Laparoscopic removal of the cavitated noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn: surgical aspects in 10 cases.

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience on laparoscopic resection of the cavitated noncommunicating rudimentary horn in 10 patients with unicornuate uterus.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SETTING

A tertiary referral center for the treatment of female genital malformations.

PATIENT(S): Ten consecutive patients operated between 1994 and 2002.

INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic removal of the rudimentary uterine horn.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Operating time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, relief of symptoms at a 6-month follow-up.

RESULT(S): Median operating time was 65 minutes (range 40-92 minutes) with neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications. All patients were discharged within 72 hours from the procedure. Clinical follow-up during 6 months showed a marked improvement of symptoms.

CONCLUSION(S): Laparoscopy proves to be an effective surgical approach for the removal of the cavitated noncommunicating rudimentary horn in patients with unicornuate uterus.