Safety and clinical efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy for pregnant women with acute appendicitis

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) during pregnancy by comparing the operative and obstetric outcomes of patients who during pregnancy underwent LA performed by an expert gynaecologic laparoscopist (LA group) with those patients who underwent an open appendectomy (OA) by a general surgeon (OA group).</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>In this retrospective study, we evaluated all patients consecutively who had undergone appendectomy for acute appendicitis during pregnancy from January 2000 to December 2010. Twenty-eight patients underwent OA and 15 were treated by LA. We reviewed the clinical charts and analysed the data for each patient's age, parity, body mass index, gestational age at appendectomy, type of appendectomy, operating time, haemoglobin change, hospital stay, histopathological results, postoperative analgesics, complications, and obstetric outcomes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no significant differences between the OA and LA groups in terms of clinical characteristics, hospital stay, haemoglobin change, return of bowel activity, complication rates, gestational age at delivery, and birth weight. However, there were significantly shorter operating time and less usage of postoperative analgesics in LA group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LA performed by an expert gynaecologist can be a safe and effective method for treating acute appendicitis during the first and second trimester of pregnancy.</p>

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.

A Case of Caudal Regression Syndrome Diagnosed by Prenatal Ultrasonography / 대한산부인과학회지

Caudal regression syndrome is rare malformative syndrome characterized by lower vertebral agenesis, accompanied by abnormalities of the pelvis, lower extremities and urogenital malformation. Although the cause is not clear, hyperglycemia during the organogenesis may be important teratogen. Strict evaluation of diabetes and its control in preconception and early pregnancy are important to prevent this malformation. And ultrasonography in the first trimester should be recommended for early detection of this syndrome. We report a case of caudal regression syndrome detected by prenatal ultrasonography of the gestational diabetic mother.

Clinical analysis of Paclitaxel and Platinum in Recurrent Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity of paclitaxel and platinum in patients with recurrent cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Twenty nine patients were treated with paclitaxel 135-175 mg/m2 and cisplatin 50-75 mg/m2 or carboplatin at AUC 5 every 3 weeks for a maximum of six courses from January 2001 to January 2004. RESULTS: A total 134 cycles with paclitaxel and platinum were administered. Ten patients (34.2%) achieved an objective response, including four complete responses (13.6%) and six partial responses (20.6%). Overall survival was 13.2 months, and the response and non-response group were 23.2 and 8.1 months, respectively (p=0.01). Clinical response according to recurrent site was significantly different (p=0.048) but, survival was not (p=0.22). Grade 3 or 4 granulocytopenia in 75.9% of patients was developed and one expired due to neutropenic sepsis after first cycle chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The combination of paclitaxel and platinum seems relatively well tolerated and has 34.2% response rate in patients with recurrent cervical cancer. Further study for this combination chemotherapy and prognostic factor should be needed.

A case of catamenial hemoptysis / 대한산부인과학회지

Endometriosis is relatively common gynecologic diseases, but pulmonary endometriosis is exceedingly rare among various types of external endometriosis. Patients with pleural pulmonary endometriosis present with chest pain, dyspnea, pneumothorax or pleural effusion in relation to menstruation. Patients with parenchymal pulmonary endometriosis present with hemoptysis at the time of menstruation, with or without lung lesions on their chest X-ray. The diagnosis of pulmonary endometriosis is usually made on the basis of the clinical history and the exclusion of other causes of recurrent hemoptysis including tuberculosis, bronchial carcinoid, pulmonary infarction, chronic bronchitis, congenital abnormalities and carcinoma. It can be treated by progesterone, GnRH agonist, Danazol, surgical treatment etc. Hereby we experienced 23 year-old multiparous woman with catamenial hemoptysis. The site of disease/was localized with bronchoscopy and chest CT scanning, and we treated her with Danazol. The literature associated with pulmonary endometriosis is briefly reviewed.