Claude D’Ercole

Hysteroscopic metroplasty for septate uterus and repetitive abortions : reproductive outcome

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to assess fertility outcome and obstetrical prognosis of 63 patients after hysteroscopic section of uterine septa. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective study about 63 patients consulting for septate uterus and repeated pregnancy loss or abnormal fetal presentation between January 1988 and December 1996 in La Conception hospital in Marseille. Septal lysis was performed with microscissors or resectoscope. Statistical analysis was performed using the CHI2-test. RESULTS The anatomical result was considered satisfactory in 57.1% of cases. Forty-five pregnancies were obtained, two after an IVF-program in 56 patients. Twenty-eight living children were born: twenty-six at term. Twenty patients delivered normally. Two women are still pregnant. Obstetrical prognosis of these patients is statistically improved by the treatment (P=0.001). CONCLUSION Obstetrical prognosis of patients presenting repeated pregnancy loss and septate uterus is statistically improved by hysteroscopic metroplasty.

Fetal bladder rupture due to anteriorurethral valves.

A rupture of the fetal bladder that resulted in urinary ascites has rarely been reported in published studies. We present the first case of a spontaneous rupture of the fetal bladder, due to an anterior urethral valve, in which the diagnosis was suspected prenatally by means of Doppler ultrasonography and was confirmed postnatally.

Erythropoietin as Treatment for Late Hyporegenerative Anemia in Neonates with Rh Hemolytic Disease after in utero Exchange Transfusion

We report the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in the treatment of late hyporegenerative anemia in 2 neonates with Rh hemolytic disease who had received several in utero exchange transfusions. In both cases anemia occurred at 6 weeks of age and we started therapy at approximately 70 days of age. We used rHuEPO at 250 U/kg three times a week. We also used high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. One week after initiation of erythropoietin treatment, an increase in reticulocyte count and Hb level was noted in our 2 patients. They did not require further erythrocyte transfusions but they already had received two transfusions after birth. There were no side effects attributable to rHuEPO treatment.

Vaginal birth following two previous cesarean sections

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the management of vaginal delivery among women with two previous cesarean sections. The maternal and fetal morbidities of this attitude were studied. SETTING University hospital. DESIGN Retrospective study made over 6 years, from January 1st 1990 to December 31st 1995. PATIENTS Among 180 patients with two uterine scars, 96 patients with cephalic presentation and normal pelvic dimensions were allowed trial of labor. RESULTS The rate of vaginal birth following trial of labor was 65.6%. Three patients had an uterine scar dehiscence; among them, one hysterectomy was performed for haemorrhage with uterine atony. Neonatal issue was always favorable. Twenty-two newborns had superior birthweights compared to those born from the preceding cesarean section. CONCLUSION Trial of labor following two previous cesarean sections is acceptable in the majority of cases. It leads to a high vaginal delivery rate and low maternal and fetal morbidity.

Is uterine-sparing surgical management of persistent postpartum hemorrhage truly a fertility-sparing technique?

Among 23 women who underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy after triple uterine artery ligation with or without hemostatic multiple square suturing for the management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), five had abnormal findings. Endometritis was statistically significantly associated with abnormal diagnostic hysteroscopy findings. Twelve patients developed subsequent pregnancies, and four had abnormal obstetric outcomes: one placenta percreta, one placenta accreta, one recurrent postpartum hemorrhage, and one intrauterine growth retardation.

Longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of 350 singleton infants born at less than 32 weeks of amenorrhea: neurocognitive screening, academic outcome, and perinatal factors

OBJECTIVE To analyse the incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders at the age 6-10 years, in children born at less than 32 weeks of amenorrhea, and to identify the perinatal and neonatal factors associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at this age. STUDY DESIGN Longitudinal prospective trial in a French university and tertiary perinatal care centre. A total of 350 preterm singletons born in hospital at less than 32 weeks of amenorrhea between 1997 and 2001 were included. Children were invited for examination to screen for neurocognitive disorders between 4 and 8 years of age and re-contacted when they were between 6 and 10 years of age to evaluate school results. Three profiles of neurocognitive outcome were defined (normal, minor disorder, or major disorder) and correlated with maternal, antenatal, perinatal, and neonatal factors. RESULTS The survival rate of our cohort was 80.8% (283/350) and the proportion of survivors followed-up was 71.4% (202/283). There were 137 children (68%) with normal profiles, 29 (14%) with minor disorders, and 36 (18%) with major disorders. For those born at less than 28 weeks of amenorrhea, the survival rate was 62.7% (64/102) and the proportion of survivors followed-up was 78.1% (50/64). Among these children, 24 (48.0%) had normal outcomes, 8 (16.0%) suffered from minor disorders, and 18 (36.0%) had major disorders. The three principal independent risk factors for major or minor disorders at school age were gestational age less than 28 weeks of amenorrhea (adjusted odds ratio: 1.28 [95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.56]), chronic lung disease at birth (adjusted odds ratio: 2.92 [95% confidence interval: 1.15-7.42]), and an abnormal electroencephalogram before discharge (adjusted odds ratio: 2.61 [95% confidence interval: 1.10-6.18]). Moreover, abnormal brain ultrasonography was identified as an independent risk factor for occurrence of major disorders (adjusted odds ratio: 2.98 [95% confidence interval: 1.31-6.71]). CONCLUSION Very preterm infants remain at high risk for long-term neurodevelopmental disorders. Several neonatal factors, particularly chronic lung disease, seem to be important determinants of long-term outcome.

Hémorragies du post-partum immédiat : techniques et indications de la chirurgie

Journal de Gynecologie Obstetrique et Biologie de la Reproduction - Vol. 33 - N° SUP8 - p. 103-119

A score to predict the risk of emergency caesarean delivery in women with antepartum bleeding and placenta praevia.

OBJECTIVE To identify antenatal events associated with emergency caesarean sections in women presenting with antepartum bleeding and placenta praevia and to establish a score to predict the risk of emergency caesarean after a first bleeding episode has resolved. STUDY DESIGN This retrospective multicentre study included 250 women presenting with antepartum bleeding and placenta praevia from 20 weeks of gestation until term in three maternity units. The score was constructed from data from 163 women after identification of antenatal risk factors associated with emergency caesareans for profuse bleeding due to placenta praevia. It was validated on a second independent cohort of 87 women. RESULTS Three variables were significantly associated with emergency caesareans: major or complete praevia, defined as complete or partial praevia (OR=33.15 (95% CI 4.3-257); p=0.001), occurrence of 3 or more episodes of antepartum of uterine bleeding (OR=2.53 (95% CI 1.1-5.86); p=0.03), and a first (sentinel) bleeding episode before 29 weeks of gestation (OR=2.64 (95% CI 1.17-5.98); p=0.02). A fourth variable, moderate or severe antepartum uterine bleeding, was significantly associated with emergency caesareans in the univariate but not the multivariate analysis (p=0.006). These four variables were incorporated into a weighted scoring system that included major praevia (4 points), three or more episodes of antepartum bleeding (3), first bleeding episode before 29 weeks of gestation (3), and bleeding episode estimated as moderate or severe (1). A score ≥6/11 had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 65% for predicting an emergency caesarean in the score development group and 95% and 62% in the validation group. CONCLUSION A scoring system for placenta praevia with previous bleeding events, based on intensity, gestational age at sentinel bleed (before 29 weeks), number of bleeding episodes (≥3) and type of praevia (major) might be helpful to guide obstetric management and especially to determine the need for admission.

Congenital Bowing of Long Bones: Prenatal Ultrasound Findings and Diagnostic Dilemmas

Objective: Bowing of the long bones can be easily detected on antenatal ultrasound screening, but it is a nonspecific sign that can be associated with a variety of conditions, each denoting a different prognosis. Among these conditions, three well-differentiated bone dysplasias share bowed long bones as a main clinical manifestation. Campomelic dysplasia and Stüve-Wiedemann syndrome are characterized by a poor prognosis. Conversely, the overall prognosis of children affected with kyphomelic dysplasia is good, the intelligence and motor development are normal and the radiological abnormalities tend to improve and regress with age. Case Report: We report a case of prenatal detection of short and bowed femora at the 22nd week of gestation. Careful US examination as well as in utero X-ray of the skeleton allowed the exclusion of campomelic dysplasia. In the absence of an unambiguous diagnosis, the pregnancy was continued. At birth, the child presented with clinical and radiological features consistent with a diagnosis of kyphomelic dysplasia. Conclusion: This case illustrates the difficulties in making an accurate diagnosis and consequently giving a prognosis when isolated femoral bowing is found on fetal ultrasound examination.

Pratiques en France de prise en charge des ruptures prématurées des membranes

INTRODUCTION Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is a frequent complication of pregnancy leading to prematurity and neonatal infection. The management of PPROM is not consensual in France and practices between maternities are variable. We subjected type 2B and 3 maternity units to a questionnaire regarding their practices concerning the PPROM. RESULTS Our study includes 59 type 2B maternity units and 59 type 3 maternity units. Corticotherapy is proposed in all of type 3 maternity units and in 96.5% of type 2B maternity units. Antibiotics are administered at the patient admission in 96.6% of type 3 maternity units and 86% of type 2B maternity units. Tocolytics are used systematically in 31% of maternity units and only in case of contractions in 62% of maternity units. No maternity unit indicates birth systematically after corticotherapy before 32 weeks of gestation (WG). An early delivery is proposed in 9.5% of maternity units between 32 and 34 WG and in 58% of maternity units between 34 and 37 WG. CONCLUSION Corticotherapy and antibiotics are predominantly administered at the time of the diagnosis, as recommended by the HAS and CNGOF. Despite the lack of recommendation, an expectative management until 34 WG, in absence of any sign of chorioamnionitis, seems to be the choice of most maternity units.