Clinical characteristics of patients with leiomyoma who undergo surgery after high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent surgery after high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat uterine leiomyoma. METHODS: From June 2016 to September 2017, patients at our hospital who underwent HIFU to treat uterine leiomyoma prior to surgery were enrolled. All patients underwent pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after HIFU. If 6 months had passed since the last pelvic MRI was performed, imaging was performed again before the operation. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients were analyzed. The median age was 45 (range, 28–51) years. The median body mass index was 24.9 (range, 18.1–29.2) kg/m2. The median size of the leiomyoma was 10.1 (range, 7.8–14.0) cm before HIFU, which changed to 8.75 (range, 5.9–14.8) cm after HIFU. The median size increased to 9.1 (range, 5.9–18.0) cm before the operation. Surgery was planned for several reasons, including an increase in the leiomyoma size (n=6), persistent symptoms (n=4), and newly developed lesion (n=2). The median interval between HIFU and surgery was 7 (range, 3–32) months. Ten of the 12 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, while the others underwent laparotomy; 6 patients also underwent laparoscopic myomectomy, and 4 underwent hysterectomy. Histopathologic findings showed infarction-type necrosis surrounded by granulation tissue with the infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages in all patients. CONCLUSION: Treatment of leiomyoma with operative procedures should be considered in selected patients with tumor size greater than 10 cm, multiple tumors, and persistent symptoms after HIFU treatment.

Preoperative diagnostic clues to ovarian pregnancy: retrospective chart review of women with ovarian and tubal pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the preoperative diagnostic clues to ovarian pregnancy (OP). METHODS: This study conducted a retrospective chart review of 23 patients with OP and 46 patients with tubal pregnancy (TP) from October 1, 2003 to September 31, 2016 in Hanyang University Hospital. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. The presence of an ectopic gestational sac and hemoperitoneum was significantly higher in the TP group (13.0% vs. 95.7%, P=0.000; 13.0% vs. 54.3%, P=0.001, respectively) in preoperative ultrasonogram. The OP group had more ruptured ectopic gestational sacs than the TP group (73.9% vs. 45.7%, P=0.039) in surgical findings. CONCLUSION: For the patients in whom a gestational sac is not detected in the uterus or the fallopian tubes, it is important to be aware of the possibility of OP and rupture of an ovarian gestational sac to promote early diagnosis and surgical intervention.

Pelvic Nodular Histiocytic and Mesothelial Hyperplasia in a Patient with Endometriosis and Uterine Leiomyoma

No abstract available.

Safety of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy for women with anterior wall adherence after cesarean section

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and surgical outcomes of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) for women with anterior wall adherence after cesarean section. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 328 women with prior cesarean section history who underwent LAVH from March 2003 to July 2013. The subjects were classified into two groups: group A, with anterior wall adherence (n=49); group B, without anterior wall adherence (n=279). We compared the demographic, clinical characteristics, and surgical outcomes of two groups. RESULTS: The median age and parity of the patients were 46 years (range, 34 to 70 years) and 2 (1 to 6). Patients with anterior wall adherence had longer operating times (175 vs. 130 minutes, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in age, parity, number of cesarean section, body mass index, specimen weight, postoperative change in hemoglobin concentration, or length of hospital stay between the two groups. There was one case from each group who sustained bladder laceration during the vaginal portion of the procedure, both repaired vaginally. There was no conversion to abdominal hysterectomy in either group. CONCLUSION: LAVH is effective and safe for women with anterior wall adherence after cesarean section.

Laparoscopic management of pelvic splenosis

Splenosis is defined as heterotopic autotransplantation of spleen tissue following traumatic rupture of the spleen, or surgery. It is a benign disease that is generally without any symptoms and is discovered incidentally. Surgical intervention is recommended if symptoms are present. We report the successful laparoscopic management of a 49-year-old Korean woman with splenosis-associated symptoms who had undergone splenectomy.

Retroperitoneal vascular anomalies in paraaortic region: Impact on laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies / 대한산부인과내시경학회지

OBJECTIVE: To document our experience of the vascular anomalies or variants in paraaortic region and intend to increase vigilance among the gynecological surgeons for presence of variable vascular anomalies or variants. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 280 patients with various gynecologic malignancies who had undergone systemic laparotomic or laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy between November 2003 and July 2011. RESULTS: We discovered total nine patients of vascular anomalies during the surgery. Seven patients had an accessory polar renal artery. One patient had a duplicated inferior vena cava and the other had a right paravertebral vein. There were no vascular complications such as tearing, ligation or transection. CONCLUSION: It is not uncommon to encounter vascular anomalies in paraaortic region during the lymphadenectomy. Hence, the gynecological surgeons must be cognizant of various vascular anomalies occurring within this area to reduce the vascular accidents.

Safety and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy for pregnant women with acute appendicitis

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) during pregnancy by comparing the operative and obstetric outcomes of patients who during pregnancy underwent LA performed by an expert gynaecologic laparoscopist (LA group) with those patients who underwent an open appendectomy (OA) by a general surgeon (OA group).</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>In this retrospective study, we evaluated all patients consecutively who had undergone appendectomy for acute appendicitis during pregnancy from January 2000 to December 2010. Twenty-eight patients underwent OA and 15 were treated by LA. We reviewed the clinical charts and analysed the data for each patient's age, parity, body mass index, gestational age at appendectomy, type of appendectomy, operating time, haemoglobin change, hospital stay, histopathological results, postoperative analgesics, complications, and obstetric outcomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences between the OA and LA groups in terms of clinical characteristics, hospital stay, haemoglobin change, return of bowel activity, complication rates, gestational age at delivery, and birth weight. However, there were significantly shorter operating time and less usage of postoperative analgesics in LA group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LA performed by an expert gynaecologist can be a safe and effective method for treating acute appendicitis during the first and second trimester of pregnancy.</p>

Characteristics of amniotic fluid derived stem cells with trisomy 21 / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To assess molecular markers of amniotic fluid derived stem cells (AFSCs) in aspects of increased neurological deficit in Down syndrome. METHODS: Amniotic fluid samples through amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis from four mid trimester pregnancies; by routine chromosomal analysis, two of them were trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and others were normal, were selected after informed consent. Cells from two-stage culture protocol were assayed; morphology through phase contrast microscopy, chromosomal analysis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: AFSCs were highly proliferative in subcultures and most of them were mononuclear, fibroblast-like, fusiform cells. There were also a few ovoid cells. The chromosomal analysis of amniotic fluid stem cells was identical to that of amniotic fluid cells. Two of four samples were 47,XX,+21, others were 46,XX. Of the proteins related to Down syndrome, the expression of S100beta were increased in AFSCs of Down syndrome, COL6A1 (Collagen IV, alpha 1) was down-regulated in them and insulin like growth factor binding protein-1 was expressed in all AFSCs. Stem cell markers were expressed heterogeneously. Oct4 (POU5F1), nanog, and SOX2 (sex determining region Y) were expressed in both groups. But c-Kit was not expressed in AFSCs of Down syndrome. The neural cell marker, neuron specific enolase was detected in both groups. Other neural cell markers, microtubule associated protein 2, glial fibrillary acidic protein were undetectable in ASFCs of Down syndrome. Bcl-2 gene family proteins related with apoptosis were assayed. The expression of Bcl-XL was increased in Down syndrome more than in normal pregnancy. Bcl-2 and BID were expressed in all AFSCs and Bax was down-regulated in Down syndrome. CONCLUSION: AFSCs are an excellent choice for many future tissue engineering strategies and cell based therapies. Analysis of molecular features of AFSCs from normal and Down syndrome will provide the basis of further experimental study.

Laparoscopic systemic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for women with low-risk early endometrial cancer

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>There is no consensus on the extent of lymphadenectomy and the appropriate patients for lymphadenectomy in low-risk patients with endometrial cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for low-risk patients with endometrial cancer.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>From January 2004 to May 2008, we reviewed the medical records of 28 patients with low-risk, endometrial cancer; endometrioid type, grade 1 or 2, and with a depth of myometrial invasion of less than one-half of the myometrium. All patients underwent laparoscopically-assisted staging surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median age and body mass index were 56 years (range, 28 to 75) and 25.5 kg/m(2) (range, 21.3 to 37.2). The median operating time, estimated blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 142 minutes (range, 110 to 410), 215 mL (range, 100 to 700), and 7 days (range, 3 to 19), respectively. No conversion to laparotomy was noted. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 21 (range, 10 to 48) pelvic nodes and 12 (range, 4 to 21) para-aortic nodes. One (3.6%) patient presented pelvic lymph node metastasis and 2 (7.1%) presented isolated para-aortic lymph node metastasis. The complication rate was 14.3%. No recurrence in the vaginal vault, distant metastasis, port site metastasis was noted up to the last follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Systemic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy should be considered in all low-risk patients with endometrial cancer until it is concluded to be clinically insignificant through large-scale prospective research in the future. However, it will be difficult to explain statistical differences in survival rates according to lymphadenectomy, because the increase of the survival rate resulting from lymphadenectomy will fall within the margin of statistical error.</p>

Preliminary report of Canal Transobturator Tape for Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women Over 65 Years

PURPOSE: To access the feasibility of Canal transobturator tape (Canal TOT) for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women over 65 year old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2006 to December 2008, we reviewed the medical records of 261 patients underwent Canal TOT in Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine in Seoul. This study is a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics (age, gravida, parity, body mass index), previous operation history, comorbidity, surgical procedure and operation outcomes. We performed stress test, one hour pad test, urodynamic study, postvoid residual assessment to all patients for diagnosis of SUI. All patients answered self assessment questionnaires (IIQ-7, UDI-6) at 6 months and 12 months after operation. RESULTS: 55 women over 65 years were underwent Canal TOT. Mean follow up was 11+/-4.5 months. Mean age of patients was 70.2+/-3.9 years, gravida 5.8+/-2.3 times, parity 3.9+/-1.5 times and body mass index (BMI) 25.6+/-3.1Kg/m2. 8 patients had got hysterectomy (14.5%). 16 patients (29%) had sling operation (Canal TOT alone), and 39 patients (71%) had Canal TOT combined with vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse. The cure rate was 96.4% in 6 months follow up. Leakage after operation were reported by 2 patients (3.6%) and 3 patients (5.5%) transiently suffered from postoperative voiding difficulty. Of whom had incontinence complexed with overactive bladder symptoms (frequency, nocturia, and urgency) 12 patients complained of persistent symptoms after Canal TOT (12/33, 36.4%). The scores from self assessment questionnaires (IIQ-7, UDI-6) at6months after operation were improved significantly. CONCLUSION: Canal TOT is feasible and safe method for SUI in old age. The procedure also shows favorable results when combined with other operations for pelvic organ prolapse.

Laparoscopic management of borderline ovarian tumors; KBSMC experience / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic management for borderline ovarian tumors. METHODS: From May 2005 to October 2007 in our institution, laparoscopic treatments were performed for 16 patients for borderline ovarian tumors. Through clinical records, the patients' age, parity, operating time, tumor diameter, length of hospital stay, change in hemoglobin level, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 38 years (27-72 years), the median parity was 1 (0-3), and 6 patients were nulliparous., Eight patients were performed conservative surgery, and radical surgery was performed in the remainder. The median operating time was 90 minutes (50-305 minutes), the median hospital stay was 5 days (4-16 days), the median change of the hemoglobin level was 1.5 g/dL (0.2-4.5 g/dL), and the median diameter of the tumors was 8.5 cm. FIGO stage was Ia for 9 patients, Ib for 2, Ic for 4, and IIIc for the last one. Histopathological results showed mucinous tumor for 8 patients, serous tumor for 6, and mixed type and endometrioid tumor for each remaining. Laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy were performed 4 patients. There was no upstaging by intraoperative cystic rupture. Neither laparoconversion nor intraoperative complication was noted. The median duration of follow-up was 20 months (3-53 months) and none showed recurrence. One of 8 patients who were treated conservatively obtained a baby by vaginal delivery in 32th postoperative month. CONCLUSION: This preliminary analysis demonstrated patients with borderline ovarian tumor can feasibly and efficiently undergo laparoscopic management.

Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic myomectomy for 110 cases of various sized myomas / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the data for 110 LM preformed at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital between July 2003 and July 2006. We reviewed their clinical charts and the operative and anesthetic records, and analyzed data on the patients' age, parity, previous operative history, preoperative indication, the diameter of the largest myoma, operating time, number of the removed myoma, hospital stay, change of the hemoglobin concentration from preoperative to postoperative day 1, concomitant procedures, histopathological reports, and complications. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.7+/-5.8 years, the mean parity was 0.8+/-0.9, and 26 (23%) patients had a previous operative history. The most common operative indication was a palpable abdominal mass (46 patients, 41.9%), followed by chronic pelvic pain (32 patients, 29.0%), abnormal uterine bleeding (24 patients, 21.8%), urinary frequency (7 patients, 6.4%), and infertility (1 patient, 0.9%). The mean operating time was 82.9+/-30.8 minutes, and the mean diameter of the largest myoma was 7.1+/-2.3 cm. The heaviest of the removed myoma weighed 795 gm. The mean change of the hemoglobin concentration was 2.2+/-1.1 g/dL, and the mean hospital stay was 3.5+/-1.4 days. Postoperatively, transfusions were done 10% (11 cases) of patients, and 2 cases of paralytic ileus and a case of subcutaneous emphysema were noted. Conversion rate to laparotomy was 0.9% (1 case). CONCLUSION: LM for various sized myomas can be performed successfully and effectively by decreasing laparoconversion, if the surgical team and the laparoscopic surgeon are experienced and enhanced equipment is available.

Laparoscopic Myomectomy for Large Myomas

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) for large myomas. A subpopulation of 51 patients with myomas 8 cm or larger in diameter was selected from 155 patients who underwent LM at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from July 2003 to November 2006. The mean age of the patients was 34.9+/-5.6 yr, mean parity was 0.6+/-0.9, and 8 patients had a previous operative history. The most common operative indication was a palpable abdominal mass (24 patients, 47%). The mean operating time was 85.6+/-38.9 min, and the mean diameter of the largest myoma was 9.3+/-1.8 cm. The mean change in hemoglobin concentration was 2.1+/-1.2 g/dL. Histopathological diagnosis included 49 patients of leiomyoma (96.1%) and 2 patients of leiomyoma with adenomyosis (3.9%). Postoperatively, a transfusion was done in 7 patients, and a case of subcutaneous emphysema was noted. None of the operations was switched to laparotomy. With the newly-developed screw and the port placement system that was modified from the Choi's 4-trocar method to obtain better surgical vision, LM of large myomas proved to be one of the efficient and feasible methods.

Laparoscopic adnexal surgery for posthysterectomy patients / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic adnexal surgery in posthysterectomy patients and review clinical characteristics including comparison of the adhesion score of left with that of right adnexal mass. METHODS: From February 2004 to January 2007, we reviewed the medical records of 23 post-hysterectomy patients who received laparoscopic adnexal surgery including age, parity, type of hysterectomy, operative indications, histopathological diagnosis, operating time, size of the adnexal mass, adhesion score, change in the hemoglobin level, hospital stay, and any complications. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 48 years (range 35-69 years), and median parity was 2 (0-3). The median operating time was 100 minutes (range 35-180 minutes), and the median size of the adnexal mass was 7.1 cm (range 4-12 cm). The median change in hemoglobin level was 1.8 g/dL (range 0.6-4.1 g/dL). The median hospital stay was 4 days (range 3-19 days). The adhesion score was significantly higher in the left adnexal mass than in the right adnexal mass. Histopathological diagnosis included 6 cases of mucinous cystadenoma, 6 cases of functional cyst, 4 cases of hydrosalpinx, 3 cases of serous cystadenoma, 1 case of fibrothecoma, 1 case of mucinous adenofibroma, 1 case of endometrioma, and 1 case of tubo-ovarian abscess. There were no intraoperative complications or conversion to laparotomy. One case of postoperative ileus was noted. CONCLUSION: The skilled laparoscopic surgeon is capable of achieving successful result by performing laparoscopic surgery primarily to patients with adnexal mass for posthysterectomy patients who are expected to suffer severe adhesion. In posthysterectomy patients, left adnexal mass has more extensive adhesion than right adnexal mass, and these finding was represented as a high adhesion score of left adnexal mass.

Human chorionic gonadotropin and invasion of trophoblast into the tubal wall in tubal pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between gestational age, tubal ultrasonographic diameter, and serum beta-hCG levels and different stages of trophoblastic infiltration of the tubal wall in tubal pregnancy. METHODS: The 45 cases of fallopian tube containing tubal pregnancy were reviewed. Gestational age, diameter of the tubal mass, and beta-hCG level on the day of surgery were calculated by transvaginal sonography and immunoassay respectively. The tubal pregnancy was classified according to the depth of trophoblastic infiltration: trophoblast limited to the tubal mucosa (stage I), extension to the tubal muscularis (stage II), or complete tubal wall infiltration up to the serosa discontinued by trophoblastic cells (stage III). RESULTS: 14 patients (31.1%) had stage I tubal infiltration, 10 patients (22.2%) had stage II infiltration, 21 patients (46.7%) had stage III infiltration. There was no relationship between gestational age, tubal diameter and stage, but there was a predictable correlation between beta-hCG and the depth of trophoblastic invasion. The median beta-hCG level was 1,332.1 mIU/mL (range, 215-2,995 mIU/mL) for patients with stage I infiltration, 9,548.0 mIU/mL (range, 569-43,989 mIU/mL) for stage II infiltration, and 23,087.9 mIU/mL (range, 1,373-98,000 mIU/mL) for stage III infiltration. Cut off level of beta-hCG for each stage were 1,996.5 mIU/mL (stage I vs II, III) and 5,665 mIU/mL (stage I, II vs III) respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings may explain why beta-hCG is a important predicting factor for invasion of trophoblast in tubal pregnancy.

Clinical Evaluation on 30 cases of Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy for Uteri Weighing 500 g or more / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and safety of performing laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) for uteri weighing 500 g or more and evaluate the advantages and complications of LAVH. METHODS: A subpopulation of 30 women with uteri weighing 500 g or more from group of 412 patients undergoing LAVH between Mar, 2003 to Feb, 2005. We reviewed medical records and analyzed these cases about age, parity, history of previous abdominal surgery, preoperative indications, postoperative pathologic diagnosis, mean operation times, weight of extracted uterus, change of hemoglobin, hospital stay, and complications. RESULTS: The mean age was 44.8+/-3.88 years. The mean parity was 1.78+/-0.76. Previous operation history was 16 cases (53.3%). The most common indication of operation was palpable abdominal mass. The most common pathologic diagnosis was leiomyoma. The mean operation time was 126.40+/-39.30 minutes. The mean weight of uterus was 621.23+/-107.28 g. The mean hemoglobin change was 1.57+/-1.14 g/dL. The mean hospital stay was 3.74+/-0.88 days. The only complication of operation was superficial trocar site bleeding (1 case). CONCLUSION: LAVH is a safe and effective alternative to total abdominal hysterectomy of the uteri weighing 500 g or more in selective groups.

A Study on the Improvement of Urinary Incontinence Symptoms and Sexual Function in Patients with Urinary Incontinence before and after Extracorporeal Magnetic Innervation (ExMI) Therapy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the effect of extracorporeal magnetic innervation (ExMI) therapy for urinary incontinence and sexual function. METHODS: Fifty female patients with urinary incontinence were prospectively studied. Their mean age was 47.2 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 6.7 years. All they had a history of previous vaginal delivery and mixed urinary incontinence symptoms. Evaluation before treatment included urine analysis and culture for excluding urinary infection, physical examination including neurologic and gynecologic evaluation for structural abnormality, vaginal pressure measurement with perineometer and quality of life survey with questionnaire. For the treatment, the patients were seated fully clothed in a Neocontrol chair with a magnetic field therapy. Treatment sessions were for 20 minutes, twices a week for the average 8 weeks. At one week after ExMI therapy, vaginal pressure measurement and quality of life survey (including questions of patient and patient's husband for satisfaction degree of their sexual life) were repeated. The comparison of incontinence symptoms, qulity of life (including sexual life) and vaginal pressure measurement before and after ExMI therapy were assessed. RESULTS: The results were as follows 1) The mean of urge incontinence symptoms score was increased 3.06 to 4.60 after ExMI (P<0.05). 2) The mean of stress incontinence symptoms score was increased 3.08 to 4.57 after ExMI (P<0.05). 3) The mean of quality of life (QoL) score was increased 3.36 to 4.77 after ExMI (P<0.05). 4) The mean of quality of sexual life (QoSL) score was increased 3.70 to 4.92 after ExMI (P<0.05). 5) The mean of vaginal pressure and duration of pelvic floor muscle contraction after ExMI were increased with startistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that ExMI therapy might be effective for not only urinary incontinence but also improvement of sexual function.

A Study on the Improvement of Urinary Incontinence Symptoms and Sexual Function in Patients with Urinary Incontinence before and after Extracorporeal Magnetic Innervation (ExMI) Therapy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the effect of extracorporeal magnetic innervation (ExMI) therapy for urinary incontinence and sexual function. METHODS: Fifty female patients with urinary incontinence were prospectively studied. Their mean age was 47.2 years, and the mean duration of symptoms was 6.7 years. All they had a history of previous vaginal delivery and mixed urinary incontinence symptoms. Evaluation before treatment included urine analysis and culture for excluding urinary infection, physical examination including neurologic and gynecologic evaluation for structural abnormality, vaginal pressure measurement with perineometer and quality of life survey with questionnaire. For the treatment, the patients were seated fully clothed in a Neocontrol chair with a magnetic field therapy. Treatment sessions were for 20 minutes, twices a week for the average 8 weeks. At one week after ExMI therapy, vaginal pressure measurement and quality of life survey (including questions of patient and patient's husband for satisfaction degree of their sexual life) were repeated. The comparison of incontinence symptoms, qulity of life (including sexual life) and vaginal pressure measurement before and after ExMI therapy were assessed. RESULTS: The results were as follows 1) The mean of urge incontinence symptoms score was increased 3.06 to 4.60 after ExMI (P<0.05). 2) The mean of stress incontinence symptoms score was increased 3.08 to 4.57 after ExMI (P<0.05). 3) The mean of quality of life (QoL) score was increased 3.36 to 4.77 after ExMI (P<0.05). 4) The mean of quality of sexual life (QoSL) score was increased 3.70 to 4.92 after ExMI (P<0.05). 5) The mean of vaginal pressure and duration of pelvic floor muscle contraction after ExMI were increased with startistical significance. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that ExMI therapy might be effective for not only urinary incontinence but also improvement of sexual function.

The Prognostic Significance of Serum CA 125 Levels in Patients with Advanced Serous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics of advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer and evaluated the prognostic factors which have an impact on survival of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. We also compared several analyzing methods of CA 125 for predicting prognosis of advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: A total of 57 patients with advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer who were treated at Samsung Medical Center between Aug. 1995 and Jul. 2000 were included. Medical records including pathologic reports were reviewed to identify clinicopathologic characteristics and serum levels of CA 125. Five different methods of analyzing serum CA 125 were compared for predicting the prognosis of advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer. Survival curves were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The median age of all patients was 54.2 years. In univariate analysis, age, FIGO stage, grade, residual tumor and ascites showed no significant correlation with prognosis. Among five different analyzing methods of serum CA 125 levels, normalization after 3rd chemotherapy was correlated with improved 5-year survival rate (p=0.026). CONCLUSION: This study showed that normalization of serum levels of CA 125 after 3rd chemotherapy is useful for predicting prognosis of advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Clinical Evaluation on 154 Cases of Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the indications, advantages and complications of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), retrospectively. METHODS: From Mar. 2003 to Feb. 2004, clinical trials of LAVH (n=154) were performed in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kangbuk Samsung Medical Center, School of Medicine, University of Sungkyunkwan, Seoul, Korea. Medical records of patients who underwent LAVH were reviewed. The results were evaluated according to characteristics of patients, history of previous abdominal surgery, preoperative surgical indications, postoperative diagnosis, mean operation times, weight of uterus, change of hemoglobin, hospital stay, associated diseases, concomitant procedures and complications. RESULTS: The mean age was 46.09 +/- 6.67 years. The mean parity was 2.08 +/- 0.94. Tubal ligation, vaginal bleeding, leiomyoma was the most common previous abdominal surgery, preoperative surgical indication, and postoperative diagnosis, respectively. The mean operation time was 130.66 +/- 67.68 minutes. The mean uterine weight was 259.27 +/- 123.48 gm. The mean hemoglobin change was 1.61 +/- 1.12 g/dL. The mean hospital stay was 3.44 +/- 1.83 days. The complication rate was 3.2% (5 cases); bladder injury (3 cases) being the most common complication. CONCLUSION: LAVH appears to be beneficial in many aspects. The further development of laparoscopic instruments and skills will reduce limitations and complications of LAVH and will hopefully allow the utilization of this technique to expand to include other clinical indications and concomitant procedures.