The effect of unicornuate uterus on reproductive outcomes in infertile patients.

OBJECTIVE: Unicornuate uterus, which is a rare congenital anomaly, has been associated with obstetric and perinatal complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the reproductive outcomes of patients with unicornuate uterus, and also to compare them with outcomes of infertile patients without a Müllerian anomaly. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of the data of 18-40 year old infertile patients with unicornuate uterus diagnosed in between January 2012 and December 2022, and a control group with the same number of patients, with age and infertility durations matched were performed. Demographic data, cycle parameters and reproductive outcomes of the unicornuate uterus and control groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients with unicornuate uterus and a control group of 75 infertile patients without a Müllerian anomaly were included in the study. Totally, 116 and 91 pregnancies were achieved at unicornuate uterus and the control groups, respectively. Ectopic pregnancy rates (10.3 % vs 2.2 %, OR = 5.53, 95 %CI [1.17-26.21]) and malpresentation rates (29 % vs 0 %, OR = 1.40, 95 %CI [1.12-1.76]) were significantly higher and newborn birth weights in singleton pregnancies were significantly lower in the unicornuate group (3000 g vs 3455 g, p = 0.005). No significant difference was found in other obstetric parameters. CONCLUSION: Unicornuate uterus constitutes a small portion of all congenital uterine anomalies. Although increased ectopic pregnancy and malpresentation rates with diminished birth weights were found in the unicornuate group in our study, live birth rates and preterm deliveries did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, patients should be counseled on this issue both during the reproductive treatment process and during pregnancy, and should be followed closely.

Single-center experience of laparoscopic hysterectomy: analysis of one thousand five hundred and fifteen patients

Objective: Laparoscopic hysterectomy has become an increasingly used surgery in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign or malignant indications in a single center during a period of eight years. Material and Methods: Data of patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy in the gynecological oncology department of a university hospital over a period of eight years was analyzed retrospectively. Two groups were formed based on being operated for benign or malignant indications. Demographic characteristics and perioperative data of these groups were evaluated. Results: A total of 1,515 patients underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy. The mean age of the patients was 52.0±9.8 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 31.3±8.5 kg/m2. Of these, 1,219 had benign and 296 had malignant histopathology results. In the whole cohort, intraoperative complications were seen in 1.6% and postoperative complications in 3.5%. The patients in the malignant group were older, had a higher BMI and a higher comorbidity rate. The duration of operation and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in this group (p=0.0001 for all parameters). However, intraoperative and postoperative complication rates, rate of blood transfusion and amount of transfusion were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Laparoscopic hysterectomy can be performed with low complication rates in benign and malignant indications, regardless of the patient's contributing factors. However, since experience is important, financial resources and personnel training processes should be supported.

Outcomes of cesarean scar pregnancy treatment: Do we have options?

Objective: To investigate the success and complications of medical and surgical modalities used in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancies. Materials and Methods: Medical and surgical approaches that have been used to treat cesarean scar pregnancies were evaluated retrospectively, Local, systemic, and combined methotrexate treatments were grouped as the medical approach, and dilatation and evacuation, hysteroscopic resection, laparoscopic and laparotomic approaches were grouped as the surgical approach. Fifty-three patients were diagnosed as having cesarean scar pregnancy during the study period, 48 of whom were included in the final analysis. Eighteen patients were treated with medical interventions and 30 patients were treated surgically. Results: The success rate of surgical modalities was 96.6% and the medical treatment success was 33% (p<0.001). The complication rate was higher with medical approaches compared with surgical methods (66% vs 3.3%, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusion: Surgical intervention seems safer and more successful than medical treatment.

Accuracy of intra-operative frozen section in guiding surgical staging of endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE: Surgery consists the main treatment of endometrial cancer; however, decision of lypmhadenectomy is controversial. Intra-operative frozen section (FS) is commonly used in guiding surgical staging; nevertheless, there are different reports regarding its adequacy and reliability. Aim of this study is to assess accuracy of FS in predicting paraffin section (PS) results in patients with endometrium cancer. METHODS: Data of 223 cases, who were operated for endometrial cancer at a tertiary hospital in 2012-2019, were analyzed retrospectively. Histological type, grade, tumor diameter, depth of myometrial invasion, and cervical and adnexal involvement in frozen and paraffin section were evaluated. Positive and negative predictive values and accuracy of frozen results in predicting paraffin results for each parameter was assessed. Statistical significance was taken as 0.05 in all tests. RESULTS: Accuracy of FS in predicting PS results were 76.23% for histology, 75.45% for grade, 85.31% for depth of myometrial invasion, and 95.45% for tumor diameter. Surgery, based on FS results, caused undertreatment in 4 patients, while metastatic lymph node ratios were found in only 35.3-50.0% of cases who had high risk parameters at FS. CONCLUSION: Our FS results have reasonable accuracy rates in predicting PS results, in comparison with the previous literature. However, even if the high risk parameters detected in FS predict PS accurately, absence of lymph node involvement in all cases with high risk parameters indicates that FS-based triage cannot prevent unnecessary lymphadenectomies.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: are in vitro fertilization pregnancies at risk?

AIM: Single pregnancy patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) were divided into two groups according to the conception method, as spontaneous and in vitro fertilization (IVF). We aim to compare the maternal, laboratory and perinatal characteristics of both groups. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The records of 10,929 patients who gave birth in the center between October 2011 and July 2019 were analyzed retrospectively from the data processing system records. Maternal, laboratory and perinatal characteristics of 109 single pregnancies (spontaneous n: 91; IVF n: 18) diagnosed with ICP were compared. FINDINGS: The maternal demographic data of both groups were similar (p: .05). In both groups, gestational week, gestational age at birth, birth weight, neonatal intensive care admission rate, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, umbilical cord pH, the 5-minute APGAR score, and the presence of pregnancy complications were similar (p > .05). RESULT: Although ICP is reported with a higher incidence in IVF pregnancies, ICP findings and prognosis are similar to those of spontaneous pregnancies.

Prevention of preterm delivery by cervical cerclage; a comparison of prophylactic and emergency procedures

Objective: Prophylactic or emergency type cervical cerclage procedures are being used for treatment of cervical insufficiency. The aim was to review and compare the outcomes of these cerclage types and identify factors affecting outcomes. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of seventy-five patients in whom transvaginal cervical cerclage procedures were performed over a seven-year period in a tertiary referral center. Results: Twenty seven of 75 (36%) patients were in the emergency cerclage group and 48 (64%) of them were in the prophylactic group. Mean body mass index (BMI), hospitalization time and gestational week at cerclage were significantly higher, whereas latency period was significantly shorter for the emergency group. Mean gestational ages at delivery were 35.6±4.5 and 33.6±5.9 weeks in the prophylactic and emergency groups, respectively (p=0.117). Delivery rates under 34th gestational week were 20.8% and 37.0% in the prophylactic and emergency groups, respectively (p=0.175). Birthweight, and delivery ≥34th gestational week was higher in the prophylactic group, whereas complication rate was higher in the emergency group, but these differences were not significant. High BMI was associated with more deliveries before 34-week in the prophylactic group. Pre-cerclage cervical length was shorter in patients who delivered before 34 gestational weeks at delivery. Conclusion: Prophylactic and emergency cerclage procedures have comparable results regarding gestational week at delivery. High BMI and low pre-cerclage cervical length may have adverse effects on success of cerclage procedures.

Laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy: Technique and surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection is an important part of staging surgery. Aim of this study is to evaluate perioperative outcomes of patients, who underwent laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy for gynecological cancer in a single center over a period of 7 years, based on body mass index (BMI), and to present the surgical technique in steps. METHODS: Data of patients who underwent para-aortic lymphadenectomy at gynecological oncology department of a tertiary center in between March 2013 and July 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in two groups according to their BMI (< 30 kg/m2 as non-obese and ≥ 30 kg/m2 as obese groups). Surgical technique is described in steps. Perioperative outcomes of the two groups were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 230 patients were included in the study. BMI was ≥30 at 58.46 % of the patients. Peri-operative features were not significantly affected by the patient's BMI with the presented surgical technique, however, collected para-aortic lymph node numbers were higher in the group with BMI < 30, though sufficient number of lymph nodes were achieved in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although some technical difficulties may be encountered, laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy is feasable in gynecologic oncological surgery independent of BMI. However, surgical experience is important.

What is the predictive value of preoperative CA 125 level on the survival rate of type 1 endometrial cancer?

Background/aim: To investigate the utility of preoperative serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) levels in type 1 endometrial carcinoma (EC) as a marker for determining poor prognostic factors and survival. Material and methods: All patients with endometrial cancer, who had been treated between 2012 and 2020, were retrospectively reviewed, and finally, 256 patients with type 1 endometrium carcinoma were included in the study. The relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics, CA 125 level, and survival rates were analyzed. The cut-off value for the preoperative serum CA 125 level was defined as 16 IU/L. Results: The median serum CA 125 levels were significantly higher in patients with deep myometrial invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion, cervical stromal and adnexal involvement, advanced stage, positive peritoneal cytology, recurrence, and adjuvant therapy requirement. Serum CA 125 cut-off values determined according to clinicopathologic factors ranged from 15.3 to 22.9 IU/L (sensitivity 61%­77%, specificity 52%­73%). The disease-specific survival rate was significantly higher in patients with CA 125 levels < 16 IU/L (P = 0.047). Conclusion: The data showed that choosing a lower threshold value for the CA 125 level (16 IU/L) instead of 35 IU/L, could be more useful in type 1 EC patients with negative prognostic factors.

Lumbosacral discitis as a rare complication of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Sacrocolpopexy is considered to be the gold-standard procedure for apical compartment prolapse. However, complications such as sacral hemorrhage, small bowel obstruction, port site herniation, mesh erosion, mesh exposure, and occasionally discitis may occur. The aim of this study is to show laparoscopic treatment of L5-S1 discitis 3 months following laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. METHODS: Two surgical interventions of a case with narrated video footage is presented. RESULTS: Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy following hysterectomy in the first part and re-laparoscopy because of a diagnosis of discitis refractory to medical treatment, and removal of mesh along with anterior L5-S1 discectomy for curative debridement in the second part is demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Frequency of postoperative discitis has been increased by the widespread use of a laparoscopic approach. In order to reduce the complication rate, surgical technique allowing the needle to penetrate only the depth of the anterior longitudinal ligament and usage of monofilament suture for mesh attachment is recommended. In treatment, removal of the sacral mesh, and even extensive tissue debridement, may be necessary.

Reappraisal of the relationship between 24-hour proteinuria and preeclampsia in terms of the maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Objective: This study evaluated the association between proteinuria levels and maternal, and perinatal outcomes of preeclampsia patients and determined the cutoff values for predicting severe complications.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 412 patients with proteinuric preeclampsia.Results: Median proteinuria levels were significantly higher in patients with severe maternal and adverse perinatal outcomes than in those without such outcomes, except in cases of placental abruption and late preterm delivery.Conclusion: Proteinuria levels may aid in diagnosing preeclampsia and indicating early intervention. The revised guidelines do not suggest that proteinuria encountered during pregnancy is clinically insignificant.

Reference values of the ductus venosus pulsatility index for pregnant women between 11 and 13+6 weeks of gestation.

Purpose: The ductus venosus pulsatility index velocity (DV PIV) has become a popular ultrasonographic measurement during the first trimester of pregnancy. The value of the DV PIV has been the topic of ongoing discussion in the literature, and its reference value in the normal population has not yet been established. Therefore, we aimed to determine a reference value for the DV PIV.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated our records of first-trimester ultrasonography performed between 2016 and 2017. Our inclusion criteria were as follows: singleton pregnancy; crown-rump length (CRL) between 45 and 84 mm; absence of structural abnormalities on the ultrasound examination; and absence of chromosomal abnormalities. Records of 820 patients were evaluated. According to the inclusion criteria, records of 458 patients were included in this study. All ultrasound examinations were performed by a single operator with the Voluson E8 (5- to 8-MHz 3 D transducer; General Electric Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK) via the transabdominal route. Gestational weeks were designated according to CRL measurements at the beginning of the examination. Nuchal translucency (NT), nasal bone visualization (NB), tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR), "a"-wave pattern, DV PIV, S-wave (peak systolic velocity), D-wave (peak diastolic velocity), a-wave (atrial contraction in late diastole), and time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMXV) measurements were performed. To evaluate the DV Doppler images, a mid-sagittal view of the fetal profile was obtained. Color Doppler and pulse Doppler gate were used in the distal portion of the umbilical sinus, and at least three typical DV waveforms were detected. The SPSS 21.0 statistical program (IBM, Armonk, NY) was used to analyze variables.Results: The mean age, body mass index, CRL, gestational age, and NT values were 30.3 years (range, 18-45), 23.9 kg/m2 (range, 15.5-46.6), 59.5 mm (range, 45-79), 12.3 weeks (range, 11.2-13.6), and 1.58 mm (range, 0.73-2.62), respectively. The median gravidity and parity were 2 (1-8) and 0 (0-4), respectively. The "a"-wave pattern was identified in all cases, but TR was not detected in any of the cases. Measurements of DV PIV with a Gaussian distribution were suitable according to the Shapiro-Wilk test (p = .252). The mean DV PIV was 0.98, and the fifth and 95th percentiles were 0.73 and 1.22 (±2 SD), respectively. A statistical analysis of our cohort revealed that DV PIV values less than 0.73 and more than 1.22 were beyond the normal range. The mean S-wave, D-wave, a-wave, and TAMXV values were 31.18, 25.64, 8.68, and 22.72 cm/s, respectively.Conclusions: The value of DV PIV measurements is debated in the literature. Using our cohort, we defined the means and ranges of DV PIV. Determining the normal ranges of DV PIV could be helpful to anticipate congenital or chromosomal abnormalities. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical importance of DV PIV, especially for patients with abnormal DV PIV measurements.

Pregnancy of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: maternal and neonatal outcomes

Objective: Thrombocytopenia occurs in 7% of pregnant women. Along with other causes, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), which is an autoimmune disease with autoantibodies causing platelet destruction, must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Antiplatelet antibodies can cross the placenta and cause thrombocytopenia in the newborn. The aim of our study was to assess the management of ITP in pregnancy, and to investigate neonatal outcomes. Material and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary center including 89 pregnant patients with ITP followed between October 2011 and January 2018. Patients were evaluated in two groups according to diagnoses of ITP and chronic ITP. Age, obstetric history, ITP diagnosis, and follow-up period, presence of splenectomy, platelet count during pregnancy and after birth, treatment during pregnancy, route of delivery, weight and platelet count of newborn, sign of hemorrhage, and fetal congenital anomaly were assessed. Results: Considering the ITP and chronic ITP groups, no significant difference was seen with respect to parity, timing of delivery, preoperative and postoperative platelet counts, and hemoglobin values. Route of delivery, birth weight, APGAR scores, newborn platelet count, and congenital anomaly rates were also similar. The timing of treatment was different because patients whose diagnoses were established during pregnancy were mostly treated for preparation of delivery. Treatment modalities were similar. Conclusion: Probability of severe thrombocytopenia at delivery is higher in patients with ITP who are diagnosed during pregnancy when compared with patients who received prepregnancy diagnoses. ITP is an important disease for both the mother and newborn. Patients should be followed closely in cooperation with the hematology department.

Effect of pigtail catheter application on obstetric outcomes in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection pregnancies following hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of percutaneous pigtail catheter drainage on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) pregnancies following moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 189 patients hospitalized for OHSS following ICSI treatment in a tertiary in vitro fertilization unit between 2006 and 2014. Pigtail catheters were applied in 63 patients; the other 126 patients did not need that treatment. The obstetric reports of 173 patients could be accessed and were examined to investigate the pregnancy outcomes of those with and without catheters. RESULTS: No complications such as infection or vascular or intra-abdominal organ trauma were observed related to the pigtail application. There were no differences in abortus, preterm labor, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia ratio between the pigtail and control groups (p>0.05). The rate of readmission to hospital for OHSS was lower in the pigtail group than in the control group although not statistically significant (p=0.08). CONCLUSION: Pigtail application is a safe and effective method for draining ascites in patients with OHSS after ICSI treatment. The use of pigtail catheters had no adverse effects on the perinatal outcomes of patients hospitalized with OHSS who became pregnant after ICSI treatment. In addition, the percutaneous drainage of ascites via a pigtail catheter helped prevent the readmission of patients with moderate or severe OHSS.

Repeated ovariopexy failure in recurrent adnexal torsion: combined approach and review of the literature.

Adnexal torsion is a well-known but poorly recognized gynecological emergency. Most cases are in the reproductive age group and many are related to ovarian and paraovarian masses. Adnexal torsion can also occur, however, in normal-looking ovaries with elongated utero-ovarian ligaments. The authors describe the case of a young woman presenting with a sixth recurrence of right adnexal torsion with polycystic ovaries. She had had two failed ovarian fixation efforts in the third and fifth laparoscopies. A combined ovarian fixation method is described, fixing the ovary to the pelvic side wall and shortening the utero-ovarian ligament, at elective surgery one month after the detorsion operation. Ovarian fixation after adnexal torsion is not standardized and best method of fixation remains unresolved.