GENITAL TRACT MALFORMATION
The student at the end of this lecture should be able to : Describe the types of uterine anomalies and their clinical presentations. Exclude cryptomenorrhoea from a primary amenorrhoea case with normal secondary sexual characteristics and cyclical abdominal pain.anomalies of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina are not uncommon. The exact aetiology is unknown ,the mostly accepted three theories are: teratogenesis , genetic inheritance and multifactorial expression. Variation and combination of anomalies occur : lack of development(agenesis), incomplete development (hypoplasia), incomplete canalization (atresia) complete separate development.
Absence of the uterus : uterus is absent or rudimentary and incapable of function, There are two conditions present with absent uterus . 1.Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser syndrome (MRKH): -absent uterus and vagina. -46XX. -normal ovarian function. -presents as primary ammenorrhoea
OR 2. a state of androgen insensitivity syndrome - absent uterus - blind end of the lower vagina - XY - absent axillary and pubic hair - gonads are testis(histology) found in the abdomen or the groin require removal because of long term malignancy. No treatment is available for such uterine anomalies (uterine transplantation)
Uterine fusion anomalies: these are not uncommon and lesser degrees of defect are quite common. a - Uterus didelphys : complete lack of fusion of the mullerian ducts with double uterus and double vagina. b - Uterus bicornis bicollis : the two horn of the uterus have separate cavities with fused muscular wall with or without vaginal septum.
c. Uterus bicornis unicollis: the uterine body is bifid and the horns are unequal in size with normal cervix. d. Uterus unicornis :when one mullerian canal develops into fallopian tube, uterus and cervix while the second duct is in rudimentary horn which its canal may not be connected with the uterus causing hemihaematometra with dysmenorrhoea. e. Uterus septus: when the ducts fused and the cavity is separated by a median septum either partial or complete. There may be vaginal septum.
Presentation of uterine anomalies -symptomless discovered during HSG or during operation. -dysmenorrhoea(rudimentary horn) -abortion -malpresentation -difficult labour -rare presentation is ectopic pregnancy in a rudimentary horn ,presented later than other type and with rupture and sever haemorrhage.
Vaginal anomalies :(absent,atresia,septum) absent vagina: usually occur with absent uterus in MRKH syndrome ( rarely occur with the presence of the uterus), there is normal secondary sexual characteristics, presents between the age of twelve and sixten years as primary amenorrhoea which suggest an anatomical abnormality. Vulval and abdominal examination ultrasound required to exclude any retained blood inside the upper part of the genital tract, karyotype is required to exclude androgen insensitivity syndrome (XY ).
If the patient abnormality discovered after marriage at attempt of intercoarse operation to create a new vagina (william operation:edge of the posterior parts of the labia majora are sutured in the midline result into a perineal puoch)is often satisfactory. More extensive operation is MacIndoe operation (aspace is dissected between therectum and the bladder and urethra and this cavity is lined with a skin graft from the thigh applied on amold which is held to the introitus by stitches.
If there is a functioning uterus early operation is required and the upper end of the vaginal epithelium is dissected down to the introitus. Always urinary tract abnormalities should be excluded. Vaginal atresia: there is failure of fusion of the vaginal parts derived from the mullerian duct and the urogenital sinus. There is amembrane above the hymen obstruct the entrance to the vagina or, less commonly, there is a considerable length of the vagina may be un canalized. As the uterus is often normal ,the menstrual blood after puberty will be retained inside, a condition known as cryptomenorrhoea.
The presentation is a female between 14-16 years . primary amenorrhoea , cyclical discomfort then abdominal pain , mass may be large and felt above the pubic symphysis , retention of urine may occur even peritonitis.
Vulval inspection : a bulging membrane may be seen and appear purple or red (thin or thick). Rectal examination reveal a mass at the vagina. Hydrocolpos is similar but its distention of the vagina by the retained mucoid secretion of the cervix present in the neonatal period. Diagnosis needs US, laproscopy or even laparotomy. Diagnosis is often obvious ,but difficult in case of obstruction at higher level or in obstruction in one of double system (normal menses at the patent side).
Treatment :satisfactory drainage best is by excision of the membrane.There is high risk of infection need antibiotic cover 24 hr. before and 5 days after, meticulous surgery ,don’t use cotton swab for mopping only suction . Prognosis is good if the distention only involve the vagina not the uterus nor the tubes.There is risk of obstruction of the fimbria, endometriosis and infertility.There may be vaginal stenosis and dyspareunia later on .
Vaginal septum: there is longitudinal anteroposterior septum due to mullerian fusion anomalies. One of them may be larger or both have equal size. May obstruct labour when it can be divided easily if not give away .
Gonadal anomalies (gonadal dysgenesis) Cervical anomalies (congenital elongation of the cervix to reach the introitus causing discomfort and may require excision .
Cyst of the broad ligament: Reminant of the wolffian duct -hydatid of morgagni (pedinculated at the outer end) -koblet’s tubules (pronephric in origin) -epoophoron and the paraphoron (proximal) ,both are of mesodermal origin . Reminant of ovary (fimbrial cyst)