Risk of Emergency Operations, Adverse Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes according to the Planned Gestational Age for Cesarean Delivery

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the risk of emergency cesarean deliveries (CDs) and adverse neonatal/maternal outcomes according to the planned gestational age at delivery (GAD) for elective CD. METHODS: The study population consisted of term singleton pregnant women who were booked for elective CD and were subsequently delivered at term by CD, after excluding cases with a trial of labor. The relationship between the planned GAD, risk of emergency CD prior to planned date, and adverse neonatal/maternal outcomes were determined. RESULTS: The frequency of emergency CD, adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes were 9.5%, 4.5%, and 5.9%, respectively. The risk of emergency CD prior to the planned delivery date increased significantly according to the planned GAD (5.8% at 37 weeks, 8.2% at 38 weeks, 13.6% at 39 weeks, and 26.7% at 40 weeks or more of planned GAD, P = 0.005). Emergency CD was associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes, whereas the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes did not differ. In the total study population including both cases with elective and emergency CD, the risk of adverse maternal outcomes did not increase according to the planned GAD, and the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes decreased significantly according to the planned GAD. CONCLUSION: The risk of emergency CD increased as the planned GAD increased, but the risk of adverse maternal outcomes did not increase and the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes decreased significantly according to the planned GAD in the total study population including elective/emergency CD.

Non-Invasive Prediction of Histologic Chorioamnionitis in Women with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

PURPOSE: To develop a model based on non-invasive clinical and ultrasonographic parameters for predicting the likelihood of subsequent histologic chorioamnionitis in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to determine whether the inclusion of invasive test results improves the predictive value of the model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 146 consecutive women presenting with PPROM (20-33 weeks). Transvaginal ultrasonographic assessment of cervical length was performed. Maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts were measured after amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid (AF) obtained by amniocentesis was cultured, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and WBC counts were determined. The primary outcome measure was histologic chorioamnionitis. RESULTS: Risk scores based on serum CRP concentrations and gestational age (model 1) were calculated for each patient. The model was shown to have adequate goodness of fit and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.742. When including AF test results (e.g., AF IL-6 levels) in model 1, serum CRP concentrations were found to be insignificant, and thus, were excluded from model 2, comprising AF IL-6 levels and gestational age. No significant difference in AUC was found between models 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: For women with PPROM, the newly developed model incorporating non-invasive parameters (serum CRP and gestational age) was moderately predictive of histologic chorioamnionitis. The inclusion of invasive test results added no predictive information to the model in this setting.

A Case of Carcinoma Ex Pleomorphic Adenoma at 1st Operation

PURPOSE: To report a case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma observed during the patient's first operation. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old female presented with proptosis and ptosis that was aggravated 1 year prior. On preoperative CT image, a 32 x 20 x 21 mm-sized well demarcated mass (suspected as pleomorphic adenoma) was observed and was removed entirely by anterolateral orbitotomy. The excised mass surface was uneven but the capsule appeared intact on gross examination. Hard, yellow-colored and soft, dark-colored materials were found concurrently on cross section. The histological examination showed malignant cells as part of the soft material and was diagnosed as carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland that presented with malignant change during the patient's first operation. Supposedly, during the process of mass growth, minimal rupture occurred causing malignant transformation. Clinically, although a mass is believed benign based on imaging, the possibility of malignant transformation of a tumor increasing rapidly or enlargement causing development of rapid proptosis should be considered.

Quality of Life after Strabismus Surgery

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of strabismus surgery on the quality of life by performing a quality of life-related health survey. METHODS: This study was comprised of 213 patients (163 patients under 15 years of age, and 50 patients over 15 years of age). After strabismus surgery, patients were asked to complete a standardized confidential questionnaire which evaluated the quality of life and specific concerns related to the surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant change in the quality of life after strabismus surgery in both groups. No patient reported decreased quality of life after the surgery. Significant score improvement related to the questions designed to evaluate vision, stereopsis, diplopia and social relation was observed (p < 0.05). The number of surgeries did not affect the quality of life postoperatively. Multivariate regression analysis showed that change in the quality of life had significant correlation with social relationships (in both groups) and income (only in patients under 15 years of age). Surgery cost was the most common burden to strabismus patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that strabismus surgery significantly improves quality of life. Scores evaluating the change in quality of life did show significant correlation with scores evaluating social relationships and income.

Usefulness of Open Ring Guider for Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorrhexis

PURPOSE: To compare the size, circularity and repeatability between the conventional manual technique and the open-ring guided continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC) technique in cataract surgery. METHODS: The present study comprised 120 eyes divided into two equal groups. In the first group (group A), CCC was performed using a 5.3-mm open ring-shaped caliper and in the second group (group B), CCC was performed using the conventional manual technique. Photographs were taken after each surgical step (CCC, phacoemulsification, Intraocular lens insertion and corneal stromal hydration). The diameter, area and circularity of the anterior capsule were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The anterior capsule diameter was 5.32 +/- 0.26 mm for group A (coefficient of variation 0.049) and 5.14 +/- 0.64 mm for group B (coefficient of variation 0.125); the area was 22.9 +/- 0.71 mm2 for group A (coefficient of variation 0.031) and 21.40 +/- 1.37 mm2 for group B (coefficient of variation 0.064). Circularity was 0.93 +/- 0.24 for group A (coefficient of variation 0.258) and 0.86 +/- 0.78 for group B (coefficient of variation 0.907). CONCLUSIONS: The open ring-guided CCC technique resulted in an increase of diameter and capsulorrhexis area. This method showed superior circularity and repeatability compared to conventional manual technique and can be useful in cataract surgery.

A case of borderline clear cell fibroadenoma / 대한산부인과학회지

Clear cell tumor of borderline malignancy has been reported to account for 5 to 8% of all clear cell neoplasms, and <1% of borderline malignancies of the ovary. Borderline clear cell fibroadenoma with or without microinvasion mostly occurs in women with middle age, and the presenting symptoms associated with this tumor are non-specific. The clinico-pathologic features of borderline clear cell fibroadenoma are not well known because of its rarity. Furthermore, there is no consensus for treating the disease. Thus, we report a case of borderline clear cell fibroadenoma presenting as ovarian fibroadenoma with a review of literature.

Transient newborn neutropenia immediately after chemotherapy during pregnancy: A case report / 대한산부인과학회지

The incidence of acute leukemia in pregnancy is as low as 1 in 75,000 pregnancies. There is no established guideline for the treatment of leukemia during midtrimester pregnancy. But nowadays, consensus is not to delay the leukemia treatment with chemotherapy even in pregnancy. Many authors reported successful outcomes of mothers and newborns. Because of the leukemia itself and side effects of the chemotherapy, anemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia are commonly encountered in women treated with chemotherapy. With chemotherapy in utero just before the delivery, the newborn could be neutopenic. We report one case of midtrimester pregnant woman who took chemotherapy for leukemia and suffered from neutropenic fever and preterm labor. The newborn was neutropenic. However, both the mother and the baby were successfully recovered from neutropenia.

A variant of complete septate uterus with double cervix and vagina: A case report / 대한산부인과학회지

Rare mullerian anomalies without any present classification were sometimes reported. A 30-year-old nulligravid woman was referred to our hospital with 2-year history of primary infertility. Laparoscopic examination revealed a relatively intact uterine fundus with both patent fallopian tubes. Hysteroscopic exam confirmed the presence of double vagina and cervix, as well as complete uterine septum with opening at the lower segment. Hysteroscopic septotomy was successfully performed through the right-sided cervix. A variant of complete septate uterus with double cervix that communicated at the isthmic portion could be successfully treated by hysteroscopic operation.

A case of intestinal non-rotation incidentally detected on DISIDA scan / 대한내과학회지

The most common developmental anomaly of midgut rotation and fixation is non-rotation. Symptomatic intestinal malrotation is relatively common in infants and children but uncommon in later ages. Most adult cases are silent throughout life and are not discovered unless they cause acute or chronic abdominal pain. Many such patients have ill-defined abdominal complaints and are labeled as having a "functional" disorder since no definite clinical abnormalities are found other than the subjective complaints. The most frequent symptomatic presentation in the adult is midgut volvulus the symptom of which is usually self-limited although often recurrent and sometimes leading to an abdominal catastrophe. The diagnostic means for the adulthood malrotation include simple and contrast radiographic studies and CT scan. Malrotation first detected by cholescintigraphy is rare. We report a case of intestinal non-rotation incidentally discovered on DISIDA hepatobiliary scintiscan.