Evaluation of ambiguous genitalia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide a framework for the evaluation of ambiguous genitalia. RECENT FINDINGS: The most pressing evaluation of ambiguous genitalia is assessment for life-threatening causes such as salt-wasting congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or syndromes with underlying anomalies such as neurologic or cardiac malformations. A multidisciplinary team, including specialists in Gynecology, Endocrinology, Urology, Genetics, Clinical Psychology/Psychiatry, Radiology, Nursing, Neonatology, and Pediatric Surgery, should be involved. Each patient should be approached in an individualized manner to assign sex of rearing in the most expeditious yet thoughtful means possible.As knowledge on the natural history of sex preference and fertility of individuals with ambiguous genitalia increases, controversy regarding the indication for and timing of genital surgery continues. Considerations include gender identity, future fertility, malignancy risk, infection prevention, and functional anatomy for sexual activity. SUMMARY: The evaluation of ambiguous genitalia should involve a multidisciplinary team. A combination of history taking, physical examination, laboratory evaluation, and radiologic assessment can assist with the diagnosis. Care should be taken to emphasize karyotypic sex is not equivalent to gender and to use caution with regards to irreversible medical and surgical therapies which may impact fertility and sexual function and nonconform with future sex identity.

Evaluation and management of heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common condition in women of reproductive age; however, adolescents with this issue present unique challenges in both diagnosis and management. Much of the research into this topic focuses on the adult population, with variable applicability to adolescents. There are currently no standard guidelines for the work up and treatment of adolescents with HMB. RECENT FINDINGS: Current research into this topic has explored the utilization of standardized protocols in the evaluation of HMB in adolescents, the efficacy of various hormonal, nonhormonal, and surgical treatment modalities, and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach. Recent literature has focused on adolescents found to have an underlying bleeding disorder, recommending more comprehensive bleeding disorder work up to identify these patients in a timely manner and initiate effective treatment plans. SUMMARY: Providers in the primary care setting should be aware of the definitions for normal menses, and be able to recognize abnormal bleeding and HMB. Early recognition of HMB in adolescents can then lead to appropriate diagnosis of underlying disorders, and current research has proposed standard protocols to assist with the evaluation, ultimately leading to effective long-term management into adulthood.VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Intraoperative Rupture of Ovarian Dermoid Cysts in the Pediatric and Adolescent Population: Should This Change Your Surgical Management?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine the incidence of chemical peritonitis after cystectomy for ovarian dermoid cysts with intraoperative cyst rupture in the pediatric and adolescent population; and (2) to examine the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of cystectomies performed for ovarian dermoid cysts using laparoscopy and laparotomy, especially those with intraoperative cyst rupture. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of female patients who underwent ovarian cystectomy with proven ovarian dermoid pathology between July 2007 and July 2015. SETTING: Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred forty-four patients between the ages of 1 and 21 years who underwent an ovarian cystectomy with proven benign ovarian dermoid histology on the basis of pathology reports. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Occurrence of spill of cyst contents, chemical peritonitis, postoperative complications, and hospital readmissions. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four female patients underwent cystectomy (38 laparotomy and 106 laparoscopy) resulting in benign ovarian dermoid histology. Their mean age was 12.4 ± 4.1 years (range, 1-21), mean cyst size was 9.2 ± 6.4 cm (range, 1-30 cm), no patients had elevated tumor markers, 42 (29.1%) presented with torsion, 73 (50.7%) had cyst fluid spill, and there were no cases of chemical peritonitis. Few significant differences were found between cases performed via laparoscopy and laparotomy and those with and without intraoperative cyst rupture resulting in spill of contents. Laparotomy cases were found to have larger mean cyst size (P < .001), estimated blood loss (P = .003), and presence of bilateral cysts (P = .017) compared with laparoscopic cases. Cyst fluid spill occurred in more laparoscopic cases ([67/106] 63.2% vs [6/38] 15.8%; P < .001), and risk increased with cyst size greater than 5 cm (P < .001). In the laparoscopy group, cyst size greater than 5 cm was more likely to present with torsion (P < .001). There was no significant difference in the repeat cystectomy rate between the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups even with cyst rupture (P = .394). Only 5 cases presented to the emergency room postoperatively and 2 were admitted postoperatively for umbilical port site dehiscence and pyelonephritis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cystectomy of ovarian dermoid cysts is associated with greater intraoperative cyst rupture. However, cyst rupture is rarely associated with complications, therefore minimally invasive surgical management of ovarian dermoid cysts is a reasonable surgical approach.

Longitudinal Vaginal Septum Resection Using the Ligasure Device.

BACKGROUND: A longitudinal vaginal septum might present as a nonobstructive or obstructive type. Both can result in dyspareunia, difficult tampon insertion, persistent vaginal bleeding despite tampon placement, and dysmenorrhea. Surgical correction is warranted for symptomatic cases. CASE: We present a 16-year-old female adolescent with a complex cloacal anomaly, uterine didelphys, longitudinal vaginal septum, and other congenital anomalies. The patient was unable to use tampons during menses because of the small caliber on both vaginal canals. We performed a longitudinal vaginal septum resection using the Ligasure (Medtronic, Inc, Doral, FL) device. We were able to resect the vaginal septum without difficulty. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Our case introduces an innovative and safe alternative to the surgical management of a longitudinal vaginal septum, particularly useful in a confined surgical space.