Removal of Intrauterine Retained Products of Conception (RPOC) After Miscarriage Guided by Hysteroscopy Trial. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Summary

Rationale: Elective immediate dilation and curettage (D\&C) for miscarriage is associated with the occurrence of intrauterine adhesions (IUA). IUAs may be associated with subsequent subfertility and premature birth. Recent studies have shown that in women with miscarriage, medical treatment (misoprostol/mifepristone) is an effective alternative for curettage. A problem with medication and expectant management is that after initial treatment, sonographic findings during follow-up frequently show incomplete evacuation of uterine retained products of conception (RPOC), which often lead to additional interventions or expectant time-consuming management limiting the benefits of medical treatment.

Objective: To assess, in women with a wish for immediate future pregnancy and RPOC after non-surgical management of a miscarriage, as diagnosed with sonography, the effects of operative hysteroscopy versus expectant management.

Study design: Multicenter randomized clinical trial. Study population: Patients after non-surgical management of a miscarriage with sonographic evidence of RPOC at the follow-up visit 6 weeks after initial treatment and wish for immediate (within 6 months) future pregnancy.

Intervention: operative hysteroscopy versus expectant management. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome is time to next pregnancy, as substantiated by a positive urinary or serum hCG test. Secondary outcomes are Quality of Life (QOL) scores assessed with the SF-36, HADS and EQ-5D-5L, the need for additional and/or unscheduled treatments and/or visits and complications. Furthermore, data on the course of pregnancy - including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and live birth - are documented in those women who have an ongoing pregnancy after randomization during the study follow up period. In addition, iMTA PCQ questionnaires and health-costs are measured in all patients to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis.

A total of 244 (122 per arm) women will be sufficient to answer the questions on the primary endpoint.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: Women participating in the study will be asked to fill out questionnaires at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months after randomization. We don not expect specific risks as a result of either the intervention or expectant management.

Conditions

• Retained Products of Conception

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Operative hysteroscopy

Operative hysteroscopy is performed without or under local, regional or general anesthesia according to the local protocol preferably within 2 to 3 weeks after randomization. In case of highly vascularized RPOC, a repeat sonogram is performed 2 to 4 weeks after randomization to check for persistence of vascularity and to optimize operative timing. Operative hysteroscopy is then performed within 2 to 3 weeks after the repeat sonogram. Removal of the RPOC is performed by an experienced gynecologist using hysteroscopic morcellation (TruClearTM Hysteroscopic Tissue Removal System (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA)) and according to the local protocol.

OTHER

Expectant management

No treatment will be offered. Patients will be given telephone numbers to contact a doctor. In case of severe complaints, defined as heavy uterine bleeding and/or severe abdominal pain, not responding to conservative treatment, an emergency curettage or operative hysteroscopy may be performed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medtronic

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• University Hospital, Ghent

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tjalina Hamerlynck, MD PhD · University Hospital, Ghent

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

39 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-07-12

Primary Completion

2026-12-30

Completion

2027-12-30

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations