Minimally invasive vaginal hysterectomy using bipolar vessel sealing: preliminary experience with 500 cases.

The objective of our study was to evaluate surgical outcome of minimally invasive vaginal hysterectomy (MIVH), using the bipolar vessel sealing system (BVSS; BiClamp®). The design was a retrospective analysis (Canadian Task-force Classification II-3). The setting was a secondary care hospital. Records of patients who underwent vaginal hysterectomy for benign indications in our centre between November 2005 and March 2011 were reviewed. The demographic patients' data, indications for surgery, patient history with regard to previous surgery, duration of surgery, blood loss (postoperative hemoglobin drop '∆Hb'), perioperative complications, and length of inpatient stay were collected from the medical records. The intervention was vaginal hysterectomy using BVSS (BiClamp®). Results showed that the mean duration of surgery was 48.9 ± 15.3 min (95% CI, 49.2-52.5). The mean duration of hospital stay was 3.2 ± 1.2 days (95% CI, 2.8-3.2). The mean ∆Hb was 1.4 ± 1.8 g/dl. Overall, conversion to laparotomy was required in three cases (0.6%). Only one haemoperitoneum occurred (0.2%) and this is the only case who required blood transfusion. The main indication for VH was uterine prolapse in 52.0% (n = 260) of cases; uterine fibroids in 37.4% (n = 187); adenomyosis uteri in 4.2% (n = 21); cervical dysplasia in 22 patients (4.4%) and in 2% (n = 10) of patients, endometrial hyperplasia and other pathologies were the indications for VH. It was concluded that electrosurgical bipolar vessel sealing by (BiClamp®) can provide a safe and feasible alternative to sutures in vaginal hysterectomy, resulting in reduced operative time and blood loss, with acceptable surgical outcomes.

Low cardiac output to the placenta: an early hemodynamic adaptive mechanism in intrauterine growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: A low combined cardiac output (CCO) to the placenta (placenta/CCO fraction) has been reported in growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses, but the temporal sequence of these modifications in relation to other changes in the fetal circulation is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the placenta/CCO fraction in relation to other hemodynamic changes in fetuses at risk of developing IUGR. METHODS: We studied 340 singleton nulliparous pregnancies characterized at 20-24 weeks by abnormal uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) values (> 95(th) centile). At this gestational age we measured fetal biometry and Doppler waveforms from the umbilical artery (UA), middle cerebral artery (MCA), ductus venosus (DV), umbilical vein (UV) and outflow tracts of both ventricles. The diameters of the semilunar valves and UV were measured and CCO (left cardiac + right cardiac outputs) and UV blood flow were calculated. The placenta/CCO fraction was calculated as UV flow as a percentage of CCO. RESULTS: There were 283 pregnancies with birth weight >or= 10(th) centile and normal UA-PI throughout gestation (Group A), 34 with birth weight < 10(th) centile and normal UA-PI throughout gestation (Group B) and 23 with birth weight < 10(th) centile and abnormal UA-PI developing later in gestation (Group C). At 20-24 weeks there were no differences among the three groups in fetal biometric parameters, PI values from the UA, MCA and DV, and CCO. UV flow and placenta/CCO fraction were significantly lower in Group C compared with Group A (UV flow delta value = - 1.439, P < 0.0001; placenta/CCO fraction delta value = - 1.74, P < 0.0001) but not in Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that, in fetuses developing IUGR secondary to placental compromise, UV flow and placental/CCO fraction are already reduced by 20-24 weeks, and that this reduction occurs earlier than do modifications in fetal size and arterial and venous PI values.

Placental vascularization measured by three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasound at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation in normal and aneuploid fetuses.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the potential role of three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler evaluation of the placental circulation in aneuploidy screening at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. METHODS: 3D power Doppler ultrasound examination of the placenta was performed in 25 pregnancies with fetuses with abnormal karyotype and in 100 control pregnancies at 11 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. Using the same pre-established settings for all cases, the vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated for the whole placenta. RESULTS: In the chromosomally normal group all the vascular indices increased significantly with advancing gestation between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks (VI: r = 0.482, P < 0.001; FI: r = 0.295, P = 0.0029; VFI, r = 0.484, P < 0.001). In the chromosomally abnormal group, the flow indices were not significantly different from normal in cases with trisomy 21 (13 cases), but they were significantly reduced compared with normal in cases with trisomies 13 and 18 (VI: t = 8.321, P < 0.0001: FI: t = 12.934, P < 0.0001; VFI: t = 7.608, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: 3D power Doppler evaluation of the placental circulation is not useful in screening for trisomy 21, and unlikely to further increase the already high detection rate for trisomies 13 and 18. However, we provide normal ranges of placental vascular indices between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation, which may be useful in future research on placental vascularity in certain at-risk pregnancies.

Intrauterine fetal demise following laser treatment in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence, risk factors and consequences of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) of at least one twin in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated by laser. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Experience of a single centre between 1999 and 2004. POPULATION: A subgroup of 45 cases with fetal demise of one or both twins from a series of 120 cases of TTTS treated by laser. METHODS: All cases were entered prospectively into a dedicated database and the results were analysed retrospectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fetal demise prognostic factors, survival, fetal anaemia, brain lesions, neonatal death and intact survival. RESULTS: IUFD of one twin occurred in 40 of 120 cases (19 donors and 21 recipients). IUFD of both twins occurred in another five cases. From these 40 cases, miscarriage occurred in two and pregnancy termination was requested in another two cases because of antenatal brain lesions. Two neonates died and two presented severe morbidity, survivors were therefore neurologically normal at 6-44 months of life in 89% (32/36) of the cases. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative abnormal umbilical artery Doppler in the donor before laser treatment and in the recipient following laser treatment was associated with their demise. Incomplete coagulation was suspected in cases where anaemia or cerebral lesions developed following the death of the first twin (10). CONCLUSIONS: IUFD of one or both twins occurred in 45 of 120 (38%) cases of severe TTTS treated by laser. In these, separation of the placental circulations was incomplete in at least 22% (10/45) of the cases. Umbilical artery Doppler abnormalities before laser were found to be risk factors for the donors' demise following the procedure.

Growth discrepancy in twins in the first trimester of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence and significance of intertwin growth discrepancy in the first trimester of pregnancy are controversial. The aim of this study was to refine the incidence and outcome of this discrepancy in relation to dating of the pregnancy and other biometric parameters. METHODS: This prospective study of twin pregnancies initially evaluated at 11-14 weeks' gestation was conducted between 2001 and 2004. Differences in crown-rump length (CRL) and estimated gestational age (GA) were calculated for each twin pair and their distribution was analyzed according to chorionicity and mode of conception (spontaneous or following assisted reproductive technologies). CRL-based GA and actual GA were compared. Other biometric parameters were also compared for each twin pair. The distribution of discrepancies was analyzed according to pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: A total of 182 twin pregnancies was included. The mean+/-SD discrepancy in CRL was 3.4+/-3.18 mm or 5.1+/-4.69% and the 95th centile was 9.8 mm or 14.3%. There was no influence of chorionicity (P=0.44), mode of conception (P=0.18) and no relation with outcome (P=0.54). In conceptions resulting from assisted technology, the measured CRL of the smaller twin was closer to the actual GA. Cephalic and abdominal biometric measurements were significantly greater in the twin with the smaller CRL (P<0.05). The two cases with a discrepancy>15 mm were affected by trisomy 18 and triploidy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CRL discrepancy in twin pregnancies in the first trimester is a frequent finding. Discrepancy>95th centile indicates major growth delay of one twin, which could indicate the presence of aneuploidy. For milder degrees of discordance the CRL of the smaller fetus is a more accurate estimate of the actual GA.

[Epidural analgesia during labour: maternal, fetal and neonatal aspects]. / Analgesia epidurale in travaglio di parto. Aspetti materni, fetali e neonatali.

AIM: The most effective technique for eliminating labour and childbirth pain is continuous lumbar epidural analgesia. The preoccupation regarding the possible negative effects on the time taken for labour and on dystocias in general represents one of the greatest hindrances in the way of its wider use. The purpose of the present study is to monitor the effects of continuous lumbar epidural analgesia on delivery times, on the state of the fetus, on the incidence of dystocic deliveries and on neonatal outcome. METHODS: Comparative prospective study. The data relating to the deliveries of 148 nulliparas and 51 pluriparas at term, submitted to epidural analgesia at the Obstetric Clinic of the University of Parma in 1999-2000 were compared with data from 144 nulliparas in labour and 60 pluriparas without epidural analgesia, selected in random fashion out of 4251 women who delivered children in the same period. The anesthetic procedure employed consisted in an injection of 20 mg/10 ml ropivacaine and 50 mg fentanyl in the epidural space at intervals of 1-2 h. RESULTS: The duration of the dilatation period was not influenced by administration of epidural analgesia while the expulsion period was longer in the course of epidural analgesia. There were no significant differences between delivery modalities in the 2 groups either as regards vaginal operative delivery or the number of cesarean sections for dystocia. The cardiotocographic profile was similar in the 2 groups. The neonatal outcome (Apgar index at 1' and 5' and transfer to the intensive care department) did not show significant differences, confirming the absence of noteworthy side-effects even from the neonatal standpoint. CONCLUSIONS: The use of low concentrations of ropivacaine (0.2%) associated with fentanyl in the epidural space proved to be a safe and effective technique for controlling labour and delivery pain.