A prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in early pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and evaluated its risk factors in early pregnancy. METHODS: From April, 2004 to July, 2004, in antenatal care center, endocervial swabs were obtained in the 100 pregnant women during first trimester. After then, Chlamydia trachomatis infection was screened by DNA hybridization test which detects Chlamyidal r-RNA. All data were collected from review of each patient's medical record, including age and obstetric history. Associations between variables were studied using chi-square test. RESULTS: The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection was 9.0% (9/100) in early pregnancy. There were no significant differences in mean age between Chlamydial infection group and non-infection group (29.9 vs 30.2). In Chlamydial infection group, there was a high peak prevalence among the late thirties (21.4%) and the early twenties (16.7%) was the next. We couldn't find any statistical significances in age, parity and gravida among Chlamydial infection groups. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Chlamydial infection is high in early pregnancy and Chlamydial infection has a deleterious effect on pregnancy outcome. Therefore, the screening test for Chlamydia trachomatis may be recommended at first antenatal visit. And early diagnosis and treatment may offer the benefit to prevention of obstetrical complication and neonatal infection.

A Comparison of the Pfannenstiel Incision and Vertical Midline Incision for Radical Hysterectomy and Pelvic Lymphadenectomy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to review patients undergoing radical hysterectmy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, comparing Pfannenstiel and Vertical midline incisions for operative feasibility and perioperative outcome. METHODS: Between January 2001 and February 2003, 123 patients underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer at Busan Paik hospital. All procedures were performed by a gynecologic oncologist. Prospectively, all data were collected from review of each patient's medical record, including age, body mass index (BMI), stage, histology, nodal counts, operative time, estimated blood loss, surgical pathologic margin positivity, complications, and length of hospital stay. Associations between variables were studied using X2 test, t-test, and Fisher Exact test. RESULTS: Radical hysterectomy was performed through a Vertical midline (n=62) and Pfannenstiel (n=61) incision. There were no significant differences in age, BMI, stage, histology, nodal counts, estimated blood loss, surgical pathologic margin positivity, complications, and length of hospital stay. But, patients with a Pfannenstiel incision had shorter operative time than those with Vertical midline incision (169 min vs 197 min, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy can be safely performed through a Pfannenstiel incision without increased operative morbidity and equal nodal removal as compared with Vertical midline incision. Pfannenstiel incision may offer the benefits of improved cosmesis and shorter operative time without compromising surgical exposure or increasing the risk of surgical complications.