Retroverted Uterus
Post-Colectomy
A visual guide for female ostomy patients who experience retroversion or retroflexion of the uterus post-pevlic surgery
(i.e. colectomy and/or proctectomy).
A visual guide for female ostomy patients who experience retroversion or retroflexion of the uterus post-pevlic surgery (i.e. colectomy and/or proctectomy).
Role:
Illustration
Tools:
Procreate, InDesign
Date:
May 2022
Publication:
N/A
Retroversion of the uterus is a naturally occurring anatomical variant in approximately 30% of women. However, although less known even among gynecologists, it can also occur as a complication of colectomy and proctectomy and other pelvic surgeries due to the formation of pelvic adhesions that pull the uterus back into the newly formed vacancy in the pelvic peritoneal space.
Although retroversion is not necessarily concerning, the accompanying adhesions may cause issues with fertility or chronic pelvic pain. Gravid uterine incarceration (GUI) is a more rare complication of a retroverted uterus that can lead to bladder entrapment, uremia, sepsis, peritonitis, and possibly maternal death. Patients should be aware of the potential complications and ensure their gynecologist notes all past surgeries in their medical history.
Retroversion of the uterus is a naturally occurring anatomical variant in approximately 30% of women. However, although less known even among gynecologists, it can also occur as a complication of colectomy and proctectomy and other pelvic surgeries due to the formation of pelvic adhesions that pull the uterus back into the newly formed vacancy in the pelvic peritoneal space.
Although retroversion is not necessarily concerning, the accompanying adhesions may cause issues with fertility or chronic pelvic pain. Gravid uterine incarceration (GUI) is a more rare complication of a retroverted uterus that can lead to bladder entrapment, uremia, sepsis, peritonitis, and possibly maternal death. Patients should be aware of the potential complications and ensure their gynecologist notes all past surgeries in their medical history.
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R E F E R E N C E S
Abplanalp, D.F. “Obstetric Considerations in Stoma Patients.” Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, vol. 5,5 (1976) pp. 44-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1976.tb02336.x.
Capella-Monsonís, Héctor, et al. “Battling Adhesions: From Understanding to Prevention.” BMC Biomedical Engineering, vol. 1, no. 1, 27 (Feb. 2019), 10.1186/s42490-019-0005-0 .
Haylen, B.T. “The retroverted uterus: ignored to date but core to prolapse.” Int Urogynecol J 17, 555 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0.
Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, (2006).
Netter, Frank H. Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy : Classic Regional Approach. S.L., Elsevier - Health Science (2022).
Van Winter, JO T., et al. “Uterine Incarceration during the Third Trimester: A Rare Complication of Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 66, no. 6, June 1991, pp. 608–613, 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)60520-5.
Abplanalp, D.F. “Obstetric Considerations in Stoma Patients.” Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, vol. 5,5 (1976) pp. 44-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1976.tb02336.x.
Capella-Monsonís, Héctor, et al. “Battling Adhesions: From Understanding to Prevention.” BMC Biomedical Engineering, vol. 1, no. 1, 27 (Feb. 2019), 10.1186/s42490-019-0005-0 .
Haylen, B.T. “The retroverted uterus: ignored to date but core to prolapse.” Int Urogynecol J 17, 555 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0.
Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, (2006).
Netter, Frank H. Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy : Classic Regional Approach. S.L., Elsevier - Health Science (2022).
Van Winter, JO T., et al. “Uterine Incarceration during the Third Trimester: A Rare Complication of Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 66, no. 6, June 1991, pp. 608–613, 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)60520-5.
Abplanalp, D.F. “Obstetric Considerations in Stoma Patients.” Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, vol. 5,5 (1976) pp. 44-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.1976.tb02336.x.
Capella-Monsonís, Héctor, et al. “Battling Adhesions: From Understanding to Prevention.” BMC Biomedical Engineering, vol. 1, no. 1, 27 (Feb. 2019), 10.1186/s42490-019-0005-0 .
Haylen, B.T. “The retroverted uterus: ignored to date but core to prolapse.” Int Urogynecol J 17, 555 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-005-0051-0.
Moore KL, Dalley AF. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 5th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, (2006).
Netter, Frank H. Netter Atlas of Human Anatomy : Classic Regional Approach. S.L., Elsevier - Health Science (2022).
Van Winter, JO T., et al. “Uterine Incarceration during the Third Trimester: A Rare Complication of Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 66, no. 6, June 1991, pp. 608–613, 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)60520-5.