Intra-amniotic digoxin for feticide between 21 and 30 weeks of gestation: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Intra-amniotic injection of digoxin is a well-known method for feticide before inducing a termination of pregnancy (TOP) at 17-24 weeks of gestation. Information on its effectiveness when administered after 24 weeks of gestation is limited. This study evaluated the efficacy of intra-amniotic digoxin injection for inducing fetal demise within 18-24 hours, at 21-30 weeks of gestation, and its safety. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary university medical centre. POPULATION: Women at 21-30 weeks of gestation with a singleton pregnancy, admitted for TOP. METHODS: Intra-amniotic injection of 2 mg of digoxin was performed 1 day before medical TOP. Fetal heart activity was evaluated by ultrasound for 18-24 hours after the injection. Serum digoxin level and maternal electrocardiogram (ECG) were evaluated 6, 10, and 20 hours after injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Frequency of successful fetal demise. RESULTS: Fifty-nine women participated in the study. The mean gestational age was 24+2  weeks (range 21+0 -30+0 ), with 29 (49.2%) beyond 24+0  weeks of gestation. Fetal cardiac activity arrest was achieved in 55/59 cases (93.2%). Normal maternal ECG recordings were noted in all cases. Mean serum digoxin levels 6 and 10 hours after injection were in the therapeutic range (1.3 ± 0.7 ng/l and 1.24 ± 0.49 ng/l, respectively) and below the toxic level (2 ng/l). Extramural delivery following digoxin did not occur. There were no cases of chorioamnionitis. CONCLUSION: Intra-amniotic digoxin for feticide at 21-30 weeks of gestation in a singleton pregnancy appears effective and safe before TOP at advanced gestational ages. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: This study shows that feticide by intra-amniotic digoxin injection at 21-30 weeks of gestation appears effective and safe.

Bowel resection for deep endometriosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: deep endometriosis involving the bowel often is treated by segmental bowel resection. In a recent review of over 10000 segmental bowel resections for indications other than endometriosis, low rectum resections, in particular, were associated with a high long-term complication rate for bladder, bowel and sexual function. OBJECTIVES: to review systematically segmental bowel resections for endometriosis for indications, outcome and complications according to the level of resection and the volume of the nodule. SEARCH STRATEGY: all published articles on segmental bowel resection for endometriosis identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of Knowledge databases during 1997-2009. SELECTION CRITERIA: the terms 'bowel', 'rectal', 'colorectal', 'rectovaginal', 'rectosigmoid', 'resection' and 'endometriosis' were used. Articles describing more than five bowel resections for endometriosis, and with details of at least three of the relevant endpoints. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: data did not permit a meaningful meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS: thirty-four articles were found describing 1889 bowel resections. The level of bowel resection and the size of the lesions were poorly reported. The indications to perform a bowel resection were variable and were rarely described accurately. The duration of surgery varied widely and endometriosis was not always confirmed by pathology. Although not recorded prospectively, pain relief was systematically reported as excellent for the first year after surgery. Recurrence of pain was reported in 45 of 189 women; recurrence requiring reintervention occurred in 61 of 314 women. Recurrence of endometriosis was reported in 37 of 267 women. The complication rate was comparable with that of bowel resection for indications other than endometriosis. Data on sexual function were not found. CONCLUSIONS: after a systematic review, it was found that the indication to perform a segmental resection was poorly documented and the data did not permit an analysis of indication and outcome according to localisation or diameter of the endometriotic nodule. Segmental resections were rectum resections in over 90%, and the postoperative complication rate was comparable with that of resections for indications other than endometriosis. No data were found evaluating sexual dysfunction.

Accident analysis: factors contributing to a ureteric injury during deep endometriosis surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse factors associated with a ureteric injury. DESIGN: Retrospective accident analysis. SETTING: Deep endometriosis surgery in a tertiary referral centre. SAMPLE: Video recording of a surgical accident was analysed by six gynaecologists. METHODS: A 26-year-old woman underwent laparoscopy for deep endometriosis that involves the rectosigmoid and left ureter. Post operatively left ureter transection was identified and corrected by laparoscopy. Interventions were recorded and reviewed independently. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in surgical behaviour that could be measured were identified using the video recording. Results During the intervention, the periods of uncontrolled bleeding (P < 0.0001) and the duration of laser activation (P = 0.013) increased progressively. Simultaneous laser activation and bipolar coagulation only occurred at the end of surgery (seven episodes). Fatigue could not be measured. CONCLUSION: Unconscious acceleration of surgery, possibly as a consequence of fatigue, is suggested as a contributing factor for an error of judgement.

Luteinized thecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis--conservative surgical approach followed by corticosteroid and GnRH agonist treatment--a case report.

BACKGROUND: Luteinized thecoma of the ovary associated with sclerosing peritonitis is a rare tumor that has no standard definitive treatment regimen. CASE: A 25 year-old patient diagnosed with luteinized thecoma and sclerosing peritonitis in the omentum. The patient received high dose corticosteroids (IV Hydrocortisone 500 mg/d) and GnRH agonist (IM Leuprolide 3.75 mg) in order to achieve ovarian suppression and relief of the clinical peritonitis. She was re-admitted two weeks later due to bowel obstruction which was treated conservatively. The steroid regimen was continued by oral intake for 5 weeks with complete remission of the peritonitis related symptoms. The bilateral enlarged ovarian tumor-like solid was the prominent finding in consecutive ultrasound exams with no decrease in size despite of the above mentioned protocol. Thus, the patient was re-operated for exploration and biopsies of the ovary and the pathology report showed no evidence of remnant disease in the ovary, or in the peritoneum. Completing follow-up of 15 months since the last operation, the patient is asymptomatic. She conceived spontaneously and currently is in her 24th week of a normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report in the English literature of a successful medical conservative treatment of a young patient with luteinized thecoma associated with sclerosing peritonitis that led to complete relief of the symptoms and allowed fertility preservation.