The association between BMI, episiotomy, and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in singleton vaginal deliveries.

OBJECTIVE: Prevalence of obesity in reproductive age and pregnant women has been on the rise during the past several decades. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) or episiotomy has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The objective of this study was to shed light on this issue. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed using electronic database of an obstetrics department at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center. All spontaneous singleton vaginal deliveries at term between January 2015 and December 2021 were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of OASIS (third- and fourth-degree perineal tears) and obesity. These were compared across three BMI categories: normal (BMI below 25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 and over). RESULTS: Of the overall 13,932 spontaneous vaginal deliveries identified, 34.7 % had BMI in the normal range, 43.1 % were overweight, and 25.4 % were obese. Multivariate analysis demonstrated lower rates of OASIS in obese (OR 0.2, 95 %CI 0.04-0.9) and in overweight (OR 0.3, 95 %CI 0.1-0.99) women, as compared to the normal-weight cohort. In addition, lower rates of episiotomy were noted in the obese cohort (OR 0.7, 95 %CI 0.6-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased incidence of OASIS was noted in women with obesity, in conjunction with lower use of episiotomy. These findings imply that obstetrics clinics might consider a more conservative approach to episiotomy in obese patients.

Colporrhaphies versus Colpocleisis Following Vaginal Hysterectomy for the Treatment of Advanced Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Obliterative vaginal procedures may offer lower perioperative morbidity and equal success rates as reconstructive procedures for frail and elderly women who no longer desire future coital function. The combination of vaginal hysterectomy with either reconstructive or obliterative vaginal procedures has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To compare peri- and postoperative outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor reconstruction (VHR) vs. vaginal hysterectomy with colpocleisis (VHC). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study comparing medical and surgical data of patients undergoing either VHR or VHC between 2006 and 2015. Data were obtained from inpatient and outpatient medical records including peri- and postoperative course, as well as long-term (24 months) follow-up data. RESULTS: We identified 172 patients who underwent VHR and 44 who underwent VHC. Patients in the VHC group were significantly older (71.3 ± 4.5 vs. 68.6 ± 6.5 years, P = 0.01), and more likely to have medical co-morbidities (P = 0.001 and P = 0.029, respectively). Patients in the VHC group experienced shorter operative time (2.3 ± 0.58 vs. 2.7 ± 1.02 hours, P = 0.007), lower perioperative blood loss (P < 0.0001), shorter hospital stay (P < 0.0001), and lower rates of postoperative urinary retention. Long-term pelvic organ prolapse (POP) recurrence rates were significantly higher among the VHR group. Postoperative resolution of both stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder were common in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: VHC is associated with lower perioperative blood loss, shorter operative time, shorter hospital stay, shorter time with an indwelling catheter, and lower long-term objective POP recurrence rates.

The association between obesity and the success of trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) in women with past vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of overweight (body mass index; BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI>30 kg/m2), on the success of trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC), with consideration of successful past vaginal birth. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was performed using electronic database of obstetrics department at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center. All women admitted for TOLAC at 37-42 weeks of gestational age, carrying a singleton live fetus at cephalic presentation, with a single previous low segment transverse cesarean delivery between 1/2015 and 5/2021 were included. Primary outcome was the rate of cesarean delivery during labor, and subgroup analysis was performed for the presence of past vaginal birth. RESULTS: Of the 1200 TOLAC deliveries meeting the inclusion criteria, 61.9 % had BMI in the normal range, 24.6 % were overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and 13.4 % were obese (BMI of 30 kg/m2 and over). Using a multivariate analysis, BMI≥30 kg/m2 was associated with increased risk of cesarean delivery compared to normal weight. However, in the subgroup of 292 women with a history of successful vaginal birth BMI did not affect TOLAC success. CONCLUSIONS: BMI does not affect the success of TOLAC in women with previous vaginal birth. This information should be considered during patients counselling, in order to achieve a better selection of mode of delivery and higher patients' satisfaction.

Evaluation of blood type as a potential risk factor for hemorrhage during vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the O blood type and bleeding tendency in patient undergoing vaginal hysterectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including all women who had undergone vaginal hysterectomy at our institution between January 2015 and September 2020. All women underwent blood type and complete blood count testing pre- and post-operatively. The estimated intraoperative blood loss, the need for blood transfusion, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit measurements and surgical data were recorded for all patients. Patients with known coagulopathies or those taking antithrombotic medications were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was performed using student t, χ2, Fischer exact, and ANOVA tests as well as a stepwise logistic regression model. RESULTS: The study included 106 patients (35.2 %) with O and 195 patients (64.8 %) with non-O (i.e., A, B or AB) blood types. The O blood type was significantly associated with a higher risk for moderate blood loss (defined as a pre- to postoperative Hb or HCT drop >2gr or >6 %, respectively) (p = 0.012), but not with severe (defined as a Hb or HCT drop of >3gr or >9 %, respectively) perioperative bleeding, nor with the need for blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: The O blood type was found to be significantly associated with moderate but not with severe intraoperative bleeding during and following vaginal hysterectomy.

A Lymph Node Ratio Model for Prognosis of Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors.

The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic value of lymph node (LN) involvement and the LN ratio (LNR) and their effect on recurrence rates and survival in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) undergoing surgery. This single-center retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 95 consecutive patients diagnosed with PNETs who underwent surgery at our medical center between 1997 and 2017. The retrieved information included patient demographics, pathology reports, treatments, and oncological outcomes. Results: 95 consecutive potentially suitable patients were identified. The 78 patients with PNETs who underwent surgery and for whom there was adequate data were included in the analysis. Their mean ± standard deviation age at diagnosis was 57.4 ± 13.4 years (range 20-82), and there were 50 males (64%) and 28 females (36%). 23 patients (30%) had LN metastases (N1). The 2.5- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for the entire cohort were 79.5% and 71.8%, respectively, and their 2- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 85.9% and 82.1%, respectively. The optimal value of the LNR was 0.1603, which correlated with the outcome (2-year OS p = 0.002 HR = 13.4 and 5-year DFS p = 0.016 HR = 7.2, respectively, and 5-year OS and 5-year DFS p = 0.004 HR = 9 and p = 0.001 HR = 10.6, respectively). However, the multivariate analysis failed to show that the LNR was an independent prognostic factor in PNETs. Patients with PNETs grade and stage are known key prognostic factors influencing OS and DFS. According to our results, LNR failed to be an independent prognostic factor.

Maternal and Neonatal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Immunoglobulin G Levels After the Pfizer-BioNTech Booster Dose for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels at birth after a third (booster) dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech messenger RNA (Pfizer) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine during the second trimester of pregnancy, and compare them with those in women who received two vaccine doses during the second trimester. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of women admitted to the delivery ward at a single center who received the third Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose (booster group) at 17-30 weeks of pregnancy and who did not have previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Maternal and neonatal antibody levels were measured on admission for delivery and in the umbilical cord blood after birth. Antibody levels for the booster group were compared with those in a historical control group of pregnant women who received their second vaccine dose (two-dose group) within the same gestational age window. RESULTS: Between October 2021 and February 2022, antibody levels were measured in 121 women and 109 neonates at a mean±SD of 15.3±3.9 weeks after booster vaccination. Neonatal titers measured two times higher than maternal titers, with inverse correlation between maternal and neonatal titers at birth and time interval from third vaccination. The two-dose group included 121 women and 107 neonates, with antibody levels measured at a mean±SD of 14.6±2.6 weeks after the second dose. Median [interquartile range] maternal antibody titers were higher in the booster group (4,485 [2,569-9,702] AU/mL) compared with the two-dose group (1,122 [735-1,872] AU/mL) (P<.001). Furthermore, neonatal antibody titers were higher in the booster group (8,773 [5,143-18,830] AU/mL) compared with the two-dose group (3,280 [2,087-5,754] AU/mL) (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers after second-trimester maternal Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination were significantly higher after the booster dose compared with the two-dose vaccination series. Although there is uncertainty as to whether antibody levels correlate with protection, these data support the importance of booster vaccination during pregnancy to restore maternal and neonatal protection against COVID-19.

Third trimester messenger RNA COVID-19 booster vaccination upsurge maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G antibody levels at birth.

OBJECTIVE: BNT162b2 messenger RNA (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine administered during pregnancy was found to produce a strong maternal immunoglobulin (IgG) response which crosses the placenta to the newborn. Our aim was to evaluate maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels at birth, following a COVID-19 booster vaccine during the third trimester. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study including women admitted to delivery ward at least 7 days after their BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech) booster vaccination without a prior clinical COVID-19 infection. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies levels were measured in maternal blood upon admission to delivery and in the umbilical blood within 30 min following delivery. The correlation between antibody titers, feto-maternal characteristics, maternal side effects following vaccination, and time interval from vaccination to delivery were analyzed. RESULTS: Between September to November 2021, high antibody levels were measured in all 102 women and 93 neonatal blood samples, at a mean ± standard deviation duration of 7.0 ± 2.9 weeks after the third vaccine. We found positive correlation between maternal and neonatal antibodies (r = 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 0.81, p < 0.001), with neonatal titers approximately 1.4 times higher compared to maternal titers. In the multivariable analysis maternal antibody levels dropped by -7.2% (95% CI -12.0 to -2.3%, p = 0.005) for each week that passed since the receipt of the third vaccine dose. In contrary, systemic side effects after the third vaccine were associated with higher maternal antibody levels of 52.0% (95% CI 4.7 to 120.8%, p = 0.028). Also, for each 1 unit increase in maternal body mass index, maternal antibody levels increased by 3.6% (95% CI 0.4 to 6.9%, p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 booster dose during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with strong maternal and neonatal responses as reflected by maternal and neonatal SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels measured at birth. These findings support the administration of the COVID-19 booster to pregnant women to restore maternal and neonatal protection during the ongoing pandemic.

Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the postpartum course: Lessons learnt from a large-scale comparative study in a teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the postpartum course. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study compared women who gave birth between March and April 2020 (first wave), between July to September 2020 (second wave), and a matched historical cohort throughout 2017-2019 (groups A, B, and C, respectively). Primary outcomes were postpartum length of stay (LOS), presentations to the emergency department (ED), and readmissions 30 days or longer after discharge. Following Bonferroni correction, p < 0.016 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In total, 3377 women were included: 640, 914, and 1823 in groups A, B, and C, respectively. LOS after birth (both vaginal and cesarean) was shorter in groups A and B compared to the control group (2.28 ± 1.01 and 2.25 ± 0.93 vs 2.55 ± 1.10 days, p < 0.001). Rates of ED presentations 30 days after discharge were higher in groups C and B compared to group A (6.63% and 6.45% vs 3.12%, p = 0.006). Rates of readmissions 30 days after discharge were 0.78%, 1.42%, and 1.09% (groups A, B, and C, respectively), demonstrating no statistical difference (p = 0.408). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a reduction or no change in rates of ED presentations and readmissions, despite the shortened LOS after delivery. A shift in policy regarding the postpartum LOS could be considered.

Correlation between an integrative oncology treatment program and survival in patients with advanced gynecological cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Integrative oncology (IO) is increasingly becoming part of palliative cancer care. This study examined the correlation between an IO treatment program and rates of survival among patients with advanced gynecological cancer. METHODS: Patients were referred by their oncology healthcare professionals to an integrative physician (IP) for consultation and IO treatments. Those undergoing at least 4 treatments during the 6 weeks following the consultation were considered adherence to the integrative care program (AIC), versus non-adherent (non-AIC). Survival was monitored for a period of 3 years, comparing the AIC vs. non-AIC groups, as well as controls who did not attend the IP consultation. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were included: 71 in the AIC group, 44 non-AIC, and 74 controls. Overall 3-year survival was greater in the AIC group (vs. non-AIC, p = 0.012; vs. controls, p = 0.003), with no difference found between non-AIC and controls (p = 0.954). Multimodal IO programs (≥ 3 modalities) were correlated in the AIC group with greater overall 3-year survival (p = 0.027). Greater rates of survival were also found in the AIC group at 12 (p = 0.004) and 18 months (p = 0.001). When compared with the AIC group, a multivariate analysis found higher crude and adjusted hazard ratios for 3-year mortality in the non-AIC group (HR 95% CI 2.18 (1.2-3.9), p = 0.010) and controls (2.23 (1.35-3.7), p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Adherence to an IO treatment program was associated with higher survival rates among patients with advanced gynecological cancer. Larger prospective trials are needed to explore whether the IO setting enhances patients' resilience, coping, and adherence to oncology treatment.