Ectopic bone formation in a child with a head injury: complete regression after immobilisation

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between microsurgical tubal reversal after tubal sterilization and ectopic pregnancy. METHODS: 1029 women who underwent microsurgical tubal reversal were followed up. The causes of ectopic pregnancy were analysed and discussed. RESULTS: 960 intrauterine pregnanciess and 12 ectopic pregnancies occurred. The 12 ectopic pregnancies were all tubal ones, among which 2 had intrauterine pregnancies. The rate of ectopic pregnancy in the 1029 women was 1.17%, and in the pregnant cases was 1.23%. The ratio of intrauterine pregnancy to ectopic pregnancy was 1:80. The rates of ectopic pregnancy in the 1st, 2nd year and 2 years later after tubal reversal were not significantly different respectively among the tubal reversal and among the pregnant cases. The rates of ectopic pregnancy in the 1st and 2nd 6 months after tubal reversal were not statistically different. The early tubal hydrapertubation could only increase the chance of ectopic pregnancy. The sterilization method, reversal mode, and interval between sterilization and reversal were not related to the ectopic pegnancy. CONCLUSION: When the lesion in the sterilized position is completely removed, the sutures being through the tubal mucosa and the early tubal hydrapertubation not carried out, the chance of ectopic pregnancy can not be increased after tubal reversal. The contraception 6 months after tubal reversal is not related to ectopic pregnancy.     

Kinetics of interaction of HLA-C ligands with natural killer cell inhibitory receptors

OBJECTIVE: To measure effectiveness, adverse event experience, and acceptability of the Food and Drug Administration-approved variant of levonorgestrel capsule implants in the United States through 5 years and to examine determinants of these outcomes. METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter study, 511 sexually active women selecting contraceptive implants were monitored four times in the 1st year, then semiannually through 5 years. Adverse events were elicited by query and physical examination, and their incidence was measured. Lifetable analyses computed pregnancy and other discontinuation rates. Cox regression models examined effects of age, parity, and preadmission desire for more children on continuation. Removal times were analyzed by analysis of variance. RESULTS: Three pregnancies occurred, yielding a 5-year cumulative rate of 1.3+/-0.8 per 100 users, an average annual rate of three per 1000 women, and an ectopic pregnancy rate of 0.6 per 1000 woman years. No pregnancies occurred to women weighing less than 79 kg. Prolonged or irregular menstrual bleeding, followed distantly by headache, weight gain, and mood changes, was the most frequent medical conditions leading to removal. Weight gain averaged 1 kg per year. Each annual continuation rate was above 80 per 100, for a cumulative 5-year rate of 39 per 100. Continuation was age-dependent, with younger women (younger than 25 years at entry) having lower 5-year continuation rates than older subjects (P < .01). Tissue trauma from deeply placed or poorly aligned implants or severe reactions to local anesthetic affected subjects in 3.1% of removals (nine cases). CONCLUSION: As measured by annual continuation rates of 80 per 100 or higher and annual pregnancy rates below one per 100, implant contraception in the United States was found to be highly acceptable and effective, year after year, regardless of the woman's age or family formation status. The cumulative 5-year pregnancy rate, 1.3 per 100, is comparable to that of tubal ligation.     

Blockade of morphine-induced place preference by diazepam in mice

We assessed the efficacy of combined laparoscopic and minilaparotomy for outpatient microsurgical reversal of extensive tubal sterilization in 11 women undergoing the procedure and followed for a mean of 24.7 months. All patients desired reversal of extensive tubal sterilization, and had 4 cm or less of the longer oviduct remaining. The mean operating time was 110 minutes, and the mean total cost was $5067. There were no major complications. Two women were treated for uncomplicated cystitis within 1 month of surgery. Five (45%) of 11 women delivered viable infants; one patient had two ectopic pregnancies. These preliminary data suggest that outpatient combined laparoscopy and minilaparotomy may be effective in patients who desire restoration of fertility after extensive tubal sterilization.     

Comparison of the cumulative probability of pregnancy after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer by infertility factor and age

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cumulative probability of pregnancy after multiple IVF cycles by age and cause of infertility. DESIGN: A prospective study was done in which patients were followed from the time they registered for their first IVF cycle until they achieved a clinical pregnancy, withdrew from treatment, or study was terminated. PATIENTS, SETTING, TREATMENTS: Infertile women undergoing IVF-ET at the Cooper Institute for In Vitro Fertilization were enrolled in this study if the luteal phase leuprolide acetate (LA) and hMG controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) regimen was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical pregnancy, as determined by a positive beta-hCG level and ultrasonographic confirmation of a gestational sac, and delivery rates based on number of women with live births were compared by infertility factor and age. RESULTS: The 3-month cumulative probability of pregnancy based on life table analysis was 33% in women with tubal factor who were < or = 35 years of age, 25% in women with tubal factor who were > 35 years of age, 30% for women with multiple factors who were < or = 35 years of age, and 14% for women with multiple factors who were > 35 years of age. The rate for the older women with multiple factors was significantly lower than that for the other groups. The delivery rates were lower for the women with multiple factors than for women under 35 with tubal factor only. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant effect of age and infertility factor on pregnancy and delivery rates. Physicians should consider these factors in evaluating their patients' prospects for success in IVF-ET.     

In vitro fertilization versus tubal surgery: is pelvic reconstructive surgery obsolete?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of pelvic reconstructive surgery with cumulative success rates of IVF for couples with tubal factor infertility. DATA RESOURCES: Outcomes of pelvic surgery were obtained from a review of articles from the literature identified by directed Medline searches. Cumulative pregnancy rates of 771 couples with tubal factor infertility treated at the Cornell IVF program between December 1989 and December 1992 were calculated by life-table analysis. RESULTS: Overall delivery rate per transfer for patients with tubal factor was 28.9% (303 deliveries per 1,048 transfers) and did not appear to be affected significantly by the presence of a secondary diagnosis. A significant decline in pregnancy rates was observed with advancing age: age < 30 years, 48.4%; 30 to 34 years, 44%; 35 to 38 years, 28%; 39 to 40 years, 20%; 41 to 42 years, 9%; and > 42 years, 4.3%. Cumulative pregnancy rates for cycles 1 to 4 were 32%, 59%, 70%, and 77%, respectively, in patients with only tubal factor, and 28%, 55%, 62%, and 75% in patients with tubal combined with other associated infertility factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience suggest that > 70% of women with tubal factor infertility will have a live birth within four cycles of treatment with IVF. These results compare favorably with the best outcomes after tubal reconstructive surgery. In older women, because of the rapid decline of fertility potential with advancing age, efforts should be directed toward the treatment method that provides the highest likelihood of success within the shortest time interval.     

Critical importance of in vivo amoxicillin and cefotaxime concentrations for synergy in treatment of experimental Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis

Although a higher incidence of ectopic pregnancy has been reported after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer, three ectopic pregnancies in the same woman is very rare. A patient of 32 years underwent IVF-embryo transfer six times within 3 years. Three of four conceptions resulted in ectopic pregnancies. The first involved simultaneous intrauterine and left tubal pregnancy, the second was a right tubal pregnancy, and the third was a right interstitial pregnancy. In IVF-embryo transfer, bilateral salpingectomy does not remove the risk of interstitial or cornual pregnancy.     

The association between Chlamydia trachomatis serology and pelvic damage in women with tubal ectopic gestations

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pelvic damage is associated with positive Chlamydia trachomatis serology in women with tubal ectopic pregnancy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional retrospective study. SETTING: A prepaid health maintenance organization. PATIENTS: Two-hundred eighty-one women admitted with confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancy were interviewed for history of sexually transmitted diseases. Chlamydia serology was obtained for 135 subjects, and operative findings were available for 121 of these. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Pelvic damage, as determined by review of operative findings of the pelvis at the time of ectopic surgery. RESULTS: Pelvic damage was associated with positive chlamydia serology with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.8 to 9.7). Moderate and severe pelvic damage were more strongly associated with positive serology than mild damage. CONCLUSIONS: Women with ectopic pregnancies and antibodies to C. trachomatis are more likely to have damaged pelves than women with ectopic pregnancies without such antibodies. Prevention or early treatment of C. trachomatis infection may reduce pelvic damage and, therefore, reduce incidence of ectopic pregnancy.     

Differences in late fetal death rates in association with determinants of small for gestational age fetuses: population based cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To examine differences in late fetal death rates in association with determinants of small for gestational age fetuses. DESIGN: Population based cohort study. SUBJECTS: 1 026 249 pregnancies without congenital malformations. SETTING: Sweden 1983-92. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Late fetal death rate. RESULTS: Depending on underlying determinants late fetal death rates were greatly increased in extremely small for gestational age fetuses (range 16 to 45 per 1000) compared with non-small for gestational age fetuses (1.4 to 4.6). In extremely small for gestational age fetuses late fetal death rates were increased from 31 per 1000 in mothers aged less than 35 years to 45 per 1000 in older mothers, and from 22 per 1000 in women <155 cm in height to 33 per 1000 in women >=175 cm tall. Late fetal death rates were also higher in extremely small for gestational age fetuses in singleton compared with twin pregnancies and in non-hypertensive pregnancies compared with pregnancies complicated by severe pre-eclampsia or other hypertensive disorders. Slightly higher late fetal death rates were observed in nulliparous compared with parous women and in non-smokers compared with smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Although the risk of late fetal death is greatly increased in fetuses that are extremely small for gestational age the risk is strongly modified by underlying determinants-for example, there is a lower risk of late fetal death in a small for gestational age fetus if the mother is of short stature, has a twin pregnancy, or has hypertension.     

Variability of cutaneous lymphatic flow rates in melanoma patients

A woman with a small (6-mm gestational sac) interstitial pregnancy had complete resolution after medical therapy alone. A single cycle of methotrexate 50 mg/m2 was used as outpatient treatment without any operative procedure either for diagnosis or intervention. The guidelines that have evolved for selection of women for single dose methotrexate treatment for both intrauterine and tubal ectopic pregnancies may be applicable to interstitial ectopic pregnancy as well. A suggested framework for treatment decisions is presented.     

Cornual pregnancies in patients with prior salpingectomy undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency of cornual pregnancy in patients with prior salpingectomy undergoing IVF. DESIGN: Review. SETTING: Private fertility practice. PATIENTS: Women undergoing IVF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cornual ectopic pregnancy. RESULTS: Of 26 ectopic pregnancies detected after ET during a 7-year period, 7 were located in the cornu or tubal stump after prior salpingectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with prior salpingectomy undergoing IVF are at particular risk for cornual pregnancy.     

Vaginal douching and the risk of ectopic pregnancy among black women

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine whether vaginal douching was associated with ectopic pregnancy among black women and whether specific douching behaviors were associated with differences in risk. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed data from a case-control study of ectopic pregnancy conducted between October 1988 and August 1990 at a major public hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Case subjects were 197 black women with surgically confirmed ectopic pregnancies; the control group included 882 black women who were delivered of live or stillborn infants and 237 black women who were seeking to terminate a pregnancy. RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio for ectopic pregnancy associated with ever having douched was 3.8 (95% confidence interval 1.6 to 8.9). The risk increased with increasing number of years of douching at least once per month. No douching behavior was found to be without risk; even women who douched for routine cleanliness were at increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal douching is a modifiable behavior that may greatly increase a woman's risk of ectopic pregnancy.     

Accidental firearm fatality involving a hand-crafted pen gun. Case report

OBJECTIVE: To show that a simple, easily learned and relatively inexpensive method of reversal of sterilisation provides good results. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: An NHS Trust Hospital. SAMPLE: Sixty-seven women aged 19 to 39 years who underwent reversal of sterilisation between January 1984 and December 1993. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pregnancy rate following reversal; rate of ectopic pregnancy. RESULTS: Thirty-four women (51%) had intrauterine pregnancies after reversal of sterilisation; intrauterine pregnancy rate in women who had been sterilised with rings or clips was 64%. Five women (7.5%) had ectopic pregnancies. CONCLUSION: This technique provides results that compare favourably with those of microsurgery. It offers hope to couples who do not meet the restrictive criteria for microsurgery and in vitro fertilisation and should appeal to purchasing authorities.     

The laparoscopic treatment of splenic rupture, a case report

This retrospective study presents data from 26 women who underwent a reversal of female sterilization. The intrauterine pregnancy rate and ectopic pregnancy rate were 38.5% and 7.7% respectively. The most successful site of tubal anastomosis was isthmic-isthmic anastomosis. The importance of proper patient selection and factors that affect the success rate in attempted reversals are emphasised. The importance of microsurgical approach is highlighted.     

Effect of adrenalectomy on cocaine facilitation of lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation

OBJECTIVES: Smoking is associated with a reduced risk of preeclampsia, but what is the outcome of pregnancy when preeclampsia develops in women who smoke? STUDY DESIGN: Single births in Sweden from 1987 through 1993 to nulliparous women aged 15 to 34 years (N = 317,652) were included. Poisson regression analyses were used to calculate adjusted relative risks and rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Maternal smoking was associated with significantly reduced risks of mild and severe preeclampsia (relative risks = 0.6 and 0.5, respectively). In pregnancies with severe preeclampsia, smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day was associated with increased rates of perinatal mortality (from 24 to 36 per 1000), abruptio placentae (from 31 to 67 per 1000), and being small for gestational age (from 28% to 68%), whereas the corresponding smoking-related increases in rates in nonhypertensive pregnancies were considerably less. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers in whom preeclampsia develops have very high risks of perinatal mortality, abruptio placentae, and small-for-gestational-age infants.     

How to get the most from your iron supplement

BACKGROUND: Tubal effects of methotrexate injections have been poorly reported. CASES: Three fallopian tubes were examined with light microscopy 9-13 months after tubal methotrexate injection (one case) and intramuscular methotrexate injection (two cases) given for the treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancies. No evidence of tubal damage was found. CONCLUSION: These three cases confirm previous experimental and clinical data showing the absence of a direct adverse effect of methotrexate on the fallopian tubes in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.     

Using the hospital emergency department as a regular source of care

OBJECTIVE: To assess pregnancies and conceptus after artificial insemination (AID) or IVF with frozen semen donor (IVF-D) on sufficiently large study population in order to distinguished minor variations. STUDY DESIGN: From 1987 to 1994, all pregnancies obtained after AID or IVF-D were registered prospectively in the French CECOS Federation data base. Different factors were recorded for this study: first menarche age of the recipient women, cycle length, insemination date in the conception cycle, maternal age at delivery, hormonal treatments, donor age, sperm conservation length and follow up of the pregnancy: miscarriage, tubal pregnancy, time at delivery, sex of the foetus, weight, malformation. RESULTS: 21,597 pregnancies obtained after AID and 3381 after IVF-D were registered. 2% were lost to follow up. Foetal loss rate is 18% after AID and 21.5% after IVF-D (p < 0.001). The tubal pregnancy rate is 0.9% after AID and 1.7% after IVF-D (p < 0.0001). 18,128 children were born after AID and 3313 after IVF-D. After AID, the twin pregnancy rate is 6.9% and the multiple pregnancy (> or = 3 foetus) rate is 0.7%. After IVF-D, these rates are 24.8% and 4.2% respectively (p < 0.0001). After AID the mean weight at delivery, sex ratio, premature rate, intra uterine growth retardation rate are not different from national rates published in 1995. The foetus malformation rate (including medical abortions) is 1.9% after AID and 2.7% after IVF-D (p < 0.009). After AID the trisomy 21 rate increases with the mother age but also with the donors age if the maternal age is equal. The birth defects rate is not different from those registered in Paris, Strasbourg and Marseille. The birth defects rate observed after IVF-D is not different from the rate observed after IVF with husband semen. (2.74% versus 2.99%; p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: After AID the miscarriage and tubal pregnancy rate, the children's weight, the premature rate is not different from that of the general French population. Sex ratio is normal as is the global malformation rate. The multiple pregnancy rate (x 7 for twin and by 10 for multiple pregnancies more than 3 foetus) is high, showing the influence of ovulation induction treatment. The birth chromosomal abnormalities rate is normal and correlated not only to the mother's age but also to the donor's age. This result without clear biological explanation will require further verification in a greater population. Practically speaking, these observations encourages lowering the age limit for semen donors less than 45 years. IVF-D practice instead of AID doubles the tubal pregnancy rate (0.9% versus 1.7% and increases the twin pregnancy rate by 2.5% and the multiple pregnancy (> or = 3 fetus) rate by 3. It is necessary to promote good practice for AID for which the pregnancy rate is very different from one centre to another within the centres with AID low results a too high rate of IVF-D. Finally we can say that pregnancies from IVF-D or IVF with husband semen are not significantly different. In other words pregnancy outcome is not changed after sperm cryopreservation.     

The performance of levonorgestrel rod and Norplant contraceptive implants: a 5 year randomized study

A new contraceptive (LNG rod implants, Jadelle, Leiras Oy's registered trademark for rod implants) was prospectively evaluated in randomized 5 year comparison with Norplant (Population Council's registered trademark for contraceptive implants releasing levonorgestrel) capsule implants. The study involved 1198 women at seven centres. No pregnancies occurred in the first 4 years. At 5 years, the cumulative pregnancy rate was 1 per 100 users or less for each regimen. Annual discontinuation rates averaged 11-12 per 100 users (P > 0.05), corresponding to 5 year continuation rates of 55.1 for rods and 53.0 per 100 for capsules. Mean annual discontinuation rates for menstrual disturbances were 3.5 and 4.2 per 100 for rod and capsule implants respectively (P > 0.05), and mean annual removal rates for medical problems were 3.5 and 3.0 per 100 (P > 0.05) respectively. Apart from menstrual problems, headache, weight gain and acne were the principal medical reasons for removal. In proportional hazard analyses, family formation variables, age, parity and desire/non desire for another child, recorded at admission, significantly affected discontinuation rates for major decrement categories and for all reasons combined. Mean rod removal time was half that of Norplant (P < 0.01); complications of rod removal were at a lower rate. With these contraceptives indistinguishable in performance except for ease and speed of removal, LNG rod implants appear to be preferable to Norplant for use through 5 years by virtue of relative ease of removal.     

Combined laparoscopy and minilaparotomy for outpatient reversal of tubal sterilization

This retrospective study determines risks, outcomes, and cost savings in microscopic tubal sterilization reversal done by minilaparotomy. From January 1992 to December 1993, 40 women, as outpatients, had combined laparoscopy and minilaparotomy for tubal anastomosis. The mean operating time was 1.7 hours, mean blood loss was 20 mL, and mean recovery time was 3.2 hours. Thirty-seven patients (93%) were discharged on the same day, two stayed for 23 hours, and one patient required hospitalization for 2 nights. There were no immediate or postoperative complications. Early crude pregnancy rate was 60%, with an 8% ectopic rate. Tubal patency was confirmed in 39 (98%). The average total cost to the patient was $5,200. Microsurgical tubal anastomosis can be done safely and successfully on an outpatient basis, reducing costs and morbidity and accelerating the patient's return to activity.     

Strategies in frozen donor semen procreation

Data were analysed from 710 couples who had been assessed to determine the effectiveness and the drawbacks of three different methods of insemination using frozen donor semen. Intracervical insemination (ICI) was the first method used when the women had no tubal disorder: 255 pregnancies were achieved in a total of 2558 cycles (10%). Intrauterine insemination (IUI) associated with ovarian stimulation resulted in 152 pregnancies over 966 cycles (16%). In-vitro fertilization (IVF) was proposed after approximately 12 insemination failures using either of the other methods or when the initial gynaecological examination had revealed abnormalities such as tubal occlusions; 48 pregnancies were obtained in 262 cycles (18.3%). The pregnancy rate using ICI was significantly higher when two inseminations were performed per cycle, compared with one insemination per cycle (12.3 versus 7%, P < 0.001). The number of motile spermatozoa per straw was correlated with the pregnancy rate when using ICI, rising from 9% with < 4 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa to 13.8% with 4-8 x 10(6) and 17.2% with > 8 x 10(6). No relationship was found between the number of motile spermatozoa and the pregnancy rate using IUI and IVF. The incidence of primary ovulatory disorder was higher among women whose husbands were oligozoospermic than among those whose husbands were azoospermic (19 versus 9%, P < 0.01), but ovarian stimulation improved the fecundity of subfertile women. The outcome of pregnancies was also analysed for the three methods. From these data, strategic plans have been proposed to maximize the pregnancy rate for women undergoing therapeutic donor insemination with frozen semen.     

Epidemiology of genital prolapse: observations from the Oxford Family Planning Association Study

OBJECTIVE: To explore the epidemiology of uterovaginal and post-hysterectomy prolapse. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Seventeen large family planning clinics in England and Scotland. POPULATION: 17,032 women who attended family planning clinics between 1968 and 1974, aged between 25 and 39 years at study entry. METHODS: Annual follow up by interview, postal or telephone questionnaire until July 1994. Further details on all hospital admissions were obtained from the hospital discharge summaries. All women were flagged at time of recruitment in the NHS central registers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: In-patient admission with diagnosis of prolapse (ICD codes 8th Revision 623.0-623-9). RESULTS: The incidence of hospital admission with prolapse is 2.04 per 1000 person-years of risk. Age, parity, calendar period and weight were significantly associated with risk of an inpatient admission with prolapse after adjustment for principal confounding factors. Significant trends were observed with regard to smoking status and obesity (Quetelet Index) at entry to the study and risk of prolapse. Social class, oral contraceptive use and height were not significantly associated with risk of prolapse. The incidence of prolapse which required surgical correction following hysterectomy was 3.6 per 1000 person-years of risk. The cumulative risk rises from 1% three years after a hysterectomy to 5% 15 years after hysterectomy. The risk of prolapse following hysterectomy is 5.5 times higher (95% CI 3.1-9.7) in women whose initial hysterectomy was for genital prolapse as opposed to other reasons. CONCLUSION: Among the potential risk factors that were investigated, parity shows much the strongest relation to prolapse.