Prophylactic occlusion balloons of both internal iliac arteries in caesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta spectrum disorder reduces blood loss: A retrospective comparative study.

Background: The placenta accreta spectrum is a complex disorder characterized by abnormal invasion of the placenta into the uterine wall, posing a significant risk of life-threatening haemorrhage for patients. Its incidence is on the rise, largely attributed to the increasing rates of caesarean sections. Management of this spectrum involves a multidisciplinary approach, although standardized protocols are not yet established. While caesarean hysterectomy remains the standard Gold, several adjunctive treatments have emerged in recent years to mitigate bleeding risk and associated morbidity. Among these, prophylactic occlusion balloons placed in the internal iliac arteries have shown promise. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the effect of prophylactic occlusion balloons in both uterine iliac arteries in the management of placental accreta spectrum disorders. Methods: A retrospective monocentric cohort study was conducted in the Department "C" of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the Maternity Center of Tunis. The study spanned three years, from January 2nd, 2020, to December 31st, 2022. The study population consisted of two groups: Control Group (CG) comprised patients who underwent caesarean hysterectomy without internal-iliac prophylactic occlusion balloons, and Occlusion balloons of both internal iliac arteries Group (OBIIAG) included patients who underwent caesarean hysterectomy with internal-iliac prophylactic occlusion balloons. Results: A total of 38 patients were included in the study, all of whom exhibited similar epidemiological characteristics and comparable personal and obstetric histories. The most prevalent risk factor among the patients was a history of caesarean section (92%). On average, patients were diagnosed at 30 weeks of gestation, with third-trimester bleeding being the most common presentation (71% of cases). The median gestational age at delivery was between 36 and 37 weeks. We observed a significant difference in blood loss between the two groups (2888 ml in the control group and 1828 ml in the group with internal-iliac prophylactic occlusion balloons, p < 0.05). Implementation of this technique resulted in a reduced need for massive transfusions (p < 0.01) and shorter operating times (126 min for the control group and 92 min for the group with internal-iliac prophylactic occlusion balloons; p = 0.04). There were no significant differences in morbidity between the two groups. Conclusion: The intra-iliac prophylactic occlusion balloons can help reduce the risk of hemorrhage and the morbidities that come with the placenta accreta spectrum disorder.

Tourniquet on the low segment of the uterus reduces blood loss in postpartum hemorrhage during hysterectomy for placenta accreta: Old but gold.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficiency after application of a cervical tourniquet during caesarian hysterectomy owing to placenta accreta. Study design: It was a monocentric prospective observational study for 3 years. Patients were allocated into two group: Group Tourniquet: (TG) in which a cervical tourniquet was systematically applied during hysterectomy, control group (CG) when the caesarian hysterectomy was performed without. Results: 20 patients in the TG and 23 patients in the CG. Tourniquet application significantly reduced per operative estimated blood loss volume (TG: 530 ± 135 vs 940 ± 120 ml in the CG, p = 0.0074), ΔHB (0.6 [0.3-1.9] vs 2.5[2.5-3.6] g/dl in the CG, p = 0.006) RBC transfusion requirements' (TG: 2 ± 1.7 vs 4.3 ± 2.1 units in the CG, p = 0.046) procedure duration (TG: 98 ± 21 vs 137 ± 33 min in the CG, p = 0.015), clotting disorders (TG: 1 (5%) vs 6 (26,1%) in the CG, p = 0.013) and the incidence of bladder wounds (TG: 1 (5%) vs 5 (21,7%) in the CG, p = 0.048). There was no significant difference regarding ICU transfer rate (TG: 16 (80%) vs 20 (86.9%) in the CG, p = 0.53) or length of stay (TG: 1.4 [2,3] vs 2.3 [1-4] days in the CG, p = 0.615) and digestive wound (TG: 0 vs 2 (8,7%) in the CG, p = 0.641). Conclusion: In case of a radical management of placenta accreta. A strategy that involves the application of a cervical Tourniquet should be considered as a feasible, safe and above all efficient alternative to prevent blood spoliation.

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy and uterine necrosis revealing HIV infection after artery ligation and uterine compression sutures: Case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets immune cells and exposes infected patients to several diseases. For these reasons, HIV infection should be suspected in each situation where post-operative sepsis occurs, to afford therapy and improve the patient's prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a pregnant woman at 39 weeks of gestation who missed her prenatal follow-up. She underwent an emergency caesarian section for severe abnormality in the fetal heart rate. The caesarian section was complicated by a post-partum hemorrhage (PPH). PPH was managed with uterine artery ligation and B-Lynch modified sutures. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Postoperatively, there was the succession of the following events: purulent uterine necrosis, peritonitis, and encephalitis leading to a life-saving hysterectomy. Due to the worsening of the septic condition, HIV screening was performed, after obtaining the patient's consent, and came back positive. CONCLUSION: The aim of this case report is to push practicians to think about HIV infection when necessary because missing the diagnosis can seriously threaten patients' health.

Unexpected finding: Papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in a mature ovarian teratoma - A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Malignant transformation within mature cystic teratomas is a rare occurrence, with an estimated risk ranging from 0.17 % to 2 %. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy associated with this condition, while papillary thyroid carcinoma rarely presents within ovarian teratomas. This transformation predominantly affects postmenopausal women but can, albeit rarely, manifest in younger women. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 37-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have a right ovarian cyst measuring 20 × 20 × 10 mm during a cesarean section, displaying characteristic features of a teratoma. Histological examination confirmed the presence of papillary thyroid carcinoma originating within the ovarian mature cystic teratoma. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated positive staining for specific thyroid differentiation markers, including TTF1 and Thyroglobulin. The patient was in good health otherwise, with normal clinical and radiological evaluations of the thyroid, and no additional treatment was administered. Currently, seven years after surgery, the patient remains free of recurrence. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Given the rarity of this condition, established treatment protocols are lacking, and its histogenesis remains uncertain. To advance our understanding of pathogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies for this malignant transformation, the publication of additional cases with similar presentations would be highly valuable.

Decreased fetal movement: Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Decreased fetal movement is a common reason for consultation. It can reveal an intrauterine death or fetal distress. AIM: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of decreased fetal movement and to identify the predictive factors of poor pregnancy outcome. METHODS: We performed a retrospective and descriptive study in the department of Maternity between January 2015 and December 2019 including patients hospitalized for decreased fetal movements. RESULTS: The study included 150 patients with a mean age of 30.7±5.8 years. The patients were primiparous in 45.3% of cases. The mean term of pregnancy was 37.17±2.97 weeks. Cardiotocography was pathological in 22.7% of patients. The delivery rate during the hospitalization was 87.3% with a mean term of 37.9±2.5 SA. Poor pregnancy outcome was noted in 22.1% of cases. The identified predictive factors of poor pregnancy outcome were: gestational term less than 37 weeks (ORa=9.42), insufficient prenatal care (ORa=2.85), delayed maternal reporting of decreased fetal movement (ORa=1.29), complications during pregnancy (ORa=3.01), small symphysiofundal height for gestational age (ORa=6.17), pathological cardiotocography (ORa=1.66), fetal growth restriction (ORa=6.17), abnormal Umbilical Artery Doppler (ORa=6.51). CONCLUSION: Decreased fetal movement can be a false alarm but it is important to identify predictive factors of poor pregnancy outcome to recognize patients at increased risk and optimize their management.

[SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women: Tunisian series of 11 cases]. / Infection par le SARS-CoV-2 chez les femmes enceintes: série tunisienne de 11 cas.

INTRODUCTION: in pregnant women, the symptoms of COVID-19 join those of the general population in most cases. However, like any population at risk, more serious symptoms can appear such as pneumonia or ARDS. In our study, we propose to define the clinical, biological and therapeutic characteristics as well as the management of a series of pregnant women suffering from COVID-19. METHODS: this is a prospective and descriptive study which brought together 11 pregnant patients affected by the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the gynecology-obstetrics department of Mohamed Tlatli hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia between 12th September and 11th November 2020. RESULTS: the average age is 31.18 years. Six patients were followed for a chronic disease. Gestational diabetes was the most common comorbidity. Contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 was identified in 6 patients. The average incubation period of the virus was 5.89 days. Average term of pregnancy was 33.36 weeks with amenorrhea. The preferred route of delivery was cesarean section. The most frequently reported symptoms were fever in all patients, dry cough, dyspnea and headache in nine patients. Two patients were subsequently treated in medical intensive care for a picture of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Both patients were put on high flow nasal oxygen therapy: Optiflow without the need for mechanical ventilation. In the remaining 9 cases, symptomatic treatment and antibiotic therapy were sufficient and the patients returned to their homes. We have had no mother-to-child transmission and no death. Breastfeeding does not seem to influence this transmission. CONCLUSION: the most frequently reported symptoms were fever in all patients, followed by dry cough, dyspnea and headache. There was no mother-to-child transmission, nor transmission during breastfeeding. In general, symptomatic and antibiotic treatment was sufficient. We are currently facing the second wave of the virus. Our efforts will have to be based on a better clinical knowledge of this new coronavirus and adapt a management function accordingly.