Routine ultrasonographic and hysteroscopic evaluations of women undergoing postpartum manual removal of placenta: a retrospective cohort study

Purpose This study aimed to assess the rates of retained products of conception (RPOC) after routine postpartum evaluation of patients who underwent post-delivery manual uterine revision due to retained placenta. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of 599 consecutive women who underwent manual removal of placenta during 2010–2018. Group A comprised 465 women who underwent postpartum symptom-based evaluation (2010–2016). Group B comprised 134 women who were routinely evaluated by ultrasound and subsequently by hysteroscopic examination 6 weeks after delivery (2016–2018). Results The rates of abnormal postpartum bleeding were similar between groups A and B (12% and 13%, respectively, p = 0.72%). A significantly smaller proportion of women underwent hysteroscopy in group A than group B (12% vs. 37%, p < 0.05). The rate of persistent RPOC confirmed by hysteroscopy was significantly lower in group A than group B (9.7% vs. 23%, p < 0.05). Conclusion Among patients who underwent post-delivery manual removal of placenta, a threefold higher rate of RPOC was discovered by routine elective evaluation than by evaluating only symptomatic patients. Future studies may show whether this approach translates to an effect on fertility.