Septate uterus with double cervix and longitudinal vaginal septum. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital uterine anomalies in the general population are estimated to have an incidence of 0.001-10%. The septate uterus, the most common form of structural uterine anomaly, has the highest reproductive failure rate. A rare developmental variant is a septate uterus with cervical duplication and a complete longitudinal vaginal septum. The existence of this anomaly challenges classical müllerian developmental theory. Traditional transabdominal metroplasty has been replaced by operative hysteroscopy in the surgical correction of a septate uterus, with laparoscopy aiding in the diagnosis and contributing to the safety and efficiency of the procedure.

CASE: A 28-year-old, nulliparous woman with a septate uterus with cervical duplication and complete longitudinal vaginal septum was diagnosed by combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Excision of the complete longitudinal vaginal septum followed by hysteroscopic partial resection of a thick uterine septum with laparoscopic assistance was performed. However, because of the septum's broad base and the rigidity of the operative resectoscope, we opted to proceed with transabdominal metroplasty.

CONCLUSION: Only six cases of septate uterus with cervical duplication and complete longitudinal vaginal septum have been reported. Although its counterpart, the septate uterus, has effects on preterm labor, fetal presentation, infertility and spontaneous abortion, its reproductive outcome has not been assessed. Review of the literature suggests that surgical correction in the setting of poor reproductive outcome has been beneficial. Laparoscopically assisted hysteroscopic resection of the uterine septum is a safe, effective surgical technique of uterine reunification and is preferable to transabdominal methods. However, in certain cases, conventional transabdominal metroplasty may still be required.