Live birth rate following endometrial preparation with daily versus depot GnRH agonist.

BACKGROUND: Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) downregulates gonadotropin secretion in the pituitary gland. It is used both in ovulation induction protocols and in artificial endometrium preparation. Frozen-thawed embryo transfer to artificially prepared endometrium (FET-APE) is a frequent procedure in vitro fertilization (IVF) which requires GnRHa. It can be used either as a daily low-dose injection or as a single depot injection. It is unclear which of these two regimens is superior for artificial endometrium preparation. METHODS: We evaluated the data of 72 patients who had undergone frozen embryo transfer following the 5th day Preimplantation Genetic Test-aneuploidy (PGT-A) between 2018-2021. All embryos were genetically screened, and euploid single embryos were transferred. Group 1 (n: 36) used depot GnRHa, and Group 2 (n: 36) used single daily injections for artificial endometrial preparation. The outcomes for Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (BHCG) positivity and live birth rates (LBR) was compared. RESULTS: The BHCG positivity for Group 1 and Group 2 was 75% and 80.6%, respectively. The LBR for Group 1 and Group 2 were found to be 58.3% and 63.9%, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In artificial endometrium preparation, depot GnRHa offers cheaper and more convenient alternative to single daily dose injections, particularly in busy clinical settings.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) is used to Frozen­thawed embryo transfer to artificially prepared endometrium (FET-APE). However, it is not known which of the depot and daily preparations is more effective. Our study to exclusively compare 5th day euploid single embryos transferred in FET-APE cycles using depot or daily injections of GnRHa to avoid any influences of oocyte or spermatozoa dependent factors on Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (BHCG) positivity and live birth rates (LBR). The results were similar. Since the results are similar, the depot GnRHa form can be preferred for ease of use. However, future studies on larger series and patients with different clinical characteristics may effects the results.

Double daily doses of cetrorelix may raise follicular phase progesterone more compared to single doses in poor ovarian response patients.

PURPOSE: There is evidence that follicular phase progesterone rise [FPPR] adversely affects fresh in vitro fertilization [IVF] cycles. A single daily dose of cetrorelix has been used to prevent early luteinizing Hormone (LH) surge. We speculated that doubling the daily dose might have a positive effect in patients who have early LH surges despite receiving the single daily dose treatment. However, a double daily dose of cetrorelix seems to cause FPPR in poor ovarian response (POR) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] injection days, the progesterone levels of POR patients who received a single daily dose of cetrorelix (group 1, n = 59) were compared with progesterone levels of the patients who received a double daily dose of cetrorelix (group 2, n = 75). The two groups had statistically similar demographic data. The patients who had FPPR were detected, and a comparison of progesterone levels, using 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 [ng/mL] of progesterone as cut-off levels, was made between patients of both groups. RESULTS: FPPR patients in group 2 had significantly higher progesterone levels during hCG day, contrary to expectations. When progesterone cut-off levels of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 [ng/mL] were used for group 1 patients, 15.3%, 13.6%, and 6.8% of the patients developed FPPR, respectively When the progesterone cut-off levels of 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 [ng/mL] were used for group 2, the results detected were 45.3%, 30.7%, and 21.3%, respectively. A significant statistical difference in progesterone levels was observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: While the double daily dose of cetrorelix was initially thought to more effectively suppress early LH rise by some authors, we have seen that it increases the FPPR more when compared to a single daily dose regime. We suggest using frozen cycles instead of fresh cycles in order to have better endometrial receptivity in patients who seem to benefit from higher daily doses of cetrorelix.

Anemia prevalence at the time of pregnancy detection.

OBJECTIVE: Anemia in the first trimester of pregnancy is the situation as described by the World Health Organization when the level of hemoglobin (Hb) is less than 11 g in 100 cc of blood. The prevalence of this problem is 18% in developed countries, whereas it is between 35-75% in developing countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia at the time of pregnancy detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of anemia. A total of 5228 first trimester pregnant women were admitted to the study between 2012 and 2014. Hb levels of 11 to 9.5 g/dL, 9.5 to 8 g/dL, and less than 8 g/dL were considered as mild, moderate, and severe anemia, respectively. RESULTS: We detected mild, modarate, and severe anemia at rates of 16.64%, 3.07%, and 0.28%, respectively, in our population. The overall prevalence of anemia at the time of detection of pregnancy was 20.0%. CONCLUSION: Anemia is a significant risk factor for maternal mortality in developing countries. The prevalence of anemia at the time of pregnancy detection was 20% and this rate is close to those indicated in developed countries.

Using narrow-band imaging with conventional hysteroscopy increases the detection of chronic endometritis in abnormal uterine bleeding and postmenopausal bleeding.

AIM: A preliminary study was designed to evaluate whether a narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopic light source could detect chronic endometritis that was not identifiable with a white light hysteroscope. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 86 patients with endometrial pathology (71 abnormal uterine bleeding and 15 postmenopausal bleeding) were examined by NBI endoscopy and white light hysteroscopy between February 2010 and February 2011. The surgeon initially observed the uterine cavity using white light hysteroscopy and made a diagnostic impression, which was recorded. Subsequently, after pressing a button on the telescope, NBI was used to reevaluate the endometrial mucosa. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 40 years (range: 30-60 years). Endometritis was diagnosed histologically. Six cases of abnormal uterine bleeding (6/71, 8.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03-0.17) and one case of postmenopausal bleeding (1/15, 6%, 95%CI 0.01-0.29) were only diagnosed with chronic endometritis by NBI (7/86, 8.1%, 95%CI 0.04-0.15). CONCLUSION: Capillary patterns of the endometrium can be observed by NBI and this method can be used to assess chronic endometritis.

A Survey on Oocyte Donation: Turkish Fertile and Infertile Women's Opinions.

BACKGROUND: There are various treatment options for infertility, and new techniques are also being developed as it is an important healthcare problem affecting approximately 15-20% of married couples. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of infor- mation of fertile and infertile Turkish women on oocyte donation in order to understand their awareness of the legal, ethical, social and religious issues regarding this technique and to compare these two groups in terms of these variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included infertile women being treated at the assisted reproductive technologies (ART) program of a university hos- pital and women who had presented at the gynecology outpatients department of the same university for routine check-ups and who had no previous history of infertility. After consulting with specialists in the field and searching the related literature, a data collection form having 22 questions for infertile women and 18 questions for fertile women was prepared. RESULTS: The women were asked whether they would use the oocytes of another woman if necessary. The results showed that 67.6% of the fertile women said they would never want to use this method, while 63.9% of the infertile women stated they may accept to use this method under certain conditions (two distinct answers appeared in the answers, some women stated they would prefer donated oocytes from close relatives, while others stated they would prefer oocytes from total strangers), such as from a close relative or from someone they do not know at all. CONCLUSION: Infertile women mentioned that they could use illegal routes if necessary to have a child at much higher rates than stated by fertile women. This shows that desire to have a child is a strong source of motivation in Turkey.

Can serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels be useful at diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women at oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the diagnosis of GDM and to explore whether this activity is associated with metabolic parameters. METHOD: This prospective control study included 37 women with GDM and 42 women with normal glucose tolerance in pregnancy (control group). In the study group (GDM), blood was taken for analyzing 100 g OGTT from women who have abnormal 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT). RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the GDM group had significantly higher mean values for serum fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride and GGT. Within the GDM group, GGT levels were only negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (r = -0.41, p = 0.01). GGT was determined to be an independent metabolic parameter for GDM. While performing analyses receiver operational curve analysis, GGT cutoff set was set at 16 IU/L, the sensitivity was calculated as 86%, and specificity was as 37%. CONCLUSION: The increase at GGT level is an independent risk factor for GDM and identified as high-risk women for diagnosis of GDM.

Chitotriosidase levels in patients with severe endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the levels of chitotriosidase activity in the peritoneal fluid and the plasma of patients with severe endometriosis and control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five women with laparoscopically and histopathologically confirmed endometriosis (study group) and 27 control patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery were included. Peritoneal fluid and peripheral blood were obtained from all the patients before the surgery. Chitotriosidase activities were measured. RESULTS: Analysis of chitotriosidase activity in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis showed that there was no significant difference between endometriosis and control group, respectively (32.04 ± 64.20 vs. 15.25 ± 31.17 nmol/mL/h; p > 0.05). Analysis of chitotriosidase activity in plasma of patients with endometriosis showed significantly increased levels of chitotriosidase levels compared with the control group (74.81 ± 60.54 vs. 14.10 ± 26.17; p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that the activity of chitotriosidase in plasma was statistically higher in severe endometriosis patients than women without endometriosis.

Comparison of risk of malignancy index (RMI), CA125, CA 19-9, ultrasound score, and menopausal status in borderline ovarian tumor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic values of risk of malignancy index (RMI IV), ultrasound score, menopausal status, and serum CA125 and CA19-9 level in patients with borderline ovarian tumor (BOT). METHODS: Fifty women having borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and 5O individuals with benign adnexal mass were enrolled in this retrospective study. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of preoperative serum levels of the CA125 and CA19-9, ultrasound findings and menopausal status, and RMI IV were calculated for prediction of discrimination between BOTs and benign adnexal masses and the results were compared. RESULTS: The RMI IV was the best method for discrimination between BOTs and benign adnexal masses and was more accurate than the other parameters. When Receiver Operator Characteristic area under the curves for menopausal status was analyzed, serum CA 125 and CA19-9 level, ultrasound score, RMI IV(CA125), and RMI IV(CA19-9) were, 0.580, 0.625, 0.548, 0.694, 0.734 and 0.711, respectively. The best RMI IV cut-off was found to be 200 for discrimination of benign and BOT lesions. In the RMI formulation, replacing CA125 with CA19-9 didn't affect RMI IV sensitivity and specificity for discrimination. CONCLUSION: Compared to ultrasound, menopausal status, CA-125, CA19-9, the RMI IV was found to be the best predictive method for differentiation of BOTs from benign adnexal masses. RMI IV cut-off value of 200 is suitable for differentiation of benign and BOT's.

Comparison of four malignancy risk indices in the detection of malignant ovarian masses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of four risk of malignancy indices (RMI) to detect malignant ovarian tumors. METHODS: This is a prospective study of 100 women admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Gulhane Military Medicine Academy for surgical exploration of pelvic masses. To diagnose malignant ovarian tumors, the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of four RMIs (RMI 1, RMI 2, RMI 3, and RMI 4) were obtained. RESULTS: In our study we found that there is no statistically significant difference in the performance of four different RMIs in discriminating malignancy. We think that malignancy risk indices is more reliable than the menopausal status, serum CA-125 levels, ultrasound features and tumor size separately in detecting malignancy. CONCLUSION: We concluded that any of the four malignancy risk indices described can be used for selection of cases for optimal therapy. These methods are simple techniques that can be used even in less-specialized gynecology clinics to facilitate the selection of cases for referral to an oncological unit.

Cystoscopic suture removal by Holmium-YAG laser after Burch procedure.

Burch colposuspension remains one of the successful operations performed for stress incontinence. Accidental suturing of the bladder wall during the procedure or subsequent erosion may lead to lower urinary tract symptoms. Diagnosis and management of these sutures indicate precise evaluation for which a 70 degree cystoscope is used. In selected cases, Holmium-YAG laser may enable us to manage long-standing, encrustated neglected sutures. Here we would like to report successful removal of intravesical sutures using the Holmium-YAG laser.

Pressure-controlled vs volume-controlled ventilation during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To quantify and compare the effects of conventional volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) with the alternative mode, pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV), on respiratory mechanics and noninvasive hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Respiratory mechanics and hemodynamic parameters were recorded for each patient at time T1, 10 minutes after induction, in the supine position; T2, 15 minutes after pneumoperitoneum, in the Trendelenburg position; and T3, 10 minutes after pneumoperitoneum withdrawal, in the supine position. PATIENTS: Sixty women, aged 20 to 50 years, undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery, with American Society of Anesthesiologists classes I and II disease. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups. In the VCV group (n = 30), ventilation mode was maintained, whereas in the PCV group (n = 30), ventilation mode was changed to PVC. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both groups were comparable insofar as patient characteristics, operating time, pneumoperitoneum time, anesthesia time, and mean operative time. VCV was associated with a significant increase in peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and airway resistance at T2 (p < .05). Compliance was significantly higher in the PCV group at T2 (p < .05). No other statistically significant differences were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both VCV and PCV seem to be equally suited for use in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. However, lower peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and airway resistance, and higher compliance are observed with PCV in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.