Analysis of the efficacy of three treatment options for cesarean scar pregnancy management

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research 2014-11, Vol.40 (11), p.2146-2151
• Main Authors: Li, Yue-ran, Xiao, Song-shu, Wan, Ya-jun, Xue, Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal - administration & dosage; Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal - adverse effects; Abortion, Therapeutic - adverse effects; Abortion, Therapeutic - methods; Adult; Blood Loss, Surgical - prevention & control; Cervix Uteri; cesarean scar; Cesarean Section - adverse effects; Cicatrix - diagnostic imaging; Cicatrix - etiology; Combined Modality Therapy - adverse effects; Dilatation - adverse effects; Female; Humans; hysteroscopy; Hysteroscopy - adverse effects; Injections, Intramuscular; methotrexate; Methotrexate - administration & dosage; Methotrexate - adverse effects; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Ectopic - diagnostic imaging; Pregnancy, Ectopic - therapy; Ultrasonography; uterine arterial embolization; Uterine Artery Embolization - adverse effects
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/jog.12468

Aim To assess three different methods in treating patients with cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Methods We evaluated pre‐, intra‐ and postoperative conditions of 124 CSP patients in one of the three treatment groups, of which 37 patients underwent uterine curettage by hysteroscopy under ultrasound monitoring (group 1), 28 patients were treated with methotrexate followed by hysteroscopy (group 2) and 59 cases underwent uterine arterial embolization followed by hysteroscopy (group 3). The treatment options were determined based on the patients' conditions. Results Among all three groups, group 3 (uterine arterial embolization followed by hysteroscopy) had the least intraoperative blood loss and the highest success rate with curettage, but the highest hospitalization cost. Group 1 (only hysteroscopy) had the shortest length of hospitalization and the lowest cost, but the highest intraoperative blood loss and slowest recovery. Group 2 (methotrexate followed by hysteroscopy) had the longest period of hospitalization, and other indexes had fallen in between the other two groups. Conclusion Among the three methods, uterine arterial embolization followed by hysteroscopy is the safest and most efficient method without considering the cost of hospitalization. Patients with a low level of β‐hCG may consider choosing hysteroscopy under ultrasound monitoring or methotrexate followed by hysteroscopy. The advantage is low cost of hospitalization; however, patients may be under relatively higher surgical risks and lower first time surgical success rate, especially for patients treated by hysteroscopy under ultrasound monitoring.