Laparoscopic Resection of Post-Cesarean Section Scar Uterine Cyst

To demonstrate a technique of performing laparoscopic resection of a post-cesarean section scar uterine cyst.

Technical video (Canadian Task Force classification III).

University Hospital.

A 38-year old woman.

Laparoscopic excision of a uterine cyst within a cesarean section scar.

A 38-year-old woman presented with secondary subfertility requesting removal of a cesarean section scar defect to prepare the uterine cavity for in vitro fertilization. Preoperative ultrasound demonstrated a 17.7 × 12.2 mm scar defect. At rigid hysteroscopy the anterior uterine wall cyst was observed and noted to be narrowing the uterine cavity. A laparoscopic approach was used to excise the uterine cyst. We carefully mobilized the bladder from its adhesions at the site of the previous cesarean section scar. The uterine cyst was located and margins of the defect identified. An ultrasonic-energy device was used to enucleate and excise the cyst. A uterine manipulator helped to identify the cervical canal and protect the posterior wall from inadvertent suture placement. The defect was closed with 1 vicryl interrupted sutures, being careful to incorporate the full thickness of the uterine wall to an able maximal opposition. An adhesion barrier was applied to the area. Transvaginal ultrasound scanning performed 6 weeks postoperatively demonstrated full healing with no residual defect.

Niches are recognized complications of cesarean sections resulting from incomplete healing of the scar and more likely in single-layer closures [1]. They can be associated with postmenstrual spotting, dysmenorrhea, chronic pain, subfertility, and poorer reproductive and obstetric outcomes [1-5]. Laparoscopic resection of niches is well established, showing symptomatic relief and an increase in residual myometrium [6]. Although cesarean section scar defects have been described as niches, we presented a further variety of defect that has not been previously described, a uterine cyst.