Successful Caesarean Section on Ticagrelor Treatment One Day after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Caesarean section is a challenging intervention in patients treated with dual antiplatelet therapy. We present a case of a 32-year-old pregnant woman experiencing large acute myocardial infarction (MI) of the anterolateral wall, complicated by cardiogenic shock in the 38th week of pregnancy, and treated with drug-eluting stent implantation and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) consisting of aspirin and ticagrelor. Less than 24 h after the MI delivery started, an urgent Caesarean section was indicated. As multiplate aggregometry testing showed a relatively insufficient level of ticagrelor platelet inhibition and a moderate level of aspirin platelet inhibition, a Caesarean section was performed without discontinuation of ticagrelor, which was decided due to the need for emergency surgery. Local hemostatic measures including administration of tranexamic acid were applied. The patient did not experience excessive bleeding. A healthy male baby was born. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of surgery in pregnant women treated with DAPT without ticagrelor discontinuation.

The incidence of and risk factors for complications when removing a single uterine fibroid during cesarean section: a retrospective study with use of two comparison groups.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of and risk factors for perioperative complications in women with a single uterine fibroid, who had a cesarean myomectomy (CM).Methods: This was a retrospective study of women who had a CM between 2015-2016. They were compared versus women who had a cesarean section (CS) alone and nonpregnant women who had a laparotomic myomectomy (LM).Results: We identified 44 CM women, 51 CS patients, and 44 LM women. Those with a CM in most cases had subserosal at the anterior uterine wall and near the lower uterine segment (LUS), as most frequent fibroids; moreover, they had, on average, 18 min longer surgery duration versus CS alone. CM did not affect the Apgar scores and the incidence of minor and major complications was 36.4% and 29.5%, with the most frequent being postoperative anemia (36.4%) and intraoperative hemorrhage (29.5%). No significant differences were reported on both minor and major complications in the three groups. The following variables were found to be significant predictors in univariate logistic regression analysis for the occurrence of major complications in women who had a CM: the fibroid size (OR = 1.040, 95%CI: 1.014-1.066, p = .002), and duration of surgery (OR = 1.059, 5%CI:1.012-1.108, p = .013). The fibroid diameter cut-off was 75.0 mm (sensitivity 69.2%; specificity 90.3%), and the surgery duration was 87.5 min (sensitivity 53.8%; specificity 93.5%).Conclusion: CM appears safe, with no additional risks when compared to CS alone and LM in the women of reproductive age.

Psychosexual outcomes in women of reproductive age at more than two-years from excisional cervical treatment - a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term psychosexual outcomes in women following excisional cervical treatment. Materials and methods: Women with cold-knife conization (CKC) or large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) treatment were interviewed after a follow-up colposcopy visit. Their demographics, treatment and psychosexual characteristics were recorded. Results: One hundred and forty six women with a mean age of 35.2 ± 5.4 years underwent either LLETZ (68.5%) or CKC (31.5%) treatment within 4.7 ± 2.7 years (range: 2-15) before the interview. 27.4% of women were less interested in sexual intercourse following treatment in comparison with their interest before. Those women with less interest in sexual intercourse after treatment had higher anxiety and depression scores and were more worried about disease progression. Women with post-treatment complications were at risk of less interest in sexual intercourse and of greater anxiety and depression. Women with abnormal smears at follow-up were at risk of greater anxiety. The type of treatment and grade of dysplasia did not affect their interest in sexual intercourse or the anxiety and depression scores. Conclusions: Approximately, one-third of women at more than two years post-treatment may suffer from less interest in sexual intercourse, have relatively greater anxiety and depression, and might still be concerned about the possibility of disease progression.

Cancer during pregnancy - clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and prognosis for mothers and infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess which obstetrical characteristics and treatment improved outcomes and prognosis of pregnant women with malignancy. METHODS: A prospective study, undertaken between 2005 and 2014, involving 35 pregnant women who were diagnosed with malignant tumors during pregnancy. Patients were followed-up for 1 year after delivery. The pregnancy course and outcome and parameters that could influence the condition of mother and fetus were evaluated. RESULTS: Most malignancies were hematological, diagnosed in the second trimester and treated with combined therapy (surgery/adjuvant) after pregnancy. Most fetuses were in good state throughout pregnancy, but were delivered by caesarean section (CS) before term. Adjuvant therapy during pregnancy mostly caused transitory deterioration of fetal conditions. The majority of both mothers and infants were in a good state 12 months postpartum, although numerous mothers were still ill and on therapy. Surviving pregnancy and preventing tumors progression during pregnancy were the best predictors of mothers' future condition (P=0.022). High birthweight and term delivery were the most important factors for good outcome of the infants (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: If the tumor is not progressing, pregnancy should be continued as long as possible to obtain adequate birthweight of the infant. Second trimester surgery is safe, while other therapies should preferably be applied after delivery.

Safety of cesarean myomectomy in women with single anterior wall and lower uterine segment myomas.

OBJECTIVE: Cesarean myomectomy (CM) is a safe procedure in selected cases. Nevertheless, literature lacks clear guidelines on patient selection. We aimed to evaluate CM safety in patients with single anterior wall and lower uterine segment (LUS) myomas. METHODS: The authors selected pregnants at term, scheduled for CSs, with single anterior wall or LUS myomas. All their clinical, demographic, obstetric, and surgical parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-six women had a CM (study group), and 17 had a CS without myoma removal (control group). No significant differences were detected in the socio-demographic and clinical findings between the groups. The average size of myomas in the study and control group (p = .873), was 55.44 mm and 47.25 mm, respectively. The average surgery duration was 62.5 min in the study and 53.82 in the control group (p = .058). Intraoperative hemorrhage was more frequent in the study group (p = .045). Nevertheless, neither the number nor the volume of intraoperative transfusions was significantly different. None of the major CM complications were recorded, and the duration of hospitalization was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: CM in patients with single anterior wall and LUS myomas does not cause increased perioperative morbidity, and, therefore, can be considered safe in such cases.

Cesarean myomectomy in modern obstetrics: More light and fewer shadows.

The study aim was to evaluate management of myomas during cesarean section, the pro and cons and the outcomes of cesarean myomectomy. Moreover, we tried to investigate the long-term outcomes of cesarean myomectomy. The authors conducted a literature review using scientific databases, focusing on the benefits and outcomes of cesarean myomectomy and the recent trends regarding this topic, and identified relevant articles, related references and other papers citing them. Despite the demonstrated advantages of cesarean myomectomy, postponed myomectomy after cesarean section was recommended in some instances. Apart from recent reports on the safety and feasibility of cesarean myomectomy, the current literature also describes serious complications of cesarean myomectomy, including even maternal death. This poses a question about the reported rate of complications: whether it is underestimated in common practice. Although some studies strongly suggest the safety of cesarean myomectomy, data on the long-term outcomes of cesarean myomectomy in women are lacking. The risk-benefit ratio of cesarean myomectomy should be re-evaluated in the new century, given the increasing patient age, incidence of myoma in pregnancy, and the wide use of assisted reproductive techniques.

Cesarean myomectomy trends and controversies: an appraisal.

OBJECTIVE: Although the first report on cesarean myomectomy (CM) was a century ago, the management of a myomectomy during a cesarean section (CS) remains controversial. The objective of this study is to provide the latest data on this topic regarding the techniques and complications of CM. METHODS: The authors consulted the most important scientific databases investigating the indications and contraindications for CM, the operational techniques, benefits and complications. RESULTS: CM provides the benefits of two surgeries in one laparotomy, avoiding the risks of repeated anesthesia and relaparotomy. Nevertheless, in some patients, CM may be associated with increased morbidity and, in such cases, an interval myomectomy might be a safer option. Myomas compromising fetal extraction and uterine incision and/or suturing should be preferably enucleated during CS. CM is generally considered relatively safe in cases of anterior wall myomas, subserous and pedunculated myomas, particularly if a myomectomy is feasible without additional hysterotomy. Multiple myomas, deep intramural, fundal and cornual myomas and posterior uterine wall myomas are associated with more surgical complications during CM. CONCLUSIONS: With increasing reports in favor of CM, the risk-benefit ratio should be still evaluated with randomized controlled trials, in order to achieve more data on CM.

Myomas: anatomy and related issues.

Myomas are the most common disorder of the female genital organs, occurring more frequently throughout women's reproductive years. Myomas are a major health issue all over the world. They develop as a monoclonal tumor from cells influenced by ovarian steroids, and mediated by surrounding myometrial cells by paracrine mechanisms. During its growth, a myoma compresses the surrounding tissue, causing the formation of a pseudocapsule, encapsulating the myoma. The mechanical properties of myomas are a key factor which can contribute to their growth. While myomas are essentially rigid, their pseudocapsule is more elastic, and this allows uterine adaptation to the growing myoma. Hence, the pseudocapsule induces displacement on the myometrium, which is not destructive since the integrity and contractility of uterine structure is maintained. Extensive research conducted on the myoma and its pseudocapsule has produced important data. Scientific research is still trying to clarify some of the evidence regarding the influence of myomas on infertility, especially in the case of intramural myomas. During fertility-sparing myoma surgery, data suggest that during myoma removal the pseudocapsule should be preserved. However, unsolved issues still exist on the cesarean myomectomy technique, since the age of pregnancy has been increasing in the new millennium, so patients present with myomas which should be removed before and during the cesarean section, or prior to applying for medically-assisted reproduction.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Serbian version of the Australian pelvic floor questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt and validate the Serbian version of the Australian pelvic floor questionnaire. METHODS: The Australian pelvic floor questionnaire was translated according to the standard method of back-translation. Women who presented with pelvic floor disorders completed the Serbian version of the Australian pelvic floor questionnaire. Women were subjected to clinical and gynecological assessment including physical examination, cough stress test, pelvic prolapse anatomical assessment using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system, and post-void residual volume. Reliability and divergent validity was performed on 76 patients with significant pelvic floor dysfunction and 23 women without pelvic floor dysfunction. Patients repeated the questionnaire after 4 weeks. RESULTS: High reliability was observed in all four dimensions (Cronbach's alpha coefficients were above 0.8 for each dimension: bladder 0.846, bowel 0.822, prolapse 0.842, and sexual function 0.823). Test-retest analyses revealed high reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficients were above 0.9). Prolapse symptom score correlated significantly with pelvic organ quantification and bladder score correlated significantly with the results of the cough stress test (convergent validity). Scores distinguished between patients with pelvic floor disorders and controls (high discriminant validity). CONCLUSIONS: The Serbian version of the Australian pelvic floor questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment of quality of life in women with pelvic floor disorders.

Neonatal outcome in pregnant patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

AIMS: The study aim was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to determine which clinical parameters present risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in these patients. METHODS: The study included 55 patients with APS treated at the Clinic for Ob/Gyn, Clinical Center of Serbia, from 2006 to 2012. The control group consisted of 55 healthy pregnant women. Data regarding previous pregnancies and conception method were registered. Immunological and laboratory tests were performed. Pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, intrauterine fetal death, hypertensive disorders, diabetes mellitus, phlebothrombosis, fetal growth restriction, premature delivery, delivery method, perinatal asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis were followed. RESULTS: The premature delivery rate in APS patients was 31.8%, and pregnancy loss was 18.2%. Significantly more patients with APS had thrombocytopenia, pregnancy losses, intrauterine growth restriction, and perinatal asphyxia compared with the control group. More miscarriages, preterm delivery, lower birth weight, preeclampsia, and IgM anticardiolipin antibody levels significantly correlated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although rare, respiratory distress syndrome can also worsen neonatal health status. According to ROC analysis, previous miscarriages correctly explained 66.3% of adverse pregnancy outcome cases. We generated four equations of adverse pregnancy outcome risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The most important prognostic factor for pregnancy outcome in APS patients is the number of previous miscarriages. Using appropriate current therapeutic protocol can enable live birth of a healthy newborn in most cases.

[Thromboembolic complications during pregnancy and delivery].

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism is one of the leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The incidence of venous thromboembolism is estimated at 0.76 to 1.72 per 100.000 pregnancies which is four times as great as the risk in nonpregnant women. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of this frequent problem in pregnancy and provide a practical approach for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of venous thromboembolism during pregnancy and delivery. RISK FACTORS: A number of risk factors for the development venous thromboembolism have been identified. The two most important risk factors for venous thromboembolism in pregnancy are thrombophilia and previous venous thromboembolism. Deep venous thrombosis in the majority of cases occurs in the lower extremities and pelvis. DIAGNOSIS: As the clinical diagnosis of venous thromboembolism is unreliable, the women who are suspected of having deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism should be examined promptly using imaging diagnostics. The first diagnostic method is Doppler ultrasound. Where available, individual authors recommend magnetic resonance venography, pulmonary angiography or computed tomography. THERAPY: Unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin has a central place in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy because they do not pass through the placenta, thus avoiding the risks likely to be induced by warfarin. The prevention of venous thromboembolism must focus on the patients known to be at high risk bearing in mind that the recommendations for prophylaxis, even in high-risk patients, are based on the limited data.

History of caesarean hysterectomy.

Caesarean hysterectomy evolved as a life-saving procedure following caesarean delivery. The concept underlying caesarean hysterectomy dates back to the mid 1700s and with a description of the procedure performed on laboratory animals. Eduardo Porro of Milan performed the first planned caesarean hysterectomy in which both the infant and the mother survived. He documented his operation in a paper published in 1876. Porro advocated hysterectomy combined with caesarean section to control post partum haemorrhage and to prevent infection. The maternal death rate following the operation remained high, but was substantly below the rate prior to the introduction of the procedure. The Porro procedure contributed to more favourable outcome for both the mother and the infant, having sterility and premature menopause as its side effects. Fortunately, the need for the procedure was soon minimised following the proposal to close the uterine incision with sutures. Although elective caesarean hysterectomy is still a controversial issue, there is no doubt that emergency post partum hysterectomy in case of massive obstetric haemorrhage is potentially life-saving. Over the past decades, the availability of potent uterotonics and broad-spectrum antibiotics, the development of embolisation techniques, and new methods of vessel ligation, have markedly reduced the need for caesarean hysterectomy, which, however, remains an important procedure in modern obstetric practice.

[Giant asymptomatic borderline ovarian tumor in a patient suffering from choledocholithiasis and cholangitis].

Borderline tumors account for about 15% of all ovarian epithelial tumors and are usually diagnosed only when they reach a significant size causing abdominal pain or distension. Clinical, sonographic and Doppler examinations, as well as tumor marker levels cannot detect this type of ovarian tumor with certainty. The definitive diagnosis can only be established by a histopathological examination. We present a case of a 58-year-old patient operated on at our clinic for asymptomatic borderline ovarian tumor. Prior to admission, the patient underwent a medical check-up at the surgery department, where she was diagnosed with choledocholithiasis, and, consequently, the need for urgent surgical treatment for calculosis was excluded. In the presented case the ovarian tumor was revealed owing to the occurrence of choledocholithiasis and cholangitis. The choledocholithiasis and cholangitis, which contributed to the accurate diagnosis of the tumor, were at the same time some of the possible reasons for misleading diagnosis and therapy complications in our patient's case.

The utility of human epididymal protein 4, cancer antigen 125, and risk for malignancy algorithm in ovarian cancer and endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: In women with pelvic mass, cancer antigen 125 (CA125) had not achieved satisfactory sensitivity and specificity in the detection of ovarian cancer, particularly in patients with underlying endometriosis. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic potential of human epididymal protein 4 (HE4), the combination of HE4+CA125, and the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) for patients with pelvic mass, particularly in differentiating endometriosis from carcinoma. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia. Serum samples were obtained preoperatively from 108 women undergoing surgery for pelvic mass; 29 of them had ovarian carcinoma, and 79 had a nonmalignant ovarian disease (39 with benign tumor, 20 with endometriosis, 20 healthy controls). Sera were analyzed for the levels of HE4 and CA125 and were then compared with the final pathologic results. The diagnostic performance of HE4 and CA125 was estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The level of HE4 and CA125 was significantly higher among the patients with malignant tumors, compared with patients with nonmalignant disease. At the predefined specificity of 95%, HE4 and CA125 showed sensitivity of 65.5% and 58.6%, respectively, whereas the combination of HE4+CA125 reached 68.9% at the same specificity. Importantly, the level of HE4 did not differ significantly between the patients with endometriosis and with other nonmalignant diseases (which was not the case with CA125). Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm classified 96% of benign premenopausal cases as at low risk for ovarian cancer. CONCLUSIONS: HE4 showed satisfactory capability of distinguishing endometriosis from ovarian cancer, which CA125 lacked. The Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm score proved to be useful in excluding malignant diagnosis in premenopausal women.

[Transvaginal mesh in repair of pelvic organs prolapse as a minimally invasive surgical procedure].

BACKGROUND/AIM: Prolapse of genital organs with or without urinary stress incontinention is the most often health problem in the elderly female population tending to increase with ageing. The aim of this study was to assess the perioperative complications and short-term outcomes of prolaps repair using transvaginal polypropylene mesh (Prolift system, Gynecare, Ethicon, USA). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted evaluating 96 women from September 2006 to January 2010 who underwent vaginal repair with implatation of a soft mesh manufactured by Gynecare, Ethicon, USA. RESULTS: All the patients had a stage 3 or stage 4 prolapse according to the POP-Q system of ICS. Total mesh was used in 12 (13%) patients isolated anterior mesh in 52 (54%) patients and isolated posterior mesh in 32 (33%) patients. We reported one intra-operative bladder injury and no other serious complications. At 3 months, all 96 patients were available for follow-up. Vaginal erosion occured in 9 (9.3%) patients, shrinkage of mesh in 6 (6.2%) patients and de novo urinary incontinence in 5 (5.2%) patients. Failure rate was 6.25% (recurrent prolapse stage 3 or 4 even asymptomatic). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that transvaginal polypropylene mesh applied with a tension-free technique is a safe and effective method with low intraoperative complications and low morbidity rates. However, some complications are serious and require highly specialised management.

Preoperative preparation of pregnant women.

All the elective surgeries are to be avoided during pregnancy and pregnant women should undergo only emergency surgical interventions. Pregnancy is associated with different physiological changes in the organism, which should be taken into account in preparative preparation of the pregnant women. Expanded body fluid volume leads to dilutional anemia, however other hematological disorders may be present as well. Extreme obesity is a frequent comorbidity, while hypertension is associated with the highest risks since it may lead to a life-threatening complication--eclampsia. As for other coexisting diseases, urinary tract infections and gestational diabetes are the most common as well as hyperthyroidism and other diseases that may also develop. The type and severity of the acute surgical disease, extensiveness of the planned surgery as well as the type of planned anesthesia to be applied, occasionally necessitate, depending on the gestational age, termination of pregnancy to be considered. Gynecological-obstetric consultations are mandatory in all surgical interventions planned in pregnant women.