Abnormal placentation: Current evidence and review of the literature.

The management of a caesarean scar pregnancy ranges from conservative medical therapy to surgical treatment. The aim of this study is to present our experience of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies treated with different modalities and to develop a management algorithm. This retrospective clinical analysis included 21 caesarean scar pregnancies. The clinical data, ultrasonographic characteristics, b-human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations, the treatment options and complications were noted. One patient was managed expectantly, six patients were treated with D and C, seven patients were treated with systemic methotrexate, eight patients underwent a caesarean scar pregnancy removal with a laparoscopy, three patients were treated with a hysteroscopy. Three patients who recieved a methotrexate required additional treatment methods including a laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and D and C. Surgery was successful in all cases. An intra-abdominal haemorrhage from the vessels in the scar area occured in the patient managed expectantly, and a laparatomy and removal was performed. A systemic methotrexate, dilatation and curettage, hysteroscopic resection and laparoscopic resection are feasible methods for scar pregnancy treatment depending on the gestational age, β-hCG level, the type of scar pregnancy and the clinical status of the patient. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? CSP has increased gradually parallel to the increased rates of CS worldwide. There is no treatment consensus on that rare entity. What do the results of this study add? We aimed to present our cases and to discuss a proposal algorithm with further studies. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our cases and proposal algorithm could help to determine the treatment options for CSP.

A single centre's experience of caesarean scar pregnancy and proposal of a management algorithm.

Purpose of review To review the current literature on the diagnosis and management of cesarean scar pregnancies RECENT FINDINGS: The incidence of cesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs) is increasing as a result of the increasing cesarean section rate, improved diagnostic capabilities, and a growing awareness. CSPs are associated with significant morbidity and early diagnosis is key. Diagnosis is best achieved with transvaginal ultrasound. Sonographic diagnostic criteria have been developed over decades and recently endorsed by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and other professional societies. The current categorization system differentiates CSPs that are endogenic or 'on the scar' from those that are exogenic or 'in the niche'. Following diagnosis, the challenge remains in determining the optimal management as multiple modalities can be considered. Studies have demonstrated the favorable outcomes with combined local and systemic methotrexate, surgical excision through multiple routes, and adjunctive therapies, such as uterine artery embolization or uterine balloons. The current evidence is insufficient to identify a single best treatment course and a combined approach to treatment is often required. Summary Successful outcomes while minimizing complications can be achieved with a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort. Guidelines for cesarean scar pregnancies will continue to evolve as the published reports grow.

An updated guide to the diagnosis and management of cesarean scar pregnancies.

Background: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) involves a rare form of placental attachment that often leads to life-threatening conditions. The best treatment for CSP has been debated for decades. We aimed to evaluate the different treatments for CSP and analyzed the risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage. Methods: CSP patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University were reviewed retrospectively from January 2014 to 2020. CSP was classified into three types based on the location and shape of gestational tissue, blood flow features, and thickness of the myometrium at the incision site. The clinical characteristics, types, approaches of treatment, and clinical outcomes of CSP were analyzed. Results: A total of 55 patients were included in this study, 29 (52.7%) of whom underwent transvaginal curettage after uterine artery embolization (UAE) and 22 (40%) of whom underwent transabdominal ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic curettage (USHC) in type I and II. Four patients (7.3%) classified as type III underwent laparoscopic cesarean scar resection (LCSR). Intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion rate, and scar diverticulum were significantly higher in type II than in type I (P 0.05), superiority was found in surgical time and hospitalization cost (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the type of CSP (OR = 10.53, 95% CI: 1.69-65.57; P = 0.012) and diameter of the gestational sac (OR = 25.76, 95% CI: 2.67-248.20; P = 0.005) were found to be risk factors for intraoperative hemorrhage. Conclusions: Transabdominal ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic curettage is an effective and relatively safe treatment option for patients with CSP. Type of CSP and diameter of the gestational sac were found to be associated with excessive intraoperative hemorrhage.

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Approaches in the Treatment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy and Risk Factors for Intraoperative Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Study

Purpose of review This review aims at summarizing the latest evidence on diagnosis, natural history and management of caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Recent findings CSP can result in maternal morbidity from major haemorrhage, uterine rupture, placenta accreta spectrum disorders and hysterectomy. Classification of the CSP types, presence of fetal heart activity, gestational age and residual myometrial thickness seem to influence rates of ongoing pregnancy, subsequent development of placenta accreta with expectant management, as well as success and complication rates associated with various methods of pregnancy termination. Expectant management may be appropriate in certain good prognosis cases, such as absent fetal heart activity or when the myometrial layer at the implantation site is relatively thick. Surgical treatments are typically associated with higher success rates, but seem to result in severe haemorrhage more frequently than medical treatments, which have higher failure rates. Although other treatment modalities are available, in general, the size and quality of evidence to guide care provision in CSP is very poor. Summary CSP can be associated with severe maternal morbidity but can also lead to a livebirth. There is currently a lack of good-quality evidence to predict the outcome of CSP and provide informed and evidence-based care.

Caesarean scar pregnancy: diagnosis, natural history and treatment

Aim The purpose of this review is to systematically review all the reported cases and case series of caesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) managed expectantly without any intervention in order to understand the outcomes of pregnancy which will guide clinicians and patients in making treatment choices. Methods An electronic search on PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases and a manual search from references of the articles were performed. Studies were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted for various outcomes of pregnancy and the quality of the reports was assessed using a modified Delphi technique. Results A total of 56 cases of CSP from 11 reports were included in the review, including 44 cases with foetal cardiac activity. Live births were achieved in 73% of cases with a quarter of them born before 34 weeks. Hysterectomy rates were 70%. In 12/44 (27%) of cases pregnancies were lost due to complications before 24 weeks. Most (67%) of the CSPs with no foetal cardiac activities resolved on expectant management and the remaining required intervention for bleeding. Conclusions Caution should be exercised when choosing expectant management in cases of viable CSPs, and if chosen, the patient should be counselled adequately for possible outcomes including loss of pregnancy and hysterectomy. Expectant management is acceptable in CSPs with no foetal cardiac activity. There is a need for prospective research on this topic with adequate reporting on possible prognostic markers, as well as a need to improve on the techniques to prevent loss of fertility during delivery.

Rauf Ghani

Papers

Expectant management of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancy: a systematic review.