Physical endometrial manipulation and its impact on success rate and live birth rate in ICSI in patients with unexplained infertility after recurrent ICSI failure, a double blinded randomized controlled trial.

Background: Unexplained infertility is a rising problem and endometrial manipulation could be one of the solutions for enhancing the pregnancy rate and live birth rate in such circumstances.Aims: To evaluate the influence of local endometrial physical manipulation with specializd method for endometrial and tubal hydration (Elgazzar and Alalfy technique) on ICSI outcome and in increasing chemical, clinical, and live birth rate in ICSI after previous recurrent ICSI failure in patients with unexplained infertility.Results: When comparing group 1 (hydrotubation group) and group 2 (the control group with no intervention) with regards to the biochemical, clinical, and live birth rate, the hydrotubation group revealed higher rates and a better ICSI outcome.Conclusion: Hydrotubation is useful in increasing biochemical, clinical, and live birth rates after recurrent failed ICSI trials with a specialized method for hydration of endometrium and tubes (Elgazzar and Alalfy technique).

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy versus Electroacupuncture on Postnatal Scanty Milk Secretion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Postnatal scanty milk secretion is a common complaint. Some physical and medical interventions were advocated to help milk production. These interventions should be effective and safe for the mother and the infant. This study aimed to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and electroacupuncture on postnatal scanty milk secretion. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled study conducted on 60 healthy primiparous mothers with insufficient lactation. They were randomly divided into three equal groups: group A (control), group B (those who received low-power He-Ne laser beam on both breasts), and group C (those who received faradic current stimulation at Spleen 6, Liver 3, and Small Intestine 1 acupuncture points on both sides). All participants received 10 mg Domperidone three times a day and were given advice about lactation, nutrition, and fluid intake. Evaluation was done before and after the treatment program. RESULTS: The mean serum prolactin, infant weight, and visual analog scale (VAS) score were significantly increased in the three groups posttreatment when compared with their corresponding levels pretreatment. Posttreatment serum prolactin was significantly elevated in group C more than the other two groups (p = 0.001 and 0.012, respectively). Also, it was significantly elevated in group B more than in group A (p = 0.001). The mean value of infant weight was significantly elevated in group C when compared with its corresponding values in both groups A (p = 0.001) and B (p = 0.029). The VAS score was significantly increased in both groups B and C when compared with group A (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture is more effective than low-level laser therapy in increasing postnatal scanty milk secretion. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03806062.

Prophylactic vaginal dinoprostone administration six hours prior to copper-T380A intrauterine device insertion in nulliparous women: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of 3 mg vaginal dinoprostone administered six hours prior to copper intrauterine device (IUD) insertion compared to placebo in increasing ease of insertion and reducing insertion pain among nulliparous women. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-center double-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). We randomly divided the two hundred nulliparous women requesting a copper T380A IUD to receive 3 mg vaginal dinoprostone or placebo six hours before IUD insertion. The primary outcome was provider ease of insertion. Patients reported their perceived insertion pain using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). We also reported number of failed IUD insertions. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Ease of insertion score was lower in dinoprostone group than placebo group (3.6 ±â€¯2.5 vs. 5.4 ±â€¯2.8; p < 0.01) denoting easier insertion for clinicians in dinoprostone group. Mean pain score during copper IUD insertion was lower in dinoprostone group (3.7 ±â€¯2.3 vs. 5.0 ±â€¯2.8; p < 0.01). Failed IUD insertion occurred in two cases of dinoprostone group (2%) versus four cases in control group (4%) (p-value; 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Although vaginal dinoprostone administration six hours prior to copper IUD insertion in nulliparous women leads to an easy IUD insertion, we do not routinely advise it as the reduction in IUD insertion pain scores with vaginal dinoprostone lacked clinical significance. IMPLICATIONS: In settings where it is feasible to provide dinoprostone vaginally six hours before copper IUD insertion, clinicians will find insertion easier, and nulliparous women may experience somewhat less pain during the procedure. Where waiting six hours is practical, this may prove to be useful.

Perioperative nonhormonal pharmacological interventions for bleeding reduction during open and minimally invasive myomectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize evidence on the most effective pharmacological interventions for bleeding reduction during open and minimally invasive myomectomy. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENTS: Trials assessing efficacy of pharmacological interventions during different types of myomectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Misoprostol, oxytocin, vasopressin, tranexamic acid (TXA), epinephrine, or ascorbic acid. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraoperative blood loss and need for blood transfusion. RESULTS: The present review included 26 randomized control trials (RCTs) (N = 1627). For minimally invasive procedures (9 RCTs; 474 patients), network meta-analysis showed that oxytocin (mean difference [MD] -175.5 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] -30.1.07, -49.93), ornipressin (MD -149.6 mL, 95% CI - 178.22, -120.98), misoprostol, bupivacaine plus epinephrine, and vasopressin were effective in reducing myomectomy blood loss, but the evidence is of low quality. Ranking score of treatments included in subgroup analysis of minimally invasive myomectomy showed that oxytocin ranked first in reducing blood loss, followed by ornipressin. For open myomectomy (17 RCTs; 1,153 patients), network meta-analysis showed that vasopressin plus misoprostol (MD -652.97 mL, 95% CI - 1113.69, -174.26), oxytocin, TXA, and misoprostol were effective; however, the evidence is of low quality. Vasopressin plus misoprostol ranked first in reducing blood loss during open myomectomy (P = .97). CONCLUSION: There is low-quality evidence to support uterotonics, especially oxytocin, and peripheral vasoconstrictors as effective options in reducing blood loss and need for blood transfusion during minimally invasive myomectomy. Oxytocin is the most effective intervention in minimally invasive myomectomy. For open myomectomy, a combination of uterotonics and peripheral vasoconstrictors is needed to effectively reduce blood loss.

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in Egyptian women with unexplained infertility, comparing real-time PCR techniques to standard serology tests: case control study.

BACKGROUND: To study the prevalence of Chlamydia infection in women with primary and secondary unexplained infertility using ELISA technique for antibody detection and real time, fully automated PCR for antigen detection and to explore its association with circulating antisperm antibodies (ASA). METHODS: A total of 50 women with unexplained infertility enrolled in this case control study and a control group of 44 infertile women with a known cause of infertility. Endocervical specimens were collected for Chlamydia antigen detection using PCR and serum samples for antibodies detection. Circulating anti-sperm antibodies were detected using sperm antibody Latex Agglutination tests. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Chlamydial infection in unexplained infertility cases as detected by both ELISA and PCR was 40 % (20/50). The prevalence of current Chlamydial genital infection as detected by real-time PCR was only 6.0 % (3/50); two of which were also IgM positive. Prevalence of ASA was 6.0 % (3/50); all were sero-negative for anti-C.trachomatis IgM and were PCR negative. CONCLUSION: The incidence of Chlamydial infection in Egyptian patients with unexplained infertility is relatively high. In the setting of fertility investigations; screening for anti. C.trachomatis antibodies using ELISA, and treatment of positive cases should be considered. The presence of circulating ASA does not correlate with the presence of old or current Chlamydia infection in women with unexplained infertility.

The relationship between low maternal serum vitamin D levels and glycemic control in gestational diabetes assessed by HbA1c levels: an observational cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: A great association between vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been suggested in literature. During pregnancy, this deficiency is even more critical. It appears that vitamin D insufficiency during pregnancy may be associated with maternal hazards. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between the levels of 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (vitamin D), and the glycemic control in pregnant women. METHODS: An observational cross-section study including 160 pregnant women between 20-40 years in age, in their third trimester, divided into two equal groups. First group consisted of 80 women with established diagnosis of gestational diabetes and the second group with proved normal blood glucose levels. We assessed vitamin D in serum, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and we depicted the insulin sensitivity using the Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (Quicki). The results were collected and statistically correlated. RESULTS: The mean vitamin D levels were 46.61 ± 6.087 and 47.25 ± 10.181in controls and women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) respectively. The fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in the group with GDM with a mean of 18.51 ± 6.44 compared to 8.95 ± 2.52 in the control group.The correlation coefficient (r) between HbA1c levels and Vitamin D level was -0.492 with a P value <0.05. Similar associations were also found with the fasting blood sugar levels (r = -0.386) and with Quicki values (r = -0.250). Vitamin D levels correlated significantly with the fasting blood glucose, the fasting serum insulin and the HbA1c levels, the P value in all these correlations were <0.05. The P value with Quicki results was 0.064. CONCLUSIONS: There is a statistically significant negative correlation between the glycemic control and vitamin D levels in serum in the whole study population. The effect of adequate vitamin D replacement on glycemic control was not studied in our work correlation. We suggest larger scale studies addressing this issue.