Efficacy of well-planned management in patients with incarcerated gravid uterus: A case series and literature review

Objective: Incarcerated gravid uterus is a condition in which uterine myoma and intraperitoneal adhesion lead to persistent uterine retroversion. Accurate diagnosis before cesarean section is crucial so that the procedure can be planned with regard to the spatial relationship between the uterine incision and other organs. This study investigated the effects of well-planned management on the outcome of cesarean sections. Materials and methods: Four patients with incarcerated gravid uterus who received well-planned management and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging were compared with three unexpected patients who were operated without preoperative diagnosis. Results: In the preoperatively diagnosed group, compared with the non-preoperatively diagnosed group, the frequency of cervical canal damage tended to be lower (0% vs. 100%), blood loss tended to be less (1171 ± 290 mL vs. 2000 ± 300 mL), and surgery duration tended to be shorter (82 ± 17 min vs. 147 ± 84 min). None of the preoperatively diagnosed cases required allogeneic blood transfusion, and no organ damage was observed. Conclusion: The early detection of a suspected incarcerated uterus, and a thorough understanding of diagnostic methods and the use of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography facilitate the safe performance of a cesarean section.