The relationship between primary ovarian insufficiency and gene variations: a prospective case-control study.

Around 70 percent of cases of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) etiology remain unexplained. The aim of our study is to contribute to the etiology and genetic background of POI. A total of 37 POI patients and 30 women in the reproductive period were included in this prospective, case-control study between August 2020 and December 2021. The women were examined for 36 genes with next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. Gene variations were detected in 59.5 percent of the patients in the case group. FSHR p.S680N (rs6166, c.2039 G>A) and FSHR p.A307T (rs6165, c.919 G>A) gene variants, which are most frequently located in exon 10 of the FSHR gene, were detected in both groups. Although it was not found that these gene variants were significantly different between the groups, it was also found that they were significantly different in POI patients under 30 years of age and in those with a family history of POI. Variations were detected in 12 genes in POI patients. Two gene variants (FGFR1 [c.386A>C, rs765615419] and KISS1 [c.58 G>A, rs12998]) were detected in both groups, and the remaining gene variants were detected only in POI patients. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of gene variations. However, the gene variations detected only in POI patients may play a role in the etiology of POI.

Hypogastric artery ligation in postpartum haemorrhage: a ten-year experience at a tertiary care centre.

This study investigated patients who underwent bilateral hypogastric artery ligation (BHAL) due to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Patients who underwent BHAL because of PPH following a conservative treatment were included in this study. Placental abnormalities were referred to as placenta accreta. A total of 130 BHAL procedures took place at the study hospital as a result of PPH. Of these, 39 (30%) were referred to the hospital. The rate of BHAL requirement was 62 out of 10,000 births. Among the 130 patients, the most frequent indication for BHAL was placenta accreta (58.5%). Haematological parameters were poorer among the referral patients. Four of the exitus patients (80%) were referral patients. The mortality rate among the referral patients was 10.25%, whereas this rate was only 1.01% among the patients who gave birth at the hospital. PPH is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. BHAL, with its fertility-preserving features, is a good option that can be employed in all PPH patients. BHAL not only preserves patients' fertility, but it also gives them a higher chance of survival.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? PPH is a life-threatening condition. Due to the worldwide increase in caesarean sections, placenta accreta has also increased. BHAL is a vital treatment method for PPH.What do the results of this study add? Placenta accreta is one of the most common causes of PPH. Traditional hysterectomy rates can be reduced by replacing this treatment with BHAL in this group of patients. Without early intervention in PPH, a patient's mortality risk can increase by up to 10 times. As research and surgeons' experience grows, PPH can be controlled with treatments with less complex modalities without the need for BHAL.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The need for BHAL should be kept in mind when addressing PPH, especially in cases of placenta accreta. The need for hypogastric artery ligation, which is a more aggressive treatment for the surgical correction of the pathology, can be reduced as surgeons' experience increases. Early intervention and/or referral in cases of PPH is of great importance.

Are serum Netrin-4 levels predictive of preeclampsia?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of anti-angiogenic factors, namely sFlt-1 and Netrin-4, in patients with preeclampsia (PE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cord-blood (UC) sFlt-1 and Netrin-4 concentrations were measured in 30 patients with severe PE, 30 patients with PE and 30 control infants and their mothers (MS). RESULTS: Maternal sFlt-1 levels were significantly higher in the severe PE and PE groups than in the control group. There were no statistical differences among the three groups in maternal and fetal Netrin-4 levels. But Netrin-4 levels were found to be the lowest in the control group and higher in the PE and severe PE groups. The correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between maternal sFlt-1 levels and maternal Netrin-4 levels (p = 0.012, and r = 0.263), maternal sFlt-1 levels and fetal sFlt-1 levels (p = 0.012, and r = 0.263). CONCLUSIONS: There was a positive correlation found between maternal sFlt-1 levels and maternal Netrin-4 levels. We are of the opinion that elevation in levels of Netrin-4 might be secondary to placental hypoxia occurring in PE. The present study led to the consideration of anti-angiogenic biomarkers (sFlt-1 and Netrin-4) on automated platforms for clinical use as an aid in establishing the diagnosis and prognosis of PE.

A new technique in laparoscopic abdominal access (Evsen Method, Modified Veress Technique).

OBJECTIVES: The most important step in laparoscopic surgery is to safely establish the pneumoperitoneum, especially since approximately half of the complications occur during the initial entry into the abdomen. There is a distinct need to modify the available methods to reduce therate of adverse events in laparoscopic entry. In this study, a modified Veress technique (MVT) or Evsen method is introduced.The aim of this article was to present a modified Veress technique for establishing the pneumoperitoneum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Dicle University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, from September 2016 to May 2017. A new laparoscopic entry technique was introduced and compared with the classical Veress technique. A total of 40 cases were included in the study. MVT and the classical Veress method were applied to 26 and 14 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The pneumoperitoneum was established at the first attempt in 23 (88.5%) MVT patients and in 7 (50%) patients from the classical Veress method group. The number of insufflation attempts to establish a successful pneumoperitoneum was lower using MVT and the difference was statistically significant (p: 0.022). As far as time is concerned, a comparison between the groups revealed that the pneumoperitoneum was established in a statistically significantly shorter time using MVT (p < 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The modified Veress technique proved to be superior to the classical Veress method for establishing the pneumoperitoneum. Using the new method, the pneumoperitoneum was established after fewer attempts and in a shorter time.

The role of vitamin B1-B2 and plasma lipid profile in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

AIM: The present study aimed to determine the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and vitamins B1 and B2 in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) patients, and to evaluate if these were involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. METHODS: The prospective randomized study included 35 pregnant patients who were admitted to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic, Faculty of Medicine at Dicle University and who were diagnosed with ICP (Group 1), and 40 healthy pregnant women who were admitted in the same period and who had no systemic diseases that might complicate the pregnancy during the pregnancy follow-up (Group 2). Serum lipid levels and vitamins B1 and B2 were determined and compared, and statistical comparisons of the groups were made. RESULTS: There was no difference between the TG levels of the two groups (P=0.631). Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and vitamin B1 and B2 levels were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.001, and P=0.032, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of vitamins B1 and B2 may indicate a need for increased energy metabolism at the fetus. So we believe that new studies are required, which will be supported by the placental analyses of the pyruvate and lactate levels in maternal blood at delivery and fetal cord blood in order to develop a better understanding on the fetal effects of energy metabolism.

Multiple repeat caesarean deliveries: do they increase maternal and neonatal morbidity?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of the increased number of caesarean deliveries (CDs) in cases of multiple repeat caesarean deliveries (MRCDs) on maternal and neonatal morbidity. METHODS: MRCDs admitted to our hospital between January 2013 and September 2014 were analysed retrospectively. A total number of 1133 women were included in the study and were divided into 4 groups. Group 1: second CDs (n = 329); Group 2: third CDs (n = 225); Group 3: fourth CDs (n = 447); Group 4: fifth CDs (n = 132). The clinical, demographic, intraoperative and postoperative data of the patients were registered upon the review of patient files. RESULTS: The differences among the groups were found to be statistically significant in terms of mean maternal age, gravida, APGAR (Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration) scores, hospital stay and operation time. In addition, the difference was also statistically significant for severe adhesion, bladder injury and premature birth. No statistically significant difference was observed among the groups with respect to placenta previa, placenta accreta, caesarean hysterectomy, uterine scar rupture. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, MRCDs seem to increasing the maternal and neonatal morbidity even though they are not life-threatening.

The Impact of the Stage and Tumor Size on Rare Brain Metastasis of Cervical Cancer.

AIM: To investigate the clinical features, prognostic factors and survival times of cervical cancer patients with brain metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 820 patients with cervical cancer. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 12.0 statistical software (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). Overall survival, time interval from diagnosis of cervical cancer to identification of brain metastasis, and median survival time after diagnosis of brain metastasis were calculated using Kaplan-Meier curve analysis. The log-rank test was used to compare differences in survival. Differences were assumed statistically significant when p-values were < 0.05. RESULTS: The incidence of brain metastases from cervical cancer in our institution was 1.82% (15/820) over a ten-year period. The median time interval from diagnosis of cervical cancer to detection of brain metastasis was 12.5 months (range: 2.9-91.9 months). Stage and tumor diameter were found to be significant relating to the interval from diagnosis of cervical cancer to detection of brain metastasis (p=0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: This study provides much information about the prognosis of patients with brain metastases from cervical cancer and highlights the importance of initial stage and tumor diameter when determining the time interval until development of brain metastasis.

Diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and assessment of severity through examination of the placenta with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of placental shear wave velocity (SWV) measurement by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and to determine the relationship between the SWV and the severity of pre-eclampsia. METHODS: A prospective study was performed at a center in Turkey between August 2014 and March 2015. The study included consecutive pregnant women in the second or third trimester diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women without pre-eclampsia of similar ages. Patients with pre-eclampsia were divided into two groups (severe or mild disease) on the basis of revised American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria. All patients underwent ARFI, and the SWV was measured at several placental locations. RESULTS: Overall, 86 women were enrolled (42 with pre-eclampsia, 44 controls). Minimum, maximum, and mean SWV values were significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group than in the control group (P<0.001 for all). These values were also significantly higher among patients with severe pre-eclampsia than among patients with mild pre-eclampsia (P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the placental SWV with ARFI imaging is a useful additional method for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and for determination of the disease severity.

Amniotic fluid paraoxonase-1 activity, thyroid hormone concentration and oxidant status in neural tube defects.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between neural tube defects and paraoxonase-1 activity in amniotic fluid. We studied total oxidant status, total antioxidant capacity, paraoxonase-1 activity and thyroid hormone amniotic fluid concentration in fetuses with neural tube defects. METHODS: The present study was performed at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Department of Clinical Biochemistry of Dicle University between September 2011 and June 2013. The study group included 37 amniotic fluid samples from pregnant women (16-20 weeks of gestation) with fetuses affected by neural tube defects. The control group consisted of 36 pregnant women who were diagnosed with a high-risk pregnancy according to first or second trimester aneuploidy screening and were later confirmed on amniocentesis to have genetically normal fetuses. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid paraoxonase-1 activity and total oxidant status were significantly higher (P = 0.023, P = 0.029, respectively) whereas free T4 was significantly lower (P = 0.022) in fetuses with neural tube defects compared with control subjects. In fetuses with neural tube defects, amniotic fluid paraoxonase-1 activity correlated positively with total oxidant status (r = 0.424**, P = 0.010), and amniotic fluid total antioxidant capacity correlated positively with free t4 (r = 0.381*, P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: This is the first study in the literature to show an association between paraoxonase-1 activity and thyroid hormone concentration and neural tube defects.

Protective effects of honokiol on ischemia/reperfusion injury of rat ovary: an experimental study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of honokiol on experimental ischemia/reperfusion injury of rat ovary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 female Wistar albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into five groups as follows: sham (Group I), torsion (Group II), torsion + detorsion (Group III), torsion + detorsion + saline (Group IV), and torsion + detorsion + honokiol (Group V). Bilateral adnexa in all the rats except for those in the sham group were exposed to torsion for 3 hours. The rats in Group IV were administered saline, whereas the rats in Group V were administered honokiol by intraperitoneal route 30 minutes before detorsion. Tissue and plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide were determined. Ovarian tissue was histologically evaluated. Data analyses were performed by means of Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test (Bonferroni correction) in SPSS 15.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The torsion and detorsion groups had higher scores in vascular congestion, hemorrhage, and inflammatory cell infiltration compared with the sham group (P<0.005). In addition, total histopathological scores were significantly higher in the torsion and detorsion groups compared with the sham group (P<0.005). A significant reduction was observed in hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cellular degeneration scores, of all histopathological scores, in the honokiol group (P<0.005). Ovarian tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde were significantly higher in the torsion and detorsion groups compared with the sham and honokiol groups (P<0.005). Ovarian tissue concentrations of nitric oxide, on the other hand, were significantly higher in the torsion group compared with the sham, saline, and honokiol groups (P<0.005). CONCLUSION: Honokiol has a beneficial effect on ovarian torsion-related ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Assessment of Placental Stiffness Using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography in Pregnant Women with Fetal Anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate placental stiffness measured by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in pregnant women in the second trimester with a normal fetus versus those with structural anomalies and non-structural findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty pregnant women carrying a fetus with structural anomalies diagnosed sonographically at 18-28 weeks of gestation comprised the study group. The control group consisted of 34 healthy pregnant women with a sonographically normal fetus at a similar gestational age. Placental shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured by ARFI elastography and compared between the two groups. Structural anomalies and non-structural findings were scored based on sonographic markers. Placental stiffness measurements were compared among fetus anomaly categories. Doppler parameters of umbilical and uterine arteries were compared with placental SWV measurements. RESULTS: All placental SWV measurements, including minimum SWV, maximum SWV, and mean SWV were significantly higher in the study group than the control group ([0.86 ± 0.2, 0.74 ± 0.1; p < 0.001], [1.89 ± 0.7, 1.59 ± 0.5; p = 0.04], and [1.26 ± 0.4, 1.09 ± 0.2; p = 0.01]), respectively. CONCLUSION: Placental stiffness evaluated by ARFI elastography during the second trimester in pregnant women with fetuses with congenital structural anomalies is higher than that of pregnant women with normal fetuses.

Serum levels of neopterin, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators in hyperemesis gravidarum.

AIM: To investigate whether serum levels of neopterin and inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and oxidative status indicators were altered in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) compared to asymptomatic pregnant women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed including 30 pregnant women with HG (mean age: 30.67 ± 6.68) and 30 asymptomatic pregnant women (mean age: 28.00 ± 5.30). Demographic features, obstetric history, and the Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis/Nausea (PUQE) index were noted. Complete blood count, serum biochemical assay and measurement of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, total antioxidant status and total oxidative status (TOS) levels were taken and compared between groups. RESULTS: White blood cell count (P = 0.013), platelet count (P = 0.015), TOS (P < 0.001), and PUQE score (P < 0.001) were remarkably higher in HG pregnancies. On the other hand, serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, (P < 0.001), sodium (P < 0.001), potassium (P < 0.001), chloride (P < 0.001) and TAS (P < 0.001) were higher in the control group. There was no difference in the levels of neopterin, CRP, TNF-α and IL-6. In patients with HG, a positive correlation was detected between TOS and serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, while TNF-α, IL-6 and neopterin were positively correlated with hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated no association between inflammation and HG. Elucidation of the pathophysiology and complex interaction between various inflammatory processes in HG necessitates further trials on larger series.

Evaluation of obstetrical patients with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy - tertiary center experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is twofold: (a) to investigate the etiology of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) caused by obstetrical conditions and (b) to present parameters that can be used in predicting DIC-related mortality in obstetrical patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Obstetrical patients who had a delivery at or were referred (after delivery) to Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of Dicle University between July 2006 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Those patients diagnosed with DIC were included in the study. RESULTS: Fifty-six obstetrical patients carrying the diagnosis of DIC were included in this study. The overall mortality rate was 25% among these patients. More specifically, the mortality rate was 10.7% among patients with a DIC score ≤5 and 40.7% among those with a DIC score > 5. Multiple logistic regression analysis resulted in the finding that international normalized ratio (INR) and urea were among those factors affecting mortality in obstetrical DIC [OR: 8.44 (CI: 1.9-36.8), OR: 1.05 (CI: 1.0-1.1), respectively]. CONCLUSION: DIC is a syndrome that might be caused by obstetrical conditions. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. In obstetrical DIC, urea is the most important factor affecting mortality. In addition, we are of the opinion that DIC score might guide mortality predictions as a determinant of prognosis.

Role of inflammation and oxidative stress in the etiology of primary ovarian insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the etiology and treatment of primary ovarian insufficiency, which is of unknown cause in 95% of the cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients aged 18-40 years who presented to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology between June 2012 and January 2014 and were diagnosed as having primary ovarian insufficiency based on their clinical and endocrinologic data, and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between patients with primary ovarian insufficiency and control subjects in demographic data and lipid profile levels, thyroid- stimulating hormone, prolactin, and glucose. However, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index were significantly higher in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency than in control subjects. In the correlation analysis, follicle-stimulating hormone exhibited a positive correlation with total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, and the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (r=0.573** p<0.001, r=0.584** p<0.001, r=0.541 p<0.001, respectively) and correlated negatively with total antioxidant status (r=-0.437** p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index levels are elevated in primary ovarian insufficiency. Therefore, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory treatment might be administered to patients in the early stage of primary ovarian insufficiency. However, larger studies are needed to clarify whether these elevated levels are a cause or a consequence of primary ovarian insufficiency.

Levels of Neopterin and other Inflammatory Markers in Obese and Non-Obese Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to measure the levels of inflammatory markers and neopterin in obese and non-obese patients with PCOS by using 2 separate control groups with matching body mass index (BMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 women of reproductive age with (n=30) and without (n=30) PCOS were included in this study. Based on their BMI, patients with PCOS were divided into 2 groups as obese (n=15) and non-obese (n=15) PCOS groups. In addition, 2 BMI-matched control groups were formed. Neopterin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio), and vitamin B12 were assessed by complete blood count. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between patients with PCOS and control subjects in neopterin, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels. However, N/L ratio levels were significantly higher (p 0.045) and vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower (p 0.033) in patients with PCOS compared to control subjects. No statistically significant difference was found between obese and non-obese patients with PCOS and control subjects in neopterin, IL-6, TNF-α, and N/L ratio levels. However, CRP levels were significantly higher in obese patients with PCOS compared to obese control subjects (p 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that inflammatory activity is increased in patients with PCOS, can lead to an increased risk for atherosclerosis, and this increase is not caused by obesity but rather by the polycystic ovary syndrome itself. However, studies with larger sample sizes are needed in this area.

Oxidant/antioxidant status, paraoxonase activity, and lipid profile in plasma of ovariectomized rats under the influence of estrogen, estrogen combined with progesterone, and genistein.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether estradiol (E2), E2 combined with progesterone (Prog) (E2/Prog), and genistein (Gen) treatment had antioxidative and anti-hyperlipidemic effects in the plasma of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Rats in all groups, except for those in a sham group, underwent bilateral ovariectomy under general anesthesia. The groups were as follows: sham group; control OVX group; group treated with estrogen (0.014 mg/kg 17-ß E2); group treated with a combination of E2 and Prog (0.014 mg/kg 17-ß E2 plus 0.028 mg/kg drospirenone), and group treated with Gen (10 mg/kg/day). Plasma of rats of each treatment group was analyzed to determine the total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, paraoxonase activity, lipid profile, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-chol), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-chol), total cholesterol (Total-C), triacylglycerols, lipoprotein (a), and oxidative stress index. RESULTS: Plasma Total-C levels and body weight increased in all the OVX groups compared with the sham group (P<0.005). The group treated with E2 had significantly elevated total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, LDL-chol, and Total-C compared with the control group (P<0.005). Gen treatment might lead to lower LDL-chol and Total-C levels compared with E2 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Gen treatment might be preferred to E2 treatment for treatment of menopausal symptoms in patients at risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, considering the small sample size of this study, larger studies are needed in this area.

Honokiol decreases intra-abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of honokiol, a natural molecule that was shown to have antioxidant effects, in prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was conducted on a total of 40 non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into 4 groups as follows: sham, control, saline, and honokiol groups. Both uterine horns of the rats in control, saline, and honokiol groups were exposed and a 2-cm segment of the anti-mesenteric surface of both uterine horns was traumatized by a scalpel. The saline group was administered 2 ml of saline/day intraperitoneally for 5 days after the operation. The honokiol group, on the other hand, was administered honokiol intraperitoneally at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 5 days after the operation. On postoperative day 14, 3 ml of intracardiac blood sample was taken from the rats for biochemical analyses, and the rats were sacrificed this way. RESULTS: Adhesion and inflammation scores were significantly lower in the honokiol group compared with the saline and control groups (p < 0.008). Similarly, fibrosis score was significantly lower in the honokiol group compared with the saline group (p < 0.008). CONCLUSION: Honokiol was found to be effective in prevention of intra-abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model. However, larger studies are needed to shed light on the exact role of honokiol in intra-abdominal adhesion formation and to determine the molecular aspects of the promising results found in this study.

Should we add unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation to vaginal hysterectomy in management of stage 3 and stage 4 pelvic organ prolapse?

OBJECTIVE: To compare ''vaginal hysterectomy alone'' with ''vaginal hysterectomy with prophylactic unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation'' in terms of intraoperative complications and 1-year anatomic outcomes and symptoms in patients aged over 50 years who presented with stage 3 or 4 pelvic organ prolapse (POP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy alone and 32 patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy with unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation because of benign pathology between January 2012, and June 2014, were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The patients' demographic data and preoperative and intraoperative findings were obtained from the hospital records and noted. The patients were invited by phone to a follow-up visit to assess their 1-year anatomic outcomes and symptoms. RESULTS: There was no significant demographic difference between the patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy alone and those who had a vaginal hysterectomy with sacrospinous ligament fixation. Both length of operation and hospital stay were significantly longer in the patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy with sacrospinous ligament fixation (p<0.001); intraoperative complications requiring blood transfusion were also significantly more frequent in these patients compared with the patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy only (p=0.048). Recurrence of vaginal vault prolapse was significantly more frequent in the patients with vaginal hysterectomy alone compared with those who had both vaginal hysterectomy and sacrospinous ligament fixation (p=0.035). CONCLUSION: Unilateral sacrospinous ligament fixation might be added to vaginal hysterectomy in patients with stage 3 or 4 POP who are predicted to have long survival times. However, further studies with a larger sample size are needed in this area of research.

Single intrauterine demise in twin pregnancies: Analysis of 29 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal and fetal demographic features and clinical aspects of twin pregnancies with single intrauterine demise. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics between January 2008 and December 2013. There were a total of 594 twin deliveries in our hospital between the given dates. Twenty-nine of these cases were referred to our hospital by another health center because of a preliminary diagnosis of single intrauterine demise. Maternal age, parity, chorionicity, week of fetal death, gestational week at delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight, Activity, pulse, grimace, appearance, respiration scores, maternal fibrinogen levels at delivery and during pregnancy, stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, and obstetric complications were explored in these 29 cases of single intrauterine demise. RESULTS: The mean age of the 29 patients who were provided antenatal follow-up and delivery services in our hospital was 29.9±6.5 years. Thirteen (44.8%) of the patients were monochorionic, whereas 16 (55.2%) were dichorionic. Intrauterine fetal death occurred in the first trimester in 6 pateints and in the second or third trimester in 23. In addition, 20 (69%) patients underwent cesarean section, whereas 9 (31%) had spontaneous vaginal delivery. Lastly, none of the patients had a maternal coagulation disorder. CONCLUSION: Twin pregnancies with single intrauterine death can lead to various complications for both the surviving fetus and the mother. Close maternal and fetal monitoring, and proper care and management can minimize complications.

Evaluation of predisposing factors, diagnostic and treatment methods in patients with translocation of intrauterine devices.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic methods, predisposing risk factors and surgical treatment options in patients with translocation of intrauterine devices (IUD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnosis, predisposing factors and treatment of 34 patients with translocation of IUD was evaluated in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Complaints of pain during insertion and history of cesarean section were present in 70.5% and 58.8% of patients, respectively. IUD-related complications were detected in 52.8% of patients. Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to detect translocation of IUD in 55.8% of cases. Laparoscopy was performed in 55.8% of patients. CONCLUSION: There were high rates of history of cesarean section, insertion in the puerperal period and insertion by midwives in patients with translocated IUD. These may be predisposing factors for IUD translocation. The clinician who inserts the IUD should be experienced in this area and obtain sufficient information from the pelvic examination prior to insertion of the device. Gynecological examination should be conducted for a proper diagnosis of translocation of IUD. In the event that the IUD string is not visible in the gynecological examination, transvaginal ultrasonography should be performed. If the IUD is still not visible, then abdominal radiography should be performed. As soon as diagnosis of translocation of IUD has been established, surgical treatment should be planned. First treatment of choice should be laparoscopy.