[Diagnosis of molar pregnancy by hysteroscopy]. / Diagnóstico de embarazo molar por histeroscopia.

BACKGROUND: Gestational trophoblastic disease has a high incidence worldwide. Proper pre-evacuation diagnosis must be performed due to the risk of malignant complications associated with hydatidiform moles. Diagnosis of early molar pregnancies might be elusive due to atypical clinical manifestations and inconclusive ultrasonographic findings. OBJECTIVE: Report on the efficiency and precision by hysteroscopy for the diagnosis of molar pregnancy in one particular case. CLINICAL CASE: Thirty-year old woman, 5.6-week pregnant, suffering from pelvic pain, uterine bleeding and high concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin beta fraction (beta-hCG). Ultrasonography suggested inconclusively either a hematoma or a gestational sac so that further evaluation by hysteroscopy had to be performed in order to reach a proper diagnosis. RESULTS: Hysteroscopic evaluation provided conclusive diagnostic images of hydropic degeneration of the chorionic villi. Histopathological evaluation confirmed a molar pregnancy. The mole was removed by uterine curettage and beta-hCG tests followed. CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopy is a useful tool for diagnostic protocol in case of early atypical molar pregnancy.

Desempeño de los procedimientos laparoscópicos en ginecología: adquisición y mantenimiento de la idoneidad / Techniques for developing and maintaining skills in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery

El avance de la tecnología y de las nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas en las especialidades médicas, ha convertido a la cirugía de mínima invasión ginecológica en una alternativa para el beneficio de los pacientes, obteniendo en la mayoría de los casos mejores resultados que la cirugía convencional. El objetivo de este documento es describir cuales son los mejores recursos y técnicas para el desarrollo y mantenimiento de destrezas en cirugía laparoscópica ginecológica, así como evidenciar los factores que favorecen o afectan la curva de aprendizaje y la calidad del desempeño. Así mismo, la metodología que supervisa el aprendizaje también puede examinar la competencia y la calidad del desempeño continuo en los procedimientos quirúrgicos. No existe una diferencia significativa entre las técnicas de entrenamiento en cirugía laparoscópica de mínima invasión, pero si es evidente que el entrenamiento previo mejora la habilidad individual y se obtienen resultados precisos y reproducibles. Es difícil mantener la consistencia, por lo que la ejecución deberá ser supervisada por métodos cuantitativos a fin de disminuir las complicaciones. Es evidente que se deben actualizar los programas académicos en la especialidad de ginecología, donde se incorpore un verdadero módulo de cirugía laparoscópica para que los médicos en formación adquieran destrezas con los procedimientos de baja complejidad, y al desarrollarse en los niveles de dificultad quirúrgica, se pueda supervisar la calidad del desempeño con métodos estadísticos adecuados.

The advancement of new surgical techniques in medical specialties has become minimally invasive gynecologic surgery into a modern surgical technique. There are a number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an open procedure, obtaining in most cases mayor benefits than traditional surgery techniques. The purpose of this study was to describe which are the best aspects and techniques for developing and maintaining skills in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery and identify the factors affecting learning curves. A lot of factors are involved: like institutional policies and the characteristics of the surgeon such as attitude and capacity for acquiring new skills. Prior laparoscopic training has been shown to facilitate the process of learning, reduces complication rates and operative time. The type of training the surgeon has received is not significantly related to this learning curve. Maintaining consistency is challenging: however, assessing laparoscopic learning can also examine surgical competence. Consequently the implementation should be monitored by quantitative methods in order to provide both numerical and graphical representation of the learning process. The learning curves combined with the advantages of feedback using the rating scales open the possibility to design high-quality training curricula in advanced laparoscopy. It is clear that academic programs must be updated: this leads to an increasing demand for evidence and proficiency-based education, training and assessment of gynecologic laparoscopic skills. We need a feasible, structured and objective statistical system for assessment of both technical and procedural skills.

[Combined hormonal contraception in cycles artificially extended]. / Anticoncepción con hormonales combinados en ciclos extendidos artificialmente.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the bleeding patterns, satisfaction and tolerability of 3 different contraceptive in an extended regimens in the service of Family Planning of the North Central Hospital of PEMEX. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Healthy, adult women with desire of contraception for one year (N 120) were randomly assigned to receive oral contraceptive drospirenone/ethinyl E2 (group1), the norelgestromin/ethinyl E2 transdermal patch (group 2) and vaginal ring etonogestrel/ ethinyl E2 (group 3) in an extended regimen (42 consecutive days, 1 hormone-free week). Study assessments were conducted at scheduled visits at the time of initial screening, at baseline after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Subjects recorded menstrual associated symptoms bleeding data and completed satisfaction questionnaires. Subjects and investigators provided overall assessments of the regimens. RESULTS: Extended use of 3 different contraceptive resulted in fewer bleeding days in every group (66.6%, 55% and 58.3% P 0.0024), and less mastalgia and menstrual pain. Subjects were highly satisfied with three regimens (93.3%, 96.6% and 91.6% P 0.00421). Although not mayor adverse events were reported with this regimen, there was an increase in spotting days; it decreased with each successive cycle of therapy. Efficacy and safety were similar to those reported for traditional cycle. CONCLUSION: Extended-contraceptive regimen delays menses and reduces bleeding, a profile that may be preferred by women who seek flexibility with their contraceptive method.

[Total laparoscopic hysterectomy: descriptive study of institutional experience with 198 cases]. / Histerectomía total laparoscópica: estudio descriptivo de la experiencia institucional con 198 casos.

BACKGROUND: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy is a useful surgery in current gynecology, specially, in cases where abdominal access is indicated. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy performance has increased in recent years. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and surgical variables of patients undergoing laparoscopic total hysterectomy for benign disease, performed at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, between 2007 and 2009. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study. Medical records of all patients with a noncancer diagnosis underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy were reviewed, at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia, between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009. RESULTS: 594 hysterectomies were performed, of which 37.3% were by laparoscopic surgery, within these 89.1% were through the total laparoscopic hysterectomy technique. Surgical indications were 58.6% for fibroids, 23.2% abnormal uterine bleeding and 18.2% for adenomiosis. Studied variables revealed an average surgical time of 139 + 66.9 min (range: 75-225 min), average surgical bleeding of 119.7 +/- 60.5 mL (50-350 mL), average uterine longitude of 12.4 +/- 2 cm (8-16 cm), average uterine weight 222.7 +/- 113.8 g (90-860 g), and average hospital stay of 2.3 +/- 0.5 days (2-4 days), all of these results within the range reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Previous surgical interventions were observed as complications risk factors, 162 (81%) patients had previous surgeries, 29% with 2 c-sections, 20% with 3 or more and 27% had other non-obstetrical interventions. This technique is safe and reliable, it does not replace the vaginal access and with adequate training and equipment it may be performed in an efficient manner with satisfactory results in our population.

[Comparison of laparoscopic vs. laparotomy treatment in ovarian teratomas]. / Comparación del tratamiento laparoscópico vs laparotomía en teratomas ováricos.

BACKGROUND: Benign cystic teratoma is one of the most common benign tumors of the ovary, according to international series represents between 44 and 62% of all ovarian tumors diagnosed in women younger than 40 years. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety between laparoscopy and laparotomy in the management of ovarian teratomas, as well as the recurrence between both techniques. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Retrospective, clinical series study involving 169 cases of ovarian teratomas operated at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes in the period comprehended between 2000-2008. The cases were divided into the ones solved by laparoscopy, corresponding to group 1 (102 cases) and 67 cases solved by laparotomy, corresponding to group 2. RESULTS: Group 1 (laparoscopic approach) consisted of 102 patients (60.3%), and group 2 (laparotomy approach) had 67 patients (39.7%). Surgical bleeding: 55.7 +/- 21.4 mL vs. 91.6 +/- 29.2 mL (p < 0.0001), hospital stay: 1.6 +/- 0.57 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.42 days (p < 0.0001), surgical time: 110.3 +/- 27.2 vs. 83.6 +/- 26.9 minutes (p < 0.0001), teratoma size: 7.2 +/- 2.3 vs. 11.5 +/- 4.2 cm (p < 0.0001) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Teratoma rupture had 57.8% incidence (59 cases) in group 1, and 16.4% in group 2 (11 cases). Laparoscopy was a risk factor for broken open for ovarian cyst (OR: 6.9; CI 95%: 3.3-14.8). Not a single case was complicated by chemical peritonitis in any study group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach to teratomas is a safe and efficient procedure, it does not increase complications in comparison to the laparotomy approach; it presents less bleeding and short hospital stay, offering a quick recovery.

[Use of plasmakinetics vessel sealing vs suture material in abdominal total hysterectomy]. / Uso de la pinza plasmakinetics vs material de sutura en la histerectomia total abdominal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of the use of bipolar plasmakinetic vessel sealing versus standard technique when performing total abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Controlled randomized trial involving 94 women who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. Fourty seven procedures were performed using bipolar plasmakinetics vessel sealing and the remaining 47 with the standard suture technique. The primary outcomes were improvement in terms of blood loss, procedure time, hospital length of stay, and overall cost of the procedure. Statistical methodology considered significant p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean operational time was shorter with bipolar vessel sealing duration of 82 minutes (range 78-85) versus 99 minutes (range 93-104) with standard technique; (p < 0.001). Days in hospital for the bipolar vessel sealing group was 2.06 days (range 2-2.1), versus 3.2 days (range 2.9-3.4), (p < 0.001), estimated blood loss of 209 mL (range 182-235) as compared to the standard group with 330 mL(range 297-362) (p < 0.003), there was a significant difference in terms of overall cost with bipolar vessel sealing as compared to the standard technique (p < 0.001).The incidence of perioperative complications was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Women who underwent the procedure with bipolar plasmakinetics vessel sealing showed a significant reduction in blood loss, operative time, length of stay, and also a decrease in the final cost of the procedure.