Incidence of unexpected uterine malignancies after electromechanical power morcellation: a retrospective multicenter analysis in Germany.

PURPOSE: During the last decade, electromechanical power morcellation (EMM) was more frequently used but it may be associated with the dissemination of occult malignancies. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of unexpected uterine malignancies after EMM. METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of patients who were treated at three departments of Gynecology in Germany from 2008 to 2017. We identified women who underwent an operation with the use of EMM. Clinical records, risk factors, and the outcomes of the patients were reviewed. RESULTS: We performed an analysis of 1683 patients who had undergone laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LASH), total hysterectomy, or myomectomy (LM) (48.6%, 8.4%, and 43.0%, respectively). Unexpected malignancies were detected in 4 of 1683 patients (0.24%). In all cases, the malignancy proved to be a sarcoma and was detected after LASH. All patients with occult sarcomas were older than 45 years and the most common (75%) risk factor was the appearance of a solitary tumor. The patients underwent secondary laparotomy for complete oncological staging, and no histological dissemination of the sarcoma was registered. Two patients had a recurrence. At the final follow-up investigation all four patients were in good general health. CONCLUSION: Occult malignancies are liable to spread after EMM, although the overall risk of being diagnosed with an occult malignancy and the risk of dissemination appear to be low. Once the preoperative diagnostic investigation has yielded no suspicious findings, laparoscopic morcellation may be considered a safe method, especially LM in patients of reproductive age.

Prevalence of occult leiomyosarcomas and atypical leiomyomas after laparoscopic morcellation of leiomyomas in reproductive-age women.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the prevalence of leiomyosarcomas and atypical leiomyomas after laparoscopic morcellation of fibroids in reproductive age women? SUMMARY ANSWER: No case of leiomyosarcomas but seven atypical leiomyomas were found in 1216 subjects. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Although uterine sarcoma is a rare entity affecting usually older peri- or post-menopausal women, the Food and Drug Administration discourages use of laparoscopic power morcellation of uterine fibroids. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Retrospective review of data extracted from a single center database of 1216 consecutive women who underwent laparoscopic morcellation of 2582 unsuspicious leiomyomas between June 2003 and December 2015 and were followed-up until December 2016. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: A total of 1216 women, aged 18-45 years, underwent laparoscopic morcellation of 2582 apparently benign leiomyomas by the same surgeon and all specimen slides were examined by the same experienced pathologist. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The prevalence of leiomyosarcomas and atypical leiomyomas was 0% (95% CI: 0-0.3%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.23-1.18%) (six atypical-bizarre and one mitotically active leiomyoma) respectively. In addition, there were identified 34 cases of adenomyomas, 45 leiomyomas with infarcts, 81 cellular leiomyomas and 133 degenerated leiomyomas. No morcellator-associated complication was recorded and none of the patients included in this study required conversion to laparotomy. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Retrospective and single referral center study design. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Laparoscopic morcellation of unsuspicious leiomyomas after careful preoperative work up seems to be safe in women of reproductive age. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): None.

Novasure impedance control system versus microwave endometrial ablation for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To compare the efficacy and safety of two different second-generation ablation devices, Novasure impedance control system and microwave endometrial ablation (MEA), in cases of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial that took place in a single Gynecological Department of a University Hospital. Sixty-six women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), unresponsive to medical treatment, were included in the trial. The ratio of women allocated to bipolar radio-frequency ablation or MEA was 1:1. Follow-up assessments were carried out at three and 12 months post-ablation. The present main outcome measure was amenorrhea rates 12-months post-treatment. RESULTS: The rate of amenorrhea at 12-months post-ablation was significantly higher in women treated by Novasure (25/33; 75.8%) as compared to those treated by MEA (8/33; 24.2%) (rate difference: +51.5%, 95% CI: +27.8 to +67.7). CONCLUSION: In women with DUB, endometrial ablation with Novasure bipolar radiofrequency impedance-controlled system is associated with increased rates of amenorrhea at 12-months post-treatment as compared to the MEA method.

Global recommendations on adhesion prophylaxis in gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.

Adhesions are recognised as one of the most common complications of abdominal surgery; their diagnosis and prevention remains a significant unmet need in surgical therapy, affecting negatively a patient's quality of life and healthcare budgets. In addition, postoperative pelvic adhesions pose a high risk of reduced fertility in women of childbearing age. These 2023 Global Recommendations on Adhesion Prevention in Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgery provide agreed-upon statements to guide clinical practice, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

GnRH-agonist versus GnRH-antagonist IVF cycles: is the reproductive outcome affected by the incidence of progesterone elevation on the day of HCG triggering? A randomized prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In view of the current debate concerning possible differences in efficacy between the two GnRH analogues used in IVF stimulated cycles, the current study aimed to explore whether progesterone control in the late follicular phase differs when GnRH antagonist is used as compared with GnRH agonist, and if so, to what extent the progesterone rise affects the probability of pregnancy. METHODS: Overall 190 patients were randomized: 94 in the GnRH-agonist group and 96 in the GnRH-antagonist group. The GnRH-agonist long protocol started on Day 21 of the preceding cycle with intranasal buserelin (600 mg per day). The GnRH-antagonist protocol started on Day 6 of the stimulation with ganirelix or cetrorelix (each 0.25 mg). All blood samples were analysed with the Elecsys analyzer. An intention-to-treat analysis was applied. RESULTS: A progesterone rise >1.5 ng/ml was noticed in 23.0% of the antagonist group, comparable with 24.1% incidence within the agonist group. Per patient randomized, delivery rates were also comparable: 28.1% in the antagonist group and 24.5% in the agonist group (odds ratio = 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 0.63-2.31, P= 0.56). However, there was a reduction in delivery rates when progesterone exceeded the threshold of 1.5 ng/ml, both in the agonist group (9.5 versus 31.8%, P= 0.03) and in the antagonist group (14.3 versus 34.3%, P= 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence of a progesterone rise was similar between the two analogues, our findings reconfirm previous observations that insufficient progesterone control (>1.5 ng/ml) on the day of ovulation triggering is related to poor delivery rates in both protocols. The current study has shown that the reproductive outcomes with the two GnRH analogues are comparable. Possible modes of action to circumvent late follicular progesterone rise should be explored. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01191710.

Laparoscopic management of unexpected borderline ovarian tumors in women of reproductive age.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The aim of this study was to review the clinical features of women with unexpected borderline ovarian tumours. METHODS: Between October 1992 and December 2010, 1332 out of 4016 laparoscopies were performed for adnexal masses in women of reproductive age and 1838 cysts were removed. When ultrasonographic findings did not meet the criteria for low risk malignancy, tumour markers, colour Doppler and MRI/CT were applied. At laparoscopy any solid component or papilla was sent for rapid frozen section. RESULTS: Borderline ovarian tumours were found in eight (0.6%) out of 1332 patients, two of which were bilateral. The mean age was 28.75 +/- 9.27 years and the mean diameter of the cysts was 5.1 +/- 1.7 cm. In two cases unexpected malignancy was discovered during the diagnostic and in six cases during the operative phase of the intervention. CONCLUSION(S): Risk of failure to diagnose cancer could be minimised with careful patient selection preoperatively. Adequate training on laparoscopic oncology is the necessary prerequisite for a safe laparoscopic approach.

Obstetric and neonatal outcome after assisted fertilization and spontaneous conception: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The widespread use of assisted reproduction technology (ART) is accompanied by concerns for potential adverse outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of ART in obstetric and neonatal outcome. METHODS: Data from labor ward records from 913 consecutive births were analyzed retrospectively, and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies after ART were compared with those after natural conception. RESULTS: No major complications were noted after ART. A higher probability of cesarean section, lower gestational age at birth, lower birth weight and hospitalization in the Neontal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was noted after ART, as compared with spontaneous conception. However, after exclusion of multifetal pregnancies, there was no significant difference in outcomes, except for cesarean section rates. CONCLUSIONS: The higher proportion of multiple pregnancies after ART is associated with lower gestational age at birth, lower birth weights and higher NICU hospitalization rates.

Gynaecological endoscopic evaluation of 4% icodextrin solution: a European, multicentre, double-blind, randomized study of the efficacy and safety in the reduction of de novo adhesions after laparoscopic gynaecological surgery.

BACKGROUND: Gynaecological laparoscopic surgery outcomes can be compromised by the formation of de novo adhesions. This randomized, double-blind study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of 4% icodextrin solution (Adept(®)) in the reduction of de novo adhesion incidence compared to lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). METHODS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for removal of myomas or endometriotic cysts were treated with randomized solution as an intra-operative irrigant and 1l post-operative instillate. De novo adhesion incidence (number of sites with adhesions), severity and extent were independently scored at a second-look procedure and the efficacy of the two solutions compared. The effect of surgical covariates on adhesion formation was also investigated. Initial exploratory analysis of individual anatomical sites of clinical importance was progressed. RESULTS Of 498 patients randomized, 330 were evaluable (160 LRS--75% myomectomy/25% endometriotic cysts; 170 Adept--79% myomectomy/21% endometriotic cysts). At study completion, 76.2% LRS and 77.6% Adept had ≥ 1 de novo adhesion. The mean (SD) number of de novo adhesions was 2.58 (2.11) for Adept and 2.58 (2.38) for LRS. The treatment effect difference was not significant (P = 0.909). Assessment of surgical covariates identified significant influences on the mean number of de novo adhesions regardless of treatment, including surgery duration (P = 0.048), blood loss in myomectomy patients (P = 0.019), length of uterine incision in myomectomy patients (P < 0.001) and number of suture knots (P < 0.001). There were 15 adverse events considered treatment-related in the LRS patients (7.2%) and 18 in the Adept group (8.3%). Of 17 reported serious adverse events (9 LRS; 8 Adept) none were considered treatment-related. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the safety of Adept in laparoscopic surgery. The proportion of patients with de novo adhesion formation was considerably higher than previous literature suggested. Overall there was no evidence of a clinical effect but various surgical covariates including surgery duration, blood loss, number and size of incisions, suturing and number of knots were found to influence de novo adhesion formation. The study provides direction for future research into adhesion reduction strategies in site specific surgery.

Prevention of intra-peritoneal adhesions in gynaecological surgery: theory and evidence.

Post-operative adhesions are a significant complication of all abdominal surgical procedures. The major strategies for adhesion prevention in gynaecological surgery are focused on the optimization of surgical technique and use of anti-adhesive agents, which fall into two main categories: pharmacological agents and barriers. Surgical technique that minimizes peritoneal trauma can reduce, but cannot prevent post-operative adhesion formation. Various local and systemic drugs that can alter the local inflammatory response, inhibit the coagulation cascade and promote fibrinolysis have been evaluated. Limited data support the administration of post-operative corticosteroids in addition to systemic intra-operative corticosteroids for the prevention of adhesions after gynaecological surgery. None of the remaining pharmacological agents have been found effective for the reduction of post-operative adhesions. Barriers are currently considered the most useful adjuncts, which may reduce adhesion formation. They act by separating the traumatized peritoneal surfaces during the healing period. The separation can be achieved by solid barriers or fluids. There is limited evidence from randomized clinical trials that support the beneficial effect of most of these barrier agents in the prevention of intra-peritoneal adhesions after gynaecological surgery. However, the evidence is not adequate for definite conclusions to be drawn and further research in this field is warranted.

A European survey on the conservative surgical management of endometriotic cysts on behalf of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) Special Interest Group (SIG) on Endometriosis.

The mainstay of endometrioma management, when treatment is required, is surgical. Although laparoscopy is considered to be the gold standard for endometriosis surgery, there is no clarity on the preferred laparoscopic technique, which may depend on whether the primary goalis treatment of infertility or pelvic pain, prevention of recurrence or preservation of ovarian reserve. The aim of this survey to assess the surgical practice of the members of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) on the conservative management of endometiotic cysts in women of reproductive age. The current survey showed that practice for the conservative management of endometriotic cysts was that laparoscopy accounted for 84.9% of the cases, expectant management for 12.1%, and laparotomy for 3%. The preferred surgical approach was cystectomy in 69% of the cases, while the parameters that determined the preferred surgical method were the diameter of the cyst (62%) and the bilaterality or non-location (53%). The type of energy used was in most cases bipolar (83%), 71.4% of surgeons did not reconstitute the ovary and 41% of responses included the administration of adhesion barrier agents. The primary surgical end-point was ovarian reserve (50%), which was tested preoperatively in 51.8%, mainly with an anti-mullerian hormone. In case of an incidentally deep-infiltrating endometriosis, 55.4% of the responses included concomitant treatment thereof, while 71% of the participants considered that a "pelvic surgeon", who could more effectively treat co- existing pelvic and intestinal disease, should be the ideal one to effectively manage endometriosis. The majority of participants (74%) in this survey consider that there is insufficient scientific evidence regarding the conservative management of endometriotic cysts. The treatment of ovarian endometrioma should be individualised, taking into consideration not only the relief of symptoms, pregnancy rates or recurrence rates, but also ovarian function and reserve after surgery.

A European survey on treatment of hydrosalpinges in infertile women on behalf of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) Special Interest Group (SIG) on Reproductive Surgery.

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among members of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), with the aim of increasing awareness of the diagnosis and surgical treatment of tubal disease as an alternative to in-vitro fertiliszation (IVF). Seventeen participants (34%) occasionally used a test for prediction of the ovarian reserve before surgery, and the most commonly used test was anti-mullerian hormone assay (39/50; (80%). Laparoscopy was the preferred method for staging tubal disease (43/50; 86%).Thirty-seven (76%) participants always performed salpingectomy or tubal occlusion before the first IVF attempt. Thirty (60%) of the gynaecological surgeons considered the outcome with tubal surgery and IVF to be similar in mild tubal disease, whereas for severe disease, 31/50 (62%) felt that surgery had worse outcome. Among other factors to be considered in choosing a strategy for treating infertility, 20/50 (40%) of respondents listed the stage of disease. The findings of this survey suggest that first-line treatment for women younger than 35 years old with minor tubal pathology, is tubal surgery. IVF appears to be offered if there are other infertility factors, if the patient is >38 years old and if moderate to severe tubal disease is present.

Prenatal management and postnatal separation of omphalopagus and craniopagus conjoined twins.

Two cases of prenatally diagnosed conjoined twins are presented: a set of omphalopagus twins sharing a common liver, and a set of craniopagus with involvement limited to the skull. In both cases, prenatal diagnosis allowed accurate planning of pre- and postnatal management. Prenatal management involved serial imaging and counseling with participation of different specialists according to imaging findings. In the rare case of conjoined twins, an interdisciplinary approach is required, with feto-maternal specialists playing a pivotal role in co-ordinating teamwork and planning successive stages of management.

Cholesterol screening in the members of the Hungarian parliament.

The high proportion (49%) of male parliament members with high cholesterol levels (> or = 240 mg/dl) calls attention to their high risk for cardiovascular diseases. Our hope is that knowledge of their risk will improve their understanding concerning the importance of lifestyle and health promotion in Hungary.

Oocyte donation: clinical and practical aspects.

Oocyte donation is an effective treatment modality for women lacking functioning ovaries, but also for women in whom repetitive in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles did not result in the development of adequate number of oocytes as well as for those at risk of transmitting genetic diseases. In women with ovarian failure, artificial menstrual cycles are required in order to produce endometrial growth and differentiation similar to that in women with normal ovarian function. Synchronization of donor's and recipient's cycles is mandatory, since the window of implantation is rather limited. The excellent results of oocyte donation treatment confirm that this assisted reproduction technique can provide a novel approach for the treatment of infertility in these groups of patients. Nevertheless, pregnancies in women of advanced reproductive age are associated with significantly more obstetrical complications and higher perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, aging parents have considerably higher chances to develop serious or life-threatening diseases. Thus, careful medical screening and extensive counselling is mandatory, taking into account the psychosocial ramifications of the procedure and, especially, the best interest of the child-to-be.

[Modern diet for patients with hyperlipoproteinemia]. / A hyperlipoproteinaemiák korszerü diétája.

Diet is fundamental in the treatment of primary hyperlipoproteinaemias. The author outlines nutritional factors affecting serum lipoproteins. In the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia the most effective is the reduction of the intake of saturated fatty acids, it being twice as effective as the reduction of dietary cholesterol, which is necessary as well. The proportion of the saturated, poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids is recommended to be 10-10-10 percent of the overall calorie intake. Such a composition of diet has no disadvantageous effect on the level of HDL cholesterol. Of carbohydrates the consumption of sugar and alcohol should be limited in the presence of hypertriglyceridaemia and/or obesity. Water soluble dietary fibres may have a cholesterol-lowering effect. The reduction of overall calorie intake is indispensable in hyperlipoproteinaemias with obesity. As a result of the diet a 10-20 percent decrease in the level of cholesterol and--in some cases--the normalization of hypertriglyceridaemia can be expected.

[Major nutrition-related risk factors of ischemic heart disease: dyslipoproteinemia, obesity, hypertension, glucose intolerance]. / Az ischaemiás szívbetegség táplálkozással összefüggö fö rizikófaktorai: dyslipoproteinaemia, elhízás, hypertonia, glükóz-intolerancia.

Of the major risk factors of coronary heart disease dyslipoproteinemia, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are nutrition related and can be considered of metabolic origin. Dyslipoproteinemia affects 2/3 of the adult population. The risk of coronary heart disease can be decreased 2-5 fold by lowering hypercholesterinemia; atherosclerosis in the coronaries may regress and total mortality may decrease. Atherogenic dyslipidemia (i.e. hypertriglyceridaemia, low HDL cholesterol levels, elevated concentrations of small dense LDL) increases the risk as part of the metabolic syndrome. Obesity is already highly prevalent, and it is affecting ever growing proportions of the adult population. Abdominal obesity furthermore predisposes patients to complications. No effective therapy is available for obesity. 3/4 of hypertensive patients are obese and more than half of them have insulin resistance. By decreasing blood pressure, the risk of stroke decreases by about 40%, that of coronary heart disease by 14-30%. Slimming cures are the most important non-pharmacological way of treating hypertension. 5% of the population has diabetes mellitus, and a further 5% has impaired glucose tolerance. Type 2 diabetes predisposes patients to macrovascular complications. The risk of coronary heart disease can be decreased by controlling diabetes by e.g. metformin.

[The anti-lipidemic effect of Minipress]. / A Minipress antilipidaemiás hatásáról.

Prazosin (Minipress) monotherapy was given to 152 patients with essential hypertension for one year in a multi-center study involving 13 hospitals and university clinics. In three centers serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were also determined in 32 patients with hypertension and hyper/dys-lipoproteinemia. As a consequence of Minipress monotherapy significant decreases were found in serum level of cholesterol (after three months and also after one year), triglycerides (after one year), while the serum concentration of HDL-cholesterol increased. Atherogenic index (a ratio of total cholesterol over HDL-cholesterol) was significantly decreased by Minipress. As new data showing a causative correlation between hypertension and hyperlipoproteinemia were published in the literature authors, on the basis of their results, suggest to determine lipid profile in every patient with hypertension. They regard Minipress as the first line drug in young patients with "familial dyslipidemic hypertension". When choosing an antihypertensive drug metabolic side effects should be taken into consideration.

[Effect of Gevilon therapy and its relation to E polymorphism]. / A Gevilon-terápia hatása az apolipoprotein E polimorfizmus függvényében.

Our clinical trial was set out to estimate the apoE allele frequency by way of polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme isoform genotyping amongst 81 obese, hyperlipoproteinemic patients (treated with gemfibrozil + diet). The relative frequencies of the E2, E3, E4 alleles were 0.28, 0.61, 0.11 respectively (according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium). Phenotypes with increased triglycerides levels were dominant in both sexes: IV + V > II/B > II/A (44.4%, 39.5%, 16.0%). Therapy significantly decreased the atherogen lipid values with differing efficacy among each genotype group: E3 > E4 > E2. Our findings demonstrate that in the II/A group there was no great change using the gemfibrozil + diet combination: whereas in IV + V group this combination was effective in each apoE isoform. In the case of II/B it is highly important to determine the apoE genotypes, because the therapy is only efficacious in the E33 group taking all lipid parameters into consideration.