Severe psychological impact and impaired quality of life after a spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy in women with endometriosis and their partners.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous Haemoperitoneum in Pregnancy (SHiP) is a rare, but life-threatening complication of pregnancy that occurs predominantly in the third trimester of pregnancy and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Recently the largest case series in literature was published describing 11 Dutch cases of SHiP in women with endometriosis. PURPOSE: To investigate experiences, psychological impact, and quality of life after SHiP. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was performed in women with a history of SHiP and their partners, including all known cases in the Netherlands between 2007 to 2015. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were organized between 2016 and 2017 and analysed thematically with a framework approach. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires investigating the impact of the event (Impact of Event Scale) and Quality of Life (RAND-36). RESULTS: Out of a total of 11 known cases, 7 women agreed for be individually interviewed. From these, all women described a freeze response at the moment of SHiP, combined with either an anxious reaction or a survival mode mind-set. All women received psychological help after SHiP. Still, the feeling of not being heard by the medical staff was present in all women. Other themes such as postpartum period, bonding with their child, effect on daily life, reviving the event, and future pregnancies were also identified in the interviews. In regard to their partners, 3 were interviewed, hence no saturation was achieved. Finally, the questionnaires showed lower Quality of Life and an impact score of ≥ 8/10. CONCLUSION: SHiP had a profound impact on women and their partners. Dedicated psychological help should be offered to all women after experiencing SHiP.

Treatment of ovarian endometriomas using plasma energy in endometriosis surgery: effect on pelvic pain, return to work, pregnancy and cyst recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The best surgical technique for managing ovarian endometriomas is still widely debated, though the current standard is stripping cystectomy. The use of plasma energy as a treatment option is a relatively new concept and little data is currently available on this method. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of the use of plasma energy in our daily clinical practice by looking at various postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-one women previously diagnosed with uni- or bilateral ovarian endometriomas by transvaginal ultrasound, associated with pelvic pain and/or infertility, were included in this retrospective cohort study performed in a tertiary endometriosis referral centre. All women underwent endometriotic cyst ablation using plasma energy. At follow up postoperative pain, number of days until return to work following surgery, postoperative pregnancy rate and recurrence rate were determined. RESULTS: This study demonstrates a significant decrease in the proportion of patients reporting pain postoperatively when comparing the number of patients with dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain pre- and postoperatively. In addition, the median number of days until women returned to work postoperatively was 9 days (interquartile range (IQR) 8-11 days). The postoperative pregnancy rate was 46.2% (6 of 13 women wishing to conceive) and the recurrence rate was 9.5%. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, plasma energy is a promising alternative to stripping cystectomy, as comparable results for postoperative pregnancy and recurrence rates can be observed. However, further research is necessary to draw firm conclusions when comparing these two techniques.