The perinatal outcomes of women treated for Asherman syndrome: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

STUDY QUESTION: Do the perinatal outcomes of patients following hysteroscopic treatment for Asherman syndrome (AS) differ from that of a control population? SUMMARY ANSWER: Perinatal complications including placental issues, high blood loss, and prematurity in women after treatment for AS should be considered as moderate to high risk, especially in patients who have undergone more than one hysteroscopy (HS) or repeated postpartum instrumental revisions of the uterine cavity (Dilation and Curettage; D&C). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The detrimental impact of AS on obstetrics outcomes is commonly recognized. However, prospective studies evaluating perinatal/neonatal outcomes in women with AS history are sparse, and the characteristics accounting for the respective morbidity of AS patients remain to be elucidated. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We conducted a prospective cohort study utilizing data from patients who underwent HS treatment for moderate to severe AS in a single tertiary University-affiliated hospital (enrolled between 01 January 2009 and March 2021), and who consequently conceived and progressed to at least 22nd gestational week of pregnancy. Perinatal outcomes were compared to a control population without an AS history, retrospectively enrolled concomitantly at the time of delivery for each patient with AS. Maternal and neonatal morbidity was assessed as well as the characteristics-related risk factors of AS patients. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Our analytic cohort included a total of 198 patients, 66 prospectively enrolled patients with moderate to severe AS and 132 controls. We used multivariable logistic regression to calculate a propensity score to match 1-1 women with and without AS history based on demographic and clinical factors. After matching, 60 pairs of patients were analysed. Chi-square test was used to compare perinatal outcomes between the pairs. Spearman's correlation analysis was utilized to investigate the correlation between perinatal/neonatal morbidity and the characteristics-related factors of AS patients. The odds ratio (OR) for the associations was calculated by logistic regression. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Among the 60 propensity matched pairs, the AS group more frequently experienced overall perinatal morbidity, including abnormally invasive placenta (41.7% vs 0%; P < 0.001), retained placenta requiring manual or surgical removal (46.7% vs 6.7%; P < 0.001), and peripartum haemorrhage occurrence (31.7% vs 3.3%; P < 0.001). Premature delivery (<37 gestational weeks) was reported more frequently also for patients with AS (28.3% vs 5.0%; P < 0.001). However, no increased frequency of intra-uterine growth restriction or worsened neonatal outcomes were observed in AS group. Univariable analysis of risk factors for AS group morbidity outcomes revealed that the main factor related to abnormally invasive placenta was two or more HS procedures (OR 11.0; 95% CI: 1.33-91.23), followed by two or more D&Cs preceding AS treatment (OR 5.11; 95% CI: 1.69-15.45), and D&C performed postpartum as compared to post abortion (OR 3.0; 95% CI: 1.03-8.71). Similarly, two or more HS procedures were observed as the most important factor for retained placenta (OR 13.75; 95% CI: 1.66-114.14), followed by two or more preceding D&Cs (OR 5.16; 95% CI: 1.67-15.9). Premature birth was significantly associated with the number of preceding D&Cs (OR for two or more, 4.29; 95% CI: 1.12-14.91). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Although the cohort of patients with AS was enrolled prospectively, a baseline imbalance was intrinsically involved in the retrospective enrolment of the control group. However, to reduce the risk of bias, confounding factors were adjusted for using propensity score matching. The limitation to the generalization of our reported results is the single institution design in which all patients were treated for AS in one tertiary medical centre. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Within our search scope, our study represents one of the first and largest prospective studies of perinatal and neonatal outcomes in moderate to severe AS patients with a prospectively analysis of the risks factors of characteristics significantly influencing reported morbidities among patients with AS. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was supported by the Charles University in Prague [UNCE 204065] and by the institutional grant of The General Faculty Hospital in Prague [00064165]. No competing interests were declared. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Uterine leiomyomas with bizarre nuclei: analysis of 37 cases after laparoscopic or open myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical outcome of patients with diagnosis of leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei (LBN) undergoing uterus saving surgery due to fertility preservation. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, General University Hospital, Prague. METHODS: This was a retrospective clinical study of patients with LBN diagnosis after myomectomy between January 2002 and June 2017 which were searched in our database. The data were obtained from medical documentation and from correspondence with patients. RESULTS: We identified 37 patients meeting the criteria in our database. The median age of the patients was 34.0 years. 30 patients (81.1%) underwent laparoscopic procedure, 7 (18.9.%) had open myomectomy. The perioperative appearance of fibroid was found normal in 27 cases (73.0%), in the rest the appearance was described somehow abnormal. The follow-up data were obtained from 35 women; the median follow-up time was 48 months. 9 patients (25.7%) needed re-intervention for fibroids with 2 specimens (22.2%) classified as LBN again. The overall pregnancy rate was 63.6% and life birth rate was 33.3%. We did not observe any distant recurrence of the disease or malignant recurrence or death related to the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Uterus sparing surgery for treatment of LBN seems to be safe and reasonable therapy for women wishing to preserve fertility.

[Septic shock in pregnancy on the basis of an acute pyelonephritis]. / Septický sok v tehotenství na podklade akutní pyelonefritidy.

OBJECTIVE: According to the World Health Organisation, sepsis is one of the four main causes of pregnancy-related mortality worldwide, together with hemorrhage, hypertensive disease and abortion. The main goal of this paper is an analysis of one case of septic shock in pregnancy. DESIGN: A case report. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the First Faculty of Medicine and General Teaching Hospital, Prague. METHODS AND RESULTS: Authors would like to draw attention to the pitfalls of diagnosis and treatment of septic shock which developed in 25th week of pregnancy on the basis of pyelonephritis due to E. coli. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of sepsis and an interdisciplinary co-operation are the main prerequisities for successful treatment.

The role of steroid hormones in the development of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a disorder of liver function, commonly occurring in the third trimester but sometimes also as soon as the end of the second trimester of pregnancy. Symptoms of this disorder include pruritus, plus abnormal values of bile acids and hepatic transaminases. After birth, symptoms disappear and liver function returns to normal. Though ICP is relatively non-complicated and often symptomatically mild from the point-of-view of the mother, it presents a serious risk to the fetus, making this disease the subject of great interest. The etiology and pathogenesis of ICP is multifactorial and as yet not fully elucidated. Hormonal factors likely play a significant role, along with genetic as well as exogenous factors. Here we summarize the knowledge of changes in steroid hormones and their role in the development of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. In addition, we consider the role of exogenous factors as possible triggers of steroid hormone changes, the relationship between metabolic steroids and bile acids, as well as the combination of these factors in the development of ICP in predisposed pregnant women.