Inbar Ben Shachar

Maternal Mortality following Diagnostic 2nd-Trimester Amniocentesis

We present 2 cases of maternal mortality after transabdominal amniocentesis performed during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. In both these cases, blood cultures revealed Escherichia coli. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment started immediately after admission to the hospital did not change the rapid progression of the disease. Despite evacuation of the uterus within <10 h from the diagnosis of septic abortion and transfer to the intensive care units to treat multiorgan failure, these patients died. Septic abortion and septic shock following transabdominal amniocentesis are very rare; however, they carry a serious risk to the patients’ life. The combination of fever and leukopenia several days after amniocentesis should alert the physician to the evolution of sepsis. Because of the risk involved, information given to the patient prior to amniocentesis should refer to possible fetal complications and to the remote possibility of maternal risks as well.

Counseling for Fetal Macrosomia: An Estimated Fetal Weight of 4,000 g is Excessively Low

OBJECTIVE Because of the known complications of fetal macrosomia, our hospitals policy has been to discuss the risks of shoulder dystocia and cesarean section (CS) in mothers with a sonographic estimated fetal weight (SEFW) ≥ 4,000 g at term. The present study was performed to determine the effect of this policy on CS rates and pregnancy outcome. STUDY DESIGN We examined the pregnancy outcomes of the macrosomic (≥ 4,000 g) neonates in two cohorts of nondiabetic low risk women at term without preexisting indications for cesarean: (1) SEFW ≥ 4,000 g (correctly suspected macrosomia) and (2) SEFW < 4,000 g (unsuspected macrosomia). RESULTS There were 238 neonates in the correctly suspected group and 205 neonates in the unsuspected macrosomia group, respectively. Vaginal delivery was accomplished in 52.1% of the suspected group and 90.7% of the unsuspected group, respectively, p < 0.001. There was no difference in the rates of shoulder dystocia. The odds ratio for CS was 9.0 (95% confidence interval, 5.3-15.4) when macrosomia was correctly suspected. CONCLUSION The policy of discussing the risk of macrosomia with SEFW ≥ 4,000 g to women is not justified. A higher SEFW to trigger counseling for shoulder dystocia and CS, more consistent with American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines, should be considered.

Evaluation of Clinical and Pathologic Risk Factors May Reduce the Rate of Multimodality Treatment of Early Cervical Cancer.

Objective:To assess the rate of postoperative adjuvant treatment in patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for early cervical cancer and to suggest criteria for the triage of patients who have a high probability of multimodality treatment. Methods:This was a multicenter retrospective study of 514 patients with FIGO stages IA2-IIA cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy between 1999 and 2010. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not postoperative radiation was administered. The 2 groups were compared with regard to clinical and histopathologic variables divided into major and minor criteria (intermediate risk factors) based on lymph nodes status, parametrial involvement, tumor size, deep stromal invasion, and lymph-vascular space invasion. Results:We identified 294 (57.2%) patients who received adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiation. Fifty-three percent of these patients who were treated by adjuvant radiation had only intermediate risk factors. Combining the various combinations of 2 out of 3 of the following criteria, we found that 89% of patients with tumors ≥2 cm and lymph-vascular space invasion received RT, 76% of patients with tumors ≥2 cm and depth of invasion >10 mm received RT, and 87% of patients with tumors depth of invasion >10 mm and lymph-vascular space invasion received RT. Conclusions:This study suggests that in patients with early cervical cancer, clinicopathologic evaluation of tumor size and lymph-vascular space invasion should be undertaken before performing radical hysterectomy. This approach can serve to tailor treatment, reducing the rate of employing both radical hysterectomy and chemoradiation.

Acute Urinary Retention in an Adolescent as the Presenting Symptom of Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus

BACKGROUND A rare case of acute urinary retention caused by labial fusion in an adolescent is described and the possible causes are discussed. CASE A 17-year-old girl, not sexually active, presented to our emergency service for acute urinary retention. Genital examination revealed labia minora fusion from the clitoris to the vaginal fourchette; urethra, and clitoris were not visualized. Sexual abuse and trauma were excluded. The labia minora were manually separated in the operating room revealing a normal vagina and urethral meatus. Skin biopsies taken from the fused labia minora revealed Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Urinary retention may be seen in the face of complete adhesion of the labia minora, a rare event in postpubertal individuals. In such cases, a suspicion of underlying pathology such as asymptomatic Lichen Sclerosus should be raised and be confirmed by a biopsy.

Team preparation for human uterus transplantation: Autologous transplantation in sheep model

We performed autologous uterus transplantation using the living‐sheep donor model for team preparation before human uterine transplantation. Five sequential operations (in 3 ewes) were prospectively conducted. Surgical technique included uterus retrieval, graft preparation, and uterus transplantation. Anastomoses were performed at the level of the external iliac. At 3‐week follow‐up, the uterus and anastomoses were checked for strictures and thrombosis. Two successful auto‐transplantations were made, and one failed because of undeveloped uterine arteries (< 1 mm in diameter). In the first two ewes, we identified and used a deep, separate uterine vein, which was not described in other publications. In the third ewe, we used the utero‐ovarian vein. The team was able to perform safe dissection and auto‐transplantation, with no signs of strictures or thrombosis after 3 weeks. Cold ischemic time was 60 minutes, and warm ischemic time was between 40 and 60 minutes, with no need for re‐anastomoses. We noticed that using the deep uterine vein in the sheep model can anatomically simulate better the human uterine vein and the difficulty to approach it. To avoid using unsuitable vessels for anastomoses, the uterine transplantation protocol in humans should include imaging of the donors uterine vessels.

The effect of chart speed on fetal monitor interpretation

Abstract Objective: Electronic fetal heart monitor chart speeds vary between countries, and it is unclear whether differing chart speeds affect physician tracing interpretation. Methods: Twenty-minute segments of 19 tracings were displayed on both 1 and 3 cm/min strips and interpreted by 14 physicians at the particular speed they were accustomed to reading. Interpretations of tracing characteristics were compared between groups using free margin kappa, a measure of interobserver agreement. Results: Compared to 3 cm/min tracings, 1 cm/min tracings were significantly more often identified as having absent than minimal variability, and minimal than moderate variability. Accelerations were significantly more often identified in 1 versus 3 cm/min strips. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to baseline fetal heart rate, prolonged or repetitive decelerations, or American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists tracing category. Neither chart speed had substantial interobserver agreement in tracing variables; however, agreement was consistently higher in 3 versus 1 cm/min tracings (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Tracing interpretation is significantly affected by fetal monitor chart speed with regards to variability, acceleration and deceleration. Further studies are required to determine if differences in chart speed interpretation affect clinical management.

Uterine preservation for advanced pelvic organ prolapse repair: Anatomical results and patient satisfaction

ABSTRACT Objective: The aims of the current study were to evaluate outcomes and patient satisfaction in cases of uterine prolapse treated with vaginal mesh, while preserving the uterus. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that included all patients operated for prolapse repair with trocar-less vaginal mesh while preserving the uterus between October 2010 and March 2013. Data included: patients pre-and post-operative symptoms, POP-Q and operative complications. Success was defined as prolapse < than stage 2. A telephone survey questionnaire was used to evaluate patients satisfaction. Results: Sixty-six patients with pelvic organ prolapse stage 3, including uterine pro-lapse of at least stage 2 (mean point C at+1.4 (range+8-(-1)) were included. Mean follow-up was 22 months. Success rate of the vaginal mesh procedure aimed to repair uterine prolapse was 92% (61/66), with mean point C at −6.7 (range (-1) - (-9)). No major intra-or post-operative complication occurred. A telephone survey questionnaire was conducted post-operatively 28 months on average. Ninety-eight percent of women were satisfied with the decision to preserve their uterus. Eighteen patients (34%) received prior consultation elsewhere for hysterectomy due to their prolapse, and decided to have the operation at our center in order to preserve the uterus. Conclusions: Uterine preservation with vaginal mesh was found to be a safe and effective treatment, even in cases with advanced uterine prolapse. Most patients prefer to keep their uterus. Uterus preservation options should be discussed with every patient before surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.

Postoperative radiation rates in stage IIA1 cervical cancer: Is surgical treatment justified? An Israeli Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

OBJECTIVES Data on the outcome of stage IIA1 cervical cancer is limited, as these tumors comprise a small percentage of early tumors. NCCN guidelines suggest consideration of surgical management for small tumors with vaginal involvement. Our objective was to evaluate the risk of adjuvant radiotherapy in stage IIA1 cervical cancer and its associated features, in order to improve selection of patients for surgical management. METHODS A retrospective cohort study comparing surgically treated cervical cancer patients with stage IB1 and stage IIA1 disease. Women treated between 2000 and 2015 in ten Israeli medical centers were included. Patient and disease features were compared between stages. The relative risk (Fishers exact test) of receiving post-operative radiation was calculated and compared for each risk factor. A general linear model (GLM) was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS 199 patients were included, of whom 21 had stage IIA1 disease. Most features were comparable for stage IB1 and stage IIA1 disease, although patients with vaginal involvement were more likely to have close surgical margins (23.8% vs 8.5%, p = 0.03). Patients with stage IIA1 disease were more likely to receive radiation after surgery (76% vs. 46%, RR = 1.65 (1.24-2.2), p = 0.011). Vaginal involvement as well as depth of stromal invasion, LVSI and lymph node metastases were independent predictors of radiation on multivariable general linear modeling. CONCLUSIONS Cervical cancer patients with vaginal involvement are highly more likely to require postoperative radiation. We recommend careful evaluation of these patients before surgical management is offered.

A randomized clinical trial of knotless barbed suture vs conventional suture for closure of the uterine incision at cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND: Knotless barbed sutures are monofilament sutures with barbs cut into them. These sutures self‐anchor, maintaining tissue approximation without the need for surgical knots. OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis of this study was that knotless barbed suture could be used on the myometrium to close the hysterotomy at cesarean delivery. The objective was to compare uterine closure time, need for additional sutures, and blood loss between this and a conventional suture. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, unblinded, randomized controlled trial conducted at the Ziv Medical Center, Zefat, Israel. The primary outcome was the length of time needed to close the uterine incision, which was measured from the start of the first suture on the uterus until obtaining uterine hemostasis. To minimize provider bias, women were randomized by sealed envelopes that were opened in the operating room just prior to uterine closure with either a bidirectional knotless barbed suture or conventional suture. Secondary outcomes included the number of additional hemostatic sutures needed and blood loss during incision closure. RESULTS: Patients were enrolled from August 2016 until March 2017. One hundred two women were randomized. Fifty‐one had uterine closure with knotless barbed suture and 51 with conventional suture. The groups were similar for demographics as well as number of previous cesarean deliveries. Uterine closure time using the knotless barbed suture was significantly shorter than the conventional suture by a mean of 1 minute 43 seconds (P < .001, 95% confidence interval, 67.69–138.47 seconds). Knotless barbed sutures were associated with a lower need for hemostatic sutures (median 0 vs 1, P < .001), and blood loss measured during incision closure was significantly lower (mean 221 mL vs 268 mL, P < .005). CONCLUSION: The use of a knotless barbed suture is a reasonable alternative to conventional sutures because it reduced the closure time of the uterine incision. There was also less need for additional hemostatic sutures and slightly reduced estimated blood loss.

Is there a survival advantage in diagnosing endometrial cancer in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients? An Israeli Gynecology Oncology Group study

BACKGROUND: Incidental ultrasonographic findings in asymptomatic postmenopausal women, such as thickened endometrium or polyps, often lead to invasive procedures and to the occasional diagnosis of endometrial cancer. Data supporting a survival advantage of endometrial cancer diagnosed prior to the onset of postmenopausal bleeding are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare the survival of asymptomatic and bleeding postmenopausal patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: This was an Israeli Gynecology Oncology Group retrospective multicenter study of 1607 postmenopausal patients with endometrial cancer: 233 asymptomatic patients and 1374 presenting with postmenopausal bleeding. Clinical, pathological, and survival measures were compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the asymptomatic and the postmenopausal bleeding groups in the proportion of patients in stage II–IV (23.5% vs 23.8%; P = .9) or in high‐grade histology (41.0% vs 38.4%; P = .12). Among patients with stage‐I tumors, asymptomatic patients had a greater proportion than postmenopausal bleeding patients of stage IA (82.1% vs 66.2%; P < .01) and a smaller proportion received adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy (30.5% vs 40.6%; P = .02). There was no difference between asymptomatic and postmenopausal bleeding patients in the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (79.1% vs 79.4%; P = .85), disease‐specific survival (83.2% vs 82.2%; P = .57), or overall survival (79.7% vs 76.8%; P = .37). CONCLUSION: Endometrial cancer diagnosed in asymptomatic postmenopausal women is not associated with higher survival rates. Operative hysteroscopy/curettage procedures in asymptomatic patients with ultrasonographically diagnosed endometrial polyps or thick endometrium are rarely indicated. It is reasonable to reserve these procedures for patients whose ultrasonographic findings demonstrate significant change over time.