Comparison of 2 stitches vs 1 stitch for transvaginal cervical cerclage for preterm birth prevention.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and outcomes of 2 vs 1 stitch at the time of cervical cerclage placement for preterm birth prevention. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton gestation undergoing history- or ultrasound-indicated transvaginal cervical cerclage prior to 24 weeks. The primary outcome was delivery at less than 37 weeks. The secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery at less than 35, less than 34, less than 32, less than 28, and less than 24 weeks, perioperative details at the time of cerclage placement and removal, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Comparison was made between patients with 2 vs 1 stitch at the time of cerclage placement. History- and ultrasound-indicated cerclages were analyzed separately. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-four patients met inclusion criteria, 237 being history indicated (2 stitches, n = 86, 1 stitch, n = 151), and 207 ultrasound indicated (2 stitches, n = 117, 1 stitch, n = 90). Gestational age at delivery at less than 37 weeks was not significantly different between the 2 groups for both history- and ultrasound-indicated cerclage, even after adjusting for demographic differences and suture type (39% vs 35%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-3.01; and 44% vs 49%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-1.61, respectively). CONCLUSION: Two stitches at the time of cerclage do not appear to improve pregnancy outcome either in the history- or the ultrasound-indicated procedures, compared with 1 stitch.

Treatment of localized periodontal disease in pregnancy does not reduce the occurrence of preterm birth: results from the Periodontal Infections and Prematurity Study (PIPS).

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test whether treating periodontal disease (PD) in pregnancy will reduce the incidence of spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) at < or = 35 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, randomized clinical trial was performed. Subjects with PD were randomized to scaling and root planing (active) or tooth polishing (control). The primary outcome was the occurrence of SPTD at <35 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: We screened 3563 subjects for PD; the prevalence of PD was 50%. Seven hundred fifty-seven subjects were assigned randomly; 378 subjects were assigned to the active group, and 379 subjects were assigned to the placebo group. Active treatment did not reduce the risk of SPTD at <35 weeks of gestation (relative risk, 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-2.28) or composite neonatal morbidity (relative risk, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.83-2.04). There was a suggestion of an increase in the risk of indicated SPTD at <35 weeks of gestation in those subjects who received active treatment (relative risk, 3.01; 95% CI, 0.95-4.24). CONCLUSION: Treating periodontal disease does not reduce the incidence of SPTD.

An Interesting Presentation About Cyclical Menstrual Psychosis with an Updated Review of Literature.

Cyclical menstrual psychosis is an uncommon, generally a self-limiting mental illness that occurs only in females. It is associated with other menstruation-related disorders and stressful psychogenic factors. Nonetheless, many cases remain unrecognized due to poor awareness of its presence. A young female who presented with psychotic and mood symptoms during each cycle of menstruation was admitted to the psychiatric inpatient unit. There was severe disruption in her activities of daily living and socio-occupational functioning. Treatment involved bio-psycho-social approach in collaboration with Ob-Gyn team with symptoms responding well to a combination of valproic acid and risperidone. Severe affective instability with evident psychosis during menstrual cycle should be evaluated for cyclical menstrual psychosis.

Acute torsion of uterine remnant leiomyoma with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of acute abdomen secondary to torsion of uterine remnant leiomyoma and ipsilateral adnexa in a woman with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome and known history of bilateral uterine remnant leiomyomas. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENT(S): A 40-year-old nulligravid woman with MRKH syndrome and a known history of bilateral uterine remnant leiomyomas with a surgical abdomen. SURGERY: right salpingo-oopherectomy, excision of right and left hemiuteri with pedunculated leiomyomas, and left salpingectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Definitive therapy with preservation of premenopausal state. RESULT(S): First known case of acute surgical presentation secondary to torsion of uterine remnant leiomyoma and ipsilateral adnexa in a woman with MRKH syndrome and bilateral voluminous uterine remnant leiomyomas without any plan for elective surgical intervention. CONCLUSION(S): Elective surgical removal of uterine remnant leiomyoma for women with MRKH syndrome can prevent the complication of torsion as well as prevent ovarian resection in premenopausal women. Torsion should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a woman with MRKH syndrome and known history of leiomyomas who presents with acute abdomen.

Postpartum endometritis caused by herpes and cytomegaloviruses.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum endometritis is usually a polymicrobial infection caused by organisms that are part of the normal vaginal flora. A pathologically confirmed case of postpartum endometritis secondary to herpes and cytomegalovirus in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient is reported. CASE: A 29-year-old, HIV-positive woman presented 6 days postpartum with abdominal pain and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed retained products of conception. Dilation and evacuation was performed, and antibiotics were started. Despite adequate antibiotics and laparoscopic drainage of a pelvic collection, fevers and pain continued. A total abdominal hysterectomy, salpingectomy, and appendectomy were performed. Pathology reported herpes and cytomegalovirus infection of the uterus. CONCLUSION: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus need to be considered as a potential cause of postpartum endometritis. When antibiotic therapy fails, an antiviral regimen should be considered.

Unjustified increase in cost of care resulting from U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of Makena (17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate).

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate for the indication of decreasing the risk of preterm delivery in those high-risk patients who previously had spontaneous preterm birth has come at considerable cost to the health care system. Weekly injections provided by compounding pharmacies starting at 16-20 weeks of gestation and continuing until 36 weeks currently cost the health care system $200 to $300 per pregnancy. This cost is significantly less than the costs associated with delivering and caring for preterm children. Makena, by KV Pharmaceutical, the same 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate product, is priced at $1,500 per injection, or a projected cost of $30,000 per pregnancy. With approximately 132,000 pregnancies being eligible for treatment annually, this increase in cost of 75-150 times what previously had been paid far exceeds the benefits derived from the FDA-approved Makena when compared with previously available compounded versions of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. This increased health care cost is not justified at this time. The price barrier to access imposed by KV Pharmaceutical actually could result in an increase in preterm deliveries over current rates. Actions are needed by the FDA, national societies, and the manufacturer to ensure that all high-risk patients continue to get the needed therapy to reduce the number of preterm births.

Compliance with methotrexate therapy for presumed ectopic pregnancy in an inner-city population.

Fewer than 1 in 5 patients comply with the established follow-up protocol to treat presumed ectopic pregnancy medically in an urban clinic population. Institutions should consider tracking their patient compliance with follow-up to determine the efficacy of their treatment decisions.