Transcervical embryoscopy in missed abortion.

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to determine the usefulness of transcervical embryoscopy in diagnosing localized and systemic defects in embryonic morphogenesis of missed abortions.

METHODS: The study population consisted of 24 women with the final diagnosis of missed abortion. Prior to the instrumental evacuation of the uterus a rigid hysteroscope was passed transcervically into the amniotic cavity to obtain a detailed view of the embryo. Karyotyping was attempted in all cases included in this study.

RESULTS: An embryo could be visualized in 19 cases. Ten embryos showed multiple developmental defects.

CONCLUSIONS: In cases of early failure of pregnancy, embryoscopy permits visualization of the embryo in utero, unaffected by the damage usually caused by its instrumental evacuation or spontaneous passage. This technique can be a helpful tool for pathologists and geneticists in enhancing their understanding of human embryonic malformations, but more importantly, it improves clinical care and follow-up, especially in cases of repeated abortions.