Laparoscopic nerve lysis for deep endometriosis improves quality of life and chronic pain levels: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefit of surgical management of patients with endometriosis infiltrating pelvic nerves in terms of pain, analgesic consumption, and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study In an Endometriosis referral center at a tertiary care university affiliated medical center. Patients diagnosed with endometriosis that underwent laparoscopic neurolysis for chronic pain were included. Patients rated their pain before and after surgery and differentiated between chronic pain and acute crises. Patients were requested to maintain a record of analgesic consumption and to evaluate their quality-of-life (QOL). RESULTS: Of the 21 patients in our study 15 (71.5 %) had obturator nerve involvement, 2 (9.5 %) had pudendal nerve involvement and 4 (19 %) had other pelvic nerve involvement. Median postoperative follow - up was of 8 months. All but 2 patients (9.6 %) had significant chronic pain improvement with a mean decrease of VAS of 3.05 (±2.5). Analgesic habits changed postoperatively with a significant decrease of 66 % of patients' daily consumption of any analgesics. Surgery improved QOL in 12 cases (57.1 %) and two patients (9.6 %) completely recovered with a high QOL. CONCLUSION: Neurolysis and excision of endometriosis of pelvic nerves could results in significant improvement of quality of life.

The contradictive findings between ultrasound, hysteroscopy and cytokines in women with nonhormonal IUDs suffering from menorrhagia: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to assess the correlation between bleeding irregularities and the accurate placement of the intrauterine device (IUD) device in the uterine cavity, determined through transvaginal ultrasonography and hysteroscopy. In addition, the study aims to examine the cytokine profile in the uterine cavity and serum of patients experiencing bleeding irregularities after the insertion of nonhormonal IUDs. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a single tertiary medical center, wherein patients experiencing intermenstrual bleeding and spotting after the insertion of nonhormonal IUDs were enrolled. The study involved hysteroscopic and sonographic assessments of the uterine cavity and IUD placement, along with the analysis of blood and uterine cavity cytokine profiles. RESULTS: During the period between July 2019 and February 2020, a total of eight patients who experienced intermenstrual bleeding and spotting after the insertion of nonhormonal IUDs were enrolled the study. One case was excluded since a progestative device was detected by ultrasound. Out of the five cases that underwent a thorough ultrasonographic assessment, three cases (60%) showed an embedded IUD. However, these findings were excluded by the hysteroscopic evaluation. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ultrasonographic assessment may lead to an overdiagnosis of IUD mispositioning compared to hysteroscopy. In addition, both ultrasound and hysteroscopy have limitations in diagnosing the cause of bleeding in most cases. The role of local reactive inflammatory cytokines should be further studied.

Fertility preservation for women with ovarian endometriosis: results from a retrospective cohort study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the outcome of fertility-preservation treatments in women with endometrioma, especially those with endometrioma larger than 4 cm? DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Women with definitive diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis (by histology or ultrasound), who underwent fertility-preservation treatment in two IVF units between 2016 and 2021, were included. As some women cryopreserved oocytes and other embryos, the primary outcome was the number of metaphase II (MII) oocytes retrieved. RESULTS: Seventy-one women with ovarian endometriosis (OMA) underwent 138 fertility-preservation cycles. The median age of patients was 31 years. Forty out of 71 (56%) women underwent at least one surgery for OMA before fertility-preservation treatment. Multivariate analysis of each patient's first cycle was used. Women who underwent OMA surgery before fertility-preservation treatment had a 51.7% reduction (95% CI 26.1 to 68.5, P = 0.001) in the number of MII oocytes compared with women with OMA who did not undergo surgery. Among a subgroup who did not undergo surgery, those with an endometrioma larger than 4 cm had similar anti-Müllerian hormone concentration (2.6 ng/ml versus 2.1 ng/ml), number of oocytes retrieved (9 versus 9) and number of MII oocytes (7.6 versus seven 7) compared with women with an endometrioma of 4 cm or less. CONCLUSIONS: Discussing fertility-preservation treatment options with patients with OMA is recommended, especially if surgery is planned.

Pregnancy-Associated Ovarian Torsion - a Single-Center Case-Control Study.

The etiology of OT is largely unknown. Any predisposition to rotation of the infundibulopelvic ligament and utero-ovarian ligament should be considered a possible etiology. Information with respect to ovarian torsion (OT) among pregnant is underreported and based on small studies. We aim to compare characteristics of confirmed OT to laparoscopies performed for the indication of suspected OT, in which no OT was found among pregnant women. This is a retrospective case-control study. We included pregnant women who underwent laparoscopy for a suspected OT between March 2011 and August 2020. Pregnant women with confirmed OT (torsion group) were compared to those without (no torsion group). There were 169 women with suspected OT. OT was confirmed in 140 (82.8%) women. There was higher proportion of assisted reproductive technology (ART) gestation in the torsion group [76 (54.3%) vs. 5 (17.2%), p < 0.001]. The rate of pregnant approaching evaluation within 8 h of symptoms onset was higher in the torsion group [57 (40.7%) vs. 2 (6.9%), p < 0.001]. The mean visual analogue score (VAS) was higher in the torsion group (8.5 vs. 7.1, p = 0.002). The mean pulse was lower in the torsion group (79 vs. 88 bpm, p < 0.001). From sonographic characteristics examined, the following was higher in the torsion group; mean maximal size of the ovary (70 mm in the torsion group vs. 54 mm in the no torsion group, p = 0.011). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, number of hours of symptoms was negatively associated with AT [aOR, 95% CI 0.95 (0.91-0.98)] and pulse was negatively associated with OT [aOR, 95% CI 0.78 (0.63-0.95)]. Among the 29 cases in which no OT was found during laparoscopy, the following findings were noted: 16 (55.2%) no abnormality at all, 5 (17.2%) functional ovarian cyst, 2 (6.9%) mature teratoma and 6 cases of peritoneal adhesions (20.7%). The time from pain onset to approaching evaluation and women's pulse should be considered and acknowledged in the evaluation of OT during pregnancy.

Pediatric and adolescent females are at higher risk of adnexal torsion recurrence-A large-scale retrospective study.

AIM: Recurrence of adnexal torsion (rAT) is reported mainly in small series. Normal and small appearing ovaries are associated with an increased risk for rAT. Nevertheless, updated data of larger cohorts is lacking. We aimed to investigate the predictors for rAT in a cohort of women who had surgical intervention for primary adnexal torsion (pAT). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study from a single institution between 2011 and 2020. Women with a primary occurrence of surgically proven adnexal torsion were included. We compared those who had experienced rAT to those who had not. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to study independent predictors for rAT. RESULTS: Overall, 358 women were included. Of those, 35 (9.8%) had a rAT. Women who experienced rAT were younger (mean age 26 vs. 30 years, p = 0.01). Women experiencing rAT had smaller mean ovarian cyst diameter in the pAT episode (42 vs. 59 mm. p < 0.001). Performance of laparoscopic detorsion was only associated with rAT (odds ration [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13 [1.02-4.42], p = 0.03), while the performance of additional cystectomy was negatively associated with rAT (OR 95% CI 0.10 [0.01-0.79], p = 0.006). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≤15 and smaller cyst diameter at pAT were independently associated with the risk for rAT (aOR 95% CI 5.0 [1.09-23.2] and 1.47 [1.08-2.0], for every 10 mm decrease in cyst diameter, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and pediatric females and women with smaller ovarian cysts at pAT are at higher risk for future recurrence of adnexal torsion.

Pregnancy outcomes following laparoscopy for suspected adnexal torsion during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes of women with surgically confirmed adnexal torsion (AT) as compared to those in whom AT was ruled out. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary medical center. All pregnant women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy due to suspected AT between 3/2011 and 4/2020 were included. We compared maternal, delivery and neonatal outcomes of both groups. We further compared women with confirmed AT to a control group of women who did not undergo laparoscopy during pregnancy. RESULTS: During the study period, 112 women met the inclusion criteria. AT was confirmed in 93 cases (83.0%). Baseline characteristics did not differ between groups, excluding the rate of previous AT [5.4% in the torsion vs. 26.3% in the no-torsion group, odds ratio (OR) 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.62, p = .004], and nulliparity rate (57.0% in the torsion vs. 31.6% in the no-torsion group, OR 2.41, 95%CI 1.004-8.21, p = .043). Pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology were more common in the AT group compared to the no-AT group (46.2% vs. 10.5%, OR 7.21, 95%CI 1.59-33.45, p = .002). Miscarriage and stillbirth rates, gestational age at delivery, delivery characteristics and neonatal outcomes were favorable and did not differ between groups. Outcomes of pregnancies with confirmed AT did not differ from a control group of women who did not undergo laparoscopy during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy outcomes among women who underwent laparoscopy for a suspected AT during pregnancy were reassuring, irrespective of the surgical findings and gestational week. Outcomes did not differ when compared to pregnant women who did not undergo laparoscopy. SYNOPSIS: Maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes among women who underwent laparoscopy for suspected adnexal torsion during pregnancy are reassuring, irrespective of the surgical findings and gestational week.

Uterine rupture during pregnancy: The URIDA (uterine rupture international data acquisition) study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics and peripartum outcomes of patients diagnosed with uterine rupture (UR) by an observational cohort retrospective study on 270 patients. METHODS: Demographic information, surgical history, symptoms, and postoperative outcome of women and neonates after UR were collected in a large database. The statistical analysis searched for correlation between UR, previous uterine interventions, fibroids, and the successive perinatal outcomes in women with previous UR. RESULTS: Uterine rupture was significantly associated with previous uterine surgery, occurring, on average, at 36 weeks of pregnancy in women also without previous uterine surgery. UR did not rise exponentially with an increasing number of uterine operations. Fibroids were related to UR. The earliest UR occurred at 159 days after hysteroscopic myomectomy, followed by laparoscopic myomectomy (251 days) and laparotomic myomectomy (253 days). Fertility preservation was feasible in several women. Gestational age and birth weight seemed not to be affected in the subsequent pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Data analysis showed that previous laparoscopic and abdominal myomectomies were associated with UR in pregnancy, and hysteroscopic myomectomy was associated at earlier gestational ages. UR did not increase exponentially with an increasing number of previous scars. UR should not be considered a contraindication to future pregnancies.

Does the time interval between the diagnosis to hysteroscopic evacuation of retained products of conception affect reproductive outcome?

BACKGROUND: Retained products of conception (RPOC) refer to the presence of placental and/or fetal tissue in the uterus following delivery, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy. The presence of such tissue might lead to complications, which might be the culprit of secondary infertility. Although some studies have considered the management of symptomatic RPOC, there are no data regarding the management of asymptomatic, incidentally diagnosed RPOC, nor the optimal time for surgical intervention required to prevent adverse reproductive outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether the time interval between the pregnancy termination to surgical evacuation of RPOC influences the reproductive outcome in asymptomatic women. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study, which includes women who were admitted for an elective procedure in the gynecology day-care clinic due to suspected RPOC. The diagnosis was made during patients' routine examination following either delivery or miscarriage between the years 2010 and 2018. SETTING: Records of women who were admitted to the day-care gynecology department during the years 2010-2018 for hysteroscopic removal of RPOC. PATIENTS: The patients were divided into three groups, according to the time from desired pregnancy to conception following the procedure (> 6; 3-6 and < 3 months). Data regarding obstetric history prior to the procedure was retrieved from patients' clinical files, while data concerning reproductive outcome following the procedure was obtained by telephone questionnaires. INTERVENTION: Data regarding obstetric history prior to the procedure was retrieved from patients' clinical files, while data concerning reproductive outcome following the procedure was obtained by telephone questionnaires. MEASUREMENTS: 75 patients whose reproductive outcome could be analyzed were included in the study. The time interval between the end of pregnancy and surgical intervention was analyzed as a continuous variable and was compared between the three groups, together with parameters such as age and obstetric history. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of the present study is that the time interval between the end of pregnancy and surgical evacuation of the asymptomatic, incidentally diagnosed RPOC, has no significant implication on patients' reproductive outcomes.

Fertility success rates in patients with secondary infertility and symptomatic cesarean scar niche undergoing hysteroscopic niche resection.

Cesarean-induced niche can cause symptoms such as abnormal postmenstrual bleeding, pain, and associated infertility. Although hysteroscopic niche resection is generally considered an effective treatment to control abnormal uterine bleeding, the impact of surgical resection on fertility outcomes is still uncertain. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the fertility outcomes of symptomatic patients following hysteroscopic niche resection. The design in this retrospective cohort study is Canadian Task Force classification II-2 and it is carried out in a tertiary medical center (Tel-Hashomer) and a private medical center (Herzliya), both in Israel. We included all patients who underwent a niche resection between 2011 and 2015 following at least one year of infertility. From 2011 to 2015, 39 patients with a symptomatic niche and secondary infertility were treated by hysteroscopic niche resection. The patients' mean age was 37.2 (34-41) years, mean number of gestations was 7.04 (1-16), and mean parity 5.1 (1-14). The mean number of previous cesarean sections was 3.4 (1-6). Before the surgery, 32 patients attempted and failed to conceive spontaneously and seven patients underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and failed. One year after the hysteroscopic resection, 18 patients conceived (14 spontaneously and four following IVF), leading to a cumulative pregnancy rate of 46.15%. Among the patients who failed to conceive after at least two IVF cycles prior to the hysteroscopic resection, 42.8% conceived following surgery (three patients out of seven). Hysteroscopic niche resection should be considered an effective treatment in patients suffering from secondary infertility.PrécisHysteroscopic niche resection is a safe option for patients with symptomatic secondary infertility, resulting in acceptable fertility rates.

Urgent Laparoscopic Surgeries during the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: A Case Series.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic management of nonobstetric acute abdominal pain in the third trimester of pregnancy remains controversial with limited data regarding procedure safety and feasibility. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, immediate complications, and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery at an advanced gestational age. DESIGN: Case-series. SETTING: Sheba Medical Center, a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Pregnant women who underwent urgent laparoscopic surgery at 27 weeks of gestation and above. INTERVENTION: Emergent laparoscopic surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed. A telephone questionnaire was administered in cases of missing data. Clinical information obtained included detailed medical and obstetric history; preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data; complications; and pregnancy outcomes. Between January 2010 and July 2017, 12 patients underwent emergent laparoscopic surgeries during the third trimester of pregnancy. The gestational age at the time of the surgery ranged between 27 and 38 weeks. All women had singleton pregnancies. Laparoscopic surgeries included 7 appendectomies, 4 adnexal surgeries, and 1 diagnostic laparoscopy. No complications related to the access route for any of the 12 laparoscopic surgeries occurred. The laparoscopic surgical procedure was successfully completed in 11 patients; only 1 laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated acute appendicitis with purulent peritonitis at 30 weeks of gestation was converted to laparotomy because of a limited operative field. Two patients had preterm labor at 35 and 36 weeks of gestation, respectively. None of the women was complicated with intrauterine fetal demise or low Apgar scores. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that urgent laparoscopic surgeries in the third trimester of pregnancy are feasible and can be safely performed with minimal risk for the patient and fetus. Larger prospective studies are required to validate these recommendations.

Clinical Success Rate of Extensive Hysteroscopic Cesarean Scar Defect Excision and Correlation to Histologic Findings.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Cesarean scar defect (CSD) is often associated with postmenstrual bleeding, infertility, and pain. Hysteroscopic CSD repair was described in the past, mainly as excision of the proximal edge of the defect to allow continuous blood flow during menstruation. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of extensive hysteroscopic cesarean scar niche excision in symptomatic patients. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS: Symptomatic patients treated with hysteroscopic CSD excision who were considered eligible for the procedure when myometrial thickness of 2 mm or more was observed on sonohysterography. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. INTERVENTIONS: Extensive CSD excision was performed using a cutting loop and pure cutting current. The proximal and distal edges of the defect were resected. This was followed by resection of tissue at the base of the niche, until underling muscular tissue was evident. Tissue sampled from the base of the CSD was collected for histologic examination. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year after hysteroscopic CSD excision. Clinical information obtained included detailed obstetric history and preoperative and postoperative menstruation pattern. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2016, 95 patients underwent extensive hysteroscopic niche excision; 67 were included in the study, whereas the remaining were lost to follow-up. Patient mean age at the time of the procedure was 38 ± 5.5 years. Twenty-nine patients (43%) had a history of high-order repeat cesarean surgeries. Sixty-six patients (98.5%) presented with postmenstrual bleeding, 26 with secondary infertility (38.8%), and 2 with pelvic pain (2.9%). After hysteroscopic niche excision, 63.4% of patients reported significant improvement or resolution of postmenstrual bleeding. A statistically significant reduction in number of bleeding days per cycle (15.5 ± 4.8 vs 9.8 ± 4.7, p < .001) was also noted. Histologic evidence for myometrial tissue within the obtained samples was associated with better outcomes. A histologic specimen from patients who experienced significant improvement or resolution of postmenstrual bleeding was more likely to reveal myometrial tissue (p = .04). Of the 26 patients who suffered from infertility, 19 attempted to conceive spontaneously after CSD excision. Of those, 10 patients (52.6%) conceived and 9 delivered at least once (47.36%). CONCLUSION: Extensive hysteroscopic surgical excision of cesarean scar niche should be considered in symptomatic patients suffering from irregular menstrual bleeding. The quality of the excision at the apex of the niche could be associated with a higher success rate. The role of niche excision to overcome secondary infertility should be further evaluated.

Feasibility and efficacy of repeated hysteroscopic cesarean niche resection.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean-induced niche can cause symptoms such as abnormal postmenstrual bleeding, pain and associated infertility. Hysteroscopic niche resection is usually a successful treatment, but can result in a failure to improve symptoms or symptoms can recur. In the present study we aim to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a second hysteroscopic niche resection for patients in whom an initial hysteroscopic resection failed to improve symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2) hospital tell hashomer (tertiary center) included all patients who underwent a second hysteroscopic niche resection between 2011 and 2015. MEASUREMENTS: Fertility,obstetric outcomes, clinical outcome and complications were compared between the first surgery and the second RESULTS: Eight patients underwent a second hysteroscopy after failure of the first hysteroscopy to resolve symptoms or after recurrence of symptoms. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) was the most common symptom, occurring in all patients. The average number of days of bleeding per cycle were significantly reduced following the second surgery [14.50 (range 8-21days) vs 11.75 (range 8-20days), respectivelyp=0.009]. The second surgery improved symptoms in 6 out of the 8 patients with AUB and 1 of 2 patients with pain. There were no significant differences in fertility and obstetric outcomes between the first and the second surgery and no complications were reported during any of the surgeries. CONCLUSION: Reintervention with a second hysteroscopic niche resection is both feasible and effective treatment option following a failed first attempt or recurrence of symptoms. The second surgery improved symptoms, especially AUB, with no consequent detrimental effect on obstetric outcomes on our series.

In-office Hysteroscopic Extraction of Intrauterine Devices in Pregnant Patients Who Underwent Prior Ultrasound-guided Extraction Failure.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine an effective method of intrauterine device (IUD) retrieval from pregnant women who had previous unsuccessful ultrasound-guided IUD extraction failure. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study (Canadian task force classification II-1). SETTING: A gynecology department of an outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: Pregnant patients in their first trimester with IUD in situ who underwent prior unsuccessful ultrasound-guided IUD extraction. INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic IUD extraction guided by transabdominal ultrasound. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2014, 7 of 8 pregnant patients who had undergone previous failed attempts at IUD retrieval via ultrasound guidance underwent successful removal via ultrasound-guided hysteroscopy performed without anesthesia. The sole patient with extraction failure was in her 12th week of pregnancy, and the procedure was concluded to avoid risk to the fetus. Minimal vaginal bleeding was experienced by 2 patients after the procedure. Seven of 8 patients delivered at term without any obstetric complications. One patient had a miscarriage in her 8th week of pregnancy, 2 weeks after successful IUD removal. CONCLUSION: A novel, easy outpatient hysteroscopic technique without anesthesia is presented in case of failure of previous ultrasound-guided IUD removal in early pregnancy. Results are encouraging in this difficult context.

Hysteroscopically guided transvaginal ultrasound tubal catheterization-a novel office procedure.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate a novel office hysteroscopic tubal catheterization therapeutic method for proximal tubal occlusion. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center. We evaluated the procedure on a group of 27 patients that were referred to our unit for proximal tubal occlusion demonstrated by hysterosalpingography, 9 (33.3%) of them with primary infertility and 18 of them (66.6%) with secondary infertility. The intervention included the usage of the modified Novy cornual cannulation set which was inserted through a 5F working cannel during an office operative hysteroscopy, followed by fallopian tube irrigation with saline-air mixture under ultrasonographic imaging. RESULTS: Our series revealed no complication during or after the procedure; anesthesia was not required. One patient lost from follow-up. Of the remaining 26, 10 patients (38.4%) conceived either spontaneously or with treatment by clomiphene or gonadotropine associated with intrauterine insemination. The median time to conception was 5 months (range 4-17). CONCLUSION: We therefore concluded that office hysteroscopic tubal catheterization is a simple (without anesthesia required) option for the treatment of patients suffering from proximal tubal occlusion. Fertility outcomes in our series are comparable to other treatments options for tubal catheterization. Therefore, tubal catheterization should not delay the assisted reproducted techniques if indicated but we propose to include it in a global integrated approach.

In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes After Placement of Essure Microinserts in Patients With Hydrosalpinges Who Previously Failed In Vitro Fertilization Treatment: A Multicenter Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether hysteroscopic proximal tubal occlusion with Essure microinserts (Conceptus Inc.; Bayer, AG, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) can improve pregnancy rates in patients with hydrosalpinges who had failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary centers. PATIENTS: Twenty-four consecutive women with hydrosalpinges who had failed IVF treatment were included. INTERVENTIONS: Hysteroscopic placement of Essure microinserts for hydrosalpinx blockage followed by IVF treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates were recorded. Of the 24 patients undergoing a total of 42 IVF cycles after Essure insertion, 18 (75% of patients and 42.8% of IVF cycle attempts) conceived and 16 delivered live births (66.6% of patients and 38.1% of IVF cycle attempts). CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic proximal occlusion of hydrosalpinges with Essure microinserts is a valuable alternative to laparoscopic salpingectomy, resulting in reasonable pregnancy rates.

Minimal surgery for the twisted ischaemic adnexa can preserve ovarian function.

BACKGROUND: Recently detorsion has replaced salpingo-oophorectomy as treatment for the twisted ischaemic adnexa. This paper asssess whether the ovary resumes normal function after preservation by detorsion. METHODS: The results of detorsion performed between January 1988 and December 2001 were retrospectively analysed. Post-operative complications and subsequent ovarian function were assessed including: ultrasound monitoring of follicular development, adnexal appearance during subsequent surgery, and the outcome of IVF. RESULTS: A total of 102 detorsions were performed; 67 by laparoscopy, 35 by laparotomy. No patient developed thromboembolism. Post-operative fever occurred in 15% of patients after laparoscopy and 29% after laparotomy (P < 0.01). Patients were hospitalized for a mean (+/- SD) of 2.1 +/- 1.2 and 7.4 +/- 1.5 days after laparoscopy and laparotomy respectively (P < 0.001). Ultrasound showed normal follicular development in 93 and 91% of patients after detorsion by laparoscopy and laparotomy respectively. At subsequent surgery, the adnexa appeared normal in nine out of nine patients after laparoscopy and in four out of five patients after laparotomy. Four patients of the laparoscopy group and two patients of the laparotomy group underwent subsequent IVF. In all six patients oocytes retrieved from the previously ischaemic ovary were fertilized. CONCLUSIONS: Detorsion with adnexal sparing is the treatment of choice for twisted ischaemic adnexa, and preferably performed by laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for detorsion and sparing of twisted ischemic adnexa.

BACKGROUND: Torsion of the ovary is an urgent event for fertile women. Until recent years, the common treatment for twisted ischemic ovaries was salpingo-oophorectomy. We have demonstrated in the past that the ovary can be salvaged provided detorsion is performed. We studied the outcome of women undergoing minimal surgery for ischemic ovaries versus the extended procedure including cystectomy in respect of ovarian function and fertility performance. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 102 women who underwent surgery for torsion of the ovary in which the macroscopic appearance of black-bluish ischemic adnexa was encountered during surgery. Detorsion without removal of the adnexa or the ovary was performed by laparoscopy in 67 patients and by laparotomy in 35 patients. Patients' files were reviewed for immediate and late outcomes. Patients were examined postoperatively with vaginal ultrasound for ovarian follicular function. Data concerning patients' further surgeries or in vitro fertilization were retrieved from the charts as well. RESULTS: Febrile morbidity was approximately 15% and 29% in the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups, respectively. Hospital stay was 2.1 +/- 1.2 and 7.4 +/- 1.5 days in the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups, respectively (P<0.001). Ultrasound follow-up was available in 60 of 67 patients who underwent laparoscopy and in 32 of 35 patients treated by laparotomy. Normal-sized ovaries with follicular development were encountered in the detorsed side in 93% and 91%, respectively. Normal macroscopic appearance of the adnexa at subsequent surgeries was reported in 9 of 9 patients in the laparoscopy group and in 4 of 5 patients in the laparotomy group. Four patients from the laparoscopy group and 2 from the laparotomy group underwent subsequent in vitro fertilization. In all 6 patients, oocytes retrieved from the previously detorsed ovary were fertilized. In both groups, none of the patients developed clinical signs of pelvic or systemic thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS: Torsion of the ischemic adnexa should be treated laparoscopically by detorsion and adnexal sparing.

Pregnancy outcome after laparoscopy or laparotomy in pregnancy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess obstetric performance and fetal outcomes after laparoscopy or laparotomy performed during pregnancy. DESIGN: Nationwide, multicenter, retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Seventeen hospitals throughout Israel: 12 university or university-affiliated hospitals and 5 general hospitals. PATIENTS: Three hundred eighty-nine pregnant women. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopy or laparotomy for various indications. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 192 laparoscopies performed, 141 were during the first, 46 during the second, and 5 during the third trimester; respective figures for 197 laparotomies were 63, 110, and 24. No intraoperative complications were reported for either procedure. Six and 25 women had complications after laparoscopy and laparotomy, respectively. There was no significant difference in abortion rates between groups. Mean gestational age at delivery and mean birthweight were comparable between groups. No significant difference was found in frequency of fetal anomalies between groups or when compared with the Israel register of anomalies. CONCLUSION: Operative laparoscopy seems to be as safe as laparotomy in pregnancy.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In this review we intend to describe the recent developments and experience gained in recent years with the different types of laparoscopic hysterectomies, and to compare results with those of abdominal hysterectomy. RECENT FINDINGS: In the United States, in the last decade, there has been clear trend towards laparoscopic hysterectomy. An increase from 0.3% to 9.9% was observed within a 7-year period from 1990 to 1997. High costs and lack of appropriate educational systems for residents and fellows slows the anticipated spread of this relatively new modality. From some retrospective publications it seems that complication rates have increased in laparoscopic hysterectomies, especially those involving the urinary system. However, a recent analysis revealed a reasonable complication rate for the procedure, compared with abdominal hysterectomy, if the surgeon passes a learning curve of the first 30 procedures. A conflict arises in regard to preservation of the uterine cervix during laparoscopic hysterectomy. Alternative procedures, such as supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy or classic intrafascial supra-cervical hysterectomy, have been proposed. However, careful long-term analysis of results demonstrates a high complication rate requiring further operations in 24% of patients. SUMMARY: Less intraoperative bleeding, shorter hospital stay with less morbidity and shorter convalescence period remains the obvious advantages of laparoscopic in comparison with abdominal hysterectomy.

Effect of raloxifene on the ovarian circulation in women after menopause.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether raloxifene effects the ovarian circulation in women after menopause. STUDY DESIGN: The resistance indices of the ovarian blood flow were assessed in 130 women after menopause who were randomly assigned to receive either 60 mg of raloxifene, a continuous combined estrogen-progestin tablet daily, or neither treatment for 24 months. RESULTS: The women who received raloxifene or hormonal replacement therapy had a significant time-related decrease in the resistance index of the ovarian artery blood flow compared to baseline values (resistance index, 0.91) starting after 12 and 18 months of treatment (resistance index, 0.88 and 0.89, respectively; P <.002 and.001, respectively). Whereas significant increases in the resistance index respective to the prestudy values were observed in the nontreated women at 24 months (resistance index, 0.93; P <.0001). The mean (+/-SD) resistance index of the ovarian blood flow at the end of the study (resistance index, 0.89) was significantly lower in the women who were treated with raloxifene than in the women who were treated with hormone replacement therapy (P <.002). No changes in the ovarian dimensions or appearance were noticed during the entire study. CONCLUSION: Daily therapy with raloxifene has significant ovarian vascular-relaxing effect in women after menopause. This potentially important direct vasculoprotective long-term effect of raloxifene on cardiovascular disease deserves further investigation.