[Pediatric outcome after selective feticide for 30 complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies]. / Suivi pédiatrique de 30 grossesses gémellaires monochoriales consécutives traitées par fœticide sélectif.

OBJECTIVES: To describe perinatal and pediatric outcome after selective feticide for complicated monochorionic twin pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed all consecutive cases of umbilical cord occlusion performed for complicated monochorionic twin pregnancy over a 16-year period. Pediatric follow-up was based on medical records and updated by phone calls to the parents. RESULTS: Thirty procedures were performed. Indications were: twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) progressing despite serial amniodrainage (n=12) ; twin reversed arterial perfusion (n=9) ; selective growth restriction (n=5) ; severe discordant structural anomalies (n=4). Mean gestational age at procedure was 21.8±3.1gestational weeks (GW) and 31.8±4.8 GW at birth. Overall survival rate was 87%, i.e. 83%, 100%, 60% and 100% for each indication, respectively. Mean pediatric follow-up was 5years (range: 6months to 15years). Medical charts and parents declared normal development in 88% of surviving children, i.e. 67%, 100%, 100%, and 100% for each indication. Cross-comparison between the four groups revealed that in the TTTS group, gestational age at procedure was more advanced (P=0.01) while delivery was slightly earlier (P=0.1), and pediatric development was poorer (P=0.02). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pediatric outcome after selective feticide appeared to be poorer for TTTS progressing despite serial amniodrainage than for other indications.

[Emergency cervical cerclage during mid-trimester of pregnancy: Experience of Clermont-Ferrand]. / Cerclage cervical en urgence au deuxième trimestre de la grossesse : expérience clermontoise.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with favourable perinatal outcome after emergency cervical cerclage during mid-trimester of pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of all cases who underwent emergency cervical cerclage between 16 to 28 weeks of gestation (WG) over a period of 16 years in a University Hospital. RESULTS: Among the 32 cases, the postnatal survival rate (day 28) was 80%. Delivery occurred at a mean gestational age of 33.1 WG [18-41.3 WG] and after 37 WG in 39% of cases. The perinatal outcome was improved by absence of bleeding (P=0.01), unripened cervix (P=0.02), cervical dilatation below 2 cm (P=0.002), no protruding membranes (P=0.02) and more advanced gestational age at the procedure (P=0.005). When no uterine contraction and no maternal blood inflammation were observed at admission, an expectancy of 48 hours before the procedure did not improve significantly perinatal outcome (gestational age at birth and survival rate [P=0.1 and P=0.3 respectively]). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Perinatal outcome after emergency cerclage depends on cervical status and gestational age at procedure. It is not influenced by an expectancy of 48 hours before intervention for patients with no uterine contraction and no maternal blood inflammation at admission.

[Favourable outcome after fetoscopic laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome: experience of an emerging centre]. / Résultats favorables d'une équipe émergente dans le traitement du syndrome transfuseur-transfusé par photocoagulation-laser.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to report perinatal outcome during the first three years of an emerging centre for laser photocoagulation in twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and to compare with outcome observed earlier in the same centre when management consisted in recurrent amniodrainage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a single centre retrospective study. We compared perinatal outcome of 19 consecutive cases of mid trimester TTTS managed by amniodrainage over a 10-year period with 49 cases of TTTS managed by laser photocoagulation over a 3-year period. RESULTS: Laser photocoagulation increased survival rate at birth (P=0.02) and at postnatal day 28 (P=0.01). Neurologic and cardiologic complications did not differ significantly (P=0.5 and P=0.3 respectively). We observed a significant increase in survival of the donor after laser coagulation at birth (P=0.04). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated better outcome after laser photocoagulation. Early results of an emerging centre appeared comparable to those of more experienced centres.

[Postoperative pain after transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse with or without mesh]. / Douleurs postopératoires après cure de prolapsus génital par voie vaginale avec ou sans renfort prothétique.

OBJECTIVE: To assess postoperative pain after POP surgery by vaginal approach with and without mesh. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two consecutives patients operated on for POP (POP-Q ≥ 2) were enrolled. Surgical procedure was a traditional repair without mesh in 66 women and a mesh repair (Prolift) in 66 women. Postoperative pain was prospectively assessed by autoadministred questionnaires including analog visual scale. Pain scores were recorded 1 day after surgery (D1), at discharge, at 1 month follow-up (M1) and at 3 to 6 months follow-up (M3-6). We focused specially on mesh repair, age, previous prolapse procedure, hysterectomy, sacrospinofixation, transobturator sling, pre- and postoperative POP-Q score. RESULTS: At discharge, pain score was significantly higher in the mesh group (1.2 ± 1.8 versus 0.5 ± 0.9, P=0.021). Pain score were low (VAS<3) and similar in the two groups with or without mesh at M1 and M3-6 follow-up. When focusing on associated factors, hysterectomy as a significant higher pain score at day 1, transobturator slings associated to traditional repair are more painful at D1 versus associated to mesh repair, sacrospinofixation has only a statistical tendency (P=0.08) more painful at D1. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Pain score are low after both traditional or mesh repair by vaginal route. Mesh repair, hysterectomy and sacrospinofixation are more painful only in the first days after surgery. Our study supports the theory that transvaginal mesh procedure allows a quick return to normal life.

Transvaginal mesh repair of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse: a clinical and ultrasonographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether ultrasonography coupled with clinical examination can help in understanding the mechanism of recurrence after transvaginal mesh repair of anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse. METHODS: Ninety-one patients who had undergone surgery for anterior and/or posterior vaginal wall prolapse with the Prolift system had a clinical examination and introital/endovaginal two-dimensional ultrasonography a minimum of 1 year later. The retraction of anterior and posterior meshes was estimated relative to the original length of the mesh by transvaginal palpation. Patients with no, moderate (< 50%) or severe (> or = 50%) mesh retraction were compared. Anterior recurrence of prolapse was defined according to the International Continence Society by a Ba value > or = -1 and posterior recurrence by a Bp value > or = -1 (where Ba represents the most distal position of the anterior vaginal wall and Bp the most distal position of the posterior vaginal wall). On ultrasonography, two distances were measured in the midsagittal plane: Distance 1, from the distal margin of the anterior mesh to the bladder neck, and Distance 2, from the distal margin of the posterior mesh to the rectoanal junction. RESULTS: Seventy-five anterior and 62 posterior meshes were studied at a mean follow-up of 17.9 months. Patients with anterior recurrence presented significantly more often with severe anterior mesh retraction compared with patients without anterior recurrence (5/8 vs. 2/67, P < 0.001) and also had an increased Distance 1 (P < 0.001). Patients with posterior recurrence presented significantly more often with severe posterior mesh retraction compared with patients without posterior recurrence (3/4 vs. 3/58, P < 0.01) and also had an increased Distance 2 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of prolapse after transvaginal mesh repair appears to be associated with severe mesh retraction and loss of mesh support on the distal part of the vaginal walls.

[Learning curve of vacuum extraction in residency: a preliminary study]. / Courbe d'apprentissage de la ventouse obstétricale par les internes : étude préliminaire.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the lurning curve of young residents for vacuum extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All vacuum extractions performed in our department by five residents (< or =5th semester) during a study period of nine months were systematically supervised by a senior who fulfilled an assessment questionnaire from which was calculated a score reflecting the quality of the extraction. RESULTS: Fifty-four vacuum extractions were assessed with a mean of 10.8+/-2.9 (range, 10-13) procedures by resident. We compared the group including the six first procedures performed by each resident (group 1, n = 30) with the group including the following procedures (group 2, n = 24). We observed in the group 2 compared to the group 1, a significant improvement of the scores mean (12.3+/-5.4 vs 8.4+/-6.2, p = 0.016) and a significant reduction of the need for manual assistance by the senior (12.5% vs 40%, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: We report a method for the learning and assessment of vacuum extraction feasible at "the bed" of the patient. This approach allows to observe a significant progression of the resident for the technique of vacuum extraction on a dozen of procedures.

[Sexual outcome after pelvic reconstructive surgery]. / Impact de la chirurgie réparatrice pelvienne sur la sexualité

Sexual well-being is an important parameter of women's health and quality of live. Sexual disorders may occur in women with pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence and also after pelvic reconstructive surgery. Sexual dysfunction after POP or SUI surgery has been poorly documented but new condition specific questionnaires have been developed to help us to better evaluate such consequences. This paper reports available data and highlights more specifically consequences of surgery with mesh reinforcement which is, currently, an important issue particularly when performing by vaginal approach.

[What about transvaginal mesh repair of pelvic organ prolapse? Review of the literature since the HAS (French Health Authorities) report]. / Quoi de neuf depuis le rapport de la HAS? Bilan de deux ans d'évaluation des implants de renfort prothétique dans le traitement des prolapsus par voie vaginale.

The French Health Authorities' (HAS) report of November 2006 concluded that the use of mesh at the time of transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) should be limited to clinical research. This review intends to analyse and comment the recent data on this topic. A review on PubMed, on a personal database and actualisation until May 2008 has been performed choosing French or English language series concerning prolapse surgery with mesh disposed by the vaginal route. It includes six randomised controlled trials comparing transvaginal repair of POP with or without mesh: four about cystocele, one about rectocele and one about apical prolapse. Both surgical techniques and recurrence criteria are poorly standardised. The four randomised trials focusing on cystocele repair support the anatomical superiority of techniques using mesh, with similar functional results with or without mesh reinforcement. In the other indications, the results remain unclear or controversial. According to the randomised trials, the complications rate, except mesh exposure, is similar with and without mesh. However there are some specific complications when using mesh, such as mesh infection, mesh exposure or shrinkage and visceral extrusion. We recommend using vaginal reinforcement mesh with specific care in selected patients and we suggest some guidelines to be proposed for consensus at concerned French scientific societies.

[Which invasive diagnostic procedure should we use for twin pregnancies: chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis?]. / Quel prélèvement choisir pour les grossesses gémellaires: choriocentèse ou amniocentèse?

OBJECTIVE: To describe invasive diagnostic procedures (amniocentesis/choriocentesis) and subsequent risks in twin pregnancies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane database investigations were conducted using following key words: twin gestation, amniocentesis, chorionic villous sampling, karyotype. Guidelines for twin management edicted by different societies were reviewed. RESULTS: Risk of pregnancy loss after invasive diagnostic procedure in twin pregnancies seems to be slightly higher to singletons, i.e about 1.5-2% after mid-trimester amniocentesis and about 2% after first trimester choriocentesis. Dual sampling is not always mandatory but can be performed on parent's request. Specific risks are associated with twins: redundant sampling, permutation or misidentification of affected twin in case of discordant status. Procedures should be performed by highly-skilled operators under permanent ultrasound-guidance. A scheme describing placental locations and funicular insertions appears to be useful for correct identification. If foeticide can be anticipated, diagnostic procedure and foeticide should be performed by the same operators. For amniocentesis, one or two needles can be used except for cases with infectious disease (two needles and two separate insertions required). For choriocentesis, sampling should be performed close to funicular insertions. CONCLUSION: First-trimester choriocentesis makes earlier diagnosis and earlier foeticide possible compared with mid-trimester amniocentesis. Both techniques require highly-skilled operators to reduce subsequent risks in the context of twin pregnancies.

Urethral erosion after suburethral synthetic slings: risk factors, diagnosis, and functional outcome after surgical management.

Urethral erosion (UE) is an uncommon but potentially severe complication after suburethral synthetic slings. We aimed to identify the risk factors and diagnostic modalities of UE and also functional outcome after UE surgical management. We retrospectively analyzed eight cases of UE managed in our department between 1997 and 2007. The main presumptive risk factors of UE were excessive sling tensioning (six of eight) and postoperative urethral dilation (four of eight). The most frequent symptoms included voiding difficulties (five of eight), storage symptoms (three of eight), pain (three of eight), and recurrent stress incontinence (three of eight). UE diagnosis was accessible to introital ultrasound (five of five) and confirmed by urethroscopy (eight of eight). Surgical management was performed in seven cases and included transvaginal sling removal with urethral repair (two of seven), endoscopic transurethral sling resection (four of seven), and combined approach (one of seven). All the approaches provided good functional outcomes. Transurethral endoscopy is a mini-invasive treatment of UE and should be tried first in selected cases.

[Endometriosis related infertility]. / La stérilité par endométriose.

From the literature, the crucial knowledge were drawn among endometriosis related infertility. Endometriosis is an important factor of infertility in minimal or light stages and a major one in mild or moderate stages. Thus, a laparoscopy must be performed to confirm endometriosis when suggestive clinical or biological signs exist. In absence of them, laparoscopy can be delayed after intra-uterine inseminations (IUI). The first line treatment is laparoscopic surgery. Its efficacy is proven. It is useless to prescribe a post-operative medical treatment (GnRH analogues). Surgery leads to 25 to 40% of deliveries. It is dependant on age, infertility duration, tubo-ovarian adhesion and tubes involvement. But, surgery can be avoided and the patient is directly referred to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) when the lesions extension is so important that surgery exposes to complications or when there is a permanent other indication for IVF (severe male infertility). When infertility persists 6 to 12 months after surgery and without patent recurrence, ovulation stimulations and IUI are performed as the second line treatment. After IUI failure, or in case of recurrence, IVF must be applied. A second surgery is not recommended. The IVF results are not impaired by the presence of endometriosis and even of endometriomas. Thus, it is useless to operate again endometriosis before IVF. In opposition, in severe stages or in cases of recurrence, a pre-IVF medical treatment (GnRH analogues) improves the results. IVF do not increased the risk of endometriosis acute growth. In case of infertility and pain, infertility is considered as the first target. But medical treatment can be prescribed between the IVF attempts.