Successful pregnancy after ZIFT in a patient with congenital cervical atresia.

We report the third patient with a successful pregnancy following operative correction of congenital cervical atresia. The pregnancy was achieved through zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT). Although stenosis of the newly formed cervical canal causes considerable morbidity, therapy should be aimed at the creation of a conduit for menstrual blood and for possible future pregnancy. New techniques in assisted reproduction such as in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and ZIFT increase the chances of pregnancy in patients with congenital cervical atresia. A hysterectomy, as advocated until very recently, should not, in our opinion, be the first treatment of choice.

Is there influence of smoking on the mutagenicity of follicular fluid?

The mutagenicity of follicular fluid was examined in 24 patients, 12 smoking and 12 nonsmoking, who were treated in an in vitro fertilization program. The Salmonella microsome assay was used. It was found that the mutagenicity of follicular fluid was not influenced by the number of cigarettes smoked. Urine samples of smoking in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients however showed a dose-dependent elevation of the mutagenicity.

[Non-hysteroscopic thermodestruction of the endometrium using radio waves in the treatment of menorrhagia]. / Niet-hysteroscopische thermodestructie van het endometrium door radiogolven ter behandeling van menorragie.

OBJECTIVE: To test non-hysteroscopic thermodestruction of the endometrium for safety and efficiency. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study from February 1991 to July 1992. SETTING: University Hospital Nijmegen. PATIENTS AND METHOD: There were 68 patients aged 30-55 years with menorrhagia, who did not want children but wished to retain the uterus. There were two patients with a subserous myoma but with a normal uterine cavity. Patients with hypergonadotropism, a markedly enlarged uterus, abnormalities at cytological examination of the cervix, adnexal lesions, prolapse, intrauterine lesions and coagulation disorders were excluded. By way of preparation, danazol was administered for 4 weeks before the intervention (36 patients). Three patients with side effects were given lynestrenol. From January 1992, an LH-RH analogue was administered (29 patients) for 6 weeks prior to the intervention or in the patients with a subserous myoma for 12 weeks. Thermodestruction of the endometrium by means of radio waves was carried out according to a standard protocol under general or epidural spinal anaesthesia. The intracavitary temperature measured was 62-65 degrees C, mean duration of the treatment 20 minutes. RESULTS: The patients were discharged 10-24 hours after the intervention. A non-disturbing watery discharge of 3-6 weeks' duration was reported. Normal activities were resumed after one week. Success (duration of follow-up 3-21 months) was defined as amenorrhoea (6 patients; 9%) or a markedly reduced menstruation or duration of menstruation (48 patients; 70%). Six patients (9%) reported no improvement and of eight patients (12%) with slight, unsatisfactory improvement three were treated again, with success (4%). During the trial period the method was further adjusted and perfected. There were no complications. CONCLUSION: This preliminary experience shows that thermodestruction with radio waves is simple, safe and efficient.

Radiofrequency induced endometrial ablation: an update.

OBJECTIVE: To test the safety and efficiency of radiofrequency endometrial ablation as a nonhysteroscopic treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. DESIGN: A multicentre trial. SETTING: Nineteen clinics in six countries. METHODS: From February 1990 to December 1994, 1280 women were treated with radiofrequency endometrial ablation. Inclusion criteria were: menorrhagia, age 30-55 years, a completed family, a wish to retain the uterus, no hypergonadotropic state indicating an approaching menopause, a normal sized uterus, normal cervical cytology, normal adnexa, no prolapse, no intrauterine abnormalities, and no history of a bleeding disorder. Treatment was performed according to a standard operating protocol. RESULTS: Either amenorrhoea or a satisfactory improvement of menstruation was obtained in 78.5% of 944 women followed for six months or more. The design of the equipment has been thoroughly revised and improved during the last four years. The complications encountered were mostly related to the handling of radiofrequency and sometimes due to failures in following the safety protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Although the technology is complicated, the treatment is simple, fast and effective. The complications have often been unpredictable. Despite the improvements made during this period, safety must be further enhanced to develop the original concept into an established technique.