SEPTATE UTERUS - NEW IDEA ON THE HISTOLOGIC FEATURES OF THE SEPTUM INTHIS ABNORMAL UTERUS

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine some of the classic concepts abo ut the histologic features of the uterine septum. STUDY DESIGN: Four b iopsy specimens were taken from 16 patients with septate uteri during Tompkins metroplasty: biopsy A from the septum near the serosal layer, biopsy B from the midpoint of the septum, biopsy C from the tip of th e septum, and biopsy D from the left posterior aspect of the uterus aw ay from the septum. Thirteen characteristics were examined in these sp ecimens by means of mean ridit analysis and Bonferroni criteria for mu ltiple comparisons in relation to connective tissues (four characteris tics), muscles (four characteristics), and vessels (live characteristi cs). RESULTS: In the septum the mean ridit score was less for the amou nt of connective tissues (p < 0.001) and higher for the amount of musc le tissue (p < 0.025), amount of muscle interlacing lo (p < 0.05), and vessels with a muscle wall (p < 0.005). However, the Bonferroni crite rion for multiple comparisons was only significant for the amount of c onnective tissue (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings of less connect ive tissue in the septum, which was confirmed by the Bonferroni criter ion for multiple comparisons and the mean ridit results for the three other significant findings, were contrary to the classic view about th e histologic features of the septum.