Challenges in the Routine Praxis Diagnosis of Hydatidiform Mole: a Tertiary Health Center Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatidiform moles (HM), presenting as complete (CHM) and partial (PHM) form, are rare pregnancy disorder. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, ultrasound imaging findings and pathological examination of products of conception. Protein p57, encoded by CKDN1C gene, is paternally imprinted and maternally expressed gene and provides quick insight in genetic basis of HM and allows distinction of CHM from all other conceptions. compare the preevacuational and pathohistological diagnosis with outcome of p57 immunostaining. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All cases of HM diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2015 were included in this research. Maternal age, gestational age and input diagnosis data were recored. p57 immunostaining was performed in order to evaluate the diagnosis based on tissue slides examination. RESULTS: There were 198 cases of histologically confirmed HM, 185 PHM, 12 CHM and one case of undefined HM. Mean maternal age in the CHM group was 24,7 and in the PHM group 26,9 years, with no significant differences among these two groups (p=0,27). For CHM mean gestational age was estimated at eight and for PHM 9,2 gestational weeks. Pregnant woman older than 40 years present significant earlier compared with younger woman (p<0,01), and those younger than 20 years tend to present at the beginning of the second trimester more often than older women (p<0,05). In the CHM group, 9 (75%) input diagnoses were mola in obs, and 3 (25%) of them were signed as abortion, unlike the PHM where 126 (67%) were qualified as abortion, 35 (19%) as blighted ovum, and 26 (14%) were suggestive for molar pregnancy. p57 immunostaining results confirmed all pathohistological diagnosis of CHM whereas 8% of PHM demonstrated divergent p57 expression. CONCLUSION: PHM, compared with CHM, represent a greater diagnostic challenge for both gynecologist and pathologist even when presenting in more advanced pregnancies.

Cesarean Section Rate Analysis in University Hospital Tuzla - According to Robson's Classification.

OBJECTIVE: For last decades, there has public concern about increasing Cesarean Section (CS) rates, and it is an issue of international public health concern. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) there is no justification to have more than 10-15% CS births. WHO proposes the Robson ten-group classification, as a global standard for assessing, monitoring and comparing cesarean section rates. The aim of this study was to investigate Cesarean section rate at University Hospital Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: Cross sectional study was conducted for one-year period, 2015. Statistical analysis and graph-table presentation was performed using Excel 2010 and Microsoft Office programs. RESULTS: Out of 3,672 births, a total of 936 births were performed by CS. Percentage of the total number of CS to the total birth number was 25,47%. According to Robson classification, the largest was group 5 with relative contribution of 29,80%. On second and third place were group 1 and 2 with relative contribution of 26,06% and 15,78% respectively. Groups 1, 2, 5 made account of realtive contribution of 71,65%. All other groups had entirely relative contribution of 28,35%. CONCLUSION: Robson 10-group classification provides easy way in collecting information about CS rate. It is important that efforts to reduce the overall CS rate should focus on reducing the primary CS. Data from our study confirm this attitude.

Lower Urinary and Serum Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor in Women with Preterm Birth.

The aim of the study was to compare urine and serum concentrations of PIBF at 24-28 gestational weeks in women with preterm birth, with those of women who delivered at term and to evaluate the impact of PIBF on the outcome of pregnancy. Case-control study was performed in period from 1.6.2010-31.7.2013. Biological samples (urine and serum) were collected from 126 pregnant women. All biological samples were obtained at 24-28 gestation weeks. We measured PIBF concentration and compared women who delivered preterm and those who delivered at term. Thirteen of 126 pregnant women (10.3%) who were included in the study delivered preterm. Among women that actually delivered preterm, median concentrations of PIBF were significantly lower (12.3ng/ml; 101.3ng/ml) than in women who delivered at term (77.0ng/ml; 412.7ng/ml). The serum and urine 24-28 gestational weeks PIBF in those who delivered preterm were generally low from 24 to 37 gestational weeks, while the serum and urine PIBF concentration reached a peak in those delivering between 37-38 gestational weeks, even significantly different from those delivering at 39 to 40 and after 40 gestational weeks. Preterm birth may be predictable at 24-28 gestational week by lower than normal pregnancy PIBF values and measurement of PIBF concentration in biological fluids at that time may be of importance in clinical practice.

LOW PRETERM BIRTH RATE WITH DECREASING EARLY NEONATAL MORTALITY IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA DURING 2007-2014.

THE AIM: of the study was to determine the situation of preterm births and early neonatal mortality during 2007-2014 in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: The study covers a 8-year period and is based on the protocols at the Tuzla Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics that covers all birth in Tuzla Canton area. We analyzed the gestational age of all newborns and recorded the number of neonatal deaths in the first week after birth. Demographics, pregnancy and birth characteristics were collected from the maternal records. RESULTS: The total number of births in the period was 32738. Preterm birth was identified in 2401 (7.3%) cases with 12,5% occurring before 32 gestational weeks and 64% in 35-36 gestational weeks. The mothers of the 24-31 gws preterm group were significantly younger that those in the 32-36 group. In the 32-36 group there were significantly greater proportions of mothers with assisted reproductive technology and pre-eclampsia and 16.7% was medical induced preterm births versus 11.4 % in the 24-31 PTB group, p<0.05. The incidence of PTB did no vary significantly during the period, the lowest rate was found in 2010 (6.4%). A total of 221 children died giving a early mortality rate of 6.8 per 1000 live born over the 8 years. The majority 156 dying infants (70.6%) were preterm, only 5.7% died being born in the 35-36 gestational week (5.9 per 1000). Overall the preterm early mortality (7.3 per 1000) has shown a decreasing tendency during the latter years. CONCLUSION: During the last 8 years there have been no significant decline in preterm birth in the Tuzla region while a decline in early neonatal death has been registered.

GIANT AGGRESSIVE ANGIOMYXOMA OF THE VULVA: CASE REPORT.

A 57-year-old multiparous housewife was hospitalized at University Clinical Center with painless, ulcerated, huge tumor of the vulva, which had progressively increased in size during the last five years. It was a firm, ulcerated mass involving the left vulva and measuring 35 cm in diameter. The vaginal orifice was deviated to the right by the tumor. The adnexa and the uterus were normal. The patient underwent total excision of the tumor in general anesthesia, and histology confirmed aggressive angiomyxoma. She had an uneventful postoperative period with satisfactory healing of the wound.

Maternal serum progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) in the prediction of preterm birth.

The objective of this study was to analyze the maternal serum concentration of progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) with regard to the prediction and the interval between sampling and the onset of preterm birth. A prospective study was conducted on a sample of 37 women with threatened pre-term birth and 41 healthy pregnant women between the 24th and 28th gestational weeks. Out of 37 patients with threatened preterm birth 11 delivered pre-term and three groups of patients were formed: the preterm delivery group, patients with threatened preterm delivery, and healthy pregnant women. In samples that were taken within 5 days before labor started (6/11, 54.5%), PIBF concentrations were significantly lower than in those obtained more than 5 days before labor (5/11, 45.5%; the mean interval between sampling and the onset of labor was 4.1 ± 1.8 days). Multiple regression analysis of the individual contributions of each observed parameter for preterm delivery demonstrated the significant contribution of a lack of PIBF to preterm birth (p = 0.002). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PIBF for the prediction of preterm birth of women with symptoms of pre-term delivery. The PIBF demonstrated an excellent diagnostic value in the prediction of preterm birth with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.956 (95% CI = 0.884-0.989; p < 0.0001). Our data suggest that pregnancy termination can be predicted by lower than normal pregnancy PIBF values within 5 days before labor and can contribute to the diagnosis of preterm birth.

Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vaginal portion.

INTRODUCTION: Angiomyofibroblastoma is a tumor which is consists of two components: blood vessels and stromal cells, with always prominent vascular component. Angiomyofibroblastoma is benign tumor, but in literature is reported a case of recurrence and one case with sarcomatous transformation, which shoved that these tumors may rarely be associated with malignant component. CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old multiparous housewife was hospitalized at University Clinical Center because of painless, asymptomatic tumor of vaginal portion (posterior side). Tumor size was 7 millimeters in diameter. Internal genital organs did not present abnormalities. The patient underwent operative removal of the tumor and went to home at some day. At the histological examination the tumor presented as a angiomyofibroblastoma cervices uteri.

Perinatal mortality during fifteen-year period in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

THE AIM: To determine the incidence of perinatal mortality, as well as the frequency of premature deliveries. METHODS: We analyzed the data of birth protocol at the Clinics for Gynecology and Obstetrition at the University Clinical Centre in Tuzla in period 1992-2006. RESULTS: Perinatal mortality gradually declines in the period of 1992-2000. The decline owns mostly to early neonatal mortality more than to fetal which also shows the trend of decrease. During the first analyzed years (1992 and 1993) the incidence of premature deliveries was below 10% but that number increased during 1994 and 1995 (15.8%). The most interesting finding is that the highest level of incidence of premature deliveries was registered in the first postwar year--1996 (16.4%) when we also noted the largest number of deliveries for the analyzed period and most of which were finished between 32 and 36 weeks. The frequency of delivery of underweight babies (500-2499 g) was between 3.8 to 12.2%. The highest frequency was registered during the 1994 and 1995 when it reached 12.2%. The frequency of delivery of extremely underweight babies (500-999 g) for the analyzed period was about 0.1% with significant increase during the wartime (1995 even 0.6%). CONCLUSION: We found that during the period of 15 years a significant decline of perinatal mortality is registered, due to early neonatal death. Limited accessibility and quality of perinatal health care during the war period had detrimental effects on the healt and survival of newborns.

The Misgav-Ladach method of cesarean section: a step forward in operative technique in obstetrics.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the intraoperative and short-term outcomes of two cesarean techniques: the modified Misgav-Ladach and the Pfannenstiel-Kerr. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational cohort study of women undergoing a primary cesarean at the Clinic for Obstetric and Gynecology Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, between January 2003 and December 2011. The two cesarean techniques were compared for intraoperative and short terms outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 4,944 women were included in this study, 4,336 allocated to the modified Misgav-Ladach and 608 to the Pfannenstiel-Kerr techniques. The rate of modified Misgav-Ladach increased from 74 % in 2003 to 99 % in 2011. The modified Misgav-Ladach technique was associated with a shorter operative time (13.3 min ± 7.4 vs. 19.1 min ± 6.8, p < 0.05), as well as significantly less surgical material (3.5 ± 2.5 vs. 7.9 ± 2.1, p < 0.05). The modified Misgav-Ladach technique was also associated with lower analgesic requirements, lower rates of febrile morbidity and wound infection compared to the Pfannenstiel-Kerr technique (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of endometritis, wound dehiscence, bowel restitution, postoperative antibiotic use, and hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The modified Misgav-Ladach technique is associated with a shorter operative time than Pfannenstiel-Kerr and might lead to better postoperative outcomes.

Risk of uterine rupture following locked vs unlocked single-layer closure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rate of uterine scar disruption after a locked versus an unlocked single-layer closure of the hysterotomy incision at a previous cesarean. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a population where both locked and unlocked single-layer closure are commonly used. All singleton pregnancies at 24 weeks' gestation or more with a previous single cesarean were included. Rate of uterine scar disruption (complete uterine rupture and uterine scar dehiscence) were compared between women with a previous locked and those with a previous unlocked single-layer closure of the uterus. RESULTS: Out of 388 women included in the study, 272 had a previous unlocked single-layer closure and 116 had a locked single-layer closure. We found no significant difference in the rate of uterine scar disruption between the two groups (5.9% vs 8.6%, p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Locking a single-layer closure was not associated with an increase rate of uterine scar disruption at the next pregnancy in our retrospective analysis. A randomized trial should be performed.

Misgav-Ladach cesarean section: general consideration.

Among obstetric techniques, cesarean section seemed to represent a well-defined procedure and significant advances in this intervention were considered to be unlikely. However, obstetric surgery has recently undergone many improvements. In 1972, Joel-Cohen presented a new method for transverse incision of the abdomen. This method, with some modifications, was integrated into the Misgav-Ladach cesarean section. The philosophy of this technique is to cause the least possible damage to tissues, to refrain from superfluous steps, and to make the intervention the simplest possible. Advantages of this method are lower incidence of fever and urinary tract infection, reduced use of antibiotics and narcotics, faster re-establishment of normal bowel function, shorter maternal hospital stay and less postoperative adhesion formation. The Misgav-Ladach method of cesarean section is suitable for emergency and elective procedures, justifying its use in daily routine.

Dydrogesterone supplementation in women with threatened preterm delivery--the impact on cytokine profile, hormone profile, and progesterone-induced blocking factor.

Progesterone is indispensable in creating a suitable endometrial environment for implantation, and also for the maintenance of pregnancy. Successful pregnancy depends on an appropriate maternal immune response to the fetus. A protein called progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) acts by inducing Th2-dominant cytokine production to mediate the immunological effects of progesterone. The aim of this prospective study was to compare serum concentrations of progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), anti-inflammatory (IL-10) and pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ) cytokines, and serum PIBF concentrations in women with threatened preterm delivery who were given progesterone supplementation (study group) with those of women with threatened preterm delivery who were not given progesterone supplementation (control group). After dydrogesterone treatment of patients in the study group, serum PIBF as well as progesterone concentrations significantly increased. Women in this group had significantly higher serum levels of IL-10 than controls. The length of gestation was significantly higher in the group of women who were given progesterone supplementation. Our data suggest that dydrogesterone treatment of women at risk of preterm delivery results in increased PIBF production and IL-10 concentrations, and lower concentrations of IFNγ.

Single- versus double-layer closure of the hysterotomy incision during cesarean delivery and risk of uterine rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the best available evidence regarding the association between single-layer closure and uterine rupture. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for relevant observational and experimental studies that included women with a previous single, low, transverse cesarean delivery who had attempted a trial of labor (TOL). The risks of uterine rupture and uterine dehiscence were assessed by pooled odds ratios (OR) calculated with a random effects model. RESULTS: Nine studies including 5810 women were reviewed. Overall, the risk of uterine rupture during TOL after a single-layer closure was not significantly different from that after a double-layer closure (OR 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66-4.44). However, a sensitivity analysis indicated that the risk of uterine rupture was increased after a locked single-layer closure (OR 4.96; 95% CI 2.58-9.52, P<0.001) but not after an unlocked single-layer closure (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.21-1.16), compared with a double-layer closure. CONCLUSION: Locked but not unlocked single-layer closures were associated with a higher uterine rupture risk than double-layer closure in women attempting a TOL.

Angiosarcoma of the ovary in an 11 year old girl: case report and review of the literature.

Sarcomas of the female genital tract in general are rare and ovarian sarcomas comprise less than 1% of ovarian malignancies. In the literature there are 15 reported angiosarcomas of patients 21 year old and younger with no one originated in the ovary. We report a case of ovarian angiosarcoma in an 11 year old girl, presented with left side hip pain. MRI of abdomen and pelvis confirmed expansive solid and cystic mass occupied both ovaries. Imunohistochemistry staining was performed, CD34, Factor VIII, CD31, in order to confirm the diagnosis. Final diagnosis was angiosarcoma. The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy, according to the CWS-2002P protocol. 8 months after the diagnosis was established, there were no signs of any tumors according to the ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI. Although, extremely rare, angiosarcoma can also affect children and this diagnosis should be considered carefully in tumor with rich vascular network, necrosis and brisk mitotic activity.

Incidence and causes of maternal death during 20-year period (1986-2005) in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The purpose of this study was to determine how increased inaccessibility of health care during the war reflected on maternal outcomes in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. We retrospectively collected data from the databases of University Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics and Department of Patology. During war years (1992-1995), the rate of maternal mortality was 87/100,000 births, in the prewar (1986-1991) was 49/100,000 births, in the postwar (1996-2000) was 50/100,000 births, and in the 2001-2005 period was 23/100,000 births. Maternal mortality was significantly higher during the war, mainly due to lower adequacy and accessibility of health care, explosive injuries, and inadequate nutrition.

Short-term postnatal quality of life in women with previous Misgav Ladach caesarean section compared to Pfannenstiel-Dorffler caesarean section method.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether short-term postnatal health-related quality of life differed among women after different methods of cesarean sections. METHODS: One hundred forty-five women were evaluated with previous CS (85 by Misgav Ladach and 60 by Pfannenstiel-Dörffler). Short-time quality of life was measured using the Croatian version of Short Form Health Survey (SF - 36). Short-term postoperative recovery was assessed using two criteria: febrile morbidity and degree of pain. Incidence of peritoneal adhesions was assigned using Bristow scoring system. RESULTS: Four weeks after delivery women with previous Misgav Ladach cesarean section significantly scored higher on the bodily pain (72.4 vs. 56.7, p < 0.05), social functioning (71.5 vs. 60.4, p < 0.05), and the vitality (61.7 vs. 50.3, p < 0.05) subscales. These differences disappeared in the second assessment (12-weeks postpartum) except in the bodily pain (74.7 vs. 61.2, p < 0.05) subscale. There was a significant trend toward a higher requirement for postoperative analgesics in the Pfannenstiel-Dörfler group (doses: 5.4 vs. 8.7, p < 0.05; hours: 17.9 vs. 23.3, p < 0.05), and they had a significantly higher rate of febrile morbidity than the Misgav Ladach group (5.7 vs. 9.4%, p < 0.05). Hospitalization time was reduced in the Misgav Ladach group (4.2 vs. 7.3, p <\ 0.05). The incidence of adhesions was significantly lower in patients who had undergone a previous operation using the original Misgav Ladach method (0.47 vs. 0.77, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Misgav Ladach cesarean section method might lead to better short-time quality of life resulting in reducing postoperative complications compared to Pfannenstiel-Dörfler cesarean section method.

Vaginal delivery after Misgav-Ladach cesarean section--is the risk of uterine rupture acceptable?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the single-layer closure as is a routine by the Misgav-Ladach method compared to the double-layer closure as used by the Dörfler cesarean method is associated with an increased risk of uterine rupture in the subsequent pregnancy and delivery. METHODS: The analysis is retrospective and is based on medical documentation of the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. All patients with one previous cesarean section who attempted vaginal birth following cesarean section were managed from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2008. Exclusion criteria included multiple gestation, greater than one previous cesarean section, previous incision other than low transverse, gestational age at delivery less than 37 weeks and induction of delivery. We identified 448 patients who met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: We found that 303 patients had a single-layer closure (Misgav-Ladach) and 145 had a double-layer closure (Dörffler) of the previous uterine incision. There were 35 cases of uterine rupture. Of those patients with previous single-layer closure, 5.28% (16/303) had a uterine rupture compared to 13.11% (19/145) in the double-layer closure group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We have not found that a Misgav-Ladach cesarean section method (single-layer uterine closure) might be more likely to result in uterine rupture in women who attempted a vaginal birth after a previous cesarean delivery. This cesarean section method should find its confirmation in everyday clinical practice.

[Operative deliveries in Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during 1986-2005]. / Operativno zavrseni porodi u Klinici za ginekologiju i akuserstvo u Tuzli, Bosna i Hercegovina u razdoblju 1986.-2005. godine.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this paper was to determine the incidence of operative deliveries and to make a comparison between the incidence rate in the pre-war (1986-1991), war (1992-1995) and post-war (1996-2005) periods. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from the databases of University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics Tuzla for the period of twenty years (January 1st, 1986 - December 31st, 2005). RESULTS: The frequency of Cesarian section was in constant rise since 1990 when it surpassed 11%, with the exception of two war years 1992 and 1993 when it was 9.5%. The highest frequency was registered in 2004 - 20.7%. Statistically significant difference in Cesarean section was found between period 2001-2005 (18.5%) and other analysed periods. Vacuum extraction methods were most used in 1989 - 3.7%, and least in 2004 - 1.1%. In 1991, 50 - 0.8% of deliveries were finished with forceps, and since 2000 this method has not been used in any delivery. The frequency of pelvic presentation for the analyzed period varied less and was between 2.9% and 5.1%. CONCLUSION: During the period of twenty years at the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Tuzla a significant increase in the incidence of deliveries finished with Cesarean section was found.

Genetic health and prenatal diagnostics in clinical center Brcko District.

We report genetic counseling and prenatal diagnostics in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the Clinical Center Brcko District (BiH) which works for more than 4 years in prevention of giving birth to children with hereditary diseases and congenital malformations. Pregnant women from Brcko District, Tuzla Canton and wider area of BiH underwent genetic counseling. In the period from 2003 to 2007, 1234 pregnant woman underwent amniocentesis and genetic counseling. Among them 27 foetuses with chromosome disorders were discovered (2.19%). There were 9 (0.72%) cases of autosomal numerical aberrations, 9 (0.72%) of numerical anomalies of sex chromosomes and 12 (1.07%) of structural chromosome aberrations. Chordocentesis was performed in 86 pregnant women: 7 foetuses were found carrying chromosome aberrations (8.14%). Frequency of chromosomes in comparison to the Centre of Medicine Genetics in the Children Clinic in Novi Sad (Serbia) indicates that it is significantly higher (1.67% compared to 2.19%), and in both cases the populations are significantly large (12210:1234)--there is a large difference in structural chromosomal aberrations (0.39% -1.07%). This could point to harmful factors of the environment which contribute to induced genome damages. Frequency of chromosomopathies found by prenatal diagnostics is high. The causes for this have to be looked for, but the increase of structural anomalies points to environmental factors.

Progesterone-induced blocking factor and cytokine profile in women with threatened pre-term delivery.

PROBLEM: The objective of this study was to compare serum concentrations of progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), anti-inflammatory (IL-10),and pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNFa, and IFNc) cytokines of women with threatened pre-term delivery, with those of women with normal pregnancy and to evaluate the impact of PIBF on the outcome of pregnancy. METHOD OF STUDY: A prospective study was conducted on a sample of 30 women with threatened pre-term delivery (study group) and 20 healthy pregnant women (control group) between the 24th and 37th gestational weeks. Serum PIBF, anti-inflammatory (IL-10), and pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNFa, and IFNc) cytokine concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Thirteen of 30 patients (43.3%) with symptoms of threatened pre-term delivery, and one of 20 patients (5%) in the control group delivered before the 37th week of gestation. Mean PIBF concentrations in serum samples of patients with threatened pre-term delivery were significantly lower than in those of healthy pregnant women (171.12 +/-162.06 ng/mL versus 272.85 +/- 114.87 ng/mL; P < 0.05).Women with symptoms of threatened pre-term delivery had significantly lower serum levels of IL-10, and higher levels of IL-6 as well as IFNc compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that measuring PIBF and cytokine concentrations in serum during pregnancy is feasible and may be important for understanding immunological causes of pre-term delivery.