Effects of early second-look hysteroscopy combined with intrauterine balloon dilatation on reproductive outcomes for women with intrauterine adhesions

Objective: To investigate the effect of early second-look office hysteroscopy combined with intrauterine balloon dilatation on prognosis and pregnancy rate for women with intrauterine adhesions.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 156 women diagnosed with intrauterine adhesions by hysteroscopy at Shenyang Women's and Children's Hospital, China, from April 2017 to January 2019. The study women underwent intrauterine balloon dilatation 10 days after transcervical resection of adhesion (TCRA) and hysteroscopy 20 days after TCRA (n=81). The control women underwent hysteroscopy 3 months after TCRA (n=75). Estrogen and aspirin were routinely administered postoperatively to all women. Data, including American Fertility Society (AFS) scores assessed by hysteroscopy, endometrial thickness measured by ultrasound, and menstruation and pregnancy outcomes assessed by interview, were compared between the two groups.

Results: The degree of intrauterine adhesions, menstrual status, and endometrial thickness were improved in both groups after TCRA. Greater improvement in AFS score, menstruation, and endometrial thickness was observed in the study group than in the control group. After follow-up, more women in the study group achieved pregnancy (48.1% vs 30.7%, P<0.05).

Conclusion: Early second-look of hysteroscopy combined with intrauterine balloon dilatation after hysteroscopic TRCA might improve the prognosis and postoperative pregnancy rate for women with intrauterine adhesions.