Metin Altay

Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity and Stool Antigen in Patients With Hyperemesis Gravidarum

The objective of this paper is to investigate whether Helicobacter pylori is an etiologic factor in hyperemesis gravidarum. Thirty one patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and twenty nine pregnant controls without hyperemesis gravidarum were included in this prospective study. All pregnant women were examined both for Helicobacter pylori serum immunoglobulin G antibodies (HpIgG Ab), showing chronic infection, and Helicobacter pylori stool antigens (HpSA), showing active gastrointestinal colonization. Chi-square and Student t tests were used accordingly for statistical analysis. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was 67.7% in the patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 79.3% in the control group (χ2 = 1.02, P = .31). HpSA was detected in 22.6% of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, whereas 6.9% of patients in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (χ2 = 2.89, P = .08). In this study, no relation was found between Helicobacter pylori and hyperemesis gravidarum. The low social status of women in both groups could be one of the reasons for the high prevalence of Hp infection.

Laparoscopic management of ovarian dermoid cysts: a review of 47 cases.

Background Mature cystic teratomas, often referred to as dermoid cysts, are the most common germ cell tumors of the ovary. In the recent years, transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of ovarian dermoid cysts together with laparoscopic approach have greatly improved the treatment of this benign lesion. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of laparoscopic surgery for suspected ovarian dermoid cysts. Patients and Methods The preoperative findings, operative techniques and post-operative complications were retrospectively reviewed in women who underwent laparoscopic surgery for dermoid cysts, between January 2000 and May 2003. Results In 47 women aged 21 to 53 years (median, 38.8 years), 93.6% had a unilateral cyst with a diameter of 17 to 108 mm (median, 51 mm). Clinical presentations were pain (62%), abnormal vaginal bleeding (21%) and ovarian torsion (2%), whilst 17% were diagnosed incidentally during routine examination. Surgery included cystectomy (57%), total (36%) or partial oophorectomy (6.4%) and laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (2%). During the cyst extraction, minimal spillage occurred in 42.5% of the cases and none developed chemical peritonitis. In 2 patients, conversion to laparotomy (4.3%) was required, one for sigmoid colon injury and one for malignant ovarian tumor detected via frozen section. The median operating time was 80 minutes (range, 35–180 minutes). Conclusion Using strict adherence to guidelines for preoperative clinical assessment and intra-operative management, laparoscopic treatment of dermoid cysts appears to be a safe procedure.

The assessment of the gestational sac diameter, crown–rump length, progesterone and fetal heart rate measurements at the 10th gestational week to predict the spontaneous abortion risk

Aim:  The assessment of the first trimester ultrasonographic and progesterone measurements to predict spontaneous abortion risk.

Length of the third stage of labor at term pregnancies is shorter if placenta is located at fundus: Prospective study

Aim:  To investigate how the location of the placenta at term pregnancies affects the duration of the third stage of labor and to discuss the possible mechanisms affecting the duration of the third stage. We believe that this is the first prospective study comparing the duration of the third stage of labor according to placental location.

Diagnosis and treatment of deep-vein thrombosis and approach to venous thromboembolism in obstetrics and gynecology

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common condition in which the approach to its diagnosis has evolved over the years. Currently, an algorithm strategy combining pre-test probability, D-Dimer testing and compression ultrasound imaging allows for safe and convenient investigation of suspected lower-extremity thrombosis. Patients with low pre-test probability and a negative D-Dimer test result can have proximal DVT excluded without the need for diagnostic imaging. The mainstay of treatment of DVT is anticoagulation therapy, whereas interventions such as thrombolysis and placement of inferior vena cava filters are reserved for special situations. The use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMW) allows for outpatient management of most patients with DVT. The duration of anticoagulation therapy depends on whether the primary event was idiopathic or secondary to a transient risk factor. More research is required to optimally define the factors that predict an increased risk of recurrent DVT to determine which patients can benefit from extended anticoagulant therapy. DVT is also a serious problem in the antenatal and postpartum period of pregnancy. Thromboembolic complications are the leading cause of both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of venous thromboembolism during normal pregnancy is six-fold higher than in the general female population of childbearing age. The treatment of DVT during pregnancy deserves special mention, since oral anticoagulation therapy is generally avoided during pregnancy because of the teratogenic effects in the first trimester and the risk of fetal intracranial bleeding in the third trimester. LMW heparin is the treatment of choice for DVT during pregnancy. If acute DVT occurs near term, interrupting anticoagulation therapy may be hazardous because of the risk of pulmonary embolism. In this situation, placement of a retrievable inferior vena cava filter must be considered. However, there is no consensus as to what the appropriate dose should be and whether anti-Xa levels need to be monitored.

Success rates of single-dose methotrexate and additional dose requirements among women with first and previous ectopic pregnancies

To compare the success of the single‐dose methotrexate regimen and the requirement for a second or third dose of methotrexate between women with their first ectopic pregnancy (EP) and those with previous EP.

Molar pregnancy in cesarean section scar: A case report

Cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies are two very rare obstetric pathologies. In both cases, serious morbidities are involved that require careful management. The coexistence of the two clinical conditions is far less common and there are a limited number of cases in the literature. In this case report, a 34-year-old patient with previous cesarean section was diagnosed as having a molar pregnancy in a cesarean scar through ultrasonography. The patient was asymptomatic at that time. Ultrasonography revealed a protruding mass at the cesarean section and her human chorionic gonadotropin level was measured as 59.705 mIU/mL. Due to the risk of severe bleeding, cesarean section scar excision and revision were performed via laparotomy after counselling the patient. Removal of all trophoblastic tissue was observed as a result of the frozen pathology and the operation was terminated. After the definite pathology result came as a complete molar pregnancy, the patient was followed up according to molar pregnancy follow-up protocols and cured completely. Despite the alternative treatment options (methotrexate application, curettage, uterine artery embolization) in such patients, the decision for surgery was made after counselling the patient. In this very rare clinical condition, patients should be closely monitored and the appropriate treatment option should be applied as soon as possible, taking into consideration the bleeding risks of both pathologies.

Second trimester serum alpha-fetoprotein level is a significant positive predictor for intrauterine growth restriction in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the association between three parameters of second trimester serum secreening and preterm labor and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study on 429 pregnancies with HG was designed to determine the association between alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and pregnancy prognosis in terms of preterm labor, IUGR and birth weight. RESULTS In our study group the mean age of patients was 25.4±3.8 years. Mean birth weight was 3180±555 g. Mean AFP, uE3, hCG levels in the study group were 1.44±0.65 MoM, 0.91±0.38 MoM, 1.09±0.64 MoM, respectively. Twenty nine (6.8%) patients delivered before 37 weeks of gestation and 52 (12.1%) patients developed IUGR. Mean MoM values of AFP among patients with preterm labor, IUGR and normal delivery were 1.35±0.45, 1.97±0.81, 1.34±0.58 MoM, respectively (p<0.001). Mean MoM values of hCG among patients with preterm labor, IUGR and normal delivery were 1.46±0.90, 1.35±0.89, 1±0.5 MoM respectively (p<0.001). Mean MoM values of uE3 among patients with preterm labor, IUGR and normal delivery were 0.75±0.25, 0.80±0.30, 0.95±0.40 MoM, respectively (p=0.003). Odds ratio of AFP>1.55 was 3.73 (95% CI, 1.99-6.98, p<0.001) for IUGR after adjustment for HCG. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that AFP levels of the second trimester screening test higher than 1.55 MoM is significantly associated with IUGR in hyperemesis gravidarum. The second trimester screening test can predict poor outcome in HG.