Skip to main content

Uterine Synechiae and Postoperative Care

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Hysteroscopy Simplified by Masters

Abstract

Uterine synechiae, or intrauterine adhesions (IUA), are often underdiagnosed but can lead to infertility and abnormal menstruation. They most commonly occur after uterine instrumentation. Often, the underlying pathophysiology is damage to the basilar endometrium [1]. This results in fibrous connective tissue bands that may have glandular tissue [2]. Synechiae range from minimal adhesions to total obliteration of the uterine cavity. Adhesions can be filmy or dense. Most often, they are located in the cavity but can also occur in the cervicoisthmic area. On histology, adhesions can be fibromuscular, endometrial, myometrial, or connective tissue. The worst prognosis is seen with dense fibrous adhesions without endometrial glands [2].

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Fedele L, Bianchi S, Frontino G. Septums and synechiae: approaches to surgical correction. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2006;49(4):767–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Berman J. Intrauterine adhesions. Semin Reprod Med. 2008;26(4):349–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Lobo R, Gershenson D, Lentz GM, Valea FA. Comprehen Gynecol. 2017:837–88.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Golan A, Raziel A, Pansky M, Bukovsky I. The role of manual removal of the placenta in forming intrauterine adhesions. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 1995;2(Suppl 4):S18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Capella-Allouc S, Morsad F, Rongier-Bertrand C, Taylor S, Fernandez H. Hysteroscopic treatment of severe Asherman’s syndrome and subsequent fertility. Hum Reprod. 1999;14(5):1230–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Fernandez H, Capmas P, Nazac A. Uterine synechiae after hysteroscopic myomectomy: should we use bipolar or monopolar energy? J Minim Invas Gynecol. 2016;23(Suppl):S1–252.

    Google Scholar 

  7. March CM. Management of Asherman’s syndrome. Reprod Biomed. 2011;23:63–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Salazar CA, Isaccson K, Morris S. A comprehensive review of Asherman’s syndrome: causes, symptoms and treatment options. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2017;29(4):249–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Dmowski WP, Greenblatt RB. Asherman’s syndrome and risk of placenta accreta. Obstet Gynecol. 1969;34:288–99.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Panayotidis C, Weyers S, Bosteels J, van Herendael B. Intrauterine adhesions (IUA): has there been progress in understanding and treatment over the last 20 years? Gynecol Surg. 2009;6:197–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. AAGL Elevating Gynecologic Surgery. AAGL practice report: practice guidelines on intrauterine adhesions developed in collaboration with the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE). Gynecol Surg. 2017;14:6.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. March CM, Israel R, March AD. Hysteroscopic management of intrauterine adhesions. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1978;130:653–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Wamsteker K, De Blok SJ. Diagnostic hysteroscopy: technique and documentation. Endos Surg Gynecol. 1995:263–76.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Nasr AL, Al-Inany H, Thabet S, Aboulghar M. A clinicohysteroscopic scoring system of intrauterine adhesions. Gynecol Obstet Investig. 2000;50:178–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. The American Fertility Society classifications of adnexal adhesions, distal tubal occlusion, tubal occlusion secondary to tubal ligation, tubal pregnancies, mullerian anomalies and intrauterine adhesions. Fertil Steril. 1988;49:944–55.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Valle RF, Sciarra JJ. Intrauterine adhesions: hysteroscopic diagnosis, classification, treatment, and reproductive outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1988;158:1459–70.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Donnez J, Nisolle M. Hysteroscopic lysis of intrauterine adhesions (Asherman syndrome). In: Donnez J, editor. Atlas of laser operative laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. New York: Parthenon; 1994. p. 305–22.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Socolov R, Anton E, Butureanu S, Socolov D. The endoscopic management of uterine synechiae: a clinical study of 78 cases. Chirurgia. 2010;105:515–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Ikeda T, Morita A, Imamura A, Mori I. The separation procedure for intrauterine adhesions (synechia uteri) under roentgenographic view. Fertil Steril. 1981;36:333–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Johary J, Xue M, Zhu X, et al. Efficacy of estrogen therapy in patients with intrauterine adhesions: systematic review. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2014;21:44–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Yu D, Wong YM, Cheong Y, Xia E, Li TC. Asherman syndrome: one century later. Fertil Steril. 2008;89:759–79.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Cai H, Qiao L, Song K, He Y. Oxidized, regenerated cellulose adhesion barrier plus intrauterine device prevents recurrence after adhesiolysis for moderate to severe intrauterine adhesions. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2017;24:80–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tsapanos VS, Stathopoulou LP, Papathanassopoulou VS, Tzingounis VA. The role of Seprafilm bioresorbable membrane in the prevention and therapy of endometrial synechiae. J Biomed Mater Res. 2002;63(1):10–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Acunzo G, Guida M, Pellicano M, et al. Effectiveness of auto-crosslinked hyaluronic acid gel in the prevention of intrauterine adhesions after hysteroscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Hum Reprod. 2004;19:1461–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Lin X, Wei M, Li TC, et al. A comparison of intrauterine balloon, intrauterine contraceptive device and hyaluronic acid gel in the prevention of adhesion reformation following hysteroscopic surgery for Asherman syndrome: a cohort study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013;170(2):512–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Santamaria X, Cabanillas S, Cervello I, et al. Autologous cell therapy with CD133+ bone marrow-derived stem cells for refractory Asherman’s syndrome and endometrial atrophy: a pilot cohort study. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(5):1087–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Yu D, Li TC, Huang X, et al. Factors affecting reproductive outcome of hysteroscopic adhesiolysis for Asherman’s syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2008;89(3):715–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Roy KK, Baruah J, Sharma JB, et al. Reproductive outcome following hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in patients with infertility due to Asherman’s syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2010;281:355–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Matevossian, K., Cholkeri, A. (2021). Uterine Synechiae and Postoperative Care. In: Tandulwadkar, S., Pal, B. (eds) Hysteroscopy Simplified by Masters. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2505-6_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2505-6_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-2504-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-2505-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics