A prospective cohort study of shock index as a reliable marker to predict the patient's need for blood transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to compare the shock index (SI) values between patients who required blood transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and patients who received no blood transfusion. METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional study at a tertiary center between January 2019 and June 2019. A total of 2534 patients who underwent vaginal delivery were included in this study. We measured SI values upon admission, 30 minutes, 1-hour, and 2-hours after delivery. We identified women who required blood transfusion as the study group. Control patients who delivered in the same period and received no blood transfusion were identified in the medical record system and randomly selected. Age, parity, BMI, and SI values at each one prepartum and three postpartum periods of the groups were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2534 patients were included in the study. A varying amount of blood transfusion was performed in 54 patients (2.13%). When we compared with patients who did not receive blood transfusion after delivery, patients who received any amount of blood transfusion after vaginal delivery had significantly higher SI values 30 minutes after delivery (0.99±0.20, and 085±0.11, p=0.0001), at 1-hour (1.00±0.18, and 0.85±0.11, p=0.0001), and 2-hours (1.09±0.16, and 0.87±0.11, p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: SI value could be a reliable and consistent marker to predict the requirement for any amount of blood transfusion due to PPH.

Maternal near-miss patients and maternal mortality cases in a Turkish tertiary referral hospital.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of maternal near-miss (MNM) morbidity in a tertiary hospital setting in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we concluded 125 MNM patients who delivered between January 2017 and December 2017 and fulfilled the WHO management-based criteria and severe pre-eclamptic and HELLP patients which is the top three highest mortality rates due to pregnancy. Two maternal death cases were also included. The indicators to monitor the quality of obstetric care using MNM patients and maternal deaths were calculated. Demographic characteristics of the patients, the primary diagnoses causing MNM and maternal deaths, clinical and surgical interventions in MNM patients, shock index (SI) value of the patients with obstetric hemorrhage and maternal death cases were evaluated. RESULTS: The MNM ratio was 5.06 patients per 1000 live births. Maternal mortality (MM) ratio was 8.1 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. SMOR was 5.14 per 1000 live births. The MI was 1.57%, and the MNM/maternal death ratio was 62.4:1. The SI of MNM patients with obstetric hemorrhage was 1.36 ± 0.43, and the SI of the patient who died due to PPH was 1.74. CONCLUSION: The MNM rates and MM rates in our hospital were higher than high-income countries but were lower than in low- and middle-income countries. Hypertensive disorders and obstetric hemorrhage were the leading conditions related to MNM and MM. However, the MIs for these causes were low, reflecting the good quality of maternal care and well-resourced units. Adopting the MNM concept into the health system and use as an indicator for evaluating maternal health facilities is crucial to prevent MM.

A comparison between a combination of letrozole and clomiphene citrate versus gonadotropins for ovulation induction in infertile patients with clomiphene citrateresistant polycystic ovary syndrome - a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare a combination treatment with CC plus letrozole versus gonadotropins in CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with regard to ovulation and clinical pregnancy rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred sixteen CC-resistant infertile PCOS patients were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 73) received CC plus letrozole, and Group 2 (n = 43) received gonadotropins. RESULTS: The ovulation rate in Group 1 was 65/73 (89%), the pregnancy rate was 13/73 (18%), the twin foetuses rate was 1/73 (1.3%) and the miscarriage rate was 2/73 (2.7%). In Group 2, the ovulation rate was 41/43 (95%), and the pregnancy rate was 8/43 (19%) the rate of the twin foetuses was 1/43 (2.3%) and the miscarriage rate was 1/43 (2.3%). There was no statistically significant difference in the ovulation (p = 0.25), pregnancy (p = 0.91), twin foetuses (p = 0.89) and miscarriage p = 0.89) rates between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This new drug combination suggests that it may be a lower cost, lower risk alternative treatment that increases the rate of ovulation. Larger randomized clinical trials are needed to provide information on live birth rates of this combination.

Laparoscopic Pectopexy and Paravaginal Repair after Failed Recurrent Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery.

Laparoscopic pectopexy has been described recently for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and it could be an alternative surgery to sacrohysteropexy. A 36-year-old parity 3 women was operated cause of POP, and on her history, she had performed one sacrospinous ligament fixation with colporrhaphy anterior and one abdominal sacrohysteropexy because of POP. After 6-month follow-up, anatomic and functional cures were provided. Laparoscopic pectopexy could be an alternative procedure for recurrent POP surgery with promising results.

A single centre's experience of caesarean scar pregnancy and proposal of a management algorithm.

The management of a caesarean scar pregnancy ranges from conservative medical therapy to surgical treatment. The aim of this study is to present our experience of caesarean scar ectopic pregnancies treated with different modalities and to develop a management algorithm. This retrospective clinical analysis included 21 caesarean scar pregnancies. The clinical data, ultrasonographic characteristics, b-human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations, the treatment options and complications were noted. One patient was managed expectantly, six patients were treated with D and C, seven patients were treated with systemic methotrexate, eight patients underwent a caesarean scar pregnancy removal with a laparoscopy, three patients were treated with a hysteroscopy. Three patients who recieved a methotrexate required additional treatment methods including a laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and D and C. Surgery was successful in all cases. An intra-abdominal haemorrhage from the vessels in the scar area occured in the patient managed expectantly, and a laparatomy and removal was performed. A systemic methotrexate, dilatation and curettage, hysteroscopic resection and laparoscopic resection are feasible methods for scar pregnancy treatment depending on the gestational age, ß-hCG level, the type of scar pregnancy and the clinical status of the patient. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? CSP has increased gradually parallel to the increased rates of CS worldwide. There is no treatment consensus on that rare entity. What do the results of this study add? We aimed to present our cases and to discuss a proposal algorithm with further studies. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our cases and proposal algorithm could help to determine the treatment options for CSP.

Modified laparoscopic pectopexy: short-term follow-up and its effects on sexual function and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study examined the early outcomes of laparoscopic (LS) pectopexy and evaluated its effects on female sexual function and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Twenty-two patients with apical prolapse who underwent LS pectopexy were included. Outcomes of the procedure were noted; the Female Sexual Function (FSFI) and Prolapse Quality of Life (P-QOL) questionnaires were completed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no evidence of recurrent prolapse or constipation; the percentages of exacerbation of cystocele, rectocele, de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and de novo urgency (UUI) were 4.5%, 9.0%, 4.5%, and 4.5%, respectively (mean follow-up 10.41 months). FSFI and P-QOL scores improved significantly (p < 0.05) postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LS pectopexy shows promising results for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery with comparable outcomes. It also improved the FSFI and P-QOL scores in POP patients.

Labial fusion: A rare cause of urinary retention in reproductive age woman and review of literature.

Labial fusion usually affects prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women, it may rarely occurs in reproductive years in the absence of predisposing factors such as vulvar infections, dermatitis, trauma, female circumcision and lichen sclerosis. Should be considered in differential diagnosis in the differential diagnosis of urinary retention even if the patient doesn't have history of sexual intercourse.

A Squamous Cell Carcinoma and a Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Developing in a Patient with a Mature Cystic Teratoma.

We present a very rare case of malignant transformation of a benign mature cystic teratoma. The pathology report revealed malignant transformation of both the epithelial and sarcomatous elements of a benign dermoid cyst. To the best of our knowledge, this appears to be the third case of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma and a squamous cell carcinoma developing from a mature cystic teratoma. Malignant transformation of a dermoid cyst is usually diagnosed postmenopausally, but our patient was premenopausal. The etiology and prognosis of malignant transformation of this benign condition remain unknown.

A comparative study of conventional and liquid-based cervical cytology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is the comparison of the results of conventional smear (CC) technique and liquidbased cytology (LBC) technique used as cervical cancer screening methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of 47954 patients submitted to smear screening in our gynecology clinic between January 2008 and December 2014 have been studied. The smear results have been divided into two groups CC and LBC according to the technique used. RESULTS: When considering the distribution within CC group, the results were as follows: intraepithelial cell abnormalities 2,0% (n=619), insufficient sample for analysis 2,1% (n=660), Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) 1.8% (n=554), Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL) 0.1% (n=35), High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) 0.1% (n=16), Atypical squamous cells - cannot exclude HGSIL (ASC-H) 0.029% (n=9), Atypical glandular cells- not other wise specified (AGC-NOS) 0.012% (n=4), squamous carcinoma 0.003% (n=1). When considering the distribution in LBC group, the results were as follows: intraepithelial cell abnormalities2.1% (n=357), insufficient sample for analysis 0.9% (n=144), ASC-US 1.8% (n=296), LGSIL 0.2% (n=38), HGSIL 0.1% (n=8), ASC-H 0.1% (n=10), AGC-NOS 0.017% (n=3), squamous carcinoma 0.011% (n=2). CONCLUSIONS: Although the rates of epithelial cell abnormalities are similar for both tests, LSIL results are more frequently observed in LBC technique. In LBC technique, the number of insufficient sample for analysis is quite low compared to CC group and thus constitutes an advantage.

Effect of hydronephrosis on survival in advanced stage cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hydronephrosis is frequently encountered in advanced stage cervical cancers, and may be associated with mortality. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of hydronephrosis on survival in patients with inoperable advanced stage cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study data were acquired by retrospective analysis of the patient records belonging to 165 women with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage-IIIB or more advanced cervical cancer, which were not surgical candidates. Parameters including patient age, pathological diagnosis, disease stage, pelvic sidewall extension, presence of hydronephrosis and administration of chemoradiation were analyzed. Further, the effects of these variables on survival were assessed. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The distribution of the study patients according to disease stage was as follows: 131 (79.4%) had stage-IIIB, 18 (10.9%) had stage-IVB and 16 (% 9.7) patients had stage-IVA disease. Hydronephrosis was not evident in 91 (55.2%) of these patients, whereas 41 (24.8%) had unilateral and 33 (20%) patients had bilateral hydronephrosis. When compared to mean survival in patients who did not have hydronephrosis, survival was significantly shortened in patients who had bilateral and unilateral hydronephrosis (p<0.05). There was no significant survival difference between patients with unilateral and bilateral hydronephrosis (p>0.05). Although patient age, pathological type, pelvic involvement, and chemotherapy treatment rates were similar (p>0.05), radiotherapy requirement rate and disease stage were significantly different among the study groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hydronephrosis was found to be a significant predictor of poor survival in patients with advanced stage cervical cancer, irrespective of unilateral or bilateral involvement.While waiting for future studies with larger sample sizes, we believe that the FIGO stages in advanced cervical cancer could further be stratified into subgroups according to presence or absence of hydronephrosis.

Severe pre-eclampsia complicated by HELLP syndrome alterations in the structure of the umbilical cord (morphometric and immunohistochemical study).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and immunohistochemistry in umbilical cords from patients with severe pre-eclampsia with and without haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. The patient and control groups were similar according to baseline obstetric characteristics. White blood cell count in patients with HELLP syndrome and the control group was significantly increased among patients with HELLP syndrome (p < 0.001). Morphometric examination and endothelial core length were significantly different between the groups. In the umbilical cord cross-section of the HELLP group, endothelial cell degeneration in the vessel wall and basement membrane thickening were observed. In the muscle layer of blood vessels, the following disorders were found: increased collagen fibres in the muscle cell, hyperplasia and separation of muscle fibres as well as edema in the intermediate connective tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that endothelial cells, basal membrane and fibroblast cells in the HELLP group expressed high levels of CD44. Vessel wall and amniotic epithelial basement membrane thickening were observed in the HELLP group. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) was expressed. Fibroblast and smooth muscle cells were fusiform and showed a positive reaction to immunohistochemical staining of α-actin smooth muscle.

Effects of Potentilla fulgens as a Prophylactic Agent for Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Rat Ovary.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Potentilla fulgens as a prophylactic agent on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat ovary. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 32 Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups: (I) sham, (II) ischemia, (III) ischemia + reperfusion, and (IV) IR + Potentilla fulgens. In groups I and II, ovary torsion was not performed and no drug was administered. In group III, 1 hour of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. Group IV received 400 mg/kg/day Potentilla fulgens intraperitoneally 5 days before I/R injury. RESULTS: The detorsion group showed preantral ovarian follicles and corpus luteum around the blood vessels and positive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the Potentilla fulgens group (IV) the stromal vascular endothelium with weak expression of VEGF was detected in small areas, and the ovarian follicles and the corpus luteum showed negative expression of VEGF. In the detorsion group the theca cells and apoptotic cells in preantral follicles showed positive expression of E-cadherin in the ovarian surface epithelium. Moreover, the E-cadherin expression was found to be positive in terms of follicular development, theca cells, granulosa cells, and corpus luteum. Potentilla fulgens, given after ischemic injury and apoptosis, was seen to decrease the effect of Bcl-2 expression. CONCLUSION: These results provide compelling evidence that the expression of E-cadherin in the ovary is an important component of ovarian function.