Comparison of fixed and flexible progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocols to prevent premature luteinization in patients with diminished ovarian reserve.

PURPOSE: Flexible progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol is demonstrated to be effective in suppressing premature luteinization in few studies. We aimed to compare fixed and flexible PPOS protocols in preventing premature luteinization in patients with diminished ovarian reserve. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with a diminished ovarian reserve who were administered PPOS protocols for pituitary suppression during ovarian stimulation in a tertiary center in between January 2019 and June 2022. At fixed protocol, 20 mg/day dydrogesterone was started in cycle day two or three along with gonadotropins and continued until trigger day. In contrast, at flexible protocol, 20 mg/day dydrogesterone was commenced when the leading follicle reached 12 mm or serum estradiol (E2) level was > 200 pg/mL. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients, of whom 83 were administered fixed PPOS protocol and 42 were administered flexible PPOS protocol, were included in the analysis. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics and cycle parameters, including total days of gonadotropin administration and total gonadotropin dose (p > 0.05). Premature luteinization occurred at 7.2% and 11.9% of patients in fixed and flexible PPOS protocols, respectively (p = 0.505). Retrieved oocytes numbers, metaphase II oocyte numbers, and 2PN numbers were also similar (p > 0.05). Clinical pregnancy rates per transfer were 52.5% in fixed and 36.4% in flexible protocols (p = 0.499). CONCLUSION: Both fixed and flexible PPOS protocols had statistically similar outcomes in preventing premature luteinization and other cycle parameters. The flexible PPOS protocol seems to be as effective as the fixed PPOS protocol for patients with diminished ovarian reserve; however, further prospective studies should be conducted to validate the results of our research.

The safety of major gynaecologic cancer surgery without routine preoperative COVID-19 testing in the COVID-19 era: a multicentre, retrospective, case-control study.

Our goal was to address the safety of major gynaecologic cancer surgery without routine preoperative COVID-19 testing in the COVID-19 era. The databases of seven gynaecologic cancer centres were searched in order to identify all consecutive gynaecologic cancer patients undergoing major surgery between March 11, 2020 and May 15, 2020 for this retrospective, case-control study. The case group consisted of patients with histopathologically confirmed gynaecologic cancers, and each case was matched with two counterparts who had undergone primary surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic. The case and the control groups were compared in terms of length of hospital stay, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), intraoperative and postoperative complications.During the study period, 154 women with gynaecologic cancer undergoing major surgery were identified. Although the case group had more co-morbidities compared to the control group (103/154 vs. 178/308, respectively; p = .04), the median length of hospital stays, the rate of ICU admission, intraoperative complication rates and postoperative complication rates were similar in the two groups. Gynaecologic cancer surgery may be performed safely in the COVID-19 era with similar rates of ICU admission, intraoperative and postoperative complications compared to the patients operated before the COVID-19 pandemic.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Many societies have announced their guidelines about the surgical management of gynaecologic cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most of them are not evidence-based and mostly on expert opinions.What do the results of this study add? The main findings of this retrospective, case-control study indicate that the short-term (30 day) outcomes of gynaecologic cancer patients undergoing major surgery in the COVID-19 era are similar to those who had been operated before the COVID-19 pandemic. The length of hospital stays, the rates of admission to the ICU, intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable between women undergoing major gynaecologic cancer surgery in the COVID-19 era and the women who had been operated before the pandemic.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We can suggest that definitive surgery may be performed for gynaecologic cancer patients in the COVID-19 era if the resources permit and appropriate precautions such as social distancing, isolation and the use of personal protective equipment are taken.

Single- or double-layer uterine closure techniques following cesarean: A randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cesarean deliveries are commonly performed throughout the world. Although the uterine closure technique following this procedure may influence how the uterine scar heals, there is insufficient evidence for choosing the appropriate technique and so preventing long-term negative consequences. This prospective, randomized study examined the effects of single- and double-layer uterine closure techniques on uterine scar healing following cesarean delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study assessed a total of 282 women aged 18-45 years who were in gestational weeks 24-41 of singleton pregnancies. None had previously undergone uterine surgeries. These participants completed their first cesarean deliveries at the time of study and were randomized into the following two treatment groups: single-layer closure with locking and double-layer closure with locking in the first layer, but not in the second layer (NCT03629028). However, the decidua was not included for treatment in either group. Participants were evaluated at 6-9 months after cesarean section by saline infusion sonohysterography to assess cesarean delivery scar defects. These procedures were conducted by experienced sonographers who were not aware of the uterine closure technique. RESULTS: Of the 225 final participants, 109 received the single-layer closure technique, whereas 116 received the double-layer technique. The niche rates were 37% (n = 40) for the single-layer group and 45.7% (n = 53) for the double-layer group (P = .22, relative risk 1.4, 95% CI = 0.8-4.4). CONCLUSIONS: The single- and double-layer closure techniques did not produce different impacts on uterine scar niche development.

Lumbosacral discitis as a rare complication of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Sacrocolpopexy is considered to be the gold-standard procedure for apical compartment prolapse. However, complications such as sacral hemorrhage, small bowel obstruction, port site herniation, mesh erosion, mesh exposure, and occasionally discitis may occur. The aim of this study is to show laparoscopic treatment of L5-S1 discitis 3 months following laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: Two surgical interventions of a case with narrated video footage is presented. RESULTS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy following hysterectomy in the first part and re-laparoscopy because of a diagnosis of discitis refractory to medical treatment, and removal of mesh along with anterior L5-S1 discectomy for curative debridement in the second part is demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Frequency of postoperative discitis has been increased by the widespread use of a laparoscopic approach. In order to reduce the complication rate, surgical technique allowing the needle to penetrate only the depth of the anterior longitudinal ligament and usage of monofilament suture for mesh attachment is recommended. In treatment, removal of the sacral mesh, and even extensive tissue debridement, may be necessary.

Association between parity and lumbar spine degenerative disorders in young women.

Introduction: Estrogen helps to maintain the health of collagen-containing tissues including the intervertebral disc. Estrogen deficiency after menopause negatively affects the quality of vertebral end plates and induces development of degenerative disc disease (DDD). However, there is no study examining the relationship between parity and spinal degeneration in young women. The aim of this study was to define the relationship between parity and development of vertebral endplate signal changes and DDD in young premenopausal women.Materials and methods: This case-control case study included 224 patients aged 20-40 years with a history of low back pain for at least 3 months. Pfirrmann's grade, Modic changes (MCs), and Schmorl's nodes (SNs) were graded based on magnetic resonance images. Patients' parity, demographics, body mass index, physical activity level, and disability scores were assessed using a questionnaire.Results: The prevalence of abnormal total Pfirrmann's score (>10) and MCs was higher in primiparous patients than multiparous and grand-multiparous; however, it was not statistically significant. The presence of SN was statistically significantly associated with low parity. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that the number of births increases by 1 unit, the abnormality in Pfirrmann's score decreases by 1.36 times.Conclusions: This cross-sectional study shows that parity is associated with DDD and vertebral end plate changes. SNs were significantly associated with parity. Modic changes and DDD were less common in grand multipara and multipara young women than in primipara women. These results indicate that low parity may possibly be associated with the development of spinal degeneration.

Effects of the microfluidic chip technique in sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection for unexplained infertility: a prospective, randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The new-generation spermatozoon selection method, microfluidic technique called Fertile Chip® gives the chance to select spermatozoa with lower DNA fragmentation indexes. We aimed to determine the effect of microfluidic techniques for spermatozoon selection in ICSI treatment in patients with unexplained infertility. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted at a university hospital. One hundred twenty-two couples with unexplained infertility were included, in which 61 of them were treated with conventional swim-up techniques (control group) and another 61 with the microfluidic technique (study group) for spermatozoon selection in IVF treatment. The fertilization rates and the quality of embryos were the primary outcomes, and clinical pregnancy (CPR) and live birth rates (LBR) were the secondary outcomes of our study. RESULTS: CPR in the study group and control group were 48.3% and 44.8% (p = 0.35) and LBR were 38.3% and 36.2% (p = 0.48), respectively. The fertilization rates were similar (63.6% and 57.4%, p = 0.098). A total number of grade 1 embryos were significantly higher in microfluidic technique group than in control group (1.45 ± 1.62 vs. 0.83 ± 1.03, p = 0.01). There were more surplus top quality embryos leftover to freeze in the study group (0.71 ± 1.48 vs. 0.22 ± 0.69, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the microfluidic technique does not change fertilization, CPR, and LBR during IVF treatment for couples with unexplained infertility. Despite the fact that the total number of grade 1 embryos after ICSI treatment and the surplus number of grade 1 embryos after embryo transfer were higher in the microfluidic technique group, the study was not powered to detect this difference. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02488434.

The nomogram of prenasal thickness and nasal bone ratio and its relationship with nuchal fold in second-trimester fetal ultrasound.

AIM: We aimed to define the normal values of second-trimester fetal prenasal thickness and nasal bone length ratio (PNT/NBL) in a low-risk Turkish population and investigate the relationship between the increased PNT and nuchal fold (NF). METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 650 cases considered to be euploid fetuses who presented to our clinic between December 2013 and September 2014 for a second-line ultrasound between 17 and 24 weeks. Their PNT, NBL, NF and biometric (BPD, HC, AC, FL and HL) measurements were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 650 cases considered to be euploid fetuses were included in this study. There was a linear increase in PNT with the gestational weeks (mean value 3.01 at weeks 17-18 and 3.76 at weeks 23-24). The PNT/NB ratio showed a slight decrease in advancing gestational weeks (mean value 0.57 at weeks 17-18 and 0.50 at weeks 23-24). The 95th percentile value of the PNT/NB ratio, independent of the gestational week, was 0.76. The values of both PNT and NF increased with advancing gestational weeks, but there was no statistically linear increase between PNT and NF (R2 : 0.115). CONCLUSION: In this study, we provided a nomogram of the PNT/NB ratio. Both NF thickness and PNT should be dealt with as two separate markers. Although the formation mechanisms are thought to be the same in both of them, a strong linear relationship does not exist between them.

Safety of laparoscopic surgery in the management of endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has increasingly been preferred in recent years. However, data regarding the safety of laparoscopy in endometrial cancer are not sufficient. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic and laparotomic staging surgery in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in this population. Methods: Data of 278 patients, who underwent surgical staging for endometrioid endometrial cancer at the gynecologic oncology department of a university hospital between 2012 and 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic, histopathologic, perioperative, and oncologic characteristics were compared between laparoscopy and laparotomy groups. A subgroup of patients with a body mass index (BMI) >30 was further evaluated. Results: Demographic and histopathologic characteristics were similar between the two groups, while laparoscopic surgery was seen to be significantly superior in terms of perioperative outcomes. The number of removed and metastatic lymph nodes was significantly higher in the laparotomy group; however, this difference did not affect the oncologic outcomes, including recurrence and survival rates, and the two groups had similar results in this aspect. The outcomes of the subgroup with BMI >30 were also in accordance with the whole population. Intraoperative complications in laparoscopy were managed successfully. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery appears to be advantageous over laparotomy, and depending on the surgical experience, it may be performed safely for surgical staging of endometrioid endometrial cancer.

The effect of suture materials with different absorption times on isthmocele: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: With the increasing rate of cesarean operations, the formation of niches and related early and late complications have been observed more frequently. In this study, we examined the effects of using a suture material that can be absorbed faster than conventional sutures on the formation of niches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective study and completed with a total of 101 patients. During the cesarean operation, the uterus was closed with Rapide Vicryl® in 49 patients and Vicryl® in 52 patients. The uterine niche was measured with a sonohysterogram 6 months after the operation. The primary outcome of the study was determined as uterine niche formation and the secondary outcome was the post-menstrual spotting (PMS) rate. RESULTS: Duration of surgery, intraoperative/postoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time were similar between the two groups. Niche formation was significantly lower in the Rapide Vicryl group (22.4%) when compared to the Vicryl group (42.3%) (p = 0.046). Also, PMS was observed significantly lower in the Rapide Vicryl group (16.2% and 52.8% in Rapide Vicryl and Vicryl groups, respectively; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The formation of niches and associated PMS rates were less with suture materials that were absorbed faster.

Prognostic factors of endometrial cancer in elderly patient group and their effects on survival.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the prognostic factors of the elderly group and their effects on survival by examining the histopathological features, surgical treatment protocols, and treatment modalities of patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: The records of 397 EC patients who completed their treatment and follow-up at a single center between 2012 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were evaluated in two groups as <70 years old (n: 301; 75.8%) and >70 years old (n: 96; 24.2%). Following the evaluation of histopathological features and treatment protocols, independent risk factors influencing survival were investigated with the Cox regression model. RESULTS: The incidence of non-endometrioid histology (16.3% vs. 32.3%, p: 0.001), high-grade tumors (50.5% vs. 69.8%; p: 0.001), and >50 myometrial invasion (19.6% vs. 36.5%, p: 0.003) in the >70 age group was more frequent than that in the <70 age group. The independent risk factors on overall survival in the >70 age group were determined as non-endometrioid histology (HR: 5.9; 95% CI: 1.4- 24.7) and lymph node metastasis (HR: 6.4; 95% CI:1.6-25.0). In the <70 age group, non-endometrioid histology (HR: 11.3; 95% CI: 4.0-32.0) was identified as the only independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival. CONCLUSION: EC, with non-endometrioid histology, which is observed at a higher rate in elderly patients despite equal surgery and adjuvant therapy, is the primary factor that affects survival.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: are in vitro fertilization pregnancies at risk?

AIM: Single pregnancy patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) were divided into two groups according to the conception method, as spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF). We aim to compare the maternal, laboratory and perinatal characteristics of both groups. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The records of 10,929 patients who gave birth in the center between October 2011 and July 2019 were analyzed retrospectively from the data processing system records. Maternal, laboratory and perinatal characteristics of 109 single pregnancies (spontaneous n: 91; IVF n: 18) diagnosed with ICP were compared. FINDINGS: The maternal demographic data of both groups were similar (p: .05). In both groups, gestational week, gestational age at birth, birth weight, neonatal intensive care admission rate, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, umbilical cord pH, the 5-minute APGAR score, and the presence of pregnancy complications were similar (p > .05). RESULT: Although ICP is reported with a higher incidence in IVF pregnancies, ICP findings and prognosis are similar to those of spontaneous pregnancies.

Clinicopathologic importance of atypical glandular cells in cervico-vaginal cytology

Objective: To analyze the histopathologic outcomes of patients with atypical glandular cells (AGC) in cervicovaginal cytology examinations. Material and Methods: Patients with AGC in cervicovaginal cytology were included in this study between March 2011 and March 2018 and patient data were collected retrospectively among all cytology results. AGC classification of cervicovaginal cytology were based on the Bethesda 2001 classification system. Results: The total prevalence of cervical epithelial cell abnormality and AGC were found as 4.2% and 0.2%, respectively, in the study cohort. AGC-favor neoplasia (AGC-FN) was the subgroup of AGC with the highest malignancy rate with 62.5% (p=0.06). The incidence of malignancy in the postmenopausal group (33.3%) was detected higher than in the premenopausal group (8.3%) (p=0.07). Conclusion: The probability of malignancy in AGC-FN cytology is more commonly associated with malignancy in the postmenopausal group. Therefore, histopathologic examination is strongly recommended in these patients with AGC smears because of the high risk for malignancy in this group.

Does abnormal ductus venosus pulsatility index at the first-trimester effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes?

AIM: The ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (DV PIV) has become a popular marker of the first-trimester scan. The aim of this study is to search for any difference between groups with normal and abnormal DV PIV values in terms of adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 556 women whose first-trimester scan was performed. The ductus venosus pulsatility indices were examined at singleton pregnancies between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation. Patients were categorized as Group-I with normal DV PIV (DV PIV ≥ 0.73, ≤1.22) and as Group-II with abnormal DV PIV. Group-II was subgrouped as Group-IIA which composed of patients with DV PIV < 0.73 and as Group-IIB with DV PIV > 1.22. RESULTS: There were 451 subjects in Group-I and 105 subjects in Group-II (Group-IIA = 32 and Group-IIB = 73). The comparisons between major groups revealed a statistically significant increase about miscarriage (p = 0.002), stillbirth (p < 0.001), small for gestational age (p = 0.033), low birth weight (p < 0.001), fetal growth restriction (p = 0.048), and major congenital heart defect (p=<0.001) in Group-II. This difference is mainly due to Group-IIB. There is no difference in preterm delivery, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes between Group I and II. CONCLUSION: Routinely monitoring DIV PIV as a first-trimester screening should provide valuable information regarding adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, stillbirth, small for gestational age, low birth weight, fetal growth restriction and major congenital heart defect.

Reference values of the ductus venosus pulsatility index for pregnant women between 11 and 13+6 weeks of gestation.

Purpose: The ductus venosus pulsatility index velocity (DV PIV) has become a popular ultrasonographic measurement during the first trimester of pregnancy. The value of the DV PIV has been the topic of ongoing discussion in the literature, and its reference value in the normal population has not yet been established. Therefore, we aimed to determine a reference value for the DV PIV.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated our records of first-trimester ultrasonography performed between 2016 and 2017. Our inclusion criteria were as follows: singleton pregnancy; crown-rump length (CRL) between 45 and 84 mm; absence of structural abnormalities on the ultrasound examination; and absence of chromosomal abnormalities. Records of 820 patients were evaluated. According to the inclusion criteria, records of 458 patients were included in this study. All ultrasound examinations were performed by a single operator with the Voluson E8 (5- to 8-MHz 3 D transducer; General Electric Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK) via the transabdominal route. Gestational weeks were designated according to CRL measurements at the beginning of the examination. Nuchal translucency (NT), nasal bone visualization (NB), tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR), "a"-wave pattern, DV PIV, S-wave (peak systolic velocity), D-wave (peak diastolic velocity), a-wave (atrial contraction in late diastole), and time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMXV) measurements were performed. To evaluate the DV Doppler images, a mid-sagittal view of the fetal profile was obtained. Color Doppler and pulse Doppler gate were used in the distal portion of the umbilical sinus, and at least three typical DV waveforms were detected. The SPSS 21.0 statistical program (IBM, Armonk, NY) was used to analyze variables.Results: The mean age, body mass index, CRL, gestational age, and NT values were 30.3 years (range, 18-45), 23.9 kg/m2 (range, 15.5-46.6), 59.5 mm (range, 45-79), 12.3 weeks (range, 11.2-13.6), and 1.58 mm (range, 0.73-2.62), respectively. The median gravidity and parity were 2 (1-8) and 0 (0-4), respectively. The "a"-wave pattern was identified in all cases, but TR was not detected in any of the cases. Measurements of DV PIV with a Gaussian distribution were suitable according to the Shapiro-Wilk test (p = .252). The mean DV PIV was 0.98, and the fifth and 95th percentiles were 0.73 and 1.22 (±2 SD), respectively. A statistical analysis of our cohort revealed that DV PIV values less than 0.73 and more than 1.22 were beyond the normal range. The mean S-wave, D-wave, a-wave, and TAMXV values were 31.18, 25.64, 8.68, and 22.72 cm/s, respectively.Conclusions: The value of DV PIV measurements is debated in the literature. Using our cohort, we defined the means and ranges of DV PIV. Determining the normal ranges of DV PIV could be helpful to anticipate congenital or chromosomal abnormalities. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical importance of DV PIV, especially for patients with abnormal DV PIV measurements.

An analysis of 635 consequetive laparoscopic hysterectomy patients in a tertiary referral hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this retrospective observational study is to analyse the properties of laparoscopic hysterectomy cases that are performed for benign indications and also endometrial cancer indications. Operation time, postoperative complicaton rate, blood transfusion need, and hospitalization time are compared according to benign and malign indications and also body mass index of the patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who were operated between September 2012 and December 2017 are included in this study. Patients' age, body mass index, medical histories, operation indications, operation time, pathology reports, pre and postoperative hemoglobine values and postoperative complications are obtained from medical records.Body mass index is classified as underweight for <19 ; normal for 19-25 ; overweight for 25-30 and obese for ≥30. RESULTS: Operation and hospitalization times were significantly higher for high BMI and malign gynecologic indication groups than lower BMI and benign gynecologic indication groups (p:0.0001). Complication rates and transfusion needs were similar in between malign and benign gynecologic disease groups (p :0.443; P:0.670 respectively) and also in between high and lower BMI groups (P:0.813 ; P:0.468 respectively). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic approach for hysterectomy operations in high BMI patients and endometrial cancer patients seem to be safe in terms of postoperative complication and bleeding that necessitate transfusion.

Reappraisal of the relationship between 24-hour proteinuria and preeclampsia in terms of the maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Objective: This study evaluated the association between proteinuria levels and maternal, and perinatal outcomes of preeclampsia patients and determined the cutoff values for predicting severe complications.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 412 patients with proteinuric preeclampsia.Results: Median proteinuria levels were significantly higher in patients with severe maternal and adverse perinatal outcomes than in those without such outcomes, except in cases of placental abruption and late preterm delivery.Conclusion: Proteinuria levels may aid in diagnosing preeclampsia and indicating early intervention. The revised guidelines do not suggest that proteinuria encountered during pregnancy is clinically insignificant.

Symptomatic Bochdalek Hernia in Pregnancy: A Rare Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic Bochdalek hernia in pregnancy is quite rare. To the best of our knowledge, there are a total of 44 cases reported in the literature between 1959 and 2016 (Hernández-Aragon et al., 2015; Koca et al., 2016). Difficulty and delay in diagnosis may lead to life-threatening complications. CASE REPORT: We report a case of Bochdalek hernia during the 30 gestational weeks' pregnancy in whom pregnancy continued after surgical repair which resulted in term birth. DISCUSSION: Bochdalek hernia is diagnosed with an incidence of 1 in 2200-12500 live births, while symptomatic diaphragm hernia is much less in adults. The actual incidence of diaphragmatic hernias during pregnancy is still unknown. Symptoms may include abdominal distension, recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, inability to defecate, dyspnea, and chest pain. The patient with diaphragmatic hernia may be asymptomatic until the late weeks of gestation, as in our case, or herniation may occur during advanced gestational weeks with increased intraabdominal pressure. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, diagnosis of the diaphragm hernia during pregnancy is very rare. Diagnosis is rarer in symptomatic patients due to its rarity and the duration of diagnosis may, therefore, be delayed. Diaphragm hernia should be kept in mind in symptomatic patients due to its high maternal and fetal mortality rates.

Effect of pigtail catheter application on obstetric outcomes in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection pregnancies following hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies following moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 189 patients hospitalized for OHSS following ICSI treatment in a tertiary in vitro fertilization unit between 2006 and 2014. Pigtail catheters were applied in 63 patients; the other 126 patients did not need that treatment. The obstetric reports of 173 patients could be accessed and were examined to investigate the pregnancy outcomes of those with and without catheters. RESULTS: No complications such as infection or vascular or intra-abdominal organ trauma were observed related to the pigtail application. There were no differences in abortus, preterm labor, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia ratio between the pigtail and control groups (p>0.05). The rate of readmission to hospital for OHSS was lower in the pigtail group than in the control group although not statistically significant (p=0.08). CONCLUSION: Pigtail application is a safe and effective method for draining ascites in patients with OHSS after ICSI treatment. The use of pigtail catheters had no adverse effects on the perinatal outcomes of patients hospitalized with OHSS who became pregnant after ICSI treatment. In addition, the percutaneous drainage of ascites via a pigtail catheter helped prevent the readmission of patients with moderate or severe OHSS.