Correlation of Serum Cancer Antigen-125 (CA-125) Levels with Severity of Pre-eclampsia.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is often associated with unfavourable feto-maternal outcomes. There is a lacuna in its pathophysiology, which emphasizes the need to research for tests, which can predict or correlate with the severity of pre-eclampsia. Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) is a simple, readily available biomarker with evidence of its secretion at the choriodecidual unit and may have a possible role. This study compared serum CA-125 levels between normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic women and determined its clinical usefulness in correlating with the severity of pre-eclampsia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted enrolling 58 women with pre-eclampsia further divided into severe and non-severe groups and 62 gestational age-matched healthy, pregnant controls. Serum CA-125 levels were compared between the two groups. Results: The mean serum CA-125 in the controls was 16.44 ± 8.28 IU/ml, 13.82 ± 9.18 IU/ml in the non-severe and 23.55 ± 30.55 IU/ml in the severe pre-eclampsia group (p = 0.134). Serum CA-125 had a significant association with systolic blood pressure (SBP) p = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.026), foetal growth restriction (p = 0.025), pre-term birth (p = 0.039) and a highly significant association with 24-h urinary protein, liver enzymes, placental abruption, need of maternal intensive care as well as with poor neonatal outcome including stillbirth and neonatal mortality (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum CA-125 levels were found to be higher in the severe pre-eclampsia group as compared to non-severe pre-eclampsia and normotensive group, but the difference was not statistically significant. More studies on a larger scale are required to prove the usefulness of this marker with respect to maternal and perinatal outcome as well as its association with pre-eclampsia and its severity.

Topical vs. intravenous administration of tranexamic acid to minimize blood loss in abdominal hysterectomy perioperatively: A randomized controlled study.

Background and Aims: Topical application of tranexamic acid (TXA) to bleeding wound surfaces is rapidly gaining recognition and currently a topic of further research in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical vs. intravenous (i.v.) administration of TXA in reducing perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Material and Methods: A double-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled study was conducted in a tertiary teaching institute. Group 1 (n = 25) received 10 mg.kg-1 i.v. bolus of TXA after induction followed by infusion of 1 mg.kg-1.h-1 of TXA, in 50 ml of normal saline (NS), till the completion of surgery and just before closure of peritoneum 100 ml of NS was applied topically over the raw surface. Group 2 (n = 25) received 50 ml of NS over 10 min after induction, followed by infusion of 50 ml of NS, till the completion of surgery and just before closure of peritoneum, 1.5 g of TXA mixed in 100 ml of NS was applied topically over the raw surface. The primary outcome was total perioperative blood loss (intraoperative plus 24 h postoperative). The secondary outcomes included change in hemoglobin concentration postoperatively at 12 h, 24 h; need for blood/blood product transfusion; amount of blood/blood product transfused and side effects of TXA. Results: Total perioperative blood loss was 312 ± 106.65 ml in group 1 and 325 ± 89.90 ml in group 2 (p = 0.659). It was found that the mean reduction in hemoglobin was 0.7 g.dl-1 and 0.54 g.dl-1 in group 1 and 0.67 g.dl-1 and 0.44 g.dl-1 in group 2 at 12 h and 24 h respectively, with no significant intergroup difference. Conclusion: Administration of TXA topically is as efficacious as TXA administered i.v. to minimize perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy.

Mifepristone in Fibroids: Comparative Study of Safety and Efficacy of Biweekly Dosage Vs Daily Dosage Schedule.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyomas are the most prevalent benign tumors of the uterus and are seen more with increasing age. 50 mg biweekly dose was compared with 25 mg daily dose in terms of efficacy and safety in symptomatic women as the biweekly dose maybe an economically better alternative. Two different dosages of mifepristone for medical management of fibroids were compared in terms of efficacy and safety in symptomatic women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-two women were recruited who fulfilled the criteria after informed consent and were randomized in two groups. Sample size was calculated on the basis of earlier literature, for response in terms of reduction in fibroid volume, assuming 1% level of significance and 95 % power of study, the optimum sample size came out to be minimum 27 in each group. Assuming loss to follow up of few patients, we took 45 patients in group 1 and 47 patients in group 2. Group 1 was given mifepristone in a dose of 25 mg once a day and Group 2 was given mifepristone 50 mg biweekly for 3 months. Fibroid volume, uterine volume, endometrial thickness, pictorial blood loss assessment chart score, hemoglobin levels, and liver transaminases were recorded at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Side effects were noted at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: Both the dosages lead to improvement in symptoms of the patients. Mifepristone significantly reduced fibroid volume in both the groups, but the difference between the groups was not significant (P = 0.99). Mifepristone treatment significantly reduced bleeding and increased hemoglobin levels in both the groups. The side effects were mild and tolerable. CONCLUSION: Mifepristone in both dosages is highly efficacious in causing amenorrhea, improving anemia, and enhancing the quality of life, and hence 50 mg biweekly dosage shows potential for being cost efficient.

Conservative Surgical Management of Mesh Erosion Following Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy.

Abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) provides global support to the prolapsed vault. Hence, it is one of the successful procedures done along with pelvic organ prolapse to prevent future vault prolapse. Mostly, the synthetic mesh is used for the ASC. As, it provides a better strength. However, synthetic meshes are associated with more complications as compared to the autologous graft. Mesh erosion is one of the furious complication with the synthetic meshes. Commonly, these eroded meshes become infected, thus requiring removal. Due to the formation of adhesion and fibrosis around the mesh even the removal of these meshes is difficult. In our institute, we have performed 50 adbominal sacrocolpopexy over the past 9 years. Four mesh erosions had occurred. Two meshes were infected, which responded well to the antibiotics and conservative surgical removal of the mesh.

Correction to: Imaging of Adnexal Mass During Pregnancy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13224-018-1164-y.].

Sexual Health of Postmenopausal Women in North India.

BACKGROUND: Sexual health is the most important aspect of person's well being, self-esteem and quality of life. Sexual pleasure leads to enhanced conjugal relationships and an overall healthy psychological state. There is paucity of data on sexual health of postmenopausal women. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and determinants of sexual health in postmenopausal women of North India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted over a period of 18 months, from January 2016 to June 2017. Standard FSFI-6 questionnaire and various socio-demographic factors were used to analyse the sexual health of 110 menopausal women. RESULTS: 80.9% postmenopausal women reported sexual dysfunction (SD). We found more sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women with increasing age and increasing duration of menopause. Satisfied past sexual experience, joint family structure, low socioeconomic and education status were found to be important determinants of sexual health of postmenopausal females. Parity, substance use and past medical and gynaecological history of participants and various partner's factors like medical disorders, substance use and sexual disorders showed no association with sexual health in postmenopausal females. CONCLUSION: Sexuality varies with cultural and social differences across the globe. The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction in our study is much higher because Indian women are suppressed, self conscious, inhibited and hesistant to talk about their sexual problems with health care professionals. Also revalidation of the FSFI tool for Indian population is required. Further studies are needed to evaluate the sexual health in postmenopausal women.

Can Epidural Dexamethasone Reduce Patient-Controlled Epidural Consumption of Fentanyl and Levobupivacaine in Laboring Women? A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a single bolus dose of epidural dexamethasone added to levobupivacaine-fentanyl combination for labor analgesia has not been studied. In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, we assessed the effect of epidural dexamethasone in reducing the hourly average consumption of epidural levobupivacaine-fentanyl combination in laboring parturients and to study its effect on pain score, maternal satisfaction, maternal and neonatal outcome. METHODS: Sixty adult ASA I-II single-gestation full-term primigravid laboring parturients with cervical dilation ≤ 5 cm were randomly assigned to two equal-sized groups. Combined spinal-epidural block was performed in all the parturients. After placing the epidural catheter in epidural space, 8 mg of preservative-free dexamethasone was administered to the dexamethasone group, and 0.9% saline to the placebo group. All parturients received continuous background infusion of 5 ml of 0.1% levobupivacaine with 2 µg/ml of fentanyl with the provision of patient-controlled bolus of 5 ml of 0.1% levobupivacaine with 2 µg/ml of fentanyl (lockout interval 15 min). The primary outcome measure was the hourly total consumption of levobupivacaine-fentanyl mixture. The secondary outcome measures were maternal satisfaction, pain score, maternal hemodynamic parameters, fetal heart rate, duration of second stage of labor, mode of delivery, Apgar scores and adverse effects. RESULTS: Hourly drug consumption and hourly bolus requirement were significantly lower in the dexamethasone group than placebo group (6.97 ml ± 1.22 vs. 8.40 ml ± 2.59 and 0.41 ± 0.26 vs. 0.72 ± 0.55, respectively, P = 0.008 for both). There were no significant differences in other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Epidural dexamethasone significantly decreased average hourly drug consumption and the number of boluses in laboring parturients, thus providing epidural drug dose-sparing effect.

Intravenous dexamethasone as an adjunct to improve labor analgesia: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of intravenous (i.v.) dexamethasone as an analgesic adjunct in labor analgesia. DESIGN: Double-blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Labor analgesia in a tertiary-care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty consenting ASA I-II parturients, age>18year, nulliparous, single gestation, cephalic presentation at ≥36 wk. of gestation, in early spontaneous labor (cervical dilatation≤5cm) requesting epidural analgesia. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomized to two groups. The Dexa group received 8mg of dexamethasone i.v. in 50ml normal saline approximately 45min before the procedure. Placebo group patients received 50ml normal saline only. All patients underwent epidural labor analgesia per hospital protocol. After an initial bolus, they received continuous background infusion of 5ml/h of 0.1% of levobupivacaine with 2µg/ml of fentanyl, with the provision of patient controlled boluses of 5ml of the same drug combination with a lockout interval of 12min if needed. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measure: hourly average consumption of neuraxially administered levobupivacaine-fentanyl combination. Secondary outcomes and observations: pain score, maternal satisfaction, sensory and motor block characteristics, hemodynamic parameters of mother, fetal heart rate, duration of second stage of labor, mode of delivery, Apgar scores at 1 and 5min, and adverse effects. MAIN RESULTS: Average hourly drug consumption was significantly lower in Dexa group as compared to Placebo group (10.34±1.79ml/h vs. 11.34±1.83ml/h; mean difference 1.007, 95% CI 0.199-1.815; P=0.015). The median number of bolus doses was 4 (interquartile-range [IQR] 3-5.75) and 5 (IQR 3-6) in the Dexa and Placebo groups, respectively (P=0.162). There was no significant difference between groups with regard to pain scores, maternal satisfaction and hemodynamics, mode of delivery, and adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: I.v. dexamethasone significantly decreased hourly average drug consumption of levobupivacaine-fentanyl combination through the epidural route, demonstrating the epidural drug dose sparing effect during labor analgesia.

Clinical outcome of abdominal sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal vault prolapse is one of the distressing conditions which occur after hysterectomy. This is due to the weakness or detachment of sacrouterine cardinal ligament complex from the vaginal cuff. Till now, the most accepted procedure for this condition is sacrocolpopexy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a cohort of patients who underwent abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) from April 2009 to August 2013. These patients were followed till April 2014 and were evaluated for subjective and objective outcomes following ASC. RESULTS: One patient had intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative hematoma formation. One patient had vault abscess which was managed conservatively. Hundred percent success rate was noted at 1 year. Long-term patient satisfaction score was 85 (70-90).

Non-puerperal uterine inversion caused by malignant mixed mullerian sarcoma.

Non puerperal uterine inversions resulting from mixed mullerian uterine sarcoma are rare. We present a case of a postmenopausal woman with a large mixed mullerian tumour presenting as a huge abdominopelvic mass. It required a challenging surgical procedure to remove the tumour which is also described along with the review of literature.

Rudimentary horn pregnancy: a 10-year experience and review of literature.

UNLABELLED: Rudimentary horn pregnancy is rare, but can cause considerable morbidity and mortality. We discuss five cases presented to our hospital in the last 10 years and systematically review the 10-year literature of rudimentary horn pregnancies diagnosed antenatally pre-rupture. OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW: The aim of the review was to find radiologic investigations/criteria to diagnose rudimentary horn pregnancy antenatally pre-rupture. SEARCH METHODS: A systematic literature review was carried out in Pubmed search for rudimentary horn pregnancies. The radiologic findings of the cases diagnosed before rupture were analyzed. RESULTS: Ultrasound is the most commonly used technique, though MRI seems to delineate details better. Non-continuity of the lumen of the cervix with the pregnant uterine horn is an important imaging finding. High clinical suspicion and radiologic skill for diagnosis are emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: The review presents the existing imaging criteria to diagnose rudimentary horn pregnancy and suggests future research to enhance the limited evidence.

Secondary abdominal pregnancy and its associated diagnostic and operative dilemma: three case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal pregnancy is extremely rare and has historically been defined as an implantation in the peritoneal cavity, exclusive of tubal, ovarian or intraligamentary pregnancy. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Three cases are reported. All came from a lower middle-income group and all of them were subjected to surgery. The first patient was a 30-year-old woman, who was pregnant for the fourth time, who presented at 16 weeks with an abdominal pregnancy. She was admitted with constant abdominal pain and retention of urine. She was hemodynamically stable and was administered a pre-operative intramuscular injection of methotrexate. During laparotomy she had only minor blood loss, the major part of the placenta was removed easily and she did not require any blood transfusion. Serum beta human chorionic gonadotrophin values and ultrasound follow-up revealed a normal study four weeks after surgery. The second patient was a 26-year-old woman, pregnant for the third time, admitted at 14 weeks with an abdominal pregnancy with hemoperitoneum, and the third patient was a 24-year-old woman, pregnant for the first time, who presented at 36 weeks gestation. She was only diagnosed as having an abdominal pregnancy during surgery, experienced excessive blood loss and required a longer hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: We hypothesize that treatment with pre-operative systemic methotrexate with subsequent laparotomy for removal of the fetus and placenta may minimize potential blood loss, and would be a reasonable approach in the care of a patient with an abdominal pregnancy with placental implantation to the abdominal viscera and blood vessels. This treatment option should be considered in the management of this potentially life-threatening condition. During surgery, if the placenta is attached to vital organs it should be left behind. Early diagnosis can help in reducing associated maternal morbidity and mortality.

Spontaneous perforation of pyometra presented as an acute abdomen: a case report.

Spontaneous perforation of pyometra is a rare pathologic condition that presents as diffuse peritonitis. This report describes an interesting case of spontaneous uterine perforation that mimicked gut perforation clinically and was finally diagnosed at exploratory laparotomy. Although rare, perforation of pyometra should be kept as one of the differential diagnosis in an elderly woman with an acute abdomen. A high index of suspicion is required to make a correct preoperative diagnosis, which allows early intervention, thus reducing morbidity and mortality.

Unruptured postdated pregnancy with a live fetus in a noncommunicating rudimentary horn.

Pregnancy in a noncommunicating rudimentary horn is an extremely rare and a life-threatening condition as it mostly terminates by rupture by the second trimester of pregnancy. Postdated pregnancy and delivery of a live fetus in a rudimentary horn have been rarely reported. A case of noncommunicating unruptured rudimentary horn pregnancy progressing to 41 weeks and 3 days period of gestation where the diagnosis was initially missed at obstetric sonogram at 18 and 34 weeks and then misdiagnosed later as abdominal pregnancy is being reported. Preoperative diagnosis, successful delivery of a live fetus and excision of the rudimentary horn was performed.

Choriocarcinoma with negative urinary and serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (betaHCG)--a case report.

This was a rare case where a patient presented clinically as a case of post abortal sepsis and ultrasound showing the picture of an intramural degenerating fibroid. Her serum and urine both were negative for beta human chorionic gonadotropin (betaHCG). Patient succumbed to choriocarcinoma 1 month later. Failure to detect urinary and serum betaHCG lead to maternal mortality due to the choriocarcinoma. The failure to detect, certain degradation products of HCG which may predominate in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, by many common HCG testing kits lead to the error of diagnosis. Only 3 of the 7 common commercial serum HCG tests appropriately detects nicked HCG and its free betaHCG, DPC immulite assay, being the most sensitive method. Though of rare occurrence, this awareness is important for diagnosis and follow-up of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and could have been life saving in our case.