Prenatal Exposure to Bisphenol A: Is There an Association between Bisphenol A in Second Trimester Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Growth?

Background and Objectives: Fetal growth abnormalities increase the risk of negative perinatal and long-term outcomes. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemical to which humans may be exposed in a number of ways, such as from the environment, via various consumer products, and through the individual's diet. Since the compound possesses estrogen-mimicking properties and exerts epigenetic and genotoxic effects, it has been associated with harmful effects impacting the entire spectrum of human life, including, vitally, the intrauterine period. We investigated the role of maternal exposure to BPA in abnormal fetal growth velocity, both impaired and excessive. Materials and Methods: Amniotic fluid samples were collected from 35 women who underwent amniocentesis early in the second trimester due to medical reasons. Pregnancies were followed until delivery, and birth weights were recorded. The amniotic fluid samples were subsequently divided into three groups based on fetal birth weight, as follows: AGA (appropriate for gestational age), SGA (small for gestational age), and LGA (large for gestational age). Amniotic fluid BPA levels were determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Results: BPA was detected in 80% (28/35) of our amniotic fluid samples. Median concentration was 281.495 pg/mL and ranged from 108.82 pg/mL to 1605.36 pg/mL. No significant association was observed between the study groups regarding BPA concentration. A significant positive correlation between amniotic fluid BPA concentration and birth weight centile (r = 0.351, p-value = 0.039) was identified. BPA levels were also inversely associated with gestational age in pregnancies at term (between 37 and 41 weeks) (r = -0.365, p-value = 0.031). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that maternal exposure to BPA during the early second trimester of pregnancy can potentially contribute to increased birthweight percentiles and to decreased gestational age in pregnancies at term.

Follow the River to the Lake: Sentinel Lymph Node Identification Using the Robotic Platform in Endometrial Cancer Patients.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for the management of endometrial cancer patients has been introduced into surgical staging of these patients. Several articles and guidelines have evaluated and found sentinel lymph node biopsy as an efficient and oncological safe procedure. The aim of this article is to highlight the most important tips and tricks in order to optimize sentinel lymph node identification and dissection based on our experience. Each step of sentinel lymph node identification technique is analyzed. Tips and tricks, such as site and time of indocyanine green dye injection are essential in optimal identification of sentinel lymph node in patients with endometrial cancer. The standardization of the technique and the recognition of anatomic landmarks are essential as they lead to an improved and effective identification of sentinel lymph node.

Does Obesity Forbid Robotic Gynecological Surgeries? An Urban Legend.

Introduction: Obesity is a worldwide problem that considered to be a challenge in optimal surgical management. A breakthrough in the technologies of minimal invasive surgery over the last ten years has turned robotic approach into the widespread method for surgical management of obese population. Aim: In this study we emphasize the benefits of the robotic assisted laparoscopy versus open laparotomy and conventional laparoscopy in obese women with gynecological disorders. Methods: We conducted a single center experience retrospective study of obese women (BMI 30 Kg/m2) that underwent robotic assisted gynecologic procedures from January 2020 till January 2023. "Iavazzo" score was used in order to predict preoperatively the feasibility of robotic approach as well as the overall operative time. The perioperative management a well as the postoperative course of obese patients were documented and analyzed. Results: 93 obese women underwent robotic surgical management for benign and malignant gynecological disorders. 62 of these women had BMI between 30 and 35 kg/m2 and 31 had BMI 35 kg/m2. None of them was converted into laparotomy. All of the patients had a smooth postoperative course without any complications and were discharged at the first postoperative day. Mean operative time was 150 min. Conclusions: Our 3-year experience in robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery in obese patients has revealed numerous benefits concerning perioperative management and postoperative rehabilitation.

Upfront or intermediate treatment of advanced ovarian cancer patients with cytoreduction plus HIPEC: Results of a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Newly diagnosed advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, primary or intermediate cytoreductive surgery, and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the optimal timing of cytoreduction plus HIPEC for advanced ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: Advanced ovarian cancer patients treated with cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC at three different hospitals between 2005 and 2019 were subgrouped regarding their time of management with cytoreduction plus HIPEC, upfront or intermediate. We retrospectively assessed the overall survival (OS), the progression-free survival (PFS), and the disease-free survival (DFS) of these groups. RESULTS: A total of 112 ovarian cancer patients were contained. Of whom, 47 patients were in the upfront group with 24 (51.1%) to be alive, while 65 patients were included in the intermediate group with 34 (52.3%) to be alive. OS (48 vs. 30 months) and DFS (42 vs. 20 months) indicated no significant difference. Although the same median PFS was observed in both groups (10 months), a higher mean PFS was observed in the upfront group (11.9 vs. 9 months, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: The treatment of advanced ovarian cancer patients with upfront cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC is feasible with the same survival results. Further, larger prospective studies need to verify our results.

Concurrent gynecologic surgery and panniculectomy in morbidly obese women with gynecologic cancer, a single-center experience.

PURPOSE: As the prevalence of obesity has been rising during the past decades worldwide and especially in Greece, surgeons have faced significant challenges concerning the treatment of morbidly obese women with gynecologic cancer. Panniculectomy is a safe procedure that offers better visualization of pelvic anatomy and prevention of major complications in these women. METHODS: Aim of this study is to describe a single-center experience of surgical treatment of morbidly obese women with gynecologic cancer and concurrent panniculectomy. We, also, review the literature for articles that report concurrent gynecologic surgery and panniculectomy, to summarize the complications that were encountered. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2018, 38 obese women were treated with concurrent panniculectomy at the time of gynecologic surgery for cancer in a single institution. Median age was 55.62 years old, median BMI 43.79 kg/m2, median blood loss 243.75 ml and median operative time approximately 200 min. Twenty-nine patients had endometrial cancer, one patient had concurrent endometrial cancer and fallopian tube cancer, six patients had borderline ovarian cancer, and two had adult granulosa ovarian tumour. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were documented. Five patients suffered from wound infection and were treated with antibiotics and one patient died after wound infection, wound dehiscence, and renal failure. CONCLUSION: For selected obese patients, concurrent panniculectomy with surgical treatment of gynecological cancer is a safe and efficient procedure.

The application of fibrin sealant for the prevention of lymphocele after lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecological malignancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the use of fibrin-collagen sealants on lymph node dissection areas and formation of lymphocele after lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecological malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of 5 electronic databases for articles published up to November 2018 was performed. All randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) which reported outcomes after application of fibrin collagen agents in patients who underwent lymphadenectomy for gynecological malignancies, were finally included in the present meta-analysis. Statistical meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 6 RCTs which recruited 481 patients were included in the present study. Meta-analysis revealed significantly decreased total amount of drained fluid and of mean duration of drainage in fibrin sealant group when compared to control, (187 patients MD -86.40 ml 95% CI -100.2 to -72.60 p < 0.00001 and 113 patients MD -1.00 days 95% CI -1.13 to -0,87 p < 0.00001, respectively). No difference in overall incidence of lymphocele and in the incidence of symptomatic ones among the two groups was observed (592 cases OR 0.61 95% CI 0.36 to 1.05 p = 0.08, and 444 cases OR 0.59 95% CI 0.26 to 1.35 p = 0.22, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis supports the safety of the use of fibrin sealants in women undergoing pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy due to gynecologic cancer but its benefit remains uncertain. It was found effective in reducing the duration and volume of drainage, but it was not associated with difference in the incidence of lymphocele. Further studies are required to confirm our conclusion and broaden our knowledge about its impact on other parameters.

Short- and long term outcomes after abdominal radical trachelectomy versus radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Cervical cancer (CC) ranks 2nd for mortality among women of reproductive age in the United States. Abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART) is a fertility sparing approach that has been proposed in women with early stage CC who wish to preserve their fertility. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of RH vs ART for early stage CC. METHODS: A total of 5 electronic databases were searched for articles published up to December 2018. Prospective and retrospective trials reporting outcomes for women who underwent ART or RH for the management of early stages CC, were considered eligible for inclusion. Statistical meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 5 studies which included 840 women who underwent ART or radical trachelectomy (RH) were included in the present meta-analysis. Among them, 324 underwent ART whereas the remaining 516 had RH. Despite the fact that ART was associated with significantly prolonged operative time compared to RH (840 patients MD 36.82 min, 95% CI 20.15-53.49, p < 0.001), neither 5-year OS nor 5-year DFS were different among the two groups (714 patients OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.53-3.62, p = 0.51 and 682 patients OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.52-2.25, p = 0.84, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ART is a more complex and time consuming technique, but equally safe compared to RH in terms of oncological outcomes for selected women with early stage CC and allows for more CC survivors of childbearing age to preserve their fertility.

Robotic-assisted fertility sparing surgery in gynecological oncology.

While gynecological malignancies are more commonly diagnosed in elderly women, a substantial proportion of women will still be diagnosed with some type of gynecologic cancer during their reproductive age. Over 10% of newly diagnosed ovarian cancers and over one third of newly diagnosed cervical cancers involve women who are under the age of 45. This, coupled with the rising trend of women having their first child after the age of 35, has led to a concerning prevalence of complex fertility issues among women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Since the advent of robotic-assisted surgeries in gynecology, there has been a rise in the occurrence of these procedures. Fertility preserving gynecological surgeries require precise management in order to avoid fertility disorders. Therefore, we conducted a narrative review of robotic assisted fertility sparing surgery in gynecologic malignancies in order to highlight the role of this approach in preserving fertility.

Secular Trends in Preterm Birth Rates: Uncovering the Primary Challenge for Perinatal Medicine in Greece.

INTRODUCTION: Preterm labour is a serious pregnancy complication that is the primary cause of infant mortality, with detrimental impacts on the offspring and the mother in the short as well as the long term. This study aims to comprehensively present the time trends of national preterm birth rates (PBRs) in Greece. METHODS: Official national data regarding live births in Greece were acquired from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, and the annual total PBR and rates for gestational age groups were computed per 100 total live births spanning from 1980 to 2022. Time trends were analyzed through joinpoint regression analysis, and annual percent changes (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) were calculated with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: Following a steady decline from 4.66% in 1980 to a historic low of 2.77% in 1991 with an APC of -5.1 (-6.2 to -4.2), the PBR exhibited a dramatic increase during 1991-2011 with an APC of 7.3 (6.9 to 7.8). Subsequently, between 2011 and 2022, the rise in PBR was attenuated, showing a slight statistically non-significant upward trend (APC = 0.5, 95% CI: -0.6 to 1.5). This led to a historical high of 12.07% in 2018, 4.4 times higher than that in 1991, and eventually, the PBR reached 11.90% in 2022. From 1991 to 2022, there were sharper increases in the rates of moderate (32-33 weeks) and late (34-36 weeks) preterm births, with AAPCs of 4.9 (3.5-6.4) and 5.8 (5.3-6.3), respectively. In contrast, the rates of extremely (<28 weeks) and very (28-31 weeks) preterm births saw slower growth, with AAPCs of 2.2 (1.7-2.7) and 0.7 (0.5-1.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: The PBR in Greece more than quadrupled during 1991-2022, mainly due to increases in moderate and late preterm births. Although its rise has markedly decelerated since 2011, amidst the country's economic recession, the PBR is alarmingly higher than those in all other European and developed nations. More than one in nine neonates is born prematurely in the Greek population, posing challenges in implementing evidence-based prevention strategies and perinatal care.

Ectopic pregnancy with full implantation of the gestational sac in the caesarean section scar managed successfully with laparotomy.

Caesarean scar pregnancy represents one of the rarest locations of ectopic pregnancies. It occurs when the blastocyst is implanted in a scar from a previous caesarean section. A dramatic increase of its prevalence has been observed for the last decades, reaching about 21% globally. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to avoid maternal morbidity and mortality. Our case presents the characteristic appearance of a caesarean scar pregnancy with full implantation of the gestational sac in the scar, which was managed successfully with laparotomy.

The Contribution of Multiple Pregnancies in Stillbirths in Greece: A Time-Trend Analysis.

Introduction Multiple pregnancy is an established risk factor for fetal death. This study aimed to examine the impact of multifetal pregnancies on stillbirth rates (SBRs) in the Greek population. Methods Data on live births and stillbirths by multiplicity were derived from the Hellenic Statistical Authority, covering a 65-year period from 1957 to 2021. The SBR for multiple and single gestations, and the population attributable risk (%) (PAR (%)) stillbirth attributable to multifetal gestations were calculated, and temporal trends were assessed using joinpoint regression analysis, with annual percentage changes (APC) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results In the period 1957-2021, multiple pregnancies accounted for 9.4% of total stillbirths in Greece and the overall relative risk of fetal death among multifetal gestations was 3.34, in comparison with singletons. The SBR in multiple births remained unchanged from 1957 to 1976 and showed downward trends from 1976 to 2021 (APC = -3.0, 95% CI: -3.4 to -2.7, p < 0.001). PAR (%), after two decades of stability, showed an increasing trend over the period 1975-2011 (APC = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.8 to 4.0, p < 0.001), which was reversed in the more recent decade 2011-2021 (APC = -6.1, 95% CI: -9.6 to -2.5, p = 0.001), with PAR (%) decreasing from a historical high of 19.3% in 2012 to 8.6% in 2021. Conclusion The high incidence of multiple births has a considerable impact on stillbirth rates in the Greek population. The recent downward trends of SBR and PAR (%) of multiple gestations are encouraging, however more measures and targeted interventions are needed to improve perinatal outcomes in multifetal gestation.

Second Trimester Amniotic Fluid Angiotensinogen Levels Linked to Increased Fetal Birth Weight and Shorter Gestational Age in Term Pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Despite the considerable progress made in recent years in fetal assessment, the etiology of fetal growth disturbances is not as yet well understood. In an effort to enhance our knowledge in this area, we investigated the associations of the amniotic fluid angiotensinogen of the renin-angiotensin system with fetal growth abnormalities. METHODS: We collected amniotic fluid samples from 70 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis during their early second trimester. Birth weight was documented upon delivery, after which the embryos corresponding to the respective amniotic fluid samples were categorized into three groups as follows: small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA). Amniotic fluid angiotensinogen levels were determined by using ELISA kits. RESULTS: Mean angiotensinogen values were 3885 ng/mL (range: 1625-5375 ng/mL), 4885 ng/mL (range: 1580-8460 ng/mL), and 4670 ng/mL (range: 1995-7250 ng/mL) in the SGA, LGA, and AGA fetuses, respectively. The concentrations in the three groups were not statistically significantly different. Although there were wide discrepancies between the mean values of the subgroups, the large confidence intervals in the three groups negatively affected the statistical analysis. However, multiple regression analysis revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between the angiotensinogen levels and gestational age and a statistically significant positive correlation between the birth weight and angiotensinogen levels. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that fetal growth abnormalities did not correlate with differences in the amniotic fluid levels of angiotensinogen in early second trimester pregnancies. However, increased angiotensinogen levels were found to be consistent with a smaller gestational age at birth and increased BMI of neonates.