Questionnaire-Based Study on the Knowledge of Cervical Cancer and Attitude and Perception Toward Self-Sampling Method of Screening, Among Women in Sikkim, India.

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer among women in India and in Sikkim. Screening helps in prevention and early detection of the disease; however, pelvic examination for smear collection is not preferred by many. Self-sampling method can be a good alternative for collection of smears, thus increasing screening uptake. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate perception about self-sampling method of screening among women in Sikkim. Methodology: A total of 210 women who consented for this study were screened for cervical cancer using Pap smear and HPV DNA. Women were taught to collect their self-sample for HPV DNA test. Questionnaires were used to assess their attitude toward self-sampling prior to collection of samples and perception, post-collection. Results: Seventy-percent women knew that CC is the most common cancer among women in Sikkim. 73% knew that it could be prevented, but only 57% had knowledge about screening facilities in Sikkim. 50% women knew about HPV vaccination program in Sikkim. 96% women had never done a self-sampling, while 67% had never heard about it. There was a significant change (p value < 0.00001) in perception toward self-sampling after the procedure. Comparative analysis showed that women found self-collection easier than expected. If they had a choice, they would prefer self-sampling over physician sampling; however, due to their trust in physicians they still believed physician collected sample would be better. Conclusion: Self-sampling is a socially acceptable screening technique and can increase compliance among socially shy community.

Accuracy of Frozen Section and Clinical/Radiological Diagnosis with Final Histopathology of Pelvic Masses in a Teaching Institute with a Non-oncology Setup, in Northeast India.

Background: Frozen section (FS) is an important decision making intraoperative tool in a non-oncology center especially in a region where women are often "lost to followup". Objectives: Evaluate the use of FS in non-oncology setup for ovarian and uterine masses. Methods: A retrospective analysis of women who had undergone surgery with frozen section for large abdominopelvic masses at Central Referral Hospital, Sikkim, India, from July 2017 to July 2021. Results: 22 women were taken into study out of which 18 had FS for ovarian masses while 4 had frozen section for large uterine masses. All ovarian masses looked malignant on imaging while only 7 looked malignant intraoperatively. FS detected 8 women (44%) with ovarian malignancy out of which 2 were suspicious. The 2 suspicious cases were benign on final histopathology. FS was negative for malignancy in 10 women (56%) out of which 2 were borderline sero-mucinous on final histopathology. FS for ovarian masses showed sensitivity: 66.7% specificity: 83.3%, NPV: 83.3% and Accuracy of 80% when compared to the final histopathology. Intraoperatively 3 out of 4 uterine masses looked malignant. However, all of the uterine masses were negative on FS and final histopathology. Conclusion: Non-oncology centers are burdened with variety of benign surgeries, hence, FS is effective in detecting malignancy in ovarian tumors but not so in large uterine masses. Performing FS prevents "lost to follow ups" in ovarian tumors while avoiding it, saves time of experts while dealing with large uterine masses.

Advances in HPV Screening Tests for Cervical Cancer-A Review.

HPV is responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer which in turn is one of the common causes of death among female genital malignancies. Cervical cancer being a preventable disease, screening plays a vital role in its reduction. In this era of advanced health care system and technologies this cancer is still in the increasing trend, especially in the Low and Middle Income Countries, which reflects the poor coverage of women for screening. Advances in screening tests and techniques for better and larger coverage of women is the need of the hour globally. Clinicians also need to be aware of the various promising technologies available for screening of cervical cancer precursors, application of which in general practice can be of immense help in cervical cancer reduction.

Evaluation of CA-125 as an Indicator of Imaging During Follow-up of Carcinoma Ovary: Original Research.

BACKGROUND: Women with response to primary treatment for advanced ovarian cancer are said to have progression if CA125 increases more than double the upper normal limit (70 IU/L) on follow-up. It was, however, noted that large section of women with CA125 > 35 IU/L had disease on imaging. OBJECTIVE: To compare values of CA125 rise at which radiological recurrence can be detected. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study where women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent interval debulking surgery and completed treatment at Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India, from 2012 to 2016, and were followed up with Ca125. If CA125 doubled or exceeded 35 IU/L or increased to ≥ 70 IU/L, women were subjected to imaging. RESULTS: Among 142 women who underwent treatment, 64 women with response to primary treatment had recurrence. Recurrence was noted in two (3%) patients with doubling of Ca125 but ≤ 35 IU/, 18 (24%) patients with CA125 > 35 IU/L and 41 (64%) patients when CA125 was ≥ 70 IU/L. Three patients (5%) with normal CA125 had recurrence. Among the recurrence group, 45 women had R0 during surgery of which 27 (60%) had CA125 ≥ 70 IU/L and 14 (31%) had CA125 > 35 IU/L during recurrence. Sensitivity and specificity of value > 35 IU/L were 30.51% and 33.33%, respectively, with accuracy of 32.03%, while sensitivity and specificity at > 70 IU/L were 69.49% and 66.67%, respectively, with accuracy of 67.97%. CONCLUSION: CA125 value of ≥ 70 IU/L is a better predictor of recurrence; however, imaging done when value rises > 35 IU/L would be able to detect significant recurrences early thus allowing early treatment.

Mullerian Anomaly with Large Ovarian Mass — Where Two Worlds Collide

When young women diagnosed with Large Ovarian Masses present with associated mullerian abnormality it shakes the world of Gynaecology and requires the joint help of General Gynaecologists and gynae-oncologists as reconstruction of Mullerian anomaly and fertility preservation is as important as management of Malignant Ovarian Masses. We report a case of 21 year, unmarried woman with complaints of primary amenorrhea and large abdominopelvic mass and short, blind vagina. Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed Uterus Didelphis with normal endometrium and upper vaginal agenesis. Computed Tomography images revealed a large ovarian mass. Intraoperatively there was a 30cm large Ovarian Tumour, Didelphyic and hypoplastic (2cm) uterus and 2 cm blind vagina. Management of this case involved extensive discussion among the Gynecologists, Gynae-oncologist and radiologists. In non-oncology setup where the rate of surgeries are high, option between frozen section and Mullerian reconstruction are required especially when the Ovarian mass looks benign as both surgeries require time and expertise. Hence, involvement of patient and family members in decision making form an integral part of management.Intraoperative findings also influence surgical decisions in Mullerian anomaly

KAP Study on HIV/AIDS Among Antenatal Women Attending Central Referral Hospital of North East India.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine whether antenatal mothers in Sikkim have adequate knowledge about awareness, attitude, and preventive practices regarding HIV infection. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire. 220 Antenatal mothers attending the outpatient department of Central Referral Hospital of Sikkim were taken for the study for a period of 1 year from April 2011 to April 2012. Questionnaire form filled by pregnant women during their first antenatal visit was the source of data for this study. Systematic sampling technique was used where every alternate pregnant women registering for ANC visit were voluntarily recruited into the study. RESULTS: 2.27 % (5) women had not heard about HIV. 84 % (38) women had the knowledge that HIV was related to STI, while 50 % (110) did not. Television was the best method of increasing the knowledge (48 %). 68 % (150) of the women were aware about mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV during antenatal period. Only 2.66 % (6) women knew that HIV can be transmitted to child through breast milk. 90 % (198) knew that HIV is spread by having unsafe sex, 48 % (106) women knew using condoms would protect against it. 69.4 % (153) women wanted partner testing, and 84 % (185) of women consented that all pregnant women should be tested for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed high levels of knowledge, positive attitude, and preventive practices regarding HIV; however, this population lacked knowledge about MTCT and its prevention.

Changing trends in the indication of caesarean delivery in multigravida- experience from a referral center in Eastern India: a prospective study

Background: Caesarean delivery is one of the commonly performed surgical procedures in obstetrics in today's practice. The objective of this study was to estimate the overall incidence and indications of primary caesarean delivery among multiparous women and to study the immediate maternal and perinatal outcome.Methods: It was a prospective observational study done in Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Science, Sikkim, India. It included all pregnant women after 28 weeks of gestation who had normal vaginal delivery in previous pregnancy but underwent caesarean delivery during current pregnancy (n=120) from January 2016 to December 2016. Authors collected data using a pro forma. Relevant history including demographic details, relevant clinical, laboratory and radiological examination, indication for caesarean delivery, details of delivery and neonate, and duration of hospital stay were noted. Data was described using descriptive data like mean and percentages.Results: Out of 1646 deliveries conducted, 49% were by caesarean section. It included 7.29% primary caesarean delivery in multigravida.  Majority of women (27%) were in the age group 25-29. Maternal request was the commonest indication for caesarean delivery (21.66%). Atonic PPH was the commonest intraoperative complication (2.5%). Surgical site infection was the commonest post-operative morbidity (3.33%). There were 51 perinatal morbidity and 2 perinatal mortality. There was no maternal mortality.Conclusions: Caesarean section rates in this study was higher than WHO recommendation (15% versus 49.69%). This shift in trend can be attributed to higher number of maternal request for caesarean delivery which can be avoided by good analgesic facility and good counselling.

A study of maternal risk factors and the perinatal outcome in meconium stained amniotic fluid in central referral hospital

Background: Meconium staining of amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a significant risk factor for the subsequent development of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), respiratory distress and eventual respiratory failure in neonates. To learn more about the risk factors and outcomes associated with MSAF, a prospective case control study was conducted. The objective of the study was to study various maternal risk factors associated with MSAF and to study the outcome of neonates born through MASF and to compare the perinatal outcome in patients with thick and thin meconium stained amniotic fluid.Methods: A hospital based prospective case control study was conducted comparing pregnant women with meconium stained (cases) amniotic fluid with pregnant women having clear liquor (control), 200 in each arm. Singleton pregnancies complicated with MASF were included in the cases group on the basis of predefined inclusion criteria. Various risk factors, mode of delivery, outcome of neonates and perinatal outcome in babies born through thick and thin meconium stained amniotic fluid was studied.Results: Out of 200 patients who had MSAF 114 patients (57%) had thick meconium stained liquor while remaining 86 patients (43.00%) had thin meconium stained amniotic fluid. Post-maturity, pregnancy induced hypertension; oligohydramnios and prolonged labor were found to be statistically significant risk factors for MSAF. Nonreactive non-stress test and Need for cesarean section was more common in women with MSAF as compared to women with clear liquor (p <0.05). Common morbidities in neonates were Birth asphyxia (15%) followed by meconium aspiration syndrome (10%) and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (15%).Conclusions: Meconium stained amniotic fluid is more commonly associated with post-maturity, pregnancy induced hypertension, oligohydramnios and prolonged labor low APGAR score and higher incidence of birth asphyxia and NICU admissions. Appropriate management of neonates with meconium aspiration syndrome is crucial to prevent neonatal mortality.

Severe PID with sub-acute intestinal obstruction during third trimester of pregnancy: a rare presentation

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) during late pregnancy is rare. Authors report a case of severe PID manifesting as subacute intestinal obstruction at early third trimester of pregnancy. A 26 years woman at 28 weeks of gestation was admitted in OBG department of Central Referral Hospital (CRH), Sikkim for evaluation of pain in left hypochondrium with tachycardia and mild rise in temperature. Her WBC was 26,900/cmm while urine and blood cultures were sterile. USG showed single live gestation of 27weeks 3days with a heterogeneous mass suggestive of degenerative fibroid. She had recurrent episodes of subacute intestinal obstructions. Her condition deteriorated, hence, elective caesarean with exploratory laparotomy was done. Single live baby was delivered after which abdominal exploration revealed purulent ascites with multiple pockets of pus. Omental cake along with the bowel was adhered to the fundus of uterus. There was no area of perforation in the gut. Bilateral adnexa were adherent to the pre-sacral region which was densely adhered to underlying great vessels. Post operatively antibiotic to cover the anaerobic bacteria were given to which she responded. Baby died after 4 days of birth due to sepsis. One week after discharge she was readmitted with left sided pleural effusion which responded to antibiotics. PID should be considered a cause of abdominal pain and rise in temperature in pregnancy, as early diagnosis can be managed conservatively with antibiotics thus decreasing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.