The success of surgical and medical approach in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy

Abstract

Objectives: The ectopic pregnancy in the cesarean section (CS) scar (CSP) is one of the potentially dangerous and late complications of CS. The current study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic approaches in managing CS scar ectopic pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 63 CSP patients. The treatment approach was considered based on the shape and nature of the gestational sac (GS) during ultrasound evolutions. Patients’ demographic data, clinical manifestations, and systemic drug treatment (methotrexate, MTX), as well as the type of surgery, hospitalization times, and treatment-related complications were evaluated, followed by comparing the treatment efficacy in different approaches based on the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) resolution time. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 34.2±5.1 years (within the range of 22-44 years) and the median of B-hCG serum levels at diagnosis was 2319 IU. The vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain (27 [42.9%]) were the most common complaints, followed by a delayed menstrual cycle (8 [12.7%]). The majority of patients were subjected to surgical treatment and 29 cases (46%) were treated by medical approaches. The median time to B-hCG resolution was 42 days. The Cox proportional hazards model showed the significant effect of the treatment approach on time to B-hCG resolution (χ2=37.78, df=4, P < 0.0001). Finally, the MTX plus surgery was the most effective treatment approach (OR=10.56, P < 0.0001) in managing CSP patients. Conclusions: Our findings in line with previous studies showed the superiority of the surgical approach alone or in combination with medical treatments compared to medical approaches alone.