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Born, Tilman ; Krejci, Katrin ; Rauh, Maximilian ; Cole, Georgia ; Kappelmeyer, Maurice ; Vural, Mehmet ; Köninger, Angela

Extragenital endometriosis associated with uterine scar defects

Article

Born, Tilman , Krejci, Katrin, Rauh, Maximilian, Cole, Georgia, Kappelmeyer, Maurice, Vural, Mehmet and Köninger, Angela (2025) Extragenital endometriosis associated with uterine scar defects. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X 26, p. 100386.

DOI to cite this document: 10.5283/epub.77917


Abstract

Introduction Uterine scar defects result from poor healing of the hysterotomy after cesarean sections (CS), in multiple cases leading to retroflexio uteri and retrograde menstruation. Endometriosis is the probable consequence. Patients often experience overlapping symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Material and methods This study analysed cases of sonographically ...

Introduction
Uterine scar defects result from poor healing of the hysterotomy after cesarean sections (CS), in multiple cases leading to retroflexio uteri and retrograde menstruation. Endometriosis is the probable consequence. Patients often experience overlapping symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility.

Material and methods
This study analysed cases of sonographically detected uterine scar defects, subsequently undergoing laparoscopy at the University Clinic St. Hedwig, in Regensburg, between 2020 and 2024. Herefore, surgery reports were reviewed, focusing on extragenital endometriosis, symptoms of Cesarean Scar Disorder (CSD), niche morphology, uterine position, and endometriosis localisation using the #Enzian classification.

Results
Extragenital endometriosis was histologically confirmed in 45 of 94 patients (47.9 %) with symptomatic or large uterine niches. A significant association was found between endometriosis and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) (p < 0.001) as well as retroflexio uteri (p = 0.036). Symptoms related to CSD did not differ in patients with or without Endometriosis. Endometriotic implants were primarily located in the peritoneum behind the uterus and sacrouterine ligaments, supporting the hypothesis of retrograde menstruation.

Conclusion
There is significant overlap between the symptoms of endometriosis and CSD. Almost half of the patients with a symptomatic niche were found to have endometriosis, whereby the location of endometriosis supports the hypothesis of retrograde menstruation. However, the patient´s history of complaints is not indicative of the diagnosis of endometriosis. Therefore, all patients with CSD should be offered a laparoscopy and endometriosis surgery. All patients with a previous caesarean section presenting with symptoms of endometriosis should be offered standardised and high-quality niche diagnosis and treatment.



Involved Institutions


Details

Item typeArticle
Journal or Publication TitleEuropean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X
PublisherElsevier
Open Access TypeDEAL (Elsevier Gold)
Volume26
Page Rangep. 100386
Date31 March 2025
Date of publication06 Oct 2025 07:05
InstitutionsMedicine > Lehrstuhl für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe (Schwerpunkt Frauenheilkunde)
Identification Number
ValueType
10.1016/j.eurox.2025.100386DOI
KeywordsCesarean Scar Defect (CSD), Endometriosis, Uterine Scar Defect, Retrograde Menstruation, Laparoscopy, Cesarean Section Complications, Uterine Niche Hypermenorrhea, Dyspareunia, Retroflexio Uteri
Dewey Decimal Classification600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
StatusPublished
RefereedYes, this version has been refereed
Created at the University of RegensburgYes
URN of the UB Regensburgurn:nbn:de:bvb:355-epub-779177
Item ID77917

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