History-indicated cerclage: the association between previous preterm history and cerclage outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Our hospital's policy is to perform history-indicated cerclage (HIC) for pregnant patients with 1 or more second-trimester pregnancy losses. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guideline regarding indications for HIC was changed from 3 or more previous second-trimester fetal losses to one or more. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the revised guideline and to investigate the association between previous preterm history and cerclage outcome. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of cases of HIC in singleton pregnancies performed at our hospital between January 2007 and June 2016. We compared the perioperative complications and incidences of preterm delivery in patients with one previous second-trimester pregnancy loss against those in patients with ≥2 losses. RESULTS: The incidence of preterm delivery (<32 weeks) was significantly lower in patients with one previous second-trimester pregnancy loss than in those with ≥2 losses (15/194 [8%] vs. 28/205 [14%]). In the 1 loss and ≥2 losses groups, the rates of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) were 7% and 8%, the rates of PPROM at <32 weeks 2.1% and 3.4%, and the ratios of neonatal intensive care unit admission 10% and 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Comparison of HIC in one previous second-trimester pregnancy loss group with HIC in the 2 or more previous second-trimester pregnancy loss group found no difference in pregnancy outcome. This finding supports the amended ACOG guideline for HIC indications. Based on our results, we also propose development of a new protocol for HIC-related complications.

Clinical outcomes and neurodevelopmental outcome of prenatally diagnosed agenesis of corpus callosum in single center of Korea.

OBJECTIVE: With recent advances and frequent use of prenatal ultrasound, the antenatal diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is not rare in obstetrics practices. However, information regarding the long-term neurological outcome remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes of prenatally diagnosed ACC and to analyze postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes of ACC neonates born in our single center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 56 cases of prenatally suspected ACC referred to our center. RESULTS: Fifty-six fetuses were diagnosed with ACC, and 12 of those were followed-up in our center until delivery. Of the remaining 44, 7 were delivered after being referred back to the original hospital, 23 were lost to follow-up, and 14 had unknown outcomes. Among all 56, 29 were considered to have isolated ACC and 27 were considered to have non-isolated ACC. Of the 10 live fetuses delivered in our center, four had isolated ACC, three had non-isolated ACC, and the rest had outcomes unrelated to ACC. Neurodevelopmental outcome was followed-up until approximately age 3 years. Of the four with isolated ACC, three (75%) had normal neurodevelopmental outcomes. CONCLUSION: Similar to other studies, the results of our single-center study included positive neurodevelopmental outcomes for those with isolated ACC. However, despite our endeavor to counsel patients with prenatally diagnosed ACC, the delivery rate in our center was quite low. Therefore, larger, multicenter, retrospective studies including long-term neurological development outcomes are crucial and urgently needed to provide better counseling.

Attitudes Regarding HPV Vaccinations of Children among Mothers with Adolescent Daughters in Korea.

The aim of this study, carried out before the beginning of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations as a National Immunization Program (NIP) in Korea in 2016, is to assess the ranges of perceptions and personal experience and their influences on attitudes regarding HPV vaccinations of children, among mothers of adolescent (9-14 years of age) daughters in Korea. From November 2015 to February 2016, we distributed a written questionnaire to mothers who had daughters aged 9-14 years. The questionnaire consisted of several questions, related to knowledge of HPV, personal experiences of HPV vaccination, and attitudes toward HPV vaccinations of their adolescent daughters. Of the 260 questionnaires distributed, 140 participants returned answered ones. And although only 51% of participants were aware that cervical cancer is highly related with HPV infection, 70% said they were willing to vaccinate their daughters, showing that awareness does not coincide with intention to vaccinate. Among the participants showing negative attitudes, 50% were concerned about the vaccination side effects. The more the participants' pre-knowledge about HPV infection, and about the relationship of HPV to cervical cancer, the more positive their attitudes (P = 0.002, P < 0.001). Our study showed that, as the level of education rose, the proportion of mothers with negative attitudes toward vaccinating their adolescent daughters rose as well. Thus, the provision of correct education by health care providers and accurate information through active advertising may play an important role in increasing the vaccination rate among adolescent girls in Korea.

Comparison of antibiotic regimens in preterm premature rupture of membranes: neonatal morbidity and 2-year follow-up of neurologic outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare neonatal morbidity and neurologic outcome at 2 years between groups treated with antibiotics regimens consisting clarithromycin and erythromycin in preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) patients delivered before 32 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This was a retrospective study comparing neonatal morbidity as primary outcome measures and the neurological outcome at 2 years as secondary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 166 women were included: 80 treated with erythromycin and 86 treated with clarithromycin. The median gestational age at delivery was greater in clarithromycin group (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in latency (p = 0.77). The incidence of histological chorioamnionitis was significantly lower in clarithromycin group (p = 0.004). By multivariable analysis adjusting confounding variables, the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intraventricular hemorrhage (≥Grade 3) was lower in clarithromycin group (BPD; OR 0.34, 95% CI [0.13-0.90]), IVH; OR 0.23, 95% CI [0.06-0.91], respectively). Other morbidities and neurologic outcome at 2 years' corrected age showed no statistically significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: We suggest that clarithromycin-based regimen may be worth considering as an alternative choice of erythromycin in pPROM patients.

Abnormal vaginal colonization by gram-negative bacteria is significantly higher in pregnancy conceived through infertility treatment compared to natural pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare abnormal vaginal colonization between natural pregnancy and pregnancy by infertility treatment in high-risk parturient women and to examine the association between abnormal vaginal colonization and early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). METHODS: The clinical characteristics, vaginal culture result, and delivery outcome of patients who admitted to our high-risk unit between 2005 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed and compared. We investigated the prevalence of EONS according to maternal vaginal colonization and examined the concordance between maternal vaginal bacteria and etiologic microorganism causing EONS. RESULTS: Among 1096 pregnancies, the rate of vaginal colonization by gram-negative bacteria, especially Escherichia coli was significantly higher in pregnancies by infertility treatment after adjustment of confounding variables (E. coli, OR [95% CI]: 2.47 [1.33-4.57], p = 0.004). The rate of EONS was significantly higher in neonates with maternal abnormal vaginal bacteria colonization (OR [95% CI]: 3.38 [1.44-7.93], p = 0.005) after adjusting for confounding variables. Notably, among microorganisms isolated from maternal vagina, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus were consistent with the results from neonatal blood culture in EONS. CONCLUSIONS: Our data implicate a possible association between gram-negative bacteria colonization and infertility treatment and suggest that maternal vaginal colonization may be associated with EONS of neonates in high-risk pregnancy.

Association Between Prenatal Sonographic Findings of Duodenal Obstruction and Adverse Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of prenatal sonographic findings with adverse outcomes and the causes of duodenal obstruction. METHODS: A total of 59 cases of congenital duodenal obstruction were included in this study. The sonographic findings, including the degree of duodenal dilatation, polyhydramnios, and their change over gestation, were investigated. Adverse outcomes were defined as fetal death in utero, postnatal death, and gastrointestinal complications requiring readmission or reoperation during the follow-up period. The cause of duodenal obstruction was also assessed. RESULTS: Among the patients studied, 2 (3.4%) had fetal death in utero and 2 (3.5%) had postnatal death. Gastrointestinal complications requiring readmission or reoperation occurred in 10.9%. In the cases with or without adverse outcomes, no significant differences were observed in the prenatal sonographic findings: maximum duodenal dilatation, mean amniotic fluid index, and the changes in these parameters with advancing gestation. The cases with adverse outcomes were associated with a younger gestational age at delivery compared to the cases without adverse outcomes. Notably, the degree of duodenal dilatation and amniotic fluid volume were greater in duodenal atresia than in other causes of obstruction, including duodenal stenosis, a duodenal web, and an annular pancreas. In the study population, the overall postoperative survival rate was 98.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal sonographic findings of duodenal obstruction were not associated with adverse outcomes; however, they may be helpful for differentiating the cause of duodenal obstruction.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women who were diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy at a tertiary academic hospital between 1995 and 2013. Maternal characteristics, gestational age at diagnosis, and type, stage, symptoms and signs of cancer for each patient were retrieved from the medical records. The cancer treatment, pregnancy management and the subsequent perinatal and maternal outcomes for each cancer were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 87 women were diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy (172.6 cases per 100,000 deliveries). The most common cancer was breast cancer (n=20), followed by gastrointestinal (n=17), hematologic (n=13), thyroid (n=11), central nervous system (n=7), cervical (n=7), ovarian (n=5), lung (n=3), and other cancers (n=4). Eighteen (20.7%) patients terminated their pregnancies. In the 69 (79.3%) patients who maintained their pregnancies, one patient miscarried and 34 patients delivered preterm. Of the preterm babies, 24 (70.6%) were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and 3 (8.8%) of those expired. The maternal mortality rate was 31.0%, with highest rate seen with lung cancers (66.7%), followed by gastrointestinal (50.0%), central nervous system (50.0%), hematologic (30.8%), breast (25.0%), ovarian (20.0%) cervical (14.3%), and thyroid cancers (0%). CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics and outcome of cancer during pregnancy were highly variable depending on the type of cancer. However, timely diagnosis and appropriate management of cancer during pregnancy may improve both maternal and neonatal outcome.

Gestational age at delivery and neonatal outcome in uncomplicated twin pregnancies: what is the optimal gestational age for delivery according to chorionicity?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the neonatal outcome according to the gestational age at delivery and to determine the optimal timing for delivery in uncomplicated monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of women with uncomplicated twin pregnancies delivered at or beyond 35 weeks of gestation from 1995 to 2013. The primary outcome was neonatal composite morbidity, which was defined as when either one or both twins have one or more of the followings: fetal death after 35 weeks gestation, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, mechanical ventilator requirement, respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal death. To determine the optimal gestational age for delivery according to chorionicity, we compared the neonatal composite morbidity rate between women who delivered and women who remained undelivered at each gestational week in both monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies. RESULTS: A total of 697 twin pregnancies were included (171 monochorionic and 526 dichorionic twins). The neonatal composite morbidity rate significantly decreased with advancing gestational age at delivery and its nadir was observed at 38 and ≥39 weeks of gestation in monochorionic and dichorionic twins, respectively. However, the composite morbidity rate did not differ between women who delivered and women who remained undelivered ≥36 and ≥37 weeks in monochorionic and dichorionic twins, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the optimal gestational age for delivery was at ≥36 and ≥37 weeks in uncomplicated monochorionic and dichorionic twin pregnancies, respectively.

Use of a uniconcave balloon in emergency cerclage.

Pushing bulging fetal membranes back into the uterine cavity effectively without rupture of fetal membranes during emergency cerclage is a concern to obstetricians. We have developed a new uniconcave balloon device for repositioning fetal membranes into the uterus during emergency cerclage. Our technique can be accomplished easily with few complications.

Uterine arteriovenous malformation caused by intrauterine instrumentation for laparoscopic surgery due to left tubal pregnancy.

Uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare entity in gynecology with fewer than 100 cases reported in the literature. Due to abnormal connection between arteries and veins without an intervening capillary system, recurrent and profuse vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom which can be potentially life-threatening. Uterine AVM can be either congenital or acquired. Acquired AVM is reported as a consequence of previous uterine trauma such as curettage procedures, caesarean section or pelvic surgery. It is also associated with infection, retained product of conception, gestational trophoblastic disease, malignancy and exposure to diethlystilboestrol. We herein report a case of acquired uterine AVM located on the right lateral wall after intrauterine instrumentation for laparoscopic left salpingectomy due to left tubal pregnancy. The patient was successfully treated with embolization.

Comparison of two bipolar systems in laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 2 bipolar systems during total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH): the pulsed bipolar system (PlasmaKinetic; Olympus, Japan) vs. conventional bipolar electrosurgery (Kleppinger bipolar forceps; Richard Wolf Instruments, Vernon Hills, IL). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 80 women who underwent TLH for benign gynecologic disease between 2009 and 2010. Forty women received TLH using the conventional bipolar system and another 40 using the pulsed bipolar system. The clinical outcomes and complications were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: No significant differences between the 2 groups were observed in terms of age, body mass index, and hospital stay. However, the blood loss was greater (515.3 ± 41.2mL vs. 467.9 ± 33.4mL, P < .05) and the operation time was longer (173.4 ± 33.4min vs. 157.3 ± 21.3min, P < .05) in the conventional group. Additionally, the uterine weight was lighter in the conventional group (218.5 ± 23.4g vs. 299.4 ± 41.1g, P < .05). None of the surgeries were required to be converted to laparotomy. No significant differences were found in intraoperative or postoperative complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: The pulsed bipolar system has some advantages over the conventional system, and therefore, may offer an alternative option for patients undergoing TLH.