Elsevier

Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

Volume 15, Issue 5, September–October 2008, Pages 527-530
Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

Review Article
Rudimentary Horn Pregnancy Diagnosed by Ultrasound and Treated by Laparoscopy–A Case Report and Review of the Literature

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2008.05.010Get rights and content

Abstract

Pregnancy in a rudimentary horn occurs once in 76 000 pregnancies. The most significant threat of pregnancy in a rudimentary horn is the risk of rupture. With the use of ultrasound the diagnosis can be made before symptoms occur. Management usually consists of excision of the rudimentary horn with the pregnancy and the ipsilateral tube, traditionally by laparotomy. We present a case of an 11-week pregnancy in a rudimentary horn with a nonviable fetus diagnosed by ultrasound and treated with laparoscopic resection. Review of the literature revealed 11 cases treated successfully with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic treatment should be considered for pregnancy in rudimentary horn during the first trimester.

Section snippets

Case Report

A 37-year-old primigravida woman was referred to the emergency department for a bloody vaginal discharge and abdominal pain for the last 10 days. Last menstrual period was 11 weeks before admission. The current visit to the emergency department was the first time she was ever seen by a gynecologist. On examination, her abdomen was soft with light tenderness in the lower abdomen. A vaginal examination revealed a single cervix of normal appearance. A bimanual examination was not completed because

Discussion

Rudimentary horn pregnancy is a rare condition that, in approximately half of the cases, ends with uterine rupture, a life-threatening situation. Today, more and more women undergo a first trimester ultrasound, so that the diagnosis can be made before symptoms occur 4, 5, 6. When a rudimentary horn pregnancy is diagnosed, the recommendation is termination of pregnancy.

In addition to this case, 10 articles in the English-language literature described 11 cases of laparoscopic management of a

References (16)

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