Frozen-Thawed Blastocysts Transfer Cycle in Patients with Dysmorphic Uteri After Hysteroscopic Metroplasty: A Case-Controlled Study in a Single In-Vitro Fertility Center

Abstract

Objective: Dysmorphic uterus, a rare uterine malformation characterized by an abnormal uterine cavity, may lead to reproductive failures, such as infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results of hysteroscopic correction of this uterine malformation on reproductive outcomes are poorly reported. This study evaluated reproductive outcomes of frozen-thawed electives single-blastocyst transfers (eSBTs) in patients who underwent hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uteri, and compared these results with those of a control group. Materials and Methods: This study included 78 patients with primary infertility who had dysmorphic uterine anomalies and 379 age- and body mass index–matched infertile patients with normal uterine cavities (controls). All patients were enrolled in an in-vitro fertilization program. Selected top/good-quality blastocysts were frozen and then transferred in another cycle after hysteroscopic metroplasty. Reproductive and obstetric outcomes of all cases and characteristics of frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Demographic characteristics of both groups were similar. There were no statistically significant differences between the study and control groups for implantation rates, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates (LBRs): 63.2% versus 64.8%, 57% versus 55%, and 39.8% versus 40.3%, respectively; all p > 0.05. Rates of clinical pregnancy losses were higher in the study group, but this difference was not statistically significant (27.1% versus 19.5%; p > 0.05). Preterm deliveries were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (23.5% versus 10.9%; p = 0.03). Type of endometrial preparation, day of embryo transfer, and grade of transferred embryos were similar in both groups, except endometrial thickness was significantly lower in the study group (8.9 ± 1.4 mm versus 10.1 ± 1.7 mm; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients who underwent hysteroscopic metroplasty of the uterine cavity, reproductive outcomes of FET cycles as were successful as in patients with normal uterine cavities. eSBTs with top/good quality embryos after hysteroscopic metroplasty in patients with dysmorphic uteri improves LBRs but preterm births are higher, compared to patients with normal uterine cavities. (J GYNECOL SURG 20XX:000)