Uterine niche is one of the emerging complications of caesarean section. With rising caesarean rates, the caesarean-related iatrogenic complications are also on the rise. These include placenta accreta, scar ectopic pregnancy and uterine niche which is a newer entity being described in the recent literature. Uterine niche, also described as uterine isthmocele, caesarean scar defect and diverticulum, is an iatrogenic defect in the myometrium at the site of previous caesarean scar due to defective tissue healing. Patients may have varied symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding, post-menstrual spotting and infertility, though many women may be asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Diagnosis is made radiologically by transvaginal sonography, saline instillation sonohysterography or magnetic resonance imaging. Occurrence of niche may be prevented by using correct surgical technique during caesarean. Patients may be managed medically; however, subfertility and persistent symptoms may require surgical correction either by hysteroscopic resection or transabdominal or transvaginal repair. This mini-review comprehensively covers the potential risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of this increasingly encountered condition due to rising caesarean rates.
PMID 33417629 33417629 DOI 10.1007/s13224-020-01370-0 10.1007/s13224-020-01370-0
Cite this article
Kulshrestha, V., agarwal, P. N., & Kachhawa, G. (2020). Post-caesarean Niche (Isthmocele) in Uterine Scar: An Update. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of India, 70(6), 440-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-020-01370-0
Kulshrestha V, agarwal PN, Kachhawa G. Post-caesarean Niche (Isthmocele) in Uterine Scar: An Update. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2020;70(6):440-446. doi:10.1007/s13224-020-01370-0
Kulshrestha, Vidushi, et al. "Post-caesarean Niche (Isthmocele) in Uterine Scar: An Update." Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of India, vol. 70, no. 6, 2020, pp. 440-446.
Approximately 60% of women develop a uterine niche after a cesarean delivery (CD). A niche is associated with various gynecological symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding, pain, and infertility, but there is little consensus in the literature on the distinction between the sonographic finding of a niche and the constellation of associated symptoms. To achieve consensus on defining the clinical condition that constitutes a symptomatic uterine niche and agree upon diagnostic criteria and uniform nomenclature for this condition.
Design, Setting, A consensus based modified electronic Delphi (eDelphi) study, with a predefined Rate of Agreement (RoA) of 70% or higher. Experts were selected according to their expertise with niche-related consultations, publications, and participation in expert groups and received online questionnaires between November 2021 and May 2022. Definition, nomenclature, symptoms, conditions to exclude, and diagnostic criteria of an illness caused by a symptomatic uterine niche. In total, 31 of the 60 invited experts (51.7%) participated, of whom the majority worked in university-affiliated hospitals (28 of 31 [90.3%]), specialized in benign gynecology (20 of 31 [64.5%]), and worked in Europe (24 of 31 [77.4%]). Three rounds were required to achieve consensus on all items. All participants underlined the relevance of a new term for a condition caused by a symptomatic niche and its differentiation from a sonographic finding only. Experts agreed to name this condition cesarean scar disorder, defined as a uterine niche in combination with at least 1 primary or 2 secondary symptoms (RoA, 77.8%). Defined primary symptoms were postmenstrual spotting, pain during uterine bleeding, technical issues with catheter insertion during embryo transfer, and secondary unexplained infertility combined with intrauterine fluid. Secondary symptoms were dyspareunia, abnormal vaginal discharge, chronic pelvic pain, avoiding sexual intercourse, odor associated with abnormal blood loss, secondary unexplained infertility, secondary infertility despite assisted reproductive technology, negative self-image, and discomfort during participation in leisure activities. Consensus was also achieved on certain criteria that should be met and conditions that should be excluded before making the diagnosis. In this modified Delphi study, a panel of 31 international niche experts reached consensus for the constellation of symptoms secondary to a uterine niche and named it cesarean scar disorder.
Streit-Ciećkiewicz D et al., 2022·Int J Environ Res Public Health
Regenerative medicine combines elements of tissue engineering and molecular biology aiming to support the regeneration and repair processes of damaged tissues, cells and organs. The most commonly used preparation in regenerative medicine is platelet rich plasma (PRP) containing numerous growth factors present in platelet granularities. This therapy is increasingly used in various fields of medicine. This article is a review of literature on the use of PRP in gynecology and obstetrics. There is no doubt that the released growth factors and proteins have a beneficial effect on wound healing and regeneration processes. So far, its widest application is in reproductive medicine, especially in cases of thin endometrium, Asherman's syndrome, or premature ovarian failure (POF) but also in wound healing and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such as urinary incontinence or recurrent genitourinary fistula auxiliary treatment. Further research is, however, needed to confirm the effectiveness and the possibility of its application in many other disorders.
Uterine isthmocele or uterine niche is a late complication of cesarean deliveries and causes chronic pelvic pain, menorrhagia or postmenstrual spotting, and infertility. As the number of cesarean sections are constantly increasing, it is important to be aware of this entity so as to make an early diagnosis. This would enable the clinicians to manage these patients efficiently. We present three patients of uterine isthmocele who were evaluated and managed at our institution.