Surgical treatment of septate uterus in cases of primary infertility and before assisted reproductive technologies

Abstract

Septate uterus is the most common congenital uterine malformation in women with infertility. Several criteria are available for the definition of septate uteri, such as the one proposed by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)/European Society for Gynecological Endoscopy (ESGE) (ESHRE/ESGE), or by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), with notable differences between the two. Recently, a simplified classification was proposed by the Congenital Uterine Malformations Experts (CUME), where a septum is defined as an internal indentation depth≥10mm. To date, there is no consensus on the management of women with a septate uterus and infertility. We have performed an extensive literature appraisal and reviewed all the available international guidelines in order to propose a management strategy for infertile patients with a uterine septum. Hysteroscopic septum incision seems to improve natural conception rates in the year following surgery. Moreover, it improves in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes when performed before the embryo transfer, by improving embryo implantation rates. On the other hand, for patients with an arcuate uterus (indentation<1.5cm according to the ASRM guidelines) and infertility, it seems that assisted reproductive technologies are the most appropriate first line treatment. However, in cases of recurrent implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss following IVF, hysteroscopic section could be proposed. Overall, we recommend hysteroscopic septum incision for patients with primary infertility, and for patients undergoing assisted reproductive technologies.

Keywords: Hysteroscopy; Infertility; Septate uterus; Septoplasty.