Clinical Outcome of Pregnancy-associated Aplastic Anemia Treated with Supportive Anagement / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia remains a rare occurrence. The aim of this study was to examine the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia treated with supportive care. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2004, a total of 14 women newly diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Eleven (78%) of the 14 women were diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia during the second or third trimester. There were eight severe cases; three of which were diagnosed at the initial presentation. All 14 women had conservative management with transfusions but not specific immunological or hormonal therapies during pregnancy. Blood transfusions were performed prenatally in seven mothers and perinatally in 13. Of the 12 patients eligible for follow-up, one achieved complete remission and another eight showed partial remission after delivery. During the follow up period, there was no case of maternal-fetal death in our series. The pregnancies were continued uneventfully in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with transfusion support alone for pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia. Therefore, pregnancy continuation with meticulous blood support should be considered, rather than therapeutic termination, for women with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia.

Differential diagnosis of Thrombocytopenia newly developed during pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Gestational thrombocytopenia has a mild course as a common problem during pregnancy, whereas idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) presents with a chronic or moderate to severe course. Very few studies have been conducted so far to discriminate between the two diseases. This study was aimed to identify factors predictive of the subsequent development of ITP among pregnant women presenting with thrombocytopenia. METHODS: From January 1999 to June 2005, a total of 58 pregnant women newly diagnosed with thrombocytopenia were recruited for the study. Among them, 33 were finally diagnosed with gestational thrombocytopenia and the other 25 with ITP. The clinical factors for each of ITP and neonatal thrombocytopenia were evaluated, and final outcomes were also described. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, thrombocytopenia diagnosed before 28 completed weeks and platelet count of less then 50 x 10(9)/L at the time of its presentation were found to be independently predictive of ITP (p<0.001 and p=0.004 respectively). In addition, platelet count of less then 20 x 10(9)/L at nadir during pregnancy was a significant risk factor for neonatal thrombocytopenia (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: The onset time of thrombocytopenia and platelet count at its presentation remain useful parameters to discriminate ITP from gestational thrombocytopenia. These findings may help in allowing an appropriate antenatal care and postpartum follow up.

The Outcome of Pregnancy Combined with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura and the Effect of Pregnancy on the Severity of This Disease / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is greatest in female during their childbearing years, so the concurrence of pregnancy and ITP is not unusual. Numerous studies have examined the outcomes of newborns, whereas fewer studies have been conducted with regard to the morbidity of obstetric patients with ITP. This study was aimed to find the outcome of pregnancy combined with ITP and the influence of the pregnancy on the severity of this disease. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2005, a total of 62 pregnant women with ITP and their 73 deliveries were recruited for the study. Among them, 38 were diagnosed with ITP during pregnancy and the other 24 had pre-existing ITP before pregnancy. RESULTS: The severity of thrombocytopenia was exacerbated during pregnancy, but recovered to a level of non-pregnant period after delivery in most cases. The outcome of pregnancy of all the patients was uneventful except each one case of fetal demise at 35 gestational weeks and preterm delivery at 30 gestational weeks. One patient suffered from multiple subdural hemorrhage during pregnancy, which was spontaneouly recovered. Twenty newborns (27.8%) had transient congenital thrombocytopenia and 18 of them required treatment for hemostatic impairment. CONCLUSION: For women with ITP, Pregnancy can affect the severity of ITP, but life-threatening complication was almost lacking. Although, in not a few cases, there may need to treat both mothers and infants to raise their platelet counts, most mothers with ITP can proceed with their pregnancies and delivery healthy infant without complication.

The length of active labor in women with vaginal birth after cesarean section compared with nulliparas and multiparas / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Despite the general information of vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC), little is known about the duration of active labor in women attempting VBAC. The aim of this study was to compare the time length of active labor in women attempting VBAC compared with nulliparas or multiparas, and then, provide further insight for better management of labor. METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2003, a total of 444 patients with VBAC were entered into the study. Women with two or more history of caesarean section or previous vaginal delivery were all excluded from the study. Time length of active labor in these patients was compared with 335 nulliparas and 218 multiparas consecutively visiting our unit for delivery in 2003. RESULTS: For patients with VBAC, the duration of active and second phase were 184.8+/-115.7, and 25.1+/-15.2 minutes, which was significantly shorter than nulliparas (p<0.05), but longer than multiparas (p<0.05). To eliminate confounding factors affecting the duration, 374 women without use of vacuum, oxytocin, or epidural anesthesia were selected for analysis. Consistently, the time length of active and second phase in women with VBAC was significantly shorter than in nulliparas, but longer than in multiparas (p<0.001) except for active phase compared with nulliparas (p=0.295). CONCLUSION: With regard to the time length of active labor, women attempting VBAC were in the intermediate group when compared with nulliparas or multiparas. Understanding of this unique time interval in women attempting VBAC may help in allowing an appropriate management for labor process.

The Impact of Previous Cervical Dilatation on the Duration of Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Delivery / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effect of a maximal cervical dilatation prior to their primary cesarean birth on the time length of labor in women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC). METHODS: From January 2000 to Jun 2005, a total of 526 patients with VBAC were entered into the study. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the maximal cervical dilatation on the prior cesarean birth: Group 1 (0~3 cm), Group 2 (4~7 cm), Group 3 (8~9 cm), and Group 4 (10 cm). RESULTS: An analysis of the duration of labor showed that the time length of active phase was significantly shorter in each of Group 3 (147.3+/-103.9 minutes) and 4 (155.2+/-104.2 minutes) than in Group 1 (192.9+/-126.0 minutes) or 2 (195.1+/-148.2 minutes) (p or =8 cm than those without. Study results indicate that prior cervical dilatation may affect the labor time of subsequent VBAC. The proper understanding of the association between prior cervical dilatation and labor time on a subsequent VBAC may be useful for better management or further intervention in the setting of VABC.

A case of Vascular Anastomoses in Dichorionic Diamniotic-Fused Placentas Resulting in "Pseudo" Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome / 대한산부인과학회지

Virtually all monochorionic twin placentas contain vascular connections between the circulatory domains of each twin. In contrast, vascular anastomoses are generally thought not to occur in fused, dichorionic placentation. In the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) one twin is preferentially perfused by blood from the cotwin via unbalanced placental vascular anastomoses. This vascular shunting results in twins born with discrepant weights, colors and hemoglobins. When one of the TTTS criteria was not present, the pregnancy was defined as "pseudo" TTTS. In pregnancies complicated by "pseudo" TTTS indicate that small twins have abnormal cord insertion more frequently than large twins. We present a case of vascular anastomoses in dichorionic diamniotic-fused placentas resulting in "pseudo" TTTS with a brief review of the literatures concerned.

Diagnosis of Cervical Neoplasia Using Immunohistochemical Staining of p16(INK4A) / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: There is need for more objective diagnostic parameters to identify cervical dysplastic or neoplastic cells. So, we examined the p16(INK4A) expression in the cervical tissues to evaluate the value of p16(INK4A) as a diagnostic parameter. METHODS: We examined the p16(INK4A) expression by immunohistochemical staining in normal cervical tissues (n=3), preneoplastic lesions (n=6), carcinoma in situ (CIS, n=5), and invasive carcinomas (n=5) of the cervix, which were selected randomly by H and E staining from the archives of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues and we also examined the status of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the same tissues. RESULTS: The positive rates of p16(INK4A) expression was significantly higher in all abnormal cervical tissues including subclinical papillomavirus infection (SPI), dysplasia, CIS, and invasive carcinoma than in normal cervical epithelium (p=0.001). Despite the strong expression of p16(INK4A) in the area of CIS, no expression of p16(INK4A) was observed in the area of normal epithelium in the vicinity of CIS. 11 cases among 19 cases of examined tissue samples were tested for HPV infection. Seven of them showed positivity for HPV DNA. CONCLUSION: We herein demonstrated that p16(INK4A) would be a sensitive and specific marker for the abnormal cervical cells in tissue sections. This approach will help to reduce interobserver variations in the histopathologic interpretation of cervical biopsy specimens.

Cytogenetic Analysis in Spontaneous Abortion / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECT: To analyze the frequency and the types of chromosomal abnormalities in conceptus of spontaneous abortion method: 81 cases of products of conception aborted spontaneously were collected From Nov. 1999 to May, 2004 in the cytogenetic laboratory at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. The cytogenetic results,along with clinical information including gestational age at the time of the miscarriage and maternal age, were compiled in a database. RESULTS: Cytogenetic results were obtained from 76 cases (93.8%), of which 33 cases (43.4%) showed chromosome abnormalities. Of 33 chromosomal abnormalities, 12 cases (36.4%) showed monosomy X, including one case of 46,X,+7 and the other case of 44,X, t(13q14q). Autosomal trisomy was also detected in 12 cases (36.4%). The most frequent autosomal trisomy was that of chromosome 18 (4 cases), which occurred exclusively in old maternal age (37.8+/-7.5 years old). Mosaicism was found in 2 cases. Triploidy was identified in 4 cases. Structural abnormalities were identified in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: This study showed that monosomy X and trisomy were the most common chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneous abortion, and autosomal trisomy was dependant on maternal age.

Secondary acute myeloid leukemia after platinum based chemotherapy for ovarian cancer / 대한산부인과학회지

Among chemotherapeutic regimens used for advanced ovarian cancer, platinum-based combination chemotherapy remains a mainstay of the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, providing significant response rates and survival benefits. However, with widespread use of long-term chemotherapy in treating ovarian cancer, emergence of secondary leukemia has become medical concern as one of the most unfavorable late complications. Depending upon the type, duration, and dosage of previous chemotherapy, the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia has been estimated to be between 2% and 10%. Moreover, the frequency of this complication might increase as the survival in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy continues to increase with developing therapeutic options. Recently, we experienced a case of secondary acute myeloid leukemia developing 3.5 years after platinum-based chemotherapy. In this report, clinical course of the patient and contributing factors for the secondary leukemia were presented.

Clinical significance of Urinary protein fractional analysis in Severe preeclampsia / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether severity of proteinuria or urinary protein fractional analysis correlates with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in women with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: Thirty-six women diagnosed of severe preeclampsia from January, 2002 to April, 2003 were studied. The correlation between proteinuria or urinary albumin fraction, and maternal mean arterial pressure, neonatal birth weight, 1 minute apgar score were analyzed statistically. Thirty-six patients were divided into two groups according to the pattern of urinary protein fraction. One group was a selective proteinuria group if the albumin fraction was over 70%, and another was a non-selective proteinuria group if the fraction was below 70%. The maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Significant positive correlation was observed between proteinuria and mean arterial pressure, between urinary albumin fraction and neonatal birth weight. Negative correlation was significantly present between proteinuria and neonatal birth weight, 1 minunte apgar score, between proteinuria and albunin fraction. Increased proteinuria, higher mean arterial pressure, higher serum uric acid level, lower creatinine clearance, lower neonatal birth weight, and lower 1 minunte Apgar score were observed in the non-selective proteinuria group than those in the selective proteinuria, although there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: With increasing proteinuria and decreasing albumin fraction, there is increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Proteinuria fractional analysis by electrophresis might provide useful information regarding the prediction of pregnancy outcomes.

Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a Fetus with 46,XY/46,X,-Y,+der(Y)t(Y;1)(q12;q12) Mosaicism: A Case Report

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is often associated with major anomalies and chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomal abnormalities are usually detected in 9.5% to 34% of fetuses with CDH prenatally diagnosed and the defect has also been reported in association with multiple syndromes such as Pallister-Killian syndrome, Fryns syndrome, Di George syndrome and Apert syndrome. Among the chromosomal abnormalities associated with CDH, trisomy 21, 18, and 13 are most common. Association with complex chromosomal aberrations such as mosaicism has also been reported. However, CDH presented in a fetus with Y-autosome translocation is extremely rare. Herein, we reported a case of fetus with 46,XY/46,X,-Y, +der(Y)t(Y;1)(q12;q12) mosaicism who presented with CDH diagnosed by ultrasonography at 19 weeks' gestation.

A Case of Vesicoallantoic Cyst Diagnosed by Prenatal Ultrasonogram Imaging / 대한주산의학회잡지

Fetal vesicoallantoic cyst is extremely rare anomaly of umbilical cord. This disorder is thought to be a remnant of the extraembryonic portion of the allantois and incomplete obliteration of the vesico-allantoic lumen results in a wide spectrum of urachal anomalies. A 23-years-old primigravida was referred to our hospital at 18 weeks of gestation age because of fetal abdominal cystic mass in basal part of umbilicus. On the ultrasonographic examination, the cystic mass appeared to be in direct communication with the urinary bladder markedly distended. The cytogenetic study by amniocentesis showed normal 46, XY. The fetus was dead at 21 weeks of gestation age. The results of autopsy showed multiple anomalies. We report this rare case with review on similar anomalies of the allantois.

Midtrimester Amniotic Fluid Levels and Each Ratio of Activn A, Inhibin A and B in Down's Syndrome and Other Complicated Pregnancies / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the amniotic fluid levels and each ratio of activin A, inhin A and B in Down's syndrome and other complicated pregnancies. METHODS: This study was performed in 71 women who had undergone a midtrimester amniocentesis with the clinical indications and whose pregnancy outcome was retrospectively determined. Ten Down's syndrome, 15 complicated pregnancies including, preeclamsia, gestational diabetesis mellitus, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and 46 noncomplicated pregnancies with normal chromosome were included in this study. Amniotic fluid activin A, inhibin A and B were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney U test and regression analysis. RESULTS: There were significant positive correlation (r=0.277, p=0.011) between the ratio activin A/ inhibin B level and maternal age and significant positive correlation (r=0.261, p=0.015) between maternal age and the ratio inhibin A/inhibin B level. There were also significant positive correlation (r=0.202, p=0.045) between gestational weeks and inhibin A levels and significant positive correlation (r=0.474, p<0.001) between gestational weeks and inhibin B levels. Amniotic fluid inhibin A and inhibin B levels were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in Down's syndrome compared with the normal chromosomal groups but there was no difference in the ratio activin A/inhibin A and in the ratio activin A/inhibin B between these groups. The amniotic fluid levels of activin A, inhibins (A and B), each ratio of complicated pregnancies groups with normal chromosome was not significantly different from those of uncomplicated pregnancies with normal chromosome. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that amniotic inhibin levels were significantly decreased in Down's syndrome. But, activin A and each ratio were unchanged. The results suggest that activin A may be relatively decreased in each case of Down's syndrome.

Labor Induction at Term with Different Regimens of Misoprostol / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and the safety of two different dose regimens of intravaginal misoprostol for labor induction. METHODS: Sixty-seven consenting women with maternal or fetal indication for labor and no prior cesarean delivery were randomly assigned to receive either vaginal misoprostol 100 microgram or 50 microgram every 4 hours with maximum 6 doses. Uterine contraction, abnormal fetal heart rate pattern, mean time from induction to vaginal delivery, apgar score, and meconium staining were compaired. RESULTS: In two groups, dermographic characteristics and the average number of doses of misoprostol used were simliar. The group who were administered 100 ug misprostol showed shorter average time interval from induction to delivery. Both groups showed similiar result in terms of tachysystole, abnormal fetal heart rate tracing, meconium passage, fetal weight, low 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: The optimal misoprostol dose to induce labor in term pregnant women has not been established. We also could not find any difference between two groups (100 microgram or 50 microgram every 4 hours) in time interval from induction to delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Is Selective Iron Supplementation Needed During Gestation? / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: It is controversial whether routine or selective iron supplementation during gestation is needed. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether screening with serum ferritin during the first trimester of pregnancy could be identify women who need prophylactic iron supplementation. METHODS: According to the serum ferritin level of cut-off point of 30 microgram/L during the first trimester of pregnancy and the presence of iron supplementation during gestation, the subject was divided into 4 group that were as follows: serum ferritin level of 30 microgram/L and iron- supplemented group (n=40), serum ferritin level of >30 microgram/L and non iron-supplemented group (n=15). Maternal serum ferritin, TIBC, iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW) were measured before 14 weeks of gestation and after 34 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: All hematologic and biochemical markers indicated more severe anemic status in the late pregnancy than during the first trimester of pregnancy. The effect of iron supplementation was profounder on the pregnant woman whose ferritin levels were below 30 microgram/L during the first trimester of pregnancy. Regardless of iron supplementation, the group (ferritin >30 microgram/L during the first trimester of pregnancy) showed relatively higher ferritin level in late pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The screening with serum ferritin level of cut-off point of 30 microgram/L during the first trimester of pregnancy may be useful to identify women who need prophylactic iron supplementation.

Patterns of Hyrtl's Anastomosis and their Effects on Obstetric Outcomes / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the presence and pattern of Hyrtl anastomosis, and to examine the effect that each type has on obstetrical outcome. METHODS: This study was carried out from January of 2001 to May of 2003 on 904 randomly selected patients who had given birth by Cesarean section or vaginal delivery at Catholic University Holy Family Hospital. Immediately proceeding delivery, barium sulfate was infused into the umbilical artery. This was followed by umbilical artery dissection to grossly confirm Hyrtl anastomosis. In order to evaluate the effect that each type of anastomosis has on obstetrical outcome, we retrospectively examined chart for birth weight, Apgar score, results of cord blood gas analysis, obstetrical complications, etc. RESULTS: Out of the 904 cases studied, 99.7% possessed Hyrt's anastomosis with frequency according to type as follows: 50.8% oblique, 48.0% transverse, 1.8% of anastomosis between one umbilical artery and the branch of the other, 1.6% of fusion of branches of each umbilical artery, 0.6% of anastomosis represented by two separate vessels between umbilical arteries, 0.1% of anastomosis between branches of each umbilical artery, 0.1% lacking anastomosis, and 0.2% of a single umbilical artery. In terms of obstetrical outcome, there was no significant difference for term and preterm infants in the frequency of type of Hyrtl's anastomosis according to birth weight, maternal age, Apgar score, obstetrical complications, etc. CONCLUSION: In an attempt to verify the presence and type of Hyrtl anastomosis, 8 types of Hyrtl's anastomosis were found, of which the oblique and transverse variety were the most common. There was no significant difference in the types of Hyrtl's anastomosis in relation to obstetrical outcome. Frequency was also similar with oblique and transverse types being the most common. Further studies detailing anatomical features of and blood flow/volume through the anastomosis are required in order to better understand the effects of Hyrtl's anastomosis on obstetrical outcome.

An Unusual Relapse of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in the Uterine Corpus / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The relapse of leukemia is usually classified as hematologic relapse and extramedullary relapse. The most common sites of clinical extramedullary relapse are the central nervous systems (CNS) and gonads. However, the relapse in the uterus is very rare. We experienced a very unusual case of uterine relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after about a 6-year remission period. This female patient returned to our hospital with a two-month history of amenorrhea. Pelvic radiology confirmed an about 7 cm sized ill-defined ovoid mass in the uterus. There was no evidence of ALL relapse in the peripheral blood or CNS. The uterine biopsy showed diffused homogenous infiltration of numerous small round cells in uterine corpus, suggesting ALL relapse. The bone marrow study revealed 100% cellularity, most of which were lymphoblasts. Our patient received the bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and achieved the second complete remission (CR). Therefore, we here report our case with a brief review of literature.

A Case of Steroid Cell Tumor, Not Otherwise Specified, with Massive Ascites / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified, are rare ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors with malignant potential. The majority of these tumors produce steroids (testosterone is the most common) and various virilizing symptoms such as hirsutism, temporal balding and amenorrhea, may appear in patients. Executive history taking, physical examinations, CT or sonography and hormonal studies are helpful in the diagnosis, but the confirmation of diagnosis is made via a staging operation and pathology. Treatments include operation, chemotherapy (i.e., BEP), GnRH agonist therapy and radiotherapy. We experienced a case of steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified, with massive ascites, and elevated CA125, which we wish to report with a brief review of the literature.

Flow Cytometric Detection of Apoptosis and p53 Protein in OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Taxol (paclitaxel)-induced apoptosis was studied to understand their biological mechanism correlated with the expression of p53 in the SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cell lines were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium without taxol (control group) and with taxol for 24 h and 48 h (experimental group). After harvest, the cells were stained with annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) and anti-cytokeratin antibodies (clone CAM5.2 and clone MNF116). They were washed and stained with p53 antibody. After then the secondary antibodies, i.e., FITC- or phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated goat anti-mouse (GAM) immunoglobulin G (GAM IgG-FITC or GAM IgG-PE) were added in the cells and they were incubated in the dark. DNA of these cells were stained sequentially with propidium iodide (PI). Standard FACScan equipped with a 488 nm single laser was used for the analysis of these cells. RESULTS: Both of SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cell lines were arrested in the G2M phase after treatment of taxol, suggesting that these cells would eventually enter into the stage of cell death. Fractions of negative cytokeratin and positive annexin V and amount of sub-G0G1 fraction indicative of apototic fractions were lower in the SKOV-3 cell line compared with that in OVCAR-3 cell line, probably as a result of lower sensitivity of SKOV-3 cell line to the taxol. p53 expression were not detected in SKOV-3 cell line. On the basis of observed findings in SKOV-3 cell line and findings of high expressions of p53 regardless of taxol treatment, no increases in their expressions according to culturing time, and gradual increases in sub-G0G1 fractions and in fractions of negative cytokeratin and positive annexin V indicative of apoptosis in OVCAR-3 cell line, we concluded that the expression of p53 would not be associated with cell cycle changes and the arrest in the G2M pahse but associated with the appearance of apotosis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that flow cytometric detection of the apoptotic fractions would be an effective, fast, and accurate method for the chemosensitivity test in tumor cells before the administration of anti-cancer drugs in gynecologic cancer patients.

Emergency peripartum hysterectomy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical indications and incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy by dermographic characteristics by a retrospective review based on hospital data of 98 patients over 8 years. METHODS: We reviewed their medical records of the 98 cases of peripartum hysterectomy among 50,338 deliveries, from January. 1992 to December. 1999, at St Mary, Kang Nam St Mary, and Holy Family hospital of Catholic University. RESULTS: The total incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was 98/50,338 (0.19%), Cesarean hysterectomy was performed in 96 of 22,561 Cesarean sections (0.43%) and in 2 of 27,777 vaginal deliveries (0.01%). The higher the age, the higher incidence of peripartum hysterectomy was noted and the most common indication for hysterectomy was abnormal adherent placentation (45.48%) followed by uterine atony (39.80%). During peripartum hysterectomy, patients were transfused with mean 10.04 pints. Although one maternal death occurred, maternal morbidity remained high (51.02%), including postoperative febrile condition in 15 (15.3%), intraoperative urologic injury in 11 patients (11.2%). CONCLUSION: There is a strong association between advancing age and incidence of peripartum hysterectomy. The data identify abnormal adherent placentation as the primary cause for peripartum hysterectomy and then considering the mean volume of blood loss more than 10 pints of blood should be prepared before emergency hysterectomy.