Comparison of salpingectomy and tubal detorsion procedures after experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat fallopian tube model: biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To compare salpingectomy and detorsion procedures and investigate the biochemical and histopathological changes in the fallopian tubes in the experimentally isolated fallopian tube torsion model in rats. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Experimental surgery laboratory in a training and research hospital. ANIMAL(S): Twenty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats in the reproductive period. INTERVENTION(S): Group 1, control group (n = 6); group 2, bilateral total salpingectomy group after 4 hours of tubal ischemia (n = 7); group 3: 4 hours of bilateral tubal ischemia plus 1 week of reperfusion (n = 7); and group 4, 4-hour period of bilateral tubal ischemia plus 30 days of reperfusion (n = 7). A 22-gauge catheter was administered before and after surgery using methylene blue through the uterine horn of the rat to evaluate tubal patency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Preoperative and postoperative serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels, histopathological examination of the rat tuba uterine and histopathological damage scores, antioxidant compounds (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]), and oxidative stress end product levels (malondialdehyde [MDA] and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]). RESULT(S): Although a significant difference was observed in the tissue SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, and 8-OHdG values, no significant difference was observed between the groups in serum samples. The tissue SOD and tissue GSH-Px levels in group 2 significantly decreased, and a significant increase was observed in the tissue MDA and 8-OHdG values in group 2. Among the histopathological parameters, epithelial changes, vascular congestion, and the total fallopian tube mean damage score of 4 showed a significant decrease in group 4. When the methylene blue transitions before and after ischemia-reperfusion injury were compared, the values of the methylene blue transition after ischemia-reperfusion injury in groups 2-4 significantly decreased. When the serum AMH levels were analyzed, the postoperative AMH value in group 2 significantly increased. CONCLUSION(S): This study reveals that biochemical and histopathological improvement is observed in the fallopian tube tissues gradually when the detorsion procedure is performed for the necrotized tubal tissue instead of salpingectomy. Although there is restoration of epithelial integrity after reperfusion, tubal passage remains absent. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: This study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments of the Health Sciences University, Istanbul Hamidiye Medicine Faculty (approval number 27.05.2022-9269). The study followed the ethics standards recommended by the Declaration of Helsinki.

Complete excision of a Skene gland cyst mimicking cystocele.

Skene gland abnormalities include skene gland cysts and abscess. These can be differentiated from urethral diverticulum based on clinical findings. The exact incidence of Skene gland abnormalities is unknown as they are relatively rare. They are usually seen in middle-aged female patients but have recently been reported in newborn girls. We present a video case of a large, adult-onset Skene gland cyst, which was evaluated based on clinical findings, radiological aspects and histopathological findings. The differential diagnosis was carried out step-by-step in order to avoid sequelae and complete excision was performed in order to achieve optimal results, both for long-term functional and anatomical outcomes.

A comparison of the effects of oral dydrogesterone and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device on quality of life and sexual function in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of cyclic oral dydrogesterone treatment and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG_IUD) on quality of life (QoL) and sexual function in patients diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences Turkey Health Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital, on 171 sexually active patients, aged 18-45, who were under a minimum of 6 months of treatment for AUB. 85 patients were treated with oral cyclic dydrogesterone, and 86 patients received LNG-IUD. Following a minimum of 6 months of treatment, these patients were recruited to the study and were asked to complete a 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS: When the FSFI scores of the patients were compared, it was observed that the total FSFI score was significantly higher in the cyclic dydrogesterone group (p < 0.05). Likewise, it was observed that sexual desire, arousal, and lubrication domains were significantly higher in the cyclic dydrogesterone group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the treatment groups in 7 out of the 8 dimensions of SF-36. The energy/vitality dimension was found to be significantly higher in the cyclic dydrogesterone group. CONCLUSION: Total FSFI score, as well as sexual desire, arousal, and lubrication scores, were significantly higher in the cyclic dydrogesterone group compared to the LNG-IUD group indicating that cyclic dydrogesterone has a more positive impact on sexual function when compared to LNG-IUD.

Assessment of D-dimer levels in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate D-dimer levels in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS: This single-center study was carried out in a tertiary center hospital serving as a pandemic hospital. 151 pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosis were included as the study group, and 70 healthy pregnant women as the control group. The data were analyzed separately in 3 different trimesters of pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the 221 pregnant women included in the study, 151 had a diagnosis of COVID-19. 70 healthy pregnant women were taken as the control group. It was observed that D-dimer values in pregnancy increased as the trimesters progressed. No significant difference was observed when this was compared with pregnant women with COVID-19 (p = .428, .75, .927 according to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters, respectively). CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is difficult due to the lack of reliable alternative D-dimer thresholds for pregnant patients. On the other hand, D-dimer elevation continues to be a sign of poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19. The situation remains uncertain in patients who are pregnant and have COVID-19. Maybe D-dimer value should be removed from being a poor prognosis criterion in pregnant women.

Pseudo-pseudo Meig's syndrome presenting as an acute surgical abdomen: A rare entity and review of the literature.

AIM: Pseudo-pseudo Meigs' syndrome is a rare entity of systemic lupus erythematosus, which is defined with the combination of pleural effusion, elevated serum CA-125 levels, and ascites. It has similar clinical aspects with gynecological malignancies which may lead gynecologists to perform unnecessary surgeries and lab workouts. This review seeks to point out the importance of diagnosing pseudo-pseudo Meig's syndrome (PPMS) and endeavors to inform gynecologists about the differential diagnoses. METHODS: This article includes a review of the literature on different cases of PPMS. We searched the PubMed database using the search terms in various combinations "Pseudo-pseudo Meig's syndrome," "Tjalma syndrome," and "SLE." RESULTS: According to the current literature, a majority of internal medicine specialists recognized this clinical condition in the past few years and discussed PPMS as a new onset of systemic lupus erythematosus. PPMS is one of the disregarding entities where gynecologists do not consider it as a differential diagnosis in case of less awareness. When a gynecologist evaluates ascites manifesting as acute abdomen; ectopic pregnancy, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, cyst rupture, and malignancy come to mind first. Four-thirds of those patients evaluated by gynecologists were performed hysterectomy leading to unnecessary interventions and economic burden on the health system. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism is unrevealed and remains unclear, PPMS has been noticed in the literature for the past few years. In order to prevent unnecessary interventions, this syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Investigation of awareness and anxiety levels of pregnant women during pandemic process.

OBJECTIVES: It is currently unknown that how pregnant women deal with the Coronavirus disease and its results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of the coronavirus pandemic on pregnant women and to determine whether pregnant women have sufficient knowledge and awareness for a healthy antenatal process. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted at two centers. Regardless of the gestational age, a questionnaire was distributed to 1003 pregnant women in total, from which 51 original questions we prepared. Five hundred twenty-six participants were included in the study. The questionnaire was delivered using the QR code method. The questionnaires were answered online by participants via SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: The period when anxiety was highest was the 2nd trimester, whereas women in the 1st trimester had the lowest level of anxiety. High levels of awareness were observed in patients with heart disease, but patients with diabetes mellitus had a high level of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to maintain the mental and physical health of pregnant women, who are in a more delicate condition than other individuals in the society. In this regard, healthcare professionals have important duties such as taking necessary precautions and explaining the seriousness of the situation to pregnant women.

Evaluating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental well-being of obstetricians and gynecologists in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To apply online surveying to assess the general physical and mental well-being of obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) working in COVID-19 designated hospitals in Turkey. METHODS: A prospective survey-based study using an online survey platform. Three hundred participants working at COVID-19 designated hospitals in Turkey identified from a hospital database were sent a link to the survey by email between April 29 and May 20, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 253 OB/GYNs (31 consultants and 222 residents) completed the survey, for a response rate of 84.3%. Of respondents, 191 (76.4%) were anxious about coming into contact with pregnant women infected with COVID-19. 74.4% stated that they were afraid of getting sick. 64.8% reported that they had fallen into despair at times because of the pandemic. 66.5% stated that their family lives were affected. 72.4% started living separately from their families because of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Despite the difficulties in patient care during the pandemic, OB/GYNs continued providing for their patients, which reflected positively on their perceptions of the profession. The importance of trust in the national healthcare system, presence of adequate PPE, finding a suitable coping mechanism, and family support were essential for Turkish OB/GYNs during the COVID-19 pandemic. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04327531. Turkish obstetricians/gynecologists reported anxiety and stress caused by the current situation and future implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.