Trichosanthin benefits the treatment of caesarean scar pregnancies

Abstract

This retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of trichosanthin (TCS) in combination with or without uterine arteries embolisation (UAE), uterine curettage and sac aspiration for the treatment of caesarean scar pregnancies (CSPs). We enrolled 200 patients at 4–17 weeks’ postmenstrual age with suspected CSP. CSP was diagnosed based on serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level and transvaginal ultrasound. The patients were divided into TCS group and non-TCS group, who were treated with TCS and methotrexate, respectively, in combination with UAE and uterine curettage. TCS treatment had a success rate of 96.1% (50 of 52), similar to that in non-TCS group (98.6%, 146/148). Serum β-hCG levels on days 3, 5 and 7 in TCS group were significantly decreased. The complications were fever and pain, which were alleviated with symptomatic treatment. At follow-up, all 52 patients except one case with hysterectomy from TCS treatment group had resumed normal menstruation. In conclusion, TCS combined with bilateral UAE and uterine curettage is a safe and effective treatment for CSP, especially in patients with dangerously high serum β-hCG levels.

Keywords::

• Caesarean scar pregnancies
• embolization
• methotrexate
• trichosanthin
• uterine arteries
• uterine curettage

Declaration of interest: The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.