated. The relationship between isthmocele development and the reasons for the CS surgery were evaluated. 

Results: TVS examination diagnosed 17 women (14.78%) with isthmocele. Women who had undergone recurrent CS surgeries tended to have more visible isthmocele than those with a single CS surgery. The average isthmocele depth was 6.006 ± 0.7970 mm. Among the women with isthmoceles, elective CS surgery had been performed in six (35.3%), while 11 (64.7%) had the surgery at parturition. The presence of an isthmocele was frequently symptomatic, predominantly as postmenstrual spotting. Women with an isthmocele had significantly lower RMT values (5.57 ± 0.60 mm versus 8.78 ± 0.22 mm) than those without an isthmocele. There was no correlation between age, body mass index, and the presence of an isthmocele (p > 0.05). 

Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of CSD is greater than most gynecologists realize. Isthmoceles can develop after just one CS surgery, leading to long-term complications that morbidly effect women for the rest of their lives. A reduction in the number of CS surgeries is the most effective way to decrease the prevalence of isthmoceles.


References

  • 1. World Health Organization Human Reproduction Programme. WHO statement on caesarean section rates. Reprod Health Matters. 2015;23:149-50.
  • 2. Sipahi S, Sasaki K, Miller CE. The minimally invasive approach to the symptomatic isthmocele - what does the literature say? A step-by-step primer on laparoscopic isthmocele - excision and repair. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2017;29(4):257-65.
  • 3. Tower AM, Frishman GN. Cesarean scar defects: an underrecognized cause of abnormal uterine bleeding and other gynecologic complications. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013;20(5):562-72.
  • 4. Morris H. Surgical pathology of the lower uterine segment caesarean section scar: is the scar a source of clinical symptoms? Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1995;14:16-20.
  • 5. Vervoort AJ, Uittenbogaard LB, HehenkampWJ, et al. Why do niches develop in Caesarean uterine scars? Hypotheses on the aetiology of niche development. Hum Reprod. 2015;30:2695-702.
  • 6. Nezhat C, Grace L, Soliemannjad R, et al. Cesarean scar defect: what is it and how should it be treated? OBG Management. 2016;28:32-53.
  • 7. Roberge S, Boutin A, Chaillet N, Moore L, Jastrow N, Demers S, et al. Systematic review of Cesarean scar assessment in the nonpregnant state: imaging techniques and uterine scar defect. Am J Perinatol. 2012;29:465-471.
  • 8. Schepker N, Garcia-Rocha GJ, von Versen-Hoynck F, et al. Clinical diagnosis and therapy of uterine scar defects after cesarean section in non-pregnant women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;291:1417-23.
  • 9. Bij de Vaate AJ, van der Voet LF, Naji O, Witmer M, Veersema S, Brölmann HA, et al. Prevalence, potential risk factors for development and symptoms related to the presence of uterine niches following Cesarean section: systematic review. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2014;43:372-82.
  • 10. Tulandi T, Cohen A. Emerging manifestations of Cesarean scar defect in reproductive-aged women. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2016;23:893-902.
  • 11. Osser OV, Jokubkiene L, Valentin L. High prevalence of defects in Cesarean section scars at transvaginal ultrasound examination. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;34:90-7.
  • 12. Florio P, Filippeschi M, Moncini I, Marra E, Franchini M, Gubbini G. Hysteroscopic treatment of the cesarean-induced isthmocele in restoring infertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2012;24:180-6.
  • 13. Bij de Vaate AJ, Brölmann HA, van der Voet LF, van der Slikke JW, Veersema S, Huirne JA. Ultrasound evaluation of the Cesarean scar: relation between a niche and postmenstrual spotting. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2011;37:93-9.
  • 14. Wang CB, Chiu WW, Lee CY, Sun YL, Lin YH, Tseng CJ. Cesarean scar defect: correlation between Cesarean section number, defect size, clinical symptoms and uterine position. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;34:85-9.
  • 15. Pomorski M, Fuchs T, Zimmer M. Prediction of uterine dehiscence using ultrasonographic parameters of cesarean section scar in the nonpregnant uterus: a prospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014;14:365.
  • 16. Vikhareva Osser O, Valentin L. Clinical importance of appearance of Cesarean hysterotomy scar at transvaginal ultrasonography in nonpregnant women. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;117:525-32.
  • 17. Naji O, Abdallah Y, Bij De Vaate AJ, et al. Standardized approach for imaging and measuring Cesarean section scars using ultrasonography. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2012;39:252-9.
  • 18. Regnard C, Nosbusch M, Fellemans C, Benali N, van Rysselberghe M, Barlow P,et al. Cesarean section scar evaluation by saline contrast sonohysterography. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2004;23:289-92.
  • 19. Pomorski M, Fuchs T, Rosner-Tenerowicz A, et al. Morphology of the cesarean section scar in the non-pregnant uterus after one elective cesarean section. Ginekol. Pol 2017;88:174-9.
  • 20. Fabres C, Aviles G, De La Jara C, Escalona J, Muñoz JF, Mackenna A, et al The Cesarean delivery scar pouch: clinical implications and diagnostic correlation between transvaginal sonography and hysteroscopy. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22:695-700.
  • 21. Sasaki K. Diagnosis and treatment of uterine isthmocele. OB Gyn News. 2015;50:8-9.
  • 22. Ofili-Yebovi D, Ben-Nagi J, Sawyer E, Yazbek J, Lee C, Gonzalez J, et al. Deficient lower-segment Cesarean section scars: prevalence and risk factors. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;31:72-7.
  • 23. Lin YH, Hwang JL, Seow KM. Endometrial ablation as a treatment for postmenstrual bleeding due to cesarean scar defect. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2010;111:88-9.
  • 24. Florio P, Gubbini G, Marra E, Dores D, Nascetti D, Bruni L, et al. A retrospective case-control study comparing hysteroscopic resection versus hormonal modulation in treating menstrual disorders due to isthmocele. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011;27:434-8.
  • 25. Gubbini G, Centini G, Nascetti D, Marra E, Moncini I, Bruni L, et al. Surgical hysteroscopic treatment of Cesarean-induced isthmocele in restoring fertility: a prospective study. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2011;18:234-7.
  • 26. Uppal T, Lanzarone V, Mongelli M. Sonographically detected caesarean section scar defects and menstrual irregularity. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011;31:413-6.
  • 27. Chen Y, Han P, Wang YJ, et al. Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after cesarean section. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017;296:355-61.
  • 28. van der Voet LF, Bij de Vaate AM, Veersema S, et al. Long-term complications of caesarean section. The niche in the scar: a prospective cohort study on niche prevalence and its relation to abnormal uterine bleeding. BJOG. 2014;121:236-244.
  • 29. Vikhareva Osser O, Valentin L. Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after caesarean section. BJOG. 2010;117:1119-26.
  • 30. Başbuğ A, Doğan O, Ellibeş Kaya A, Pulatoğlu, Ç, Çağlar M. Does Suture Material Affect Uterine Scar Healing After Cesarean Section? Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Invest Surg. 2018 Apr 18:1-7.

İsthmocele'in insidansı bildirilenden daha fazla olabilir

Year 2018, Volume: 2 Issue: 3, 283 - 287, 01.09.2018
https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.424328

Abstract

Amaç: İsthmosel, dünyada gittikçe yaygınlaşan  sezaryen  operasyonunun uzun dönem bir komplikasyonudur. Ancak sezaryen skar defektli kadınların(SSD=İsthmosel) tamamında semptom görülmez. Biz çalışmamızda isthmosel prevalansı, gelişimi için risk faktörleri ve en yaygın semptomlarını araştırmak istedik.

Yöntemler: Bu çalışmaya 6 aydan daha uzun bir süre önce sezaryen operasyonu olan, 2017  Ocak ve 2017 Nisan tarihleri arasında gebe olmayan, jinekoloji polikliniğine herhangi bir nedenle başvuran kadınlar dahil edildi. Menapoz döneminde ki hastalar çalışma dışı bırakılma kriteri olarak alındı. Sezaryen olan  115 kadının verileri  yaşı, vücut kitle indexi, sezaryen sonrası geçen süre ve geçirilmiş sezaryen sayısını içerecek şekilde kayıt altına alındı. Standardize edilen skar parametreleri (residual myometrial kalınlık (RMK), triangular hipoekoik nishe’in genişlik ve derinliği ölçümü) transvajinal ultrasonografi (TVUSG) ile yapıldı. İsthmosel semptomları asemptomatik, postmenstrual spotting tarzı kanama, menoraji, kronik pelvik ağrı, dismenore ve infertilite olarak kategorize edildi. İsthmosel ve menstruel komplikasyonlar arasındaki ilişki araştırıldı. İsthmosel gelişimi ve sezaryen sebebleri arasındaki ilişkiler değerlendirildi.

Bulgular: Hastaların TVUSG ile değerlendirmesinde 17 tanesinde (%14,78) isthmosel tespit edildi. Birden fazla sezaryen olan hastalar tek sezaryen olan hastalara göre daha fazla  isthmosel geliştirme eğilimindeydiler. Ortalama isthmosel çapı 6,006 ± 0,7970 mm’di. İsthmoselli kadınların 6 tanesi (%35,3) elektif alınan sezaryen vakalarında gelişmiş iken, 11 tanesi (%64,7) doğum eylemi başladıktan sonar yapılmıştı. İsthmosel olan hastaların çoğunluğu semptomatikti ve daha çok spotting tarzda kanama görülüyordu. İsthmosel görülen kadınların RMK değerleri isthmosel görülemyenlerden belirgin olarak düşüktü (5,57 ± 0,60 mm vs 8,78 ± 0,22 mm).

Sonuç: SSD prevalans ve insidansı kadın doğum hekimlerinin tahmin ettiğinden çok daha fazladır. İsthmosel bir sezaryen sonrası bile gelişebilir ve o kadınlarda uzun vadeli yaşamları boyunca morbidite sebebi olarak görülür. Sezaryen  oranlarının azaltılması isthmosel prevalansını azaltmada çok etkili olacaktır.


References

  • 1. World Health Organization Human Reproduction Programme. WHO statement on caesarean section rates. Reprod Health Matters. 2015;23:149-50.
  • 2. Sipahi S, Sasaki K, Miller CE. The minimally invasive approach to the symptomatic isthmocele - what does the literature say? A step-by-step primer on laparoscopic isthmocele - excision and repair. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2017;29(4):257-65.
  • 3. Tower AM, Frishman GN. Cesarean scar defects: an underrecognized cause of abnormal uterine bleeding and other gynecologic complications. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013;20(5):562-72.
  • 4. Morris H. Surgical pathology of the lower uterine segment caesarean section scar: is the scar a source of clinical symptoms? Int J Gynecol Pathol. 1995;14:16-20.
  • 5. Vervoort AJ, Uittenbogaard LB, HehenkampWJ, et al. Why do niches develop in Caesarean uterine scars? Hypotheses on the aetiology of niche development. Hum Reprod. 2015;30:2695-702.
  • 6. Nezhat C, Grace L, Soliemannjad R, et al. Cesarean scar defect: what is it and how should it be treated? OBG Management. 2016;28:32-53.
  • 7. Roberge S, Boutin A, Chaillet N, Moore L, Jastrow N, Demers S, et al. Systematic review of Cesarean scar assessment in the nonpregnant state: imaging techniques and uterine scar defect. Am J Perinatol. 2012;29:465-471.
  • 8. Schepker N, Garcia-Rocha GJ, von Versen-Hoynck F, et al. Clinical diagnosis and therapy of uterine scar defects after cesarean section in non-pregnant women. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2015;291:1417-23.
  • 9. Bij de Vaate AJ, van der Voet LF, Naji O, Witmer M, Veersema S, Brölmann HA, et al. Prevalence, potential risk factors for development and symptoms related to the presence of uterine niches following Cesarean section: systematic review. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2014;43:372-82.
  • 10. Tulandi T, Cohen A. Emerging manifestations of Cesarean scar defect in reproductive-aged women. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2016;23:893-902.
  • 11. Osser OV, Jokubkiene L, Valentin L. High prevalence of defects in Cesarean section scars at transvaginal ultrasound examination. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;34:90-7.
  • 12. Florio P, Filippeschi M, Moncini I, Marra E, Franchini M, Gubbini G. Hysteroscopic treatment of the cesarean-induced isthmocele in restoring infertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2012;24:180-6.
  • 13. Bij de Vaate AJ, Brölmann HA, van der Voet LF, van der Slikke JW, Veersema S, Huirne JA. Ultrasound evaluation of the Cesarean scar: relation between a niche and postmenstrual spotting. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2011;37:93-9.
  • 14. Wang CB, Chiu WW, Lee CY, Sun YL, Lin YH, Tseng CJ. Cesarean scar defect: correlation between Cesarean section number, defect size, clinical symptoms and uterine position. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009;34:85-9.
  • 15. Pomorski M, Fuchs T, Zimmer M. Prediction of uterine dehiscence using ultrasonographic parameters of cesarean section scar in the nonpregnant uterus: a prospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014;14:365.
  • 16. Vikhareva Osser O, Valentin L. Clinical importance of appearance of Cesarean hysterotomy scar at transvaginal ultrasonography in nonpregnant women. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;117:525-32.
  • 17. Naji O, Abdallah Y, Bij De Vaate AJ, et al. Standardized approach for imaging and measuring Cesarean section scars using ultrasonography. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2012;39:252-9.
  • 18. Regnard C, Nosbusch M, Fellemans C, Benali N, van Rysselberghe M, Barlow P,et al. Cesarean section scar evaluation by saline contrast sonohysterography. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2004;23:289-92.
  • 19. Pomorski M, Fuchs T, Rosner-Tenerowicz A, et al. Morphology of the cesarean section scar in the non-pregnant uterus after one elective cesarean section. Ginekol. Pol 2017;88:174-9.
  • 20. Fabres C, Aviles G, De La Jara C, Escalona J, Muñoz JF, Mackenna A, et al The Cesarean delivery scar pouch: clinical implications and diagnostic correlation between transvaginal sonography and hysteroscopy. J Ultrasound Med. 2003;22:695-700.
  • 21. Sasaki K. Diagnosis and treatment of uterine isthmocele. OB Gyn News. 2015;50:8-9.
  • 22. Ofili-Yebovi D, Ben-Nagi J, Sawyer E, Yazbek J, Lee C, Gonzalez J, et al. Deficient lower-segment Cesarean section scars: prevalence and risk factors. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;31:72-7.
  • 23. Lin YH, Hwang JL, Seow KM. Endometrial ablation as a treatment for postmenstrual bleeding due to cesarean scar defect. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2010;111:88-9.
  • 24. Florio P, Gubbini G, Marra E, Dores D, Nascetti D, Bruni L, et al. A retrospective case-control study comparing hysteroscopic resection versus hormonal modulation in treating menstrual disorders due to isthmocele. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2011;27:434-8.
  • 25. Gubbini G, Centini G, Nascetti D, Marra E, Moncini I, Bruni L, et al. Surgical hysteroscopic treatment of Cesarean-induced isthmocele in restoring fertility: a prospective study. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2011;18:234-7.
  • 26. Uppal T, Lanzarone V, Mongelli M. Sonographically detected caesarean section scar defects and menstrual irregularity. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011;31:413-6.
  • 27. Chen Y, Han P, Wang YJ, et al. Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after cesarean section. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2017;296:355-61.
  • 28. van der Voet LF, Bij de Vaate AM, Veersema S, et al. Long-term complications of caesarean section. The niche in the scar: a prospective cohort study on niche prevalence and its relation to abnormal uterine bleeding. BJOG. 2014;121:236-244.
  • 29. Vikhareva Osser O, Valentin L. Risk factors for incomplete healing of the uterine incision after caesarean section. BJOG. 2010;117:1119-26.
  • 30. Başbuğ A, Doğan O, Ellibeş Kaya A, Pulatoğlu, Ç, Çağlar M. Does Suture Material Affect Uterine Scar Healing After Cesarean Section? Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Invest Surg. 2018 Apr 18:1-7.
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Clinical Sciences
Journal Section Research article
Authors

Pervin Karlı 0000-0003-4907-5890

Banuhan Şahin

Fadıl Kara

Publication Date September 1, 2018
Published in Issue Year 2018 Volume: 2 Issue: 3

Cite

APA Karlı, P., Şahin, B., & Kara, F. (2018). The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported. Journal of Surgery and Medicine, 2(3), 283-287. https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.424328
AMA Karlı P, Şahin B, Kara F. The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported. J Surg Med. September 2018;2(3):283-287. doi:10.28982/josam.424328
Chicago Karlı, Pervin, Banuhan Şahin, and Fadıl Kara. “The Incidence of Isthmocele May Be Higher Than Reported”. Journal of Surgery and Medicine 2, no. 3 (September 2018): 283-87. https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.424328.
EndNote Karlı P, Şahin B, Kara F (September 1, 2018) The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported. Journal of Surgery and Medicine 2 3 283–287.
IEEE P. Karlı, B. Şahin, and F. Kara, “The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported”, J Surg Med, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 283–287, 2018, doi: 10.28982/josam.424328.
ISNAD Karlı, Pervin et al. “The Incidence of Isthmocele May Be Higher Than Reported”. Journal of Surgery and Medicine 2/3 (September 2018), 283-287. https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.424328.
JAMA Karlı P, Şahin B, Kara F. The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported. J Surg Med. 2018;2:283–287.
MLA Karlı, Pervin et al. “The Incidence of Isthmocele May Be Higher Than Reported”. Journal of Surgery and Medicine, vol. 2, no. 3, 2018, pp. 283-7, doi:10.28982/josam.424328.
Vancouver Karlı P, Şahin B, Kara F. The incidence of isthmocele may be higher than reported. J Surg Med. 2018;2(3):283-7.