A novel technique for moderate to severe intrauterine adhesions: A historical cohort study

To evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of our novel technique, ultrasound guided hysteroscopic catheter dilation (US-HCD), for the treatment of moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion (IUA). A total of 126 patients diagnosed with IUA and met the enrollment criteria were admitted in this historical cohort study from June 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical techniques used. Group A (n = 68) were treated with traditional hysteroscopic adhesiolysis with scissors (THA) and Group B (n = 58) were treated with US-HCD. Their data for the next 2 years following the initial surgery were analyzed. Safety and feasibility (operation time, surgical complications and the third-look hysteroscopic surgery rate), and post-operation efficacy (reduction of American Fertility Society [AFS] scores, pregnancy and live birth rates) were evaluated between groups. Between the groups, there was no statistically significant differences in basic preoperative information and AFS scores (P > .05). While there were significant differences in the operation time of the initial surgery (P < .05) and reduction of AFS scores (P < .05). No surgical complications were recorded and only 3 patients (5.2%) received a third-look hysteroscopy in Group B, while there were 6 cases of complications and 13 cases (19.1%) of third-look hysteroscopy in Group A, indicating significant differences between Groups (P < .05). Both groups exhibited comparable pregnancy rate, live birth rate and obstetric complications (P > .05). Our new technique is a safe, feasible and effective procedure for moderate to severe IUA patients, which can be mastered more quickly and easily by surgeons and applied in areas with less affluent economy and without hysteroscopic scissors, thus worthy of further study.