Iskender Baser

Antimullerian hormone levels after laparoscopic endometrioma stripping surgery

Objective. To evaluate whether a change takes place in antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels reflecting the ovarian reserve after laparoscopic endometrioma stripping surgery and to demonstrate if there is any correlation between AMH levels and the sizes of endometriomas. Method. Fourty-seven women participated as the study group in this prospective controlled trial, 33 of whom (70.2%) had unilateral and 14 (29.7%) of whom had bilateral endometriomas. Pre- and post-operative serum AMH levels were measured and compared with 17 normo-ovulatory control cases and also correlated with endometrioma sizes. Result(s). Mean pre-operative AMH levels of the study group and the normo-ovulatory control cases did not reveal a statistically significant difference (1.62 ± 1.09 ng/ml and 2.06 ± 0.51 ng/ml, P > 0.05). Mean level of post-operative serum AMH of the study group decreased from 1.62 ± 1.09 to 1.39 ± 1.16. However, this reduction was not statistically significant. (P > 0.05). Pre- and post-operative AMH levels do not reveal a correlation with the size of endometrioma in both group of patients with either unilateral or bilateral endometrioma. Conclusion(s). The presence of the endometrioma does not impair the AMH levels. Laparoscopic endometrioma stripping surgery do not appear to cause a damage in the AMH secreting healthy ovarian tissue, in the short-term follow-up. Laparoscopic stripping surgery of endometriomas in experienced hands is currently a valid approach.

The effect of pre-eclampsia on complete blood count, platelet count and mean platelet volume

Pre-eclampsia is a condition observed during pregnancy and threatens the life of both mother and foetus. There are studies, which suggest platelets play a major role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study is to compare the complete blood count (CBC) parameters, especially platelet count and mean platelet volume (MPV), in pre-eclamptic and normal pregnant women and to evaluate whether these parameters have a prognostic significance in determining the severity of eclampsia. The study and control groups consist of 56 pre-eclamptic and 43 normal pregnant women, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference according to CBC, platelet count and MPV when pre-eclamptic and severely pre-eclamptic patients were compared with controls. As a result, we observed no prognostic significance of CBC, platelet count and MPV on the presence and/or severity of pre-eclamptic condition. There are conflicting results especially on the significance of MPV in the literature, and possibly this confliction is due to the difference between methods and/or equipments used for automated blood count.

Oronasopharyngeal Suction versus No Suction in Normal and Term Infants Delivered by Elective Cesarean Section: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aim: There are controversies about the routine use of oronasopharyngeal suction (ONPS) in healthy infants. This study aimed to compare the effects of oronasopharyngeal suction with those of no suction in normal, term infants delivered by cesarean section. Methods: 140 term, healthy newborns of uncomplicated pregnancies were prospectively randomized to one of two groups according to the use of ONPS procedure. Differences in oxygen saturation levels, heart rates, and Apgar scores were determined. Results: The mean SaO2 values through the 2nd and 6th min of life were significantly higher in the no suction group (p < 0.001). The maximum time to reach SaO2 of ≧92% (6 vs. 11 min) and ≧86% (5 vs. 8 min) saturation were shorter in the no suction group than in the ONPS group. The mean heart rates were consistently and significantly lower in the no suction group during the first 6 min except the second one. All neonates without suction had an Apgar score of 10 at the 5th min, while the mean ± SD for ONPS group was 9.34 ± 0.48 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Although findings remained on statistical level and did not lead to clinically adverse outcomes, there is no statistical or physiological basis for oronasopharyngeal suction as a systematic procedure in healthy, term infants delivered by cesarean section.

Ultrasonographic evaluation and anti-mullerian hormone levels after laparoscopic stripping of unilateral endometriomas.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ovarian reserve after laparoscopic stripping of unilateral endometriomas by comparing the operated and non-operated ovaries. STUDY DESIGN Bilateral ovarian volumes, antral follicle counts, and stromal blood flows were assessed by ultrasonography and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels were analysed in 36 patients who had undergone laparoscopic cystectomy for unilateral ovarian endometrioma. RESULTS Mean antral follicle counts (AFC) of the operated side ovaries were significantly lower on the second postoperative day (3.1 ± 2.4 vs 5.2 ± 3.7; p<0.05) and in the third month (3.7 ± 2.1 vs 6.4 ± 2.7; p<0.05). Pulsatility indices of the operated ovaries were significantly decreased on the second postoperative day (2.22 ± 0.46 vs 1.76 ± 0.51; p<0.05) while resistance indices were increased (0.81 ± 0.06 vs 0.88 ± 0.13; p<0.05). Doppler parameters had recovered and a non-significant decrease in AMH levels of the patients was recorded in the third month after surgery (2.03 ± 0.41 ng/mL vs 1.95 ± 0.62 ng/mL; p>0.05). CONCLUSION Although laparoscopic stripping of endometriomas seems to affect the ovarian reserve in terms of AFCs, it does not have a significant negative impact at the end of three months as assessed by ovarian volumes, Doppler indices and AMH levels. Endometrioma surgery techniques are important in preserving normal functioning ovaries and further studies are necessary for optimising these surgical approaches.

Yolk sac size and shape as predictors of poor pregnancy outcome.

Abstract Two hundred and fifty women, underwent endovaginal sonography in the first trimester to establish the normal size and shape of the secondary yolk sac and to assess the value of yolk sac evaluation in predicting poor pregnancy outcome. We calculated the correlation coefficients between yolk sac and menstrual age, yolk sac and crown-rump length and between yolk sac and mean gestational yolk sac diameter as r: 0.9581 (p < 0.001), r: 0.9427 (p < 0.0001) and r: 0.8855 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Of 250 cases, 219 had a normal pregnancy course through the end of the first trimester (Group I) while 31 had a poor prognosis such as abortion or embryonic demise (Group II). Eight of 219 in Group I and 20 of 31 in Group II had an abnormal yolk sac size. A yolk sac diameter out of two standard deviations of the mean for the menstrual age allowed prediction of an abnormal pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 65 %, a specifity of 97 %, a positive predictive value of 71 %, and a negative predictive value of 95 %. Ten of 219 and 9 of 31 had abnormal yolk sac shape. An abnormal yolk sac shape allowed prediction of an abnormal pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 29 %, a specificity of 95 %, a positive predictive value of 47% and a negative predictive value of 90.5 %. We concluded that secondary yolk sac evaluation is a valuable tool to predict pregnancy outcome.

Differences in prevalence of sexual dysfunction between primary and secondary infertile women

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of type of infertility on female sexual function. DESIGN Comparison of female sexual function index and prevalence in primary infertile women and secondary infertile women. SETTING Hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred twenty-two primary infertile and 51 secondary infertile women. INTERVENTION(S) Questionnaires (Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] and Beck Depression Inventory). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Prevalence of dysfunction in primary and secondary infertile women. RESULT(S) The prevalence of female sexual dysfunction was 64.8% (n = 79) and 76.5% (n = 39) in primary infertile and secondary infertile women, respectively. In analyses of mean overall and subgroup scores of FSFI, there were significant differences between primary and secondary infertile women in the mean scores of orgasm, satisfaction, and total FSFI. Backward logistic regression identified a model with four significant predictors of sexual dysfunction (group, age, income level, and educational level). Secondary infertile women had a 9.5-fold higher risk of sexual dysfunction than primary infertile women after adjustment for confounding factors. CONCLUSION(S) There was a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction in secondary infertile women. Secondary infertile women have decreased sexual desire, orgasm, and satisfaction compared with primary infertile women.

Metformin and oral contraceptive treatments reduced circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

There is a little information in literature about circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the results reported are discrepant. In this study, therefore, we aimed (1) to determine the circulating ADMA concentrations in 44 women with PCOS and 22 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls, (2) to evaluate its correlations with insulin resistance, gonadotrophins, and androgen secretion, and (3) to compare effects of metformin and ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate (EE/CPA) treatments on circulating ADMA concentrations. In conclusion, our data indicate that circulating ADMA concentrations in non-obese, non-hypertensive and young women with PCOS are significantly higher than healthy controls and they improved by a 3-month course of metformin and oral contraceptive treatments.

Opinions of infertile Turkish women on gamete donation and gestational surrogacy

OBJECTIVE To determine the approval levels of infertile Turkish women concerning gamete donation and gestational surrogacy. DESIGN Opinion survey. SETTING Assisted reproductive treatment center at Gulhane Military Medical Academy. PATIENT(S) 368 women who had applied for infertility treatment. INTERVENTION(S) The patients were asked to answer a questionnaire that included questions about the patients sociodemographic status, previous medical history with infertility treatment, and opinions on gamete donation and gestational surrogacy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Opinions of patients concerning gamete donation and gestational surrogacy. RESULT(S) Our data in this first study on infertile Turkish women show that some patients approve of gamete donation (23.3% for accepting oocytes and 3.4% for accepting sperm) and gestational surrogacy (15.1%). CONCLUSION(S) Donation and surrogacy are alternate treatments for the serious condition called infertility. As there are patients who would like to use these treatments, each of these patients should have the right to try any of them.

Comparison of aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) and immunomodulators (infliximab and etanercept) on the regression of endometriotic implants in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE Novel treatment strategies are needed in the treatment of endometriosis due to limited success rates with the currently available options. As inflammatory and immunological mechanisms have been shown to be involved in the mechanism of the disease, new modalities are likely to emerge. We investigated the effects of infliximab (INF), etanercept (ETA) and letrozole on the regression of experimental endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN In this experimental randomized trial, endometriosis was induced surgically in 44 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Establishment of implants was confirmed in 41 animals by a second operation on the 21st day. The rats were then randomly divided into four groups. Group I (n = 10) served as controls. Group II (n = 11) received letrozole (0.18 mg/kg, i.p.), group III (n = 10, i.p.) ETA (2.016 mg/kg, i.p.), and group IV (n = 10) INF (15.12 mg/kg, i.p.) for a second 21-day period. Endometriotic implant size along with peritoneal fluid VEGF level and immunoreactivity were determined before and after the treatment in each group. RESULTS Endometriotic implant size reduced in all treatment groups. The effect of letrozole and ETA on implant size was similar but was significantly better than INF. Level of VEGF in peritoneal fluid did not change in any treatment group but post-treatment VEGF immunoreactivity was found significantly lower in the letrozole treated group. CONCLUSIONS Letrozole and ETA caused a regression on the implant size in experimental endometriosis. The only group with decreased VEGF expression was letrozole.

Disengagement of the deeply engaged fetal head during cesarean section in advanced labor: Conventional method versus reverse breech extraction

Maternal and fetal morbidity of two different methods of delivering the baby during cesarean section performed in advanced labor when the fetal head is deeply engaged was assessed retrospectively, i.e. delivering as ‘cephalic’ with or without assistance to push up the fetal head from the vagina (head first or push method) and ‘reverse breech extraction’ (feet first or pull method). Records of 182 women with a single fetus in cephalic presentation, who had undergone cesarean section at cervical dilatation at ≥7 cm, with the vertex at or below zero station, were reviewed. Extension of the uterine incision occurred in significantly more women during ‘cephalic’ delivery as compared to ‘reverse breech extraction’ (22.8% versus 2.2%; p = 0.001). Use of ‘reverse breech extraction’ is an attractive and safe alternative to the standard methods for intra‐operative disengagement of a deeply impacted fetal head in order to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity.