The latest medical research on Obstetrics And Gynecology
The research magnet gathers the latest research from around the web, based on your specialty area. Below you will find a sample of some of the most recent articles from reputable medical journals about obstetrics and gynecology gathered by our medical AI research bot.
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Request AccessPreceptorship in robotic colorectal surgery: experience from the Australian private sector.
Journal of Robotic SurgeryThis article describes a post-fellowship preceptorship training program to train sub-specialty colorectal surgeons in gaining proficiency in roboti...
Exploring the feasibility of indocyanine green fluorescence for intraoperative ureteral visualisation in robotic transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopy surgery during endometriosis resection.
Int J MedTo assess the feasibility of use of indocyanine green (ICG) in identifying and minimising urinary tract injury during surgical resection of endometriosis through robotic transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopy surgery (RvNOTES).
We conducted a retrospective case series in two academic tertiary care hospitals. We examined 53 patients who underwent RvNOTES hysterectomy with planned endometriosis resection.
The study involved 53 patients undergoing RvNOTES with ICG fluorescence for endometriosis resection. Mean patient age was 37.98 ± 6.65 years. Operative time averaged 181.32 ± 53.94 min, with estimated blood loss at 45.57 ± 33.62 mL. Postoperative stay averaged 0.23 ± 0.47 days. No ICG-related complications occurred.
No complications occurred with ICG fluorescence in RvNOTES. It appears to be a safe option for ureteral localisation and preservation. ICG fluorescence is widely used in diverse medical specialities for identifying ureters during complex surgeries. Larger studies are needed to firmly establish its advantages in intraoperative ureteral visualisation during RvNOTES for deep infiltrative endometriosis.
Robotic assisted versus laparoscopic surgery for deep endometriosis: a meta-analysis of current evidence.
Journal of Robotic SurgeryEndometriosis is a benign inflammatory onco-mimetic disease affecting 10-15% of women in the world. When it is refractory to medical treatments, su...
Role of gestational age at time of placental laser surgery in outcomes of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and GynecologyThere are conflicting data on whether fetoscopic laser photocoagulation of placental anastomoses (FLP) for treating twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is associated with lower rates of overall survival. The objective of this study is to characterize survival and other associated morbidity after FLP across gestational ages of FLP.
This is a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data on patients with monochorionic-diamniotic twins that had FLP for TTTS at two centers between 2011 and 2022. Patients were divided into gestational age epochs for FLP before 18 wks, 18 0/7 - 19 6/7 wks, 20 0/7 - 21 6/7 wks, 22 0/7 - 23 6/7 wks, 24 0/7 - 25 6/7 wks and after 26 wks. Demographic characteristics, sonographic characteristics of TTTS and operative characteristics were compared across the gestational age epochs. Outcomes including overall survival, preterm delivery, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and neonatal demise (NND) were also compared across gestational age epochs. Multivariate analysis was performed by fitting logistic regression models for these outcomes. Kaplan-Mejer curves were constructed to compare the interval from PPROM to delivery for each gestational age epoch.
There were 768 patients that met inclusion criteria. The dual survival rate was 61.3% for FLP performed prior to 18 weeks compared to 78.0% - 86.7% across later gestational age epochs. This appears to be related to increased rates of donor IUFD following FLP performed before, versus after 18 weeks (28.0% vs. 9.3% - 14.1%). Rates of recipient IUFD/NND and donor NND were similar regardless of gestational age of FLP. Rates of PPROM were higher for earlier FLP, ranging from 45.6% for FLP before 18 weeks to 11.9% for FLP at 24 - 26 weeks gestational age. However, the gestational age of delivery was similar across gestational age epochs with a median of 31.7 weeks. In multivariate analysis, donor loss was independently associated with FLP before 18 weeks after adjusting for selective fetal growth restriction, Quintero stage and other covariates. PPROM and PTD were also associated with FLP before 18 weeks after adjusting for cervical length, placental location, trocar size, laser energy and amnioinfusion.
FLP performed at earlier gestational ages is associated with lower overall survival, which is driven by higher risk of donor IUFD, as opposed to differences in PPROM or PTD. Counseling regarding survival should account for gestational age of presentation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Radiomics analysis of ultrasound images to discriminate between benign and malignant adnexal masses with solid ultrasound morphology.
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and GynecologyOur primary aim was to identify radiomic ultrasound features that can distinguish benign from malignant adnexal masses with solid ultrasound morphology, and primary invasive from metastatic solid ovarian masses, and to develop ultrasound-based machine learning models that include radiomics features to discriminate between benign and malignant solid adnexal masses. Our secondary aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of our radiomics models with that of the ADNEX model and subjective assessment by an experienced ultrasound examiner.
This is a retrospective observational single center study. Patients with a histological diagnosis of an adnexal tumor with solid morphology at preoperative ultrasound examination performed between 2014 and 2021 were included. The patient cohort was split into training and validation sets with a ratio of 70:30 and with the same proportion of benign and malignant (borderline, primary invasive and metastatic) tumors in the two subsets. The extracted radiomic features belonged to two different families: intensity-based statistical features and textural features. Models to predict malignancy were built based on a random forest classifier, fine-tuned using 5-fold cross-validation over the training set, and tested on the held-out validation set. The variables used in model building were patient's age, and those radiomic features that were statistically significantly different between benign and malignant adnexal masses (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons) and assessed as not redundant based on the Pearson correlation coefficient. We describe discriminative ability as area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and classification performance as sensitivity and specificity.
326 patients were identified and 775 preoperative ultrasound images were analyzed. 68 radiomic features were extracted, 52 differed statistically significantly between benign and malignant tumors in the training set, and 18 features were selected for inclusion in model building. The same 52 radiomic features differed statistically significantly between benign, primary invasive malignant and metastatic tumors. However, the values of the features manifested overlap between primary malignant and metastatic tumors and did not differ statistically significantly between them. In the validation set, 25/98 tumors (25.5%) were benign, 73/98 (74.5%) were malignant (6 borderline, 57 primary invasive, 10 metastases). In the validation set, a model including only radiomics features had an AUC of 0.80, and 78% sensitivity and 76% specificity at its optimal risk of malignancy cutoff (68% based on Youden's index). The corresponding results for a model including age and radiomics features were 0.79, 86% and 56% (cutoff 60% based on Youden's method), while those of the ADNEX model were 0.88, 99% and 64% (at 20% malignancy cutoff). Subjective assessment had sensitivity 99% and specificity 72%.
Even though our radiomics models had discriminative ability inferior to that of the ADNEX model, our results are promising enough to justify continued development of radiomics analysis of ultrasound images of adnexal masses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction: international Delphi consensus on management and core outcomes set.
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and GynecologyTo reach a Delphi-generated international expert consensus on the diagnosis, prognostic, management, and core outcome set (COS) of fetal Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO).
A three-round Delphi procedure was conducted among an international panel of LUTO experts. The panel was provided with a list of literature review-generated parameters for the diagnosis, prognostic, management, and outcomes. A parallel procedure was conducted along with patient groups during the development of COS.
A total of 160 experts were approached, of whom 99 completed the first round and 80 (80/99, 80.8%) completed all three rounds. In the first trimester, an objective measurement of longitudinal bladder diameter (with ≥7 mm being abnormal) should be used to suspect LUTO. In the second trimester, imaging parameters of LUTO could include: a) an enlarged bladder, b) a keyhole sign, c) bladder wall thickening, d) bilateral hydro (uretero) nephrosis, and e) male sex. There was a lack of consensus on the current prognostic scoring literature. However, experts agreed on the value of amniotic fluid volume (< 24 weeks) to predict survival and that the value of fetal intervention is to improve neonatal survival. While experts endorsed the role of sonographic parameters of renal dysplasia, at least one vesicocentesis, and urine biochemistry for prognosis and counseling, these items did not reach a consensus for determining fetal intervention candidacy. On the other hand, imaging parameters suggestive of LUTO, absence of life-limiting structural or genetic anomalies, gestational age of ≥16 weeks, and oligohydramnios defined as deepest vertical pocket (DVP) <2 cm should be used as candidacy criteria for fetal intervention based on experts' consensus. If a bladder refill was evaluated, it should be assessed subjectively. Vesicoamniotic shunt should be the first line of fetal intervention. In the presence of suspected fetal renal failure, serial amnioinfusion should only be offered as an experimental procedure under research protocols. The core outcome set for future studies was agreed upon.
International consensus on the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of fetal LUTO, as well as the Core Outcome Set, should inform clinical care and research to optimize perinatal outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Needle fetal thoracoscopy: a technique to assist with ultrasound-guided placement of challenging thoracoamniotic shunts.
Fetal Diagnosis TherapyFetal thoracoamniotic shunts are common lifesaving interventions but frequently require replacement. Needle fetal thoracoscopy is a technique that uses standard thoracoamniotic shunt introducer sheaths to permit direct visualization and even instrument manipulation during shunt deployment to facilitate optimal positioning and primary shunt function in the most challenging cases.
In this study, five patients who underwent needle fetal thoracoscopy-assisted thoracoamniotic shunt placement were reviewed. Three patients with large, macrocystic congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM) with evidence of worsening mediastinal shift and/or hydrops and two patients with large chylothorax with fetal hydrops were treated. Four cases had previous shunts that failed due to poor sonographic visualization during initial placement, cyst septations, shunt obstruction or dislodgment. Needle fetal thoracoscopy was used to disrupt cyst walls and septations, clear hematoma, and confirm optimal initial position of the shunt. In this series, one severe CPAM patient with short cervix developed preterm labor postoperatively resulting in neonatal demise. The remaining four patients experienced resolution of hydrops and progressed to successful delivery with excellent neonatal outcomes.
Needle fetal thoracoscopy is a procedure that may be selectively deployed in challenging thoracoamniotic shunt cases impacted by recurrent failure, poor sonographic windows, and challenging fetal positioning.
Examining the association of hysterectomy with and without oophorectomy on cardiovascular disease and all-cause, cardiovascular or cancer mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BJOGThe associations between hysterectomy and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality remains unlcear and a meta-analysis with cohort studies is lacking.
This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to investigate the relationship between hysterectomy and CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, heart failure, and all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. We further explored the effect of oophorectomy on the association between hysterectomy and these health outcomes.
Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model. We used I2 to assess the heterogeneity between studies.
Forty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. Hysterectomy was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD (pooled HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09-1.13; n = 6; I2 = 0) and stroke (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14; n = 7; I2 = 52%), but with a decreased risk of cancer mortality (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.00; n = 4; I2 = 81%). No significant association was observed between hysterectomy and CHD (n = 10; I2 = 83%), all-cause mortality (n = 8; I2 = 81%) or cardiovascular mortality (n = 7; I2 = 89%). Hysterectomy with and without oophorectomy was significantly associated with CVD and stroke risk, but showed a larger effect size for hysterectomy with oophorectomy. A significantly increased risk of CHD was observed in the subgroup of hysterectomy with oophorectomy, but not for the subgroup of hysterectomy alone.
Hysterectomy may increase the risk of CVD, CHD and stroke, but not all-cause, cardiovascular or cancer mortality. Hysterectomy with oophorectomy may have a higher risk of CVD, CHD and stroke than hysterectomy alone. However, the results on CHD and mortality related to hysterectomy should be interpreted cautiously because of the high level of heterogeneity and unstable subgroup analyses.
Self-reported respiratory and gastrointestinal outcomes in children with isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A prospective multicentre study.
BJOGTo evaluate medium-term self-reported respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) outcomes in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
The GI and respiratory scores were correlated with O/E LHR using linear and logistic regression models. Univariate analysis was used to evaluate associations with perinatal variables.
We obtained 142 responses from 342 families (representing a response rate of 45%). The baseline characteristics of participants and non-participants were comparable. No correlations between perinatal variables and respiratory or GI scores were identified. Children aged ≤5 years with lower O/E LHR values reported higher respiratory scores (P = 0.0175); this finding was not reported in older children. Overall, the children who underwent FETO (n = 51) had GI (P = 0.290) and respiratory (P = 0.052) scores that were comparable with those of children who were expectantly managed.
Families and children with prenatally diagnosed CDH reported fewer respiratory symptoms with increasing age. There was no correlation between O/E LHR or the use of FETO and self-reported outcomes.
Hysterectomy Techniques and Outcomes for Benign Large Uteri: A Systematic Review.
Obstetrics and GynecologyTo identify the optimal hysterectomy approach for large uteri in gynecologic surgery for benign indications from a perioperative morbidity standpoint.
This review included studies that compared routes of hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for large uteri (12 weeks or more or 250 g or more) and excluded studies with any concurrent surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, gynecologic malignancy, or any obstetric indication for hysterectomy.
The review included 25 studies comprising nine randomized trials, two prospective, and 14 retrospective nonrandomized comparative studies. Studies were at high risk of bias. There was lower operative time for total vaginal hysterectomy compared with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) (mean difference 39 minutes, 95% CI, 18-60) and total vaginal hysterectomy compared with total laparoscopic hysterectomy (mean difference 50 minutes, 95% CI, 29-70). Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was associated with much greater risk of ureteral injury compared with total vaginal hysterectomy (odds ratio 7.54, 95% CI, 2.52-22.58). There were no significant differences in bowel injury rates between groups. There were no differences in length of stay among the laparoscopic approaches. For LAVH compared with total vaginal hysterectomy, randomized controlled trials favored total vaginal hysterectomy for length of stay. When rates of blood transfusion were compared between these abdominal hysterectomy and robotic-assisted total hysterectomy routes, abdominal hysterectomy was associated with a sixfold greater risk of transfusion than robotic-assisted total hysterectomy (6.31, 95% CI, 1.07-37.32). Similarly, single studies comparing robotic-assisted total hysterectomy with LAVH, total laparoscopic hysterectomy, or total vaginal hysterectomy all favored robotic-assisted total hysterectomy for reduced blood loss.
Minimally invasive routes are safe and effective and have few complications. Minimally invasive approach (vaginal, laparoscopic, or robotic) results in lower blood loss and shorter length of stay, whereas the abdominal route has a shorter operative time.
PROSPERO, CRD42021233300.
Prophylactic Unfractionated Heparin in Antepartum Hospitalizations: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Obstetrics and GynecologyTo assess the effect of gestational age-based dosing of unfractionated heparin (UFH) compared with standard dosing of UFH for thromboprophylaxis on an elevated serum activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) during prolonged antepartum hospitalizations.
This was a randomized trial of pregnant persons who were admitted in the antepartum period for at least 72 hours. Participants were randomly allocated to the standard dose of UFH (5,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours) or the gestational age-based dose of UFH (first trimester [less than 14 weeks]: 5,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours; second trimester [14-27 6/7 weeks]: 7,500 units subcutaneously every 12 hours; third trimester (28 weeks or more): 10,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours). The primary outcome was the proportion of antepartum patients who had an elevated serum aPTT value above the normal range (more than 36.2 seconds) 6 hours after an UFH dose. Secondary outcomes included the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and reported side effects of heparin administration.
Between December 15, 2020, and April 1, 2022, 97 patients with antepartum hospitalizations were screened and 46 were randomized: 22 allocated to standard dosing and 24 allocated to gestational age-based dosing of UFH. A significantly greater proportion of antepartum patients who received gestational age-based dosing had an abnormal elevation in aPTT compared with those who received standard dosing (33.3% vs 4.8%, P=.02). Gestational age-based dosing resulted in higher maximum [interquartile range] aPTT (30.4 [27.4, 37.5] vs 26.6 [23.0, 29.6], P=.01) and anti-Xa levels (0.09 [0.09, 0.11] vs 0.09 [0.09, 0.09], P=.04). There was no significant difference in VTE between groups (P=.47).
Gestational age-based dosing of UFH for thromboprophylaxis of antepartum hospitalizations was associated with significantly increased rates of elevated coagulation parameters compared with standard fixed dosing. This study suggests a need for close monitoring if higher doses of UFH during pregnancy are used later in gestation. The efficacy of gestational age-based dosing compared with standard dosing for UFH to prevent thromboembolic events remains an area for future investigation.
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04635839.
Physical Modalities for the Treatment of Localized Provoked Vulvodynia: A Scoping Review of the Literature from 2010 to 2023.
International Journal of EpidemiologyLocalized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) is a prevalent sexual health condition with significant negative impacts on quality of life. There is a lack of consensus regarding effective management.
We used Arksey and O'Malley's five-step method to identify, collate, and evaluate literature published between 2010 and 2023. The scoping review investigated the efficacy or effectiveness of interventions in the management of LPV. The aim of this paper is to map the literature on the efficacy or effectiveness of physical interventions.
The review produced 19 primary studies of physical interventions for LPV. These include acupuncture, laser therapy, physiotherapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, low-intensity shockwave therapy, transcranial direct current stimulation, and vestibulectomy.
Published studies that investigated a range of physical treatments for LPV showed some positive effects, except for transcranial direct-current stimulation. The remaining modalities demonstrated improved sexual pain and treatment satisfaction, when measured. Findings were mixed for non-sexual pain. There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions regarding other outcomes. Researchers are encouraged to conduct larger, high-quality studies that sample more diverse patient populations and use patient-oriented outcomes to assess effectiveness of physical modalities.
