Hysteroscopic resection of the septum improves the pregnancy rate of women with unexplained infertility: a prospective controlled trial

Objective

To assess fecundity of infertile women after surgical correction of uterine septum.

Design

Prospective controlled trial.

Setting

Three academic infertility clinics.

Patient(s)

Forty-four women affected by septate uterus and otherwise unexplained infertility represented the study group (group A), and 132 women with unexplained infertility were enrolled as control subjects (group B).

Intervention(s)

Hysteroscopic metroplasty was performed in group A, and group B was managed expectantly. All women were followed-up for 1 year without any other intervention.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Fecundity rate was calculated as the number of pregnancies per 100 person-months

Result(s)

Pregnancy rate (38.6% vs. 20.4%) and live birth rate (34.1% and 18.9%) were significantly higher in group A than in group B. The survival analysis showed that the probability of a pregnancy in the twelve-months follow up was significantly higher in patients who had undergone metroplasty than in women with unexplained infertility. The corresponding fecundity (10-week pregnancy) rates were 4.27 and 1.92 person-months in women who had undergone metroplasty and in women with unexplained infertility, respectively.

Conclusion(s)

Hysteroscopic resection of the septum improves fecundity of women with septate uterus and otherwise unexplained infertility. Patients with septate uterus and no other cause of sterility have a significantly higher probability of conceiving after removal of the septum than patients affected by idiopathic sterility.

Key Words: Hysteroscopic metroplasty, septate uterus, primary infertility, fecundity