Severity of intrauterine adhesions and pregnancy success rates after treatment: Comparison of adhesions obtained from open myomectomy versus uterine curettage

Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) are rare. A retrospective comparative study was conducted between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2018. Group A comprised 117 women who developed IUAs after open myomectomy, while Group B comprised 113 women who developed IUAs following uterine trauma caused by uterine instrumentation after a termination of pregnancy (TOP) or spontaneous miscarriage. The IUA grade and pregnancy rates and outcomes were compared using the March classification system. All patients underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. The adhesions tended to be more severe (45/117, 38.5%) in Group A than in Group B (29/113, 25.7%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (Chi-Suare 5.047; p = .080). The period of observation was 24 months from the last hysteroscopy. The pregnancy rate in Group A (26, 22.2%) was significantly lower than in Group B (46, 40.7%) (OR: 2.403, 95% CI: 1.352-4.271; p = .003). Open myomectomy was the preceding aetiological factor in a greater proportion of women with IUA in our study. In cases where pregnancy is desired after open myomectomy, especially where the endometrial cavity is breached, postoperative hysteroscopy to exclude IUAs is recommended. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[12]: 90-96).

Automated summary

This retrospective comparative study examined the occurrence of intrauterine adhesions (IUA) following open myomectomy and uterine trauma caused by uterine instrumentation after termination of pregnancy or spontaneous miscarriage. The study found that open myomectomy was a significant factor leading to a higher proportion of IUA. It was recommended to perform postoperative hysteroscopy to exclude IUA in cases where pregnancy is desired after open myomectomy.