Prediction of intraperitoneal adhesions using striae gravidarum and scar characteristics in women undergoing repeated cesarean sections.

BACKGROUND: The current fact of increasing rates of cesarean deliveries is a catastrophe. Recurrent cesareans result in intraperitoneal adhesions that would lead to maternal morbidity during delivery. Great efforts are directed towards the prediction of intraperitoneal adhesions to provide the best care for laboring women. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the role of abdominal striae and cesarean scar characters in the prediction of intraperitoneal adhesions. METHODS: This was a case- control study conducted in the emergency ward of the obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary hospital from June to December 2019. The study was carried on patients admitted to the ward fulfilling particular inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study included two groups, group one was assessed for the presence of striae, and the degree of intraperitoneal adhesions was evaluated during the current cesarean section. Group two included patients without evidence of abdominal striae. They were evaluated for the severity of adhesions also after evaluation of the previous scar. Evaluation of the striae was done using Davey's scoring system. The scar was assessed using the Vancouver Scar Scale. The modified Nair's scoring system was used to evaluate intraperitoneal adhesions. RESULTS: The study group included 203 women, while the control group included 205 women. There were significant differences in the demographic characters of the recruited patients (p-value 0.001 for almost all variables). The mean Davey score in those with mild, moderate, and severe striae was 1.82 ± 0.39, 3.57 ± 0.5, and 6.73 ± 0.94, respectively (p-value < 0.001). Higher scores for the parameters of the Vancouver scale were present in patients with severe striae (1.69 ± 1.01, 1.73 ± 0.57, 2.67 ± 1.23, and 1.35 ± 1.06 for scar vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and height respectively with a p-value of < 0.001 each). Thick intraperitoneal adhesions were noted significantly in women with severe striae [21 (43.75%), p-value < 0.001)]. The Davey's and Vancouver scores showed highly significant predictive performance in the prediction of intraperitoneal adhesions (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Abdominal striae and cesarean scar were significant predictors for intraperitoneal adhesions.

Evaluation of the effect of trans-vaginal ovarian needle punctures on women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided trans-vaginal ovarian needle punctures on improving the management of women with polycystic ovary syndrome resistant to clomiphene citrate. METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial conducted in a tertiary Hospital, from June 2016 to December 2018. We recruited twenty- seven women with resistant PCOS with either primary or secondary infertility. They were randomly assigned into two groups. Group one included patients who had a trial of induction using aromatase inhibitors (Letrozol 2.5 mg twice daily from day 2 of the cycle and for 5 days) and FSH administered with 75 IU daily from cycle day 3 and maintained for up to the 14th day of the cycle. Group two included patients who had transvaginal ovarian puncture prior to induction with AIs and gonadotropins. Folliculometery was done starting from day 9 of the cycle. When the follicle reaches a size of 18-25 mm, HCG was given to enhance ovulation. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the hormonal profile (serum LH, FSH, and testosterone with a p- value of 0.0001, 0.007, and 0.0001 respectively) in the study group after one month of treatment. The overall number of ovulatory cycles was significantly higher in the study group than the control group [84 % (62/74), 62.8 % (49/78), p- value 0.006 respectively]. The cumulative pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the study group [33.3 % (9/27)]. No complications related to the procedure were reported. CONCLUSION: transvaginal ovarian needle puncture is a safe and effective procedure.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards abortion and post abortion care among Egyptian private obstetricians and gynaecologists.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of private obstetricians and gynaecologists towards abortion, post-abortion care, and post-abortion family planning. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, from June 2017 to May 2018, using a self-administered questionnaire of 150 obstetricians/gynaecologists at private clinics, centres, hospitals in Ismailia, Egypt. The questionnaire was composed of four broad sections: section one was about the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants; section two was about physicians' knowledge, attitude and practices regarding abortion; section three was about their attitudes and practices regarding post-abortion family planning and screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in patients presenting for induced abortion; and section four was about the socio-demographic characteristics of women seeking induced abortion taken from the physicians' views. RESULTS: Only 15.2% of participants had performed an abortion for unwanted pregnancies at ≤12 weeks vs. 3.8% for unwanted pregnancies >12 weeks' gestation. The most common reason for not performing an abortion was religious prohibition (80.35% vs. 86.6% for unwanted pregnancy ≤12 and > 12 weeks, respectively). Social causes were the most common reason for seeking an induced abortion. None of the physicians used manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for abortion or had received training in MVA. Post-abortion family planning counselling was offered by 20.5% of physicians, while 13.6% screened for STDs. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of private obstetricians/gynaecologists in Ismailia, Egypt, do not perform abortions for unwanted pregnancies because of their religious beliefs. Post-abortion screening for STDs and family planning services are not sufficiently integrated into post-abortion care.

Antenatal cervical length measurement as a predictor of successful vaginal birth.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal cervical length measurement has paramount importance in the prediction of labor. It was compared to the Bishop Score and incorporated in the modified Bishop score due to its relevance and convenience. It is a more accurate tool that imposes no harm or distress to the patients. The study aimed to evaluate the role of antenatal cervical length measurement in the prediction of a successful vaginal birth and its relation to the duration of labor. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study, conducted at the emergency ward of obstetrics and gynecology department. We recruited 162 women over 1 year from January 2018 to January 2019. Women eligible for the study had a transvaginal ultrasound for the examination of the cervical length before the onset of labor. The success of vaginal delivery was evaluated. RESULTS: The mean cervical length (mm) was 43.3 ± 8.0. The majority of the patients labored spontaneously [102 (63.0%)] while the remaining ones required induction of labor due to different causes. One hundred and eight patients (66.7%) had a successful vaginal delivery. The cervical length was significantly shorter among patients who delivered vaginally than those delivered by CS (P-value < 0.001). Multiple factors had a significant role in the prediction of the mode of delivery (cervical length, BMI, the onset of labor, parity). Maternal body mass index and labor induction were associated with a prolonged duration of the active phase of labor. CONCLUSION: Antenatal cervical length measurement predicted the mode of delivery as well as the gestational age at which delivery ensued. It can be used in patients' counseling regarding the mode of delivery.

Validation of the close-to-delivery prediction model for vaginal birth after cesarean delivery in a Middle Eastern cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a prediction model for vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) that incorporates variables available at admission for delivery among Middle Eastern women. METHODS: The present prospective cohort study enrolled women at 37weeks of pregnancy or more with cephalic presentation who were willing to attempt a trial of labor (TOL) after a single prior low transverse cesarean delivery at Al-Jahra Hospital, Kuwait, between June 2013 and June 2014. The predicted success rate of VBAC determined via the close-to-delivery prediction model of Grobman et al. was compared between participants whose TOL was and was not successful. RESULTS: Among 203 enrolled women, 140 (69.0%) had successful VBAC. The predicted VBAC success rate was higher among women with successful TOL (82.4%±13.1%) than among those with failed TOL (67.7%±18.3%; P<0.001). There was a high positive correlation between actual and predicted success rates. For deciles of predicted success rate increasing from >30%-40% to >90%-100%, the actual success rate was 20%, 30.7%, 38.5%, 59.1%, 71.4%, 76%, and 84.5%, respectively (r=0.98, P=0.013). CONCLUSION: The close-to-delivery prediction model was found to be applicable to Middle Eastern women and might predict VBAC success rates, thereby decreasing morbidities associated with failed TOL.

Timing of urinary catheter removal after uncomplicated total abdominal hysterectomy: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether immediate (0h), intermediate (after 6h) or delayed (after 24h) removal of an indwelling urinary catheter after uncomplicated abdominal hysterectomy can affect the rate of re-catheterization due to urinary retention, rate of urinary tract infection, ambulation time and length of hospital stay. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial conducted at Suez Canal University Hospital, Egypt. Two hundred and twenty-one women underwent total abdominal hysterectomy for benign gynecological diseases and were randomly allocated into three groups. Women in group A (73 patients) had their urinary catheter removed immediately after surgery. Group B (81 patients) had the catheter removed 6h post-operatively while in group C (67 patients) the catheter was removed after 24h. The main outcome measures were the frequency of urinary retention, urinary tract infections, ambulation time and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher number of urinary retention episodes requiring re-catheterization in the immediate removal group compared to the intermediate and delayed removal groups (16.4% versus 2.5% and 0% respectively). Delayed urinary catheter removal was associated with a higher incidence of urinary tract infections (15%), delayed ambulation time (10.3h) and longer hospital stay (5.6 days) compared to the early (1.4%, 4.1h and 3.2 days respectively) and intermediate (3.7%, 6.8h and 3.4 days respectively) removal groups. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of the urinary catheter 6h postoperatively appears to be more advantageous than early or late removal in cases of uncomplicated total abdominal hysterectomy.

Effect of human umbilical cord blood progenitor cells versus mononuclear cells on acute renal failure rat model.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) resulting from ischemic or toxic insults remains a major health care problem because of its grave prognosis and the limited effectiveness of available treatment modalities. Current treatment options for ARF are limited to supportive measures and preventive strategies, none of which have been definitively shown to alter mortality. AIM: To assess the ability of human umbilical cord blood CD34(+) (HUCB CD34(+)) cells and mononuclear (HUCB MNC) cells to improve renal function of nephrotoxic kidney. METHODS: ARF was induced in 30 rats by glycerol. After 24 hours, ARF was confirmed by increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum urea and creatinine levels. The rats were divided into 3 groups, group one included 10 rats treated with HUCB CD34(+) cells, group two included 10 rats treated with HUCB MNC and group three included 10 rats treated with normal saline. Five rats were included in the study as a normal control group. Serial measurement of BUN, serum urea and creatinine levels were done every three days throughout the study. To proof homing of HUCB CD34(+) into renal tissue, Y chromosome detection in renal tissue was carried out using Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. RESULTS: Four days after the therapy, the renal function of CD34(+) and MNC treated rats improved in comparison to saline treated rats. After 2 weeks of therapy and at the end of the study (28 days), ANOVA test revealed that, there was significant difference between the four studied groups (P=.000). Y chromosomes were detected in kidneys of CD34(+) treated rats and MNC treated rats. CONCLUSION: HUCB CD34(+) cells and HUCB MNC improve renal function of nephrotoxic kidney with superiority to the HUCB MNC.