The comparison of the degree of apoptosis in ovaries and fallopian tubes between two different surgical interventions for tubal ligation: A rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the degree of apoptosis in ovaries and tubal epithelium observed secondary to tubal ligation either by Pomeroy's method or bipolar electrocauterization in a rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 study groups: control (n=8), Pomeroy (n=8), and the electrocauterization group (n=8). Apoptotic cells were detected on the primary, secondary, tertiary follicles of the ovaries, and on the tubal epithelium using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling. The apoptotic index was calculated for each group by the percentage of the stained cells. RESULTS: The apoptotic index of tubal epithelium was significantly higher in the bipolar electrocauterization group compared with the control and Pomeroy groups (3.1±0.8 vs. 1.4±1.0, p=0.018 and 2.0±1.2, p=0.03, respectively) whereas there was no significant difference between Pomeroy's method and the control group. The apoptotic index of primary follicles was higher in the bipolar electrocauterization group compared with the control and Pomeroy's method groups (3.4±0.5 vs. 1.2±0.4, p<0.001 and 1.8±0.8, p=0.005, respectively), but there was no significant difference between Pomeroy's method and the control group. The apoptotic index of secondary and tertiary follicles was similar for each group. CONCLUSION: Pomeroy's technique, as a permanent contraception method, is associated with lower apoptotic index on ovary and fallopian tube when compared with bipolar electrocauterization.

Micronuclei frequencies in lymphocytes and cervical cells of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine micronucleus (MN) frequencies in exfoliated cervical cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with PCOS and 11 healthy control patients were included in the study. Cervical smears and peripheral blood were collected from all patients. Specimens were analyzed for MN frequencies and compared between the groups. In addition to MN, other nuclear anomalies connected with both genotoxicity and cytotoxicity were evaluated. RESULTS: The MN frequencies in cervical smear and peripheral blood lymphocytes were compared in patients with PCOS and normal controls. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding micronucleus frequency in peripheral blood lymphocytes (p=0.239). The mean MN scores in exfoliated cervical cells of patients with PCOS and normal controls were 1.19±0.57 and 0.74±0.34, respectively. The difference regarding micronucleus frequencies in cervical cells was statistically significant between the groups (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Although study group is small, our study results support that there is an increased micronucleus frequency in cervical exfoliated cells of PCOS patients; this is a determinant of genetic hazard in the disease.

Alternative surgical approach for the management of uterine prolapse in young women: preliminary results.

AIM: To demonstrate an alternative surgical approach for the management of uterine prolapse in young women by a technique that was previously defined for post-hysterectomy vaginal vault suspension in published work and also to demonstrate successful operative results. METHODS: The study population consisted of 12 women aged 28-41 years who had stage 4 uterine prolapse and who were surgically treated by abdominal hysteropexy using autogenous rectus fascia strips. Operative results and postoperative follow-up Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification and Prolapse Quality of Life results were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 35.5 ± 4.1 years (range, 28-41). Mean parity in the study group was 2.6 ± 1.0 (range, 1-5). Mean operation time was 32.0 ± 5.2 min (range, 25-42). All patients were discharged on the postoperative 3rd day and no complications were observed postoperatively. Mean follow-up period was 20 ± 7.0 months (range, 12-36). All of the patients had complete remission for uterine prolapse and none of the patients had complaints related to the operation. CONCLUSION: Abdominal hysteropexy operation using rectus fascia strips provides a safe and alternative approach for the management of uterine prolapse in young women who desire to preserve their uterus. But further analysis is needed to confirm our results.

Successful treatment of uterine prolapse by abdominal hysteropexy performed during cesarean section.

PURPOSE: Uterine prolapse complicating pregnancy is extremely rare. This report presents the surgical correction of uterine prolapse during cesarean section. CASE: We report a case of a 33-year-old woman with twin gestation who admitted to obstetric clinic with labor pain and total uterine prolapse at 33 weeks of gestation. An emergent cesarean section was performed for the indication of acute fetal distress. At the same operation, following cesarean delivery, abdominal hysteropexy using rectus fascia strips was performed successfully. On control performed 6 months later, patient was examined and it was detected uterine prolapse had regressed and babies were uneventful. CONCLUSION: This surgical method offers effective treatment of uterine prolapse.

Malignant Brenner tumor of the ovary: analysis of 13 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Most Brenner tumors are benign, with only 1% being malignant. In this study we report on 13 cases with malignant Brenner tumor of the ovary and discuss the clinical, demographic and histologic features. METHOD: Thirteen patients with malignant Brenner tumor of the ovary who were treated at Selçuk University Gynecology Department over a 6-year period from January 2004 to December 2010 were retrospectively analysed from hospital electronic medical records. Clinical and pathologic findings were reported. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 55.69 ± 11.81 years (range 43-79 years). Most of the patients presented with abdominal pain (6/13, 46.2%). The mean size of the ovarian tumors was 9.19 ± 1.34 cm (range 4-16.5 cm). Six patients (46.2%) were in stage III, five (38.5%) in stage I, and two (15.4%) in stage IV. Ten patients (76.9%) received chemotherapy. The mean follow-up was 38.38 ± 23.25 months (range 5-84 months). During follow-up, recurrence was detected in 7 patients (53.8%). The mean recurrence time was 23.8 ± 14.46 months (range 11-48 months). CONCLUSION: In our study, we found that diagnosis was at an advanced stage, and recurrence rate was high. The mainstay of treatment is surgical resection, but the exact regimen and benefit of adjuvant therapy remain unknown.

Ovarian cancer during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical features, pregnancy outcome, and treatment of patients with ovarian cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. METHODS: The present study was a retrospective review of 11 cases of ovarian cancer detected during pregnancy. The women were treated and followed up at Selçuk University, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey, during 2006-2010. RESULTS: Approximately half the patients were asymptomatic (5 [45.5%]) and diagnosed during cesarean delivery (6 [54.5%]). The histopathologic tumor categories comprised malignant epithelial ovarian tumor (4 [36.4%]), borderline tumor (4 [36.4%]), malignant germ cell tumor (2 [18.2%]), and sex cord stromal tumor (1 [9.1%]). Nine (81.8%) tumors were classified as stage I. Conservative surgery was performed in 10 (90.9%) patients. A patient with stage IIIC serous papillary adenocarcinoma underwent hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. A patient with dysgerminoma in stage IV died on follow-up. Three infants were born premature; they were followed up in the neonatal intensive care unit with satisfactory outcomes. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for patients with ovarian cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. Tumor staging is possible during pregnancy, but the appropriateness of surgery needs to be considered carefully. Ideally, the treatment strategy should be discussed and structured on an individual basis.

A new technique for the treatment of transverse vaginal septum by Foley catheter.

We report a new surgical technique for the management of transverse vaginal septum in a 13-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain. Imaging techniques yielded hematocolpos. The patient and her family refused vaginal surgery in order to preserve hymenal integrity for sociocultural beliefs. At laparotomy, a vertical incision was made on posterior vaginal wall. An artery forceps was introduced from the hymenal opening while preserving the hymenal integrity. The septum located on the upper third of vagina was perforated by the help of a forceps introduced from posterior vaginal wall via an abdominal route. A Foley catheter was introduced from the introitus toward the septal perforation and was held by the forceps. The balloon of the catheter was placed on the perforated septum and it was insufflated with 10 ml of fluid. The Foley catheter was in place for 2 weeks. After removal of the catheter, she received oral contraceptive pills for 3 months postoperatively. She had regular spontaneous menses on follow-up for 6 months duration.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in postmenopausal women: prevalence, clinical features, and comorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: Studies about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) during the postmenopausal period have been insufficient. The purpose of the current study was therefore to examine the prevalence rate, clinical characteristics, and comorbidity of OCD in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 269 consecutive postmenopausal women admitted to a gynaecology outpatient clinic were included in the study. OCD and comorbid disorders was diagnosed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. The Yale-Brown Obsessive- Compulsive Scale was used to determine the types of obsessions and compulsions. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of OCD was 7.1% in the sample. Two women (0.7%) reported that OCD developed during the postmenopausal period. The most common obsessions were contamination and symmetry/exactness, whereas the most common compulsions were cleaning/washing and checking. OCD was unrelated to variables examined in the present study. The comorbidity rate of other psychiatric disorders was 63.2% in OCD patients. The most common comorbid disorder was generalized anxiety disorder. CONCLUSIONS: OCD was not rare in postmenopausal women admitted to a gynaecology outpatient clinic. In addition, OCD appears to be frequently comorbid with depressive or other anxiety disorders in the postmenopausal period.

Management and outcomes of adnexal masses during pregnancy: a 6-year experience.

AIM: To demonstrate adnexal masses detected during gestations in a 6-year period. METHODS: A retrospective study of pregnancy with adnexal masses requiring surgery over a 6-year period at the Selcuk University Hospital, a tertiary referral center, between June 2000 and June 2006. RESULTS: We detected 36 pregnancies with adnexal masses. The mean age of the patients was 26.6 years (range, 18-42). The mean gestational age at which adnexal masses were detected was 17 weeks (range, 5-36), and the mean gestational age at the time of surgery was 24 weeks (range, 6-41). Postoperative pathology results of the patients were functional ovarian cysts in 14 cases (41.1%), endometrioma in eight cases (23.5%), dermoid cyst in six cases (17.6%), serous cystadenoma in two cases (5.8%), mucinous cystadenoma in one case (2.9%), para-ovarian cyst in one case (2.9%), and borderline serous tumor in two cases (5.8%). Two patients operated on during the second trimester developed preterm birth risk (5.8%). Miscarriage occurred in only one patient (2.9%). CONCLUSION: In this report, we demonstrate a high rate of surgical intervention of adnexal masses at pregnancy which is secondary to the fact that our center works as a tertiary referral center. Most masses at pregnancies were benign in character and our malignity rate was low. We detected an acceptable complication rate due to surgery in pregnant women.

An incidental coexistence of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome with pelvic ectopic kidney and perirenal endometrioma.

In this case report, a Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome with pelvic ectopic kidney and a perirenal cyst with endometrial tissue inside is demonstrated. A 17 year old patient admitted with primary amenorrhea. Pubertal stages were completed. In pelvic ultrasonography; uterus could not be detected, a 6 x 11 cm sized cystic lesion was seen on the right adnexal area. A centrally located 5.5 x 9 cm sized ectopic pelvic kidney was detected. Hormones and tumor markers were normal. Laparoscopy was planned. In the laparoscopic observation, uterus and both tubes could not be detected, ovaries were normal. There was a 6 x 7 cm sized cyst located in the retroperitoneal area, the origin of the cyst could not be identified. Laparatomy was considered, retroperitoneal space was entered, an 8 x 11 cm sized smooth contoured perirenal cyst adjacent to the pelvic kidney was detected. Cyst was extirpated. The pathology result was reported to include endometrial tissue and hemorrhage inside.

Comparison of single versus double intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of single versus double intrauterine insemination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized study was carried out in 100 infertile patients. One intrauterine insemination was applied 36 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection to 50 patients in the first group. To 50 patients in the second group, two intrauterine inseminations were applied, of which the first was applied 24 hours after and the second 48 hours after the hCG injection. RESULTS: In the first group, pregnancies were detected in eight patients (pregnancy rate per patient was 16%, pregnancy rate per cycle was 10.6%). In the second group, pregnancies were detected in five patients (pregnancy rate per patient was 10%, pregnancy rate per cycle was 6.4%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Single intrauterine insemination can be considered to be more reasonable than double intrauterine insemination treatment, taking into consideration the economic cost and the psychologic trauma to the patients. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed in order to reveal any actual differences between the two methods.