Creating affiliations, learning, and mindfulness for in vitro fertilization patients (CALM IVF): a clinical trial.

Objective: Determine if group psychoeducational support can improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients' quality of life (QoL). Design: Randomized controlled trial (NCT04048772). Setting: University-affiliated IVF clinic. Patients: Women (n = 76) and male partners undergoing initial autologous IVF cycle from August 2019, to December 2020. Interventions: Couples were assigned to groups based on projected oocyte retrieval date. Groups were randomly assigned to the control or intervention arm. Clinic closures because of the COVID-19 pandemic delayed treatment for a portion of participants. Groups were conducted in person before and virtually during the pandemic. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was a change in fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) from baseline to 3 days after retrieval. Secondary outcomes were changes in depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience scale), IVF knowledge scores, and the likelihood of return to treatment. Results: Knowledge scores among women in Creating Affiliations, Learning, and Mindfulness (CALM) for IVF groups significantly increased compared with control (mean difference 13.19 [3.53 - 22.84]) before the pandemic. During the pandemic, women in CALM IVF had significant improvement in the social FertiQoL score compared with controls (10.42 [1.79 - 19.04]). Compared with controls, male CALM IVF participants had significantly greater improvement in total FertiQoL (mean difference 6.68 [0.39 - 12.98]), treatment FertiQoL (8.26 [0.69 - 15.82]), and resilience (Connor-Davidson 1.13 [0.54 - 1.72]). Immediate return to care did not significantly differ between arms. Conclusions: For women undergoing IVF, group psychoeducational programs can improve IVF knowledge and social QoL during a pandemic. Participation in a group psychoeducational program can improve QoL and resilience in IVF dyad male partners. Clinical Trial Registration Number: Trial registration NCT04048772.

Fresh embryo transfer after in vitro insemination of fresh vs. cryopreserved anonymous donor oocytes: which has a better live birth rate? A Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if transfer of fresh embryos derived from fresh or cryopreserved donor oocytes yields a higher live birth rate. DESIGN: Historical cohort study. SETTING: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System database. PATIENT(S): A total of 24,663 fresh embryo transfer cycles of donor oocytes. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome was live births per number of embryos transferred on day 5. The secondary outcomes included number of infants per embryo transfer, surplus embryos cryopreserved, and characterization of US oocyte recipients. RESULT(S): A total of 16,073 embryo transfers were from fresh oocytes and 8,590 were from cryopreserved oocytes. Recipient age, body mass index (BMI), gravidity, and parity were similar between the groups. Most recipients were of White non-Hispanic race (66.9%), followed by Asian (13.7%), Black non-Hispanic (9.3%), and Hispanic (7.2%). Fresh oocyte cycles were more likely to use elective single embryo transfer (42.5% vs. 37.8%) or double embryo transfer (53.2% vs. 50.4%) and resulted in more surplus embryos for cryopreservation (4.6 vs. 1.2). The live birth rate from fresh oocytes was 57.5% vs. 49.7% from cryopreserved oocytes. Negative predictors of live birth included the use of cryopreserved oocytes (odds ratio [OR] 0.731, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.665-0.804), Black non-Hispanic race (OR 0.603, 95% CI 0.517-0.703), Asian race (OR 0.756, 95% CI 0.660-0.867), and increasing recipient BMI (OR 0.982, 95% CI 0.977-0.994) after controlling for recipient age, number of embryos transferred on day 5, and unexplained infertility diagnosis. The proportion of multifetal deliveries was greater in cycles utilizing fresh (26.4%) vs. cryopreserved (20.6%) oocytes. CONCLUSION(S): The live birth rate is higher with use of fresh oocytes vs. cryopreserved oocytes in fresh embryo transfer cycles. Negative live birth predictors include recipient Black non-Hispanic or Asian race and increasing BMI.

The effect of weight and body mass index on serum progesterone values and live birth rate in cryopreserved in vitro fertilization cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if weight or body mass index (BMI) affects the serum progesterone level at the time of the pregnancy test in cryopreserved blastocyst transfer cycles and to determine if those serum progesterone levels affect live births. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: US academic medical center. PATIENTS: Six hundred thirty-three patients undergoing their first cryopreserved embryo transfer cycle. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the serum progesterone level on the day of the pregnancy test by patient weight and BMI. Our secondary analysis assessed the serum progesterone effect on live birth rate (LBR) in a clinic where progesterone supplementation was increased if the progesterone level was <15 ng/mL on the day of the pregnancy test. RESULTSS: There was a strong negative correlation between serum progesterone level and both BMI and weight, with BMI accounting for 27% and weight accounting for 29% of the variance in progesterone level. Serum progesterone level on the day of the pregnancy test was <15 ng/mL in 3% of women weighing <68 kg compared with 29% of women weighing ≥90.7 kg. Among women weighing ≥90.7 kg, live birth occurred in 47% whose serum progesterone level was <15 ng/mL on the day of the pregnancy test compared with 49% in those with serum progesterone level of 15-19 ng/mL and 44% in those with serum progesterone level of ≥20 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Body weight was a significant factor in serum progesterone level at the time of the pregnancy test, with nearly 30% of patients weighing ≥90.7 kg having serum progesterone level of <15 ng/mL, a value associated with lower LBRs in prior studies. However, we found no effect of low progesterone levels on LBR after cryopreserved embryo transfer cycles in a clinic where progesterone dosing was increased if serum progesterone levels were <15 ng/mL.

Effect of body mass index on intrauterine insemination cycle success.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether body mass index (BMI) affects intrauterine insemination treatment success. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): A total of 3,217 intrauterine insemination treatment cycles in 1,306 patients. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Primary outcome was live birth rate stratified by BMI. Secondary outcomes included rates of clinical pregnancy (defined as an intrauterine pregnancy with a heartbeat present on ultrasound), multiple gestation, biochemical pregnancy, missed abortion, ectopic, and spontaneous abortion. RESULT(S): Women with BMI 25 to 29.99 kg/m2 or ≥30 kg/m2 were equally likely to have a live birth as women of normal BMI. Women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 did have a higher likelihood of biochemical pregnancy than women with normal BMI. CONCLUSION(S): A BMI between 25 and 29.99 kg/m2 or ≥30 kg/m2 does not appear to have a negative effect on live birth after intrauterine insemination. Obesity may be associated with a higher risk of biochemical pregnancy after intrauterine insemination.

A Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating Surgical Aptitude Over Time in a New Male-To-Female Penoscrotal Vaginoplasty Program.

BACKGROUND: Given the burgeoning demand for gender affirmation surgery, there are few studies examining both surgical process variables and patient outcome variables. Knowing the learning curve for surgical teams who are beginning to perform this procedure will be important for patient safety and presurgical patient counseling as more institutions open transgender surgical programs. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the demographics of patients pursuing penoscrotal vaginoplasty, to determine their postoperative course, and to determine a learning curve for the surgical team performing penoscrotal vaginoplasty. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed charts of all 43 patients who underwent penoscrotal vaginoplasty from the commencement of a new male-to-female penoscrotal vaginoplasty program in March 2018 through July 2019. OUTCOMES: Primary outcomes included mean hemoglobin decrease from surgery and operative time. Mean time to neoclitoral sensation, length of hospital admission, complication rates, reoperation rates, length of narcotic use after surgery, and demographics were also evaluated. Associations between surgical team experience and outcomes were assessed with Spearman's rho and Cox regression, and curve-fitting procedures were applied to determine the relationship. RESULTS: The mean operative time from initial incision to procedure finish was 225 minutes, and the mean decrease in hemoglobin was 3.3 g/dL. The mean time to neoclitoral sensation was 0.72 months. The time until neoclitoral sensation decreased as the surgical cases performed increased (Spearman's rho, -0.577 [P < .001]), with a power function best describing the learning curve. Operative time did not change with case number (Spearman's rho, 0.062 [P = .698]) but overall time in the operating room did (Spearman's rho, 0.631 [P < .001]). Mean length of hospital admission was 2.9 days. There were no intraoperative complications. 18 patients (42%) experienced a postoperative complication. 8 of 43 patients underwent reoperation (20%). Narcotics were used a mean of 9.5 days after surgery. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: A learning curve can be demonstrated in penoscrotal vaginoplasty for time to neoclitoral sensation and overall time in the operating room, plateauing between 30 and 40 cases. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Strengths include assessing a learning curve for time to neoclitoral sensation, length of hospital stay, and length of postoperative narcotic use after penoscrotal vaginoplasty, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported elsewhere. Limitations include our overall low number of patients. CONCLUSION: Despite a low number of cases, length of hospital stay was short and the postoperative complication rate was similar to that of long-standing penoscrotal vaginoplasty programs. Whynott RM, Summers K, Mickelsen R, et al. A Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating Surgical Aptitude Over Time in a New Male-To-Female Penoscrotal Vaginoplasty Program. J Sex Med 2020;17:1787-1794.

Laparoscopic resection of functional, noncommunicating uterine horn in close approximation to functional hemiuterus.

OBJECTIVE: To review the presentation of unicornuate uterus with a functional noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn and a laparoscopic method of management, highlighting laparoscopic surgical techniques. DESIGN: A video review of unicornuate uterus with a functional noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn and a laparoscopic approach to treatment in a 13-year-old pubertal female with severe menstrual pain. SETTING: Tertiary care facility. PATIENT(S): A 13-year-old G0 was referred to the clinic for severe cyclic right lower quadrant pain during menses. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a left unicornuate uterus with a right-sided noncommunicating rudimentary horn measuring 4.8 × 4.7 × 4.6 cm, containing blood consistent with hematometra. Her kidneys were bilaterally present and normal by ultrasonography. INTERVENTION(S): Because of the patient's worsening pain and the presence of hematometra, we proceeded with diagnostic laparoscopy and removal of the rudimentary uterine horn. The entire procedure was performed laparoscopically, with an estimated total blood loss of 20 mL. Included are tips for laparoscopic resection and suturing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pathologic features and postoperative course. RESULTS: The patient's pathologic features were benign, and her severe menstrual pain was resolved. She had no complications or readmissions. CONCLUSION(S): In patients with severe menstrual pain from outflow obstruction from a noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn with functional endometrium, laparoscopic resection can be a safe and effective method of treatment.

Laparoscopic approach to cornual ectopic: a step-by-step demonstration.

OBJECTIVE: To concisely review what is known about cornual ectopic pregnancies and to provide a step-by-step demonstration of the resection of a large cornual ectopic pregnancy, highlighting various laparoscopic techniques. DESIGN: A video review of cornual ectopic pregnancy and a laparoscopic approach for treatment featuring a patient case at 9 weeks gestation. SETTING: Tertiary care facility. PATIENTS: A 31-year-old G2P1001 at 9 weeks 0 days by transvaginal ultrasound and with a beta human chorionic gonadotropin of 13,099 presented to the emergency department for vaginal bleeding and cramping left lower quadrant pain. She was hemodynamically stable. Her ultrasound was suspicious for a cornual ectopic pregnancy, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was taken to the operating room for resection, given the size of the pregnancy, concern for intraoperative blood loss, concern for persistent pregnancy, and concern that patient would not be able to reliably follow up for multiple appointments. Patient underwent laparoscopic resection of a large cornual ectopic pregnancy. Included is a short review of laparoscopic suturing techniques. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathology, decline in beta hCG, and post-operative course. RESULTS: The patient's pathology was confirmatory for cornual ectopic pregnancy. Her beta human chorionic gonadotropin decreased as expected, and she had a normal post-operative course. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cornual resection is a safe and effective method for management of large cornual ectopic pregnancy, and fertility outcomes are similar to patients after salpingectomy for non-interstitial ectopic pregnancy.

Breast Cancer is Common in Women With Ovarian Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian malignant mixed Mullerian tumors (MMMTs) are uncommon cancers. The purpose of the study was to determine the rate of metachronous or synchronous breast cancer as well as the rate of truncating germline BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutations in a series of women with these uncommon tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records were reviewed to identify all women with MMMTs treated by the gynecologic oncology service. The stage, grade, histology, survival, and rate of coexistent breast cancer were determined. Tumor and/or peripheral blood was tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 truncating mutations. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with MMMTs were found. Tumor and paired peripheral blood was available on 20 patients and 4 more patients had only peripheral blood available. Family pedigrees were available on all 24 patients. Fifteen of 24 (62.5%) patients were found to have metachronous or synchronous breast cancers with 9 of 15 (60%) having bilateral breast cancer. No BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were found (somatic or germline) in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Although an uncommon tumor, MMMTs are often found in women with breast cancer. Despite this finding, BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutations are not common in this population. PRECIS: Ovarian MMMTs are frequently found in women with cancer but are not frequently associated with defects in BRCA1 or BRCA2.