In a remarkable achievement among Emirates Health Services “EHS”, the Women's Department at Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital in Sharjah achieved 100% success rate by performing five successful robotic surgeries in collaboration with Al Qassimi Hospital.
The surgeries were conducted to treat a non-healing uterine scar (uterine niche) and a pregnancy implanted within the uterine scar for women referred to the hospital's robot clinic through gynaecology clinics and the emergency department.
The diagnoses were made using magnetic X-rays at the radiology department and the fetal medicine unit at Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital. The women underwent precise robotic surgery after consultation and follow-up, which was carried out seamlessly and without any complications.
Dr. Safiya Alkhajeh, director of Al Qassimi Women's and Children's Hospital, said the medical accomplishment is part of a series of triumphs by the hospital's Women’s Department. The team, led by Emirati Dr. Mona Kashwani, demonstrates remarkable efficiency in the realm of robotic surgery specifically for women.
Dr. Safiya Alkhajeh revealed an increase in medical complications associated with uterine muscle injury in women due to C-section births. Among the significant complications are uteroabdominal pouch formation and ectopic pregnancy, attributed to the rising global rates of C-section births in many countries, surpassing 21%. According to World Health Statistics for 2021, one in every five children worldwide is born by caesarean section due to various medical or other reasons.
Mona Abdulaziz Kashwani, a specialist in obstetrics & gynaecology at Al Qassimi Women and Children's Hospital said there is a 70% risk for women who have undergone one or more Caesarean deliveries to develop a uteroabdominal pouch or diverticulum at the location of a previous caesarean section scar.
This is related to the inadequate healing of uterine tissues, which can be influenced by many reasons such as the wound's precise position, the Caesarean section's suturing method, or the presence of abdominal adhesions, among others. Notably, about a third of these women develop post-C-section problems, such as unusual or heavy bleeding during or after their menstrual cycles, which in some cases can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancies.
A non-healing uterine scar (uterine sinusoid) is typically identified by ultrasound or MRI at the embryo clinic, and in certain circumstances, the patient is given medicine.
In situations of delayed pregnancy, infertility, and some ectopic pregnancies, the medical team must intervene surgically to remove, re-approximate, and stitch unhealed tissues from the margins.
When dealing with ectopic pregnancies, urgent and high-quality surgical interventions become necessary. Among the most effective surgical treatments in this domain are laparoscopic procedures, particularly those assisted by robots. These surgeries are acknowledged for their precision, minimal uterine penetration, reduced risk of complications, and expedited postoperative recovery.
Ectopic pregnancies are considered emergencies when the embryo implants outside the uterus, specifically in the scar tissue from previous caesarean surgery. This is because quick medical attention is essential if the pregnancy sac ruptures or swells and damages the scar tissue in the uterus. It could result in severe bleeding that puts the mother's life in grave danger, lead to hysterectomy, and prevent her from having children in the future.
Early accurate radiological diagnosis is critical not only for detecting cases, but also for arranging the proper surgery for the pregnant lady, and robotic surgery is the best, safest, and most effective treatment option for such pathological problems.