Evaluation of the Preoperative Slide Test in the Prediction of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions: A Single-Center, Double-Blinded, Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of the preoperative ultrasonographic sliding sign in predicting intra-abdominal adhesions. METHODS: This was a single-center, double-blinded, prospective observational study undertaken from March and September 2021 on 110 patients with a history of previous abdominal surgery. All patients who were scheduled for laparoscopy underwent slide test in 5 zones of abdomen: right lower quadrant, left lower quadrant, previous operation site, vesicouterine pouch, and rectovaginal pouch. Adhesions were assessed by the same gynecologic surgeon using ultrasonography before the surgery and by gynecological surgeons during surgery, and by a third gynecologic surgeon to compare the preoperative slide test findings and laparoscopic findings after the surgery. RESULTS: Seventy-three (66.4%) patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 37 (33.6%) patients underwent laparotomy. The mean age of patients was 46.9 ± 1.0 years. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of preoperative ultrasonography in predicting adhesions were 89.5%, 91.7%, 97.5%, and 71.0%, respectively. The accuracy of the slide test was calculated as 90.0%. It was found that as the total number of cesarean sections increased the estimates of vesicouterine adhesions and actual adhesions increased (P = .008). Also, the prediction of intra-abdominal adhesions and actual adhesions significantly increased as the total number of surgical operations increased (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal adhesions can be detected with the slide test, which is a non-invasive and well-tolerated procedure. Slide test can guide the physician before the elective operation in patients with previous abdominal surgery and may assist in counseling patients.

The role of multiple high-risk human papillomavirus infections for cervical biopsies and findings in colposcopic procedures

Objective: The clinical outcome of high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) infection varies according to genotype(s). Patients may harbor either one single hr-HPV (s-HPV) or multiple HPV (m-HPV) genotypes. Recently, the relationship between m-HPV infections and high-grade dysplasia has been investigated, and controversial results have been obtained. Therefore, the clinical significance of m-HPV is not clear. This study aimed to evaluate which group is associated with higher grade dysplasia by analyzing colposcopic punch biopsies. Material and Methods: A total of 690 patients who were scheduled for a diagnostic excisional procedure between April 2016 and January 2019 due to the detection of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) in colposcopy were included. Patients who were not scheduled for colposcopic examination or cervical punch biopsy, or who were scheduled for an excisional procedure due to smear-biopsy incompatibility or persistent low-grade dysplasia were excluded. Patients with a negative HPV test and an unknown HPV genotype were also excluded. Results: Among the patients scheduled for excision (n=404), 74.5% had a s-HPV and 25.5% had a m-HPV infection. The proportion of CIN 1, 2 and 3 per patient in the m-HPV group was significantly higher than the s-HPV group (p=0.017). When this analysis was made for the number of CIN 2+3 per patient in the s-HPV and m-HPV groups, it was 1.29 (389/301) and 1.36 (140/103), respectively, and no difference was found (p=0.491). Conclusion: Patients in the m-HPV group, who underwent more colposcopic cervical biopsies, had higher numbers of CIN lesions, regardless of age and cytology results.

Is Endocervical Glandular Involvement Related to The Depth of Cone Biopsy?

Introduction. This study aimed to determine whether endocervical glandular involvement by squamous intraepithelial lesion would differ with respect to the depth of the excised specimen and analyze the related factors that may define endocervical glandular involvement among cases treated with cone biopsy. Methods. Between April 2016 and December 2018, women who underwent colposcopy and excisional procedures in the department of gynecologic oncology were retrospectively investigated. Patients with multiple specimens, or whose specimen depths were not measured, and a negative/unknown HPV status were excluded from the study. Also, patients with no dysplasia or microinvasive/invasive cancer in the final pathology report and those who had not undergone endocervical curettage during colposcopy were excluded. HPV genotypes, degree of dysplasia, surgical margin status, and specimen depth were documented from medical records. Further, the association of these factors with endocervical glandular involvement was evaluated. Results: A total of 321 patients who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study, with a mean age of 41.9 years. In total, 101 patients (31.5%) had endocervical glandular involvement. The mean excised specimen depth was 17.04 mm; 17.9 and 16.7 mm for the positive and negative glandular involvement groups, respectively (p = .13). The mean ages were 42.7 and 41.6 years for these groups, respectively (p = .32). There was no association between the HPV genotypes and glandular involvement. Conclusions: Endocervical glandular involvement is not associated with the depth of the excised specimen. A deeper cone biopsy may not necessarily enable a more effective treatment of the disease.

Effect of Human Papillomavirus Subtype on the Rate of Positive Surgical Margin After Cervical Conization.

Objective. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a risk factor for cervical carcinoma. Over 100 types of HPV have been identified. The excisional procedures are recommended for women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Surgical margin status is an important predictor of the risk of relapse. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether HPV genotype is a predictive factor of positive surgical margin after cervical cone excision. Materials and Methods. The records of 448 HPV-infected patients who underwent loop electrosurgical excision or cold knife conization at a tertiary gynecological cancer center were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to HPV positivity: HPV 16 only, HPV 18 only, HPV 16/18, other high-risk HPV (hrHPV), HPV 16/hrHPV, and HPV 18/hrHPV. Results. There was no significant difference between the HPV groups in terms of age, parity, menopausal status, endocervical canal involvement, conization method, and the rates of positive margin (P = .15, P = .49, P = .07, P = .20, P = .24, P = .39, respectively). Conclusion. The results show that HPV subtypes might not be associated with endocervical canal involvement and the rates of positive margin. In addition, margin status was not related to the conization method and the number of excised cervical tissue.

The effect of abdominal drainage on post-operative morbidity; a prospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of drains used in current clinical practice on operation parameters and post-operative morbidity. The comprehensive data obtained through the prospective design were analysed in detail according to whether abdominal drainage was applied. Abdominal drainage was present in 44.1% of patients who met the inclusion criteria. Drains were placed significantly more frequently during oncologic surgery (p = .007). The mean mobilisation (p = .001), first flatus (p = .001), and first oral intake (p = .029) times were longer in the drain group than those in the non-drain group. In patients who underwent oncological surgeries, no significant differences were observed except for the pre-operative duration of bowel preparation (p = .006) and first flatus time (p = .003). Our results suggest that drain placement in gynecological procedures does not provide an additional advantage.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Post-operative drainage of the abdominal cavity has been controversial for many years. However, whether abdominal drainage provides an additional benefit in lower and upper abdominal surgical procedures remains unclear.What do the results of this study add? Most studies have examined post-operative pain and surgical site infections. We examined the relationship between abdominal drainage and demographic and pre-/post-operative clinical features in detail. We demonstrated that abdominal drainage in gynecological procedures may not provide an additional advantage.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The present study provides valuable information that can guide physicians in deciding whether to use post-operative abdominal drainage. This topic warrants investigation with randomised data in the future.

The Effect of Mechanical Bowel Preparation on the Surgical Field in Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgeries: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on the intraoperative visualization of the surgical field, bowel handling, intestinal load, and overall ease of surgery in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecological surgeries. METHODS: The patients randomized to a MBP group and a no preparation (NMBP) group. The senior surgeon remained blinded to the bowel regimen used by the patient. Intraoperative visualization of the surgical field, bowel handling, intestinal load, and overall ease of surgery were evaluated using a numeric rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: We enrolled 120 patients, of whom 109 completed the study, with 51 and 58 patients in the MBP and NMBP groups, respectively. The intraoperative visualization of the surgical field, intestinal load, and NRS scores for overall ease of surgery were better in the NMBP group (p = .03, p = .048, and p = .022, respectively). The results of the assessments also revealed no significant differences in surgical field visualization, ease of bowel handling, overall ease of surgery, or the time that patients experienced passage of flatus between obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2) patients in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed that MBP did not improve the intraoperative visualization of the surgical field or the overall ease of surgery. Moreover, MBP had no benefit when operating on patients who had a high BMI. Therefore, we do not recommend routine MBP before laparoscopic gynecological surgeries.

Single centre experience of 800 gynaecologic oncology cases in 2020: influence of pandemy on cancer surgeries.

We aimed to evaluate the gynaecological oncology surgeries in the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 800 operations performed between January and December 2020 were retrieved. Since the COVID-19 pandemic affected operations as of April 1 2020, we compared the cases of the last nine months of the year with the first three months. Of the operations, 265 (33.1%) were performed between January and March and 535 (66.9%) between April and December. Of 168 malignant operations; 78 (46%) were uterine cancer, 58 (35%) ovarian cancer, 28 (17%) cervical cancer and four (2%) vulvar cancer. If we compared the last nine months of the year with the first three months, a significant increase was observed in the rates of malignant and premalignant, while a significant decrease was detected in benign operations (p<.001). Gynaecological oncology surgeries performed with open or laparoscopic approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic should continue by taking preventive measures. Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many international associations and organisations recommended the suspension of elective surgeries. It is still controversial whether the gynaecologic oncology surgical procedures to be performed in this unprecedented time should be laparoscopic or laparotomic.What do the results of this study add? The malignant and premalignant gynaecological oncology surgeries should be safely performed laparoscopically or by laparotomy in the COVID-19 pandemic.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Gynaecologic oncology surgeries can be safely performed by attaching appropriate personal protective equipment procedures with pre-operative COVID-19 PCR testing in the COVID-19 era.

The percentage of peripheral eosinophils as a sensitive marker for differentiating FIGO grade in endometrial adenocarcinomas

Objective: Studies on eosinophils have mostly been directed to parasitic infections and allergic diseases, but the role of eosinophils in oncology has been largely ignored. Eosinophils are an important modulator of the immune response and components of the inflammatory process against the tumor. This study was performed to investigate the pre-operative peripheral blood eosinophil percentages in patients with a histopathologically diagnosed pure endometrioid type endometrial carcinoma. Material and Methods: Patients' data were analyzed in two groups as present/absent according to whether there are tumor metastases in the adnexes, lymph nodes, cervical stroma, and whether there was lymphovascular space invasion. FIGO grade was taken as the basis of the tumor grade: Low-grade equated to grade 1 or 2, and high-grade equated to grade 3. The requirement for lymph node dissection was based on the Mayo criteria. Results: The data of a total of 268 patients were included. The mean percentage of eosinophils in high-grade patients (n=29) was 2.75±0.35, and was significantly higher than the mean percentage of eosinophils of found in low-grade patients (n=239), which was 1.79±0.09 (p=0.013). Receiver operator curve analysis showed that a cut-off eosinophil percentage of 1.95% resulted in a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 67% (p=0.004). Conclusion: Eosinophil percentages, which are a simple, easily accessible, and inexpensive can be an important pre-operative predictive tool. Eosinophil percentages can be used in determining the need for surgical staging in endometrial cancer.

Tumor diameter as a predictor of lymph node involvement in endometrioid type endometrial adenocarcinomas.

AIM: To analyze the risk factors of lymph node involvement in pure endometrioid type endometrial cancer and assess factors that necessitate lymphadenectomy. METHODS: Patients who had been operated on due to endometrial cancer and whose final pathology was reported as pure endometrioid carcinoma between January 2014 and January 2020 were assessed. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and systematic lymphadenectomy were performed in all patients. All specimens were reported by expert gynecopathologists. RESULTS: The lymph node positivity rate was 14.4%. When the study population was classified according to the Mayo risk criteria; lymph node involvement in the low-risk and high-risk groups was 9.1% and 14.8%, respectively and there was no statistically difference (p > 0.05). The median of tumor size and the rate of deep myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, adnexal involvement, FIGO grade 3 tumor were found significantly higher in the positive lymph node group in univariate analysis. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value of the tumor diameter was determined as 47.5 mm (sensitivity 85%, specificity 62%). Every 10 mm increase in tumor diameter increased the risk of lymph node involvement 10 times. CONCLUSION: This study defined that the tumor diameter is an independent predictor for lymphatic dissemination. In the future, it could be shown that even with new modeling based on tumor diameter, lymphadenectomy or adjuvant radiotherapy requirements would be reevaluated.

Association between FVL G1691A, FII G20210A, and MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and Turkish women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Aim Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) poses a challenge in reproductive medicine because the etiology is often unknown. Here we investigated the frequency of mutations in the Factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin (FII), and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes in women with RPL and healthy women. Methods Blood samples were obtained from patients with ≥2 consecutive pregnancy losses and no identifiable etiology before 12 weeks of pregnancy (n=145). The control group comprised 105 age-matched women with ≥2 live births. Results The frequency of homozygotes for FVL 1691AA was 15 (10.3%) in patients and three (2.86%) in controls (p=0.073), while for FII 20210AA it was eight (5.5%) and one (0.9%), respectively (p=0.055). For two polymorphisms in MTHFR, genotype frequencies of 89 (61.4%) were found in patients and 55 (52.4%) in controls for 677TT (p=0.322), and 89 (61.4%) and 62 (59%) for 1298CC, respectively (p=0.810). Conclusion Despite a trend towards significance for FII G20210A, no significant differences in genotype frequencies of these polymorphisms between patients and controls was found. No evidence of the role of FVL G1691A, MTHFR C677T, and MTHFR A1298C in RPL in our Turkish cohort was found; however, further investigation of FII as a culprit gene in RPL is warranted.

Assesment of pregnancy outcomes among twin pregnancies with single fetal demise regarding chorionicity and fetal death time

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess maternal and perinatal outcomes of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise in terms of chorionicity and fetal death time. Material and Methods: All deliveries between January 2008 and July 2015 were reviewed retrospectively and 85 twin pregnancies with single fetal demise were included. These cases were grouped according to chorionicity and fetal death time. Results: The incidence of single fetal demise was 4.7%. The mean delivery week was later in the dichorionic group (34.16±4.65) than in the monochorionic group (31.1±3.83). The ratios of deliveries before the 34th gestational week were 71.4% in monochorionics and 35% in dichorionics. Monochorionics had a 13 times greater risk for having delivery before the 37th gestational week and a 4 times greater risk for having delivery before the 34th gestational week compared with dichorionics. Furthermore, monochorionics had a 7 times greater risk for having abruptio placenta compared with dichorionics. The newborn intensive care unit admission ratios were 61.3% in dichorionics and 85.7% in monochorionics. Also, monochorionics had a 3.7 times greater risk for admission to newborn intensive care unit compared with dichorionics. Conclusion: We recommend follow-up of twin pregnancies with single fetal demise in terms of premature birth, regardless of chorionicity. Also, close monitoring is recommended for monochorionic twin pregnancies with single fetal demise in terms of premature birth before 34 weeks of gestation, abruptio placenta, the need for neonatal intensive care, and respiratory distress syndrome.

Laparoscopic repair of ureter damaged during laparoscopic hysterectomy: Presentation of two cases.

Ureter injuries are uncommon but dreaded complications in gynecologic surgery and a frequent cause of conversion to laparotomy. Recently, a few papers reported the repair of gynecologic ureteral injuries using laparoscopy with encouraging results. In these case reports, we aimed to present two laparoscopically repaired ureter injuries during total laparoscopic hysterectomies (TLH). In the first case, the ureter was transected during the dissection of the cardinal ligament, approximately 7 to 8 cm distal to the ureterovesical junction (UVJ), and in the second case, it was damaged approximately 10 cm distal to the UVJ. Both transections were identified during surgery. The injured ureter was repaired without converting to laparotomy or additional trocar insertion. Ureteroureterostomy was performed in both cases uneventfully. Although ureteric injury is a rare complication during TLH, it can be managed by the same surgeon laparoscopically during the same procedure.

Comparison of libido, Female Sexual Function Index, and Arizona scores in women who underwent laparoscopic or conventional abdominal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare female sexual function between women who underwent conventional abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven women who were scheduled to undergo hysterectomy without oophorectomy for benign gynecologic conditions were included in the study. The women were assigned to laparoscopic or open abdominal hysterectomy according to the surgeons preference. Women with endometriosis and symptomatic prolapsus were excluded. Female sexual function scores were obtained before and six months after the operation from each participant by using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Pre- and postoperative scores of three different quationnaires were found as comparable in the group that underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy (p>0.05). Scores were also found as comparable in the group that underwent laparotomic hysterectomy (p>0.05). Pre- and postoperative values were compared between the two groups and revealed similar results with regard to all three scores (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data showed comparable pre- and the postoperative scores for the two different hysterectomy techniques. The two groups were also found to have similar pre- and postoperative score values.

Pre-implantation genetic screening among women experiencing recurrent failure of in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficiency of pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) among women scheduled to undergo intracytoplasmic sperm injection who had experienced recurrent in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure. METHODS: The present retrospective cohort study reviewed the medical records of consecutive women who had experienced recurrent IVF failure and had presented at a private IVF facility in Trabzon Province, Turkey, to undergo intracytoplasmic sperm injection between May 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014. Patient data and perinatal outcomes were compared between patients who underwent PGS and those who did not. RESULTS: There were 88 patients included in the study; 43 patients had undergone PGS and 45 had declined to do so. No differences were detected in the clinical pregnancy rate (P=0.846), spontaneous abortion rate (P=0.416), number of perinatal deaths (P=0.162), or the number of live deliveries (P=0.188) between the groups of patients. The pregnancies included in the study resulted in 25 neonates being delivered; 24 had normal karyotypes, and one neonate from the control group had a karyotype of 46, XX, 9ph. Among the 19 embryos that were not transferred, the most frequently encountered chromosomal anomalies were diploidy, monosomy X, and 2N/N/4N mosaicism, detected in 7 (37%), 2 (11%), and 2 (11%) embryos, respectively. CONCLUSION: PGS had no effect on perinatal outcomes among women experiencing recurrent IVF failure.

Comparison of the effectiveness of topical silicone gel and corticosteroid cream on the pfannenstiel scar prevention - a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of topical silicone gel and corticosteroid cream for preventing hypertrophic scar and keloid formation following Pfannenstiel incisions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients operated for benign gynecological diseases through primary Pfannenstiel incision were included. The wounds were randomly allocated to the treatment and control arms. In the treatment arm, the wounds were divided into two halves; one was treated with silicone gel and the other with methylprednisolone cream. No treat-ment was administered to the control group. Scars using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (MVSS), patient satisfaction, and side effects were evaluated before and after (3rd month when treatment discontinued and 6th month) the treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (21 patients in the treatment group and 18 patients in the control group) completed the stu-dy. Intragroup comparisons of the 3rd month and 6th month scores of the MVSS revealed that the scores of all parameters (height, pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and total MVSS score) significantly decreased at the 6th month evaluation as compared with the 3rd month evaluation in all groups (control, silicone, and methylprednisolone groups). Multiple group comparisons at the 6th month revealed that the most prominent improvements occurred in the methylprednisolone group in all MVSS parameters as compared with the control group and in the height, vascularity, and pigmentation parameters as compared with the silicone group. No side effects were experienced by the patients with either treatment and patient satisfaction was higher in the methylprednisolone group. CONCLUSION: The use of topical methylprednisolone cream in fresh wounds at the postoperative early period appears to be promising.

Could the female-to-male transgender population be donor candidates for uterus transplantation?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the eligibility of female-to-male (FtM) transgender people as donor candidates with regard to histologic, surgical, and social aspects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 31 FtM transgender people underwent standard hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for gender reassignment upon their request. The pelvic viscera of the transgender people was intraoperatively observed and the histology of the removed uteri were evaluated for fertility capacity and procurement surgery. A questionnaire was administered to explore their attitude towards uterus donation. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age was 28.5±5 years. The median duration of testosterone supplementation was 2.4 years; therefore, they all had irregular menstrual periods during this therapy. None had any previous abdominal surgery or additional morbidity. The mean uterine volume was 138±48 cm3. No adenomyosis, endometriosis, polyps, adhesions or uterine anomalies were either observed or reported. Endometrial histology was reported as proliferative (58%), atrophic (29%), and secretory (13%) pattern. Of the 31 transgender people, 30 (96.7%) had a positive attitude; only one had no opinion at the beginning. After detailed information about the procedure was given, 26 (84%) still wanted to volunteer for donation, but 4 (12%) changed their opinion to negative (p=0.12, McNemar test). CONCLUSION: The proposal of the FtM transgender population as uterus donor is a hypothetical model that has not been experienced before. Nevertheless, our experience revealed that the FtM transgender population would be good candidates socially, legally, and biologically.

The efficacy of laparoscopic presacral neurectomy in dysmenorrhea: is it related to the amount of excised neural tissue?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between the number of excised neural fibers and degree of pain relief following laparoscopic presacral neurectomy (LPSN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this before and after study, 20 patients with severe midline dysmenorrhea [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) >80 mm] unresponsive to medical therapy were consecutively enrolled. All patients underwent LPSN. The superior hypogastric plexus was excised and sent for histologic confirmation. Two pathologists counted the number of neural fibers in the surgically removed tissue. VAS was used for pain assessment before and 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the operations. RESULTS: Out of the initial 20 patients undergoing LPSN, eight were excluded from the final analysis due to intraoperative diagnosis of endometriosis; therefore, the remaining 12 patients were evaluated. The pain scores significantly decreased at each follow-up visit compared with the preoperative period (p=0.002). The pathologists, who were blinded, reported the median (minimum-maximum) neural fiber count as 46 (20-85) and 47 (18-83). No significant correlation was demonstrated between the number of excised neural fibers and the amount of pain relief following LPSN. CONCLUSION: LPSN is an effective surgical procedure to control primary dysmenorrhea. Our preliminary results revealed that the degree of pain relief in cases of severe midline dysmenorrhea was not related to the amount of excised neural tissue in LPSN.