There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
A multitude of female congenital anomalies are uncommon. However, their impact on
reproduction can be profound. The aim of this review is to remind the practicing physician
of the clinically relevant embryology and summarize the studies that look at the impact
of such various anomalies on a woman's fecundity. We review particular surgical therapies
that possibly may improve fertility in such women.
Review and critique of available studies in which particular surgical therapies were
done and whether they truly improved fertility in these women with congenital reproductive
anomalies.
Clear evidence demonstrates that uterine septum resection is effective in women with
demonstrated recurrent pregnancy losses. Arcuate uterus has little impact on reproduction.
Other studies fail to definitively show that surgical correction will improve pregnancy
retention or fertility except for specifically indicated clinical scenarios.
The practicing reproductive specialist should have working knowledge of evidence-based
therapeutic options for women with reproductive congenital anomalies. A summary chart
has been devised to clearly associate embryologic structures with normal adult derivative
as well as anomalous structures.