Prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis in South Korean women for 15 years: A national population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Adenomyosis is associated with female infertility worldwide. With improvements in imaging methods, such as pelvic magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis and treatment of adenomyosis have changed. This study aimed to evaluate the overall prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis in South Korea using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database (NHIS). METHODS: Data were collected from the Korean NHIS, a population-based complete enumeration database. A total of 678 641 women aged 11-55 years diagnosed with adenomyosis (N80.0 ICD-10 code) from the database from 2002 to 2016 were enrolled. After applying a one-year look-back method, 629 592 patients were analyzed to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and treatment trends of adenomyosis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence during the study period was 3.86 per 1000 people. The prevalence of adenomyosis has increased from 1.42 per 1000 individuals in 2002 to 7.50 per 1000 individuals in 2016. The crude annual incidence rate of adenomyosis was 1.62 per 1000 people in 2003, which increased to 4.12 per 1000 people in 2016. In addition, the proportion of uterus-preserving surgeries in adenomyosis treatments has increased from 7.51% to 21.29% over 15 years. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and incidence of adenomyosis in South Korea increased between 2002 and 2016. Furthermore, the proportion of uterus-preserving surgeries and progestin prescriptions for adenomyosis treatment has increased. We expect that our findings will raise awareness of the necessity for fertility preservation through earlier diagnosis and proper management of patients with adenomyosis.

Body Composition and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women with Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis Undergoing Surgical Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to demonstrate the bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent surgical treatment, such as total knee arthroplasty, osteotomy, or meniscectomy. METHODS: A total of 254 women with OA aged 50 years who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. We evaluated obesity-related factors, muscle components, and BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted in the BMD of the hip joint between the symptomatic side of the leg with knee OA and the contralateral side. However, when comparing the BMD of each component, the results indicated a significantly higher BMD in the obesity group based on body mass index (BMI). When defining sarcopenic obesity (SO) using various indicators of obesity (BMI, the estimated visceral adipose tissue area, android/gynoid ratio, and total body fat percentage), the prevalence of SO in the OA group who underwent surgical treatment ranged from 22.0% to 49.6%. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigated obesity-related factors in patients with advanced knee OA who underwent surgery, revealing a high prevalence of overweight/obese individuals, the presence of SO, and a complex relationship between obesity, body composition, and bone density, highlighting the potential protective effects of weight-bearing on bone health while exploring the impact of sarcopenia on bone density differences in the context of OA. Depending on various definitions of obesity, diverse proportions of SO in patients with OA have been observed, and further detailed research is required to understand its impact on the condition.

Robotic surgery in Gynecology: the present and the future.

Since its introduction, laparoscopic surgery has been often preferred over open surgery in obstetrics and gynecology due to its advantages, such as less bleeding, lower incidence of adhesions, reduced postoperative pain, short hospital stay, and quick return to daily life. However, in the case of complex surgeries, laparoscopy presented some limitations. Nonetheless, since the 1980s, medical robots have been introduced to overcome the technical limitations of laparoscopy and start a new age for minimally invasive surgery. In this review, we explore the indications and advantages and disadvantages of robotic surgery in the field of gynecology, and try to assess the recent trend of robotic surgery.

Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment Is Safe and Effective for the Management of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Korean Women.

This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 lasers for treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in Korean women. The patients received three laser applications at an interval of 4 weeks each. The severity of GSM symptoms was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline and at every visit. The objective scale was measured using the vaginal health index score (VHIS) and Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI) after completion of the laser procedure. During each procedure, the patients' pain in the VAS score was recorded. In the last visit, patients evaluated their satisfaction with the laser therapy using a 5-point Likert scale. Thirty women completed all the study protocols. After two sessions of laser therapy, some GSM symptoms (vaginal dryness and urgency) and VHIS improved significantly. After completion of the treatment, all GSM symptoms improved (p < 0.05), and the VHIS further increased significantly (VHIS at baseline, 8.86 ± 3.2 vs. V3, 16.83 ± 3.15, p < 0.001). The average satisfaction was 4.3. This study shows that fractional CO2 laser treatment is effective and safe for Korean women with GSM. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and assess the long-term effects of laser therapy.

Comparison of the Right and Left Femur Bone Mineral Densities in Postmenopausal Women.

OBJECTIVES: Bone mineral density (BMD) is measured in the hip and posteroanterior spine; moreover, according to the 2019 International Society for Clinical Densitometry guidelines, unilateral hip can be used. This study aimed to determine whether there is a difference between the BMD of both the femurs in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 343 postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2019 at a single tertiary hospital. By using the Hologic® Horizon W DXA System, the femur and spine BMD was measured; BMD was recorded in g/cm². Following regions were analyzed in both the femurs: the femur neck, the trochanter area, and total femur. RESULTS: Mean age at imaging was 62 ± 9.7 years, and significant difference in the total BMD of both the femurs (P = 0.003) was observed. In secondary analysis, patients with osteoporosis showed significant contralateral BMD discrepancies in trochanter and total proximal femur BMD (P = 0.041 and P = 0.011, respectively). However, in women with normal BMD, no significant difference between the right and left femur BMD was observed. Furthermore, measurement of solely the unilateral hip can lead to a 16.9% of underdiagnosis in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is necessary to check BMD in both hips, particularly in patients suspected of osteoporosis.

Maternal Gestational Diabetes Influences DNA Methylation in the Serotonin System in the Human Placenta.

The offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at a higher risk for metabolic dysregulation and neurodevelopmental impairment. Evidence suggests that serotonin, which is present in both the placenta and the brain, programs the development and growth of the fetal brain. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that GDM affects the methylation of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and serotonin receptor gene (HTR2A) in the placenta. Ninety pregnant women were included in this study. Thirty mothers were diagnosed with GDM, and sixty mothers served as controls in a 1:2 ratio. Ten CpG sites within the promoter regions of SLC6A4 and HTR2A were analyzed using pyrosequencing. The relative expression of genes involved in DNA methylation was evaluated using real-time PCR. The average DNA methylation of placental SLC6A4 was higher in the GDM group than in the control group (2.29 vs. 1.16%, p < 0.001). However, the average DNA methylation level of HTR2A did not differ between the two groups. SLC6A4 methylation showed a positive correlation with maternal plasma glucose level and neonatal birth weight percentile and a negative correlation with the neonatal head circumference percentile. This finding suggests that epigenetic modification of the placental serotonin system may affect placental adaptation to a harmful maternal environment, thereby influencing the long-term outcome in the offspring.

The Effect of Opioid-Free Anesthesia on the Quality of Recovery After Gynecological Laparoscopy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) is an emerging technique that eliminates intraoperative use of opioids and is associated with lower postoperative opioid consumption and reduced adverse postoperative events. The present study investigated the effect of OFA on the quality of recovery in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five adult patients undergoing elective gynecological laparoscopy were randomly assigned to the OFA group with dexmedetomidine and lidocaine or the remifentanil-based anesthesia (RA) group with remifentanil. Patients, surgeons, and medical staff members providing postoperative care and assessing outcomes were blinded to group allocation. The anesthesiologist performing general anesthesia could not be blinded due to the different drug administration protocols by groups. The primary outcome was the quality of recovery measured using the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain score, intraoperative and postoperative adverse events, and stress hormones levels. Results: The patients in both groups had comparable baseline characteristics. The QoR-40 score on postoperative day 1 was significantly higher in the OFA group than in the RA group (155.9 ± 21.2 in the RA group vs 166.9 ± 17.8 in the OFA group; mean difference: -11.0, 95% confidence interval: -20.0, -2.0; p = 0.018). The visual analog scale score at 30 min after surgery was significantly lower in the OFA group than in the RA group (6.3 ± 2.3 in the RA group vs 4.1 ± 2.1 in the OFA group; p < 0.001). The incidences of nausea and shivering in the post-anesthetic care unit were also significantly lower in the OFA group (p = 0.014 and 0.025; respectively). Epinephrine levels were significantly lower in the OFA group (p = 0.002). Conclusion: OFA significantly improved the quality of recovery in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy.

Relationship between Preoperative Lower Back Pain and Severe Postoperative Pain after Gynecologic Laparoscopy: A Prospective Observational Study.

We hypothesized that preoperative lower back pain (LBP) may be associated with the severity of postoperative pain after gynecologic laparoscopy. This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the association between preoperative LBP and postoperative pain. We assessed the intensity of LBP before surgery and the postoperative pain after surgery. The abilities of preoperative LBP intensity, age, body mass index, and anesthetic duration time to predict moderate-to-severe postoperative pain were measured using receiver operating characteristic analysis. The data of 148 patients were analyzed. Only preoperative LBP intensity showed a significant association with moderate-to-severe postoperative pain (area under the curve, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.63−0.79; p < 0.001). Preoperative LBP rated three on a numeric rating scale (NRS) had the highest combined sensitivity (75.3%) and specificity (58.3%). Patients with LBP above NRS 3 had more severe postoperative pain than those who did not (pain score 5.3 ± 2.2 vs. 3.9 ± 1.9, p < 0.001), leading to more opioid requirement in the recovery room (48.5% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.014). Preoperative LBP intensity is a useful factor for identifying patients at risk for pain after gynecologic laparoscopy.

A novel technique for myometrial defect closure after robot-assisted laparoscopic adenomyomectomy: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce our novel technique for myometrial defect closure after adenomyomectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study. A total of 40 patients with adenomyosis who visited our clinic between October 2012 and January 2018 were recruited. Of those 34 patients were eligible for analysis. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the affected uterine wall before surgery was 4.02 cm ± 1.11, dropping to 2.37 cm ± 0.84 postoperatively. This led to a mean drop of 41% in the thickness of the affected wall, which was found to be significant using a paired t-test (p < 0.0001). The mean preoperative pain score was 8.68 ± 1.12, while the postoperative mean was 0.06 ± 0.34. The mean preoperative CA 125 was 121.73 ± 117.29, dropping to 6.95 ± 2.60 postoperatively. This was found to be significantly lower using both the Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Sign tests (p = 0.0156). CONCLUSION: Myometrial defect closure in a layer-by-layer fashion after robot-assisted laparoscopic adenomyomectomy is a reproducible technique. This uterine conserving method was effective in reducing our patients' pain. It may be the solution to maintaining adequate myometrial wall thickness, uterine layer alignment, and endometrial integrity.

A New Angle Measurement in Translabial Ultrasound as an Adjunct for the Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

The aim of this study was to compare the data obtained by a pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) examination with the translabial ultrasound (TLUS) quantification of prolapse, using a new method of angle measurement. We analyzed the TLUS and POP-Q exam findings of 452 patients with symptoms of POP. The POP-Q system was used for clinical staging. TLUS was performed both at rest, and during the Valsalva maneuver after proper preparation. A horizontal reference line was drawn through the inferior margin of the symphysis pubis and the levator plate connected to the rectal ampulla, and the difference was calculated between the rest and the Valsalva maneuver. The Spearman's correlation coefficient of agreement between the TLUS and the clinical POP-Q staging was used for statistical analysis. There was a weak degree of correlation between the POP-Q findings for the Ap parameter and our new angle measurement (rho = 0.17, p < 0.001). Thus, POP staging in conjunction with TLUS with this new angle measurement shows better agreement for the diagnosis of POP than POP-Q staging alone.

Contraception in the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations from the Korean society of contraception and reproductive health.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a systemic inflammatory response that activates coagulation in symptomatic patients. In addition, a rare form of thrombosis has been reported in people who received the COVID-19 vaccine, most of whom were women younger than 50 years of age. Considering that hormonal contraceptive methods widely used by women of childbearing age increase the risk of thrombosis, the development of guidelines for the use of hormonal contraceptives in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic is necessary. In this context, the Korean Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health provides guidelines for issues regarding contraception and reproductive health during the pandemic.

The effect of opioid-free anesthesia on the quality of recovery after gynecological laparoscopy: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Because of the indiscriminate use of opioids during the perioperative period, opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) has been increasingly required. Nevertheless, the studies on the detailed techniques and effects of OFA are not sufficient. The Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) questionnaire is a validated assessment tool for measuring recovery from general anesthesia. However, no study has used the QoR-40 to determine if OFA leads to better recovery than standard general anesthesia. Therefore, we aim to perform this study to determine the effects of OFA using dexmedetomidine and lidocaine on the quality of recovery as well as the various postoperative outcomes. METHODS: The participants (n = 78) will be allocated to one of the two groups; the study group will receive bolus and infusion of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine, and the control group will receive remifentanil infusion during general anesthesia for gynecological laparoscopy. The other processes including anesthetic and postoperative care will be performed similarly in the two groups. Intraoperative hemodynamic, anesthetic, and nociceptive variables will be recorded. Postoperative outcomes such as QoR-40, pain severity, and opioid-related side effects will be assessed. Additionally, an ancillary cytokine study (inflammatory cytokine, stress hormone, and reactive oxygen species) will be performed during the study period. DISCUSSION: This will be the first study to determine the effect of OFA, using the combination of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine, on the quality of recovery after gynecological laparoscopy compared with standard general anesthesia using remifentanil. The findings from this study will provide scientific and clinical evidence on the efficacy of OFA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04409964 . Registered on 28 May 2020.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis misdiagnosed with large thrombosis in inferior vena cava.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of a comprehensive preoperative evaluation in the case of intravenous leiomyomatosis. CASE REPORT: A 49-year-old women was presented with dyspnea and abdominal distension. Imaging studies revealed a large leiomyoma with intravenous leiomyomatosis from this mass to the right parauterine veins, right ovarian vein reaching the inferior vena cava. Complete resection was performed by a two-stage operation by a multidisciplinary team. Final pathology confirmed it to be intravenous leiomyomatosis and uterine leiomyomas. CONCLUSION: Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a benign and rare disease that can be a fatal condition. Precise diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important for the best outcome. Gynecologists should consider this rare disease when a patient with a uterine tumor shows symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea.

Efficient myometrial defect closure in a layer by layer fashion after robot-assisted laparoscopic adenomyomectomy: a novel technique.

OBJECTIVE: In this video, we present our novel technique for myometrial defect closure following robot-assisted laparoscopic adenomyomectomy. METHODS: A narrated video demonstration of our technique. Our patient was a 47-year-old single woman with severe dysmenorrhea, who did not respond to medical therapy and wished to preserve her uterus. Surgery was performed after thorough counseling and obtaining informed consent from the patient (Institutional Review Board number: KC17OESI0238; approval date: March 19, 2018). After removal of the adenomyotic tissue during surgical intervention, the myometrial defect was closed in three steps. First, the defect between the anterior and posterior innermost myometrial layers was closed using a 2-0 Stratafix suture, CT-1 (circle taper) needle (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA). Next, the two sides were approximated using a 2-0 PDS® (polydioxanone) Suture (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) and V-34 (TAPERCUT®) surgical needle (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA). Finally, the serosa was sutured in a baseball fashion using a 2-0 PDS suture, slim half-circle [SH] needle (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA). RESULTS: The patient had no postoperative complications, and her pain was greatly improved. The CA125 level decreased from 434 U/mL to 45.99 U/mL, and the transvaginal ultrasound showed a reduction in posterior myometrial thickness from 5.61 cm to 2.69 cm. CONCLUSION: This technique maintained the integrity of the endometrial cavity, posterior myometrial thickness, and uterine layer alignment. We believe that it is a feasible technique and may be a solution for adenomyosis in patients seeking for fertility preservation.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy for FIGO type II sub-mucosal leiomyoma without endometrial injury for a patient with history of miscarriage

To introduce a technique for robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy for FIGO type II sub-mucosal leiomyoma with >50% myometrial extension, without endometrial injury. A narrated video demonstration of our technique has been provided. Our patient was a 35-year-old, gravida 1, para 0 woman with secondary infertility. She had been married for three years. She complained of heavy menstrual bleeding and severe dysmenorrhea with a pain score of 10 on visual analogue scale (VAS). Surgery was done after thorough counseling and an informed consent was obtained. Institutional Review Board number: KC17OESI0375, approval date: 21.09.2018. Several steps can be taken to help prevent endometrial injury, and these include: (1) proper preoperative imaging to plan surgery; (2) use of intraoperative ultrasound to determine best location of incision; (3) use of a "cold cut" technique with monopolar curved scissors without energy to avoid obscuring the border between the leiomyoma and the endometrium; (4) careful millimeter by millimeter dissection; (5) use of diluted indigo carmine to aid delineation of the endometrial cavity during dissection. The patient had a normal post-operative course. On follow-up her VAS pain score was 0. Transvaginal ultrasound repeated four months postoperatively showed normalization of uterine anatomy and endometrial contour. Robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy may be an option to preserve fertility and minimize endometrial injury. This surgical method allows complete removal of large sub-mucosal leiomyomas in one session with exact suturing.

Vitamin D and the Immune System in Menopause: A Review.

Menopause is a normal phenomenon in a woman's life cycle involving multiple health-related issues that contribute to physical instability. Changes in the immune system in postmenopausal women are caused by estrogen deprivation along with age. Increased proinflammatory serum marker levels, cytokine responses in body cells, decreased CD4 T and B lymphocyte levels, and natural killer cell cytotoxic activity are also observed during postmenopause. Moreover, vitamin D, in addition to its classical effects on calcium homeostasis and bone density, plays an important role. Current evidence indicates that vitamin D regulates innate and adaptive immune responses; however, vitamin D deficiency is linked to increased autoimmune activity and infection susceptibility. This review provides an overview of the consequences of immune alterations as an outcome of aging in postmenopausal women and the benefit of vitamin D supplementation.

Clinical evaluation and management of endometriosis: guideline for Korean patients from Korean Society of Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases in reproductive ages, and it affects patients' quality of life and fertility. However, few Korean guidelines are available for the evaluation and management of endometriosis. Korean Society of Endometriosis reviewed various literatures and trials, and to provide seventy-one evidence-based recommendations. This review presents guidelines for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis with emphasis on: it's role in infertility, treatment of recurrence, asymptomatic women, endometriosis in adolescents and menopausal women, and possible association of endometriosis with cancer.