ABSTRACT
Background: Implantation failure is a major challenge in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The present study was undertaken to determine the immunomodulatory effects of heparin in patients with previous implantation failures undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ART).Methods: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial with sample size of 100 patients who had history of at least one previously failed IVF/ICSI. Study group of 50 patients received heparin and 50 patients in control group received routine luteal phase support.Results: Primary outcome of the study was implantation rate (IR) which was 11.03% in the study group was and 5.48% in the control group (p=0.08). Biochemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate in the study group was 18% and 12% in the control group (p=0.401). Calculated live birth was 5.15% and 3.42% in the study and control groups respectively (p=0.562). 11 babies were taken home from the study group and 6 from the control group (p=0.18).Conclusions: The result of this pilot study showed relative increase in implantation rates (IR) suggesting beneficial effects of heparin in patients with repeated implantation failures. Although these changes are not statistically significant, the presence of an increasing trend in all the outcome parameters signify the possible benefits of heparin proving for the present study hypothesis.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To compare the feasibility and efficacy of the mini-resectoscope with the conventional resectoscope in terms of the operative, menstrual, and reproductive outcome in hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in infertile women
Methods: We conducted a parallel prospective randomized study at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. A total of 60 patients underwent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis using either conventional resectoscope [n = 30] or mini-resectoscope [n = 30]. The primary outcome measures were pregnancy-related indicators. Secondary outcome measures were the operative parameters [cervical dilatation time, operation time, postoperative pain scores, fluid deficit, and preoperative and postoperative sodium levels], second-look hysteroscopy findings, and improvement in the menstrual pattern after surgery
Results: Cervical dilatation time and pain score 30 minutes after the procedure were significantly lower in the mini-resectoscope group. Out of the total 21 cases with hypomenorrhea, 12 cases [57.1%] started having normal menstrual flow postsurgery. All amenorrheic patients resumed menstruation after surgery. However, nine cases continued to have hypomenorrhea. Over long-term followup, 16 patients out of 60 had conceived [seven in the conventional resectoscope group and nine in the mini-resectoscope group]. There were three ongoing pregnancies, three abortions, one ectopic pregnancy, and nine term pregnancies. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant
Conclusions: The use of mini-resectoscope for hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is associated with reduced operative morbidity. Use of the mini-resectoscope is an effective and safe alternative to the conventional system
ABSTRACT
Serous ovarian cancer is the most common malignant ovarian tumour. Traditional management consists of surgical resection with postoperative chemotherapy. Currently neoadjuvant chemotherapy is offered to patients with advanced stage disease. The present study aims to analyse the histomorphological alterations in serous ovarian cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Correlation of these morphological alterations with survival is also presented here. Serous ovarian cancers from 100 advanced stage cases were included; 50 were treated with pre-surgery chemotherapy. Semi-quantitative scoring was used to grade the alterations in tumour morphology. Survival data was correlated with the final morphological score. Tumour morphology was significantly different in cases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT group) as compared to cases with upfront surgery. The CT group cases showed more fibrosis, calcification, and infiltration by lymphocytes, plasma cells, foamy and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. The residual tumour cells had degenerative cytoplasmic changes with nuclear atypia. Patients with significant morphological response had a longer median survival, although it did not attain statistical significance in the current study. With the increasing use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in management, the pathologist needs to be aware of the altered morphological appearance of tumour. Further studies are required to establish a grading system to assess the tissue response which can be helpful in predicting the overall therapeutic outcome and the prognosis of patients.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has been widely used for guiding prostate implants, but not much for interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) of cervix cancer. The aim of our study is to report our experience with TRUS guided high dose rate (HDR) IBT in patients with carcinoma of uterine cervix. METHODS: During the year 2005-2006, 25 patients of cervical cancer not suitable for intracavitary radiotherapy (ICRT), were enrolled in this prospective study. We used B-K Medical USG machine (Falcon 2101) equipped with a TRUS probe (8658) having a transducer of 7.5 MHz for IBT. Post procedure, a CT scan was done for verification of needle position and treatment planning. Two weekly sessions of HDR IBT of 8-10 Gy each were given after pelvic external beam radiation therapy. RESULTS: A total of 40 IBT procedures were performed in 25 patients. Average duration of implant procedure was 50 minutes. There was no uterine perforation in any of 11 patients in whom central tandem was used. CT scan did not show needle perforation of bladder/rectum in any of the patients. During perioperative period, only 1 procedure (2.5%) was associated with hematuria which stopped within 6 hours. Severe late toxicity was observed in 3 (12%) patients. Overall pelvic control rate was 64%. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that TRUS is a practical and effective imaging device for guiding the IBT procedure of cervical cancer patients. It helps in accurate placements of needles thus avoiding the injury to normal pelvic structures.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Brachytherapy , Cervix Uteri , Hematuria , Needles , Perioperative Period , Prospective Studies , Prostate , Transducers , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms , Uterine PerforationABSTRACT
Mature cystic teratomas of ovary are common tumors. A few may exhibit malignant degeneration, most of these being invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We report a rare case of pure squamous cell carcinoma in situ in benign cystic teratoma.