Advanced Insights into Human Uterine Innervation: Implications for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain.

(1) Background: Understanding uterine innervation, an essential aspect of female reproductive biology, has often been overlooked. Nevertheless, the complex architecture of uterine innervation plays a significant role in conditions such as endometriosis. Recently, advances in histological techniques have provided unprecedented details about uterine innervation, highlighting its intricate structure, distribution, and density. The intricate nature of uterine innervation and its influence on pathologies such as endometriosis has garnered increasing attention. (2) Objectives: This review aims to compile, analyze, and summarize the existing research on uterine innervation, and investigate its implications for the pathogenesis of endometriosis and associated pain. (3) Methods: A systematic review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines. Using the PubMed database, we searched relevant keywords such as "uterine innervation", "endometriosis", and "pain association". (4) Results: The initial literature search yielded a total of 3300 potential studies. Of these, 45 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. The analyzed studies consistently demonstrated that the majority of studies focused on macroscopic dissection of uterine innervation for surgical purposes. Fewer studies focused on micro-innervation for uterine innervation. For endometriosis, few studies focused on neural pain pathways whereas many studies underlined an increase in nerve fiber density within ectopic endometrial tissue. This heightened innervation is suggested as a key contributor to the chronic pain experienced by endometriosis patients. (5) Conclusions: The understanding of uterine innervation, and its alterations in endometriosis, offer promising avenues for research and potential treatment.

Comparison of two cancellation strategies to lower the risk of multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin stimulated intrauterine insemination cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two cancellation policies in controlled ovarian stimulation-intrauterine insemination (COS-IUI) cycles to lower the risk of multiple pregnancies (MP). DESIGN: We performed a bicentric retrospective cohort study in two academic medical centers: Angers (group A) and Besançon (group B) University Hospitals. We included 7056 COS-IUI cycles between 2011 and 2019. In group A, cancellation strategy was based on an algorithm taking into account the woman's age, the serum estradiol level, and the number of follicles of 14 mm or greater on ovulation trigger day. In group B, cancellation strategy was case-by-case and physician-dependent, based on the woman's age, number of follicles of 15 mm or greater, and the previous number of failed COS-IUI cycles, without any predefined cut-off. Our main outcome measures were the MP rate (MPR) and the live-birth rate (LBR). RESULTS: We included 884 clinical pregnancies (790 singletons, 86 twins, and 8 triplets) obtained from 6582 COS-IUI cycles. MPR was significantly lower in group A compared with group B (8.1% vs 13.3%, P = 0.01), but LBR were comparable (10.8% vs 11.8%, P = 0.19). Multivariate logistic regression found the following to be risk factors for MP: the "cancellation strategy" effect (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.60) and the number of follicles of 14 mm or greater (aOR 1.39, 95% CI 1.16-1.66). Cycle cancellation rate for excessive response was significantly lower in group A compared with group B (1.3% vs 2.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of an algorithm based on the woman's age, serum estradiol level and number of follicles of at least 14 mm on trigger day allows the MPR to be reduced without impacting the LBR.

Anal incontinence after obstetrical anal sphincter injury significantly impacts quality of life for women: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of anal incontinence (AI) after obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) and its severity, as well as the risk factors for AI and AI episodes ≥ 6 months. METHODS: This prospective and observational monocentric cohort study included all the women who had an OASIS between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2019. Information was collected by using a letter informing for the fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) questionnaire and by a phone interview. The main outcome measure was "1 passed or ongoing episode of AI". RESULTS: Among the 227 patients included, 19.8% had ongoing AI, and 35.2% had AI passed or ongoing episodes. A total of 46.7% of women with AI reported a change in their quality of life in all fields of the FIQL. Excluding a history of inflammatory bowel disease, no factor was associated with the incidence of an AI episode. Post-obstetrical AI ≥ 6 months (POAI ≥ 6) represented 63.7% of AI cases. This incontinence began with significant incidence in the immediate postpartum period but increased over time, unlike AI < 6 months, which appeared primarily in the immediate postpartum period. Instrumental birth was a protective factor for POAI ≥ 6 (OR = 0.24; CI 95% [0.08-0.78]; p = 0.016), while an increase in parity and BMI were risk factors for POAI ≥ 6 (OR = 4.21; CI 95% [1.01-17.71]; p = 0.05 and OR = 1.15; CI 95% [1.03-1.30]; p = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AI after OASIS is not underestimated. Despite the fact that women do not seek care, the impact of AI on the quality of life is significant. A case of AI that lasts for 6 months after giving birth risks becoming chronic. Therefore, specialist advice should be recommended in this case. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT04940494.

In France, the organization of perinatal care has a direct influence on the outcome of the mother and the newborn: Contribution from a French nationwide study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal and neonatal outcomes after a delivery in France in 2019, according to hospital characteristics and the impact of distance and time of travel on mother and newborn. METHODS: All parturients above 18 years of age who delivered in 2019 and were identified in the French health insurance database were included, with their newborns, in this retrospective cohort study. Main outcome measures were Severe Maternal Morbidity score and the Neonatal Adverse Outcome Indicator (NAOI). RESULTS: Among the 733 052 pregnancies included, 10 829 presented a severe maternal morbidity (1.48%) and 77 237 had a neonatal adverse outcome (10.4%). Factors associated with an unfavorable maternal or neonatal outcome were Obstetric Comorbidity Index, primiparity, and cesarean or instrumental delivery. Prematurity was associated with less severe maternal morbidity but more neonatal adverse outcomes. Time of travel above 30 min was associated with a higher NAOI rate. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest the efficiency of regionalization of perinatal care in France, although a difference in both outcomes persists according to unit volume, suggesting the need for a further step in concentrating perinatal care. Perinatal care organization should focus on mapping the territory with high-level, high-volume maternity throughout the territory; this suggests closing down high-volume units and improving low-volume ones to maintain coherent mapping.

Pregnancy and tobacco: Practice and knowledge of French midwives.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the midwives' practices and knowledges with regard to the management of the smoking cessation in pregnant women and analyse the profile of midwives prescribing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). METHODS: A national practice survey amongst 23,541 French midwives was conducted from 1 September 2020 to 15 September 2021 using an online self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The analysis of the 1,216 usable questionnaires (97, 7% women, mostly aged 30 to 49 years and non-smokers) showed that 93.4% of midwives frequently questioned pregnant women about their smoking consumption during pregnancy. The minimal counselling was known and practiced by 91% of midwives, the Fagerström test by 26.9% and the measurement of exhaled CO by 27.1%. Concerning NRT, 60% of the midwives prescribed them in a usual way and 36.8% were aware of the possibility of prescribing them to the pregnant woman's entourage. The profile of midwives prescribing NRT was significantly more concerned with smoking cessation in pregnant women; worked more frequently in a hospital; carried out 25% or more of antenatal monitoring consultations; and had significantly better knowledge of the evaluation tools, without influence of sex or smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the training of midwives in the screening and management of smoking cessation during pregnancy seems necessary.

Interstitial pregnancy management: A multicentric analysis of 98 patients from the FRANCOGENT group comparing surgery and medical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes associated with each therapeutic option for patients diagnosed with interstitial pregnancy (IP). METHODS: We conducted a multicentric retrospective cohort study within the departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics involved in the Francogent research group. Women treated for an interstitial pregnancy between January 2008 to December 2019 were included. Three therapeutic options were evaluated: surgical treatment (ST); in situ methotrexate combined with systemic methotrexate (IS-MTX); and systemic methotrexate (IM-MTX). Success of first-line treatment was defined by hCG negativation (<5I U/L). Secondary outcomes included the need for secondary surgical procedure, secondary medical treatment, emergency surgery, postoperative complications, duration of hospitalization, and delay before hCG negativation. RESULTS: A total of 98 patients were managed for IP: 42 (42.9%) patients had IM-MTX; 34 (34.7%) had IS-MTX; and 22 (22.4%) had ST. First-line treatment was successful in all patients of the ST group (22/22, 100%), in 31% of patients within the IM-MTX group (13/42) and 70.6% (24/34) in the IS-MTX group. The sole parameter associated with the risk of treatment failure was the mode of methotrexate administration. The size of the gestational sac or the presence of fetal heartbeat was not associated with decreased medical treatment (IS or IM-MTX) efficiency. CONCLUSION: Either ST or IS-MTX are good options for IP treatment associated with high success rates. A single-dose regimen of IM-MTX is less efficient than IS-MTX or ST. Symptomatic patients with severity criteria should always undergo emergency surgery. IP remains a high-risk condition that should be managed, whenever possible, in referral centers to potentialize the chances of favorable outcomes.

[Pelvic exam in gynecology and obstetrics: Guidelines for clinical practice]. / Examen pelvien en gynécologie et obstétrique : recommandations pour la pratique clinique.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines for the pelvic clinical exam in gynecology and obstetrics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary experts consensus committee of 45 experts was formed, including representatives of patients' associations and users of the health system. The entire guidelines process was conducted independently of any funding. The authors were advised to follow the rules of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE®) system to guide assessment of quality of evidence. The potential drawbacks of making strong recommendations in the presence of low-quality evidence were emphasized. METHODS: The committee studied 40 questions within 4 fields for symptomatic or asymptomatic women (emergency conditions, gynecological consultation, gynecological diseases, obstetrics, and pregnancy). Each question was formulated in a PICO (Patients, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format and the evidence profiles were produced. The literature review and recommendations were made according to the GRADE® methodology. RESULTS: The experts' synthesis work and the application of the GRADE method resulted in 27 recommendations. Among the formalized recommendations, 17 present a strong agreement, 7 a weak agreement and 3 an expert consensus agreement. Thirteen questions resulted in an absence of recommendation due to lack of evidence in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: The need to perform clinical examination in gynecological and obstetrics patients was specified in 27 pre-defined situations based on scientific evidence. More research is required to investigate the benefit in other cases.

Operative Hysteroscopy vs Vacuum Aspiration for Incomplete Spontaneous Abortion: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Vacuum aspiration is commonly used to remove retained products of conception in patients with incomplete spontaneous abortion. Scarring of the uterine cavity may occur, potentially impairing future fertility. A procedural alternative, operative hysteroscopy, has gained popularity with a presumption of better future fertility. Objective: To assess the superiority of hysteroscopy to vacuum aspiration for subsequent pregnancy in patients with incomplete spontaneous abortion who intend to have future pregnancy. Design, Setting, and Participants: The HY-PER randomized, controlled, single-blind trial included 574 patients between November 6, 2014, and May 3, 2017, with a 2-year duration of follow-up. This multicenter trial recruited patients in 15 French hospitals. Individuals aged 18 to 44 years and planned for surgery for an incomplete spontaneous abortion with plans to subsequently conceive were randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Interventions: Surgical treatment by hysteroscopy (n = 288) or vacuum aspiration (n = 286). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a pregnancy of at least 22 weeks' duration during 2-year follow-up. Results: The intention-to-treat analyses included 563 women (mean [SD] age, 32.6 [5.4] years). All aspiration procedures were completed. The hysteroscopic procedure could not be completed for 19 patients (7%), 18 of which were converted to vacuum aspiration (8 with inability to completely resect, 7 with insufficient visualization, 2 with anesthetic complications that required a shortened procedure, 1 with equipment failure). One hysteroscopy failed due to a false passage during cervical dilatation. During the 2-year follow-up, 177 patients (62.8%) in the hysteroscopy group and 190 (67.6%) in the vacuum aspiration (control) group achieved the primary outcome (difference, -4.8% [95% CI, -13% to 3.0%]; P = .23). The time-to-event analyses showed no statistically significant difference between groups for the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.71 to 1.07]). Duration of surgery and hospitalization were significantly longer for hysteroscopy. Rates of new miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, Clavien-Dindo surgical complications of grade 3 or above (requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiological intervention or life-threatening event or death), and reinterventions to remove remaining products of conception did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Surgical management by hysteroscopy of incomplete spontaneous abortions in patients intending to conceive again was not associated with more subsequent births or a better safety profile than vacuum aspiration. Moreover, operative hysteroscopy was not feasible in all cases. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02201732.

Oxytocin versus prostaglandins for labour Induction of women with an unfavourable cervix after 24 hours of cervical ripening (OPIC): protocol for an open multicentre randomised non-inferiority trial.

INTRODUCTION: It remains uncertain whether the most appropriate management for women with an unfavourable cervix after 24 hours of cervical ripening is repeating the ripening procedure or proceeding directly to induction by oxytocin. No adequately powered trial has compared these strategies. We hypothesise that induction of labour with oxytocin among women who have just undergone an ineffective first ripening procedure is not associated with a higher risk of caesarean delivery than a repeated cervical ripening with prostaglandins. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a multicentre, non-inferiority, open-label, randomised controlled trial aimed at comparing labour induction by oxytocin with a second cervical ripening that uses prostaglandins (slow-release vaginal dinoprostone; oral misoprostol 25 µg; dinoprostone vaginal gel 2 mg). Women (n=1494) randomised in a 1:1 ratio in 10 French maternity units must be ≥18 years with a singleton fetus in vertex presentation, at a term from ≥37+0 weeks of gestation, and have just completed a 24-hour cervical ripening procedure by any method (pharmacological or mechanical) with a Bishop score ≤6. Exclusion criteria comprise being in labour, having more than 3 contractions per 10 min, or a prior caesarean delivery or a history of uterine surgery, or a fetus with antenatally suspected severe congenital abnormalities or a non-reassuring fetal heart rate. The primary endpoint will be the caesarean delivery rate, regardless of indication. Secondary outcomes concern delivery, perinatal morbidity, maternal satisfaction and health economic evaluations. The nature of the assessed procedures prevents masking the study investigators and patients to group assignment. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All participants will provide written informed consent. The ethics committee 'Comité de Protection des Personnes Ile de France VII' approved this study on 2 April 2021 (No 2021-000989-15). Study findings will be submitted for publication and presented at relevant conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04949633.

Assessment of the self-confidence of obstetrics & gynecology fellows to perform a postpartum hemostasis hysterectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Hemostasis Hysterectomy (HH) is a last resort surgical procedure performed in situations of uncontrolled post-partum hemorrhage in maternity wards. The chances of being confronted with this situation are scarce during residency, and the situation is not well suited for teaching. Nevertheless, every obstetrician-gynecologist can be confronted with this stressful situation, and should therefore possess the surgical competence required, regardless of his routine practice. The aim of the present study is to evaluate clinical exposure and self-awareness concerning HH amongst obstetrics and gynecology residents and fellows. MATERIEL AND METHODS: We performed a survey amongst French obstetrics and gynecology fellows. An anonymous survey was sent by email between December 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. RESULTS: Half of the interrogated fellows had practiced (as operator) an HH during residency with a senior and only 22,6% in post-residency. During the last year of residency 70% of them had performed less than 10 scheduled hysterectomies as primary operator. The laparoscopic approach was the most frequently practiced. Very few hysterectomies were performed as primary operator. Fellows with a surgical or mixed activity (both gynecological surgery and obstetrical activity in current practice) felt significantly more capable of performing HH compared to those with exclusive obstetrical or reproductive medicine activity; respectively 60% vs 36%, p = 0.008; Odds Ratio: 2.629 (95% CI 1.2214; 5.8094). CONCLUSION: The number of scheduled hysterectomies or HH performed as primary operator is very low during residency or fellowship. It remains largely inferior to the number deemed necessary in previous publications about the learning curve for scheduled hysterectomy, which varies from 18 to 80 interventions. Nowadays, the increasing number of residents, added to the decrease of hemostasis hysterectomies through better management of post-partum hemorrhage, pushes towards the development of specific training, such as "damage control simulation".

Do Surgeons Anticipate Women's Hopes and Fears Associated with Prolapse Repair? A Qualitative Analysis in the PROSPERE Trial.

Women's preoperative perceptions of pelvic-floor disorders may differ from those of their physicians. Our objective was to specify women's hopes and fears before cystocele repair, and to compare them to those that surgeons anticipate. We performed a secondary qualitative analysis of data from the PROSPERE trial. Among the 265 women included, 98% reported at least one hope and 86% one fear before surgery. Sixteen surgeons also completed the free expectations-questionnaire as a typical patient would. Women's hopes covered seven themes, and women's fears eleven. Women's hopes were concerning prolapse repair (60%), improvement of urinary function (39%), capacity for physical activities (28%), sexual function (27%), well-being (25%), and end of pain or heaviness (19%). Women's fears were concerning prolapse relapse (38%), perioperative concerns (28%), urinary disorders (26%), pain (19%), sexual problems (10%), and physical impairment (6%). Surgeons anticipated typical hopes and fears which were very similar to those the majority of women reported. However, only 60% of the women reported prolapse repair as an expectation. Women's expectations appear reasonable and consistent with the scientific literature on the improvement and the risk of relapse or complication related to cystocele repair. Our analysis encourages surgeons to consider individual woman's expectations before pelvic-floor repair.

Is there still an indication for episiotomy? Results from a French national database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the link between mediolateral episiotomy and the occurrence of obstetrical anal sphincter injury (OASIS). METHODS: Data were collected from the national database (PMSI; Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information). Women between 18 and 50 years old, undergoing a vaginal delivery in France in 2018 were included. The main outcome was factors associated with a higher adjusted OASIS rate after a vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Of 623 003 women with a vaginal delivery, 239 949 were primiparous (38.5%), 62 310 experienced mediolateral episiotomy (10.0%) and 7077 had a third- or fourth-degree perineal tear (1.14%). Risk factors for OASIS were primiparity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.97), shoulder dystocia (aOR 2.57), instrumental delivery (aOR 2.81), gestational diabetes (aOR 1.20), and post-term delivery (aOR 1.53). Mediolateral episiotomy increased the occurrence of OASIS for women without an instrumental delivery, either for parous (OR 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.62) or primiparous (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.39) women. In contrast, episiotomy among primiparous women with episiotomy and a vacuum or forceps delivery significantly decreased the risk for OASIS (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.56-0.67). CONCLUSIONS: The practice of routine episiotomy should be discouraged. Selective mediolateral episiotomy should be considered with extreme caution and mainly for primiparous women during instrumental vaginal delivery. Further randomized trial may confirm such results.

The role of peak serum estradiol level in the prevention of multiple pregnancies in gonadotropin stimulated intrauterine insemination cycles.

The objective was to assess whether the measurement of serum estradiol (E2) level on trigger day in controlled ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination (COS-IUI) cycles helps lower the multiple pregnancy (MP) rate. We performed a unicentric observational study. We included all patients who underwent COS-IUI and had a subsequent clinical pregnancy (CP) between 2011 and 2019. Our main outcome measure was the area under Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. We included 455 clinical pregnancies (CP) obtained from 3387 COS-IUI cycles: 418 singletons, 35 twins, and 2 triplets. The CP, MP, and live birth rates were respectively 13.4%, 8.1% and 10.8%. The area under ROC curve for peak serum E2 was 0.60 (0.52-0.69). The mean E2 level was comparable between singletons and MP (260.1 ± 156.1 pg/mL vs. 293.0 ± 133.4 pg/mL, p = 0.21, respectively). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that E2 level was not predictive of MP rate (aOR: 1.13 (0.93-1.37) and 1.06 (0.85-1.32), respectively). Our study shows that, when strict cancelation criteria based on the woman's age and follicular response on ultrasound are applied, the measurement of peak serum E2 levels does not help reduce the risk of MP in COS-IUI cycles.

Late fetal demise, a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Late-term fetal demise including fetal death in utero, late miscarriage and late termination of pregnancy are relatively frequent occurrences. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a pathology that finds its roots in exposure to a life-threatening event or an event related to death. Exposure to fetal death during a late-term fetal demise is, therefore, a situation at risk of trauma. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the short term among patients faced with late fetal demise, and to identify potential risk factors. All women were assessed at 15 days, one month, and three months after late fetal demise using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ). At 15 days, 44.2% of patients presented a pathological score on the IES-R (≥ 33). At one month and three months, this figure was 34.1% and 9.1% respectively. Factor associated with PTSD symptoms were: peritraumatic dissociation (p = 0.014), seeing the fetus during hospitalization (p = 0.035), holding the fetus in one's arms (p = 0.046), and the organization of a funeral service (p = 0.025). Patients experiencing late fetal demise are at significant risk of trauma. Care providers should remain vigilant to identify high-risk situations to offer appropriate care.Clinical trials registration number: NCT03433989.

A Metabolomic Profiling of Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction in Placenta and Cord Blood Points to an Impairment of Lipid and Energetic Metabolism.

(1) Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) involves metabolic changes that may be responsible for an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Several metabolomic profiles have been reported in maternal blood and urine, amniotic fluid, cord blood and newborn urine, but the placenta has been poorly studied so far. (2) Methods: To decipher the origin of this metabolic reprogramming, we conducted a targeted metabolomics study replicated in two cohorts of placenta and one cohort of cord blood by measuring 188 metabolites by mass spectrometry. (3) Results: OPLS-DA multivariate analyses enabled clear discriminations between IUGR and controls, with good predictive capabilities and low overfitting in the two placental cohorts and in cord blood. A signature of 25 discriminating metabolites shared by both placental cohorts was identified. This signature points to sharp impairment of lipid and mitochondrial metabolism with an increased reliance on the creatine-phosphocreatine system by IUGR placentas. Increased placental insulin resistance and significant alteration of fatty acids oxidation, together with relatively higher phospholipase activity in IUGR placentas, were also highlighted. (4) Conclusions: Our results show a deep lipid and energetic remodeling in IUGR placentas that may have a lasting effect on the fetal metabolism.

Tranexamic acid for the prevention of blood loss after cesarean among women with twins: a secondary analysis of the TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Following a Cesarean Delivery randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Although prophylactic tranexamic acid administration after cesarean delivery resulted in a lower incidence of calculated estimated blood loss of >1000 mL or red cell transfusion by day 2, its failure to reduce the incidence of hemorrhage-related secondary clinical outcomes (TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Following a Cesarean Delivery trial) makes its use questionable. The magnitude of its effect may differ in women at higher risk of blood loss, including those with multiple pregnancies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effect of tranexamic acid vs placebo to prevent blood loss after cesarean delivery among women with multiple pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: This was a secondary analysis of the TRAnexamic Acid for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Following a Cesarean Delivery trial data, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial from March 2018 to January 2020 in 27 French maternity hospitals, that included 319 women with multiple pregnancies. Women with a cesarean delivery before or during labor at ≥34 weeks of gestation were randomized to receive intravenously 1 g of tranexamic acid (n=160) or placebo (n=159), both with prophylactic uterotonics. The primary outcome was a calculated estimated blood loss of >1000 mL or a red blood cell transfusion by 2 days after delivery. The secondary outcomes included clinical and laboratory blood loss measurements. RESULTS: Of the 4551 women randomized in this trial, 319 had a multiple pregnancy and cesarean delivery, and 298 (93.4%) had primary outcome data available. This outcome occurred in 62 of 147 women (42.2%) in the tranexamic acid group and 67 of 152 (44.1%) receiving placebo (adjusted risk ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-1.38; P=.86). No significant between-group differences occurred for any hemorrhage-related clinical outcomes: gravimetrically estimated blood loss, provider-assessed clinically significant hemorrhage, additional uterotonics, postpartum blood transfusion, arterial embolization, and emergency surgery (P>.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: Among women with a multiple pregnancy and cesarean delivery, prophylactic tranexamic acid did not reduce the incidence of any blood loss-related outcomes.

Vaginal delivery of the second twin: A simulation program for residents in obstetrics and gynecology in a type III university maternity hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To implement a vaginal delivery of the second twin simulation program for obstetric and gynecology residents, to reduce maternal-fetal mortality in the management of twin pregnancies in the delivery room. DESIGN: A prospective education program. The session consisted of a theoretical part, a practical part on a mannequin and an evaluation. The model was designed in a simple and reproducible way. The simulation evaluation was done at several levels according to the validated Kirkpatrick model. SETTING: A tertiary level university maternity hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ten obstetric and gynecology residents participated. RESULTS: The resident's personal feelings about their ability to perform the maneuvers increased significantly after participation in the simulation session. Their technical skills in performing the maneuvers were assessed in a second step. The majority of the participants considered the model realistic and the session useful. All agreed that the simulation was an essential part of their learning process. CONCLUSION: A simulated vaginal delivery of the second twin session allows residents to be safely trained in these obstetrical maneuvers, which can be difficult to teach and perform.

Does hyaluronic acid gel reduce intrauterine adhesions after dilation and curettage in women with miscarriage? A Multicentric randomized controlled trial (HYFACO Study).

BACKGROUND: Miscarriage is a frequent problem that requires dilation and curettage in 30% of cases. This routine surgery may lead to intrauterine adhesions and severe infertility. Hyaluronic acid gel is known to reduce intrauterine adhesions after hysteroscopic surgery. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the rate of intrauterine adhesions after dilation and curettage for miscarriage with and without hyaluronic acid gel. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multicentric (9 hospitals in France), prospective, open-label randomized trial. Patients who had a miscarriage between weeks 7 and 14 of gestation, required dilation and curettage, and wanted another pregnancy were eligible for the study. Women were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to surgery alone (control group) or surgery with intrauterine instillation of hyaluronic acid gel (gel group). An office hysteroscopy was planned at 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. The primary endpoint was the rate of intrauterine adhesions during this office follow-up hysteroscopy. Two different follow-up fertility surveys were sent at 6 months and 1 year after the end of the intervention, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 343 patients who had curettage, 278 had hysteroscopy. After multiple imputation, the rate of intrauterine adhesions was lower in the gel group than in the control group (9.1% vs 18.4%, respectively; P=.0171). Among the 110 responders to the surveys, the overall pregnancy rate at 12 months after surgery was 64.5% (71/110), and similar in both groups (57.4% [27/47] in the control group vs 69.8% [44/63] in the gel group; P=.1789). CONCLUSION: Intrauterine instillation of hyaluronic acid gel reduces the rate of intrauterine adhesions in women treated with dilation and curettage for miscarriage.