The value of hysteroscopic evaluation in patients with preclinical in-vitro fertilization abortions

Hum Reprod. 1996 Apr;11(4):730-1. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a019243.

Abstract

The study was conducted on 144 women who experienced preclinical abortions, i.e. a transitory rise in beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) without any clinical or sonographic evidence of pregnancy, to identify the relationship between preclinical abortions and intrauterine pathology. Hysteroscopy was performed 1-2 weeks after the decline of beta-HCG concentrations to negative values. Intrauterine adhesions were detected in three patients (2.1%), most of these being of the mild type. Concomitant intrauterine abnormalities, mainly uterine septa, were found in 14 (9.7%) cases. We believe that preclinical abortions do not predispose intrauterine adhesions and curettage is superfluous. An incomplete uterine septum seems to be the major factor predisposing this early pregnancy wastage. Hysteroscopy following this condition is an easy and efficient means for both identifying intrauterine pathology and excluding adhesions.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / diagnosis*
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / etiology
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / metabolism
  • Abortion, Spontaneous / pathology
  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / analysis*
  • Congenital Abnormalities / diagnosis
  • Congenital Abnormalities / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro*
  • Humans
  • Hysteroscopy*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Uterus / abnormalities*
  • Uterus / metabolism

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human