Togas Tulandi

Conservative medical and surgical management of interstitial ectopic pregnancy

OBJECTIVE To review the definition and diagnosis of interstitial and heterotopic interstitial pregnancy and to evaluate the conservative management of these conditions. DESIGN A MEDLINE computer search was used to identify relevant studies. The mean values for the duration of amenorrhea, serum beta-hCG level, size of the ectopic mass, and success rates of the various treatment modalities were calculated from the raw data in the original publications. RESULT(S) A review of 41 patients with interstitial pregnancy who were treated with methotrexate systemically, locally, or in combination revealed an overall success rate of 83%. The mean duration of amenorrhea, mean serum beta-hCG level, and mean size of the ectopic mass were 54 days, 15,127 mIU/mL, and 23 mm, respectively. Among 22 patients with interstitial pregnancy who were treated with conservative laparoscopic techniques, the overall success rate was 100%. In this group, the mean duration of amenorrhea, mean serum beta-hCG level, and mean size of the ectopic mass were 54 days, 7,572 mIU/mL, and 31 mm, respectively. There were nine cases of heterotopic interstitial pregnancy. Seven patients were managed with potassium chloride injected into the ectopic pregnancy, and two patients were treated by laparoscopy. Overall, 67% of the coexisting intrauterine pregnancies resulted in successful deliveries and the remainder ended in spontaneous abortions. CONCLUSION(S) Cornual resection or hysterectomy with a laparotomy should no longer be the first line of treatment for a hemodynamically stable patient with an interstitial pregnancy. In selected cases, methotrexate and laparoscopy can be used successfully in treating early interstitial pregnancy.

Current status of surgical and nonsurgical management of ectopic pregnancy

OBJECTIVES To review the efficacy, safety, costs, and subsequent reproductive outcome of surgical and nonsurgical management of ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN Pertinent studies were identified through computer Medline search. The rates of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and EP were calculated from the raw data in the original publications so that the denominator would be consistent. RESULT(S) The efficacy of laparoscopic treatment of EP is similar to that by laparotomy. The rate of persistent EP after conservative surgery ranges from 3% to 20%. Based on a review of 1,514 patients attempting to conceive after linear salpingostomy, the IUP and recurrent EP rates were 61.4% and 15.4%, respectively, among patients who had laparotomy, and 61% and 15.5%, respectively, among patients who had laparoscopic procedure. Of 3,584 patients who had partial or total salpingectomy, the subsequent IUP rate was 38.1% and the recurrent EP rate was 9.8%. Of 540 patients treated with a single-dose methotrexate, 84% did not require further treatment and, among 215 patients who attempted to conceive, 54% had subsequent IUP and 8% had recurrent EP. The success rate of expectant management was 69.2% in 347 patients reviewed. CONCLUSION(S) There is no difference in the reproductive outcome after treatment of EP by laparotomy and by laparoscopy. Salpingostomy is associated with higher subsequent IUP and recurrent EP rates compared with salpingectomy. Methotrexate is a viable alternative to laparoscopic salpingostomy for a selected group of patients.

Interstitial pregnancy: results generated from the Society of Reproductive Surgeons Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize management of interstitial pregnancy and its outcome among 32 reported cases in the world METHODS: From 1999 to 2002, 32 cases of interstitial pregnancy were reported to the registry of the Society of Reproductive Surgeons. The participants completed a five-page questionnaire regarding when and how diagnosis was made, the characteristics of the pregnancy, treatment modalities, and subsequent reproductive outcome. RESULTS: History of ipsilateral salpingectomy was encountered in 37.5% of patients, and the diagnosis was made by ultrasound in 71.4% of the patients. Eight women were treated with methotrexate either systemically (n = 4), locally under ultrasound guidance (n = 2), or under laparoscopic guidance (n = 2). Eleven patients were treated by laparoscopy and 13 by laparotomy. Three patients failed systemic methotrexate treatment and subsequently required surgery. Persistently elevated serum β human chorionic gonadotropin levels were found in one patient after laparoscopic cornual excision, and she was successfully treated with methotrexate. Fourteen cases (43.7%) of rupture of interstitial pregnancy were found. This included five cases (15.6%) of heterotopic pregnancy; all were the results of in vitro fertilization, and all ruptured at the time of diagnosis. Subsequent pregnancy was achieved in ten patients. No uterine rupture was encountered during pregnancy or labor. CONCLUSION: Ipsilateral salpingectomy, previous ectopic pregnancy, and in vitro fertilization are predisposing factors for interstitial pregnancy. Contrary to previous belief, rupture of interstitial pregnancy occurs relatively early in pregnancy. In selected patients, laparoscopic cornual excision is a viable treatment option. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III

Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY IS A LIFE- AND FERTILITY-threatening condition that is commonly seen in Canadian emergency departments. Increases in the availability and use of hormonal markers, coupled with advances in formal and emergency ultrasonography have changed the diagnostic approach to the patient in the emergency department with first-trimester bleeding or pain. Ultrasonography should be the initial investigation for symptomatic women in their first trimester; when the results are indeterminate, the serum β human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) concentration should be measured. Serial measurement of β-hCG and progesterone concentrations may be useful when the diagnosis remains unclear. Advances in surgical and medical therapy for ectopic pregnancy have allowed the proliferation of minimally invasive or noninvasive treatment. Guidelines for laparoscopy and for methotrexate therapy are provided.

Obstetric outcomes following vitrification of in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes

OBJECTIVE To evaluate obstetric outcomes with oocyte vitrification after ovarian stimulation (OS) and in vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocytes. DESIGN A prospective trial from October 2003 to April 2007. SETTING University-based medical center. PATIENT(S) OS group: 38 patients undergoing intrauterine insemination who overresponded to OS. IVM group: 20 patients who had previous unsuccessful intrauterine insemination. INTERVENTION(S) Mature oocyte retrieval following OS. Immature oocyte retrieval and IVM. Oocyte vitrification, thawing, insemination, and transfer of the resulting embryos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Live-birth rates and obstetric outcomes. RESULT(S) The OS group was superior to the IVM group in terms of oocyte survival (81.4 +/- 22.6% vs. 67.5 +/- 26.1%), fertilization rate (75.6 +/- 22.5% vs. 64.2 +/- 19.9%), and cumulative embryo score (38.4 +/- 22.3 vs. 20.0 +/- 13.8). However, the differences in the implantation rate per embryo (19.1 +/- 25.8% vs. 9.6 +/- 24.1%), clinical pregnancy rate per cycle started (44.7%, vs. 20.0%), and live-birth rate per cycle started (39.5% vs. 20.0%) were not statistically significant. Twenty healthy babies were born in the OS group and four in the IVM group. CONCLUSION(S) Pregnancies achieved with vitrification of oocytes after OS and IVM treatments do not appear to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vitrification of IVM oocytes represents a novel option for fertility preservation.

Live birth after vitrification of in vitro matured human oocytes

OBJECTIVE To report the first healthy live birth from immature oocytes retrieved in a natural menstrual cycle, followed by in vitro maturation (IVM) and cryopreservation of the oocytes by vitrification. DESIGN Case report. SETTING University-based tertiary medical center. PATIENT(S) A 27-year-old woman with tubal disease and polycystic ovaries. INTERVENTION(S) Immature oocytes were retrieved by transvaginal ultrasound guided follicle aspiration on day 13 of her natural menstrual cycle, matured in vitro and vitrified. The oocytes were thawed in a subsequent menstrual cycle, inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and the resulting embryos transferred. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Oocyte maturation and survival rates, pregnancy, and live birth. RESULT(S) One metaphase II and 18 germinal vesicle stage oocytes were collected; 16 out of 18 germinal vesicle oocytes matured, and a total of 17 oocytes were vitrified. After thawing, four IVM oocytes survived; three embryos were transferred. The woman went on to deliver a single healthy live baby at term. CONCLUSION(S) We provide proof-of-principle evidence that the novel fertility preservation strategy of immature oocyte retrieval, IVM, and vitrification of oocytes can lead to successful pregnancy and healthy live birth.

Treatment-dependent and treatment-independent pregnancy among women with periadnexal adhesions

In an attempt to evaluate the efficacy of salpingoovariolysis we studied 147 women who were found to have periadnexal adhesions on laparoscopic examination. Among these women, 69 were treated by laparotomy and salpingoovariolysis and 78 were not treated. There was no significant difference between the degree of adhesions in the treated group and in the nontreated group. With the use of life table analysis, the cumulative pregnancy rate at 12 and 24 months follow-up was 32% and 45% in the treated group and 11% and 16% in the nontreated group, respectively (p less than 10(-6)). We suggest that although pregnancy might occur in infertile women who have periadnexal adhesions, treatment with salpingoovariolysis is associated with a higher pregnancy rate.

Laparoscopic treatment of polycystic ovaries with insulated needle cautery: a reappraisal

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reproductive outcome and adhesion formation after a standardized laparoscopic treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in clomiphene-resistant infertile women. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING University teaching hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred twelve clomiphene-resistant anovulatory women with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S) Laparoscopic ovarian drilling using an insulated needle cautery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Ovulatory rate, pregnancy rate, and adhesion formation. RESULT(S) After surgery, ovulation occurred spontaneously in 73.2% of patients. The cumulative probability of conception at 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery was 54%, 68%, and 72%, respectively. With use of Coxs proportional hazards model, the effects of age, body mass index, and duration of infertility were evaluated. These factors were not associated with the pregnancy rate. Of 15 women who underwent a second-look laparoscopy, 11 women were found to be free of adhesions. Four women had periadnexal adhesions that were filmy, minimal, and found on the ovarian surface only. CONCLUSION(S) Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is an effective alternative treatment in clomiphene-resistant anovulatory women with PCOS. The use of an insulated needle cautery is associated with a minimal amount of adhesion formation.

Safety and risks of laparoscopy in pregnancy.

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to evaluate the indications, and the safety and efficacy of operative laparoscopy in pregnancy with a particular attention to the pregnancy outcome. Recent findings Hemodynamics changes during laparoscopic surgery in pregnancy are similar to those observed in the nonpregnant state. The procedure appears to be safe and reduces hospital admissions and frequency of premature labor. The safest time to perform laparoscopic surgery in pregnancy is at the second trimester. However, it can be complicated by injury to the gravid uterus and pregnancy loss. This is illustrated by a recent report of accidental gas insufflation into the amniotic cavity leading to the fetal loss. Summary The most common indications of laparoscopy in pregnancy are cholelithiasis, appendicitis, persistent ovarian cyst and adnexal torsion. In general, it is associated with a good maternal and fetal outcome. The occurrence of a miscarriage, premature labor or fetal death appears to be related to the underlying pathology, independent of the operative intervention. Due to the displacement of the appendix by the gravid uterus and the physiologic elevation of white blood cell count in pregnancy, diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy can be delayed with its sequelle. In one report, the incidence of fetal loss is 1.5% in uncomplicated appendicitis and 35% in the presence of ruptured appendicitis. Similarly, the fetal loss rate in uncomplicated cholecystectomy is 4%, but the fetal mortality in gallstone pacreatitis could be up to 60%. Laparoscopy in pregnancy should be performed with utmost care. In the second trimester of pregnancy, open laparoscopic approach is strongly recommended.

Adhesion-related small-bowel obstruction after gynecologic operations

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to evaluate a possible relationship between adhesion-related small-bowel obstruction and gynecologic operations. STUDY DESIGN The records of all female patients with the diagnosis of small-bowel obstruction from 1989 to 1996 were studied. The cause of bowel obstruction, the type and technique of previous operations, and whether the parietal peritoneum was closed at the completion of the procedure or was left open were evaluated. RESULTS Among 262 women the most common cause of small-bowel obstruction was intra-abdominal adhesions (37.0%). Among 92 women with adhesion-related small-bowel obstruction, 35 women (38%) had undergone a previous abdominal hysterectomy. The incidence of small-bowel obstruction after an abdominal hysterectomy was 16.3 per 1000 hysterectomies. The incidence of small-bowel obstruction after cesarean delivery (5/10,000 cesarean deliveries) was significantly less than after other abdominal operations. Adhesions were found between the small bowel and the pelvis in 14 women (29.8%), and all were in women who had undergone a hysterectomy. In 33 others (70.2%) the adhesions were found between the previous abdominal incision and the intestine. The median interval between the initial operation and the small-bowel obstruction was 5.3 years. CONCLUSION The most common cause of small-bowel obstruction is postsurgical adhesions. Adhesionrelated small-bowel obstruction is commonly found after an abdominal hysterectomy. Bowel obstruction can occur many years after the initial abdominal surgery.