Safety and efficacy of the OdonAssist inflatable device for assisted vaginal birth: the BESANCON ASSIST study.

BACKGROUND: The first feasibility study of the OdonAssist inflatable device for use in clinically indicated assisted vaginal birth reported a success rate of 48% with no significant safety concerns. Additional studies exploring the device performance in other clinical settings are warranted before definitive conclusions can be drawn about its safety and efficacy in current practice. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the OdonAssist before conducting a randomized controlled trial. STUDY DESIGN: This was an open-label, nonrandomized study of 104 women with a clinically indicated assisted vaginal birth using the OdonAssist at the Besancon University Hospital, France. Data, including those of a nested cohort group of women who had an assisted vaginal birth using vacuum or spatulas because a trained OdonAssist device operator was not available at the time of delivery, were collected. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of successful assisted vaginal births using the OdonAssist. Neonatal outcome data were reviewed at days 1 and 28, and maternal outcomes were investigated up to day 90. RESULTS: Between December 2019 and May 2021, 2191 pregnant women were approached, and 83% (1636/1973) of them consented to participate in the study. Among them, 10.7% (176/1636) required an assisted vaginal birth owing to a vertex presentation at +1 and below. The OdonAssist was used in 59% of births (104/176), and 41.1% (72/176) of the participants were included in the nested cohort group. The rate of successful assisted vaginal births using the OdonAssist was 88.5% (92/104). No emergency cesarean deliveries were performed in the OdonAssist group. There were no serious adverse maternal or neonatal reactions related to the use of the device. The rate of third- and fourth-degree perineal tears with the OdonAssist was 3.8% (4/104). The maternal perception ratings of the birth experience with the OdonAssist (collected on days 1, 7, and 28 using a 15-point scale) were high. In addition, the operators reported a positive perception of the device, with ease of use across the different steps of the procedure. One single technique was used for all vertex fetal head positions. CONCLUSION: The OdonAssist is a safe and effective alternative to other current devices for assisted vaginal births. The high acceptance rate (83%) among pregnant women and the high rate of successful assisted vaginal births using the OdonAssist confirm the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial.

Acute fetal leukemia: When should it be suspected? What assessment should be performed? A case series and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Acute fetal leukemia is rare and characterized by a very poor prognosis. The aims of this study were to identify cases of acute fetal leukemia and to describe ultrasound and fetopathological findings that should lead to a suspicion of this diagnosis, as well as the investigations required to confirm it. METHODS: A national retrospective study was conducted. Clinical data, prenatal ultrasounds and postmortem findings of fetal acute leukemia cases were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: We collected seven cases: four in utero fetal deaths, two neonatal deaths and one termination of pregnancy. Prenatal ultrasounds showed fetal hydrops (42.9%) associated with hepatosplenomegaly (100%). In addition, post-mortem examination (n = 6) suggested a Down syndrome in one case and showed other organomegaly (83.3%) due to blastic infiltration, mainly in the liver, along with extrahepatic multivisceral hematopoiesis. Immunostainings allowed to specify the type of leukemia (71.4%). In one case, diagnosis was made on blood smear and flow cytometry was performed on fresh blood samples. All cases corresponded to acute myeloid leukemia. Karyotype was abnormal in 4 cases (66.7%), including one free trisomy 21, two mosaic trisomy 21 and one chromosome 15 deletion. GATA1 gene mutations were identified in two cases: one mosaic trisomy 21 and one with normal karyotype. CONCLUSION: Any hepatosplenomegaly associated with fetal hydrops and a negative immune, infectious, and metabolic work-up, should suggest acute fetal leukemia and prompt additional investigations.

A new classification allowing assessment of instrumental vaginal-birth practices.

BACKGROUND: Instrumental vaginal birth, a very common intervention in obstetrics, concerns nearly one in eight women in France. Instrumentally assisted vaginal childbirth can be for maternal and/or fetal indications. Although it reduces recourse to caesarean section, it is subject to risks. Practices concerning instrumental birth are disparate, varying among different practitioners, maternity units and countries, and it is essential to be able to evaluate them. Our objective was to create a classification tool of women requiring instrumental birth to facilitate the analysis of practices within our maternity unit as well as to enable temporal and geographical comparisons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We propose a simple and robust classification based on the same principles as Robson's classification. It is made up of seven totally inclusive and mutually exclusive groups. Our classification was refined and validated using the Delphi method by a panel of 14 experts from throughout France, and tested in our maternity unit using data from throughout 2021. RESULTS: The seven clinically relevant groups are based on five obstetric criteria (multiplicity, presentation, gestational age, previous type of birth, induction of labor). To classify each woman in a group, five successive questions are posed in a predefined order. The classification has been validated by the experts with highly satisfactory overall agreement. CONCLUSION: In order to improve the quality of care, we propose a tool to standardize the evaluation of instrumental vaginal birth practice (called the "Isère classification", after the county where we work in south-eastern France). It will also facilitate the comparison the practices among different maternity units in a network, a country or even among different countries.

Conservative management versus systematic suture of isolated vaginal or first-degree perineal tears after delivery: A preliminary randomized efficacy trial.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of conservative management compared with systematic suture in isolated vaginal or first-degree perineal tears after birth. METHODS: We conducted a preliminary efficacy, open-label, randomized, controlled, and prospective trial. This study implemented Simon's 2-step plan (interim analysis and final analysis) to test the success rate of the digital compression strategy group. Primiparous women aged ≥18 years with isolated vaginal or first-degree perineal tears after spontaneous vaginal birth of a cephalic presenting term (≥37 weeks) neonate were randomly allocated to the conservative management (CM) group (digital compression if bleeding followed by suture if persistent bleeding) or a systematic suture (SS) group. The primary outcome was the success of the intervention 10 days after delivery, defined by pain as evaluated using a visual analog scale < 3, satisfactory healing defined by a REEDA score ≤ 2, and no bleeding or infection. Sexual well-being was assessed at 2 and 6 months postpartum. RESULTS: Among 861/2209 eligible women, 143 consenting women with a superficial perineal tear were randomized: 72 in the systematic suture group and 71 in the conservative management group. Success rate was 87.8% (90% CI [70.5-93.54]) (42/55) in the systematic suture group vs 90% (90% CI [78.3-93.8]) (53/61) in the conservative management group. The REEDA score was significantly higher in the systematic suture group (1.4 vs 0.9; P = 0.036). Perineal pain was significantly higher at day 1 in the systematic suture group (2.38 vs 1.69; P = 0.034). For the Female Sexual Functional Index score, no significant difference was found between the two groups at inclusion or at 2 and 6 months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management of superficial perineal tears shows an efficacy rate ≥90%. Women in the conservative management group had less pain at the 1st day follow-up and lower REEDA scores at the 10th day follow-up.

Longitudinal follow-up of HPV16 sequence after cervical infection: Low intrahost variation and no correlation with clinical evolution.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 exhibits different variants that may differ in their carcinogenic risk. To identify some high-risk variants, we sequenced and compared HPV16 whole genomes obtained from a longitudinal cohort of 34 HPV16-infected women who had either spontaneously cleared their infection (clearance group or "C"), or developed cervical high-grade lesions following a viral persistence (group persistence or "P"). Phylogenetic analysis of paired samples obtained at the beginning (C0 or P0) and at the end (C2 or P2) of the follow-up (median intervals between C0-C2 and between P0-P2 were 16 and 36.5 months, respectively) revealed a low genetic variability within the host compared to the genetic interhost diversity. By comparing our HPV16 sequences to a reference sequence, we observed 301 different substitutions, more often transitions (60.9%) than transversions (39.1%), that occurred throughout the viral genome, but with a low frequency in E6 and E7 oncogenes (10 and 9 substitutions), suggesting a high conservation of these genes. Deletions and insertions were mostly observed in intergenic regions of the virus. The only significant substitution found between the subgroups C2 and P2 was observed in the L2 gene (L330F), with an unclear biological relevance. Our results suggest a low longitudinal intrahost evolution of HPV16 sequences and no correlation between genetic variations and clinical evolution.

Management of Symptomatic Vascularized Retained Products of Conception by Proximal Uterine Artery Embolization with Gelatin Sponge Torpedoes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of temporary proximal uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of highly vascularized retained products of conception (RPOCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included women who underwent treatment for vaginal bleeding after abortion, miscarriage, or delivery, with highly vascularized RPOCs detected by Doppler ultrasound (US) (ie, presence of an enhanced myometrial vascularity, a low resistance index of <0.5, and a peak systolic velocity of ≥0.7 m/s). A unilateral or bilateral embolization with torpedoes of gelatin foam was performed. From November 2017 to January 2021, 24 women with a median age of 30 years (interquartile range, 26.0-34.5 years) with symptomatic highly vascularized RPOCs were included. Clinical success was defined as bleeding arrest between the UAE and 1-month follow-up. Technical success was defined as the complete obstruction of at least 1 uterine artery supplying vascular abnormalities. The safety of the procedure according to the classification of the Society of Interventional Radiology and evolution of lesions on US were also reported. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in all 24 (100%) patients, with bilateral arterial embolization in 19 (79%) patients and unilateral embolization in 5 (21%) patients. Clinical success was achieved in all 24 (100%) patients. Five patients still had uterine retention at the 1-month follow-up, including 2 patients with highly vascularized RPOCs. Two patients benefited from hysteroscopy, and 3 had noninvasive management. Four minor adverse events were reported (1 patient had infectious endometritis and 3 patients had a postembolization syndrome). CONCLUSIONS: Proximal UAE with torpedoes of gelatin foam is safe and effective for the management of symptomatic highly vascularized RPOCs.

Expending the Phenotypic Spectrum of Encephalocraniocutaneous Lipomatosis: About a Prenatal Case With Complete Autopsy.

Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) or Haberland syndrome (MIM #613001) is a rare congenital neurocutaneous disorder. It is characterized by unilateral ocular, cutaneous and central nervous system anomalies. Key clinical features include hairless fatty tissue nevus of the scalp, choristoma of the eye and intraspinal and intracerebral lipomas. We report one of the first cases diagnosed after termination of pregnancy at 35 WG, including antenatal and post-mortem imaging, complete autopsy and genetic analysis. Prenatal ultrasound and MRI of the third trimester showed multifocal spinal lesions and left lateral cerebral ventriculomegaly with cerebral atrophy. Diagnosis of ECCL was suggested at complete autopsy which revealed nevus psiloliparus of the scalp, facial hamartomas and intracranial and spinal lipomas. In addition, our case also exhibited a cardiac rhabdomyoma and a multicystic dysplastic kidney, both never reported to date in this syndrome. ECCL was confirmed by the identification of a postzygotic FGFR1 mutation. We reviewed the literature and discuss the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Induction of labour: creation of a classification of Grenoble allowing an assessment of the evaluation of practices.

BACKGROUND: Induction of labour, a very common obstetric procedure, affects about one in five pregnant women in most developed countries. Induction of labour is medically indicated, is subject to risks and additional costs, and is often poorly experienced by patients. The practices concerning induction vary widely from centre to centre and therefore need to be evaluated. Our aim was to develop a tool for evaluating induction of labour which would facilitate geographical and temporal comparisons. METHODS: We have created a classification based on the principles of the internationally known Robson classification. It should be simple, robust, reproducible and require readily available data in each file. The groups are fully inclusive and mutually exclusive. This classification has been validated by a Delphi method. RESULTS: Our classification includes 8 clinically relevant groups according to 5 obstetrical criteria. In order to classify each patient into a group, a simple system based on a maximum of 7 successive questions (from 1 to 7 questions) is used. Our classification has been validated by 13 national experts with satisfactory overall approval. CONCLUSIONS: With a view to improving the quality of care, our Grenoble classification would allow a standardization of the evaluation of practices of the induction of labour over time in the same maternity hospital. It would also allow the comparison of practices within different maternity hospitals in a network, a country or even different countries.

A core outcome set development for a French national prospective study about the effect of mediolateral episiotomy on obstetric anal sphincter injury during operative vaginal delivery (INSTRUMODA).

BACKGROUND: We aimed at developing a core outcome and variables of interest set to investigate the effects of mediolateral episiotomy on Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) during and after operative delivery in nulliparous women in a large-scale one-year observational French study including 15,000 women (INSTRUMODA). METHODS: A list of outcomes and variables of interest was suggested to obstetricians participating in the INSTRUMODA study using online questionnaires divided into 7 categories: the woman's history and course of pregnancy, course of labor, modalities of operative delivery, episiotomy characteristics, immediate maternal morbidity, one-year maternal morbidity, immediate neonatal morbidity. We used a three-round DELPHI method to reach a consensus. In the first round, outcomes and variables considered as essential by 70% or more of obstetricians were included in the corpus whereas they were excluded when 70% rated them as "not important". In the second round, non-consensual outcomes and variables were reassessed and excluded or definitively included if considered as "not important" or essential by 50% or more of the obstetricians. During the first round, obstetricians were invited to suggest new outcomes and/or variables that were then assessed in the second and third round. We used the same method to develop a core outcome and variables of interest set in a population of women in the community recruited via an association of patients. At the end of the procedure the core outcome and variables of interest sets were merged to provide the final core outcome set for the INSTRUMODA study. RESULTS: Fifty-three obstetricians and 16 women filled out questionnaires. After the 3 rounds of Delphi procedure in each population, 74 outcomes and variables were consensually reported by obstetricians and 92 by women in the community. By mixing these two consensual corpora we reported a final consensual list of 114 variables of interest and outcomes for both obstetricians and women. CONCLUSION: We established a core outcome and variables of interest set among obstetricians and women in the community to investigate the association between mediolateral episiotomy and OASI during operative delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The INSTRUMODA study was registered on https://clinicaltrials.gov on June 25, 2020 ( NCT04446780 ).

Benefits of an oocyte pickup simulation training program using a high-fidelity simulator (PickUpSimTM) for obstetrics and gynaecology residents: an observational survey study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate an oocyte pick-up (OPU) simulation training program for residents using the high fidelity PickUpSimTM (Accurate, Cesena, Italy) simulator. The authors carried out an observational study during an OPU simulation workshop. A successful scenario was defined as an oocyte retrieval rate ≥70% without any complications. Forty-six residents affiliated to 23 different French university hospitals were included, and 37/46 (80.4%) of them successfully completed the scenario with a mean time of 3.4 ± 1.1 minutes. The oocyte retrieval rate was 442/561 (78.8%). All residents found training beneficial and 41/46 (87%) were in favour of having simulation-based training programs for OPU in their reproductive medicine departments. All residents who had previous experience with OPU (11/11) recommended the use of a simulator before performing OPU. This study confirms that high-fidelity OPU simulation is a simple and efficient method for training residents.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Simulator-based training has been shown to be effective and useful for oocyte pick-up (OPU) training.What the results of this study add? All residents found the simulation program beneficial and formative, with 80% successfully completing their scenarios in a mean time of 3.4 ± 1.1 minutes. All residents who had previous experience with OPU recommended the use of a simulator before performing OPU.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Prospective studies are needed to confirm the short- and long-term positive clinical impact of OPU simulation training programs.

Impact of a selective use of episiotomy combined with Couder's maneuver for the perineal protection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of a selective use of episiotomy combined with Couder's maneuver on the incidence of perineal tears in spontaneous term deliveries. METHODS: A comparative, retrospective, mono-centric study in a university maternity unit was designed and included all primiparous women who delivered spontaneously after 37 weeks of gestation in cephalic presentation. Two cohorts were studied, before and after the practice of Couder's maneuver. In the first cohort, the ''OSE cohort'' only selective episiotomies were performed from January 2009 to December 2010. In the second cohort, from January 2016 to December 2017, the ''SEC cohort'' selective episiotomies combined with Couder's maneuver were performed by midwives and obstetricians. The primary outcome was the type of perineal tears, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) classification. RESULTS: A total of 2081 patients were included: 909 patients in the OSE cohort and 1172 patients in the SEC cohort. Couder's maneuver was performed in 59% of the SEC cohort. In the SEC cohort, there were an increase in the number of intact perinea (55% versus 63%, p < 0.001), a decrease in second-degree perineal tears (18% versus 11%, p < 0.001) and a decrease in labia minora tears (48% versus 37%, p < 0.001). The rate of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries was less than 1% in both cohorts (0.3% versus 0.5%, p = 0.7). CONCLUSION: A selective use of episiotomy combined with Couder's maneuver could reduce the incidence of perineal tears, particularly second-degree perineal tears, without increasing the rate of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries.

Spatulas for entrapment of the after-coming head during vaginal breech delivery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate spatulas for entrapment of the after-coming head (EAH) during vaginal breech delivery, in the setting of failed usual manoeuvres (Bracht or Mauriceau). METHODS: We led a retrospective cohort study in two tertiary referral hospital in France. From 2003 to 2018, we included all deliveries of live children requiring the use of spatulas (Thierry's and Teissier's) for EAH during vaginal breech delivery. RESULTS: Over the period, 59 breech deliveries with spatulas for EAH were enrolled (prevalence 2.3%). No vaginal delivery failures were found. The average term was 36 weeks of gestation. Mean maternal age was 29.4 years and median parity was 1. 50.8% of the foetuses presented as complete breech, 40.7% as frank breech, and 8.5% as footling breech. Maternal morbidity was low: no obstetrical lesions of the anal sphincter, 28% episiotomy (performed before application of instruments in most cases). There was no evidence of foetal over-morbidity. The average weight of the foetuses was 2635g. There was no serious trauma associated with the use of spatulas: only one case of skin lesion and a case of non-severe cephalhematoma could be attributed to the instrument. Mean arterial pH was 7.19, the median 5-min Apgar score was 10. CONCLUSION: In compliance with obstetrical mechanics, spatulas should be considered as an effective instrument during EAH with maternal and foetal safety. This is the first cohort describing the use of an instrument to manage EAH during vaginal breech delivery, while knowledge and mastery of this technique are essential to manage this situation.

Risk Factors of Post-Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone Recurrent High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Lesion: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors of post-large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) recurrent disease and the impact of colposcopic guidance at the time of LLETZ on that risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2013 to July 2014, 204 patients who had undergone LLETZ for the treatment of high-grade intraepithelial lesion with fully visible cervical squamocolumnar junction were included. The use of colposcopy during each procedure was systematically documented. The dimensions and volume of LLETZ specimens were measured at the time of the procedure before formaldehyde fixation. All participants were invited for a follow-up. The primary endpoint was the diagnosis of post-LLETZ recurrent disease defined as the histologic diagnosis of a high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesion. RESULTS: The median duration of post-LLETZ follow-up was 25.8 months. Recurrent disease was diagnosed in 8 (3.6%) patients. Older than 38 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 11.9, 95% CI = 1.6-86.0), history of excisional therapy (aHR = 21.6, 95% CI = 3.5-135.3), and the absence of colposcopy for the guidance of LLETZ (aHR = 6.4, 95% CI = 1.1-37.7) were found to significantly increase the risk of post-LLETZ recurrent disease. The dimensions and volume of the specimen were not found to have any impact. Only positive endocervical margins were identified to significantly increase the risk of post-LLETZ recurrent disease (aHR = 14.4, 95% CI = 2.0-101.1). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors of post-LLETZ recurrent disease are older than 38 years, history of excisional therapy, positive endocervical margins, and lack of colposcopic guidance at the time of LLETZ.

How to Explore Fetal Sacral Agenesis Without Open Dysraphism: Key Prenatal Imaging and Clinical Implications.

The estimated prevalence of fetal caudal dysgenesis is 1 per 100,000 births. The functional prognosis of sacral agenesis is dominated by the large spectrum of associated caudal malformations. Except for cases associated with hydrocephalus secondary to open spinal dysraphism or chromosomal anomalies, association with mental deficiency is rare. We propose a systematic prenatal approach to cases of fetal sacral agenesis based on 9 etiologic items: clinical context, type of sacral dysgenesis, associated spinal cord malformations, mobility of lower limbs, investigation of the presacral region, analysis of the gastrointestinal tract, analysis of the genitourinary tract, associated vertebral defects, and cytogenetic analysis.

Risk Factors of Inadequate Colposcopy After Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors of post-large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) inadequate colposcopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2013 to July 2014, a total of 157 patients who had a LLETZ performed for the treatment of high-grade intraepithelial lesion with fully visible cervical squamocolumnar junction were included. All procedures were performed using semicircular loops. The use of colposcopy made during each procedure was systematically documented. Dimensions and volume of LLETZ specimens were measured at the time of procedure, before formaldehyde fixation. All participants were invited for a follow-up colposcopy 3 to 6 months after LLETZ. Primary end point was the diagnosis of post-LLETZ inadequate colposcopy, defined by a not fully visible cervical squamocolumnar junction and/or cervical stenosis. RESULTS: Colposcopies were performed in a mean (SD) delay of 136 (88) days and were inadequate in 22 (14%) cases. Factors found to significantly increase the probability of post-LLETZ inadequate colposcopy were a history of previous excisional cervical therapy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 4.29, 95% CI = 1.12-16.37, p = .033] and the thickness of the specimen (aOR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.02-9.60, p = .047). The use of colposcopy for the guidance of LLETZ was statistically associated with a decrease in the risk of post-LLETZ inadequate colposcopy (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.04-0.80, p = .024) as the achievement of negative endocervical margins (aOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08-0.86, p = .027). CONCLUSIONS: Although the risk of post-LLETZ inadequate colposcopy is increased in patients with history of excisional therapy and with the thickness of the excised specimen, it could be reduced with the use of colposcopic guidance and the achievement of negative endocervical margins.

Active delivery of the anterior arm and incidence of second-degree perineal tears: a clinical practice evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Evaluate the feasibility of active delivery of the anterior arm during spontaneous delivery. This maneuver could decrease incidence of second-degree perineal tears because it reduces fetal biacromial diameter. METHODS: An observational comparative prospective study was conducted at our teaching maternity from July 2012 to March 2013. The study included 199 nulliparous women ≥18 years, who met the following criteria: singleton pregnancy, vaginal delivery with occiput anterior presentation, on epidural analgesia, from 37 weeks of gestation onward. The distribution of rate and type of perineal tears were compared between two groups: a non-exposed group and a group exposed to the maneuver. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were exposed to Couder's maneuver (CM) and 98 patients were not exposed. In the intervention group, 3 failures of the maneuver were reported. The maneuver was considered easy in 80% of cases, moderately easy in 12% and difficult in 8% of cases. There was a significant difference (p = 0.03) in the distribution of perineal tears between the two groups. There was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the number of second-degree perineal tears in the patients exposed to CM. There was no significant difference in the rate of anterior perineal trauma between the exposed and non-exposed arms. CONCLUSIONS: CM in primiparous women at term is feasible with a low failure rate and influences the distribution of perineal tears by lowering second-degree perineal tears in a highly significant manner (p <0.01).

Think of the Conus Medullaris at the Time of Diagnosis of Fetal Sacral Agenesis.

BACKGROUND: There is no precise prenatal indicator to refine an accurate prognosis in case of sacral agenesis and to define the diagnostic approach and outcome criteria in case of fetal sacral agenesis using 3 characteristics of the conus medullaris (CM): its position, its appearance, and associated spinal abnormalities. METHODS: Ten cases of prenatally diagnosed sacral agenesis were included between 1995 and 2014 after collating ultrasound findings and prenatal computed tomography data. RESULTS: Two cases of total sacral agenesis and 8 of partial agenesis were included. There were 1 or more spinal abnormalities in 8/10 cases: 6 lipomas, 4 low-lying tethered cords, 2 diastematomyelias, and 1 syringomyelia. Three situations were distinguished: sacral agenesis with low-lying tethered cord, sacral agenesis with a truncated CM, and sacral agenesis with CM in place. If the sacral agenesis is isolated, a lipoma should be sought. Lipomas of the filum have a good prognosis, whereas lipomas of the CM cause neurological deficits in 1/3 of cases. When there is a low-lying tethered cord, a diastematomyelia or a syringomyelia may be associated. In truncated CM, there may be a severe form suggestive of caudal regression syndrome. Serious ultrasound signs are immobility of the lower limbs, talipes equinovarus, impaired bladder emptying, and dilatation of the upper urinary tract. CONCLUSION: A precise description of the morphology of the CM, its position, and associated spinal malformations are important in defining the neurological, urinary, gastrointestinal, and motor functions prognosis in cases of fetal sacral agenesis.

The Accuracy of Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone Specimen Dimensions in Determining Volume: A Multicentric Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine which mathematical formula of specimen dimensions is the most accurate method of determining volume of the excised specimen at loop excision of the transformation zone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted. A total of 258 patients who had a loop excision of the transformation zone performed as treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2-3 were included. The dimensions and the volume of the specimen were measured at the time of the procedure, before formaldehyde fixation. The volume was measured by immersing the specimen in a graduated cylinder using Archimedes fluid displacement technique. The measured volume was compared with the calculated volume using different volume formulas, that is, a cone, a cylinder, a parallelepiped, and a hemiellipsoid. The main outcome measure was the relationship between calculated volume (using the dimensions of thickness, length, and circumference) and the measured volume of the specimen. RESULTS: The mean (SD) thickness, length, and circumference of specimens were 8.8 mm (3.8), 12.7 mm (5.9), and 45.7 mm (16.8), respectively. The mean (SD) measured volume was 2.53 (1.49) mL. Using the formula for the volume of a cone, a cylinder, a parallelepiped and a hemiellipsoid, estimated volumes were 1.03 mL (1.22), 3.10 mL (3.65), 6.20 mL (7.31), and 2.07 mL (2.44), respectively. The highest intraclass correlation coefficient between measured and calculated volume was observed when using the formula for the volume of a hemiellipsoid specimen (0.47, 95% CI = 0.36-0.56). CONCLUSIONS: The hemiellipsoid formula is the most accurate determinant of the excised volume. Other formulas do not allow for an accurate estimation of the excised volume.

Endoscopic lithotripsy and vaginal excision of a calcified bladder-mesh extrusion.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Synthetic meshes have proven to increase efficacy of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair, but associated complications are not rare. Bladder mesh extrusion is one of the most serious adverse events following POP surgery with mesh. The aim of this video was to describe endoscopic and vaginal approaches for treating a bladder-mesh extrusion. METHODS: A 52-year-old female patient with a history of vaginal POP surgery with mesh was referred for severe pelvic and perineal pain, dyspareunia, and dysuria. She was found to have a bladder calculus on a mesh extrusion. The calculus was removed by endoscopic lithotripsy before vaginal mesh excision was performed. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of synthetic vaginal mesh, the incidence of bladder-mesh extrusion could increase. This didactic video will be helpful to surgeons required to manage such cases using a minimally invasive treatment.

Sonographic Evaluation of Fetal Conus Medullaris and Filum Terminale.

BACKGROUND: Sonographic evaluation of the fetal conus medullaris (CM) level is not reproducible. The objectives of this study were to determine the normal position of the fetal CM during pregnancy as well as the normal intradural filum terminale (FT) length and to evaluate their use in detecting tethered cord. METHODS: This is a prospective evaluation of normal singleton pregnancies examined by sonography from 17 weeks of gestation to term. Each sonographer had to identify the top of the first sacral vertebra (S1) to measure the distance between it and the conus extremity (CM-S1 distance). The intradural FT distance was measured with 5- to 8-MHz probes. RESULTS: 194 consecutive pregnant women were included. The CM and intradural FT were demonstrated clearly in 164 (84%) cases. The mean CM-S1 distance was 20.6 mm (range 0.5-42). The mean intradural FT distance was 27.9 mm (range 6.6-49.3). Linear regression analysis showed a significant association between both those distances and gestational age (p < 0.05). In cases of tethered cord, the mean CM-S1 distance and the mean intradural FT distance were both below the 5th percentile. CONCLUSION: Prenatal evaluation of the CM and the intradural FT is feasible and reproducible and seems useful in detecting tethered cord.