The effect of informing the patient about the procedure with video imaging before office hysteroscopy on pain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of informing patients undergoing diagnostic office hysteroscopy via a video 24 h before the procedure and determine the changes in pain scores, channel transit time, the degree of difficulty of the procedure, and physiological parameters. DESIGN: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The study was conducted between September 1, 2021 and April 1, 2022 at the University of Health Sciences Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 134 patients aged 18-65 years who needed diagnostic office hysteroscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized into two groups, the standard information group (Group 1: controls), and the video information + standard information group (Group 2). After office hysteroscopy, a visual analog scale (VAS) and Likert scale were used to assess pain and the degree of difficulty of the procedure, respectively. Physiological parameters were evaluated before and after the procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To determine the effect of video-based multimedia information administered 24 h before office hysteroscopy on post-procedure pain. RESULTS: The mean VAS score of the group that watched the training video (3.02 ± 1.88) was significantly lower than the control group (4.72 ± 2.54) who did not watch the training video (p < 0.001). The mean cervical channel transit time in seconds (sec) during the procedure was found to be significantly higher in the control group (21.57 ± 15.10 s) than in the video-watching group (p = 0.011). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of physiological parameters and the degree of ease of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that informing patients in a pre-procedure video is an effective approach that shortens the duration of the channel transit time and reduces pain.

Predictive value of preoperative MRI using the #ENZIAN classification score in patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative findings of deep infiltrating endometriosis using the #ENZIAN score. METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 patients who underwent surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis between January 2017 and August 2020. Preoperative abdominopelvic MRI assessment was evaluated and scored using the #ENZIAN classification. Operative scores were considered the gold standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of MRI for each category were calculated. RESULTS: MRI has higher sensitivity and specificity in showing the lesions of the compartments O (ovarian lesions), A (rectovaginal septum and posterior vaginal fornix), and B (uterosacral ligaments and parametrium) (100-100%, 100-100%, and 97-100%, respectively, p < 0.001) compared to the other compartments. The lowest sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and PPV of the MRI was found in compartment P (14%, 76%, 70%, and 7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the #ENZIAN classification in MRI reports has significant sensitivity and specificity in compartments A, B (uterosacral ligaments and parametrium), and O. Furthermore, the determination of peritoneal lesions via MRI is inadequate.

Evaluation of genital self-image and sexual dysfunction in women with vulvar lichen planus or lichen sclerosus.

INTRODUCTION: Vulvar lichen planus (LP) and vulvar lichen sclerosus (LS) are chronic inflammatory diseases that affect women's sexual health. In this study, our aim was to investigate sexual function, anxiety level and genital self-image in vulvar LP and vulvar LS patients. METHODS: This study was conducted on a total of 178 women who presented to the gynecology clinic between February 2019 and January 2020. The patients were divided into the following groups: group 1, vulvar LP (n = 21); group 2, vulvar LS (n = 59); group 3, fungal vulvitis controls (n = 48); and group 4, healthy controls (n = 50). The validated Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Anxiety Index (BAI), and Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) questionnaires were assessed in all women. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to age, parity, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), vaginal intercourse past 1 month, marital status or educational status (p > .05). There were statistically significant differences between the vulvar LP and vulvar LS groups compared to control groups in terms of FSFI total scores and subscores (p < .001). When FGSIS and BAI scores were analyzed, significant statistical differences were found among the study groups (p < .001). A positive correlation was found between the FSFI and FGSIS scores in patients with vulvar LP and LS. Additionally, a negative correlation was found between the FSFI and BAI scores in patients with vulvar LP and LS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that sexual function, genital self-image and anxiety level were associated in vulvar LP and vulvar LS patients. Vulvar LP and vulvar LS patients with worse genital self-image have more sexual problems and anxious conditions.

Shear wave elastography of the uterine cervix under different conditions with inter-operator agreement analysis.

PURPOSE: Shear wave elastography (SWE) is a relatively new technique for measuring tissue elasticity. Its implementation for assessing the tissue of the cervix is evolving, and SWE analyses of healthy, nonpregnant cervixes is the first step in understanding other SWE changes related to cervical pathologies; nevertheless, some challenges in the use of the technique still require investigation. We aimed to target the consistency of healthy cervix shear wave elastography measurements and examine the changes induced by patient-related factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Elastograms were obtained at the internal and external os in the anterior (IA, EA) and posterior (IP, EP) portions of the cervix using a transvaginal approach in eight postmenopausal and 25 premenopausal women. Measurements with a standard deviation of over 20% and patients who presented with colour loss or heterogeneity were excluded from the study. Shear wave elastography assessments were performed using a Toshiba Aplio 500 version 6. Statistical significance was defined as a p value less than 0.10, due to the small number of patients. RESULTS: The mean speeds obtained at the external os on the anterior and posterior aspects was 3.17 ± 0.85 m/s and 3.18 ± 0.84 m/s, respectively, and at the internal os, the results on the anterior and posterior aspects were 3.38 ± 0.73 m/s and 3.53 ± 0.81 m/s, respectively. The difference in speed among all regions was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Fifteen patients were also analysed by a second radiologist with a similar experience level as that of the first. Nine measurements for IP, 13 measurements for IA, 11 measurements for EP, and 15 measurements for EA were performed. The correlation coefficients between the two sets of measurements were 0.46, 0.30, 0.67, and 0.51, respectively. There was no difference in the SWE values with respect to age, parity, and gravidity for any of the regions. The SWE values at the IA, IP, and EA regions between the postmenopausal and premenopausal women were significantly different (p = 0.038, p = 0.059, p = 0.065). CONCLUSIONS: The posterior portion of the internal os is most likely to undergo inaccurate SWE measurement among the different anatomical positions. The correlation between radiologists was found to be different for different locations in the cervix. More studies are needed to determine the SWE values of the healthy cervix and the agreement levels between radiologists.

Endocan as a predictor of increased cardiovascular risk during the menopausal transition period.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate the serum endocan levels and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements of pre- and postmenopausal patients to clarify the relationship between the menopausal transition and endothelial injury. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on women who were premenopausal and postmenopausal between January 2019 and June 2019. The patients were divided into two groups according to premenopausal (n = 32) and postmenopausal (n = 32) status. Serum endocan levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CIMT ultrasonographic measurements were determined. Hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured. The validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) questionnaire was used on all women. RESULTS: Serum endocan levels were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group (222.90 ± 121.00 ng/L and 146.62 ± 41.88 ng/L, p = 0.033, respectively). The mean CIMT was significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal cohort (0.70 ± 0.14 mm and 0.58 ± 0.11 mm, p < 0.001, respectively). A positive correlation was found between body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), abdominal circumference (AC), and CIMT and postmenopausal serum endocan levels. Serum endocan levels with a cutoff point of 141.14 ng/L identified women with significant CIMT levels with sensitivity of 73.8% and specificity of 77.3%. A positive correlation was found between CIMT and endocan and total MRS scores. CONCLUSION: Serum endocan levels were associated with CIMT during the menopausal transition period. Increased circulating endocan levels can be a predictor of cardiovascular risk in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Effect of pomegranate extract on vagina, skeleton, metabolic and endocrine profiles in an ovariectomized rat model.

AIM: Many women need estrogen therapy because of menopausal complaints. It is suggested that pomegranate plant has estrogenic effect. Aim of the study was to examine the effects of pomegranate seed extract on menopausal changes. METHODS: This study was conducted in an experimental environment with 23 Wistar Albino genus female rats. Sixteen rats were divided into two groups after ovariectomy. One group (SG) was fed with standard food and the pomegranate extract was added to drinking water of the other group (PG). Seven rats were identified as the sham group for the detection of basal values. At the end of 90 days, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, tibial bone cortex thickness and vaginal epithelium thickness of the groups were compared. RESULTS: FSH, total-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels were similar among the three groups (P > 0.05), while others were different (P < 0.05). In binary comparisons (PG vs SG), estradiol level (average ± standard deviation [SD]: 252 ± 43 vs 154 ± 26 pg/mL), tibial bone cortex thickness (58 ± 7 vs 40 ± 2 µm) and vaginal epithelium thickness (21 ± 7 vs 10 ± 4 µm) were significantly higher in PG. In PG, triglyceride levels (103 ± 26 vs 87 ± 41 mg/dL) were higher and LDL-cholesterol levels were lower (20 ± 8 vs 27 ± 8 mg/dL), but these differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: In rats fed with pomegranate extract, estradiol levels increased and tibial bone cortex thickness and vaginal epithelium thickness also increased. Pomegranate itself or its formulation extracts may be a support or an alternative to the main treatment modalities in the preservation of bone density and the treatment of vaginal epithelial atrophy.

The Effect of Patient Position during Mid-Urethral Sling Operations on the Postoperative Outcomes of Sling Success: A Randomized Clinical Study.

AIMS: To determine and compare the effectiveness, peri- and postoperative outcomes of mid-urethral sling (MUS) operations for urinary incontinence, using 2 different patient positions during surgery. METHODS: In this study, 146 patients underwent MUS surgery in a urogynecology clinic. Of them, 72 patients underwent the intraoperative surgical procedure of reverse trendelenburg patient positioning for tape adjustment (group 1) and the remaining 74 patients had the routine surgical procedure of MUS surgery (group 2). The primary outcome was the evaluation of postoperative urine leaks, using the stress test, and secondary outcomes were quality of life, using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF, Turkish version) and complication rates. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic variables between the 2 groups. The overall cure rates for incontinence in the lithotomy position was 97.22 and 85.13% for groups 1 and 2, respectively, in which group 1 had a statistically significant decrease in urine leak postoperatively (p < 0.05; OR 3.08, 95% CI 2.78-22.14). The postoperative ICQ-SF scores showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (p = 0.19). CONCLUSION: Applying a 45-degree reverse trendelenburg position for tape adjusting during MUS operation results in a greater objective cure rate compared with the typical dorsolithotomy position; however, there was no difference in the subjective outcome.

Should omentectomy be a part of surgical staging in patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of omental metastasis in endometrioid adenocarcinoma and to correlate risk variables with this spread. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma who underwent omentectomy in addition to staging laparotomy was performed. RESULTS: Omental metastases were noted in 11 of the 322 patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma (3.4%). Multivariate analyses showed that there was a significant correlation between omental metastasis and positive peritoneal cytology, adnexal involvement, and grade 3 tumor (p = 0.028, p = 0.001, and p = 0.01, respectively). There was no statistical relationship between omental metastasis and lymphovascular space involvement, deep myometrial invasion, and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.087, p = 0.97, and p = 0.92, respectively). CONCLUSION: Grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinomas, especially those that are complicated by deep myometrial invasion, have a pattern of intra-abdominal spread similar to more aggressive endometrial cancers, with frequent involvement of the omentum. Overall, we conclude that 37.5% (3/8) of patients who had a grade 3 tumor and omental metastasis stage IV disease would have been missed if a staging operation similar to that employed for ovarian cancer had not been performed.