VBAC: Changes over Last 10 Years.

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) has been historically studied to be a standard and a safe procedure with good successful results. AIMS: This study was conducted to determine changes in pattern of VBAC by the same author over a period of 10 years. RESULTS: Data for 1 year between 2005-2006 and 2014-2015 were compared, and successful VBAC was found to be 74.46% in 2005-2006 period compared to only 34.42% in 2014-2015. Neonatal mortality and maternal morbidity were, however, much higher 10 years ago. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that better diagnostic techniques, awareness of patients and medico legal fear have led to safer health of mother and child and lesser incidence of VBAC over the last 10 years.

Postpartum Intrauterine Device Refusal in Delhi: Reasons Analyzed.

AIM: To assess knowledge and attitude of women toward postpartum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) and analyze reasons of refusal. SETTING AND DESIGN: Hospital-based cross-sectional study for 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 550 women were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitude toward contraception especially PPIUCD were noted, and the reasons for refusal of PPIUCD were analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS version 17.0 is used. Continuous variables were reported using mean, and categorical variables were reported using percentages. OBSERVATIONS: PPIUCD insertion rate was 9.1 %. 78.6 % of women in the study belonged to the age group of 20-30 years, with 79.2 % having education of Class X and above. The overall contraceptive knowledge was 94.4 %. Although 48.4 % women were aware of Cu T as a method of contraception, only 21.9 % of 48.4 %, however, were aware of PPIUCD. None of the women had ever used it before. The commonest prevalent myths regarding Cu T were fear of malignancy (38 %) and fear of menorrhagia (36.4 %). The husband and mother-in-law played important roles in decision regarding PPIUCD insertion and refused the same in 59 % of cases. CONCLUSION: The study shows that awareness of PPIUCD is low in this region despite good education, leading to high refusal rates. The commonest reason is lack of appropriate counseling, and not only the woman but the husband and mother-in-law also must be provided the knowledge of it as they play important roles in our society.

The synergic effect of HPV infection and epigenetic anomaly of the p16 gene in the development of cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women. Infection with a high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the greatest risk factor for developing cervical cancer. The genetic and epigenetic changes in the tumor suppressor p16 gene is play an important role in the development of cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression and promoter methylation of p16 gene in HR-HPV infected squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. METHODS: To find out p16INK4a expression and methylation status 105 squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were investigated by using immunohistochemistry and Methylation Specific PCR techniques. RESULTS: HPV16/18 was amplified in 83.8% cases of the cervix. 80% of them were positive for HPV type 16, while only 3.8% were positive for HPV type 18. Promoter CpG island hypermethylation of p16 gene was detected in 20.9% tissue samples of cervical carcinoma. Of these hypermethylated samples 90.9% cases showed nil/very low p16INK4a expression (P= 0.001). Overexpression of p16INK4a was observed in 73.3% cases of HR-HPV infected squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. CONCLUSION: An association between p16 methylation, expression, and HR-HPV infection suggested the compliance of HPV infection and aberration of p16 gene have a synergic effect on initiation and progression of cervical carcinoma.

Transvaginal Sonography Versus Cystoscopy for Detecting Urinary Bladder Invasion in Early Stage Cervical Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is a major cause of mortality from cancer among women. In it's early stage pre operative staging with cystoscopy is a standard procedure for the detection of urinary bladder involvement. AIM: The present study was conducted with the aim to compare the efficacy of Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) and cystoscopy in diagnosing bladder involvement in early stage cervical cancer patients by confirming it intraoperatively and further by histopathologic examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective partially blinded study was conducted between March 2006 and September 2008 on 30 patients with early stage cervical cancer (Stage I and IIa) who were planned to undergo radical hysterectomy. Pre operatively, these patients underwent both TVS and cystoscopy to diagnose bladder involvement. Presence or absence of bladder involvement was then confirmed intra operatively and by histopathologic examination. RESULTS: In all the 30 patients studied, no bladder involvement was seen on cystoscopy where as TVS showed bladder involvement in three patients. Involvement of the bladder in these three patients was confirmed intra operatively and by histopathologic examination. Thus, in our study, TVS was 100% sensitive in detecting bladder involvement. CONCLUSION: TVS is highly sensitive in diagnosing bladder involvement in early stage cervical cancer and could potentially detect cases missed with a cystoscopy.

Comparison of Vaginal versus Oral Estradiol Administration in Improving the Visualization of Transformation Zone (TZ) during Colposcopy.

INTRODUCTION: Colposcopy is an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of patients with abnormal pap smears. However, in 10-20% transformation zone (TZ)/squamo-columnar junction is not completely visualized and these patients are deemed to have an incomplete colposcopy examination. Such patients usually require conization, a procedure associated with significant morbidity. Various agents like misoprostol, estrogens and laminaria tents have been used in the past to overcome the non-visualization of TZ. AIM: The present study was conducted with the aim to compare the efficacy of vaginal versus oral estradiol administration in overcoming incomplete colposcopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with non/partially visualized TZ during colposcopy were recruited for the study. These patients were randomly distributed into two groups: In Group I, 25µg estradiol was administered intravaginally daily for seven consecutive days followed by a repeat colposcopy on day 8. In Group II, a seven day course of 25µg oral estradiol was followed by a repeat colposcopy on day 8. The efficacy of the two regimens in improving visualization of the TZ on colposcopy and their adverse effect profile was compared. RESULTS: Vaginal estradiol had an overall efficacy of 70% in improving visualization of the TZ as compared to oral estradiol which was effective in 50% of patients (p-value-0.19). Major adverse effects in both the group of patients were nausea and vaginal discharge with no significant differences among the two groups. CONCLUSION: Both vaginal and oral estrogens had comparable efficacy and similar adverse effect profile in improving visualization of the TZ.

Maternal and neonatal vitamin-D status in twin versus singleton pregnancies.

AIM: There is a paucity of information on vitamin D status of women with twin pregnancy and their newborns. This case-control study compared maternal and neonatal vitamin-D status in twin versus singleton pregnancies. METHODS: Subjects included 50 women with twin pregnancy delivering at >28 weeks and 50 gestational-age-matched women with singleton pregnancy delivering during the same period. Maternal and neonatal serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] was compared between the two groups using the independent Student's t-test on log values. Serum albumin-adjusted calcium, inorganic phosphate, and intact parathormone levels were also compared. RESULTS: Maternal vitamin-D deficiency (VDD; serum 25(OH)D < 30 nmol/L) was present in 90% of twin and 88% of singleton pregnancies. The prevalence of neonatal VDD was 89% in twin and 74% in singleton pregnancies (P = 0.03). Maternal serum 25(OH)D was lower in the twin group as compared to the singleton group (14.3 ± 10.47 vs 18.5 ± 12.36 nmol/L; P = 0.02). Mean serum calcium, intact parathormone, and inorganic phosphate were comparable between the women in the two groups. Maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D showed positive correlation in the two groups (P < 0.001). Mean cord blood 25(OH)D was significantly lower in the twins than in singleton newborns (14.8 ± 12.63 vs 22.6 ± 16.68 nmol/L; P = 0.002). The difference persisted even after adjustment for birthweights and maternal serum 25(OH)D. Mean serum calcium was significantly lower in the twins. CONCLUSION: Twin newborns and their mothers have higher VDD as compared to singleton newborns and their mothers in the VDD population.

Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Perceived Stress Scores and Autonomic Function Tests of Pregnant Indian Women.

INTRODUCTION: Various pregnancy complications like hypertension, preeclampsia have been strongly correlated with maternal stress. One of the connecting links between pregnancy complications and maternal stress is mind-body intervention which can be part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Biologic measures of stress during pregnancy may get reduced by such interventions. AIM: To evaluate the effect of Mindfulness meditation on perceived stress scores and autonomic function tests of pregnant Indian women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pregnant Indian women of 12 weeks gestation were randomised to two treatment groups: Test group with Mindfulness meditation and control group with their usual obstetric care. The effect of Mindfulness meditation on perceived stress scores and cardiac sympathetic functions and parasympathetic functions (Heart rate variation with respiration, lying to standing ratio, standing to lying ratio and respiratory rate) were evaluated on pregnant Indian women. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in perceived stress scores, a significant decrease of blood pressure response to cold pressor test and a significant increase in heart rate variability in the test group (p< 0.05, significant) which indicates that mindfulness meditation is a powerful modulator of the sympathetic nervous system and can thereby reduce the day-to-day perceived stress in pregnant women. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that mindfulness meditation improves parasympathetic functions in pregnant women and is a powerful modulator of the sympathetic nervous system during pregnancy.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor (IGF-IR) Ligands and BMI in Squamous Intra-Epithelial Lesion (SIL) of Cervix.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer cervix is the most common cancer in women in developing countries like India. Several studies have linked insulin-like growth factors-I & II (IGF-I and IGF-II) and IGF binding proteins-3 (IGFBP-3) with pathogenesis of Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion of cervix (SIL). To the best of our knowledge, no study has shown any correlation between circulating C-Peptide levels and SIL. AIM: The present study has attempted to evaluate the correlation between SIL and IGF-IR ligands (IGF-I, IGF-II, C-Peptide), IGF binding protein (IGFBP-3) and Body Mass Index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present case-control study consisted of 31 histologically proven SIL cases and 31 age matched controls without evidence of SIL. A 10 ml blood sample was collected in heparinized vial. Plasma was separated immediately using centrifugation and was stored at -80(0) C till further analysis. Plasma levels of IGF-I, IGF-II, C-peptide and IGFBP3 were measured using commercially available Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Height and weight was noted for calculation of BMI. Bio-effective molar ratio (BEMR) was calculated as 3.72 x {(0.25 x IGF-I) + (0.032 x IGF-II) + (0.0025 x C-peptide)} / {(1435 + IGFBP-3) - (2.79 x IGF-I) - (2.87 x IGF-II)}. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel software employing student t-test, Mann-Whitney and Chi-square test for trend while binary logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). RESULT: IGF-I, IGF-II levels and BEMR were significantly increased in SIL compared to controls (p= 0.001, p <0.001, and p <0.001, respectively). C-Peptide levels were higher in controls than SIL (p = 0.04). IGFBP-3 & BMI in SIL were not significantly related when compared with controls. Risk of SIL in 4(th) quartile for BEMR, IGF-I, and IGF-II was 12.18(95% CI= 3.13-47.39), 3.94(95% CI = 1.24-12.56), and 4.57(95% CI = 1.42-14.7), respectively. CONCLUSION: Elevated levels of IGF-I and IGF-II are associated with risk of SIL while BEMR emerges out to be a derived factor strongly associated with risk of SIL.

Delayed Uterine Necrosis: Rare Cause of Nonhealing Wound.

Uterine necrosis is a very rare condition and most of the reported cases occurred after pelvic arterial embolization for post-partum haemorrhage, embolization of fibroid uterus or application of B-Lynch sutures. A case of delayed myometrial necrosis is reported in post-cesarean patient where no embolization or uterine compression sutures have been applied. Patient presented with foul smelling discharge from the gaped abdominal wound following caesarean section. Abdomen was closed after exploration and lavage. Patient did not have complete healing and area of unhealed wound remained through which subinvoluted uterus was peeping out. Patient was taken for resuturing again but the uterus was found to be completely necrotic and hysterectomy was performed. Patient responded to treatment.

Colistin neurotoxicity: revisited.

The revival of polymyxin antibiotics with the advent of multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria in the recent decade has led to renewed interest in toxicity of this indispensable drug. We report a postoperative case of burst abdomen where colistin was started in view of Pseudomonas organism sensitive to colistin. Subsequently, the patient went into respiratory depression and encephalopathy after starting the treatment. She recovered promptly after stopping the drug.

Xanthogranulomatous oophoritis mimicking malignancy: a diagnostic dilemma.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is a chronic condition in which the affected organ is replaced by lipid-filled macrophages with plasma cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils. It is very rare in the ovaries. A case of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis in a premenopausal multiparous woman presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and adnexal mass whose clinical and imaging findings suggested malignancy is reported.

Low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: a case report.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare malignant tumor of the endometrium, occurring in the age group of 40-50 years. We report a case of low-grade ESS in a 39-year-old woman, presenting as rapid enlargement of a uterine fibroid polyp associated with irregular and excessive vaginal bleeding. Polypectomy followed by pan hysterectomy was performed. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed LGESS. As the tumor is rarely encountered, management protocols are still questionable. In our case, we tried a different post-surgical protocol and the patient is being closely followed up. Although rare, ESS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all women who present with a rapid enlargement of a uterine leiomyoma.

HPV Vaccination in India: Critical Appraisal.

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in women worldwide. The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the genesis of cervical carcinoma is well documented. The HPV 16 and 18 are found to be most commonly associated with invasive cervical carcinoma. The advent of cervical carcinoma vaccine has advanced the hopes that eradication of cervical carcinoma might be possible in future. The scenario of prevention of cervical carcinoma is completely different in developed and developing countries. The implementation of the vaccination as a routine in India is still controversial. Here we have tried to critically analyse these issues in Indian context. However it is clear that cervical cancer vaccine is not an immediate panacea and cannot replace the cervical cancer screening which is mandatory in Indian context.

Physical state & copy number of high risk human papillomavirus type 16 DNA in progression of cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: High-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) infection and its integration in host genome is a key event in malignant transformation of cervical cells. HPV16 being a dominant HR-HPV type, we undertook this study to analyze if viral load and physical state of the virus correlated with each other in the absence of other confounding variables and examined their potential as predictors of progressive cervical lesions. METHODS: Both, viral load and integration status of HPV16 were determined by real time URR PCR and estimation of E2:E6 ratio in a total of 130 PGMY-RLB -confirmed, monotypic HPV16-infected cervical DNA samples from biopsies of cytology-confirmed low grade (LSIL, 30) and high grade (HSIL, 30), and invasive carcinoma, (squamous cell carcinoma SCC, 70) cases. RESULTS: Investigation of DNA samples revealed a gradual increase in HPV16 viral load over several magnitudes and increased frequency of integration from LSIL to HSIL and HSIL to invasive cancer in relation to the severity of lesions in monotypic HPV16-infected cervical tissues. In a substantial number of precancer (11/60) and cancer cases (29/70), HPV16 was detected in concomitant mixed form. The concomitant form of HPV16 genome carried significantly higher viral load. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Overall, viral load and integration increased with disease severity and could be useful biomarkers in disease progression, at least, in HPV16-infected cervical pre-cancer and cancer lesions.

Absent endometrium due to balanced translocation [t(4;20)] presenting as primary amenorrhea.

Primary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menarche by 16-18 years of age in the presence of well-developed secondary sexual characters. An incidence of 1-3% has been reported in women of reproductive age group. The etiology varies with anatomical, genetic and hormonal factors implicated in the causation of primary amenorrhea. We present a case of absent endometrium due to balanced reciprocal translocation (RCPTR), 46 XX t (4;20)(q12;q13.1) as primary amenorrhea.

Clinical scoring system to detect malignant and premalignant vulval lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a simple clinical scoring system for evaluation of vulval lesions that will be helpful in clinically detecting the premalignant or malignant lesions of vulva. METHODS: Seventy women referred for vulval examination at a tertiary care centre in north India were examined over a period of 2 years. Biopsy was performed in 66 consenting women. Association of high-grade vulval lesion with various clinical parameters such as age, duration of symptoms, presenting complaints, the presence of depigmentation, ulceration, hyperkeratosis, acetowhite changes on acetic acid application, asymmetrical distribution of the lesion, surface elevation on naked eye or colposcopy, induration on palpation and toluidine blue stain retention was studied. The significantly associated factors were assigned a value of 0 or 1 depending on whether they were present or absent. Score was then formulated for detection of high-grade lesion defined as moderate to severe dysplasia and early malignancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Histopathology. RESULTS: Out of the various parameters that were studied, duration of symptoms more than 6 months, hyperkeratosis, asymmetrical distribution of the lesion, surface elevation on naked eye or colposcopy, induration on palpation and positive toluidine blue stain retention of the lesion were found to be significantly associated with a malignant or premalignant lesion. It was found that a score of equal to or greater than 3/6 was significantly associated with a malignant or premalignant lesion. CONCLUSION: This simple scoring system has a potential to identify the high-grade lesions and can be used to identify the vulval lesion requiring a biopsy or further referral to higher centre.

Vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal estradiol in overcoming unsatisfactory colposcopy.

BACKGROUND: Unsatisfactory colposcopy, an inability to visualize the entire transformation zone, is found in about 10-20% of the patients undergoing the procedure. These patients usually require conization for a comprehensive evaluation of the cervix. Our study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of vaginal misoprostol versus vaginal estradiol in overcoming unsatisfactory colposcopy. METHODS: We studied 48 women with unsatisfactory colposcopy. They were randomized into two groups: group I (n = 24) received 200 µg misoprostol vaginally and colposcopy was repeated after 6 h, while the subjects in group II (n = 24) were prescribed a 7-day course of 50 µg estradiol for vaginal insertion followed by a repeat colposcopy. The efficacy and safety of these two drugs were compared. RESULTS: Repeat colposcopy was satisfactory in 70.8% of the women given vaginal misoprostol compared to 82.6% of the women who used vaginal estradiol. The difference was not statistically significant. The adverse effects were reported more often by the women in the misoprostol group (41.6%) as compared to those in estradiol group (13%) (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Both estradiol and misoprostol were comparable in overcoming unsatisfactory colposcopy. However, a higher incidence of adverse effects was noted with misoprostol as compared to estradiol.

Facility-based review of 296 maternal deaths at a tertiary centre in India: could they be prevented?

AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify causes of maternal mortality at the facility and to assess the standard of care, deficiencies in health services and preventability of these deaths using facility-based maternal death reviews. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study at a tertiary care hospital that included all women who died during pregnancy or within 42 days of being pregnant during 2005-2010. RESULTS: A review of 296 maternal deaths revealed that 59% of these occurred in medical wards. Indirect maternal deaths (54%) outnumbered the direct deaths (46%). Main causes were hepatitis (18%), hemorrhage (10%) and puerperal sepsis (10%). Only 5% of the women had received antenatal care at the facility. One-third (34%) were referred from other centers. The majority (74%) were critically sick at admission. Most of the women (62%) died postpartum. Substandard care and deficient health services were identified in 8% and 20% of the cases, respectively. Sixteen (5%) maternal deaths were deemed preventable and another 36 (12%) possibly preventable. Since most of the preventable deaths (12/16) were due to hemorrhage, measures to control postpartum hemorrhage were promoted at the facility. Findings of the maternal death reviews were regularly conveyed to the State Health Department for prioritization and resource allocation to prevent maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: More maternal deaths occurred in the medical than in the obstetrics wards at the facility. The leading causes were hepatitis, hemorrhage and puerperal sepsis. Most of the deaths were non-preventable as the women were critically sick at admission; however, substandard care and health service deficiency were contributory in some of the cases.