Nasuh Utku Dogan

Metastin levels in relation with hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of metastin in relation with hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN The study was a clinical study. Eighty-three women with PCOS and 66 body mass index (BMI) matched controls were divided into two groups, based on BMI: overweight and obese (BMI≥25 kg/m(2)) and normal weight. (BMI<25 kg/m(2)) Hirsutism scores, hormonal and metabolic profile as well as metastin levels were evaluated in each subject. Blood samples were collected in the early follicular phase (between day 2 and day 5 of the menstrual cycle) at 9:00 AM, after an overnight fast. Circulating levels of LH, FSH, PRL, TSH, T, fT, DHEAS, 17-OH-P, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin, glucose, lipid profile and metastin were measured. RESULTS Metastin levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to controls (2.02 ng/ml versus 1.16 ng/ml, p<0.001). Metastin levels correlated significantly positively with luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosteronesulphate (DHEA-SO4) levels, modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scores and free androgen index (FAI); however, correlated negatively with sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (p<0.05). When overweight or obese (BMI≥25 kg/m(2)) and normal weight (BMI<25 kg/m(2)) women with PCOS were compared to body mass index (BMI) matched controls, higher metastin levels were also found in PCOS groups (1.94 ng/ml versus 1.18 ng/ml, and 2.06 ng/ml versus 1.08 ng/ml, p<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that metastin levels were higher in women with PCOS as compared to controls regardless of BMI. Furthermore, metastin levels can be used as a specific marker for androgenic profile and this marker might play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

A reliable way to predict intraabdominal adhesions at repeat cesarean delivery: scar characteristics

Objective. To evaluate association between scar characteristics and intraabdominal adhesions at repeat cesarean delivery. Design. A prospective, cross‐sectional study. Setting. Tertiary Government Maternity Training Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Population. 295 pregnant women with at least one prior cesarean delivery. Methods. All women were at least 36 weeks pregnant. Appearance of previous cesarean delivery scars was categorized into three groups – flat, depressed and elevated. Pigmentation status was also noted (non‐pigmented or pigmented). Main Outcome Measures. Intraoperatively detected adhesions, evaluated and classified into three groups (no adhesion, filmy adhesion and dense adhesion groups) by a modified Nairs classification. Results. Elevated scars had significantly more dense adhesion formation than depressed ones (31.4 vs. 12.7%, p=0.02). No difference was found for dense adhesions when depressed and flat scars were compared (12.7 vs. 6.8%, p=0.124). Of flat scars, 93.2% were free of dense adhesions. Pigmented scars had more dense adhesions than non‐pigmented (26.6 vs. 9.3%, p<0.01). Using logistic regression analysis scar length, scar width and appearance of scar (flat or non‐flat) were directly related to adhesion formation. Conclusion. There is an association between scar type and adhesions, particularly for hypertrophic scars and dense adhesions.

Effect of the percentage of body fat on surgical, clinical and pathological outcomes in women with endometrial cancer

This study used the measure of percentage of body fat (%BF) to define obesity and evaluated the effect of percentage of %BF on clinical, surgical and pathological features in women with endometrial cancer.

Effect of drainage on postoperative pain after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy

Abstract The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of drainage on postoperative shoulder and abdominal pain after uncomplicated laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (LOC). Allocation to drain or not to drain was non-randomised. There were 55 patients with drainage and 56 patients without drainage. Postoperative shoulder and abdominal pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analogue scale. Postoperative hospital stay in the drainage group was longer than the non-drainage group (p = 0.040). Postoperative shoulder pain scores at 6 h and 24 h were similar between the drainage and non-drainage groups (p = 0.376 and p = 0.847, respectively). Postoperative abdominal pain was higher in the drainage group at 6 h (p = 0.009), but was similar at 24 h (p = 0.097) between the groups. These data suggest that for LOC, drainage may not be useful to prevent postoperative shoulder pain and also increases postoperative abdominal pain and length of hospital stay.

Tertiary cytoreduction in the setting of recurrent ovarian cancer (Review)

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with aggressive surgical debulking and adjuvant chemotherapy as the main treatment modalities. Optimal debulking during the primary surgery is significantly correlated with prolonged survival. As surgical techniques and chemotherapeutic agents improve, more patients with prolonged survival may face secondary and tertiary recurrences. The role of surgical debulking in secondary cytoreduction (SC) is not clearly defined and is based on retrospective series. The treatment of patients with primary or secondary recurrences generally consists of second-line chemotherapy, but may be performed on medically fit patients in certain circumstances. A limited number of studies concerning tertiary cytoreduction (TC) in cases of secondary recurrences have been published. In these studies, conventional prognostic factors for SC, including ascites, an advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis, did not apply to TC, but the post-operative residual tumor load was significant in determining the prognosis. A limited number of patients with completely-resectable tumors may have an opportunity for a maximal cytoreduction in these circumstances. TC appears to result in a favorable outcome and moderate complication rates. The surgery is an available option for patients with recurrence, in whom a complete tumor resection may be achieved.

Gum chewing reduces the time to first defaecation after pelvic surgery: A randomised controlled study

Abstract Post-operative ileus is a major complication that increases the morbidity in patients who had abdominal surgery. Several different procedures have been used to manage bowel function, including adequate pain control, prokinetic drugs and supportive strategies. The present study aimed to assess the effect of chewing gum on bowel recovery in patients undergoing gynaecologic abdominal surgeries. A total of 137 patients were randomised into gum-chewing and control groups. Patients in the gum-chewing group began chewing gum at post-operative 3rd h and chewed gum thereafter every 4 h daily, for 30 min each time. All patients received the same post-operative treatment. Primary outcome measures were the time to first passage of flatus and time to first passage of stool. The secondary outcome measures included the first hearing of normal bowel sounds, nausea and the time until discharge from the hospital. Compared with the control group, the time interval between operation and first flatus was shorter in the gum-chewing group (median, 33 h vs 30 h). However, the difference was not significant (p = 0.381). The first defaecation time was significantly shorter in the gum-chewing group. The median time to first defaecation was 67 (20–105) h in the control group and 45 (12–97) h in the gum-chewing group (p < 0.01). Gum chewing is safe, well tolerated and it allows early defaecation after gynaecologic abdominal surgery.

Prostaglandin E2 induction of labor and cervical ripening for term isolated oligohydramnios in pregnant women with Bishop score ≤ 5

Background We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dinoprostone for cervical ripening and labor induction in patients with term oligohydramnios and Bishop score ≤ 5. Methods This was a prospective case–control study, which included 104 consecutive women with a Bishop score ≤ 5. Participants were divided into two groups. Women with term isolated oligohydramnios and Bishop score ≤ 5 underwent induction of labor with a vaginal insert containing 10‐mg timed‐release dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2; Group A, n = 40). The control group, Group B, consisted of 64 cases of pregnancy with normal amniotic fluid volume (amniotic fluid index ≥ 5 cm) and Bishop score ≤ 5, and was matched for patients age and parity. The primary outcome was time from induction to delivery; the secondary outcomes were the caesarean section (CS) rate, uterine hyperstimulation, rate of failed induction, and neonatal complications. Results The mean time interval from induction to delivery was not different between the two groups (p = 0.849), but there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the CS rate (p = 0.005). There were no differences between the groups in neonatal outcome or perinatal morbidity or mortality. Conclusion Dinoprostone appears to be a safe alternative for induction of labor in pregnancies with oligohydramnios. Induction of labor with dinoprostone in term pregnancies with isolated oligohydramnios is associated with increased rate of CS but there is no higher risk of perinatal complications.

Uterus transplantation: From animal models through the first heart beating pregnancy to the first human live birth:

Absolute uterine factor infertility affects 3–5% of the general population, and unfortunately this condition is untreatable. There are some available options, including surrogacy or adoption, but neither of these suits each and every woman who desires to have her own genetic child. With recent advances in surgery and transplant immunology, uterus transplantation may be a source of hope for these women with uterine infertility. In the last decade, a number of animal species including rats, mice, rabbits, pigs, sheep, and primates have been used as experimental models, and pregnancies were achieved in some of these. Human data consist of 11 subjects yielding positive pregnancy results with no live births in the second trial from Turkey and, more fortunately, live births from the latest trial from Sweden. In the light of all these studies, uterus transplantation has been proven to be a viable option for women with uterine factor infertility.

Anti-Müllerian hormone is associated with extrauterine involvement and stage of disease in patients with endometrial cancer.

Abstract Our aim was to evaluate serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and also immunohistochemical (IHC) staining properties of AMH receptor type II (AMHRII) in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) and a control group. Preoperatively, serum levels of AMH were assessed and AMHRII expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a benign and malignant group. AMH serum levels of the control group and EC patients were comparable. For EC patients, there was no difference with respect to the AMH levels and tumour stage; grade; histological type; deep myometrial invasion; lymphovascular space invasion or lymph node involvement. However, AMH levels in patients with extrauterine involvement were higher than patients with disease confined to the uterus. EC samples were more likely to be stained positive for AMHRII than benign lesions. Also, as the stage of the lesion worsens, the rate of IHC staining of AMHRII decreases. In conclusion, AMHRII is expressed in normal endometrial cells as well as endometrial cancer cells. AMH levels increase in EC, with extrauterine involvement at least in locally advanced disease. Also AMH expression decreases as the disease is staged-up.

Association of clinical androgen excess with radial artery intima media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract This study explores the relationship between clinical cardiovascular risk factors and clinical androgen excess, with direct comparison to radial artery intima media thickness (rIMT). rIMT of 91 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were compared with 72 healthy women. Patients were divided into three groups with regard to body mass index (BMI). Group1 = 56 women (31 controls and 25 PCOS) with low BMI(18–22.49 kg/m2), Group2 = 36 women (15 controls and 21 PCOS) with normal BMI (22.5–24.99 kg/m2) and Group3 = 71 women (26 controls and 45 PCOS) with high BMI (25–30 kg/m2). rIMT was significantly higher in patients with PCOS (p = 0.007). rIMT was significantly higher group1 and group3 in patients with PCOS compared to controls (p = 0.007 and p = 0.042, respectively). There was a significant positive association between rIMT levels and fT in women with PCOS in group1 (r = 0.24, p = 0.04). rIMT levels correlated to fT levels in women with PCOS in group3 (r = 0.32, p = 0.03). Modified Ferriman–Gallwey (mFG) scores demonstrated a positive association with free testosterone, total testosterone, free androgen index, waist circumference (WC), LH levels, insulin levels, Homeostasis Model Assessment index(HOMA-IR), rIMT and a negative correlation with sex hormone binding globulin in group1 and group2. mFG scores demonstrated a positive association with free testosterone (r = 0.33, p = 0.029) in group3, but no association was found between mFG and WC, HOMA-IR in group3. Our findings indicate that clinical androgen excess may be associated with cardiovascular disease in patients with PCOS.