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Cesarean scar pregnancy is a potentially dangerous consequence of a previous cesarean delivery. If unrecognized and inadequately managed, it can lead to untoward complications throughout all three trimesters of the pregnancy. The rate of occurrence parallels the mounting rate of cesarean sections. The late consequences of cesarean delivery, such as placenta previa and placenta accrete, were known for a long time. However, it took more than a decade for the obstetric community to make the connection between the cesarean scar pregnancy and the placenta accreta spectrum. This article discusses the pathogenesis and diagnosis of cesarean scar pregnancy.

To assess whether cesarean delivery changes the natural position of the uterus. In this retrospective Institutional Review Board–approved cohort study, we conducted a search of our university gynecologic ultrasonography (US) database. Patients with transvaginal US images before and after either vaginal or cesarean delivery between 2012 and 2015 were included. Women with prior cesarean delivery were excluded. Two readers independently measured antepartum and postpartum flexion angles between the longitudinal axis of the uterine body and the cervix. We calculated intraclass correlation coefficients to measure inter‐reader agreement. Antepartum and postpartum uterine flexion angles were compared between patients with vaginal and cesarean delivery. We included 173 patients (107 vaginal and 66 cesarean delivery). The mean interval between scans ± SD was 18 ± 10 months. Inter‐reader agreement for flexion angles was almost perfect (intraclass correlation coefficients: antepartum, 0.939; postpartum, 0.969; both P< .001). There was no difference in mean antepartum flexion angles for cesarean delivery (154.8° ± 45.7°) versus vaginal delivery (145.8° ± 43.7°; P= .216). Mean postpartum flexion angles were higher after cesarean delivery (180.4° ± 51.2°) versus vaginal delivery (152.8° ± 47.7°; P= .001. Differences in antepartum and postpartum flexion angles between cesarean and vaginal delivery were statistically significant (25.6° versus 7.0°; P= .027). Cesarean delivery can change the uterine flexion angle to a more retroflexed position. Therefore, all women with a history of cesarean delivery should undergo a transvaginal US examination before any gynecologic surgery or intrauterine device placement to reduce the possibility of surgical complications.

Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is among the most severe complications of cesarean delivery. CSP refers to the abnormal implantation of the gestational sac in the area of the prior cesarean delivery (CD), potentially leading to severe hemorrhage, uterine rupture, or development of placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS). The management of women with CSP has not been standardized yet. In women who opted for termination, discussion about the treatments should consider maternal symptoms, gestational age at intervention, and the future reproductive risk. A multitude of treatments, either medical or surgical, for CSP has been reported in the published literature. The present review aims to provide up-to-date information on a recently introduced minimally invasive treatments for CSP, including the single and double balloon catheter. The methodology of using the single or double catheter is described in a step-by-step fashion illustrated by pictures as well as video recordings. Both catheters have their deserved place to be used as a primary method for terminating scar pregnancies as well as using them as adjuncts to other treatments. They were successfully used by multiple individual practitioners and institutions due to their simplicity and low complication rates. The rare, but possible post-procedure complications such as recurrent CSP and enhanced myometrial vascularity are also mentioned.

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol2016;215:351.e1–351.e8)The occurrence of cesarean scar pregnancy and cervical pregnancy, unrelated forms of pathological pregnancies, present significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. A large number of treatments have been used with widely varying effectiveness and complication rates ranging from 10% to 62%.