The randomised uterine septum transsection trial (TRUST): design and protocol.

BACKGROUND: A septate uterus is a uterine anomaly that may affect reproductive outcome, and is associated with an increased risk for miscarriage, subfertility and preterm birth. Resection of the septum is subject of debate. There is no convincing evidence concerning its effectiveness and safety. This study aims to assess whether hysteroscopic septum resection improves reproductive outcome in women with a septate uterus. METHODS/DESIGN: A multi-centre randomised controlled trial comparing hysteroscopic septum resection and expectant management in women with recurrent miscarriage or subfertility and diagnosed with a septate uterus. The primary outcome is live birth, defined as the birth of a living foetus beyond 24 weeks of gestational age. Secondary outcomes are ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and complications following hysteroscopic septum resection. The analysis will be performed according to the intention to treat principle. Kaplan-Meier curves will be constructed, estimating the cumulative probability of conception leading to live birth rate over time. Based on retrospective studies, we anticipate an improvement of the live birth rate from 35% without surgery to 70% with surgery. To demonstrate this difference, 68 women need to be randomised. DISCUSSION: Hysteroscopic septum resection is worldwide considered as a standard procedure in women with a septate uterus. Solid evidence for this recommendation is lacking and data from randomised trials is urgently needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch trial registry ( NTR1676 , 18th of February 2009).

[Thoracic endometriosis with aspecific manifestation]. / Thoracale endometriose met een aspecifieke uiting.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a common disease, especially in subfertile women. The most common location is in the pelvis, but extragenital locations are also possible. This far less common condition has been described in almost all tissues in the body. Symptoms occurring cyclically are characteristic of endometriosis. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 37-year-old woman was discovered by chance to have ascites and pleural effusion. She had no symptoms of this. Thoracoscopy showed an image consistent with thoracic endometriosis. After initial drug therapy was unsuccessful, surgical intervention was performed. CONCLUSION: Thoracic endometriosis is a rare disease, in which the cyclical nature of the symptoms often leads to correct diagnosis. Drug therapy is the preferred treatment for patients.

Metroplasty versus expectant management for women with recurrent miscarriage and a septate uterus.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of recurrent miscarriage in women with a septate uterus has increased. Restoration of the morphology of the uterus can hypothetically increase live birth rate and subsequent pregnancies in women with a septate uterus and recurrent miscarriage. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with a septate uterus and two or more preceding miscarriages improves pregnancy outcomes. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group Specialised Register (inception to August 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (inception to August 2010),  MEDLINE (1950 to August 2010), EMBASE (1980 to August 2010). PSYCHINFO (1806 to August 2010). In addition we searched trial registers for ongoing and registered trials, conference abstracts and OpenSigle and sources of Grey literature. SELECTION CRITERIA: Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the effect on reproductive outcome of hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with a history of two or more preceding miscarriages and a septate uterus were eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: If there had been data to include, two authors would have independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. They would have also contacted study authors for additional information. We collected adverse effects information from the trials. MAIN RESULTS: No randomised controlled trials were identified for inclusion. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Hysteroscopic metroplasty in women with recurrent miscarriage and a septate uterus is being performed in many countries to improve reproductive outcomes in women.This treatment has been assessed in non-controlled studies, which suggested a positive effect on pregnancy outcomes. However, these studies are biased due to the fact that the participants with recurrent miscarriage treated by hysteroscopic metroplasty served as their own controls. Until now, the effectiveness and possible complications of hysteroscopic metroplasty have never been considered in a randomised controlled trial.Taking this into account there is insufficient evidence to support this treatment in these women. A randomised controlled trial is urgently needed and currently underway (www.studies-obsgyn.nl/trust NTR 1676).

Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy versus laparoscopic total hysterectomy: a decade of experience.

At present, there are only few data on the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH). Up till now, it has been unclear whether there is a difference in number of complications among the subcategories of laparoscopic total hysterectomy and laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy (LSH). Therefore, we have performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the peri- and postoperative outcomes in women undergoing LSH versus LH. This multi-centre retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2) was conducted in multi-centres (two teaching hospitals and one university medical centre) in the Netherlands, all experienced in minimally invasive gynaecology. In a multi-centre retrospective cohort study we compared the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy and laparoscopic total hysterectomy (including laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy and total laparoscopic hysterectomy). All laparoscopic hysterectomies from the last 10 years (January 1998 till December 2007) were included. Patient characteristics, intra- and postoperative complications, operating time and duration of hospital stay were recorded. The minimum follow-up was 6 months. A total of 390 cases of laparoscopic hysterectomies were included in the analysis: 192 laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomies and 198 laparoscopic total hysterectomies. Patient characteristics such as age and parity were equal in the groups. The overall number of short-term and long-term complications was comparable in both groups: 17% and 15%. Short-term complications (bleeding, fever) were 3% in the LSH group and 12% in the LH group. Long-term complications were (tubal prolapse and cervical stump reoperations) 15% in the LSH group and 3% in the LH group. Laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomy as compared with the different types of laparoscopic total hysterectomy is associated with more long-term postoperative complications, whereas laparoscopic total hysterectomy is associated with more short-term complications.

[Fibroids and fertility]. / Myomen en vruchtbaarheid.

Fibroids are the most common benign uterine tumours. A relation between fibroids and infertility is suggested. Successful implantation depends on a normal, receptive endometrium. Fibroids can change the normal appearance of the uterine cavity and can adversely affect the endometrium. It seems that treatment of fibroids in infertility patients is useful but this is not yet proven scientifically. It is advised to refrain from extirpation of fibroids in patients with fertility problems.

Transcervical hysteroscopic resection of submucous fibroids for abnormal uterine bleeding: results regarding the degree of intramural extension.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the results of transcervical resection of submucous fibroids in relation to the degree of intramural extension. METHODS: A prospective 3-year observational study was performed of transcervical resection of submucous fibroids for abnormal uterine bleeding. The mean follow-up was 20 months (range 10-34). Fifty-one patients with a mean age of 38 years (range 23-55) were treated with transcervical resection after classification according to the degree of intramural extension of the submucous fibroids. The intention was to perform complete resection, established at control hysteroscopy. A repeat procedure was performed in cases of incomplete resection unless the patient denied further hysteroscopic treatment. Outcome measures were control of bleeding, subsequent surgery, number of procedures, number of complete resections, and number of recurrences. RESULTS: Bleeding was controlled in 48 (94.1%) of all patients after final resection. Hysterectomy was performed in three patients (5.9%) because of persistent complaints: in two cases after incomplete resection and in one case after complete resection. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 45 patients (42 with complete and three with incomplete final resection), three (6.7%) had a recurrence (one after complete and two after incomplete final resection). With more extensive intramural involvement, the chance to achieve complete resection decreased and the mean number of procedures to achieve complete resection increased. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection improves the long-term results of transcervical resection of submucous fibroids for control of abnormal uterine bleeding. Transcervical resection of submucous fibroids with more than 50% intramural extension should be performed only in selected cases, as complete resection usually necessitates repeat procedures.