The value of intraovarian autologous platelet rich plasma in women with poor ovarian reserve or ovarian insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of intraovarian PRP in women with low ovarian reserve. SEARCH STRATEGY: Screening of databases from inception to January 2023 using the keywords related to "Platelet-rich plasma" AND "poor ovarian reserve" OR "ovarian failure". SELECTION CRITERIA: Fourteen studies (1632 participants) were included, 10 included women with POR, 1 included women with POI and 3 included both POR and POI women. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Extracted data included study settings, design, sample size, population characteristics, volume, timing and preparation of PRP administration, and outcome parameters. MAIN RESULTS: AMH level was evaluated in 11 studies (2099 women). The mean difference (MD) was 0.09 with 95% CI of - 0.06, 0.24 (P = 0.25). Antral follicular count level was assessed in 6 studies (1399 women). The MD was 1.73 with 95% CI of 0.81, 2.66 (P < 0.001). The number of oocytes retrieved was evaluated in 7 studies (1413 women). The MD was 1.21 with 95% CI of 0.48, 1.94 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This systematic review found a significant improvement of AFC, the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of cleavage embryos and the cancellation rate in women with POR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number CRD42022365682.

Cervical Osmotic Dilators versus Dinoprostone for Cervical Ripening during Labor Induction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 14 Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials (RCTs and NCTs, respectively) that explored the maternal-neonatal outcomes of cervical osmotic dilators versus dinoprostone in promoting cervical ripening during labor induction. STUDY DESIGN: Six major databases were screened until August 27, 2022. The quality of included studies was evaluated. The data were summarized as mean difference or risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) in a random-effects model. RESULTS: Overall, 14 studies with 15 arms were analyzed (n = 2,380 patients). Ten and four studies were RCTs and NCTs, respectively. The overall quality for RCTs varied (low risk n = 2, unclear risk n = 7, and high risk n = 1), whereas all NCTs had good quality (n = 4). For the primary endpoints, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding the rate of normal vaginal delivery (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.95-1.14, p = 0.41) and rate of cesarean delivery (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.93-1.17, p = 0.51). Additionally, there was no significant difference between both groups regarding the mean change in Bishop score and mean time from intervention to delivery. The rate of uterine hyperstimulation was significantly lower in the cervical osmotic dilator group. For the neonatal outcomes, during cervical ripening, the rate of fetal distress was significantly lower in the cervical osmotic dilator group. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding the mean Apgar scores, rate of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, rate of umbilical cord metabolic acidosis, rate of neonatal infection, and rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSION: During labor induction, cervical ripening with cervical osmotic dilators and dinoprostone had comparable maternal-neonatal outcomes. Cervical osmotic dilators had low risk of uterine hyperstimulation compared with dinoprostone. Overall, cervical osmotic dilators might be more preferred over dinoprostone in view of their analogous cervical ripening effects, comparable maternal-neonatal outcomes, and lack of drug-related adverse events. KEY POINTS: · This is the first analysis of cervical osmotic dilators versus PGE2 for cervical ripening during labor.. · There was no difference between both arms regarding the rates of normal vaginal/cesarean deliveries.. · There was no difference between both arms regarding the rates of neonatal adverse events.. · Cervical osmotic dilators had significant lower risk of uterine hyperstimulation compared with PGE2.. · Cervical osmotic dilators may be superior to PGE2 in view of their similar efficacy and better safety..

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of Placenta accreta spectrum: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound and in the diagnosis of Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). DATA SOURCES: Screening of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, other bases from inception to February 2022 using the keywords related to placenta accreta, increta, percreta, morbidly adherent placenta, and preoperative ultrasound diagnosis. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All available studies- whether were prospective or retrospective- including cohort, case control and cross sectional that involved prenatal diagnosis of PAS using 2D or 3D ultrasound with subsequent pathological confirmation postnatal were included. Fifty-four studies included 5307 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria, PAS was confirmed in 2025 of them. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Extracted data included settings of the study, study type, sample size, participants characteristics and their inclusion and exclusion criteria, Type and site of placenta previa, Type and timing of imaging technique (2D, and 3D), severity of PAS, sensitivity and specificity of individual ultrasound criteria and overall sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity was 0.8703, specificity was 0.8634 with -0.2348 negative correlation between them. The estimate of Odd ratio, negative likelihood ratio and positive likelihood ratio were 34.225, 0.155 and 4.990 respectively. The overall estimates of loss of retroplacental clear zone sensitivity and specificity were 0.820 and 0.898 respectively with 0.129 negative correlation. The overall estimates of myometrial thinning, loss of retroplacental clear zone, the presence of bridging vessels, placental lacunae, bladder wall interruption, exophytic mass, and uterovesical hypervascularity sensitivities were 0.763, 0.780, 0.659, 0.785, 0.455, 0.218 and 0.513 while specificities were 0.890, 0.884, 0.928, 0.809, 0.975, 0.865 and 0.994 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosis of PAS among women with low lying or placenta previa with previous cesarean section scars is high and recommended in all suspected cases. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Number CRD42021267501.

The value of platelet-rich plasma in women with previous implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of intrauterine PRP to improve IVF outcome in women with previous implantation failure. METHODS: Screening of Pubmed, Web of Science, and other databases from inception to August 2022 using the keywords related to "platelet-rich plasma" OR "PRP" AND "IVF" "implantation failure." Twenty-nine studies (3308 participants) were included in our analysis, 13 were RCTs, 6 were prospective cohorts, 4 were prospective single arm, and 6 were retrospective analyses. Extracted data included settings of the study, study type, sample size, participants' characteristics, route, volume, timing of PRP administration, and outcome parameters. RESULTS: Implantation rate was reported in 6 RCTs (886 participants) and 4 non-RCTs (732 participants). The odds ratio (OR) effect estimate was 2.62 and 2.06, with 95% CI of 1.83, 3.76, and 1.03-4.11, respectively. Endometrial thickness was compared in 4 RCTs (307 participants) and 9 non-RCTs (675 participants), which showed a mean difference of 0.93 and 1.16, with 0.59-1.27 and 0.68-1.65 95% CI, respectively. CONCLUSION: PRP administration improves implantation, clinical pregnancy, chemical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, live birth rates, and endometrial thickness in women with previous implantation failure.

Effect of female genital cutting performed by health care professionals on labor complications in Egyptian women: a prospective cohort study.

AIM: To examine the effect of the degree of female genital cutting (FGC) performed by health-care professionals on perineal scarring; delivery mode; duration of second stage of labor; incidence of perineal tears and episiotomy in a cohort of uncircumcised versus circumcised (types I and II) women. METHODS: A prospective cohort study included 450 primigravida women in active labor attending the Faculty of Medicine Cairo University Hospital between January 2013 and August 2014. Women were divided into three groups based on medical examination upon admission. Group I (Control) included 150 uncut women, Group II included 150 women with type I FGC and Group III included 150 women with type II FGC. A structured questionnaire elicited the information on women's socio-demographic characteristics including age, residence, occupation, educational level, age of marriage and FGC circumstances. Association between FGC and labor complications was examined. MAIN OUTCOMES: risk of perineal scarring; delivery mode; duration of second stage of labor; incidence of perineal tears and episiotomy. RESULTS: Family history of genitally cut mother/sister was the most significant socio-demographic factor associated with FGC. FGC especially type II was associated with significantly higher incidence of vulvar scar (P<0.0002), perineal tears (P<0.0001) and increased likelihood of additional vaginal and perineal trauma [odds ratio (OR): 1.85, 95% CI: 0.60-5.65. P≤0.001]. There was insignificant difference in risks of cesarean section (CS), instrumental delivery, episiotomy and short-term neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: The study strengthens the evidence that FGC increases the risk of tears in spite of medicalization of the practice.

Audit of maternal mortality ratio and causes of maternal deaths in the largest maternity hospital in Cairo, Egypt (Kasr Al Aini) in 2008 and 2009: lessons learned.

This study examined maternal deaths at Cairo University Maternity Hospital between January 2008 and December 2009. The aim was to calculate Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) as well as identify the causes and predisposing factors to maternal deaths. Data were collected from the files of the hospitalized pregnant women in the hospital. There were 38 maternal deaths and MMR was 79 per 100,000 live births for the two years examined. The main causes of death were obstetric hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cardiac arrest. Substandard medical care and the delay in seeking of medical advice were two contributing factors to maternal deaths recorded. The need for audit and publication of all obstetric hospitals MMR to compare and identify areas of improvements is recommended.

Endometrial thickness and serum beta-hCG as predictors of the effectiveness of oral misoprostol in early pregnancy failure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial thickness and serum levels of chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) as predictors of failure to abort completely in patients designated for uterine evacuation using oral misoprostol. METHODS: Women attending an obstetric outpatient clinic who complained of residual vaginal bleeding 15 days or more after taking oral misoprostol for medical induction of abortion for early pregnancy failure were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound scan and assay of serum beta-hCG. They subsequently underwent dilatation and curettage under general anaesthesia. According to the results of histopathological examination of uterine contents, the study cohort was divided into women with incomplete abortion (19 cases, 19.6%) and cases with complete abortion (78 cases, 80.4%). The results of the ultrasound scan and the assay of serum beta-hCG were correlated with the histopathological results to determine the accuracy of these markers in predicting complete abortion. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics for both groups were similar. The endometrial thickness in the two groups ranged from 11.2 +/- 3.9 mm in the complete abortion group to 14.6 +/- 6.1 mm in the incomplete abortion group, a statistically significant difference (P = 0.003). Serum beta-hCG levels were statistically different in the two groups (complete abortion 73.9 +/- 23.9 IU/L vs. incomplete abortion 109.4 +/- 68.4 IU/L, P < 0.001). Measured endometrial thickness > or = 12 mm predicted incomplete abortion with a sensitivity of 88.5%, a specificity of 73.7%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 93.2%, and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+ve) of 85.6. A serum beta-hCG > or = 100 IU/L predicted incomplete abortion with a sensitivity of 87.2%, a specificity of 78.9%, a PPV of 94.4%, and a LR+ve of 85.6. CONCLUSION: Quantitative assay of serum beta-hCG and ultrasound measurement of endometrial thickness are clinically useful measures for predicting late failure of medical abortion, but should be used as supplements to clinical assessments.