Josef Tovbin

Does intraoperative spillage of benign ovarian mucinous cystadenoma increase its recurrence rate

OBJECTIVE To report a higher than estimated recurrence rate of benign mucinous cystadenomas after complete resection of the first one, and to assess potential risk factors for recurrence after complete surgical excision. STUDY DESIGN We retrospectively reviewed all cases of women who underwent either laparoscopic or laparotomic removal of benign mucinous adnexal cysts by either adnexectomy or cystectomy in our institution between 1996 and 2006. RESULTS Included were the data of 42 women who fulfilled study entry criteria. Three of them (7.1%) underwent a second operation because of a recurrence of the lesion. A significantly higher rate of women who had cyst recurrence had undergone cystectomy as opposed to adnexectomy (P < .05). Intraoperative rupture of cysts during cystectomy was also significantly associated with cyst recurrence (P < .03). CONCLUSION Mucinous cystadenoma recurrence is apparently not as rare as reported in the literature. Intraoperative cyst rupture and cystectomy instead of adnexectomy emerged as being two risk factors for recurrence.

Sonographic fetal weight estimation – is there more to it than just fetal measurements?

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different maternal, fetal, and examiner related factors on the accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation (SFWE).

A search for the most accurate formula for sonographic weight estimation by fetal sex – a retrospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of fetal sex on the accuracy of multiple formulas for sonographic estimation fetal weight (SEFW).

Is there a correlation between time of delivery and newborn cord pH

Abstract Purpose: Since more senior and attending physicians work in labor wards during morning shifts, we expect a better delivery outcome during that time period. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted between 1/2005 and 12/2014. Records of 56 428 singleton deliveries from a tertiary hospital in which cord blood pH was routinely measured at birth were analyzed. Time of birth was divided into shifts: 7 AM–3 PM (morning shift), 3 PM–11 PM (afternoon shift), and 11 PM–7 AM (night shift). Additional stratification compared weekdays and weekend deliveries. Results: 19 601, 18 429, and 18 398 neonates were born during morning, afternoon, and night shifts, respectively. There was no significant difference in maternal age, neonatal weight, or mean 5-min Apgar score among the three shift periods. Furthermore, there was no correlation between shift time of delivery and newborn acidosis with respect to cord pH less than 7 (0.1% in each time periods, p = 0.67). Despite the above, instrumental deliveries and cesarean sections were more common in the morning shift compared to the afternoon and night shift, respectively (p = 0.001 each). Conclusions: Although shift time of delivery was found to be related to mode of delivery it was not related to either 5-min Apgar score or newborn acidosis as reflected by cord pH.

The Rate of Cervical Length Shortening in the Management of Vasa Previa

There is no consensus about the optimal surveillance strategy in women with a diagnosis of vasa previa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the rate of change in cervical length measurements in the management of singleton pregnancies with a diagnosis of vasa previa.

Evaluation of Fetal Weight Estimation Formulas in Assessing Small-for-Gestational-Age Fetuses.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of multiple sonographic fetal weight estimation models in assessing small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cohort included all singleton pregnancies recorded at a single medical center from January 2004 to September 2011, with a minimum of 24 weeks of gestation. SGA was defined as a fetal weight of less than the 10th percentile. We used birth weight (BW) distribution curves for our population, matched according to fetal gender and gestational age. Predicted birth weights were calculated using 26 sonographic fetal weight estimation models, including targeted formulas for SGA fetuses. RESULTS 1218 cases of SGA fetuses that underwent sonographic fetal weight estimation within one week prior to delivery were found. Prediction of fetal weight was significantly less accurate in SGA fetuses than in the general population. The random error for SGA fetuses ranged from 7.2 % to 13.9 % in different models, while the systematic error ranged from -12.8 % to 26 %. Most non-targeted formulas showed a specificity of over 90 % but a sensitivity of only 20 - 35 % in the detection of SGA fetuses, while most targeted formulas had a low specificity but a high sensitivity. The model by Scott et al. was found to be the most accurate in assessing SGA fetuses in our population. CONCLUSION Estimation of fetal weight in SGA fetuses is less accurate than in the general population. Some formulas which are designed for SGA are more accurate than others and their use might increase the sensitivity in identifying SGA fetuses, with only a small decline in specificity.

The mid-gestation triple test profile among women diagnosed with vasa previa

Abstract Purpose: To assess the mid-trimester triple test biomarkers among women diagnosed with vasa previa (VP). Methods: The study included 43 singleton pregnancies diagnosed with vasa previa between the years 1988 and 2011. The mid-gestation screening test for Down syndrome was calculated from the combination of triple serum markers and maternal age, and expressed as a multiple of the gestation specific normal mean (MoM). Reference MoM values were calculated from the local population. The levels of mid-gestation maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated estriol (uE3) of patients with VP were compared with control reference group. Results: The mean hCG and αFP levels of women diagnosed with VP was significantly higher compared to control reference group (1.42 versus 0.99 MoM; p < .002 and 1.24 versus1.01 MoM; p < .001, respectively). In contrast, there was no significant difference in uE3 levels between these two groups (0.99 versus 0.98 MoM; p = .71). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that increased mid-gestation hCG and AFP were found among pregnancies complicated with VP. Clinicians should consider targeted scanning of pregnant women with risk factors for VP, including unexplained high maternal levels of hCG and αFP of the triple test, while conducting mid-gestation anomaly scan.

Evaluation of the impact of vasa previa on feto-placental hormonal synthesis and fetal growth

INTRODUCTION A vasa previa (VP) refers to aberrant chorionic vessels which can either connect the chorionic plate to a velamentous cord (type I) or a succenturiate or accessory lobe to the main placental mass (type II). METHODS We performed retrospective cohort study of 32 singleton pregnancies diagnosed with VP. The levels of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) were measured at 15-18 weeks as part of the triple test screening for Trisomy 21. The data were subdivided according to the type of VP and compared with those of a control group with central cord insertion and no succenturiate or accessory placental lobe. RESULTS Twenty one (65.6%) parturient women presented with VP type I and 11 (34.4%) with VP type II. The mean birthweight and placental weight was significantly higher in pregnancies with VP type II than in pregnancies with VP with VP type I (3037.3±400.9 gr vs 2493.5±491.6 gr; p=0.004 and 511.0±47.2 gr vs 367.1±64.3 gr; p<0.0001; respectively). The mean hCG level in VP type II was significantly (p<0.001) higher than those with type I (2.38MoM vs 1.17MoM) and compared to controls (2.38MoM vs 0.99MoM). CONCLUSIONS There is no obvious impact on both placental and fetal growth in VP type II. By contrast, VP type I is associated with slower feto-placental growth secondary to impaired development and biological functions of the placenta during the first half of pregnancy.