The long-term costs and effects of tubal flushing with oil-based versus water-based contrast during hysterosalpingography

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank all the participating women, the hospitals and their staff, the research nurses and the staff of the Nationwide Consortium for Women's Health Research (NVOG Consortium; www.zorgevaluatienederland.nl ) for logistical support. Thanks also go to the H2Oil study group collaborators: Nan van Geloven, Jos W. R. Twisk, Peter M. van de Ven and Peter G. A. Hompes for their contributions to this study. The original H2Oil RCT was an investigator-initiated study that was funded by the two academic institutions (AMC and VUmc) of the Amsterdam UMC. The long-term follow-up study and economic analysis, both investigator-initiated studies, were funded by a research grant from Guerbet, France. The funders had no role in study design or collection, analysis or interpretation of the data. Declaration of interest: C.T.P. has received consultancy fees for external work from Guerbet, France. K.D. reports receiving travel and speakers fee from Guerbet. H.R.V. reports receiving consultancy fees from Ferring. M.G. works at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of the Amsterdam UMC (location AMC and location VUmc). Location VUmc has received several research and educational grants from Guerbet, Merck and Ferring. C.B.L. reports speakers fee from Ferring in the past, and his department receives research grants from Ferring, Merck and Guerbet. V.M. reports receiving travel and speakers fees as well as research grants from Guerbet. B.W.J.M. is supported by a NHMRC Investigator grant (GNT1176437). B.W.J.M. has received research grants from Merck and Guerbet. The other authors report no financial or commercial conflicts of interest.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Tubal flushing with oil-based or water-based contrast at hysterosalpingography for infertility:long-term reproductive outcomes of a randomized trial

Objective: To determine the impact of oil -based versus water -based contrast on pregnancy and live birth rates <5 years after hysterosalpingography (HSG) in infertile women. Design: A 5 -year follow-up study of a multicenter randomized trial. Setting: Hospitals. Patient(s): Infertile women with an ovulatory cycle, 18 - 39 years of age, and having a low risk of tubal pathology. Intervention(s): Use of oil -based versus water -based contrast during HSG. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy, live births, time to ongoing pregnancy, second ongoing pregnancy. Result(s): A total of 1,119 women were randomly assigned to HSG with oil -based contrast (n = 557) or water -based contrast (n = 562). After 5 years, 444 of 555 women in the oil group (80.0%) and 419 of 559 women in the water group (75.0%) had an ongoing pregnancy (relative risk [RR] 1.07; 95% con fi dence interval [CI] 1.00 - 1.14), and 415 of 555 women in the oil group (74.8%) and 376 of 559 women in the water group (67.3%) had live births (RR 1.11; 95% CI 1.03 - 1.20). In the oil group, 228 pregnancies (41.1%) were conceived naturally versus 194 (34.7%) pregnancies in the water group (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.02 - 1.38). The time to ongoing pregnancy was signi fi cantly shorter in the oil group versus the water group (10.0 vs. 13.7 months; hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI 1.09 - 1.43). No difference was found in the occurrence of a second ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion(s): During a 5 -year time frame, ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates are higher after tubal fl ushing with oil -based contrast during HSG compared with water -based contrast. More pregnancies are naturally conceived and time to ongoing pregnancy is shorter after HSG with oil -based contrast. Clinical Trial Registration Number: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) 3270 and NTR6577(www.trialregister.nl). (Fertil Steril (R) 2020;114:155-62. (C) 2020 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Hysteroscopic management of uterine synechiae

Uterine synechiae describe situations where scar tissues develop within the uterine cavity, leading to partial or complete agglutination between the uterine walls. It is referred to as Asherman syndrome when these patients present with clinical signs and symptoms. The pathogenic mechanism of uterine synechiae is still poorly understood. The diagnosis of intrauterine adhesions is made based on the clinical presentations and assessment of the endometrial cavity. Hysteroscopy is considered the gold standard for establishing and confirming the diagnosis of uterine synechiae. Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis is considered the appropriate treatment method for uterine synechiae. While data are lacking about their efficacy, prevention of adhesion recurrence is with Foley catheter, intrauterine devices, intrauterine stents, and intrauterine gel. The use of autologous platelet-rich plasma has been shown to improve endometrial thickness in women with refractory thin endometrium and may play a role in the healing process following adhesiolysis

Dissection of the uterine wall in a scarred uterus: a case report

Uterine rupture is a potentially fatal complication during pregnancy, delivery, or postpartum. Women attempting a trial of labor after a cesarean section have an increased risk of a subsequent rupture. We report a case of a 24-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1 with a previous cesarean section who underwent a trial of labor. During labor she complained of pain while labor progressed rapidly. Because of signs of fetal distress, a vacuum extraction was performed. Two hours after delivery, the patient complained again of severe abdominal pain. Blood accumulated in a previously non-existent area between the serosa and uterine muscle. A dissection of the uterine wall occurred with serious clinical consequences, compatible with a complete uterine rupture. Emergency laparotomy was performed to repair the uterine wall; a hysterectomy was prevented

Reproductive outcomes in women with mild intrauterine adhesions; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Moderate to severe intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) may greatly impact fertility, predisposing to pregnancy and obstetric complications. The impact of mild IUAs on reproductive performance remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to examine the long-term reproductive outcomes in women with hysteroscopic identified and treated mild IUAs mild intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) Methods: An electronic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to June 2019. All prospective cohort, cross-sectional studies or randomized controlled trials Clinical trials in which reproductive outcomes of women with mild IUAs, were reported were included. Results: Five studies, reporting on reproductive outcomes of 229 women with hysteroscopic identified and treated mild IUAs, were included. The pregnancy rate was 62.3% (142 of 228; 95% CI: 0.55–0.72, I 2 25%, p =.21) and in 86.6% (123 of 142) a live birth was encountered (95% CI: 0.71–0.97) with 83.1% (108 out of 130) term deliveries (95% CI: 0.53–0.95). A miscarriage was reported in 10% (13 of 130; 95% CI: 0.02–0.26). Due to the lack of a control group, reproductive outcomes were compared to a general population. Pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly lower in women with identified and treated mild IUAs, 90% versus 62.3% and respectively 99.5% versus 86.6%. The miscarriage rate was similar. Data on obstetric and neonatal outcomes are lacking. Conclusions: Women with hysteroscopic identified and treated mild IUAs seem to have lower pregnancy and live birth rate compared to the general population. Future studies consisting of a large cohort of women with hysteroscopic identified and treated IUAs with structural follow-up and a control group are needed to confirm our findings

Immediate and long-term complications of delayed surgical management in the postpartum period: a retrospective analysis

To assess the rate of complications of surgical interventions delayed more than 24 h after delivery in women suspected of placental remnants. A retrospective review was performed to analyse complications of delayed surgical interventions. Women were identified from the operation database and their medical records were reviewed to determine the rate of immediate and long-term complications, including reproductive outcome. A total of 127 women were evaluated. The median interval between delivery and surgery was 42 days. Immediate complications were registered in 22.0% and re-interventions in 16.5%. Placental remnants were histologically confirmed in 63.8%. Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs), only of the severe type, were recorded in 20.5%, although a minority of women was hysteroscopically revised. The difference between women treated by dilatation and curettage (D&C) and hysteroscopy was not statistically significant. Similar reproductive outcomes were encountered in women treated by D&C and hysteroscopy and in women with and without IUAs, although the samples were small. Identification of placental remnants remains difficult while delayed interventions are associated with significant immediate and long-term complications. The impact on reproductive performance remains unclear. Further research is necessary to examine treatment options in relation to complications and reproductive outcom

Een bijzondere oorzaak van chronische buikpijn

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain, a continuous or intermittent, non-menstrual and non-cyclic pelvic pain, lasting for at least six months and of sufficient severity to interfere with daily activities, remains a medical challenge. Thorough evaluation is advised as unrecognized abnormalities can be present. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 22-years-old nulligravid with a inguinal herniorrhaphy during infancy was referred with chronic pelvic pain. The left ovary and tube were trapped in the inguinal canal. Laparoscopy confirmed the left ovary and tube adherent to the anterior abdominal wall. Dissection with adhesiolysis freed the dislocated left tube and ovary. A laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) procedure was performed to prevent hernia recurrence. The patient is since then pain free. CONCLUSION: Chronic pelvic pain can be a sing of an adnexal dislocation, which is a rare complication following inguinal hernia repair. Medical history is of great importance to reveal this unexpected condition

Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes 42 months after application of hyaluronic acid gel following dilation and curettage for miscarriage in women who have experienced at least one previous curettage: follow-up of a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To study whether intrauterine application of auto-crosslinked polymers of hyaluronic acid (ACP) gel after dilation and curettage (D&C) improves reproductive outcomes. Design: Follow-up of a prospective randomized trial. Setting: University and university-affiliated teaching hospitals. Patient(s): Women with a miscarriage at <14 weeks’ gestation with at least one previous D&C were randomized to D&C plus ACP gel (intervention) or D&C alone (control). A hysteroscopy was performed after 8–12 weeks, and if intrauterine adhesion (IUAs) were encountered, adhesiolysis was executed. Intervention(s): Participants received a questionnaire 30 months after treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ongoing pregnancy and outcome of subsequent pregnancies. Result(s): Ongoing pregnancies were recorded in 74.6% (50/67) of the intervention group versus 67.2% (43/64) of the control group, and in, respectively, 94.3% (50/53) versus 71.7% (43/60) in the women wishing to conceive. The median times to conception leading to a live birth were, respectively, 21.9 versus 36.1 months. Reduced menstrual blood loss was reported in 7.5% (5/67) versus 20.3% (13/64) and dysmenorrhea in 14.9% (10/67) versus 34.4% (22/64), respectively. Conclusion(s): Application of ACP gel following D&C performed after miscarriage seems to have a favorable effect on subsequent reproductive outcomes in women with at least one previous D&C. Given the fact that the study was not powered for reproductive outcomes, the data should be interpreted with caution. The effect may be underestimated due to routine removal of IUAs. Dutch Clinical Trial Registry Number: NTR 3120