Tuncay Yüce

Transperineal ultrasonography for labor management: accuracy and reliability.

To compare ultrasound measurements and clinical assessments of cervical dilatation, fetal head station and fetal head position.

Pregnancy After Kidney Transplantation: Outcomes, Tacrolimus Doses, and Trough Levels.

Although pregnancy after kidney transplantation has been considered as high risk for maternal and fetal complications, it can be successful in properly selected patients. It is well known that pregnancy can induce changes in the plasma concentrations of some drugs; however, there has been very limited information about tacrolimus pharmacokinetics during pregnancy. In this study, we evaluated the tacrolimus doses, blood levels, and the outcomes of pregnancies in kidney allograft recipients. From 2004 to 2014, we found 16 pregnancies in 12 kidney allograft recipients at our center. We reviewed the files and data reports including fetal outcomes, graft function, complications, tacrolimus trough levels, and doses. We analyzed the tacrolimus trough levels and doses before pregnancy, during pregnancy (monthly), and in the postpartum period. Throughout the pregnancy, we aimed to achieve tacrolimus trough levels between 4 and 7 ng/mL. All patients were on triple immunosuppression, including tacrolimus, azathioprine, and prednisolone. In total, 11 of 16 (68.7%) pregnancies were successful, with a mean weight gain of 12.5 ± 1.66 kg. One patient developed gestational diabetes mellitus and 2 had preeclampsia. Although 5 of 11 babies were found to have low birth weight, 4 of these were premature. Two patients lost their grafts, 1 due to acute rejection and the second due to progression of chronic allograft dysfunction. We have shown that tacrolimus doses need to be significantly increased to keep appropriate trough levels during pregnancy (the doses: before, 3.20 ± 0.9 mg/day; first trimester, 5.03 ± 1.5; second trimester, 6.50 ± 1.8; third trimester, 7.30 ± 2.3; post-partum, 3.5 ± 0.9). In conclusion, the dose of tacrolimus needs to be increased to provide safe and stable tacrolimus trough levels during pregnancy. Although pregnancy can be successful in most cases, it should be kept in mind that there is an increased risk of maternal and fetal complications, including allograft loss, low birth weight, spontaneous abortus, and preeclampsia.

Vaginal vault leiomyoma: 25 years after total abdominal hysterectomy.

Leiomyomas are benign, mesenchymal, monoclonal tumors that typically originate from myometrium smooth-muscle cells, although atypical sites such as the vagina, lungs, vascular structures, and retroperitoneal area have been reported. We present the case of a leiomyoma that originated from the vaginal cuff in a 70-year-old woman, 25 years after total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy.

A prospective randomized trial comparing the use of tolterodine or weighted vaginal cones in women with overactive bladder syndrome

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) using weighted vaginal cones (WVC) on the symptoms, clinical findings, urodynamic findings and quality of life (QoL) in overactive bladder (OAB) patients with tolterodine. STUDY DESIGN Thirty-nine patients with urinary frequency (≥ 8/day), nocturia (≥ 2/night), urgency and a total score of ≥ 8 to the overactive bladder-awareness tool (OAB-V8) were diagnosed as OAB and were randomized into two treatment groups; WVC and extended release tolterodine (tolterodine ER) 4 mg/day for 8 weeks. Results of the clinical findings, 3-day urinary diary, validated questionnaires for symptom bother and QoL (Urinary distress inventory (UDI-6), incontinence impact questionnaire (IIQ-7), OAB-V8, Wagner questionnaire) and urodynamic examination before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS A reduction of frequency, nocturia and urinary incontinence was observed in WVC group (p=0.006, p=0.034 and p=0.008, respectively) and in tolterodine group (p<0.001, p=0.002 and p=0.035, respectively). 24-h dry pad test results were improved significantly in both groups (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively). Pelvic muscle strength was significantly improved in WVC group but not in tolterodine group (p=0.010 and p=0.180, respectively). UDI-6, IIQ-7, OAB-V8 scores were improved significantly in both groups. Improvements in Wagner questionnaire were observed in WVC group but not in tolterodine group (p=0.002 and p=0.591, respectively). First sensation of bladder filling was significantly improved after WVC treatment but not in tolterodine group (p=0.035 and p=0.550, respectively). After treatment, detrusor overactivity (DO) resolved in 8 patients in the WVC group (p=0.003) and in 2 patients in the tolterodine group (p=0.426). CONCLUSIONS WVC treatment seems to be an efficacious therapeutic option for the improvement of overactive bladder syndrome (OABS).

Comparison of effects of digital vaginal examination with transperineal ultrasound during labor on pain and anxiety levels: a randomized controlled trial

To evaluate whether routine vaginal examination during labor is associated with increased levels of anxiety and pain compared with transperineal ultrasound assessment.

Comparison of digital vaginal examination versus transperineal ultrasound during labor on pain and anxiety levels: a randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate whether routine vaginal examination during labor is associated with increased levels of anxiety and pain compared with transperineal ultrasound assessment.

Effects of obstetric gel on the process and duration of labour in pregnant women: Randomised controlled trial

Abstract The present study investigated maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women who used obstetric lubricant gels during active labour. This prospective randomised controlled study included 180 pregnant women. Women were randomly assigned to two groups during the first-stage of labour. Pregnant women in the obstetric gel group received standard antepartum care plus vaginal application of obstetric gel. Women in the control group received standard antepartum care without obstetric gel. Mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the obstetric gel group than control group (45 ± 34 min vs. 58 ± 31 min, respectively; p = .005). Mean APGAR values at 5 min were significantly higher in the obstetric gel group (9.5 ± 0.6 vs. 9.2 ± 0.7; p = .0014). Among nulliparous women, mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the gel group than control group (53 ± 52 min vs. 83 ± 45 min, respectively; p = .003). Using obstetric gel at the beginning of the first stage decreases the length of the second stage of labour, particularly in nulliparous women, and may be associated with an improved APGAR score at 5 min. Impact statement A limited number of studies in the literature have demonstrated that obstetric gels shorten the second stage of labour and are protective for the pelvic floor. The results of this study show that using obstetric gel shortens the second stage of labour in only nulliparous, but not multiparous women. In addition, a significant improvement in the 5 min APGAR score was seen in the neonates of women who used obstetric gel. The application of obstetric gels during the labour of nulliparous women may be a useful clinical practice and may have a widespread use in the future.

The views of nulliparous pregnant women on the types of delivery

Objective: To evaluate the relevant thoughts of nulliparous pregnant women in the second trimester without an absolute indication for cesarean on delivery preferences. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on pregnant women who presented to the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Pregnant Outpatients Department for antenatal follow-up between May 2014 and February 2015. A total of 237 nulliparous patients voluntarily completed the survey form and the data were evaluated using various parameters. Parameters consistent with normal distribution were evaluated using the t-test, and parameters that were not normally distributed were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Parameters with a p value <0.05 were considered significant. Results: We found that 221 (93.2%) of the 237 nulliparous pregnant women preferred vaginal delivery and the remaining 16 (6.8%) preferred delivery by cesarean section. Conclusion: Women should be informed on the type of birth and both methods should be explained in a realistic and scientific manner in terms of benefit and risk. An effort is being made to increase vaginal birth rates worldwide and the same effort should be made in Turkey.

Pessary use in pregnant women with short cervix.

The purpose of this case series is to provide preliminary evidence on the efficacy of pessary application in women with short cervix and at risk for preterm labor. Between May 2015 and July 2015, four pregnant women were followed-up with Arabin pessaries. The gestational age at the time of diagnosis was between the 23(th) and 29(th) weeks. Pessary application was associated with a prolongation of pregnancy lasting between 28 and 98 days. The gestational age at the time of delivery was between the 33rd and 39th weeks. Pessary use is non-invasive for the prolongation of pregnancy in pregnant women with shortened cervix. The major advantage of pessary use is its easy application without requiring anesthesia.

Effect of the timing of delivery on perinatal outcomes at gestational hypertension.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of women diagnosed with gestational hypertension and no proteinuria according to the gestational weeks. METHODS We included women diagnosed with gestational hypertension between 2010 and 2014 at our institution and excluded the patients with preeclampsia and chronic hypertension. Women with gestational hypertension were grouped according to the gestational weeks. One group consisted of the pregnancies between 37 and 38*6, whereas the other group included pregnancies between 39 and 41 weeks. Then the outcomes of these pregnancies were compared with healthy women who had delivery between the same weeks (37-38*6 weeks and 39-41 weeks). We analyzed the mode of delivery, birth weight, and neonatal outcomes of these pregnancies. RESULTS First and fifth minute Apgar scores were significantly decreased in women with gestational hypertension who had delivery between 39 and 41 weeks compared to healthy subjects (respectively, p = 0.005 and p = 0.033). Perinatal outcomes were adversely affected if the time of delivery was beyond 39 weeks in pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension. CONCLUSION We concluded that perinatal outcomes were adversely affected if the time of delivery was beyond 39 weeks in pregnancies complicated with gestational hypertension, and outcomes of such pregnancies can be improved if time for delivery is <39 weeks.