Hysteroscopic Retrieval of Intrauterine Retained Fetal Bones Causing Infertility in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital: A Case Series

Abstract

Abstract Background: Retained fetal bone is a rare complication of unsafe abortion, causing infertility by functioning similarly to an intrauterine device. Clinical and radiological evaluation may be inconclusive. Hysteroscopic evaluation is the gold-standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedure associated with fertility restoration. Materials and Methods: Out of 300 hysteroscopies performed from September 22, 2015, to September 21, 2022, six cases of retained fetal bones were identified. Results: The incidence was 2.0%. The age range was 26 to 44 years. Five out of six were nulliparous, and all women had a previous history of unsafe abortion. The gestational age at the previous abortion ranged from 12 to 24 weeks. The fetal bones were completely removed in all cases. Two out of six cases (33.3%) had favourable outcomes with spontaneous conception and live births. Conclusion: Retained fetal bone is a rare cause of infertility associated with diagnostic challenges, especially in low-resource settings. However, the removal of the fetal bone with hysteroscopy can restore fertility.