Clinical results of uterine artery ligation in myomectomy.

AIM: To compare intraoperative and postoperative clinical results of laparoscopic and laparotomic myomectomy operations in patients with and without bilateral uterine artery ligation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 217 patients with intramural ≥ 5 cm myoma who underwent laparoscopic (n = 100) or laparatomic (n = 117) myomectomy was conducted. The patients were grouped according to the number of uterine myomas removed (≤2 or > 2). Clinical results of both laparoscopic and laparotomic myomectomy methods and the presence of uterine artery ligation were compared. The recurrence of myomas and pregnancy outcomes were also reported. RESULTS: For patients with > 2 myomas removed without uterine artery ligation, the amount of bleeding, operation time, and hospital stay were significantly lower in patients who underwent laparotomic myomectomy but no significant difference in patients with <2 myomas removed. The rate of hemorrhage was lower in both the laparoscopy and laparotomy uterine artery ligation groups. The recurrence rate of myomas ≤ 3 cm was higher in the laparoscopic myomectomy group (p = .022) and in patients without uterine artery ligation group (p = .028) but recurrence rates for myomas > 3 cm were similar between in groups. Pregnancy occurred in 24 of the 96 patients who underwent uterine artery ligation, and 14 pregnancies resulted in live births. CONCLUSION: Uterine artery ligation might be a suitable addition to myomectomy surgery to reduce intraoperative bleeding and the recurrence of myoma, especially in cases where more than two uterine myomas are removed laparoscopically. KEY WORDS: Laparoscopic myomectomy, Laparotomic myomectomy, Myomas, Haemorrhage, Uterine artery ligation.

A rare disease with pregnancy: Castleman case report.

Castleman's disease was first described by Castleman et al. in 1956 as a non-lymphoproliferative disease.1 Castleman's disease (CD), or angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia, is a rare disease with unknown etiology that can be easily misdiagnosed as lymphoma, neoplasm, or infection. Very few cases of pelvic origin and observed in pregnancy have been reported in the literature and are usually asymptomatic. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult due to nonspecific imaging findings and rarity; most cases are diagnosed based on postoperative pathological examination. In this paper, a case of a 36-year-old pregnant woman suspected of adnexal origin in the uterine posterolateral, which was detected incidentally by ultrasound, was presented. The patient underwent a successful mass excision. Pathology of mass observed to be in the pelvic retroperitoneum was detected as localized unicentric and hyaline vascular CD. The study was conducted to discuss the diagnostic tools and perioperative management needed to identify the retroperitoneal unicentric Castleman case.

Evaluation of etiology, characteristics, and treatment of patients with vesicovaginal fistula observed in rural Africa.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the etiology, characteristics, and treatment of patients with diagnosis of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) due to labor in rural Africa following surgery in a hospital with western standards according to the current literature. METHODS: In this retrospective large case series, 56 patients undergoing surgery due to prediagnosis of VVF and then followed-up regularly in Nyala-Sudan Turkey Training and Research Hospital between December 2018 and February 2019 were evaluated. The information related to the ages, mode, and the number of deliveries, previous histories of fistula repair surgery, postoperative success and complication rates were gathered. RESULTS: The absence of urine from the vagina during the examination with methylene blue was defined as success. The overall success rate was 84.3 %. The vaginal route was most commonly preferred for fistula repair surgery and its success rate and efficiency were found to be higher. In addition, a low complication rate was observed as 3.9 %. A higher rate of association was observed between Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FMG/C) and fistula. Especially FGM/C type 3 was frequently seen with a rate of 61.7 %. This type of FGM/C was observed in all patients undergoing reoperation. The main causes of recurrence of fistula were vaginal delivery within 6 months of repair or presence of multiple fistulas at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The surgery and follow-up process should be individualized after this examination based on the condition, clinical picture of the patient and surgeon's experience. Additionally worldwide steps should be taken to prevent FGM/C as it is associated with many undesired outcomes including VVF.

Laparoscopic vaginal bead pull-through vaginoplasty technique using dental prosthesis material.

OBJECTIVE: Many reconstructive surgical procedures have been described for vaginal agenesis. Almost all are surgically challenging, multistage, time-consuming or leave permanent scars on the abdomen or skin removal areas. The aim of this study was to introduce a simple and cheaper approach for laparoscopic vaginal bead-pull through. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we report a total of six patients with congenital absence of vagina [Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome] who were treated with a laparoscopic vaginal bead pull-through technique between 2018 till 2019 with a dental prosthesis material. RESULTS: Six patients with MRKH syndrome were treated with a laparoscopic vaginal bead pull-through technique. None of the women had any previous treatment. The mean age at the time of surgery was 18.7±3.1 years and mean body mass index was 25 (range, 19-38) kg/m2. None of the patients had any additional malformations. In all patients, normal external genitalia and complete vaginal agenesis were observed during examination. The mean duration of surgery was 72 (range, 55-95) minutes. All patients were discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. No intraoperative complications were encountered. All patients had their urinary catheters removed within 12 hours after surgery. The mean vaginal length at discharge was 10 (range, 8-13) cm and all patients had adequate vaginal diameter, allowing introduction of three fingers easily. At the 12th postoperative month, the mean vaginal length was 9.2±1.6 cm. All patients had complete epithelization. All the women were sexually active one year after surgery. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic vaginal bead pull-through technique using dental prosthesis material can provide satisfactory results with shorter surgical time and lower cost.

Does minimally invasive surgery reduce anxiety?

Objective: To evaluate whether there were any differences in preoperative and postoperative anxiety in patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) (n=37) and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) (n=37). Material and Methods: All premenopausal patients who underwent TLH or TAH because of benign uterine disorders were enrolled. Anxiety status was assessed 6 hours before and after the operation using standardized validated questionnaires: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: In the TAH group, the state anxiety level of the patients significantly increased, whereas there was a significant decrease in the TLH group. For the trait anxiety level, there was a statistically significant increase in the TAH group postoperatively. In the TLH group, trait anxiety levels decreased postoperatively. In the analysis of between-group differences, pre and postoperative the state anxiety level was higher in the TAH group. A statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in respect of the postoperative state anxiety levels (p<0.05), but not in the preoperative state anxiety levels (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences were determined between the groups in respect of education, occupation, and curettage rates (p<0.05). Conclusion: Women undergoing TLH for benign uterine disease may have lower levels of preoperative and postoperative anxiety than women undergoing TAH.

Cosmetic outcomes of infraumbilical, supraumbilical, and transumbilical entry routes in laparoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine which of the umbilical entry routes for intraperitoneal access has a better cosmetic result. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). In total, 105 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery were included. A vertical or transverse umbilical incision is appropriately made for the trocar to be inserted, and an infraumbilical, supraumbilical, or transumbilical route was preferred for initial intraperitoneal access. Demographic data of patients, body mass indices, entry point of the trocars (infraumbilical-transumbilical-supraumbilical), type of incision (vertical-transverse), duration of the operation, and scar properties at postoperative week 12 were prospectively collected and analyzed. The Vancouver scar scale was used to evaluate the cosmetic results. RESULTS: Cosmetic results did not differ statistically between the transumbilical-infraumbilical-supraumbilical groups. The variables, such as vascularity, height, and total score, of the Vancouver scar scale were significantly higher in patients who had transverse incisions. There was no statistically significant effect of using a Veress needle with the cosmetic results. There was no statistically significant correlation between age, gravida, body mass indices, skin thickness, time of entry, duration of the operation, and cosmetic results in terms of vascularity, height, and total score. CONCLUSION: During laparoscopic surgery, each patient should be assessed individually for the satisfaction of the patient and, thereby, of the surgeon in terms of cosmetic outcomes. Vertical incision offers superior cosmetic effects than transverse incision. Further research is required to define long-term scar-related outcomes of the laparoscopic intraperitoneal access techniques.

Modified abdominal packing method in "near miss" patients with postpartum hemorrhages.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a more effective abdominal packing method in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation following peripartum hysterectomy due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present retrospective and descriptive study was conducted to document six cases with refractory pelvic bleeding who underwent a second surgery for PPH between January 2016 and December 2017 at Istanbul Zeynep Kamil Woman and Children Diseases Training and Research Hospital. RESULTS: Karateke packing was performed to control intra-abdominal massive hemorrhages of five women who were referred to our clinic due to PPH who had undergone peripartum hysterectomy and hypogastric artery ligation but hemostasis could not be provided. In addition, a case of hypovolemic shock due to placenta percreta rupture in a woman who had also undergone an emergency hysterectomy and hypogastric artery ligation, which had failed. Hemostasis was provided in all patients. No method-related complication developed. CONCLUSION: Karateke packing is a very easy method to perform, it is more effective than the classic abdominal packing technique, with a low complication rate, and most importantly, life-saving in patients undergoing a peripartum hysterectomy due to PPH and thereafter experiencing diffuse hemorrhage.

Cytological assessment of endometrial washings obtained with Karman cannula using a liquid-based preparation method for the detection of endometrial pathologies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and utility of liquid-based cytology in ThinPrep (Cytyc Corporation, Boxborough, MA) for endometrial lesions in patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and thirteen women scheduled for dilatation and curettage because of abnormal uterine bleeding were enrolled in the study. After providing informed consent, all the women proceeded sequentially to endometrial cytology and then dilatation and curettage. RESULTS: In the premenopausal group, cytological failure was 4.8%, histopathological failure was 2.4%; cytologic insufficiency in the postmenopausal group was 2.1%, and histopathologic insufficiency was 19.6%. When cytologic and histopathological sufficiency rates were compared in all cases, cytologic insufficiency was 4.2% and histopathologic insufficiency was 6.1%. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.039). The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of the liquid-based endometrial cytology for premenopausal patients were 96.79, 58.33, 97.92, 70, and 96.58%, respectively. In the postmenopausal cases, the accuracy of diagnosis of endometrial cytology was 97.30%, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.67%, PPV 87.50%, and NPV 100%. When cytologic and histopathologically inadequate cases were excluded, no cytologic and histopathological abnormal findings were found in endometrial thickness cutoff ≤ 5 mm for all patients. CONCLUSION: The use of liquid-based cytology with TVS may contribute to increasing the diagnostic accuracy of the test and reduce unnecessary D&C for women. When TVS is used as a triage indicator, regardless of menopausal status in ≤ 5 mm endometrial thickness cases, endometrial cytology is an absolutely reliable method for detecting cancer.

Evaluation of complete blood count parameters to predict endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Complete blood count parameters have been introduced to be diagnostic biomarkers for many cancer-related diseases associated with inflammatory process. The aim of our study was to detect whether there is any relationship between benign or malignant endometrial pathologies and complete blood count parameters. METHODS: Four hundred and sixteen patients with a complaint of abnormal uterine bleeding who admitted to Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Health Training and Research hospital between 2013 and 2016 and undergoing endometrial biopsy were included in the study. The patients were evaluated in three groups as follows: endometrial carcinoma (n: 97), endometrial hyperplasia (n: 135), and healthy control (n: 184) groups. All patients had a complete blood count on the day of biopsy or within the week of the biopsy, and the presence of a relationship between complete blood count parameters and benign or malignant endometrial disease was investigated. RESULTS: Mean corpuscular volume measurements were found to be significantly higher in endometrial carcinoma (P = .018) and endometrial hyperplasia (P = .001) groups compared to the control group. While red cell distribution width measurements were found to be significantly lower in patients with endometrial carcinoma group compared to other groups (P < .01); the area under curve obtained for MPV is 58.7% to determine endometrial carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Mean corpuscular volume and red cell distribution width are bio-markers that we can use as the predictive marker in patients with endometrial carcinoma and which are cheap, repeatable, and readily obtainable from complete blood count panels and promising.

High estrogen exposure may not be detrimental on endometrial receptivity in women with PCOS.

The study aimed to assess the effect of high estrogen exposure and coasting on cycle outcome in women at risk for developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Retrospective case-control study was conducted to figure out the outcomes of GnRH antagonist cycles in which women were at risk to develop OHSS. Women who underwent coasting (n = 100) were compared with a control group of women who did not undergo coasting (n = 287). Effect of endometrial estrogen exposure was determined by calculating area under curve of temporal estrogen measurements (AUCEM) through the cycle. Among 387 women with PCOS, 100 cases were required to undergo coasting to avoid OHSS. All participants reached to embryo transfer stage and clinical pregnancy rate was 44% in group with coasting whereas 39% in group without coasting (p > .05). AUCEM was a significant predictor for the cases who required coasting to avoid OHSS (AUC = 0.754, p < .001). Optimal cut off value was calculated to be 6762 with 71% sensitivity and 67% specificity. ROC analysis showed no predictive value of AUCEM for clinical pregnancy in subgroup of women with coasting (AUC = 0.496, p > .05). Consistently, ROC analysis showed no predictive value of AUCEM for clinical pregnancy in subgroup of women without coasting (AUC = 0.494, p > .05). In conclusion, neither coasting nor the high endometrial estrogen exposure was found to have detrimental effect on endometrial receptivity and cycle outcome in PCOS.

Vaginal axis on MRI after unilateral and bilateral sacral hysteropexy: a controlled study.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the vaginal position on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after bilateral abdominal sacral hysteropexy (BASH) and classical abdominal sacral hysteropexy (ASH) and to investigate which method keeps the vagina the most proximate to its original anatomical position. Ten patients, with 10 having BASH, 10 ASH and 10 being nulliparous, were compared. The angle between the vagina and the pubococcygeal plate, the angle between the upper and lower vaginal segments, the distance between the posterior fornix and the 2nd vertebra and the distances between the lateral fornices and spina ischiadica were measured on MRI. A p value less than .05 was considered statistically significant. The distance between the vaginal axis and the left spina ischiadica was greater in the ASH group compared to the control and the BASH group (p = .011, .047), while it was similar between the BASH group and the control individuals (p = .473). The angle between the upper and lower vaginal segments was greater in the ASH group compared to the control group (p = .004), while no significant difference was found between the BASH and control groups (p = .112). BASH keeps the vaginal axis at a more proximate location to its original anatomical position. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject: In pelvic reconstructive surgery; the anatomic correction serves the functional results. What the results of this study add: On MRI examination bilateral abdominal sacral hysteropexy (mimicking uterosacral ligament), keeps the vagina closer to the original anatomic position than classical abdominal sacral hysteropexy. Hence functional outcomes could be better, especially in the long term. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: This study may be of interest for clinicians in terms of different methods for pelvic floor surgery and may be of interest for researchers to investigate the relationship between anatomic position and functional outcomes especially in younger patients.

Planned cesarean hysterectomy versus modified form of segmental resection in patients with placenta percreta.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare some clinical characteristics of two different management alternatives in pregnants with placental invasion anomalies. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of all patients who delivered with invasive placentation between January 2016 and May 2017. We included only the patients with placental invasion anomaly and planned cesarean section. RESULTS: Fifty-one pregnants met the inclusion criteria. Cesarean hysterectomy was performed in 29 patients and segmental resection in 22. Major intraoperative and postoperative complications were comparable between the two groups. There were significant differences between the groups with regard to gravidity, pre- and post-operative hemoglobin concentrations, number of packed red blood cell transfused, and operation time (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: An initial fertility conserving surgical procedure is an option in patients with extensive invasive placentation with lesser transfusion requirement and shorter operative time compared to cesarean hysterectomy.

Segmental resection of anterior uterine wall in cases with placenta percreta: a modified technique for fertility preserving approach.

AIM: The aim of this study was to introduce a modified form of fertility preserving approach in cases with placenta percreta. METHODS: Eleven pregnant women with anterior placenta previa and suspected to have placenta percreta underwent cesarean section between 2015 and 2016 in Zeynep Kamil Women and Children's Health Training and Research Hospital. In all cases, following confirmation of placenta percreta diagnosis, a modified minimal invasive form of uterine preserving surgery was performed. RESULTS: During the present study period, 11 pregnant women who were confirmed to have placenta previa and placenta percreta underwent modified form of segmental resection. In all cases, modified form of segmental resection was successful except for the two cases. There were significant statistical differences between pre-postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (p = .003). There was a significant correlation between the volume of resected segment and number of transfusions (r = .760, p = .047). Postoperative blood transfusion was not needed in 4 cases. No maternal mortality or other postoperative complication was observed in any case. CONCLUSION: A modified minimal invasive form of uterine preserving surgery seems to be safe and result in more cosmetic results with minimal blood loss.

A new operation technique for uterine prolapse: Vaginally-assisted laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the new surgical technique and report the safety and feasibility of vaginally-assisted laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy (VALSH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three women with stage 3 or more uterine prolapse underwent VALSH operation. Patients were followed up for 12 months for mesh-related complications and improvements of symptoms. The operation had three sections; 1st laparoscopic, 2nd vaginal, 3rd laparoscopic. RESULTS: The mean age, gravidity, and parity of the study population were 46.5 years (range, 25-68 years), 4.3 (1-9), and 2.9 (1-6), respectively. The mean duration of operation was 59.5 min (range, 20-120 min). There were significant differences between the pre- and post-operative values of pelvic organ prolapse quantification parameters, which were favorable in the latter evaluation (p<0.001); total vaginal length was preserved after surgery (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: VALSH is a safe and minimally-invasive procedure in uterovaginal prolapse, with favorable anatomic and functional outcomes at 12 months post-operatively.

Association of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene I/D polymorphism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

This study was conducted in Turkish patients with polycystic ovary syndrome to determine the frequency of I/D polymorphism genotypes of angiotensin converting enzyme gene, and to examine the role of this polymorphism in polycystic ovary syndrome development. Genomic DNA obtained from 200 persons (100 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and 100 healthy controls) was used in the study. DNA was multiplied by polymerase chain reaction using I and D allele-specific primers. Polymerase chain reaction products were assessed with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera by being exposed to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. There was statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to genotype distribution (p<0.001). The D allele frequency was indicated as 68% and I allele was as 32% in the patients, whereas it was 51.5-48.5% respectively in the control group. As a result of our study we may assert that angiotensin converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism DD genotype should be considered as a genetic marker in polycystic ovary syndrome development in this Turkish study population.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene 4G/5G polymorphism and polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: This study was conducted in Turkish patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to determine the frequency of 4G/5G polymorphism genotypes of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene and to examine the role of this polymorphism in PCOS development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA obtained from 200 persons (100 patients with PCOS and 100 healthy controls) was used in the study. DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using 4G and 5G allele-specific primers. Polymerase chain reaction products were assessed with charged-couple device camera after exposing to 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to genotype distribution was found (p>0.05) in the study. The 4G and 5G allele frequencies were indicated as 51.5% and 48.5% in patients, respectively, whereas this was 51%-49% in the control group. CONCLUSION: Consequently, it has been established by this study that the 4G/5G polymorphism genotypes of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene do not play a role in the development of PCOS in the Turkish population.