Is Hysteroscopy the Best Surgical Approach for Removal of Retained Products of Conception Following Surgical Termination of Pregnancy?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the rates of intrauterine adhesion following hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC associated with surgical termination of pregnancy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all cases of removal by hysteroscopy of RPOC associated with surgical termination of pregnancy carried out at the Yitzhak Shamir (Assaf Harofe) Medical Center from January 2013 to December 2018. The rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesion were assessed by follow-up hysteroscopy.

RESULTS

Our study involved 85 cases of removal by hysteroscopy of RPOC associated with surgical termination of pregnancy. The mean size of the RPOC was 1.9 ± 0.9 cm, and the mean time from termination of pregnancy to hysteroscopy was 1.5 ± 0.9 months. Two patients (2.4%) were readmitted for postoperative complications (fever). Postoperative follow-up information was available for 49 cases (57.6%). A total of 47 of these women had a normal uterine cavity (95.9%) while 2 women (4.1%) were diagnosed with mild intrauterine adhesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC following surgical termination of pregnancy is associated with low rates of postoperative intrauterine adhesions. Additional studies may determine whether this is the procedure of choice in these cases.