Citation: Akinlaja O and Sherrow S. Postablation Tubal Sterilization Syndrome-a Case Report. Austin J Obstet
Gynecol. 2014;1(1): 2.
Austin J Obstet Gynecol - Volume 1 Issue 1 - 2014
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Akinlaja et al. © All rights are reserved
Austin Journal of Obstetrics and
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Abstract
Background: Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive, readily available
procedure for the management of persistent heavy uterine bleeding (HUM)
with good results. Complications though rare, have included post-ablation tubal
sterilization syndrome.
Case: A 39-year-old multiparous lady with persistent, unresolved HUM
despite conservative therapy and a history of bilateral tubal ligation with flshie
clips underwent an uncomplicated hysteroscopy with Novasure endometrial
ablation. Subsequently, she had severe recurrent cyclic pelvic pain of over
6months duration, which was relieved after a total laparoscopic hysterectomy
with pathology showing thickened and dilated proximal tubes with hematosalpinx.
Conclusion: Physicians performing endometrial ablation should have a
high index of suspicion for, be able to diagnose and treat post ablation tubal
sterilization syndrome.
as well as a cervical dilatation and empirical treatment for pelvic
infammatory disease. Pelvic ultrasound done during this period
did not reveal any abnormality. Due to the debilitating nature of
the chronic pelvic pain, she consented to and underwent a total
laparoscopic hysterectomy, which resulted in resolution of the pain.
Pathology report indicated benign bilateral thickened and dilated
proximal tubes with hematosalpinx and flshie clips intact.
Discussion
Post ablation tubal sterilization syndrome initially reported
in 1993 has been found to occur in up to 10% of patients post
endometrial ablation.
Proposed reasons include bleeding from active endometrium
trapped in the uterine cornua and intrauterine scarring associated
with uterine contracture [2,3].
Presentation is similar to that of hematometra and usually of
cyclical pelvic pain post endometrial ablation especially in patients
with prior bilateral tubal sterilization although sometimes the pain
can be intermittent.
Ultrasound is not reliably sensitive; however, there can be
avascular fuid-flled collections in the corneal region and/or fallopian
tubes bilaterally [4] but MRI, which is more sensitive might reveal the
blood flled tubes during the cramping episode.
Defnitive treatment is hysterectomy although cases of
laparoscopic excision of the proximal tubal stumps have been
documented [5].
Conclusion
Te introduction of endometrial ablation has led to a signifcant
reduction in the need for hysterectomy as an option for heavy uterine
bleeding.
However, physicians performing endometrial ablations should
have a high index for post ablation tubal sterilization syndrome and
be able to both diagnose and treat when it occurs.
Background
Endometrial ablation, which is the surgical destruction of the
endometrial lining of the uterus, has gradually become an increasingly
popular treatment option for abnormal uterine bleeding in women
due to its minimally invasive nature and it accounted for up to 60%
of all surgical procedures performed for heavy menstrual bleeding
in England between 2003-06 [1]. It has been accomplished with
or without hysteroscopic visualization using either a resectoscope
or various non-resectoscopic ablation devices. Current FDA
approved non-resectoscopic devices include Novasure, Her Option,
Termachoice, Hydro TermAblator and Microwave Endometrial
Ablation.
Although not common, complications such as uterine perforation,
hemorrhage, pelvic infection, hematometra, thermal injury and post
tubal sterilization syndrome in women with prior bilateral tubal
sterilization procedures has been seen.
Case Presentation
A 39year old multiparous patient with a history of bilateral
tubal ligation with flshie clips was seen and evaluated for persistent
heavy menstrual bleeding associated with symptomatic anemia and a
hemoglobin level of 8.4 g/dl.
She had an endometrial biopsy done, which revealed secretory
endometrium and Pelvic ultrasound was unremarkable for a defned
intracavitary lesion. She was placed on Iron supplements and opted
for endometrial ablation afer both medical and surgical management
options of her abnormal uterine bleeding have been discussed.
Afer obtaining an informed consent, she underwent an
uneventful hysteroscopy with Novasure endometrial ablation with
no demonstrable intrauterine lesion seen.
She had an uneventful post procedure period and consequently
became amenorrheic but commenced having severe cyclical pelvic
pain from the second month post ablation, over a period of 6 months
duration during which time she had numerous analgesics courses
Case Report
Postablation Tubal Sterilization Syndrome-a Case Report
Olukayode Akinlaja* and Shevonda Sherrow
Dept of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Tennessee
College of Medicine, USA
*Corresponding author: Olukayode Akinlaja, Dept of
Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Tennessee College
of Medicine at Chattanooga, USA, Tel: 347-866-3011;
Email: Kayakins72@yahoo.com
Received: May 10, 2014; Accepted: June 17, 2014;
Published: June 20, 2014
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