Uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis: the University of Minnesota experience

Abstract

Objective: To present the experience of a large referral center with patients with the rare but specific syndrome of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis.

Design, patients: Between 1953 and 1991, 15 patients with the syndrome were evaluated by the authors; each patient's records were carefully reviewed.

Main outcome measures: For each patient, the clinical course, specific anatomic findings, treatment(s) offered, and obstetrical outcome are presented.

Results: The specificity of the association of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis was confirmed by our series, the largest in the literature to date. The findings suggest a specific development anomaly of the müllerian ductal system, probably secondary to a wolffian duct anomaly. The most common clinical presentation was that of the onset of pelvic pain and/or dysmenorrhea shortly after menarche, in association with the finding of a vaginal/pelvic mass. When a communication between the two sides existed, symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge and bleeding were common. Optimal outcome appears to have occurred for patients initially managed using a conservative surgical approach, i.e., simple vaginal septum resection combined with conservative treatment of associated endometriosis. Obstetrical outcome in our patients was similar to that in patients with the more common combination of uterus didelphys and sagittal vaginal septum.

Conclusion: A greater awareness of the syndrome of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis should lead to its prompt diagnosis, allowing for early and appropriate surgical intervention as well as decreased long-term morbidity.