Clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of cases with an incarcerated gravid uterus

This study aimed to clarify the appropriate management of gravid uterus incarceration through a retrospective analysis of 10 women with an incarcerated gravid uterus who delivered at our hospital between 2000 and 2019. The incidence of an incarcerated gravid uterus was one in 2000 cases. Nine cases were diagnosed during pregnancy (15–30 gestational weeks) and one during caesarean section (performed at 37 gestational weeks on suspicion of placenta previa). Two women underwent manual reduction at 19 and 20 gestational weeks, respectively; the procedure failed in one case, and intrauterine foetal death occurred after the procedure. Among the remaining eight cases, spontaneous reduction was observed in three women at 31, 33 and 34 gestational weeks, respectively. The prevalence of incarcerated gravid uteri may be higher than that previously reported, cases may more likely recover spontaneously, and spontaneous reduction could occur in the third trimester.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Gravid uterine incarceration is a rare condition that occurs in one in 3000–10,000 cases. In addition, previous reports have suggested that manual reduction should not be attempted after the 20th week of gestation.What do the results of this study add? In the current study, the incidence of an incarcerated gravid uterus was one in 2000 cases, higher than that mentioned in previous reports. In addition, spontaneous reductions occurred in three of eight cases in which manual reductions were not performed at 31, 33 and 34 gestational weeks.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The prevalence of an incarcerated gravid uterus and the rate of spontaneous reduction might be higher than those reported in previous studies, and spontaneous reduction could occur in later gestational weeks than that previously reported. Further prospective multicentre studies are necessary to establish new evidence for the management of gravid uterine incarceration.