Endometrial E-cadherin and N-cadherin Expression during the Mid-Secretory Phase of Women with Ovarian Endometrioma or Uterine Fibroids.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are benign conditions frequently linked to subfertility/infertility. Recent research has highlighted the importance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition between embryonic and endometrial cells in the context of embryo implantation. Additionally, the adverse endometrial environment during implantation has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to infertility in endometriosis. Nevertheless, the role of cadherin molecule alterations in relation to endometrial receptivity and embryo invasion remains a subject of controversy. METHODS: We investigated the expression patterns of E-cadherin and N-cadherin in the endometria of women with ovarian endometrioma or uterine fibroids and assessed whether they differed from those of healthy women. We enrolled 17 women with ovarian endometrioma, 16 with uterine fibroids, and 6 healthy women. Endometrial tissues were obtained at the mid-secretory phase on days 19-24 of the menstrual cycle. The E-cadherin and N-cadherin mRNA and protein expression levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The E-cadherin and N-cadherin mRNA expression levels were higher and lower, respectively, in the endometrium of women with ovarian endometrioma than in those of the controls. In the endometrium of women with uterine fibroids, similar patterns with higher E-cadherin and lower N-cadherin levels were observed compared with that of the controls. Protein expression showed similar patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed higher E-cadherin expression and lower N-cadherin expression in the endometria of women with infertility-related diseases than in those of healthy women in the mid-secretory phase. This suggests a resistance to endometrial receptivity, potentially reflecting mesenchymal-epithelial transition properties.

Intraoperative Fluorescent Navigation of the Ureters, Vessels, and Nerves during Robot-Assisted Sacrocolpopexy.

In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of navigating the ureters, middle sacral artery (MSA), and superior hypogastric nerve (SHN) using indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging during robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RSCP). Overall, 15 patients who underwent RSCP for apical vaginal prolapse were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent cystoscopic intraureteric instillation of 5 cc ICG (2.5 mg/mL) before RSCP and intravenous injection of 3 cc ICG during presacral dissection and mesh fixation. In all patients, the fluorescent right ureter was clearly identified in real time. The MSA was visualized on ICG-NIRF images in 80% (13/15) of patients. The mean time from ICG injection to MSA visualization was 43.7 s; the mean duration of the arterial phase was 104.3 s. Fluorescent SHN was detected in 73.3% (11/15) of patients. The time from ICG injection to SHN fluorescence was 48.4 s; the duration of fluorescence was 177.2 s. There was no transfusion, iatrogenic ureteral injury, or bowel or urinary dysfunction. Our results indicated that intraoperative ureter, MSA, and SHN mapping using ICG-NIRF images during RSCP is a valuable and safe technique to avoid iatrogenic ureteral, vascular, and neural injuries and to simplify surgical procedures. Nonetheless, further studies are required.

Robotic Single-Site Plus One-Port Myomectomy versus Robotic Single-Site Plus Two-Port Myomectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

PURPOSE: Robotic single-site plus one-port myomectomy (RSOM) was designed to reduce the number of incision sites for greater cosmetic satisfaction of patients while retaining the benefits of conventional robotic multi-site myomectomy (CRM). Robotic single-site plus two-port myomectomy (RSTM) eliminated one port relative to conventional CRM, and RSOM achieved the same advantage with respect to RSTM. This study aimed to compare RSOM with RSTM in terms of their respective methodologies and surgical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 230 patients who had undergone RSOM and 146 patients who had undergone RSTM were reviewed. The groups' surgical outcomes were compared using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. RESULTS: In the total data, RSOM had a shorter operative time (135.1±57.4 min vs. 149.9±46.2 min, p=0.009) and a shorter hospital stay (5.2±0.5 days vs. 5.4±0.7 days, p=0.033) relative to RSTM. The PSM analysis showed that there were no statistically significant intergroup differences in the patients' baseline characteristics. Regarding the surgical outcomes, the RSOM group showed shorter operative time (129.2±49.3 min vs. 148.7±46.3 min, p=0.001) compared to the RSTM group. CONCLUSION: Compared with RSTM, RSOM was associated with shorter operative time. Additionally, more detailed comparative and prospective studies are needed to evaluate RSOM relative to RSTM.

Therapeutic effects of surgical debulking of metastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer IIICr: a trial protocol for a phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled study (KGOG1047/DEBULK trial).

BACKGROUND: Bulky or multiple lymph node (LN) metastases are associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer, and the size or number of LN metastases is not yet reflected in the staging system and therapeutic strategy. Although the therapeutic effects of surgical resection of bulky LNs before standard treatment have been reported in several retrospective studies, well-planned randomized clinical studies are lacking. Therefore, the aim of the Korean Gynecologic Oncology Group (KGOG) 1047/DEBULK trial is to investigate whether the debulking surgery of bulky or multiple LNs prior to concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) improves the survival rate of patients with cervical cancer IIICr diagnosed by imaging tests. METHODS: The KGOG 1047/DEBULK trial is a phase III, multicenter, randomized clinical trial involving patients with bulky or multiple LN metastases in cervical cancer IIICr. This study will include patients with a short-axis diameter of a pelvic or para-aortic LN ≥2 cm or ≥3 LNs with a short-axis diameter ≥1 cm and for whom CCRT is planned. The treatment arms will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either receive CCRT (control arm) or undergo surgical debulking of bulky or multiple LNs before CCRT (experimental arm). CCRT consists of extended-field external beam radiotherapy/pelvic radiotherapy, brachytherapy and LN boost, and weekly chemotherapy with cisplatin (40 mg/m²), 4-6 times administered intravenously. The primary endpoint will be 3-year progression-free survival rate. The secondary endpoints will be 3-year overall survival rate, treatment-related complications, and accuracy of radiological diagnosis of bulky or multiple LNs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05421650; Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0007137.

Clinical practice guidelines for cervical cancer: the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology guidelines.

This fifth revised version of the Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer incorporates recent research findings and changes in treatment strategies based on version 4.0 released in 2020. Each key question was developed by focusing on recent notable insights and crucial contemporary issues in the field of cervical cancer. These questions were evaluated for their significance and impact on the current treatment and were finalized through voting by the development committee. The selected key questions were as follows: the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors as first- or second-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer; the oncologic safety of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in early stage cervical cancer; the efficacy and safety of adjuvant systemic treatment after concurrent chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer; and the oncologic safety of sentinel lymph node mapping compared to pelvic lymph node dissection. The recommendations, directions, and strengths of this guideline were based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and were finally confirmed through public hearings and external reviews. In this study, we describe the revised practice guidelines for the management of cervical cancer.

Incidence and survival of gynecologic cancer including cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal, vulvar cancer and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in Korea, 1999-2019: Korea Central Cancer Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, trends, and survival rates of all gynecologic cancers using the Korea Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) database from 1999-2019. METHODS: Gynecologic cancer data were obtained from the KCCR database between 1999 and 2019. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs), annual percentage changes, and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) were calculated. The relative survival rate (RSR) was reported by age group, stage, and 6-year period (I: 1999-2005, II: 2006-2012, III: 2013- 2019). RESULTS: The gynecologic cancer ASRs were 26.2 and 24.9 per 100,000 individuals in 1999 and 2019, respectively. Trends of incidence in gynecologic cancer revealed a decrease in cervical cancer and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with AAPCs of -3.4 and -4.3, respectively. Conversely, the incidence of uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancers increased with AAPCs of 4.7, 2.3, and 2.1, respectively. AAPC for vaginal cancer showed no change. The 5-year survival rate was highest for GTN (90.5%) and lowest for vaginal cancer (56.6%). An increase in age was correlated with poorer survival rates across all gynecologic cancers, excluding vaginal cancer. For all gynecologic cancer types, the prognosis deteriorates with advancing cancer stages. The RSR of uterine cancer improved consistently across all periods. The ovarian cancer RSR improved more in period III than in periods I or II. Additionally, the vulvar cancer RSR improved more in periods II and III than in period I. CONCLUSION: In Korea, the incidence of cervical cancer and GTN decreased, whereas the incidence of uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancer increased from 1999 to 2019. The RSR for uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancers showed consistent improvements over different periods. Effective screening programs and the adoption of advanced treatments may be necessary to further reduce the burden of gynecologic cancer.

MET overexpression in ovarian cancer via CD24-induced downregulation of miR-181a: A signalling for cellular quiescence-like state and chemoresistance in ovarian CSCs.

Increased expression of CD24 and MET, markers for cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), are each associated with ovarian cancer severity. However, whether CD24 and MET are co-expressed in ovarian CSCs and, if so, how they are related to CSC phenotype manifestation remains unknown. Our immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the co-expression of CD24 and MET was associated with poorer patient survival in ovarian cancer than those without. In addition, analyses using KM plotter and ROC plotter presented that the overexpression of CD24 or MET in ovarian cancer patients was associated with resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. In our miRNA transcriptome and putative target genes analyses, miR-181a was downregulated in CD24-high ovarian cancer cells compared to CD24-low and predicted to bind to CD24 and MET 3'UTRs. In OV90 and SK-OV-3 cells, CD24 downregulated miR-181a expression by Src-mediated YY1 activation, leading to increased expression of MET. And, CD24 or MET knockdown or miR-181a overexpression inhibited the manifestation of CSC phenotypes, cellular quiescence-like state and chemoresistance, in OV90 and SK-OV-3 cells: increased colony formation, decreased G0/G1 phase cell population and increased sensitivity to Cisplatin and Carboplatin. Our findings suggest that CD24-miR-181a-MET may consist of a signalling route for ovarian CSCs, therefore being a combinatory set of markers and therapeutic targets for ovarian CSCs.

Intraoperative Fluorescent Ureter Visualization in Complex Laparoscopic or Robotic-Assisted Gynecologic Surgery.

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of ureteral navigation using intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging during complex laparoscopic or robot-assisted gynecologic surgery (LRAGS). Twenty-six patients at high risk of ureteral injury with complex pelvic pathology (CPP) due to pelvic organ prolapse (POP), multiple myomas, large intraligamentary or cervical myoma, severe pelvic adhesions, or cervical atresia underwent LRAGS. All patients underwent cystoscopic intraureteral ICG instillation before LRAGS and ureteral navigation under NIRF imaging intraoperatively. Both ureteral pathways were identified from the pelvic brim downwards through NIRF imaging in all patients, even though some were not visualized under the white light mode. The fluorescent ureters were visualized immediately after the beginning of surgery and typically lasted for >5 h during surgery. There were no cases of iatrogenic ureteral injury. The hemoglobin decrement was 1.47 ± 1.13 g/dL, and no transfusion was required. In our study, both ureters in all patients were identified with ICG-NIRF imaging during LRAGS, and these techniques made surgeries easier and safer. Despite the CPP, there was no ureteral injury or transfusion following surgery. Further prospective studies are needed to introduce intraoperative ureteral guidelines for ICG-NIRF imaging during LRAGS with CPP.

Cellular Functions of High-Temperature Requirement Factor A4 in Placenta.

The expression of High-temperature requirement factor A4 (HtrA4) mRNA is significantly lower in the chorionic villi of patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) than in the control group. We conducted an investigation into the cellular functions of HtrA4 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and shRNA-HtrA4 to create knockout BeWo cells and HtrA4 knockdown JEG3 cells. Our results indicated that the knockout BeWo cells exhibited reduced capacity for invasion and fusion, but increased levels of proliferation and migration, with a significantly shortened cell cycle compared to wild-type cells. Wild-type BeWo cells highly expressed cell invasion- and fusion-related factors, while knockout BeWo cells highly expressed migration-, proliferation-, and cell cycle-related factors. The shRNA-HtrA4 JEG3 cells showed a decreased capacity for invasion, but an increased capacity for migration, accompanied by a decrease in the expression of cell invasion-related factors and an increase in migration-related factors. Moreover, our ELISA results revealed that the serum HtrA4 level was lower in patients with RPL than in the controls. These findings suggest that HtrA4 depletion may be associated with placental dysfunction.

Intrapartum Factors Affecting Abnormal Lipid Profiles in Early Postpartum Period.

The aim of this research is to investigate the risk factors during pregnancy affect abnormal lipid profiles in women with early postpartum period. This was a single-center retrospective study including 869 women who delivered between December 2017 and May 2019. We collected total cholesterol levels, both at 24-28 GWs and 1 month before delivery. Lipid profiles such as total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) at 6 weeks after delivery were retrieved. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups such as normal, borderline and abnormal group according to the lipid profile levels. The risk factors associated with borderline to abnormal HDL level were body mass index (BMI) of pre-pregnancy (OR = 1.182, 95% CI: 1.116-1.252, p < 0.001), weight gain during pregnancy (OR = 1.085, 95% CI: 1.042-1.131, p < 0.001) and hypertension (HTN) (OR = 3.451, 95% CI: 1.224-9.727, p = 0.02). The risk factors associated with borderline or abnormal TG were BMI of pre-pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy and weight reduction after delivery. HTN was associated with borderline to abnormal TG in postpartum (OR = 2.891, 95% CI: 1.168-7.156, p = 0.02), while GDM correlated purely with abnormal TG in postpartum (OR = 2.453, 95% CI: 1.068-5.630, p = 0.03). Abnormal lipid profiles in postpartum were significantly associated with BMI of pre-pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy and weight reduction after delivery. In addition, pregnancy-related HTN was highly associated with abnormal HDL level, and GDM was associated with abnormal TG level in the early postpartum period.

Clinical efficacy of a novel method of fertility-preserving adenomyomectomy in infertile women with diffuse adenomyosis.

Beneficial and detrimental effect of surgical adenomyomectomy is still controversial in infertile women with severely diffuse adenomyosis. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether a novel method of fertility-preserving adenomyomectomy could improve pregnancy rates. The secondary objective was to evaluate whether it could improve dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia symptoms in infertile patients with severe adenomyosis. A prospective clinical trial was conducted between December 2007 and September 2016. Fifty women with infertility due to adenomyosis were enrolled in this study after clinical assessments by infertility experts. A novel method of fertility-preserving adenomyomectomy was performed on 45 of 50 patients. The procedure included T- or transverse H-incision of the uterine serosa followed by preparation of the serosal flap, excision of the adenomyotic tissue using argon laser under ultrasonographic monitoring, and a novel technique of suturing between the residual myometrium and serosal flap. After the adenomyomectomy, the changes in the amount of menstrual blood, relief of dysmenorrhea, pregnancy outcomes, clinical characteristics, and surgical features were recorded and analyzed. All patients obtained dysmenorrhea relief 6 months postoperatively (numeric rating scale [NRS]; 7.28 ±â€…2.30 vs 1.56 ±â€…1.30, P < .001). The amount of menstrual blood decreased significantly (140.44 ±â€…91.68 vs 66.33 ±â€…65.85 mL, P < .05). Of the 33 patients who attempted pregnancy postoperatively, 18 (54.5%) conceived either by natural means, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), or thawing embryo transfer. Miscarriage occurred in 8 patients, while 10 (30.3%) had viable pregnancies. This novel method of adenomyomectomy resulted in improved pregnancy rates, as well as relief of dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia. This operation is effective in preserving fertility potential in infertile women with diffuse adenomyosis.

Comparison of cesarean delivery outcome after robotic and laparoscopic myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether robotic myomectomy (RM) resulted in any measurable clinical improvement over laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) in subsequent cesarean delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 273 patients who had undergone LM or RM followed by subsequent cesarean delivery for the period of September 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into LM (n = 222) and RM (n = 51) groups. The cesarean delivery outcomes between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: RM had significantly more myomas removed (6.0 ± 4.8 vs. 3.6 ± 3.5, p < 0.001) and a larger size of largest myoma (7.7 ± 2.4 vs. 6.1 ± 2.4, p = 0.002) at myomectomy compared with LM. However, there were no significant differences in the groups' surgical characteristics at cesarean section, in their pregnancy complications, or in adhesion formation. CONCLUSIONS: Although more and larger myomas were removed in the RM group, RM showed similar cesarean delivery outcomes and adhesion formation to LM.

Robotic Single-Site Plus Two-Port Myomectomy versus Conventional Robotic Multi-Port Myomectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background: Robotic single-site plus two port myomectomy (RSTM) was designed to reduce the number of incision sites while retaining the advantage of conventional robotic multi-port myomectomy (CRM). This study aimed to explicate RSTM and compare surgical outcomes between it and CRM. Methods: The medical records of 146 patients who had undergone RSTM and 173 who had undergone CRM were reviewed. The surgical outcomes between them were compared by propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Results: The PSM analysis showed no statistically significant inter-group differences in patient characteristics. With regard to surgical outcomes, the RSTM group enjoyed shorter operative time (148.30 ± 44.8 vs. 162.3 ± 47.4 min, p = 0.011), less hemoglobin decrement (1.8 ± 0.9 vs. 2.3 ± 1.0 g/dL, p < 0.001), and shorter duration of hospital stay (5.4 ± 0.7 vs. 5.8 ± 0.7 days, p < 0.001). Conclusions: RSTM was associated with shorter operative time relative to CRM. Further prospective studies are needed in order to more fully investigate the advantages of RSTM.

PAX2, PAX8, and PR are correlated with ovarian seromucinous borderline tumor with endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian "seromucinous carcinoma" has been recently removed in 2020 5th Edition of WHO classification of Female Genital Tumors and is considered as a subtype of endometrioid carcinoma with mucinous differentiation, while "seromucinous borderline tumor" remains and exists as a distinct entity. Both diseases may be considered as no more same lineage. However, ovarian seromucinous borderline tumor (SMBT) is also one of the endometriosis-related neoplasm of ovary similar to endometrioid tumor, featuring that about 50% of ovarian SMBTs combine endometriosis. The present study was aimed to investigate whether the ovarian SMBTs are different in clinical features and molecular patterns, according to the presence of combined endometriosis. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in clinical findings between two groups. There was also no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes and recurrence between two groups. In immunohistochemical patterns, there was a statistically significant difference in PAX2 and PAX8 expression between in ovarian SMBT with or without endometriosis (P = 0.016, P < 0.001). Only a few cases of ovarian SMBT with endometriosis showed expression of PAX2 and conversely, most of the cases showed expression of PAX8. PR positivity was more prominent in ovarian SMBT with endometriosis than without endometriosis (P = 0.018), although there was no difference in positive ER expression. There were no statistical differences in WT1, CK20 and CDX2 expressions between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ovarian SMBT with endometriosis did not clinically differ from that without endometriosis. However, the molecular patterns were different between two groups and ovarian SMBT with endometriosis is close to endometrioid tumor types unlike SMBT without endometriosis. Further, a direct comparison study between seromucinous borderline tumor and endometrioid borderline tumor is needed with a gene profiling study to prove their relationship.

Dissecting Gonadoblastoma of the Ovary Coexistent with an Atypical Endometriotic Cyst: Incidental Detection in Cystectomy Specimen of a Woman with 46,XX Karyotype.

Dissecting gonadoblastoma (DGB) of the ovary, a recently described terminology, defines a unique distribution of neoplastic germ cells. Here, we report a case of incidental DGB coexistent with an atypical endometriotic cyst occurring in a 23-year-old woman. The ovarian cyst was lined by endometrial-like glands and stroma. Some glands displayed nuclear enlargement and hyperchromasia, and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with occasional intracytoplasmic hemosiderin and mucin vacuoles. The neoplastic germ cells resembled those of ovarian dysgerminoma and were diffusely distributed within the ovarian stroma, which was stretched around the wall of the endometriotic cyst. These cells were arranged in nests and cords, possessing clear cytoplasm and centrally located round nuclei with prominent nucleoli and occasional mitoses. Chromosomal analysis revealed a 46,XX karyotype. We describe the clinical, histological, immunophenotypical, and genetic features of ovarian DGB incidentally detected in the ovarian cystectomy specimen of a woman with normal female karyotype.

Coaxial-Robotic Single-Site Myomectomy: Surgical Outcomes Compared with Robotic Single-Site Myomectomy by Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to introduce a coaxial-robotic single-site myomectomy (C-RSSM) technique to compensate for the shortcomings of robotic single-site myomectomy (RSSM) using semi-rigid instruments and to compare the surgical outcomes of C-RSSM and RSSM. METHODS: The medical records of 13 consecutive women who had undergone C-RSSM and 131 consecutive women who had undergone RSSM were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes after propensity score matching were evaluated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: According to the propensity score matching results, the C-RSSM group had a lower estimated blood loss (75.0 vs. 210.5 mL, p = 0.001) and a shorter operating time (101.0 vs. 146.1 min, p = 0.008) relative to the RSSM group. In RSSM, there was one case of conversion to conventional laparoscopy and four cases of conversion to the multi-site robotic approach. There was no case of conversion from C-RSSM to conventional laparoscopy or the multi-site robotic approach. CONCLUSIONS: C-RSSM was found to be associated with shorter operative time and lower estimated blood loss. However, further prospective studies are needed to confirm these advantages.

Effects of Using Barbed Suture in Myomectomy on Adhesion Formation and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome.

Background: There is still concern regarding postoperative adhesion formation and adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes caused by barbed suture (BS) after myomectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative adhesion and pregnancy outcomes between conventional suture (CS) and BS after minimally invasive myomectomy (MIM) by robotic myomectomy (RM) or laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). Methods: The medical records of 94 women who had undergone MIM with CS and 97 who had undergone MIM with BS and achieved pregnancy were reviewed. Postoperative adhesion was evaluated following cesarean section. Results: The number of removed myomas was greater (5.3 ± 4.6 vs. 3.5 ± 3.1, p = 0.001) and the size of the largest myoma was larger (7.0 ± 2.2 vs. 5.8 ± 2.7 cm, p = 0.001) in the BS group relative to the CS group. A total of 98.9% of patients in the CS group and 45.4% in the BS group had undergone LM (p < 0.001), while the others underwent RM. There was no significant difference in the presence of postoperative adhesion at cesarean section between the BS and CS groups (45.5 vs. 43.7%, p = 0.095). Additionally, there were no intergroup differences in pregnancy complications such as preterm labor, placenta previa, accrete or abruption. Note also that in our logistic regression analysis, the suture type (BS or CS) was excluded from the independent risk factors regarding postoperative adhesion formation. Conclusions: Our data indicated that the incidence of postoperative adhesion after MIM with BS was similar when compared with CS. Also it seems that the suture type does not have a significant effect on pregnancy outcomes.

Lead time on confirmatory test after abnormal Pap test in the COVID-19 era.

ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there are concerns about medical delay, including confirmatory tests after screening for various cancers. We evaluated the lead time to a confirmatory test after an abnormal screening Papanicolaou (Pap) test in women before the COVID-19 period and during the COVID-19 period.The medical records of 1144 women who underwent colposcopy at a single institution located in Seoul after abnormal Pap results from January 2019 to December 2020 were reviewed. The lead time to colposcopy from the Pap test between 2019 and 2020 was compared; the adverse factors for a long lead time to colposcopy were also evaluated.Age, residence, institution, and the Pap results did not differ between women who underwent colposcopy in 2019 (n = 621) and 2020 (n = 523). The time to colposcopy from the Pap test was also not different. A higher number of women were diagnosed with high-grade dysplasia in 2020 and underwent excision procedures; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Instead, patients' residence, institution of the Pap test, and results of the Pap test were associated with a long lead time to colposcopy of >6 weeks.The lead time to colposcopy from the abnormal Pap test was not delayed in the COVID-19 era compared to before. However, regional factors could affect a long lead time.

Anti-Müllerian hormone level may predict successful pregnancy after adenomyomectomy in patients with infertility due to adenomyosis.

ABSTRACT: We aimed to determine clinical factors predicting successful pregnancy by comparing pregnancy failure and success groups after adenomyomectomy. Additionally, we analyzed fertility outcomes after adenomyomectomy.The medical records of 43 patients who had undergone adenomyomectomy and received in vitro fertilization treatment from 2017 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into pregnancy failure (n = 28) and pregnancy success (n = 15) groups. Patients' demographic factors were evaluated and compared between the groups.The age of patients was higher (39.0 [32.0-45.0] vs. 37.0 [33.0-42.0] years, P = .006) whereas the level of anti-Müllerian hormone (anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH]; 0.54 [0.01-8.54] vs. 2.91 [0.34-7.92] ng/mL, P = .002) lower in the pregnancy failure group compared to the pregnancy success group. The operative time was longer (220.0 [68.0-440.0] vs. 175.0 [65.0-305.0] min, P = .048) while the estimated blood loss higher (750 [100-2500] vs. 500 [50-2000] mL, P = .016) in the pregnancy failure group compared to the pregnancy success group. No significant difference was observed in body mass index, symptoms, cancer antigen 125, preoperative uterine volume, or type of adenomyosis. In the multivariate analysis, age and AMH were significant predictive factors for successful pregnancy.Ovarian reserve (age and AMH) and disease severity might be predictive factors for successful pregnancy in patients who have undergone adenomyomectomy. Adenomyomectomy should be considered for women desiring pregnancy and having appropriate ovarian reserve. Our results would be beneficial for patients and clinicians before deciding on adenomyomectomy. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm our findings.

The impacts of insufficient sleep and its change during pregnancy on postpartum depression: A prospective cohort study of Korean women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between insufficient sleep in the prenatal period and postpartum depression (PPD), and whether changes in sleep patterns during pregnancy increase the risk of PPD. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted between March 2013 and November 2017. Participants completed a sleep questionnaire pre-pregnancy and at 12, 24 and 36 gestational weeks (GW). Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 4 weeks postpartum, and the cut-off score for PPD was 10 or more. RESULTS: Of 2512 participants, 410 (16.3%) were identified as having PPD. Only insufficient sleep at 36 GW was significantly associated with PPD after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio 1.79, 95% confidence interval 1.40-2.27, P < 0.001). Both Group 1 (change from sufficient to insufficient) and Group 3 (sustained insufficient) demonstrated a significant risk of PPD at all starting time-points in the multivariate analysis, but no significant association was evident between Group 2 (change from insufficient to sufficient) and PPD. CONCLUSION: Insufficient sleep at 36 GW was associated with a significant risk of developing PPD. Additionally, regardless of whether women had sufficient sleep, a shift towards worsening sleep at 36 GW was highly associated with PPD.