Perinatal manifestations of maternal yellow nail syndrome.

A term female firstborn infant had unexplained nonimmune fetal hydrops and recurrent left chylothorax at 4 weeks of age. A few months before conception, her mother had had acute dystrophic nail changes and is being treated for recurrent sinusitis, bronchiectasis, and a deficiency of serum IgG2. We suggest that they both suffer from a dominantly inherited congenital lymphedema syndrome known as 'yellow nail dystrophy.' Prenatal manifestation of this disorder has not been reported previously. The child's anthropometric and neurological development was normal at 1 year of age, whereas mild ankle edema and marbling of the skin of the limbs were salient clinical findings. Inherited lymphedema leading to nonimmune fetal hydrops also has been recognized in chromosomal disorders, Noonan's syndrome, multiple pterygium syndrome, pulmonary lymphangiectasis, and mixed-vessel lymphatic dysfunction. Indicators of parental lymphedema are not on record in those instances.

Intrauterine contraception in adolescent women. The GyneFix intrauterine implant.

Pregnancy rates among adolescents have not decreased over the last 10 years, despite numerous efforts. To solve this important health problem, the major strategy recommended is to encourage contraceptive use among sexually active teenagers. An important means of obtaining this is by promoting methods that are not dependent on daily administration in order to avoid noncompliance. One such method (Norplant) has already shown to be much more effective than the combination pill in preventing pregnancy in adolescent women. The frameless intrauterine implant system (fixed, frameless, and completely flexible) has been studied since 1985 in women between 14 and 50 years of age. The results in young nulligravid women confirm its very high effectiveness (cumulative pregnancy rate at 36 months: 1.4%), its low expulsion rate (cumulative rate at 36 months: 0.9%) and its optimal tolerance (cumulative removal rate for medical reasons at 36 months: 2.4%), resulting in a high acceptance of the implant and a high continued use. The system (GyneFix) offers long-term protection (5 years), and its insertion, with or without anesthetic, is easily accomplished in the office. The GyneFix should therefore be recommended as an excellent alternative for birth control pills for young women with low risk for STDs, especially when compliance is a problem, without an increased risk for complications and without systemic side effects. Removal of the device is accomplished by traction on the tail. It can also be used for emergency contraception and for insertion immediately after termination of pregnancy.

Clinical experience with the GYNE-T 380 postpartum intrauterine device.

OBJECTIVE: The insertion of conventional intrauterine devices (IUDs) during the 1st 10 days after delivery is associated with a high rate of expulsions. DESIGN: The GYNE-T 380 (Ortho Pharmaceutical [Canada] Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada) IUD was modified by the addition of a loose loop of knotted biodegradable no. 2 catgut to the top of the IUD (GYNE-T 380 postpartum IUD). After delivery, a special inserter was used to imbed the knotted portion of the loop into the myometrium of the uterine fundus. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: This modified IUD was evaluated in a phase II trial involving 190 women at four clinical sites. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: There were no pregnancies during the 1st year of the study. The continuation rate was 74 per 100 women and a life table expulsion rate of 9.6 and 13.3 per 100 women was observed at 6 and 12 months, respectively. RESULTS: Complications associated with the insertion and the use of this IUD were minimal. Large scale trials evaluating this IUD are in progress.

PIP: The insertion of conventional IUDs during the 1st 10 days after delivery is associated with a high rate of expulsions. The Gyne T 380 (Ortho Pharmaceutical, Canada Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada) IUD was modified by the addition of a loose loop of knotted biodegradable no.2 catgut to the top of the IUD (Gyne T 380 postpartum IUD). After delivery, a special inserter was used to imbed the knotted portion of the loop into the myometrium of the of the uterine fundus. This modified IUD was evaluated in a phase II trial involving 190 women at 4 clinical sites; continuation rate was 74/100 women, the life table expulsion rate as 9.6 and 13.3/100 women observed at 6 and 12 months, respectively. There were no pregnancies during the 1st year of study. Complications associated with the insertion and use of this IUD were minimal and largescale trials evaluating this IUD are now in progress.

Immediate post-placental IUD insertion: the expulsion problem.

This paper reports an evaluation of immediate post-placental insertion of a non-copper (Lippes Loop D) and several copper-bearing IUD models (TCu200, TCu220C, MLCu375, MLCu250, Nova T-PP, DimélysR). Based on the analysis of a total of 2,646 insertions and 55,794 woman-months of experience, we conclude that placement of an IUD within ten minutes of delivery of the placenta is a valuable alternative to interval insertion, because this method is safe and effective. Effectiveness was significantly lower for the Lippes Loop D than for the T- and ML-IUD models tested, the latter showing roughly comparable pertinent event rates. Pertinent event rates for copper IUDs were influenced by the skill of the operator; age of the recipient only had a significant effect on effectiveness, whereas parity had no significant effect on pertinent event rates. The single and still unsolved problem associated with immediate postpartum insertion is the greater likelihood of expulsion compared with interval insertion, and this hazard is significantly much greater for the Loop than for the copper-bearing devices assessed. The evolution of the expulsion rates shows a constant time-relationship. This pattern makes it obvious why follow-up of recipients, at least during the first trimester following insertion, is mandatory if immediate post-placental IUD insertion is to be optimally effective.

IUD expulsion solved with implant technology.

In an attempt to minimize the problem of IUD expulsion, implantation technology has been developed and tested. The trials have extended from 1985 until the present time for interval as well as for immediate postabortal and post-placental insertion and fixation of the CuFix IUD (Gyne-Fix). The present article reports on an ongoing study with GyneFix interval insertion, with an improved inserter, in 820 women, observed up to 3 years, of whom 213 (25.9%) are nulligravid/nulliparous. The cumulative expulsion rate is 0.6 per 100 women-years at 3 years and is not significantly higher in the nulligravid/nulliparous group. The cumulative pregnancy rate is 0.6 and the cumulative removal rate for medical reasons 3.2 at 3 years. The total experience in this multicenter study covers approximately 14,000 woman-months. It is concluded that the design characteristics of the GyneFix (fixed, frameless, and flexible) explain the low expulsion, high efficacy and high acceptability rates. The implantation technology is very effective and the improved inserter allows easy insertion and optimal anchoring.

Immediate postplacental insertion and fixation of the CuFix postpartum implant system.

Since promising results were obtained with the CuFix interval implant system in international clinical trials conducted worldwide, a modification of the device adapting it for immediate postplacental insertion and fixation (IPPIF) seemed a logical approach to solve the expulsion problem of IUDs inserted at that particular time. Seventy-three insertions were performed at three university centers, during 1990 and 1991, both by skilled and unskilled investigators. The results of this multicenter study show the excellent retainability of the modified IUD supporting the validity of the anchoring principle. The insertion procedure is easy, requiring minimal training, and the insertion technique appeared to be safe.

PIP: Physicians inserted the CuFix postpartum (CuFixPP) implant system, an IUD, to a depth of 1.3 cm in the fundal myometrium in 73 healthy women soon after vaginal delivery (10-30 minutes) at either the University Hospital in Gent, Belgium; the University Medical School in Debrecen, Hungary; or Alexandra Hospital of the University of Athens in Greece. Since previous international clinical trials showed unacceptably high rates of expulsion of CuFixPP, researchers conducted this trial to test the IUD after having it modified for immediate postplacental insertion and fixation. None of the physicians had received training in the insertion procedure of this experimental IUD. The cumulative expulsion rate at 12 and 18 months was 3.1. The cumulative pregnancy rate at 12 and 18 months stood at 1.5. The sole reasons for removal at 12 and 18 months were bleeding/pain and planned pregnancy (7.4 at 12 and months and 10.8 at 18 months; 9 at 12 months and 12.2 at 18 months, respectively). Physicians experienced difficulty removing the IUD in 4 cases. The removals did not cause noticeable bleeding. No complications occurred. These findings revealed that, with further modifications, the CuFixPP IUD holds considerable promise as a simple and effective method of postpartum contraception, which can easily be inserted by nurses or midwives, especially in developing countries.

Immediate postplacental IUD insertion: a randomized trial of sutured (Lippes Loop and TCu22OC) and non-sutured (TCu22OC) models.

A randomized clinical trial concerning immediate post-placental insertion (IPPI) of the Delta Lippes Loop, Delta TCu22OC, and TCu22OC was undertaken to assess the effect of the addition of catgut strands on IUD performance. A total of 906 devices were inserted and the subjects followed for 20 months, at which time 14,136 woman-months experience had been accumulated. The Delta Loop constantly had inadmissibly high expulsion and pregnancy rates. The two T-IUD models had significantly lower rates of expulsion and pregnancy, and these rates were similar for the sutured and the non-sutured TCu22OC. Immediate postplacental insertion of the three IUD models was totally safe in terms of infection and perforation. Due to the difficulty of insertion and high expellability, the Delta Loop is considered unfit for IPPI. Performance of the TCu22OC was good but the results did not indicate that "suturing" improved the retainability of this IUD model significantly.

Elective induction of labor conducted under lumbar epidural block. I. Labor induction by amniotomy and intravenous oxytocin.

Epidural analgesia (bupivacaine) was administered during labor after amniotomy, in some cases supplemented by intravenous oxytocin. A higher incidence of transient uterine hypertonus was seen after blocking. Fetal heart rate changes mainly took the form of bradycardia (in association with uterine hypertonus). At birth, the maternal biochemical condition was characterized by a lower degree of metabolic acidosis, compared to normal unanesthetized controls. The fetuses displayed a slight degree of hypoxia and hypercapnia. The mechanisms underlying these modifications are discussed. Epidural blockade in combination with elective induction of labor, whether or not supplemented by intravenous oxytocin, may carry a risk. Its magnitude is considered acceptable for both mother and fetus provided they are constantly under close surveillance, limited amounts of bupivacaine are administered and the second stage of labor is kept short. However, some warnings against epidural analgesia apply to patients with placental insufficiency and very active labor.

PIP: The maternal and neonatal influences of continuous lumbar epidural analgesia (CLEA; bupivacaine) administered during labor after amniotomy were studied. Intravenous oxytocin supplementation was employed in some cases. Analgesic blockade increased the incidence of transient uterine hypertonus. Fetal heart rate changes, primarily bradycardia, were associated with uterine hypertonus. At birth, a lower degree of maternal metabolic acidosis was observed in comparison with normal unanesthetized controls. A slight degree of hypoxia and hypercapnia was observed in the fetuses. Possible explanations for these changes are discussed. The application of CLEA in the elective induction of labor, whether accompanied by intravenous oxytocin or not, may have risks, though these are probably acceptable for the mother and fetus if they are closely observed, the amounts of bupivacaine administered are limited, and if the duration of the 2nd stage of labor is kept to a minimum. However, epidural analgesia poses greater risks to patients with placental insufficiency and very active labor.

Elective induction of labor conducted under lumbar epidural block. II. Labor induction by amniotomy and intravenous prostaglandin.

Labor was electively induced at term in 117 clinically normal nulliparae and parous women by combining low amniotomy with intravenous administration of prostaglandin F2 alpha (n = 64) or prostaglandin E2 (n = 53). Analgesia was obtained by continuous lumbar epidural block with bupivacaine. The procedure was very effective in producing vaginal delivery within 24 h after prostaglandin infusion (n = 115), but it was accompanied by an extremely high incidence of uterine hypertonus. Tentative explanations for the transient uterine hyperstimulation are a direct stimulatory effect of the local anesthetic on the contractility of the myometrial fiber and/or a temporarily higher amount of circulating oxytocic compound reaching the myometrium due to local vasodilatation as a result of sympathetic nerve blockade. In some cases uterine hypertonus was associated with slowing of the basal fetal heart rate and, when severe, with the appearance of late deceleration patterns and fetal acidosis. In other cases the fetal heart rate deceleration is explained by the toxic effect of bupivacaine on the myocard. Since both the myometrial hyperactivity and the FHR alterations were temporary, fetal biochemical parameters were unaffected at completion of the first stage of labor. Because with intravenous prostaglandin uterine hyperstimulation is more difficult to avoid and regional analgesia further increases the hazard of both hypertonus and fetal heart rate deceleration, the combined application of an intravenous prostaglandin and continuous epidural analgesia should not be introduced into obstetrical practice.

[Tubal sterilization by minilaparotomy]. / Tubasterilisatie via minilaparotomie.

PIP: A study of methods, techniques, and instruments used in surgical contraceptive procedures from approximately 1965-1978, makes the assertion that the ideal sterilization technique still has not been invented, while at the same time noting that transcervical and transuterine sterilizations are still in the research stage, and tubal sterilization has attained considerable popularity as an everyday practice. Passing attention is given to culdotomy, culdoscopy, laparoscopy, and laparotomy, while stressing minilaparotomy as the current most widely used means of female sterilization. An overview of the history of the minilaparotomy is presented, as well as the results of a study conducted from February 1976 to December 1977 at the Gynecological Clinic in the Academy Hospital in Hoofden involving 102 nonpregnant women who received minilaparotomies. Of the participants, who were aged 19-47 (average age 35 and average parity 2.7), 80 were sterilized electively, and 22 medically. The length of incision varied from 1-6 cm; the average length of operation was 31 minutes; the period for recovery from flatus was 0-3 days; and the average length of stay in a clinic 3.2 days. Morbidity figures were low, the most frequent wound complication being hematoma (3%); this agrees with reports in the literature since 1976 of nonlethality in 17,500 minilaparotomy sterilizations.^ieng

[Are IUDs contraindicated in diabetes?]. / Zijn IUDs tegenaangewezen voor diabeticae?

PIP: The choice of contraceptive methods for diabetics is more limited. Tubal ligation is the most effective method for women with completed families and is indicated in diabetic angiopathies. Mechanical barriers are effective when correctly placed and faithfully used. Estrogens only and combination pills are contraindicated; progestogens are safe but less effective. The role of IUDs in diabetics is less well-known. Earlier conjecture that IUDs would increase the risk of pelvic in flammatory disease (PID) have not been supported. More recent arguments state IUDs to be less effective in insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD). A 1980 Edinburgh study showed 11 out of 30 women with IDD becoming pregnant within one year after IUD placement. Chemical analysis of removed IUDs showed more deposits and corrosion and more sulfur in the sediment than those of nondiabetics (ND). A duplicate study (Lancet 1982) had the same results; it was concluded that endometrial reactions to the IUD in IDDs somehow lessened the contraceptive effect of the IUDs. A 1977 Stockholm study of 118 IDDs showed no greater IUD failure than in NDs; pregnancy for IDDs was 4.8 + or - 2.4/100 women, a comparable ND group showed 3.6 + or - 0.7 to 5.8 + or - 0.9 pregnancies/100 women for 1 and 2 years. 3 further studies supported the Stockholm findings. A personal study of IUDs in 20 IDDs, aged between 22 and 51 years, showed a parity of 0-3 (1.1 + or - 1.1); period of use was from 4-137 months and follow-up period was 880 woman months. No unwanted pregnancies occurred; 1 patient discontinued the IUD after 8 months because of tubo-ovarian abscess. Prescribing contraceptive methods for diabetics requires special care and is not easy. Mechanical devices can be used for birth spacing. Care must be taken with combination preparations. Use of IUDs seems safe and effective enough. Reports of less effectiveness and/or greater risk of PID have not been supported. More clinical studies are needed.^ieng

Candidiasis in women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device.

Vaginal colonization by Candida spp. was compared in 117 women fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD users) and in 100 women not wearing an IUCD (control group). None of the subjects had factors currently assumed to predispose to yeast colonization or infection. Yeasts were present significantly more often in the IUCD users (20%) than in the control group (6%). In two of the 21 women with positive cultures the tail of the IUCD yielded substantially more colonies than the vaginal specimen and in seven, only the tail culture was positive. These findings strongly suggest that the IUCD is a predisposing factor in vaginal colonization by Candida strains. In half the women the presence of yeasts in the vagina was not associated with signs and symptoms of clinical infection. Of the 29 yeast strains isolated 17 were C. albicans, there was no difference in the prevalence of C. albicans between IUCD users and non-users or between symptomatic and asymptomatic women.

PIP: 217 women were investigated for the presence of genital candidiasis. 117 women had an IUD; the other 100 women did not. 23 IUD wearers and 6 of the non-wearers were found to harbor Candida in the vagina. 50% of the IUD wearers and 66% of the yeast-positive controls were asymptomatic. Pieces of IUD tails were snipped and cultured from 21 of the IUD wearers, and in 7 of them only the IUD tails yielded cultures. 59% of the yeasts were identified as Candida albicans and the rest as other strains of Candida. This study confirms the hypothesis that IUD use predisposes to colonization and infection by Candida albicans and other strains. The fact that the yeast organisms were more prevalent on the IUD tails than in the vaginal mucosa indicates that the IUD tail acts as a reservoir of infection.

Intrauterine contraception in the year 2001: can intrauterine device use be revived with new improved contraceptive technology?

Intrauterine contraception is the most cost-effective reversible method of contraception today. The method is becoming increasingly attractive to women due to the development of new technologies that not only enhance the performance of the intrauterine device (i.e. efficacy is now close to 100%), but also reduce the rate of expulsion (in the case of the 'frameless' GyneFix intrauterine device (IUD)) and the number of removals for medical reasons. This is important, since the demand for intrauterine devices is likely to increase drastically in the coming years. The size of the intrauterine foreign body with the mini GyneFix has been reduced six-fold since the development of the Lippes Loop, resulting in an almost total absence of incompatibility problems. Furthermore, intrauterine contraception is entering a new phase with the development of intrauterine systems (IUSs) that deliver potent progestins. The Mirena intrauterine system, which releases levonorgestrel, has been shown to drastically reduce menstrual bleeding. The FibroPlant levonorgestrel IUS has been clinically developed since 1997 and is a further development of the 'frameless' anchoring IUD concept. The majority of women presenting with excessive bleeding can be treated by insertion of the IUS, resulting in greatly reduced menstrual blood loss. This is a very important result from both a health and a quality-of-life point of view. The fact that the IUS is also a potent contraceptive is extremely interesting. We believe, therefore, that these new technologies will lead to a re-appraisal of the IUD and could revive the use of intrauterine contraception in all parts of the world, including those regions where IUD use is presently very low.

A decade of experience with the TCu220C.

A decade of experience with the TCu220C has confirmed the prolonged high effectiveness, safety, and acceptability of this device. The present analysis concerns 906 interval insertions performed by three experienced operators using the retraction technique for placement of the TCu220C, and covers a total of 53,875 woman-months of experience. Gross cumulative pertinent event rates at 10 years were: pregnancy 7.5; expulsion 9.1; and removal for bleeding/pain and other medical reasons 21.9 and 9.2, respectively. Both the age and parity of the acceptor influence the long-term performance of the TCu220C.