Short-term reproductive outcomes analysis and prediction of the modified uterine stent treatment for mild to moderate intrauterine adhesions: experience at a single institution

BMC Womens Health. 2024 Apr 23;24(1):252. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03098-9.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of modified uterine stent in the treatment of mild-to-moderate intrauterine adhesions and explore the relative indicators affecting prognosis prediction.

Methods: A total of 115 patients with mild-to-moderate intrauterine adhesions received a modified uterine stent placement after hysteroscopy adhesiolysis. The second-look hysteroscopy operated after 3 months surgery, and the third-look hysteroscopy operated after 6 months surgery if necessary. The stent was removed when the cavity shape was repaired, then the reproductive outcomes were followed up one year.

Results: Menstrual blood volume, endometrial thickness and volume had increased significantly after 3 months surgery. The rates of cavity repaired were 86.96% (100/115) after 3 months surgery and 100% (115/115) after 6 months surgery cumulatively. Endometrial thickness after 3-months surgery was positively associated with uterine cavity shape repaired (P<0.01). The receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed the rate of uterine cavity shape repaired predicted by the model was 0.92, based on the endometrial thickness after 3-months surgery. The rate of pregnancy was 86.09% (99/115) in one year, while the rate of miscarriage accounted for 26.26% (26/99). The median time interval between stent removal and subsequent conception was 3 months. It showed adhesion recurrence was the risk factor for subsequent pregnancy (P<0.01).

Conclusions: A modified uterine stent placement under hysteroscopy was an effective approach for mild-to-moderate intrauterine adhesions, which is easy to operate and worthy for clinical promotion. Endometrial thickness measured by ultrasonography probably has predictive value in adhesion recurrence and subsequent pregnancy.

Trial registration: ChiCTR2100051524. Date of registration (retrospectively registered): 26/09/2021.

Keywords: Hysteroscopy; Intrauterine adhesions; Modified uterine stent; endometrial thickness; reproductive outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Endometrium / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysteroscopy* / methods
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Stents*
  • Tissue Adhesions / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Uterine Diseases* / surgery
  • Uterus / surgery