Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes of Pfannenstiel and Midline Skin Incisions in Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders: Single-Center Experience.

Background: We compared Pfannenstiel and midline skin incisions for cesarean hysterectomy in women with confirmed Placenta Accreta Spectrum Disorders. Aims: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of Pfannenstiel and midline skin incisions in women undergoing cesarean section hysterectomy for suspected placenta accreta at Akdeniz University Hospital between January 2010 and February 2022. Histopathological confirmation was obtained for all cases. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data, along with neonatal outcomes, were extracted from the hospital's electronic database. Possible complaints related to the incision site or other issues (e.g., vaginal dryness or sexual life) were identified through telephone interviews. Subjects were stratified into Pfannenstiel and midline incision cohorts, with subsequent data comparison. Results: Data from 67 women with a histopathologically confirmed PAS diagnosis were analyzed. Of these, 49 (73.1%) underwent Pfannenstiel incision, and 18 (26.9%) had a midline skin incision. Incisions were based on the surgeon's experience. Pfannenstiel incision was more common in antepartum hemorrhage, preoperative hemorrhage, and emergency surgery (p = 0.02, p = 0.014, p = 0.002, respectively). Hypogastric artery ligation occurred in 30 cases (61.2%) in the Pfannenstiel group but none in the midline group. Cosmetic dissatisfaction and sexual problems were more prevalent in the midline group (p < 0.05, all). Preoperative and postoperative blood parameters, transfused blood products, and neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Relaparotomy, bladder injury, blood loss, and need for blood transfusion were more prevalent in the Pfannenstiel group, while greater dissatisfaction with the incision was observed in the midline incision group. Midline incision seems to be more favorable in patients with Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS). Patients may be informed regarding the worse cosmetic outcomes and possible sexual problems related to vaginal dryness when midline laparotomy is planned. But before opting for a Pfannenstiel incision, patients should receive comprehensive information regarding the potential risks of relaparotomy and bladder injury.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Evaluation of Retinochoroidal Microvascular Circulation Differences in Pregnant Women with Pregestational and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: In this study, the changes in microvascular circulation caused by pregestational and gestational diabetes were observed, without focusing on retinal findings, to reveal the effect of diabetes regulation. METHODS: A total of 135 subjects were included: 30 with gestational diabetes (GDM), 30 pregestational diabetes (PGDM), 30 healthy pregnant normoglycemic subjects, and 45 healthy non-pregnant subjects. All subjects were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography. The retina, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), choroidal thickness (CT), superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris (CC), vascular density (VD), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) areas were measured. RESULTS: The foveal VD of SCP and DCP was significantly lower in the PGDM and GDM groups compared to the control groups (p:0.006 and p:0.001, respectively). CC VD was significantly higher in all pregnant groups compared to non-pregnant controls (p<0.001). The choroidal thickness values were highest in the healthy pregnant group and lowest in the PGDM group. There was no significant difference in FAZ area, retina, RNFL and GCL thickness between the groups. In the PGDM group, a negative correlation was observed between the FAZ area and the HbA1c level (r:- 0.417, p:0.043). CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in vascular density in pregnant women with diabetes compared to healthy pregnant women and controls. In the pregnant group with PGDM, a narrowing of the FAZ area was observed with increasing worsening of diabetes control. Diabetes type and glycemic control could influence the microvascular changes even in the absence of clinical or retinal findings.

Evaluation of long-COVID symptoms in women infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the symptoms of Long COVID (LC), frequency of symptoms, and possible risk factors in women diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a single-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study in 99 pregnant women who were polymerase chain reaction-positive (PCR+) for COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2022. The control group consisted of 99 women who gave birth between these dates and did not have COVID-19. We evaluated the clinical manifestations, symptom prevalence, and symptom characteristics of acute COVID-19 and the LC in the PCR+ group as well as questioned the control group for LC symptoms. RESULTS: Of the women in the PCR+ group, 74 (74.7%) had at least one LC symptom, and the most common symptoms were fatigue (54; 72.9%), myalgia/arthralgia (49; 66.2%), and anosmia/ageusia (31; 41.9%). The rate of LC symptoms in the control group was 14 (14.1%). The prevalence of LC symptoms was higher in severely/critically symptomatic patients (23; 100%) in the acute period of disease than in asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic (51; 67.1%) (P = 0.005). Hospitalization during acute infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 13.30), having one or more symptoms (aOR = 4.75), and having symptoms such as cough (aOR = 6.27) and myalgia/arthralgia (aOR = 12.93) increased the likelihood of LC. CONCLUSION: Many women experienced LC after suffering acute COVID-19 in pregnancy, but LC prevalence was similar to the general population. LC correlates with severity, type, and number of symptoms of acute COVID-19.

Can gestation be considered as trauma in adolescent girls: post-traumatic stress disorder in teen pregnancy.

Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adolescent pregnancy has been reported at high rates in the limited research in this area, no studies have evaluated gestation as trauma in teens. This study, aimed to evaluate PTSD in this high risk group. All pregnant adolescents who presented to our obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in a one-year period were invited to participate in the study. Adolescents with a history of domestic or dating violence, rape, and sexual abuse were excluded. PTSD was rated using the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-Reaction Index. When the pregnant adolescents and control group were compared, various severities of PTSD were observed in nearly two-thirds of the study group. Although there was clinically significant PTSD among 23.3% of the controls, PTSD was more frequently seen in adolescents with pregnancy compared with their healthy peers. Educating adolescents about birth control methods and preventing child marriages will be protective in this respect.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Teen pregnancy has significant psychosocial and economic impacts for adolescents, their offspring, and the community in terms of education and employment, increased risk of abuse and neglect, and the physical and emotional well-being of the offspring. Pregnancy and birth-related risks are also higher than in adults. In this context, pregnancy itself may be accepted as trauma for adolescents.What do the results of this study add? There has been limited research on PTSD in pregnant teens and is mainly associated with traumatic childhood events. This is the first study to examine pregnancy-related PTSD and related conditions in this group.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The prevalence of pregnancy related-PTSD in pregnant teens can be considered high and alarming, considering the fact that most of them had never been treated for it at all. Healthcare providers serving this population need to be trained to recognise the core symptoms of PTSD, and should direct adolescents for professional assistance if needed. Strategies such as higher quality sexual health education and greater access to reproductive health services to reduce adolescent pregnancy and marriage are also imperative.

Maternal and umbilical cord copeptin levels in pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare maternal and fetal serum copeptin concentrations in pregnancies complicated by isolated fetal growth restriction (FGR), and uncomplicated pregnancies, and to investigate relationships between copeptin levels and clinical parameters. METHODS: Maternal and fetal serum copeptin levels were measured in 21 women with pregnancies complicated by isolated FGR and 20 women with normal pregnancies (control group). Doppler assessment of the uterine and umbilical arteries was performed in each patient. RESULTS: Maternal serum copeptin levels were significantly higher in women with isolated FGR compared to controls (p = 0.042). In addition, maternal copeptin levels were inversely correlated with the uterine artery pulsatility and resistance indices and positively correlated with neonatal birth weight. Umbilical vein copeptin levels were significantly increased in neonates with adverse outcomes (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increased maternal copeptin concentration may reflect a response to stress, thus serving as a compensatory mechanism in pregnancies complicated by FGR.