A laparoscopic approach to cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Mar;226(3):417-419. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.11.021. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

Abstract

Cesarean scar pregnancies confer serious risk and severe morbidity. Appropriate management is the key to preventing complications. Although expectant management is usually contraindicated, the ideal combination of medical or surgical treatments is unclear and must be tailored to the patient's preferences and stability, provider skill, and the available resources. In this article, we present a combined medical and surgical approach that was successfully employed for the termination and excision of a cesarean scar pregnancy at 12 weeks' gestation in a patient desiring uterine preservation. A video is included, demonstrating the surgical steps of a laparoscopic approach used to safely resect the pregnancy and cesarean delivery scar with minimal blood loss. The management technique described can be utilized to effectively resolve cesarean scar pregnancy, to possibly decrease the risk of recurrence, and preserve future fertility with a minimally invasive outpatient surgery.

Keywords: cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy; laparoscopy; minimally invasive; surgery; video.

MeSH terms

  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects
  • Cicatrix / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy* / methods
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic* / etiology
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic* / surgery
  • Uterus / pathology