Black Cohosh and St. John's Wort (GYNO-Plus(R)) for Climacteric Symptoms

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) in women with climacteric symptoms, and to assess their effects on vaginal atrophy, hormone levels, and lipid profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 89 peri- or postmenopausal women experiencing climacteric symptoms were treated with St. John's wort and black cohosh extract (Gynoplus

The effect of age on surgical morbidity in patients with pelvic organ prolapse / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of age on the risk of in-hospital surgical morbidity in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: Of the women aged 40 years and older who underwent surgical correction of POP at this institution from March 1999 to February 2006, 322 had medical records that could be analyzed. These patients were grouped according to decade of age and assessed according to a set of characteristics and postsurgical complications. RESULTS: There were 35 patients between 40 to 49 years of age, 97 between 50 to 59 years, 123 between 60 and 69 years, 64 between 70 to 79 years and 3 patients were 80 years or older. There were no differences between age groups regarding the following variables: stage, delivery history, BMI, previous surgical history, underlying medical disease, duration of hospital stay, operation time, type of operation and anesthesia, difference of preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin level. There were differences only for parity. Also, between each age group, no statistical differences were noted in postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The risk of in-hospital surgical morbidity in patients with POP was not related to the age of the patients.

Treatment outcome of tension-free vaginal tape in stress urinary incontinence: Comparison of intrinsic sphincter deficiency and non-intrinsic sphincter deficiency patients / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study is to compare treatment outcomes of tension free vaginal tape (TVT) for intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD) and non-intrinsic sphincter deficiency (NISD) patients in stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and to evaluate whether TVT can be effectively used in both groups of SUI patients. METHODS: 111 women with SUI treated by TVT at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, the Yonsei Medical Center from Jun. 2003 to Jun. 2005 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups; 31 patients with ISD, and 80 patients with NISD. SUI was diagnosed according to the result of urodynamic tests. Urodynamic studies (UDS) include uroflowmetry, multi-channel cystometry and urethral pressure profilometry. The Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and those with any follow-up loss were excluded from this study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences found in demographics between ISD and NISD groups; mean age, parity, BMI, menopausal status and HRT (P>0.05). Maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP)(46.8124.29 vs.75.7+/-32.61 cmH2O; P<.0001) and Vasalva leak-point pressure (VLPP)(53.48+/-10.12 vs 107.23+/-42.95 cmH2O; P<0.0001) showed significant difference between the two groups. However, other parameters of UDS except MUCP and VLPP showed no statistical difference. The cure rates of the two groups at 1 month follow up (87.0% vs 100%; p=0.0053) showed significant difference. No significant differences were found at 3, 6 and 12 months. There were no differences in postoperative complication rate (voiding difficulty, de novo urgency, urinary tract infection) between two groups irrespective of follow-up months. CONCLUSION: Tension-free vaginal tape is effective for stress urinary incontinence in both ISD and NISD patients.

Comparison of anterior repair, anterior repair with prolene mesh and internal anterior repair for surgical treatment of the central type of anterior vaginal wall defects / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: As for the method of surgical correlation of the central type of anterior vaginal wall defects, there are anterior repair, anterior repair with prolene mesh, and internal anterior repair. The object of this study was to compare the recurrence rates, complications and the clinical efficacy of the three surgical procedures. METHODS: We identified one hundred and thirty-eight patients who underwent operations for the central type of anterior vaginal wall defects from March 1999 to May 2005. We retrospectively collected data from the medical records and reviewed the outcomes. We investigated the characteristics of patients, recurrence rates and complication rates for the results, and compared them by ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The number of cases of anterior repair, anterior repair with the mesh, and internal anterior repair were seventy-two, twenty-eight and thirty-eight consecutively. There was no significant difference in the characteristics of age, menopause status, parity, BMI (Body mass index) and history of pelvic surgery and the medico-surgical illness among the three groups. There were statistically no significant differences in fever, vaginal erosion, detrusor overactivity and voiding difficulty after the operations. The incidence of the postoperative urinary tract infections was increased significantly in the group of the anterior repair with prolene mesh (p=0.018), and drop in hemoglobin, operation time and wound infection were increased significantly in the group of the internal anterior repair (p=0.0001, 0.004 and p=0.028). The recurrence rate of the disease was significantly higher in internal anterior repair group than in anterior repair or anterior repair with the mesh groups (18.4% vs. 1.4% and 0%). The recurrence rate was increased in proportion to the duration after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of the disease after internal anterior repair was significantly higher than when anterior repair or anterior repair with the mesh was done. As for the complications, urinary tract infection was increased after the anterior repair with prolene mesh and drop in hemoglobin and wound infection were increased after the internal anterior repair. We concluded that the conventional anterior repair is more suitable method for the correction of the central type of anterior vaginal wall defects than anterior repair with mesh and internal anterior repair.

Leiomyoma of the female urethra and bladder: 5 cases and review of the literature / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Leiomyomas of the bladder and urethra in women is very rare. We present five cases of histologically proven the female urethral and bladder leiomyomas identified over a 15-years period at our institution, together with review of the literature focused on the symptom and proper management. METHODS: Five women pathologically confirmed bladder or urethral leiomyoma were reviewed by the medical record, retrospectively. RESULTS: One patient with bladder leiomyoma was asymptomatic, but four patients with urethral leiomyoma had a palpable mass on physical examination. The leiomyomas posited laterally were less symptomatic than other leiomyomas posited medially, and the symptoms were especially obstructive ones. All of them were removed by excision, and any complication or recurrence was not occurred. CONCLUSION: Leiomyomas of the bladder and urethra are rare and associated with variable symptoms depending on their locations and sizes. It is not necessary immediate operation except to excessive bleeding or acute complete obstruction. Complete excision followed by histological examination is the most reliable means of distinguishing leiomyoma from other more common and usually malignant tumors of the genitourinary tract.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation / 대한산부인과학회지

This review focuses on the current options for fertility preservation in patients with high risk of premature ovarian failure. Available cryopreservation options include embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation has been tried for some time in animals, but only recently successful pregnancy and livebirth in human has been reported. Options of developing follicles and restoring fertility after ovarian tissue cryopreservation are autotransplantation, xenotransplantation, and tissue culture. This review discusses the merits and faults of each option and future directions for developing and standardizing the ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation procedure, systemically covering previously published data.

The Significance of Bladder Trabeculation in the Female Lower Urinary System: An Objective Evaluation by Urodynamic Studies

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between bladder trabeculation, urinary function, and the stage of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The medical records of 104 patients with POP who underwent cystoscopies and urodynamic studies were reviewed retrospectively. Age, incidence of detrusor instability, stage and site of POP, and the parameters of urodynamic studies of patients with and without bladder trabeculation were compared. The difference in the incidence of bladder trabeculation was estimated between patients with and without a suspected bladder outlet obstruction. There were significant differences in the patients' age, stage of POP, and maximal voiding velocity. Patients with a suspected bladder outlet obstruction had a significantly higher incidence of bladder trabeculation. In addition, patients with advanced stages of POP were also found to have a higher incidence of bladder trabeculation.

Clinical Usefulness of Cervicogram as Primary Screening Test of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of cervicogram as primary screening test of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. METHODS: Total 294 women who had undergone cervicogram and pathologically diagnosed at YUMC between January and July 2003, were selected. Diagnostic accuracy of Pap smear, cervicogram and Pap smear combined with cervicogram were compared with pathologic diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test (SPSS version 11.0). RESULTS: 1. Among 294 women, Pap smears were normal in 130 cases (44.2%) and abnormal in 164 cases (55.8%). The diagnostic accuracy between Pap smear and histology was as follows; sensitivity 72.0%, specificity 64.6%, positive predictive value 72.0%, negative predictive value 64.6%, false positive rate 28.0%, false negative rate 35.4%. 2. Cervicogram were normal in 202 cases (68.7%) and abnormal in 92 cases (31.3%). The diagnostic accuracy between cervicogram and histology was as follows; sensitivity 39.6%, specificity 79.2%, positive predictive value 70.7%, negative predictive value 31.0%, false positive rate 29.3%, false negative rate 49.0%. 3. Among 130 women with normal Pap smear, cervicogram were normal in 101 cases (77.7%) and abnormal in 29 cases (22.3%). The diagnostic accuracy between cervicogram with normal Pap smear and histology was as follows; sensitivity 26.1%, specificity 79.8%, positive predictive value 41.4%, negative predictive value 66.3%, false positive rate 58.6%, false negative rate 33.7%. 4. Among 164 women with abnormal Pap smear, Cervicograms were normal in 101 cases (61.6%) and abnormal in 63 cases (38.4%). The diagnostic accuracy between cervicogram with abnormal Pap smear and histology was as follows; sensitivity 44.9%, specificity 78.3%, positive predictive value 84.1%, negative predictive value 32.7%, false positive rate 15.9%, false negative rate 67.3%. CONCLUSION: Although adjunctive use of cervicogram to Pap smear in initial screening of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia showed higher specificity, higher negative predictive value and lower false negative rate compared to Pap smear alone, but, consideration in terms of lower sensitivity, lower positive predictive value, higher false positive rate and cost-effectiveness should be given in lieu of clinically applicating cervicogram with Pap smear as initial screening test.

A Case of Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor of the Fallopian Tube / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Malignant mixed mullerain tumors (MMMT) are rare neoplasms of the female genital tract that histolotically consist of malignant epithelial and stromal components, arising in the endometirum, followed in decreasing order by the vagina, cervix, and ovary. Tubal origin is extremely rare and accounts for less than 4% of all MMMTs. Most of the patients present with nonspecific abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Nonspecific findings on imaging studies also make exact preoperative diagnosis very difficult, mostly mistaken as ovarian malignancies. The primary goal of treatment is removal of tumor mass by cytoreductive surgery. Postoperatively, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is added, but prognosis is very poor. The best form of postoperative adjuvant therapy is not yet established due to the rarity of this disease entity. We report a case of a malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the fallopian tube that we have experienced recently with a brief review of the literature.

Hysteroscopic Endometrial Ablation as a Treatment of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Renal Transplant Patients / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and safety of hysteroscopic endometrial ablation as a surgical management of abnormal uterine bleeding developed in renal transplant patients. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from 62 patients referred to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University Medical Center from January 1999 to December 2001 for abnormal uterine bleeding with prior history of renal transplantation who subsequently received hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. Hormonal status of these patients were evaluated before the operation by sampling estradiol (E2), lutenizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin. Mean follow-up duration was 6 months. Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS)s were inserted in those who experienced recurrent bleeding. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 34.6+/-6.7 years and mean duration from renal transplant to onset of abnormal uterine bleeding was 4.5+/-2.5 years. All hormone levels (E2, LH, FSH, TSH, prolactin) were within normal range. 54 out of 62 patients (87.0%) who underwent hysteroscopic endometrial ablation reported decreased bleeding: amenorrhea in 25 (40.3%), spotting in 19 (30.6%), and eumenorrhea in 10 (16.1%). None reported complications related to the procedure. LNG-IUSs were inserted into 8 patients who experienced continuous bleeding, 5 out of whom showed symptomatic improvement: spotting in 3 (4.9%) and eumenorrhea in 2 (3.2%). 3 patients in whom LNG-IUS had no effect received total abdominal hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation as a surgical management of abnormal uterine bleeding developed in renal transplant patients is an effective and safe procedure.