Comparison of the histopathological diagnoses of preoperative dilatation and curettage and Pipelle biopsy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of dilatation and curettage (D&C) and Pipelle biopsy for the diagnosis of endometrial pathologies and determine whether the amount of endometrial tissue obtained using these techniques is sufficient for further histopathology of hysterectomy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing hysterectomy for various indications were evaluated via Pipelle endometrial biopsy or D&C from 2009-2011. A total of 267 women were included with 78 women enrolled in the Pipelle group and 189 in the D&C group. Uterine findings were grouped as normal, hyperplasia, focal lesion, atypia, and atrophy. Histological sections from the Pipelle biopsy or D&C specimens were compared to each other and hysterectomy specimens. RESULTS: The concordance rate between Pipelle biopsy and hysterectomy was 62% and between D&C and hysterectomy was 67%. The sensitivity of Pipelle biopsy and D&C for detecting hyperplasia was 41.7% and 45%, respectively, and for detecting atypia was 71.4% for both techniques. The sensitivity of detecting atrophic endometrial tissue was significantly higher in the D&C group at 80% compared to 37.5% in the Pipelle biopsy group (p = 0.030). All other parameters were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Pipelle biopsy and D&C were equally successful for diagnosing endometrial pathologies. Neither Pipelle biopsy nor D&C was adequate for detecting focal endometrial pathologies and endometrial hyperplasia. In contrast, both techniques were sufficient for the diagnosis of atypia. The Pipelle biopsy technique is a reasonable pre-hysterectomy procedure that is more economical, less invasive, and can easily be performed in multiple clinics.

Second-stage vs first-stage caesarean delivery: comparison of maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Abstract In this observational study, we investigated the maternal and perinatal complications of caesarean delivery performed in the second stage compared with the first stage of labour at a tertiary hospital in Istanbul. This study was performed from June 2008 to July 2011. Primary maternal outcomes measured included intraoperative surgical complications, surgery duration, need for blood transfusion, endometritis, requirement for hysterectomy, unintended extension and length of hospital stay. Neonatal outcomes included a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 3, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, fetal injury, septicaemia and neonatal death. In total, 3,817 caesarean deliveries were available for analysis; 3,519 were performed in the first stage, and 298 in the second stage. Caesarean deliveries performed in the second stage were associated with increased intraoperative complications, unintended extensions, need for blood transfusion, higher rates of endometritis and requirement for hysterectomy and were, therefore, associated with longer operation time and hospital stay. Neonatal complications included a significantly low Apgar score at 5 min, increased neonatal death, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, septicaemia and fetal injury (all p < 0.05). Caesarean deliveries performed in the second stage of labour were associated with higher rates of maternal and neonatal complications, particularly in women who had undergone previous caesarean delivery.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes of eclampsia with and without HELLP syndrome in a teaching hospital in western Turkey.

In this study, we compared the perinatal and maternal outcomes of women with eclampsia with and without HELLP syndrome. A total of 219 pregnancies complicated by eclampsia with and without HELLP syndrome managed between January 2002 and December 2011, were reviewed. The incidence of eclampsia was 1.7/1,000 deliveries. Among 219 patients with eclampsia, 141 (64.4%) did not develop HELLP syndrome and 78 (35.6%) did develop HELLP syndrome. Maternal age and the rates of nulliparity were similar in both groups. Interval time from eclamptic seizure to delivery was significantly longer in the without-HELLP syndrome group (0.92 ± 0.29 weeks vs 0.16 ± 0.12 weeks, p = 0.028). Furthermore, overall perinatal mortality (particularly after gestational week 32) was significantly higher in the with-HELLP syndrome group (20.5% vs 9.9%, p = 0.029). In conclusion, patients with HELLP syndrome had significantly higher perinatal mortality than those with eclampsia without HELLP syndrome and no regular prenatal care.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with placenta praevia and accreta in teaching hospitals in Western Turkey.

In this retrospective study, we investigated patient characteristics and fetal and maternal outcomes of placenta praevia and accreta at two tertiary hospitals in Istanbul. A total of 364 pregnancies complicated by placenta praevia with (n = 46) and without (n = 318) placenta accreta managed between January 2005 and December 2010 were reviewed. Among 364 women, 46 (12.6%) had placenta accreta and 318 (87.4%) had placenta praevia without accreta. The rates of curettage history and caesarean delivery were significantly higher in the group with placenta accreta. Furthermore, we found that emergency surgery had negative effects on maternal outcomes in the placenta praevia group. In addition, when accreta was suspected at ultrasound examination in women who had placenta praevia, the mean estimated blood loss during surgery was reduced significantly. If placenta praevia is detected, a careful ultrasound examination should be performed and the patient should undergo elective surgery at a tertiary referral hospital.

Comparison of single-dose and two-dose methotrexate protocols for the treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Summary The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and success rates of single- and two-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocols for the treatment of unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. This retrospective study included 87 patients with ectopic pregnancy who were treated with MTX therapy (single-dose protocol: 46 patients; two-dose protocol: 41 patients). Both protocol groups were compared with regard to success rates, ß-hCG and progesterone levels, the presence of cardiac activity, a history of previous ectopic pregnancy, ectopic mass size, gestational age, adverse events, and number of repeat MTX doses. Success rates between the single-dose and two-dose methotrexate therapy groups were comparable (87% vs 90.2%; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.18-2.75; p = 0.74). No significant differences were found between the groups in factors influencing MTX treatment success rate, including the mean ß-hCG level, mean progesterone level, the presence of a positive cardiac activity, mean ectopic mass size, mean endometrial thickness, and the presence of a yolk sac. There were also no significant between-group difference were found in the percentage of women who needed a repeat dose of MTX (17.3% vs 7.3%; OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09-1.52; p = 0.20) and in the percentage of adverse events (45.7% vs 58.7%; OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.71-3.93; p = 0.28). In conclusion, medical treatment with single-dose or with two-dose systemic MTX seem to be equal therapeutic options for patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Does saline irrigation reduce the wound infection in caesarean delivery?

The aim of this prospective randomised study was to estimate the effect of saline wound irrigation before wound closure in the prevention of infection following caesarean delivery. Participants with indications for elective or emergency caesarean section were randomly allocated to two groups. A total of 260 women who underwent wound irrigation before wound closure and 260 did not. No demographic differences were identified between the groups. There were also no significant differences between the groups in terms of factors known to influence wound infection. The incidence of wound infection was 7.3% for the control group and 6.5% for the saline group; however, the difference was not significant (relative risk: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.45-1.74; p=0.86). In conclusion, saline wound irrigation before wound closure did not reduce the infection rate in patients undergoing caesarean delivery.

Iatrogenic bladder injuries during caesarean delivery: a case control study.

This study determined the rate, risk factors, management and outcome of bladder injury during caesarean section and suggests ways to improve the quality of care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. During the study period, there were 76 bladder injuries in 56,799 caesarean deliveries for an overall incidence of 0.13%. Women with a bladder injury were more likely to have had a prior caesarean delivery, as compared with the control group (72.4% vs 34.2%; p < 0.001). Cases were also more likely than controls to have had prior pelvic surgery. The presence of adhesions during the procedure was greater in the bladder injury group than the controls. In conclusion, our study suggests that a previous caesarean delivery is the most common risk factor for bladder injury during caesarean delivery. Moreover, the presence of labour, station of the presenting fetal part deeper than or equal to +1, and a large baby were independent risks for a bladder injury during caesarean delivery. Women requesting primary caesarean deliveries should be counselled about the potential for significant surgical complications in repeat caesarean deliveries when discussing the indications for a primary elective caesarean delivery.