External cephalic version after previous cesarean section: a series of 38 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if external cephalic version (ECV) is a reasonable alternative to repeat cesarean section in case of breech presentation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 38 women with one previous cesarean section and a breech presentation after 36 weeks of gestational age who have had at least one experience of ECV. Statistics used the Fisher's test with significance when P<0.05. RESULTS: Version attempts were successful in 25 of the 38 women (65.8%). Seventy-six percent of the successful version women went on to have vaginal birth after cesarean section. A total of 19 successful vaginal deliveries occurred (50%). Success rate of ECV was lowered when breech was the indication of the previous cesarean section. The vaginal delivery rate was increased after successful ECV in patients previously vaginally delivered, but this difference did not reached significance (P=0.057). No maternal or neonatal complications occurred. CONCLUSION: ECV is acceptable and effective in women with a prior low transverse uterine scar, when safety criteria are observed.

Intravenous nitroglycerin in obstetrics: a new indication.

Intravenous nitroglycerin has been reported to be efficient in various emergency obstetric situations. We report here the first case of intravenous nitroglycerin use in a 20-week pregnant woman with abruptio placentae and hypertonia leading to in utero fetal death and difficult delivery.

C-reactive protein levels at the onset of labour and at day 3 post-partum in normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: To record maternal serum C-reactive protein levels during normal onset of labour and normal puerperium and to evaluate if inflammation or infection could be predicted during these two periods when serum C-reactive protein is increased. METHODS: Eighty-five pregnant women were enrolled in a longitudinal prospective study and had a blood sample to assess serum C-reactive protein levels on admission to the labour ward for normal onset of labour and at day three post-partum. Inclusion criteria were no previous history, a normal single pregnancy, normal vaginal delivery and an uneventful post-partum course. Twelve non-pregnant women of the same age constitued a control group. An automatic Behring Nephelometer was used to measure serum C-reactive protein concentrations. The Student's t-test (significance p < 0.05) was used for statistical analysis. FINDINGS: C-reactive protein was significantly increased during the onset of labour (4.10 +/- 2.79 mg/L) and reached very high levels during the post-partum period (24.07 +/- 18.28 mg/L) compared to the standard normal serum C-reactive protein level in a population of non-pregnant women of the same age (2.39 +/- 0.07 mg/L). INTERPRETATION: Increased serum C-reactive protein has been reported to be a marker for subclinical infection during pregnancy in various situations including premature labour and premature rupture of membranes and for complications occurring during puerperium such as thrombophlebitis, thromboembolism or endometritis. This interpretation depends on which upper limit is considered as abnormal. Because serum C-reactive protein was raised during the onset of labour, values of less than 10 mg/L could not be considered as a marker for infection during this period. Elevated serum concentrations of estrogen, progestogen and prostaglandins during labour might be one explanation for those physiological changes. Normal vaginal delivery could be compared to a surgical procedure and tissue injury consecutive to vaginal birth as reflected by a dramatic increase in C-reactive protein. More studies using nephelometry are needed to determine normal and upper values of C-reactive protein during pregnancy.

Indications of laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine when vaginal hysterectomy is contra-indicated and abdominal hysterectomy should be performed. To assess when laparoscopic surgery can avoid the abdominal procedure, and to determine the indications of this new technique in case of benign uterine lesions without prolapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 171 hysterectomies performed by the same surgeon for benign uterine lesions without prolapse. When possible the vaginal route was chosen and the following criteria were studied: indication for hysterectomy, previous surgery, uterine weight, duration of the procedure, intra- and post-operative bleeding, complications and recovery time. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi2 test and the Fisher's exact test when appropriate with a level of significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: One hundred and nine vaginal (60.4%) and 62 abdominal (39.6%) hysterectomies were performed and the main indication was menometrorrhagia (respectively 97 (89%) and 49 (79%) cases). The indication for abdominal surgery was an enlarged uterus in 47 patients (76%). In 10 cases (6%) laparoscopy was indicated because of severe endometriosis, previous abdominal surgery or a suspect adnexal cyst. No complications occurred in either group. The duration of the procedure, blood loss and recovery time were lower in the vaginal group (p < 0.05). COMMENTS: Uterine volume limits vaginal hysterectomy, and this cannot be overcome by laparoscopic surgery. Only severe adhesions and endometriosis are more amenable to laparoscopic hysterectomy. The laparoscopic hysterectomy rate should not reasonably exceed 10 to 15%, yet is as high as 63% in some studies. Further studies are needed to determine the value of laparoscopic hysterectomy relative to the vaginal route.

Prophylactic intrapartum amnioinfusion: a controlled retrospective study of 135 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To show that intrapartum prophylactic amnioinfusion (AI) in case of oligohydramnios or particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid could be beneficial. STUDY DESIGN: From the first March 1993 until the 30th June 1995, 4031 women were delivered at the University Hospital of Poitiers. Patients presenting with oligohydramnios (G1) (71 patients with an amniotic fluid index below 5 cm) or a particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid (G2) (64 patients) were included. Each group was compared to an historical control group constituted retrospectively according to the following criteria: oligohydramnios (CG1), particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid (CG2), age, parity, gestational age and duration of labor. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test and the Fisher's exact test when appropriate with a level of significance of P less than 0.05. RESULTS: The mean infused volume was 893 ml in G1 and 734 ml in G2. A significant difference was found in terms of cesarean section between G1 and CG1 (11.3 vs. 24.5%; P < 0.05) and of assisted deliveries for fetal distress between G2 and CG2 (12.5 vs. 23.43%; P < 0.05). No other significant difference was found between the study groups and their control for all other studied criteria. When considering more specifically the presence of meconium below the vocal cords we also could not find any significant difference between G2 and CG2 (1.6 vs. 9.4%; P = 0.05). No neonatal or maternal adverse effect happened in this short study. COMMENT: AI is easy to perform during labour in case of oligohydramnios or particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid. In case of oligohydramnios, a decreased rate of cesarean sections has been observed in the infused group. Considering patients with particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid, less interventions for fetal distress and neonates with meconium below the vocal cords has been found in the infused group. Further prospective evaluation is needed to confirm these results in case of particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid and to compare the advantage of prophylactic versus therapeutic AI performed in case of oligohydramnios and abnormal fetal heart rate.

[Cervical maturation by repeated applications of prostaglandin E2 gel. 186 cases]. / Maturation cervicale par applications itératives de gel de prostaglandines E2. A propos de 186 cas.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective clinical trial of cervical ripening with intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel in repeated administrations was performed. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighty-six patients were enrolled in this prospective trial between 01/01/89 and 31/12/93. these patients with unripe cervix (Bishop score < 5) required induction of labor because of pregnancy disorders. Mean patient age was 28.2 years (range 15 to 43), mean gestational age was 39.2 week's gestation (range 33 to 43) and mean parity was 1.8 (range 1 to 10). Our exclusion criterias were as follow: twin pregnancies, breech presentation and premature rupture of membranes. A 0.5 mg prostaglandin E2 gel was administered into the cervix every four hours maximal of three doses before induction of labor with oxytocin. Maternal and neonatal results were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients required a single dose of gel in 19.9% of cases, two doses in 26.3% and three doses in 53.8%. Induced labor during cervical ripening occurred in 55.4% of patients. A cesarean section was necessary in 22% of cases. This rate was both significantly related to the initial Bishop score and to the Bishop score at the end of the procedure. Patient with induced labor during the cervical ripening had a significantly lower cesarean section rate compared to these who needed induction with oxytocin (10.7% versus 33.8%; p < 0.01). The uterine hyperstimulation rate was 1.6%. A 1 min Apgar score less than 7 occurred in 1.1% of neonates. COMMENTS: Our results do not demonstrate benefit of repeated administration comparison to a single administration described in literature. Maternal and neonatal morbidity is low in this study but cervical ripening should be used only when pregnancy disorders require prompt delivery within twenty-four hours.

[Prophylactic amnion infusion during labor. Apropos of 195 cases]. / L'amnio-infusion prophylactique au cours du travail. A propos de 195 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To show that intrapartum prophylactic amnioinfusion in case of oligohydramnios or particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid could be beneficial. STUDY DESIGN: From March 1st, 1993 until December 31st, 1996, 6845 women were delivered at the University Hospital of Poitiers. Patients presenting with oligohydramnios (G1) (118 patients with an amniotic fluid index below 5 cm) or a particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid (G2)(77 patients) were included. Each group was compared with a historical control group constituted retrospectively according to the following criteria: oligohydramnios (CG1), particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid (CG2)), age, parity, gestational age, and duration of labor. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test and the Fisher's exact test when appropriate with a level of significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean infused volume was 883 ml in G1 and 751 ml in G2. A significant difference was found in terms of cesarean section between G1 and CG1 (14% versus 25%, p < 0.05) and of assisted deliveries for fetal distress between G2 and CG2 (5% versus 18%, p < 0.02). No other significant difference was found between the study groups and their control for all other studied criteria. When considering more specifically the presence of meconium below the vocal cords we also find a difference between G2 and CG2 (5% versus 14%) which was not significant. No neonatal or maternal adverse effects happened in this short study. COMMENT: Amnioinfusion is easy to perform during labor in case of oligohydramnios or particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid. In case of oligohydramnios, a decreased rate of cesarean sections has been observed in the infused group. Considering patients with particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid, less interventions for fetal distress and neonates with meconium below the vocal cords has been found in the infused group. Further prospective evaluation is needed to confirm these results in case of particulate meconium-stained amniotic fluid and to compare the advantage of prophylactic versus therapeutic amnioinfusion performed in case of oligohydramnios and abnormal fetal heart rate.

[Biological diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes: respective values of diamine oxidase activity compared to vaginal fluid pH (Amnicator)]. / Diagnostic biologique de la rupture prématurée des membranes: valeurs respectives du test à la DAO et de la mesure du pH vaginal (Amnicator).

OBJECTIVES: To compare the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Spe), positive predictive (PPV) and negative predictive (PNV) values of 2 tests used routinely for suspected premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) and their implication in the management of such cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1 November 1995 to 31 July 1996, 87 patients: 16 with obvious PROM on physical examination (group I) and 71 with suspected PROM (group II) were tested with both DAO and Amnicator. PROM was arbitrary confirmed in group II when delivery occurred within 48 hours after the diagnosis was suspected. The corrected chi 2 test was used to compare both tests results in group II. RESULTS: In case of obvious PROM, the sensitivity of the DAO and Amnicator tests were 75 and 87.5% respectively. Eleven patients from group II delivered within 48 hours following admission and the 2 tests results were respectively: Se 90.9 and 81.81%, Spe 100 and 83.33%, PPV 100 and 52.63% and PNV 98.36 and 96.15%. DAO gave better results in terms of Spe and PPV (p < 0.05). COMMENTS: The DAO test remains a reference test when PROM is suspected but when it is not available (during night or week-end), the quite good negative predictive value of Amnicator could avoid unnecessary hospitalisation and permit later DAO test.

[How many abdominal hysterectomies can be avoided by laparoscopic surgery?]. / Combien d'hystérectomies abdominales la coelio-chirurgie peut-elle éviter?

Laparoscopic hysterectomy performed for benign uterine lesions without prolapse is becoming more and more popular. This surgical route has some of the advantages of the vaginal route and could avoid numerous abdominal hysterectomies. Our experience shows that most of abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomies could be done using the vaginal route which is for us the reference. One question about laparoscopic hysterectomy is: can we perform this technique to avoid abdominal hysterectomy when the vaginal route looks impossible? To answer this question, we retrospectively studied 171 hysterectomies. The laparoscopic hysterectomy rate should not reasonably exceed 10 to 15%, yet is much higher for the promotors of this technique of which advantages compared with vaginal hysterectomy are not clearly demonstrated.

[Hepatic cytolysis caused by tocolytic treatment using micronized natural progesterone]. / Cytolyse hépatique lors d'un traitment tocolytique par la progestérone naturelle micronisée.

Micronized natural progesterone is often prescribed alone or in association with beta-agonists in the treatment of preterm labor in France. We observed drug-induced hepatitis in 4 such patients. The main manifestation of liver disease was pruritus. After drug withdrawal, elevated transaminase levels continued to rise for one week then normalized within 10 to 30 days. The imputability of this undesirable effect was assessed and considered to be likely. The effectiveness of micronized natural progesterone in the prevention of premature delivery and in decreasing perinatal mortality and morbidity has not yet been proven. This drug should therefore be used with care, keeping in mind the risk of hepatitis, particularly in patients presenting with pruritus.

[Intra-uterine artificial insemination. Indications, techniques, results; 83 cases]. / Inséminations artificielles intra-utérines. Indications, techniques, résultats; à propos de 83 observations.

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective study of results after intra-uterine artificial insemination performed in the Poitiers University Hospital. MATERIAL: There were 95 infertile couples who benefited from intra-uterine artificial insemination. Indications involved pathology of the cervix in 53% of the cases and male infertility in 30%. Another cause of infertility was found in 5% and no cause could be identified in 12%. METHOD: The technique was as follows. Ovary stimulation using clomifene and hMG, sonographic monitoring with oestradiol assay, hCG for triggering ovulation, 2 inseminations at 24 and 48 h after swim-up sperm preparation and luteal phase supplementation. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 32.6% with a mean success rate per cycle of 11.1%. The best results were obtained in couples with unexplained infertility and cervix-related infertility (42 and 32% respectively). These results are comparable to those in the literature. CONCLUSION: The results of this series and the data reported in the literature demonstrate the interest of intra-uterine artificial insemination in cases of cervical sterility where it is indicated as first intention treatment. In case of impaired ejaculation, unexplained sterility and certain other causes of male infertility, intra-uterine artificial insemination can be useful but requires further study in order to determine the criteria for indications and the techniques to be used. Associating ovary stimulation increases the probability of success, especially in cervical sterility. Finally, more than 4 to 5 attempts do not increased success rate.

[Premature rupture of membranes. Prospective study of 218 cases]. / La rupture prématurée des membranes. Etude prospective de 218 observations.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the importance of a wait-and-see attitude after premature rupture of the membranes before 34 weeks of amenorrhoea when allowed by the initial physical examination and of an intervening attitude after 34 weeks. STUDY: A prospective study included 218 cases of premature ruptures of the membranes divided into four groups according to the weeks of amenorrhoea: Group 1, before 32 weeks (n = 11); Group 2, between 32 and 34 weeks (n = 26); Group 3, between 34 and 37 weeks (n = 18); Group 4 after 37 weeks (n = 163). RESULTS: Before 34 weeks of amenorrhoea, the frequency of premature rupture of the membranes was 0.72%, of germ-positive infants 8% and of infected infants, 11%. Perinatal mortality was 80% and 17.4% of the infants were delivered by cesarian section. Labour was induced in 100 cases (46%), when there was evidence of infection, after a 24-hour waiting period or at 34 weeks of amenorrhoea. When the aspect of the cervix was unfavourable, cervical maturation was induced by intravenous injection of prostaglandins in 75 cases (34%). CONCLUSION: When the rupture occurred before 34 weeks of amenorrhoea and without signs of infection, tocolysis should be entertained. From 28 to 34 weeks and when a favourable outcome is expected, maturation by corticoids can be proposed. When chorio-amniotic infection is suspected and is not confirmed by the laboratory, antibiotic prophylaxy does not appear to improve fetal outcome. The beneficial effect of a conservative wait-and-see attitude before 34 weeks and of intervening thereafter can only be demonstrated with a large randomized study. Thus each case must be managed individually, making it difficult to establish a standard recommended attitude.

[Benign pelvic schwannoma. A case report]. / Le schwannome bénin pelvien. A propos d'un cas.

A rare case of benin pelvic schwannoma was observed fortuitously during normal echographic follow-up of a cyst of the ovary. The usually silent tumours are difficult to diagnose. Computed tomography appears to be the most informative examination concerning the nature of these tumours and their relations with the surrounding structures. Nevertheless, the exact nature cannot be determined before curative surgical exeresis and pathology examination. The risk of relapse is extremely small, but does exist, justifying follow-up.

[The role of ultrasound-guided puncture in the evaluation of liquid tumors of the ovary]. / Place de la ponction échoguidée dans l'évaluation des tumeurs liquides de l'ovaire.

Twenty percent of liquid tumors of the ovary are persistent functional cysts. Laboratory tests of the cystic fluid should make it possible to distinguish between functional cysts and organic cysts. In 170 patients derived from a multicenter study and presenting with a liquid tumor of the ovary (including 9% of cancers), samples of the cystic fluid and serum were taken from the patient and the ACE, CA 125, CA 19-9 markers, estradiol and Progesterone were assayed. The results of these assays were subjected to computerized analysis and compared with the pathological findings. The assays were able to discriminate between organic cysts and functional cyst with 93% of sensitivity and 95% specificity. The insufficient reliability of this evaluation justified a second study (in progress) which is limited to the study of pure fluid tumors with thin walls, no partitions, no vegetations and measuring less than 8 cm in diameter in which the incidence of cancers is very low. This study should fine tune the initial findings and result in a sensitivity approaching 100 percent. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it should be possible to include ultrasound-guided puncture carried out under closely defined conditions in the therapeutic decision trees for liquid cysts of the ovary.

[Obstructive myocardiopathy and pregnancy]. / Myocardiopathie obstructive et grossesse.

We report a case of pregnancy in a patient with severe obstructive cardiomyopathy treated with beta-blockers. A review of the literature shows that in spite of possible worsening of the functional symptomatology, pregnancy does not increase the risk of mortality. The recommendations for the conduct of the delivery are reviewed. The risks for the fetus are essentially linked to the treatment with beta-blockers and the possibility of inheritance of the condition.

[Familial cancer of the ovary. A family with 6 index cases]. / Cancer familial de l'ovaire. A propos d'une famille regroupant 6 cas index.

Greggi and Kerlikowske have worked out that a woman has a 1.4% chance of developing ovarian cancer during her life. When cancer of the ovary is found, 5 to 10% of these cases have a familial form of this pathology. Thus there are some hereditary forms of cancer of the ovary and Lynch has demonstrated that there are three types of hereditary associations with ovarian neoplastic pathology: specific familial cancer of the ovary, cancer of the ovary associated with endometrial cancer and with non-polypoidal cancer of the caecum and rectum, cancer of the ovary associated with cancer of the breast. The clinical material we are presenting here is of the first type of association and we are reporting the study of a family in which 6 members in two generations had cancer of the ovary and of whom one had cancer of the breast as well. Familial cancer of the ovary shows different characteristics coming on as it does earlier (ten years earlier) and with a shorter length of survival (1.8 as against 5 years). The risk of the next generation having ovarian neoplastic pathology is clear because there is a 50% chance in a patient who has a history of cancer of the ovary in at least two first degree relatives. For most daughters when this type of familial cancer is found it is justifiable to carry out prophylactic oophorectomy from the age of 35 year onwards. Particular supervision should be carried out for patients who are members of a family where 2 index cases have been found within 20-35 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Congenital arteriovenous malformation of the internal iliac artery discovered during pregnancy]. / Malformation artérioveineuse congénitale de l'artère iliaque interne découverte au cours de la grossesse.

We report a case found at the start of labour because of the presence of a "tumour praevia". Ultrasound, Doppler and tomodensitometric examination carried out after caesarean section confirmed the vascular origin of this lesion. Arteriography made it possible to decide the pattern of this arteriovenous malformation which was occurring in several branches of the left internal iliac artery. It was not possible to obliterate it completely by selective arterial embolisation, so it was removed surgically a few months later. Little is known about the complications that occur because of these arteriovenous malformations in pregnancy and during delivery. There is the theoretical risk that spontaneous rupture will occur in pregnancy but this does not justify terminating the pregnancy. It is better to carry out caesarean section because the tumour can obstruct delivery and may rupture as well as causing delay in labour. The treatment for these lesions is sometimes difficult and complex and one has to decide whether to preserve the uterus or not. Selective embolisation and pre-operative embolisation followed by surgical removal of dysplasic tissue are the therapies of choice.

[Associated rectal and genital prolapse: value of Delorme's operation. A case report]. / Prolapsus rectal et génital associés: intérêt de l'intervention de Delorme. A propos d'une observation.

Rectal prolapse is a rare disorder, which usually affects patients suffering from genital prolapse (rectal prolapse is associated with genital prolapse in 50% of cases). On the basis of a study of the literature and with regard to one case history, the authors set out to explore the simplest and most effective way of treating these two disorders simultaneously. The treatment remains surgical and should combine treatment of the genital prolapse by vaginal route with treatment of the rectal prolapse by means of the Delorme operation. The mortality and morbidity rates are zero if this operation is used and the relapse rate is only 8 to 11% for the rectal prolapse. It would appear that the two approaches are rarely associated by the authors and would seem to be interesting to reconsider this question by indicating mixed treatment of the two prolapses whenever possible.