Pelvic Organ Prolapse Reconstruction with the Chitosan-Based Novel Haemostatic Agent in Ovine Model-Preliminary Report.

This prospective study aimed to assess the feasibility of chitosan biomaterial and subcutaneous gel implantation in an ovine model, with implications for women with genital prolapse. Twenty-four ewes were divided into four groups (n = 6 per group): chitosan type B, chitosan type C, chitosan unmodified injections, and polypropylene mesh. Ovine models were chosen due to their morphological resemblance to human reproductive organs. Animals were sacrificed after 90 days for macroscopic, pathomorphological, and immunohistochemical analysis. In the chitosan type B group, IL-6 and IL-10 levels decreased after 28 days, while chitosan type C and injection groups exhibited higher IL-6 than IL-10 levels. The polypropylene group displayed the highest IL-6 and lowest IL-10 levels. Histological examination of the polypropylene group revealed no degenerative changes or inflammation, whereas chitosan injection induced local inflammation. Other groups exhibited no degenerative changes. Ewes implanted with chitosan displayed reduced inflammation compared to polypropylene-implanted ewes. Chitosan implantation facilitated vaginal tissue healing, in contrast to polypropylene mesh, which led to extrusion. While chitosan holds promise as an alternative to polypropylene mesh, further research is imperative for comprehensive evaluation. This study suggests the potential of a chitosan biomaterial in pelvic organ prolapse treatment, warranting additional investigation.

Occult uterine malignancy during laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of occult uterine malignancies during laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study based on archival data (2010-2016) of the Department of Gynecology and Oncology, Jagiellonian University. RESULTS: Medical records of 696 women, who underwent LSH were analyzed. Two occult sarcomas (2/696; 0.29%, 0.003, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.01), including one case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) with co-occurring atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH) and one case of high-grade ESS were found postoperatively. One case of invasive primary fallopian tube cancer (1/696; 0.14%, 0.001, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.008) and additional three cases of AH (3/696; 0.57%, 0.004, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.013) were also identified. No case of EC was documented. One hundred sixty nine (24.3%) women of 696 had an endometrial sampling prior LSH including these with ESS. We did not observe worsening of the prognosis and all patients with confirmed malignancy are still alive and free from recurrence in 2-5 years of observations. CONCLUSIONS: Most commonly the occult malignancy would have not been recognized if the surgery had not been conducted. When appropriate diagnostics is conducted, rare incidents of malignant tissue morcellation should not be considered as a professional misconduct but as a possible adverse event. Patients should be informed about the risk of malignancy according to available estimations and that endometrial sampling cannot eliminate such a risk. A consensus regarding safe indications, required diagnostics, and justifiability of mandatory use of contained morcellation for LSH should be developed.

Diagnostic and prognostic relevance of microparticles in peripheral and uterine blood of patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Exosomes - microvesicles which are secreted by living cells - can be produced from different cell types and detected in various body fluids. They are the carriers of intercellular information which regulate tumor microenvironment and are considered to be involved in tumor progression and metastasis. Cancer cells can secrete more exosomes than healthy cells, and are expected to be potential tools for tumor diagnosis and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this report, we present the results of microparticle analysis in peripheral and uterine blood of patients with endometrial cancer. To the best of our knowledge, this study has been the first to report microvesicle status in peripheral and uterine blood samples. The aim of the study was to determine the amount of total (TF+), endothelial (CD144+) and monocytic (CD14+) microparticles. The counting of the selected microparticles in citrate plasma was performed using flow cytometry on the BD Canto II cytometer. RESULTS: We found that the total amount of microparticles in cancer patients was much higher than in healthy controls. Moreover, microparticle count in uterine blood was higher than in peripheral blood of patients with endometrial cancer. We also demonstrated that the amount of microparticles correlates with the histologic grade and clinical stage of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The most interesting finding in this work was the high level of TF, CD144 and CD14 MPs in uterine blood samples. Thus we can consider the monocyte-macrophage-derived MPs as a candidate marker of endometrial cancer and maybe very critical part of the endometrial carcinogenesis.

Laparoscopic Intervention in Acute Crohn's Disease Involving an Ovary.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Acute manifestations in female internal reproductive organs are rare and have been described in only a few cases. A 27-year-old nulligravida woman diagnosed with CD presented with pelvic pain, fever, and a palpable mass (confirmed by ultrasound) in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. She underwent diagnostic laparoscopy because of worsening symptoms suggestive of a tubo-ovarian abscess. The right adnexa were excised after adhesiolysis. Pathologic examination revealed an ovarian granuloma consistent with CD. This case shows that a laparoscopic approach is possible for active CD, with all the benefits of a minimally invasive approach. Although the involved ovary was removed, similar to previous reports using laparotomy, conservative therapy should be considered if preoperative diagnosis can be made. Improvements in preoperative diagnosis and development of management guidelines is critical for ovarian preservation and conservative treatment options.

DFF45 expression in human endometrium is associated with menstrual cycle phases and decreases after menopause.

BACKGROUND: Human endometrium undergoes cyclic structural and functional modifications, and if no conception occurs menstruation is observed as the result of endometrial cell apoptosis via DFF40/DFF45 complex activation. In postmenopausal endometrium, the proliferative potential of endometrial cells is decreased, while their susceptibility to apoptosis increases. METHODS: The study group comprised 104 nonpregnant adult women (78 of reproductive age and 36 after menopause) with no neoplasm or hormonal treatment during the past 6 months. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot methods were used for DFF45 identification and semiquantitative assessment of its amount. RESULTS: Significantly more DFF45-positive cells were detected in the endometrial glands compared to stroma, and this pattern was constant throughout the whole menstrual cycle and also present in postmenopausal endometrial species. The lowest mean relative amount of DFF45 was detected in postmenopausal endometrial samples. In women of reproductive age, the highest mean relative amount of DFF45 was identified in an early secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, the lowest median value of the relative amount of DFF45 was observed in the late proliferative phase, and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: The DFF45 level in human endometrium corresponds to the respective phase of the menstrual cycle and decreases significantly after menopause.

[Ectopic pregnancy rupture--can it be prevented?]. / Pekniecie ciazy ektopowej--czy mozemy zapobiec tej komplikacji?

OBJECTIVES: To determine risk factors for ectopic pregnancy (EP) rupture based on the patients history and preoperative tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study consisted of 175 women operated on due to EP in the Department of Gynecology and Oncology of the Jagiellonian University between 2000-2008. Tubal rupture was diagnosed at the time of surgery. The patients were then divided into three groups: those who had unruptured EP without bleeding, those who had unruptured EP with hemorrhage into peritoneal cavity and those who suffered ruptured tubal pregnancy Analysis was performed based on the following parameters: patient history preoperative laboratory tests (Hb, Hct, betaHCG), and ultrasound exam. RESULTS: Of the 175 cases of ectopic pregnancy included in the study 20% were unruptured without bleeding (A) and 40.6% unruptured with hemorrhage (B) while 39.4% were ruptured (C). There was a positive correlation between the diameter of the tubal lesion measured ultrasonographically and rupture (37.4 +/- 16 for C vs 29.7 +/- 12.9 for A; p=0.04). The gestational age of the groups differed significantly (p=0,001): C (56 +/- 1), A (49 +/- 3), and B (42 +/- 2). There was also a positive correlation between rupture and gravidity (1 +/- 1 for A vs 2 +/- 2 for C; p=0.02). Moreover a positive correlation of borderline significance was discerned between rupture and parity (p=0.06). Additionally the preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values were significantly lower in the rupture group (p=0.001). There was no significant difference among the three groups in age, number of abortions, serum betaHCG, endometrial thickness, length of hospital stay or the time elapsed since the most recent pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Low hemoglobin and hematocrit values, together with higher gravidity at the time of admission, may indicate an increased risk of tubal rupture.

DFF45 expression in ovarian endometriomas.

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis, defined as a spread of endometrium outside the uterus cavity, affects up to 30% women of reproductive age, with the ovaries being its most common localization. In the ectopic lesions, endometrial cells show abnormal proliferation and impaired apoptosis. The DNA destruction during apoptosis is a direct result of activation of the DFF40/DFF45 complex. DFF40 (DNA fragmentation factor of 40 kDa) is responsible for direct DNA fragmentation while DFF45 (DNA fragmentation factor of 45 kDa) acts not only as a DFF40 inhibitor, but also as its chaperone. Therefore, the presence of DFF45 is required for proper DFF40 synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the DFF45 level in human ovarian endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN: The endometriosis samples were collected from 43 affected women, while the 81 normal endometrial specimens were obtained from the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemistry tests were used to determine the DFF45 level in examined tissues. RESULTS: The expression of DFF45 in normal human endometrium and ovarian endometriosis was confirmed using both the Western blot and the immunohistochemistry tests. In normal eutopic proliferatory endometrium, a lower DFF45 expression was observed compared with secretory endometrium, while no cyclic changes in DFF45 expression were observed in the ovarian endometriomas. In the normal eutopic endometrium, stronger DFF45 staining was noted in the endometrial glands in comparison to the stroma, irrespective of menstrual cycle phase. However, in the ovarian endometriosis no difference between the glandular layer and stroma in DFF45 immunoreactivity was appreciated. The lowest level of DFF45 was observed in ovarian endometriosis when compared with both normal eutopic proliferatory and secretory endometria using the Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A decreased level of DFF45 observed in ovarian endometriosis may be a part of an apoptosis-resistant mechanism enhancing the disease progression.

A case of left interstitial pregnancy after left adnexectomy--why surgical management?

Interstitial pregnancy is a rare condition of tubal pregnancy with a mortality rate of 2-2.5% [4] that can easily be misdiagnosed. The prevalence of interstitial pregnancy is 0.8% in normal population and it increased during the past few decades due to reproduction techniques development even up to 11% in groups of women after in vitro fertilization. A comprehensive MEDLINE and OLDMEDLINE search covering years 1950-2005 using query terms "interstitial", "pregnancy" and "adnexectomy" identified only 10 cases reported in worldwide literature. The first treatment of interstitial pregnancy used to be a resection of the uterus body via laparotomy. Along with the evolution of sensitive biochemical assays, imaging technologies and the development of operative techniques, the management of interstitial pregnancy became less invasive. We report a case of spontaneous left interstitial pregnancy after left adnexectomy due to left ovarian tumor of borderline malignancy.

The molecular changes during placental detachment.

OBJECTIVES: RCAS1 is a membrane protein that plays a role in the maintenance of maternal immune tolerance during pregnancy. The work presented here demonstrates the results of RCAS1 expression in placenta in cases of placental abruption and patients with retained placental tissue during the third stage of labor. STUDY DESIGN: The placenta tissue samples were obtained during vaginal and cesarean delivery (derived from 117 pregnancies). Pregnant women were divided into four groups according to the onset of labor and the time of placental detachment in term labors. The samples were analyzed by the Western blot method. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk procedure. The Mann-Whitney test and Student's t-test were applied to compare the differences between parametric data. RESULTS: The average relative amount of RCAS1 observed in those patients with retained placental tissue was statistically significantly higher than in the patients with placental abruption. CONCLUSION: The differences observed in placental RCAS1 levels confirm the participation of this protein in the inhibition of maternal immune response during gestation. The present results also indicate that RCAS1 participates in the changes in the maternal immune system that take place during parturition and reinforce its potential involvement in the mechanism of placental abruption.

Spontaneous uterine rupture at 35 weeks' gestation, 3 years after laparoscopic myomectomy, without signs of fetal distress.

Laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) is a recently developed surgical technique, and every obstetrician should be aware of its possible complications, which can occur not only during labor but also during pregnancy. We report a case of a primigravid woman who was hospitalized at 35 weeks' gestation because of irregular abdominal pain. She conceived spontaneously 3 years after LM. After a 20-h stay on the obstetrician ward due to increased abdominal tenderness and vaginal bleeding, the patient was qualified for an emergency cesarean section without any symptoms of fetal distress in cardiotocography. During cesarean section a newborn with 9 Apgar points was delivered and a rupture of the uterine wall was seen. Dehiscence of the pregnant uterus following LM is an incidental case, and can therefore be misdiagnosed. Close attention should be paid to every pregnancy in previously operated uteri as the dehiscence of the pregnant uterus can occur without symptoms of fetal distress.

[Enzymatic diagnostics in obstetrics and gynecology. Part I]. / Enzymatyczna diagnostyka w poloznictwie i ginekologii. Czesc I.

The object of this paper is to highlight the importance of enzymatic diagnostics in obstetrics and gynecology. Enzymatic diagnostics through the assessment of oxytocinase allows to monitor the pregnancy and predict the delivery. Oxytocinase and its isoenzymes reflect the present state of the mother, the fetus and the placenta. The constant increase of oxytocinase in maternal blood up to the time of delivery and its appropriate level indicates the proper development of pregnancy. Low lewel and above all decrease in level instead of the normal constant increase precedes by several weeks clinical symptoms of abortions and preterm deliveries. Maternal blood levels of cystine-amino-peptidases (CAP1 and CAP2) show high correlation with the fetal and placental mass as well as fetal maturity. The levels of oxytocinase allow to objectivize the duration of pregnancy and to reduce induced and operative deliveries.

Mesothelial inclusion cysts (so-called benign cystic mesothelioma)--a clinicopathological analysis of six cases.

The report presents six cases of mesothelial inclusion cysts (MIC), detected in five females (22-53 years of age) and one male (47 years old). The lesions were unifocal (four cases) and multifocal (two cases), and were located on the surface of the peritoneum in the cul de sac, on the intestines, urinary bladder, uterine adnexa, also involved round ligament within the pelvis and in the inguinal canal (one patient). Additionally, in one female, small cysts, free-floating in the peritoneal cavity were present. In three patients, clinical signs resulted directly from the presence of MIC. One female had been 7 years previously operated on due to endometrioid ovarian cysts. Apart from MIC, three patients presented with concomitant diseases: appendicitis (two cases), peritoneal pseudomyxoma or primary ovarian carcinoma. Gross appearance: the lesions were polycystic, the surgical materials ranging from three fragments measuring 0.5 cm each to seven fragments, with the maximum size of 14x6 cm. The cysts were from microscopic size to 2 cm in diameter, the majority were thin-walled, semitranslucent, filled with clear or yellowish fluid or gelatinous contents. In one case, the cyst walls were thicker and showed intense inflammatory lesions and fibrinous exudate. Microscopically, the majority of cysts were lined with a single layer of flattened or cuboid mesothelial cells (CK+, calretinin+). In two patients, the mesothelium demonstrated diffuse squamous cell metaplasia; in one individual, the cells focally formed small papillae and were vacuolated. No mucus was observed either in the cytoplasm or outside the cells. Immunohistochemical reactions to CEA, ER, PR and MIB-1 were negative. Intramural proliferations and intracystic detached clumps of cells showed both mesothelial cells (without any mitotic activity and signs of atypia) and macrophages (CD68+). To date, the follow-up has been 7 years and 3 years in two individuals, and from 1 to 7 months in the remaining three patients--all of them are free from recurrent disease. One female failed to report for follow-up examinations. The report also presents the review of literature.

[Laparoscopic management during pregnancy--own material (1996-2002)]. / Analiza postepowania laparoskopowego w ciazy na materiale wlasnym w latach od 1996 do 2002.

OBJECTIVE: Utility of laparoscopic procedures in pregnant women. Is laparoscopy safe for the foetus? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1996 an 2002 14 pregnant patients were admitted and laparoscopy was performed. RESULTS: In 10 cases laparoscopic cyst enucleation (6 simplex, 1 endometrial, 3 dermoidal), in 1 case myomectomy and in 2 adnexectomy was performed. There were no complications during surgery. In one case miscarriage occurred 3 weeks after laparoscopic surgery and 9 healthy babies were delivered. DISCUSSION: There is no doubt that laparoscopy is well accepted in gynecological surgery and is going to be more and more accepted in obstetrics. Due to several differences between non-pregnant and pregnant women laparoscopic procedures in pregnancy require special attention. All papers show good foetal outcome even with preterm labour. In our material all babies were born healthy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic procedures during pregnancy are feasible and safe. Nevertheless they have to be performed by experienced gynecological-surgical teams.

[Management of analysis in case of ectopic pregnancy--own material]. / Analiza postepowania diagnostyczno-terapeutycznego w przypadku ciazy ektopowej w materiale wlasnym.

INTRODUCTION: Apart from increasing frequency of ectopic pregnancy occurrence during recent years there is still a need to diagnose and treat these pathology as early as possible. Delay in diagnosing subsequently cause severe threat to patients life. Recognition improvement means equally decrease in mortality connected to ectopic pregnancy. AIM: The aim of the study was diagnosis and treatment efficiency evaluation in cases of ectopic pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this paper 68 cases of women hospitalised between May 1999 and September 2002 in our Clinic with suspicion of ectopic pregnancy were analysed. Diagnostic procedures included clinical examination, biochemical assessment of beta HCG level, sonography and diagnostic laparoscopy. Therapeutic management included salpingotomy with evacuation of gestational sac, salpingectomy and uterine cornu excision. RESULTS: In 11 cases the presence of pregnancy was excluded according to non-invasive diagnostics. Laparotomy was performed in two cases. Laparoscopy was performed in 50 cases what equals to 73% of all subjects. Laparoscopy was negative in 7 cases. Misdiagnosis resulted from pathologies in adnexal area. The most frequent ectopic pregnancy localisation was oviduct, one case of cervical and one intramural localisation was diagnosed. In one case two salpingostomies were performed in two years apart period. CONCLUSIONS: Complex diagnostic management is the only diagnostic way in case of ectopic pregnancy. Any confusion should be solved by immediate invasive diagnostics. In our opinion the most efficient method in ectopic pregnancy diagnosing and treatment is early laparoscopy.