Clinical analysis of tension free vaginal tape combined with hysterectomy / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and complications of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) combined with total hysterectomy under general anesthesia. METHODS: Retrospective comparison of 76 women treated by TVT procedure with total hysterectomy from January 2003 to December 2003. All patients had undergone preoperative evaluation including history taking, physical examination, pelvic examination, 1-hour pad test and urodynamic test, and then were operated under general anesthesia. There were 65 patients combined with LAVH (laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy), 6 patients combined with VTH (vaginal total hysterectomy) and 5 patients combined with TAH (total abdominal hysterectomy). RESULTS: The mean follow up and hospital day were respectively 13 months (range 6-18 months) and 7.6 days (range 6-15 days). Objective and subjective success rate were respectively 97.4% (cured 92.1%, improved 5.3%) and 97.4% (cured 88.1%, improved 9.3%). Preoperative and postoperative 1-hour pad test were respectively 36.4 gm and 4.1 gm (p<0.001). Complications were bladder perforation (6.6%), voiding dysfunction (7.9%) and overactive bladder syndrome (7.9%). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, the cure rate was 88.1% in the TVT combined with hysterectomy when performed under general anesthesia.

Telomerase and Apoptosis in the Placental Trophoblasts of Growth Discordant Twins

In an effort to investigate the molecular basis of growth discordance in embryos that experience the same uterine environment, we compared telomerase activity and apoptosis in placental trophoblasts obtained from growth discordant twins. Between January 2003 and February 2005, placental tissue from twenty pairs of twins was obtained within thirty minutes of delivery. Eleven cases were classified as growth discordant, with birth weight discordance greater than 20%. Nine cases comprised the control group, with less than 20% discordance. Telomerase and apoptotic activities in placental trophoblasts were analyzed by ELISA and immunoblot. Statistical significance was analyzed by a paired t-test, chi- squared test, and ANOVA (SPSS ver 11.0). The average growth discordance was 26.8% in the growth discordant group and 14.4% in the control group. There were no significant differences in maternal age, week of gestation at delivery, parity, or chorionisity between the two groups. In the growth discordant group, the larger twin showed significantly higher telomerase activity (p < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was observed in the control group (p = 0.36). In addition, there was no definitive correlation between telomerase activity and the degree of growth discordance in the larger or smaller twins (R = -0.521 and -0.399, p = 0.15 and 0.25, respectively). The apoptosis proteins Bax and Bcl 2 were detected in both the larger and smaller twins in the growth discordant and control groups. There was no statistically significant difference in Bax expression between the larger and smaller twins (p = 0.25 and 0.92, respectively) for either the growth discordant or the control groups. Bcl 2 expression also showed no significant difference between groups. In Conclusion, A tendency toward reduced telomerase activity and increased apoptosis was discovered in placental trophoblasts of the smaller growth- discordant twin, possibility resulting in delayed fetal growth.

The Hemodynamic Change of Doppler Flow Velocimetry to Developing of Twin Growth Discordance in Relation to Placental Chorionisity, Placental Weight and Umbilical Cord Insertion / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hemodynamic change in growth discordant twins using a ratio of middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery resistance index and to assess the relationship between Doppler hemodynamic and the influence of placental chorionisity and umbilical cord insertion. METHODS: 118 live born twin pairs whose birthweight discordance below or above 20% between March 2000 and March 2002 were included in our study. And we divided the two groups in which above 20% of growth discordance (GD) group was GD and below 20% of GD group was control. Chorionisity and umbilical cord insertion in all study subjects within 24 hours after delivery were investigated. And then we classified to monochorionic (MONO), and dichorionic (DI) placenta and the type of insertion of umbilical cord were also classified central, marginal and velamentous type. 56 of twin pairs were performed 153 Doppler flow velocimetry between smaller and larger fetus prenatally. Resistance index (RI) of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery in each fetus were measured and standardized as a ratio of middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery (MCA/UmA). ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test, were performed and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean birthweight in monochorionic twins had lighter than those of dichorionic twins (p<0.01). The mean growth discordant ratios were 14.1% in monochorionic twin and 12.1% in dichorionic twins. In monochorionic twin, the smaller fetus in GD group showed lower value of MCA/UmA RI ratio than those of the larger fetus, significantly (1.09 vs. 1.28 p<0.05). And in monochorionic twins, the smaller fetus in GD group showed lower value of MCA/UmA RI ratio than the smaller fetus in control group, significantly (1.09 vs. 1.27 p<0.05). The placental weight in dichorionic twin was correlated the birthweight in infants in GD group, positively. Monochorionic twins in GD group had a significantly higher incidence of peripheral cord insertion than those of dichorionic twins in GD group (50.0% vs. 35.7% p<0.01). But dichorionic twins had a significantly higher incidence of central cord insertion than those of monochorionic twins in control group (69.2 vs. 57.4 p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher middle cerebral artery blood flows in smaller fetuses of monochorionic twins proved to be circulatory redistribution of the fetus in inadequate intrauterine condition. And these change of middle cerebral blood flow might be understood the part of mechanisms fetal growth and adaptation. Placental weight, number and umbilical cord insertion were also important factors which affected to develop the growth discordance of twin pregnancy.

The Hemodynamic Change of Doppler Flow Velocimetry to Developing of Twin Growth Discordance in Relation to Placental Chorionisity, Placental Weight and Umbilical Cord Insertion / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hemodynamic change in growth discordant twins using a ratio of middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery resistance index and to assess the relationship between Doppler hemodynamic and the influence of placental chorionisity and umbilical cord insertion. METHODS: 118 live born twin pairs whose birthweight discordance below or above 20% between March 2000 and March 2002 were included in our study. And we divided the two groups in which above 20% of growth discordance (GD) group was GD and below 20% of GD group was control. Chorionisity and umbilical cord insertion in all study subjects within 24 hours after delivery were investigated. And then we classified to monochorionic (MONO), and dichorionic (DI) placenta and the type of insertion of umbilical cord were also classified central, marginal and velamentous type. 56 of twin pairs were performed 153 Doppler flow velocimetry between smaller and larger fetus prenatally. Resistance index (RI) of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery in each fetus were measured and standardized as a ratio of middle cerebral artery/umbilical artery (MCA/UmA). ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test, were performed and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean birthweight in monochorionic twins had lighter than those of dichorionic twins (p<0.01). The mean growth discordant ratios were 14.1% in monochorionic twin and 12.1% in dichorionic twins. In monochorionic twin, the smaller fetus in GD group showed lower value of MCA/UmA RI ratio than those of the larger fetus, significantly (1.09 vs. 1.28 p<0.05). And in monochorionic twins, the smaller fetus in GD group showed lower value of MCA/UmA RI ratio than the smaller fetus in control group, significantly (1.09 vs. 1.27 p<0.05). The placental weight in dichorionic twin was correlated the birthweight in infants in GD group, positively. Monochorionic twins in GD group had a significantly higher incidence of peripheral cord insertion than those of dichorionic twins in GD group (50.0% vs. 35.7% p<0.01). But dichorionic twins had a significantly higher incidence of central cord insertion than those of monochorionic twins in control group (69.2 vs. 57.4 p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The higher middle cerebral artery blood flows in smaller fetuses of monochorionic twins proved to be circulatory redistribution of the fetus in inadequate intrauterine condition. And these change of middle cerebral blood flow might be understood the part of mechanisms fetal growth and adaptation. Placental weight, number and umbilical cord insertion were also important factors which affected to develop the growth discordance of twin pregnancy.

A Clinical Study on 570 Cases of Laparoscopy Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome and characteristics of laparoscopy assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in gynecologic patients. METHODS: From September, 2001 to February, 2004, total 570 cases of patients were performed LAVH at Gacheon medical school Ghil Hospital. We reviewed medical records and analyzed these cases about age, parity, weight, previous surgery history, operation indication, operation outcome, duration of hospitalization and complication. RESULTS: The results of this study summarized as follows. The mean age of patients was 46.4 +/- 7.2 years old. Average parity of patients was 2.4 +/- 1.4. Average weight of patients was 63.4 +/- 8.2 kg. Previous operation history was 195 cases (34.2%). Most common operation indication was uterine leiomyoma, followed by adenomyosis, combination of leiomyoma and adenomyosis and endometriosis. The mean operation time was 72 +/- 20.6 minutes. The mean duration of hospitalization was 4.5 +/- 0.6 days. The major complication of operation was trocar site bleeding, followed by bladder injury, bowel injury, and ureteral injury. CONCLUSION: LAVH is safe and useful. So it is recommendable to gynecologic patients.

Clinical Analysis of Atypical Glandular Cells of Undetermined Significance (AGUS) on Pap Smear according to Menopausal Status / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of AGUS including histologic results and diagnostic modalities according to menopausal status. METHODS: One hundred and four patients with AGUS were identified. Corresponding biopsies were available for 87 of these cases. The evaluation for histologic results and diagnostic modalities was made according to menopausal status. RESULTS: Among the 87 patients with AGUS, the number of premenopausal and menopausal patients were 46 (52.9%) and 41 (47.1%), respectively. Over all, 70 (80.5%) of 87 patients were found to have important histologic findings and of them, premenopausal and menopausal patients with invasive diseases were 19 (41.3%) and 31 (75.6%) respectively. There were significant differences in pathologic findings between premenopausal and menopausal patients indicating more invasive lesions in menopausal than premenopausal patients (p=0.002). For the evaluation of diagnostic modality, the second arm was significantly more needed for menopausal than premenopausal patients (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: AGUS on pap smear represents a cytologic diagnosis associated with high incidence of underlying preinvasive and invasive lesions, especially in postmenopausal patients. Thus aggressive work-up is recommended to rule out the potential pathologic conditions in endocervix, endometrium and rarely extrauterine lesions such as gastrointestinal, tubal, ovarian or breast in patients otherwise unexplained AGUS after careful first arm work-up.

Clinical Analysis of Lamellar Body Count and L/S ratio in Amniotic Fluid as a Screening Test for Fetal Lung Maturity / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: Predicting maturity of the fetal lung is important in many obstetric situations. Lamellar bodies are synthesized and secreted by the type II pneumocytes of fetal lung. The phospholipids present in these bodies constitute the major component of pulmonary surfactant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of lamellar body count in amniotic fluid as a rapid fetal lung maturity screening test and to determine the cutoff value of lamellar body count that will indicate fetal lung maturity METHODS: From October 1998 to July 2000, 60 patients who delivered before 39 weeks gestation at the Chung-Ang University Hospital were tested for lamellar body count in the amniotic fluid. Indications for assessment of fetal lung maturity included preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, previous cesarean section, pregnancy-induced hypertension and others. RESULTS: 1. The prevalence of RDS in the study population was 15%(9 of 60 cases). 2. The mean lamellar body count and L/S ratio for RDS group were much less than that of non-RDS group(14000 vs 47470, p<0.01 and 1.3 vs 2.5, p<0.01). 3. There was a good linear correlation between lamellar body count and L/S ratio(r=0.86, p<0.01), as did between lamellar body count and gestational age(r=0.679, p<0.01). 4. In the critical function of predicting fetal lung maturity, our data demonstrate that when using a cutoff of 25000/microliter, the lamellar body count showed 88.8% sensitivity, 96.0% specificity, 80.0% positive predictive value, 98.0% negative predictive value, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study, along with those reported previously, confirms that lamellar body count reflects fetal lung maturity sufficiently to assure that the neonate will not develop respiratory distress syndrome. Further evaluation for this purpose is justified.

The clinical efficacy of pelviscopic classic intrafascial supracervical hysterectomy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of pelviscopic classic intrafascial supracervical hysterectomy (CISH) & compare it with total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively, the clinical data of 1126 patients admitted from January 1993 to December 1998, at 11 university or general hospitals in Korea, for CISH group and 363 patients admitted from January 1993 to December 1998, at Chung-Ang university hospitals, Seoul, Korea, for TAH group. These patients were operated on with the indication of benign uterine disease without cervical malignant lesion. The patients with malignant cervical lesion were excluded in this study. RESULTS: (1) The average age of CISH group was 42.2 (range 24-63) years old and TAH group was 46 (range 31-54) years old. (2) The mean operative time was 150.7+/-49.9 (mean+/-SD, range 55-395) minutes in CISH group and 133.8+/-35 (mean+/-SD, range 65-350) minutes in TAH group. The mean estimated blood loss was 206+/-183.6 (mean+/-SD, range 20-2000) ml in CISH group and 596+/-452.3 (mean+/-SD, range 100-6500) ml in TAH group. The mean hemoglobin change was 1.52+/-0.98 (mean+/-SD, range 0-7) g/dL in CISH group and 3.03+/-1.47 (mean+/-SD, range 0.2-8.4) g/dL in TAH group. The mean time in hospital was 6.3+/-1.43 (mean+/-SD, range 3-18) days in CISH group and 11.0+/-4.08 (mean+/-SD, range 7-37) days in TAH group. (3) Overall complications occured at 5.3% in CISH group and 9.1% in TAH group. (4) Pathologic findings of cervix were benign in 1121 patients (99.6%) and severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ in 5 patients (0.4%) among CISH groups. In TAH groups, 351 patients (96.7%) had benign cervical lesion and 12 patients (3.3%) had more than oderate dysplasia or carcinoma in situ. In both groups, no invasive cervical cancer was found and the transformation zone of the cervix was included within the resection margin of the cervix in all cases. CONCLUSION: The pelviscopic CISH group has less operative blood loss, less postoperative hemoglobin change, shorter hospital stay and less operative complication than TAH group. Pelviscopic CISH is truly a minimally invasive and organ-preserving surgery and coring out the cervix with the calibrated uterine resection tool may prevent the development of cervical cancer. Therefore, we believe that pelviscopic CISH is preferred in cases of benign uterine diseases, because it lowers operative complications and it may have several benefits compared with total hysterectomy, especially, in women with no pathologic lesion of the cervix.

Effects of IFN - gamma on Spheroid and Raft Culture of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: To establish new in vitro model systems that better reflect in vivo condition, multicellular tumor spheroids(MTS) and raft culture were developed using cell lines of squamous cell carcinoma(SCCHN) of the head and neck. In these 3-dimensional systems, the expression of cell surface molecules which are important for modulation of physiology of tumor cells were studied with or without the treatment of interferon(IFN)-gamma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four SCCHN cell lines were used for MTS and raft culture. The effects of interferon-gamma on SCCHN cells were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All cell lines formed MTS, but only Tu-138 showed a good stratification at the air-liquid interface in the raft culture system. Immunohistochemical studies of MTS using monoclonal antibodies revealed a strong staining for MHC class I, no staining for MHC-DR, a weak patch expression of ICAM-1 and a central strong staining for integrin a 6. Staining patterns were similar for the raft cultures except integrin a 6(intense full-thickness positivity). In both systems, IFN-gamma enhanced the expression of MHC-DR and ICAM-1. No significant change was found in the expression of MHC class I and integrin a 6. CONCLUSIONS: MTS and raft culture system were established successfully from the SCCHN cell lines. IFN-gamma can modulate the surface molecules of tumor cells in the 3-dimensional culture systems.

The Effect of Prostaglandin and its Inhibitor on the Antibody - dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Against Human Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck / 대한면역학회지

The effects of chimeric monoclonal antibodies (cMAbs), prostaglandin E, (PGE,), and indomethacin (INDO) on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) cell line were examined. Using the PCI-50 SCCHN cell line as target and normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effector, ADCC was enhanced by the treatment of cMAbs (1.25 p,g/ml), but was inhibited by exogenous PGE (5 X 10' M). The effects of cMAb and PGE were dose-dependent. Maximal suppression of activity occured when PGE was present during the entire 4-hr 'Cr-release assay period, whereas pretreatment of effector cells with PGE had minimal inhibitory effect after washing. These results indicate that decreased ADCC seen with SCCHN targets treated with PGE is related to post-binding events, such as binding of effector and target cells. Pre-treatment of effector cells with INDO (1 ug/ml) resulted in restoration of NK activity which was inhibited by PGE. Our in vitro results suggest that INDO can increase tumor cell killing by the reversal of the suppression for many imrnune functions by PGE.