Forty-two normomenstruating adolescents with Müllerian obstructive anomalies: Presentation, pitfalls in the dagnosis and surgical management

Introduction: We analyzed the frequency, presentation and pitfalls in the diagnosis and surgical management of a large group of normomenstruating adolescents with obstructive reproductive tract anomalies.

Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Of the 143 outpatients referred for severe dysmenorrhea and persistent pelvic pain, 42 (29.3%) young women with obstructive Müllerian anomalies and regular menstrual flow were identified. These patients were divided into four groups: (1) patients with duplicate uterine cavities, obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (n = 34); (2) patients with unicornuate uterus and noncommunicating cavitated rudimentary horn (n = 5); (3) patients with accessory cavitated uterine mass (n = 2); (4) patients with partially obstructed transverse vaginal septum (n = 1). All 42 patients were conservatively treated via laparoscopy and 35/42 patients had also vaginal surgery.

Results: Of the four groups, patients in groups 2 and 3 (n = 7) were conservatively managed by laparoscopy alone; for patients in groups 1 and 4 (n = 35), laparoscopy and the vaginal approach were used. Patients of group 1 were treated by resecting the obstructed vaginal septum with drainage of retained collections. In patients in group 2, surgery consisted of the removal of the rudimentary horn. Patients of group 3 were treated by the removal of myometrial neoformations. In the patient in group 4, treatment consisted of removal of the septum. All surgical procedures were successful and no major complications were recorded. Follow-up reports highlighted the disappearance of obstruction and clear improvement in pain symptoms.

Conclusions: Unilateral obstructive anomalies of the female genital tract are difficult to identify. Early diagnosis allows the preservation of reproductive activity and avoids potential complications.