Laparoscopic evaluation of female genital tuberculosis in infertility: An observational study.

Background & objectives: Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an important variety of extrapulmonary TB causing significant morbidity, especially infertility, in developing countries like India. The aim of this study was to evaluate the laparoscopic findings of the FGTB. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 374 cases of diagnostic laparoscopy performed on FGTB cases with infertility. All patients underwent history taking and clinical examination and endometrial sampling/biopsy for acid-fast bacilli, microscopy, culture, PCR, GeneXpert (only last 167 cases) and histopathological evidence of epithelioid granuloma. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in all the cases to evaluate the findings of FGTB. Results: Mean age, parity, body mass index and duration of infertility were 27.5 yr, 0.29, 22.6 kg/m2 and 3.78 years, respectively. Primary infertility was found in 81 per cent and secondary infertility in 18.18 per cent of cases. Endometrial biopsy was positive for AFB microscopy in 4.8 per cent, culture in 6.4 per cent and epithelioid granuloma in 15.5 per cent. Positive peritoneal biopsy granuloma was seen in 5.88 per cent, PCR in 314 (83.95%) and GeneXpert in 31 (18.56%, out of last 167 cases) cases. Definite findings of FGTB were seen in 164 (43.86%) cases with beaded tubes (12.29%), tubercles (32.88%) and caseous nodules (14.96%). Probable findings of FGTB were seen in 210 (56.14%) cases with pelvic adhesions (23.52%), perihepatic adhesions (47.86%), shaggy areas (11.7%), pelvic adhesions (11.71%), encysted ascites (10.42%) and frozen pelvis in 3.7 per cent of cases. Interpretation & conclusions: The finding of this study suggests that laparoscopy is a useful modality to diagnose FGTB with a higher pickup rate of cases. Hence it should be included as a part of composite reference standard.

Cytokine and growth factor profile in endometriosis: a multiplex analysis of peritoneal fluid to assess diagnostic utility.

We aimed to assay cytokines and growth factors in peritoneal fluid samples from women with and without endometriosis to understand the inflammatory milieu, and assess their potential diagnostic utility. This cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary care hospital included 54 women, aged 20-45 years, with regular menstrual history and undergoing diagnostic/therapeutic laparoscopy for infertility and/or pain. Peritoneal fluid samples were collected after insertion of trocar & laparoscope but prior to other surgical intervention. A multiplex immunoassay of 27 cytokines and growth factors was performed. The concentration of FGF2 and CSF3 were significantly lower in women with endometriosis than without endometriosis (p = .043 and .003, respectively). The levels of CCL2 and IL1RN were significantly higher in moderate-severe than in minimal-mild endometriosis (p = .038 and .043, respectively). Phase-specific comparison revealed that in proliferative phase, the levels of CSF2 and CSF3 were lower in women with endometriosis than without the disease (p = .047 and .013, respectively). The ROC curve analysis provided a cutoff value 0.78 and 0.76 for FGF2 and CSF3, respectively. Cytokines and growth factors such as FGF2, CSF3, CSF2, CCL2 and IL1RN seem to contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis and may have a potential utility for the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Frontline use of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer: Experience from India.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological malignancy in India. Despite relatively high response rates to first-line carboplatin and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the majority of patients experience multiple relapses and finally become resistant. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes progression of ovarian cancer. Bevacizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against VEGF-A is an anti-angiogenesis agent. Data on the use of bevacizumab for EOC from India are not available. We, therefore, studied the use of bevacizumab in ovarian cancer. Methods: In this prospective, non-randomized study, 10 patients who received bevacizumab were compared with 20 age- and stage-matched controls. After maximal surgical debulking, patients in the bevacizumab arm received bevacizumab 15 mg/kg i.v. on day 1 every 3 weeks followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin from cycle 1. After 6 cycles, bevacizumab was continued for 1 year. Controls received paclitaxel 1 75 mg/m2 and carboplatin only for 4-8 cycles. The outcome measures were adverse effects and progression-free survival. Results: Haematological toxicity (i.e. neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia) was similar in both arms. Hypertension (40% v. 10%, p = 0.04) and bleeding-related complications (50% v. 0%, p = 0.002) were more in the bevacizumab arm. However, gastrointestinal (GI) perforations were not increased. The median progression-free survival was similar in both arms; 26 months versus 21 months (p = 0.57). Conclusion: In this small group of patients, addition of bevacizumab increased the toxicity of chemotherapy.

Pregnancy with massive splenomegaly: A case series.

Background: Pregnancy with massive splenomegaly is a rare entity and is associated with increased risk to both mother and foetus. There is paucity of studies in the literature to guide clinicians for the management of this condition. Methods: We reviewed the course of pregnancy, maternal and foetal outcomes of 5 pregnant women with massive splenomegaly who were managed in our unit during 2015-16. Results: All 5 women had anaemia and thrombocytopenia, and had different causes for splenomegaly. One patient had chronic malaria, 2 had portal hypertension with cirrhosis and the remaining 2 had non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Life-threatening complications were present in 2 patients; one of them had severe pre-eclampsia complicated by pulmonary oedema, cardiac arrest and the other patient developed spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Intrauterine growth restriction and meconium-stained liquor were the most common perinatal complications. Two patients had vaginal delivery and 3 required emergency caesarean section. Postpartum haemorrhage was present in 2, and the hospital stay was prolonged in all the patients. All mothers and babies were discharged in a satisfactory condition. Conclusion: Pregnancy with massive splenomegaly poses a challenge because of diverse aetiology and potentially adverse outcomes. Multidisciplinary care in a tertiary centre can help optimize the outcome.

Comparative Study of Laparoscopic Abdominopelvic and Fallopian Tube Findings Before and After Antitubercular Therapy in Female Genital Tuberculosis With Infertility.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of antitubercular treatment (ATT) on the laparoscopic abdominopelvic and fallopian tube findings in female genital tuberculosis (FGBT). DESIGN: Prospective cohort (Canadian Task Force classification II2). SETTING: Tertiary referral center in northern India. PATIENTS: Fifty women with infertility and diagnosed with FGTB on laparoscopy, histopathology findings, or endometrial sampling (acid-fast bacilli culture, granuloma on histopathology, positive polymerase chain reaction). INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic laparoscopy in all women diagnosed with FGTB before and after a 6-month course of ATT (2 months of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, followed by 4 months of rifampicin and isoniazid). All procedures were performed by the same surgeon between June 2012 and May 2014. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean patient age was 28.7 years, mean parity was 0.9, and mean body mass index was 23.6 kg/m(2). Infertility was seen in all 50 women (66% primary infertility, 34% secondary infertility), with a mean duration of 6.06 years. Abnormal laparoscopic findings of FGTB included tubercles in the pelvic peritoneum, fallopian tube, and ovary in 27 women (54%) before ATT and in only 1 (2.04%) woman after ATT (p < .001). Caseous nodules and encysted ascites were seen in 4 women (8%) before ATT, and in no women after ATT (p < .001); however, there was no change from before ATT to after ATT in the rate of pelvic adhesions (42% vs 42.5%) and perihepatic adhesions (56% vs 58%). Laparoscopic findings in fallopian tubes included hydrosalpinx (32%), pyosalpinx (4%), beaded tubes (12%), nonvisualization of tube (20%), and tubal blockage on the right side (56%), left side (50%), and both sides (38%) before ATT. Hydrosalpinx, beaded tubes, and nonvisualized tube were seen in 33.4%, 4.1%, and 20.8% cases, respectively, after ATT; however, free spill increased to 52% on the right side and 50% on left side after ATT. CONCLUSION: ATT improves laparoscopic findings in FGTB with infertility. However, advanced fibrotic lesions (eg, pelvic and perihepatic adhesions, bilateral blocked tubes) do not improve with ATT.

Hysteroscopic septal resection using unipolar resectoscope versus bipolar resectoscope: Prospective, randomized study.

AIM: To compare the operation and reproductive outcome of hysteroscopic septal resection using unipolar resectoscope verses bipolar resectoscope. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 70 women underwent hysteroscopic septal resection using either unipolar resectoscope or bipolar resectoscope. Intraoperative parameters (operation time, fluid deficit and complications) and pre- and postoperative serum sodium levels were compared between the two groups. A second-look hysteroscopy was performed after 6 weeks. All pregnancies occurring during the follow-up period were recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation parameters and second-look hysteroscopy findings. Six patients in the unipolar group were found to have hyponatremia in the postoperative period compared to none in the bipolar group (P = 0.025). Regarding reproductive outcome, the difference between the two groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: The use of bipolar resectoscope is associated with lesser risk of hyponatremia compared to unipolar resectoscope. Bipolar resectoscopy is a safe alternative to unipolar resectoscopy with similar reproductive outcome.

Effectiveness of estrogen in the prevention of intrauterine adhesions after hysteroscopic septal resection: a prospective, randomized study.

AIM: The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy of estrogen in preventing intrauterine adhesions following hysteroscopic septal resection and to investigate its effect on reproductive outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After hysteroscopic septal resection, 90 women received either estrogen or placebo (n=45 per group) for 30 days. A second-look hysteroscopy was performed after 2 months. All pregnancies occurring during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: Adhesions developed in three of 43 (6.9%) patients in the control group compared to none in the estrogen group. This difference was not statistically significant (P=0.24). Regarding reproductive outcome, the differences between the two groups were also not significant. CONCLUSION: Estrogen treatment was not found to prevent intrauterine adhesions or improve reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic septal resection.

Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

OBJECTIVE: To study the outcome of pregnancy in women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 30 pregnancies in 26 women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was carried out at a tertiary hospital in India. The courses of the disease, maternal and perinatal outcome in these pregnancies were studied. RESULTS: Mean age of pregnant women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was 27.3 years and 61.5 % was primigravidae. Out of 26 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, 16 were already diagnosed while the other 10 were diagnosed during pregnancy. The incidence of bleeding episodes in antenatal period, severe thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic complications at the time of delivery was 30, 37 and 11.1 %, respectively. Oral steroids were required in 40 % of pregnancies. Two patients received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Severe thrombocytopenia at the time of delivery was more commonly seen in women in whom ITP was diagnosed during pregnancy as compared to those in whom ITP was diagnosed prior to pregnancy (P = 0.04). Severe thrombocytopenia was seen in 18.5 % of neonates and intracranial hemorrhage was detected in 1 neonate. There were no still births or maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy outcome in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is generally good.

Intraperitoneal bupivacaine for pain relief after minilaparoscopy in patients with infertility.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of intraperitoneal bupivacaine to reduce post operative pain after diagnostic minilaparoscopy in patients with infertility. DESIGN: A prospective randomized study was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 104 women with infertility undergoing diagnostic minilaparoscopy. At the end of the procedure, the treatment group (Group A) was given 10 mL of intraperitoneal 0.25 % bupivacaine (100 mg) and the control group (Group B) given 10 mL of intraperitoneal saline. Post operative pain was recorded with the use of a visual analog scale with scores ranging from 1 to 10 at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h intervals after the surgery. Additional analgesics given to the patients in the post operative period and any other side effects were noted. RESULTS: The treatment group had significantly lower pain scores at 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after the procedure (P < 0.05). The need for post operative analgesics also was significantly lower in the treatment group (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Post operative intraperitoneal bupivacaine administration is beneficial for patients undergoing diagnostic minilaparoscopy. It can significantly decrease post operative pain for up to 8 h and reduce the need for additional analgesics.

"TB - Mindedness"-the only way to beat "the great mimicker": A case series with atypical presentation of female genital tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in India reported in 2019 is 193 per 1 lakh population [National Tuberculosis Elimination Plan (NTEP)]. In India, annual extra pulmonary TB burden is 20-25%, of which 4% of cases are of urogenital origin (Revised National TB Control Programme, 2019; World Health Organization, 2019). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made a target of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025 under the NTEP by the process of identification, notification and treatment of cases. Tuberculosis being a leading cause of infertility in developing countries, employing best clinical practices and being "TB-minded" will also save the patient of enormous anxiety and uncertainity and also decrease the time gap between clinical presentation and diagnosis to optimize fertility outcome. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study of cases presenting with unusual findings and ultimately being diagnosed as genital tuberculosis was conducted in the gynaecology OPD, AIIMS, New Delhi, from November 2020 to November 2021 (1 year). Patients were investigated judiciously, diagnosis made and followed up for their response to anti tuberculosis therapy (ATT). RESULTS: This data comprises of conglomerate of ten cases with unconventional exhibition of genital tuberculosis. 70% of the cases presented with pain lower abdomen not specifically related to menstrual cycle and often confused with IBD. Tubo ovarian mass (70%) mimicking as simple ovarian cyst, ovarian carcinoma or endometriosis was the most common clinical finding we came across.

Successful outcome in a rare case of pregnancy with familial hypercholesterolemia and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a rare disorder characterized by high cholesterol levels and early cardiovascular disease. Early detection and treatment with statins and other hypolipidemic agents are effective in heterozygous patients. Low-density lipoprotein apheresis and liver transplantation are treatment options in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. We report a case of a 27-year-old pregnant woman with familial hypercholesterolemia who presented with breathlessness and swelling in the joints. She had been taking statins previously, which were stopped and she had been put on low-lipid and low-residue diet to reduce the risk of acute coronary event and sudden intrauterine death. She was found to have dilated cardiomyopathy with 25% ejection fraction. At 36 weeks of gestation, we carried out cesarean section in view of poor biophysical profile. Familial hypercholesterolemia is a very rare disorder with only a few cases reported in the published work during pregnancy. Statins are contraindicated during pregnancy and diet modification remains the mainstay of therapy.

Pregnancy outcome in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension: single-center experience from India.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective analysis of the records of all the patients of pulmonary arterial hypertension with pregnancy at AIIMS, New Delhi, India, to study maternal and perinatal outcome and to compare outcome between severe and mild pulmonary arterial hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out of 30 pregnancies in women with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who delivered at ≥ 28 weeks of gestation from July 2006 through July 2012 at a tertiary care center in India. Pulmonary artery blood pressure (PABP) during the first trimester of pregnancy or before pregnancy was considered to define PABP as severe or mild, with severe cases having systolic PABP >50 mmHg on echocardiography. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients, 14 patients had severe PAH and 16 patients had mild PAH. Women with severe PAH had a significantly higher incidence of preterm delivery (11 vs. 3, P < 0.05), small for gestational age infants (10 vs. 2, P < 0.05) and cardiac complications (6 vs. 1, P < 0.05) compared to women with mild PAH. There was maternal mortality in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome. In women with severe PAH and mild PAH, PABP increased in later pregnancy from 63.14 ± 7.6 to 71.57 ± 7.9 mmHg (P < 0.05) and from 40.37 ± 3.6 to 41.69 ± 4.1 mmHg (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy in women with severe PAH is associated with higher maternal morbidity and adverse fetal outcome compared to pregnancy in women with mild PAH.

Heart disease in pregnancy: cardiac and obstetric outcomes.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective analysis of the records of all the patients of heart disease with pregnancy at AIIMS, New Delhi, India, to find out the maternal and fetal outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out of 100 pregnancies in women with heart disease who delivered at ≥28 weeks of gestation from July 2009 through August 2012. RESULTS: Cardiac disease was found to complicate 3.8 % of pregnancies. Rheumatic heart disease (n = 64, 64 %) was the predominant cardiac disease. Congenital heart disease was found to complicate 36 pregnancies (n = 36, 36 %).Cardiac complications were seen in 32 (32 %) and fetal complications in 18 (18 %) pregnancies. Fewer cardiac and postpartum complications were present in NYHA class I/II patients compared to NYHA III/IV patients (P < 0.05). Pregnancy outcome was better in rheumatic heart disease patients who had undergone cardiac intervention prior to pregnancy (n = 29, 45.2 %) compared to those whose heart disease remained uncorrected (n = 35, 54.8 %) but the difference was not statistically significant. There was one maternal mortality in a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome. Two of the newborns of the 17 women who had received anticoagulants had features of warfarin embryopathy. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy in women in NYHA class III/IV is associated with significantly higher maternal morbidity and cardiac interventions before pregnancy, when indicated may improve pregnancy outcome.

Effect of Lung Compliance-Based Optimum Pressure Versus Fixed Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on Lung Atelectasis Assessed by Modified Lung Ultrasound Score in Laparoscopic Gynecological Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND:  Lung protective ventilation during the intraoperative period is now well established. However, the additional role of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during the intraoperative period remains uncertain in major laparoscopic gynecological surgery. The authors hypothesized that compliance-based optimum PEEP titration reduces postoperative lung atelectasis and improves outcomes. METHODS:  Patients undergoing major laparoscopic pelvic gynecological surgeries with healthy lungs were randomized to the fixed PEEP group (PEEP 5 cm H2O and recruitment maneuver {RM}) and optimum PEEP group (compliance-based PEEP and RM). Lung ultrasound and arterial blood gas analysis were performed at four time points. Modified lung ultrasound scoring was done, and the same was used as means of assessing lung aeration and the amount of lung atelectasis. Postoperative supplemental oxygen requirement and duration were also assessed and compared. RESULTS: Lung ultrasound score (LUS) 30 minutes after extubation in fixed (Group F) and optimum (Group O) PEEP groups were median (interquartile range {IQR}) 3 (2-3) versus 1 (1-2), p=0.0001. Ventilatory parameters between Group F and Group O after lung recruitment were tidal volume (mean 357 mL {SD: 35} versus 362 mL {SD: 22}, p=0.46), PEEP (median, 5 cm H2O {IQR: 5-5} versus median 16 cm H2O {IQR: 14-18}), peak airway pressure (median 26 cm H2O {IQR: 24-28} versus median 30 cm H2O {IQR: 28-32} p<0.0001), plateau pressure (median 22 cm H2O {IQR: 20-24} versus median 26 cm H2O {IQR: 24-28} p<0.0001), static compliance (32.07±8.36 mL cm H2O-1 versus 39.58±8.99 mL cm H2O-1, p=0.0002). The number of patients requiring postoperative oxygen therapy to maintain SpO2 >94% after extubation in postanesthesia care unit (PACU) was statistically significantly greater in group F (39/41 {95%} versus 30/41 {73%}, p=0.007). Median (IQR) duration of oxygenation therapy in the first 24 hours of the postoperative period between Group F and Group O differed with statistical significance, with the median (IQR) values being 25 (20-30) minutes versus 10 (0-15) minutes (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:  The modified lung ultrasound score significantly differed intraoperatively between the two groups, with lower scores in the optimum PEEP group. This has reflected improved postoperative outcomes in optimum PEEP group patients, with fewer patients requiring postoperative oxygen supplementation and reduced supplemental oxygen requirement duration.

Vaginal Vault Infiltration with Bupivacaine for Postoperative Pain Control after Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: A Randomized control trial.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the effect of local infiltration of anesthetic to the vaginal vault on postoperative pain after total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, randomized trial. Women assigned to laparoscopic hysterectomy were randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group (n = 30), the vaginal cuff was infiltrated with 10 ml of bupivacaine, whereas the control group (n = 30) did not receive local anesthetic infiltration to vaginal vault. The primary outcome measure was to analyze the efficacy of bupivacaine infiltration in the study group by comparing the postoperative pain in both the groups at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h using pain visual analog scale (VAS). The secondary outcome was to measure the need for rescue opioid analgesia. Results: Group I (intervention group) had lesser mean VAS score at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, and 24 h compared to Group II (control group). There was an additional requirement of opioid analgesia for postoperative pain in Group II than in Group I, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Injection of local anesthetic into the vaginal cuff increased the number of women experiencing only minor pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy and decreased postoperative opioid usage and its side effects. Local anesthesia of the vaginal cuff is safe and feasible.

Comparison of Outcomes following Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery and Laparoendoscopic Single-site Surgery in Benign Hysterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Gradually increasing interest in laparoscopic surgeries has led to the advent of various lesser invasive techniques in the form of vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) and laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery. Very few studies have analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of vNOTES over LESS surgeries in hysterectomy. After a comprehensive search, full texts of relevant manuscripts were obtained to assess eligibility for recruitment. A comprehensive meta-analysis was subsequently performed to compare the outcomes of vNOTES and LESS in hysterectomy, and forest plots were constructed. Four articles were rendered for review (three retrospective cohort studies and one randomized controlled trial). Three studies showed lesser postoperative pain in vNOTES compared to LESS. In one study, postoperative vaginal pain was higher in vNOTES due to additional suture between uterine artery and vaginal wall. The meta-analysis concluded that vNOTES could be better alternative to LESS hysterectomies. However, further large multicentric randomized trials are required for the standardization of the surgical method.

Combined intra-abdominal pelvic packing during cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Uncontrollable hemorrhage during cytoreductive surgery for advanced carcinoma ovary is a major cause of peri-operative mortality. This case series presents a novel technique of "combined intra pelvic and intra-abdominal packing," a life saving approach for such situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case series describes the retrospectively analyzed outcome of 16 non-consecutive patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent this 'packing' procedure in view of diffuse oozing and deteriorating patient condition. Three to six povidone-iodine soaked roller gauges were used and removal was done through exit sites on abdomen, 48 h after packing at bedside in 14 cases. 43 patients of carcinoma ovary who underwent debulking surgery during the same period but did not need packing were analyzed to compare underlying patient- and disease-related factors and complication rates. RESULTS: Operative mortality due to excessive primary hemorrhage was avoided in 14 out of 16 packed patients (87.5%). There was no notable increase in morbidity in cases compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Post-operative complication rates were more or less acceptable. This method can achieve acceptable survival rates in patients with advanced ovarian malignancy having severe primary hemorrhage.

Role of serum interleukin-6 in comparing surgical stress after laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy and non-descent vaginal hysterectomy for large uteri.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the perioperative inflammatory response using interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and non-descent vaginal hysterectomy (NDVH) for large uteri with benign disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty women with benign uterine disease and failed medical management with size of uterus ranging from 300 to 1,500 g (12-24 weeks) were randomized into two equal groups for either technique of hysterectomy, LAVH and NDVH. Venous blood levels of IL-6 were measured preoperatively and 3, 24 and 72 h after beginning of surgery. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS15 software. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was present in demographic characteristics, operating time, and uterine weight between the two groups. No major complications were encountered. The increase in serum interleukin 6 levels from preoperative value to the value at 3 h postoperatively was found to be significantly higher in LAVH group when compared with NDVH group indicating greater tissue handling and trauma in LAVH group. CONCLUSION: Non-descent vaginal hysterectomy appears to be better than laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy for large uteri in terms of inflammatory response.

Hysteroscopy in COVID 19 pandemic: safety concerns.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health crisis that negatively impacts the health infrastructure by diverting resources to manage this infection. The long-term impact on the health of patients due to a lack of appropriate medical care to avoid COVID-19 infection is already visible in the mortality rates of the general population. The presence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the female genital tract is not clear. Bubbles produced during hysteroscopy tend to cool down to the temperature of the distension medium and then dissolve. Hence, aerosols are not produced during hysteroscopy, which is usually performed in an office setting. If anesthesia is required, conscious sedation or regional anesthesia should preferably be used to reduce aerosol production. Hence, hysteroscopy is not an aerosol-generating procedure and the risk of COVID-19 infection is low; therefore, hysteroscopy should not be ruled out in emergencies.