Post-hysteroscopy Duration of the Cook Balloon Uterine Stent Effect on the Re-adhesion Formation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare duration of Cook balloon uterine stent on re-adhesions formation, and observe its effect on serum transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels in patients with intrauterine adhesions (IUA) undergoing hysteroscopic transcervical resection of adhesion (TCRA).

STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: No. 215 Hospital of Shaanxi Nuclear Industry, Shaanxi Province, China, from January 2018 to January 2019.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 98 patients with IUA, who underwent hysteroscopic TCRA with cold scissors, were randomly divided into Group A (n=49) and Group B (n=49). Cook balloon uterine stent was placed for 37 days in Group A and 7 days in Group B. Efficacy of two groups was compared.

RESULTS: Total effective rate in Group A was higher than that in Group B (p=0.021). After treatment, levels of serum TGF-β1 and PAI-1 in Group A were lower than those in Group B (p <0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). Recurrence rate of IUA at three months after treatment and total incidence of complications in Group A were lower than those in Group B (p=0.012, and 0.037, respectively). Pregnancy rate in the 2-year follow-up period in Group A was higher than that in Group B (p= 0.043).

CONCLUSION: Placement of Cook balloon uterine stent for 37 days after hysteroscopic TCRA in patients with IUA can effectively prevent postoperative intrauterine re-adhesion, have few complications, low recurrence rate of IUA and high re-pregnancy rate, and reduce levels of serum TGF-β1 and PAI-1. Key Words: Intrauterine adhesions (IUA), Transcervical resection of adhesion (TCRA), Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), Pregnancy.