Outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic, and open hysterectomy for benign conditions in obese patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes of robotic-assisted (RAH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH), and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) for benign conditions in obese patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort (Class II-2) analysis. All obese patients who underwent RAH, LH or TAH for benign conditions by a single surgeon at the University of Texas Medical Branch between January 2009 and December 2011 were identified and their charts reviewed. The patients' characteristics, operative data, and post-operative outcomes were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients who underwent RAH (n=51), LH (n=24) or TAH (n=133) were analyzed. There were no significant differences among the groups in demographic characteristics, indications for surgery or pathologic findings. RAH and LH were associated with lower estimated blood loss (EBL) (p<0.001) and shorter length of hospital stay (LOS) (p<0.001) compared with TAH. In addition, RAH and LH had lower intraoperative and early postoperative (≤6 weeks) complications compared with TAH (p=0.002). However, the procedure time was longer in RAH and LH (p<0.001). No significant differences were noted among the groups for late post-operative complications (after 6 weeks) or unscheduled post-operative visits. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive hysterectomy appears to be safe in obese patients with the advantages of less EBL, fewer intraoperative complications, and shorter LOS.

Cytohistological discrepancies of cervico-vaginal smears and HPV status.

OBJECTIVES: Discrepancies between abnormal cervical cytology or high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) status (cytolo-gy negative/HPV positive) and subsequent histological findings are a common occurrence. After using co-testing, the dis-crepancies between the HR-HPV status and cervical cytology have become an issue. In this study, we aimed to determine the characteristics of women with a discrepancy between histology and cytology/HR-HPV status, in terms of diagnosis, review and identification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 52 women, patients of the University Hospital between 2013-2015, with cytohistologi-cal or HR-HPV status discrepancy were recruited for the study and retrospectively analyzed. The cytological samples were liquid-based Pap smears, classified according to the 2001 Bethesda system. The HR-HPV status was identified using the Hybrid Capture 2 HR-HPV DNA assay. The histological samples were obtained by cervical biopsy as well as large loop exci-sion of the transformation zone (LLETZ). RESULTS: A cytohistological discrepancy was demonstrated in patients with (-)cytology/HR-HPV(+), ASCUS, LSIL, ASC-H, HSIL, AGC-NOS: 17.3%, 23.07%, 26.9%, 9.5%, 17.3% and 5.7%, respectively. When the degree of atypia in cytology increases, the concurrency of cervical cytology with biopsy also increases. A positive HR-HPV co-test result (19/24, 79.1%) was observed in nearly all CIN2 ≥ (+) cases. Our study emphasizes the significance of HR-HPV testing to determine CIN2 ≥ (+) cases, even in the presence of a normal cytological result. CONCLUSIONS: In case of cytohistological or HR-HPV discrepancies, a careful review of the HR-HPV status and the degree of cytological atypia should be performed before further intervention.

Risk of HSIL (CIN 2-3) on colposcopic biopsy is minimal in postmenopausal women with LSIL on cytology and a negative HRHPV test.

BACKGROUND: Current cervical cancer screening guidelines recommend a 1-year follow-up period for patients with a postmenopausal low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) who are test negative for high-risk human papillomavirus (HrHPV). The aim of this study was to assess whether such patients had an increased immediate risk of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. METHODS: We assessed 54 HrHPV-negative women with postmenopausal LSIL in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of our hospital between 2012 and 2013. All patients underwent liquid-based cytology and reflex HrHPV testing (for human papillomavirus [HPV] types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68). Colposcopic examination and guided biopsy were performed by the same gynecologist (MO). RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 53.1 ± 3.2 years. There were 33 patients (61%) with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1 and 21 who were non-dysplastic. None of the patients was positive for CIN 2 or any other lesions. CONCLUSIONS: If the HPV test is negative, repeat cytology after 12 months is recommended by the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology for cases of HrHPV-negative postmenopausal LSIL. We recommend reflex HPV testing as the best choice for patients who test positive for postmenopausal LSIL by Pap smear, in line with the literature. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:969-974. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Are serum gamma-glutamyl transferase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and ischaemia-modified albumin useful in diagnosing PCOS?

We assessed the serum levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Fifty-three patients with PCOS were included in our study along with 40 women with no PCOS as the control group. The patients were divided according to their body mass index (BMI). GGT levels were significantly higher in the women with PCOS than the women in the control group (p < 0.05). They were also significantly higher in the PCOS women who were normoweight and overweight than the normoweight and overweight women in the control group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the circulating levels of hsCRP and IMA between the women with PCOS and the controls or between the normoweight and overweight subgroups. GGT may be associated with the diagnosis of PCOS when the threshold is set at >15.5 U/L. With the application of this threshold, raised GGT levels had 83% sensitivity (95% CI 0.70-0.90) and 67.5% specificity (95% CI 0.52-0.79), for the diagnosis of PCOS. In our study, GGT levels were elevated in the PCOS patients independent of BMI and could thus be an important marker of PCOS.

Using narrow-band imaging with conventional hysteroscopy increases the detection of chronic endometritis in abnormal uterine bleeding and postmenopausal bleeding.

AIM: A preliminary study was designed to evaluate whether a narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopic light source could detect chronic endometritis that was not identifiable with a white light hysteroscope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 86 patients with endometrial pathology (71 abnormal uterine bleeding and 15 postmenopausal bleeding) were examined by NBI endoscopy and white light hysteroscopy between February 2010 and February 2011. The surgeon initially observed the uterine cavity using white light hysteroscopy and made a diagnostic impression, which was recorded. Subsequently, after pressing a button on the telescope, NBI was used to reevaluate the endometrial mucosa. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 40 years (range: 30-60 years). Endometritis was diagnosed histologically. Six cases of abnormal uterine bleeding (6/71, 8.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.17) and one case of postmenopausal bleeding (1/15, 6%, 95%CI 0.01-0.29) were only diagnosed with chronic endometritis by NBI (7/86, 8.1%, 95%CI 0.04-0.15). CONCLUSION: Capillary patterns of the endometrium can be observed by NBI and this method can be used to assess chronic endometritis.

Angular pregnancy.

Angular pregnancy is a rare condition in which the embryo is implanted in the lateral angle of the uterine cavity, medial to the uterotubal junction and round ligament, and causes life-threatening obstetric complications. It is important to differentiate this condition from interstitial and cornual pregnancy because they all result in emergency conditions. Although angular pregnancy can progress to term pregnancy, it may be associated with major obstetric complications such as uterine rupture, placental retention, postpartum hemorrhage, or may need further surgery and hysterectomy. This report describes a case of angular pregnancy from the 6th gestational week and continued until delivery in the 32nd gestational week. Sonographic findings, follow-up, and delivery concerns are described in this manuscript.

Using Wood's Light as a Diagnostic Tool for Vaginal Atrophy.

INTRODUCTION: Wood's light lamp is a device that emits ultraviolet (UV) light and is a useful diagnostic tool for dermatologic disorders. The change in the thickness of vaginal mucosa, in vaginal atrophy, causes a change in its colour under Wood's light. We wanted to assess the feasibility of Wood's light (WL) as a diagnostic tool for vaginal atrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology from 1 March 2013 to 1 September 2014. We evaluated 45 healthy postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginitis (study group) and 45 healthy, reproductive-aged women as a control group. All patients underwent WL and routine gynaecological examinations for this study. RESULTS: Ninety patients were selected for this study: 45 postmenopausal women suffering atrophic vaginitis symptoms like vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, vulvar pruritus, and signs like pale, smooth, dry, fragile vaginal epithelium, areas of petechiae, and rash, and 45 healthy reproductive-aged women without vaginal atrophy. Thirty-six of the postmenopausal women's vaginal mucosa appeared pale royal green under WL indicative of vaginal atrophy. Thirty-nine of reproductive-aged women's (n: 45) vaginal mucosa were not visualized as pale royal green fluorescent images under the WL. CONCLUSION: Using Wood's light to diagnose vaginal atrophy is a new use for the old device and may be a reliable, and cheap tool for diagnosing vaginal atrophy. Diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of Wood's light will be better optimized in further trials.

Long Term Patient Satisfaction of Burch Colposuspension with or Without Concomitant Total Abdominal Hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence negatively affects the quality of life. Various methods are used in the treatment of stress incontinence. Burch colposuspension (BC) is the classical treatment of urinary incontinence. AIM: To compare the long-term satisfaction in patients receiving BC with or without concomitant total abdominal hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with stress incontinence underwent burch colposuspension with or without concomitant total abdominal hysterectomy. Ninety-three (77.5%) patients were interviewed by telephone. Of these, 91(75, 8%) patients agreed to participate in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of the surgical procedure. Group 1(N=48, 52.7%) had received burch colposuspension with concomitant total abdominal hysterectomy. Group 2 (N=43, 47.3%) had received burch colposuspension without concomitant total abdominal hysterectomy. RESULTS: In Group 1, 41 patients (85%) were satisfied with the surgery and did not complain of urinary incontinence (p<0.05). In Group 2, 37 (86%) patients were satisfied with the surgery (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no difference in patient satisfaction between hysterectomy and BC and only BC to treat incontinence.

Trocar site hernia on an 8-mm port following robotic-assisted hysterectomy.

The increasing use of laparoscopy has resulted in added complications specific to the laparoscopic approach, such as trocar site hernia (TSH), which is an uncommon but well-recognized problem for both regular laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedures. We describe an extremely rare case of TSH at an 8-mm port site occurring a relatively short time after surgery in a 53-year-old patient undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign reasons. Additionally, this report attempts to explain the possible etiological factors relating to TSH following robotic-assisted surgery. According to our case report, a defect in the 8-mm port that may lead to hernia is one possible explanation, and closure of the 8-mm trocar sites' fascia may be a safer approach during robotic-assisted surgery. Additional reports are needed to accurately determine the frequency of occurrence and importance of this complication.

HPV types in Turkey: multicenter hospital based evaluation of 6388 patients in Turkish gynecologic oncology group centers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of HPV DNA and cervical cytological abnormalities, to compare cervical cytology results and HPV DNA and to define HPV types distribution in a large series of Turkish women who have undergone HPV analysis in hospitals that are members of the Turkish Gynecological Oncology Group. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 2006 and 2010, a total of 6388 patients' data was retrospectively evaluated at 12 healthcare centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics, cervical cytology results, HPV status and types were compared. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 38.9±10.2. Overall, 25% of the women were found to be HPV positive. Presence of HPV-DNA among patients with abnormal and normal cytology was 52% and 27%, respectively. There was significant difference with respect to decades of life and HPV positivity (p < 0.05). HPV was positive in (within the HPV (+) patients) 37%, 9%, 27%, 20%, 22%, and 41% of the ASCUS, ASC-H, LSIL HSIL, glandular cell abnormalities, and SCC cases respectively The most common HPV types in our study were as follows; HPV 16 (32%), HPV 6 (17%), HPV 11 (9%), HPV 18 (8%), HPV 31 (6%), HPV 51 (5%), HPV 33 (3%). CONCLUSION: In this hospital based retrospective analysis, HPV genotypes in Turkish women with normal and abnormal cytology are similar to those reported from western countries. Further population based prospective multicenter studies are necessary to determine non-hospital based HPV prevalence in Turkish women.

Effects of smoking during pregnancy on DNA damage and ROS level consequences in maternal and newborns' blood.

Some of the genotoxic/carcinogenic substances or metabolites in cigarette smoke are capable of passing through the placenta and harming a newborn's health. Smoking is also known as a factor in the formation of oxidative damage and the main mechanism involved in the carcinogenic process. Predetermining this genotoxic risk can be successfully achieved by measuring certain parameters of oxidative stress. The comet assay is considered an important biomarker for the evaluation of genotoxic substances and is effective for detecting DNA damage caused by smoking. This study examined third trimester bloods and the cord blood of 28 actively smoking and 22 non-smoking mothers in terms of DNA damage and oxidative stress parameters. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), plasma nitrite/nitrates (NO2-/NO3-), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), Cu, and Zn levels were measured as indicators of oxidative damage. There were no significant increases in DNA damage of the actively smoking pregnant group in comparison with the non-smoking pregnant group, either in the third trimester or cord blood. Oxidative stress parameters of smoker and non-smoker groups were statistically different for MDA (p<0.05), CuZn-SOD (p<0.01), Se-GPx (p<0.05) values while the difference was not significant for NO2-/NO3-, CAT, Zn, and Cu values. The same values were also investigated in cord blood,and only NO2/NO3-(p<0.01), Se-GPx (p<0.01 and CAT (p<0.001) values were found statistically different.Smoking mothers may have been exposed to more oxidative stress than non-smoking mothers

Prenatal diagnosis of an autosomal translocation with regular trisomy 21.

The coincidence of trisomy 21 and a structural rearrangement is very rare, and even it has not been reported as a prenatal diagnosis yet. In this article, we present an autosomal translocation carrier fetus with trisomy 21: 47,XX,+21, t(3;8)(p21;q24). Although the coincidence of reciprocal translocation and trisomy may be seen in reciprocal translocation carrier families, de novo cases are extremely rare. The presented case is diagnosed by amniocentesis, which was performed because of abnormal fetal ultrasonographic findings and increased trisomy 21 risk at maternal serum screening test. The postmortem pathologic examination of the fetus revealed that the findings of hypertelorism and right lung with two lobes are interesting novel findings of our cases associated with the breakpoints 3p21 and 8q24.

A macrophage activation marker chitotriosidase in women with PCOS: does low-grade chronic inflammation in PCOS relate to PCOS itself or obesity?

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is described as a low-grade chronic inflammatory state where the macrophage infiltration increased in visceral fat play the major role. The aim of this study was to assess chitotriosidase (ChT) activity (an activated macrophage marker) in women with PCOS and controls and to evaluate its correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-nine women with PCOS and 60 healthy controls were included in the study. PCOS and controls were divided into two subgroups according to body mass indexes (BMIs) as normoweight (<25 kg/m(2)) and overweight (≥25 kg/m(2)). ChT activity, biochemical (free testosterone, luteinizing hormone, insulin resistance index, etc.) and clinical parameters [BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, modified Ferriman-Gallwey scores (mFG)] were analyzed according to groups. RESULTS: Serum ChT activity was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in women with PCOS than controls (normoweight, 87.1 ± 90.1 vs. 18.4 ± 9.0 nmol/ml/h; overweight, 92.0 ± 96.7 vs. 17.9 ± 12.1 nmol/ml/h PCOS and controls, respectively). No statistically significant difference was noted between ChT activity of normoweight and overweight PCOS subgroups. A positive correlation was found between ChT activity and PCOS status (r 0.598, p < 0.001), mFG scores (r 0.525, p < 0.001), free testosterone (r 0.402, p 0.001) and total testosterone (r 0.168, p 0.048) for the combined groups (PCOS + controls). In multivariant linear regression analysis participants' PCOS status (presence or absence) and LH levels were the main predictors of ChT activity in the whole study population (p 0.002 and p 0.041, respectively). CONCLUSION: ChT activity elevates in PCOS independent of obesity. Our findings support the concept of PCOS is a state of low-grade chronic inflammation where the macrophages could play the major role. Hyperandrogenism might also be related to this inflammatory state and can be a subject of further trials.