Utero-vaginal anastomosis in women with uterine cervix atresia: long-term follow-up and reproductive performance. A study of 18 cases

BACKGROUND: Atresia of the uterine cervix is an uncommon Mullerian anomaly. Total hysterectomy remains the classical treatment of this malformation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional results and reproductive performance of women who had conservative surgical procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: The medical records of 18 patients admitted to our centre between 1969 and 1998 for the treatment of uterine cervix atresia, were reviewed. Seven women had an associated high vaginal aplasia. Fifteen women had a history of abdominal or pelvic surgery before referral, with an unsuccessful attempt at canalization in five cases. Associated pelvic. endometriosis or adhesions were observed in 12 cases. The utero-vaginal anastomosis procedure was performed successfully in all cases. A secondary stenosis of the anastomosis occurred in one case and this required canalization. Median follow-up after surgery was 4.5 years. Sexual intercourse was satisfactory for the 12 patients who began sexual activity. Ten patients had a pregnancy, four of which resulted in a total of six successful spontaneous pregnancies. Of the six remaining women, five had an evident cause of infertility. CONCLUSIONS: Utero-vaginal anastomosis should be proposed in women with congenital atresia of the uterine cervix, even when it is associated with vaginal aplasia. Early diagnosis and surgery appear necessary to avoid the development of pelvic associated lesions.