Comparison of perioperative outcomes between colpocleisis with hysterectomy and colpocleisis without hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of concomitant hysterectomy on perioperative outcomes in patients who underwent obliterative pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 95 consecutive patients with no prior hysterectomy who underwent obliterative surgery for POP between February 2015 and April 2021. Perioperative outcomes of colpocleisis without hysterectomy (C) and colpocleisis with hysterectomy (CH) were compared. RESULTS: Of the 95 patients, 49 (51.6%) underwent C and 46 (48.4%) underwent CH. Patient characteristics including age, body mass index and history of prolapse surgery were comparable between the groups (P-values .367, .199, and .363, respectively). The rate per prolapse stage, from stage 2 to stage 4, was similar in both groups (P-values .709, >.999, and .838 for Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4, respectively). The mean operating time was shorter in the C group than in the CH group (68.9 ± 25.7 minutes versus 94.7 ± 23.1 minutes, P-value < .001). Other perioperative outcomes including postoperative hemoglobin drop, duration of Foley catheter, rate of intraoperative complications, rate of patients with postoperative adverse events, reintervention rate and readmission rate were comparable in both groups (P-values .125, .362, .484, > .999, .495, and > .999, respectively). CONCLUSION: CH is associated with a longer operative time compared to C. However, concomitant hysterectomy does not appear to affect perioperative outcomes other than the operative time negatively.

Pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy: experience from 45 cases at a tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a rare maternal cardiac disorder associated with high maternal and fetal mortality. The objective of our study was to evaluate the maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with PH in a single health center. STUDY DESIGN: 45 pregnant patients with PH, who had undergone antenatal follow-up and delivery at the department of gynecology and obstetrics at a referral center were retrospectively investigated. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated and descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: According to the WHO classification; 35 patients (78%) were in Group 1; 9 patients (20%) in Group 2 and one patient (2%) were in Group 3. Thirty-three of the cases (73%) had mild, 8 (18%) moderate and 4 (9%) severe PH. The mean delivery week was 35.5. Twenty-four of the cases (56%) delivered before the 37th week and the remaining 19 cases (44%) in the 37th week or later. Rate of cesarean section delivery was 88%. Only one case of maternal death was reported, who was initially diagnosed with PAH during pregnancy. This patient had severe PH and was in Group 1 according to the WHO classification. CONCLUSION: While the mortality rates related to PH were reported to be between 30% and 56% several decades ago, recent studies have reported the mortality rates between 5% and 25%. It is believed that the decline in the maternal mortality depended on the developments in the treatment alternatives and multidisciplinary management. However, PH is still a serious condition which requires a multidisciplinary approach and a well-planned obstetric management.

Impact of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery on hysterectomy practice.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impacts of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) on the hysterectomy route and concomitant adnexal surgery at the time of vaginal hysterectomy (VH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed all hysterectomies performed for benign indications between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019. The period preceding the first case of VH and vNOTES BSO was considered as Pre-vNOTES. The period starting from the date of the first case was considered as Post-vNOTES. The rates per route of hysterectomy and the rate of concomitant adnexal surgery at the time of VH were compared between the two periods. RESULTS: In hysterectomies performed by surgeons who implemented vNOTES, the proportion of the vaginal route increased from 40.1% to 94.3% (P-value < 0.001); the abdominal route decreased from 37.4% to 3.2% (P-value < 0.001); and the laparoscopic route decreased from 22.5% to 2.5% (P-value < 0.001). The rates of concomitant adnexal procedures performed at the time of VH also showed significant changes. While 39.7% of patients did not undergo any concomitant adnexal surgery during the Pre-vNOTES period, this rate dropped to 8.1% after the implementation of vNOTES (P-value < 0.001). Similarly, the rate of bilateral salpingectomy dropped from 49.3% to 14.2% (P-value < 0.001), whereas the rate of BSO increased from 6.8% to 75% (P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Implementation of vNOTES has led to a significant increase in the rate of VH and the rate of concomitant BSO at the time of VH.

Evaluating the role of endometrial colour Doppler dynamic tissue perfusion measurements in in vitro fertilisation success.

The role of uterine receptivity and endometrial perfusion in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) remains unclear. In our prospective pilot study, we used a new dynamic tissue perfusion measurement method to evaluate this relationship in humans. A standard ovulation induction and embryo transfer method were applied to all the volunteers. On the day of embryo transfer, dynamic images of the uterus were recorded using colour Doppler ultrasound, and these images were uploaded onto PixelFlux Chameleon Software (GmbH, Münster, Germany). After determining the region of interest (ROI), the average velocity, intensity, and area values for all coloured pixels in the ROI, the tissue resistance index (RI) and the tissue pulsatility index were calculated. Endometrial thickness, morphology and dynamic endometrial perfusion parameters were compared between the clinically pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Endometrial thickness, morphology values and endometrial dynamic tissue perfusion measurements were similar between the groups. This study compared perfusion parameters between clinically pregnant and non-pregnant patients by accurately calculating endometrial tissue perfusion using standard software to establish its relationship with implantation success in IVF treatment.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known about this subject? The relationship between IVF success, endometrial receptivity and perfusion is known. Clear valuations of endometrial receptivity require an endometrial biopsy which may cause endometrial damage to the actual IVF cycle. This problem has led researchers to conduct non-interventional studies. Studies have revealed the value of endometrial thickness, pattern and Doppler examination of endometrial uterine arteries in predicting the success of IVF treatment.What do the results of this study add? This prospective pilot study is the first one to use this programme in humans to evaluate uterine receptivity in IVF. Successful results can be obtained by using computer programmes in tissues where perfusion parameters cannot be measured using traditional colour Doppler ultrasonography. Revealing the relationship between tissue perfusion and IVF success will be more effective and accurate with the development of software technologies.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? To increase the success of IVF treatment, current and new technological developments, as well as imaging methods should continue to be tested.

Vaginal approach versus laparoscopy for hysterectomy in transgender men.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a vaginal approach combining vaginal hysterectomy (VH) with transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) for hysterectomy in transgender men and to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and surgical outcomes of this approach in comparison with laparoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing outcomes of the vaginal approach (n = 45) and laparoscopy (n = 45) in transgender men undergoing hysterectomy between May 2017 and June 2020. RESULTS: There was one intraoperative complication (bladder injury) in the laparoscopy group, which was the reason for the only conversion from the initial surgical approach. All vaginal procedures were completed without any intraoperative complications or conversions. Patients in the vaginal approach group had shorter operative times compared to the laparoscopy group (median 60 [range, 30-130] vs median 85 [range, 63-179] minutes; P < 0.001). One patient in the vaginal approach group experienced late-onset intraabdominal bleeding and underwent reoperation on postoperative day 4 after failed expectant management. There were no reoperations in the laparoscopy group. Patients in the vaginal approach group experienced less pain at postoperative 12 h and 24 h (P values < 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). Postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the vaginal approach group than in the laparoscopy group (median 2 [range, 1-7] vs. median 2 [range, 2-6] days; P < 0.001). There were no readmissions within 30 days after surgery in either group. CONCLUSION: The vaginal approach combining VH with vNOTES BSO is a feasible and safe alternative to laparoscopy for hysterectomy in transgender men.

Effects of Biofeedback-Guided Pelvic Floor Muscle Training With and Without Extracorporeal Magnetic Innervation Therapy on Stress Incontinence: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the effects of biofeedback-guided pelvic floor muscle training (EMG-BF), with and without extracorporeal magnetic innervation (EMG-BF+ExMI) therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms based on frequency of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and grams of urine loss, health-related quality of life, and sexual function in women with SUI. DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 51 adult women with SUI. Their mean age was 50.92 years (SD 8.88). Twenty-six were randomly allocated to EMG-BF alone and 25 were allocated to undergo EMG-BF+ExMI. METHODS: This study's main outcome was lower urinary tract symptoms measured via the 1-hour pad test (grams of urine loss) and a 3-day bladder diary (frequency of stress incontinence episodes). Additional outcome measures were health-related quality of life measured with the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) questionnaire, sexual function evaluated via the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and pelvic floor muscle contraction force measured via a perineometer and Modified Oxford Scale (MOS). All participants underwent biofeedback-enhanced pelvic floor muscle training using EMG during 20-minute sessions twice weekly for a period of 8 weeks. In addition to the EMG-BF+ExMI group, ExMI was applied during 20-minute sessions twice weekly for a period of 8 weeks. Participants from both groups were asked to perform pelvic floor muscle exercises at home (60 pelvic floor muscle contractions daily, divided into 3 sessions of 20 contractions each). Outcome measures were made at baseline and repeated at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Fifteen (57.7%) in the EMG-BF group and 13 (52.0%) in the EMG-BF+ExMI group achieved dryness. Four participants (15.4%) in the EMG-BF group and 5 (20%) in the EMG-BF+ExMI group experienced improvement. Seven patients (26.9%) in the EMG-BF group and 7 (28%) in the EMG-BF+ExMI group did not benefit from the treatments. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of cure and improvement (P = .895). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that use of magnetic innervation does not improve lower urinary tract symptoms, health-related quality of life, sexual function, and pelvic floor muscle strength when compared to pelvic floor muscle training alone.

Investigating Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women of Reproductive Age and Factors Affecting It.

This descriptive study was designed to investigate the pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) of women aged 18 to 49 years and to examine the factors that may have an effect on PFMS. The study was conducted on 258 women who visited a gynecology outpatient clinic between January 2019 and January 2020, who met the research criteria, and who agreed to participate in the study. The data were collected using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Information Form. The Modified Oxford Scale (MOS) and a perineometer were used to evaluate the PFMS of the women. The mean PFMS value measured using the perineometer was 31.56 ± 12.17 cmH2O (moderate pressure). The PFMS values were 20.00 to 29.9 cmH2O (weak pressure) and 30.00 to 39.9 cmH2O (moderate pressure) in 23.6% of the women, respectively. The PFMS values measured with MOS were of grade 3 strength (moderate pressure) in 23.6% of the women and grade 2 strength (weak pressure) in 23.3%. A statistically significant strong correlation was found between the perineometer measurement and the women's MOS values. Moreover, a statistically significant difference was found between the PFMS values measured with the perineometer, MOS scores, and women's age groups, educational status, marital status, employment status, income status, persistent cough, use of nicotine, alcohol and coffee consumptions, chronic constipation, history of frequent urinary tract infections, regular exercise, body mass index, history of pregnancy, mode of delivery, use of episiotomy at birth, perineal rupture at birth, use of forceps vacuum at birth, multiple pregnancies, delivery of a baby weighing ≥4,000 g, treatment during pregnancy, hysterectomy, menopause, frequency of sexual intercourse, and pain during sexual intercourse (p < .05). We conclude that most of the women in the study had weak to moderate PFMS, that the evaluation of PFMS with the MOS positively overlapped with the perineometric measurements, and that a number of sociodemographic and obstetric variables act as risk factors that affect PFMS. The PFMS of all women should be assessed as part of their routine gynecological examinations.

Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery for Tubal Stump Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a case of left tubal stump pregnancy successfully treated using our 2-step technique for transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES). DESIGN: Demonstration of the technique using surgical video footage. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. INTERVENTIONS: A 27-year-old gravida 3 para 0 patient with a history of laparotomy, left salpingectomy owing to a ruptured tubal pregnancy, was referred to our hospital because of a pregnancy of unknown location. Her serum ß human chorionic gonadotropin level was 8400 U/L, and a transvaginal ultrasound revealed an ectopic pregnancy in the left tubal stump. After discussing medical and surgical treatment options, the patient underwent a 2-step vNOTES approach. First, a diagnostic vNOTES was performed using a 5-mm trocar with autoretracting blade. After confirmation of the diagnosis, the trocar was removed, and the incision was enlarged with blunt dissection. A self-constructed pessary port was then placed through the enlarged colpotomy, and the ectopic pregnancy in the left tubal stump was excised using an advanced bipolar device. The colpotomy was closed with running resorbable sutures. The duration of the surgery was 36 minutes, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 1 without any complications. CONCLUSION: Tubal stump pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy with an incidence of approximately 0.4% of all ectopic pregnancies [1]. Treatment options include conservative medical management using methotrexate and surgery. Successful surgical treatment using laparoscopy has been previously reported [1,2]. This case demonstrates that vNOTES may be a minimally invasive option for the surgical treatment of tubal stump pregnancy in selected cases.

Simplified two-step technique for transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our simplified two-step technique for transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) and to demonstrate the application of the technique. DESIGN: Step-by-step description of the technique and demonstration of its application using surgical video footage from two different cases. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENT(S): Patient 1 was a 27-year-old G0P0 woman who presented with right lower quadrant pain. Transvaginal ultrasound scan revealed a right ovarian torsion. Patient 2 was a 25-year-old G3P2 woman. She presented with vaginal bleeding and left lower quadrant pain. Her serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin level was 28,313 U/L, and transvaginal ultrasound scan revealed an ectopic pregnancy in the left tube. The decision to perform vNOTES was made for both patients. INTERVENTION(S): As the first step, patients underwent diagnostic vNOTES. The patient was placed in lithotomy position under general anesthesia. By use of a 5-mm trocar with autoretracting blade, a colpotomy was performed on the posterior vaginal wall. Pneumoperitoneum was achieved, and the patient was placed in a Trendelenburg position. A 5-mm 30° rigid endoscope was introduced, and the diagnosis was confirmed. After the confirmation of the diagnosis, we proceeded to the second step. The colpotomy was enlarged with blunt dissection by using Metzenbaum scissors. A self-constructed pessary port was placed through the colpotomy, and pneumoperitoneum was achieved. The therapeutic procedure was then performed. Patient 1 underwent ovarian detorsion with a 5-mm laparoscopic grasper. After the ovary was detorsioned, a 5-mm bipolar instrument was used to achieve hemostasis. Patient 2 underwent left salpingectomy with a 5-mm advanced bipolar device. Hemostasis was verified, and the specimen was extracted through the colpotomy. Procedures ended with the closure of colpotomy with running resorbable sutures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Description of the technique and demonstration of its applicability in two common gynecological emergencies. RESULT(S): Both patients were treated successfully by vNOTES. The operating times were 25 minutes and 38 minutes for patient 1 and patient 2, respectively. Patients were discharged on postoperative day 1 without any complications. CONCLUSION(S): Our simplified two-step technique described and demonstrated in this video article is a feasible and practical approach to perform vNOTES. The first step allows the confirmation of the diagnosis and facilitates the colpotomy. The use of the self-constructed pessary port enables to perform surgery with already existing equipment without the need for specialized equipment and without increasing the costs.

Can we rely on blind endometrial curettage for complete removal of focal intrauterine lesion? A prospective clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency of dilatation-curettage (D&C) combined with aspiration curettage for endometrial pathology compared to hysteroscopy alone in this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 143 patients who have suspicion of endometrial mass like lesion, increased endometrial thickness (>5-mm at menopause and/or endometrial thickness upper than 5-mm in patients under tamoxifen treatment due to breast cancer during 2-D transvaginal ultrasonography examination) were enrolled. All patients underwent procedures in order of hysteroscopy, D&C plus aspiration and second look hysteroscopy. Data for age, menopausal status, tamoxifen treatment, endometrial histology, hysteroscopy and D&C findings were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Initial hysteroscopy revealed focally growing endometrial lesion in 96 patients. Second look hysteroscopy showed persistent focal lesion in 77 patients (80 %) after D&C plus aspiration. Endometrial blind curettage failed to diagnose 42 % (25/60) of endometrial polyps, none of submucous myomas as well as 27 % (3/11) of premalignant and malignant endometrial lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of hysteroscopy were found as 84.1 %, 83.3 %, 83.9 %, 93.8 %, and 63.8 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy showed significant superiority in the diagnosis and definitive treatment of endometrial pathologies specifically in focally growing endometrial lesions compared to D&C plus aspiration.

MicroRNA Expression Profile in the Prenatal Amniotic Fluid Samples of Pregnant Women with Down Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome, which is the most common human chromosomal anomaly that can affect people of any race and age, can be diagnosed prenatally in most cases. Prenatal diagnosis via culture method is time-consuming; thus, genetic analysis has thus been introduced and is continually being developed for rapid prenatal diagnosis. For this reason, the effective use of microRNA profiling for the rapid analysis of prenatal amniotic fluid samples for the diagnosis of Down syndrome was investigated. AIMS: To evaluate the expression levels of 14 microRNAs encoded by chromosome 21 in amniotic fluid samples and their utility for prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: We performed invasive prenatal testing for 56 pregnant women; 23 carried fetuses with Down syndrome, and 33 carried fetuses with a normal karyotype. Advanced maternal age and increased risk for Down syndrome in the screening tests were indications for invasive prenatal testing. The age of gestation in the study and control groups ranged between 17 and 18 weeks. The expression levels of microRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The expression levels of microRNA-125b-2, microRNA-155, and microRNA-3156 were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The presence of significantly dysregulated microRNAs may be associated with either the phenotype or the result of abnormal development. Further large-scale comparative studies conducted in a variety of conditions may bring novel insights in the field of abnormal prenatal conditions.

Is overactive bladder microvasculature disease a component of systemic atheroscleorosis?

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between overactive bladder (OAB) and systemic atherosclerosis in a cohort of women. METHODS: In this case-control study, we assessed atherosclerosis indicators, such as Framingham risk scores and carotid and femoral artery intima-media thickness, and evaluated possible bladder wall responses to atherosclerosis using endovaginal color Doppler ultrasound and the detection of urinary cytokines in women with OAB and in controls. Quantitative assessment of blood perfusion at the bladder neck was performed using a method that allows for the dynamic monitoring of flow in a predefined region of interest at every point of the cardiac cycle. The independent samples t-test was used to evaluate the relationship between OAB and the atherosclerotic findings when parametric conditions were met, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used when parametric conditions were not met. Kendall's Tau was used to assess the correlation between OAB severity and the atherosclerotic variables. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 74 OAB patients and 73 controls; in total, 147 women were evaluated. We found that all atherosclerosis indicators were significantly associated with OAB and that there was a significant relationship between OAB and decreased bladder neck perfusion. Additionally, there were correlations of OAB severity with systemic atherosclerosis and impaired vascular perfusion of the bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased perfusion at the bladder neck, the Framingham scores in severe OAB, and the correlation between them suggest that OAB microvascular disease may be a component of systemic atherosclerosis rather than a separate process.

The Change of Perinatal Mortality Over Three Decades in a Reference Centre in the Aegean Region: Neonatal Mortality has decreased but Foetal Mortality Remains Unchanged.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal, foetal and neonatal mortality statistics are important to show the development of a health care system in a country. However, in our country there are very few national and regional data about the changing pattern of perinatal neonatal mortality along with the development of new technologies in this area. AIMS: Evaluation of the changes in mortality rates and the causes of perinatal and neonatal deaths within years in a perinatal reference centre which serves a high-risk population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective study. METHODS: The perinatal, neonatal and foetal mortality rates in the years 1979-1980 (1st time point) and 1988-1989 (2nd time point) were compared with the year 2008 (3rd time point). The causes of mortality were assessed by Wigglesworth classification and death reports. The neonatal mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit was also calculated. RESULTS: Foetal mortality rates were 44/1000, 31.4/1000 and 41.75/1000 births, perinatal mortality rates were 35.6/1000, 18.8/1000 and 9/1000 births, and neonatal mortality rates were 35.6/1000, 18.8/1000 and 9/1000 live births for the three study time points, respectively. The mortality rate in neonatal intensive care unit decreased consistently from 33%, to 22.6% and 10%, respectively, together with decreasing neonatal mortality rates. The causes of perinatal deaths were foetal death 85%, immaturity 4%, and lethal congenital malformations 8% according to Wigglesworth classification in 2008, showing the high impact of foetal deaths on this high perinatal mortality rate. Infectious causes of neonatal deaths decreased but congenital anomalies increased in the last decades. CONCLUSION: Although neonatal mortality rate decreased significantly; foetal mortality rate has stayed unchanged since the late eighties. In order to decrease foetal and perinatal mortality rates more efficiently, reducing consanguineous marriages and providing better antenatal care for high risk pregnancies are needed.

Can We Predict the Presence and Severity of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions before Cesarean Delivery.

AIMS: The study aimed to investigate whether we can predict the presence and severity of intra-abdominal adhesions before cesarean delivery using patient history, symptoms, and abdominal skin scar characteristics. METHODS: In this prospective study, 143 pregnant women with history of previous abdominal surgery were included and they delivered by cesarean. Preoperative abdominal scar characteristics and symptoms as well as intraoperative abdominal adhesions were evaluated using the Manchester Scar Scale, a symptomatology questionnaire and the More Comprehensive Adhesion Scoring Method, respectively. RESULTS: Patients with adhesions (n = 98) and without adhesions (n = 45) had similar baseline characteristics. In the adhesion group, abdominal scar scoring parameters were significantly increased. However, there was no significant correlation among total scar score, adhesion score, and symptom score. CONCLUSION: Despite the availability of many proposed methods, accurate prediction of the severity of surgery-related adhesions is beyond our current abilities. Therefore, as healthcare providers, obstetricians should avoid unnecessary use of the cesarean approach. This approach is more effective, beneficial, realizable, and reasonable than the prediction of surgery-related adhesions.

Which Should Be the Preferred Technique During Laparoscopic Ovarian Cystectomy.

The aim of the present study was to determine the long-term effects of different laparoscopic hemostatic techniques on ovarian reserve after ovarian cystectomy. Ninety patients with unilateral ovarian cysts were recruited and randomly distributed into 2 groups. Laparoscopic stripping cystectomy was performed in all patients. Afterward, cystectomy hemostasis was achieved via hemostatic suture or bipolar electrocoagulation. Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were determined preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 12 months, and patients were evaluated for residual ovarian volume, antral follicle count, and pregnancy. The statistical difference was determined between the 2 groups in terms of AMH levels at 3 months (hemostatic suture group = 3.17 ± 3.40 vs bipolar electrocoagulation group = 2.38 ± 2.57, P = .006) and 12 months (hemostatic suture group = 3.71 ± 3.09 vs bipolar electrocoagulation group = 2.78 ± 2.85, P = .005). In addition, in the hemostatic suture group, there was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative AMH levels ( P = .165) and between the postoperative antral follicle count ( P = .779) and the residual ovarian volume ( P = .248), whereas in the bipolar electrocoagulation group, postoperative AMH levels were lower than preoperative levels ( P = .028) and postoperative residual ovarian volumes at 3 and 12 months were lower than those at 1 month ( P = .001). Nonetheless, pregnancy rates were not significantly different ( P = .546). Bipolar electrocoagulation is more destructive compared with hemostatic suture. However, the ovarian reserve does not decrease further during the follow-up period.

Assessment of the effect of pelvic floor exercises on pelvic floor muscle strength using ultrasonography in patients with urinary incontinence: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effect of pelvic floor exercises on pelvic floor muscle strength could be detected via ultrasonography in patients with urinary incontinence. [Subjects and Methods] Of 282 incontinent patients, 116 participated in the study and were randomly divided into a pelvic floor muscle training (n=65) group or control group (n=51). The pelvic floor muscle training group was given pelvic floor exercise training for 12 weeks. Both groups were evaluated at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks. Abdominal ultrasonography measurements in transverse and longitudinal planes, the PERFECT scheme, perineometric evaluation, the stop test, the stress test, and the pad test were used to assess pelvic floor muscle strength in all cases. [Results] After training, the PERFECT, perineometry and transabdominal ultrasonography measurements were found to be significantly improved, and the stop test and pad test results were significantly decreased in the pelvic floor muscle training group, whereas no difference was observed in the control group. There was a positive correlation between the PERFECT force measurement scale and ultrasonography force measurement scale before and after the intervention in the control and pelvic floor muscle training groups (r=0.632 and r=0.642, respectively). [Conclusion] Ultrasonography can be used as a noninvasive method to identify the change in pelvic floor muscle strength with exercise training.

Prenatal Evaluation of MicroRNA Expressions in Pregnancies with Down Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the data available on the utility of miRNAs in noninvasive prenatal testing is insufficient in the literature. We evaluated the expression levels of 14 miRNAs located on chromosome 21 in maternal plasma and their utility in noninvasive prenatal testing of Down Syndrome. METHOD: A total of 56 patients underwent invasive prenatal testing; 23 cases were carrying Down Syndrome affected fetuses, and 33 control cases carrying unaffected, normal karyotype fetuses were included for comparison. Indications for invasive prenatal testing were advanced maternal age, increased risk of Down Syndrome in screening tests, and abnormal finding in the sonographic examination. In both the study and control groups, all the pregnant women were at 17th and 18th week of gestation. miRNA expression levels were measured using real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: Significantly increased maternal plasma levels of miR-3156 and miR-99a were found in the women carrying a fetus with Down Syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our results provide a basis for multicenter studies with larger sample groups and microRNA profiles, particularly with the microRNAs which were found to be variably expressed in our study. Through this clinical research, the utility of microRNAs in noninvasive prenatal testing can be better explored in future studies.

Comparison of three-dimensional ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis in surgically proven Müllerian duct anomaly cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the diagnostic accuracy of 3-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) in patients with surgically diagnosed Mullerian duct anomaly (MDA). STUDY DESIGN: Charts of patients with MDA were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who underwent both laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery and had 3D US and MRI examinations were included in the study. The diagnoses achieved via 3D US and MRI were compared with the surgical diagnoses to determine the diagnostic accuracy of these imagining techniques. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included in the study. Three-dimensional ultrasound detected 28 out of 29 (96%) patients correctly. Only one patient was diagnosed with a uterine septum instead of uterine arcuatus. Magnetic resonance imaging detected 23 out of 29 patients correctly (79%). The Kappa indexes of the 3D US and MRI were 0.896 and 0.592, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that 3D US has a higher diagnostic accuracy level than MRI in evaluating MDA, especially when used in experienced hands. However, additional, well-designed studies are needed to better compare the diagnostic accuracy of the 3D US and MRI.

Recurrent brain tumor with hydrocephalus in pregnancy.

Brain tumors during pregnancy are very rare. Diagnosis of this condition is difficult because the symptoms imitate pregnancy-related ailments. The management of this condition also presents challenges. This case report aims to present a successful treatment and delivery of a patient with recurrent brain tumor during pregnancy with hydrocephalus.

Do stages of menopause affect the outcomes of pelvic floor muscle training?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to determine whether there is a difference in pelvic floor muscle strength attributable to pelvic floor muscle training conducted during different stages of menopause. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two women with stress urinary incontinence and mixed urinary incontinence were included in this prospective controlled study. The participants included in this study were separated into three groups according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop staging system as follows: group 1 (n = 41): stages -3 and -2; group 2 (n = 32): stages +1 and -1; and group 3 (n = 30): stage +2. All three groups were provided an individual home exercise program throughout the 12-week study. Pelvic floor muscle strength before and after the 12-week treatment was measured in all participants (using the PERFECT [power, endurance, number of repetitions, and number of fast (1-s) contractions; every contraction is timed] scheme, perineometry, transabdominal ultrasound, Brink scale, pad test, and stop test). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in pre-exercise training pelvic floor muscle strength parameters among the three groups. After 12 weeks, there were statistically significant increases in PERFECT scheme, Brink scale, perineometry, and ultrasound values. In contrast, there were significant decreases in stop test and 1-hour pad test values observed in the three groups (P = 0.001, dependent t test). In comparison with the other groups, group 1 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the following postexercise training parameters: power, repetition, speed, Brink vertical displacement, and stop test. The lowest increase was observed in group 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Strength increase can be achieved at all stages of menopause with pelvic floor muscle training, but the rates of increase vary according to the menopausal stage of the participants. Women in the late menopausal transition and early menopause are least responsive to pelvic floor muscle strength training. Further studies in this field are needed.