Experimental animal model for readhesion formation study

The problem of postoperative adhesions remains unsolved. The formation of readhesions after tubal reconstructive surgery reduces the success rate. We have developed a modified uterine horn model in the rat to study the influence of peritoneal transplants on readhesion formation. A total of 58 rats were operated. In 25 animals (group III) the uterine horn was scratched on both sides and then sutured together. During relaparotomy 14 days later the tight connection between both sides was cut. The resulting defect was covered by a peritoneal transplant on one side (group IIIb) and was left open on the control side (group IIIa). After 14 days the presence or absence of adhesions was explored. There was a significant difference (p < .001) between the covered (28%) and uncovered (84%) peritoneal defects with respect to incidence of adhesions. To compare the different characteristics of visceral and parietal peritoneum, a pelvic sidewall defect was induced in 33 animals. There was no significant difference between covering the defect by a peritoneal transplant (group II; 42.9%) and the control side (group I; 33.3%). These data suggest that defects on visceral peritoneum should be closed to prevent adhesion formation. The incidence of adhesions after injury of parietal peritoneum seems to be much lower and of less clinical significance.

Low-dose follicle stimulating hormone for ovulation induction in polycystic ovary syndrome

In 20 patients with clinically, sonographically and endocrinologically proven polycystic ovary syndrome, ovulation induction with low doses of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was attempted by administration for 27 menstrual cycles. One ampule FSH was administered from day 3 onwards. If the ovarian response was inadequate after days 10-12, the daily FSH dose was increased by half an ampule until ovulation induction. Of the cycles, 55.5% were monofollicular, whereas 4 cycles had to be cancelled due to a multifollicular response or failure of ovarian stimulation. On average, 14.4 ampules was used, and human chorionic gonadotropin was given on day 16. Seven pregnancies were established, with all of them ongoing at this writing. One twin pregnancy and one triplet pregnancy occurred. Even in polycystic ovary syndrome patients, low-dose administration of FSH allows safe stimulation, with a low incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation, a high pregnancy rate and an acceptably low risk of multiple pregnancies.

[Dual chamber safety vacuum--initial experiences with a new suction cup]

The main problem with vacuum extraction methods, alongside the cephalhaematoma produced, is the premature separation of the suction cup under traction, since the resulting sudden change in pressure can lead to severe intra-cerebral damage to the child. To reduce the risk of vaginal operative delivery, a new double-chamber safety vacuum extractor has been developed by Hepp/King. The basic feature of this instrument is an additional chamber with a thin overlapping area, which surrounds the actual suction cup and serves as a safety vacuum. If the suction cup starts to slip, the external vacuum is released and sounds an alarm. In addition, the inner vacuum has been designed to be convex and to reduce the volume of scalp, which is sucked into the vacuum, thus reducing the size of the cephalhaematoma produced. First experiences in clinical use demonstrated the reliability of the early warning signal, if the direction of traction is false or the applied traction is too strong. The inner vacuum remains constant at 0.8 atu, so that with care, the extraction can continue without interruption. We have used the new instrument in 18 deliveries. In 15 cases, the indication was failure to progress into the second stage of labour; in one case history of retinal detachment and in two cases signs of foetal asphyxia. In all cases, the child was delivered following one or two contractions with traction, without losing the vacuum. The average weight of the newborn was 3566 g. As expected, the cephalohaematoma produced was very much smaller than usual. Further clinical trials are necessary before the value of this new instrument can be assessed.

Combined intra-uterine and extra-uterine pregnancy in the contralateral tube after gamete intra-fallopian transfer

A case of combined intra-uterine and contralateral tubal pregnancy after gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) is presented. Laparotomy with partial tubal resection was performed after tubal rupture. The intra-uterine pregnancy is still ongoing without complications. Heterotopic pregnancies are dangerous conditions for the patient and should be taken into account after transfer of multiple oocytes. To our knowledge this is the first report of a heterotopic pregnancy in the contralateral tube after GIFT.

'Blind' transvaginal gamete intra-fallopian transfer in distal tubal and peritubal pathology: an evaluation in respect to the laparoscopic approach

Transvaginal gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) is a new treatment modality for patients with proven tubal patency, avoiding invasive laparoscopy. In this study 79 cycles of standard laparoscopic GIFT (group 1) were analysed in comparison to 40 cycles of transvaginal intratubal gamete transfer guided by tactile sensation (group 2). GIFT in group 1 was performed for standard indications; patients with severe intra-abdominal adhesions, distal tubal pathology, peritubal adhesions or extreme obesity were included in group 2. No difference in mean age, duration of infertility, oestradiol level and number of oocytes was found. In group 1 a clinical pregnancy rate of 33% per GIFT cycle (n = 79) was achieved. The clinical pregnancy rate in group 2 was 17.5% per gamete transfer cycle. In conclusion, transvaginal GIFT offers an acceptable chance for in-vivo fertilization to patients who cannot be treated laparoscopically despite having patent tubes and who refuse in-vitro fertilization.

[Operation of acute dissecting aortic aneurysm in the 25th week of pregnancy using hypothermic extracorporeal circulation]

We report on a 24 + 2 weeks pregnant woman with Marfan's syndrome, who acutely developed a dissecting aortic aneurysm with aortic valve insufficiency. Emergency surgery was performed by using hypothermic extracorporeal circulation, whilst the aortic valve and ascending aorta were replaced by a synthetic graft. Foetal heart rates, continuously monitored by using Doppler ultrasound, were shown to be closely correlated with perfusion pressures. By applying perfusion pressures of 90-100 mmHg, we were able to maintain foetal heart rates of approximately 100/min. During the first postoperative day, the CTG was normal for gestational age and no contractions were noted. During the second postoperative night, the patient prematurely delivered a dead 820 g infant (Apgar score 0/0/0/0). In view of this case report, opportunities and problems associated with an application of extracorporeal circulation during pregnancy are discussed.

[Current possibilities in reproduction medicine. 2. Spectrum of therapeutic procedures]

As measures of assisted conception, GIFT, ZIFT, TV test and insemination require patent Fallopian tubes. In the majority of cases, intra-uterine insemination is attempted before the invasive methods. Intratubal gamete transfer is employed in particular in the case of infertility that has resisted treatment for years, some forms of male subfertility, and in patients with endometriosis or other forms of genital pathology. In addition, ZIFT and the TV test permit an assessment of in vitro fertilization. In the case of IVF, the classical indication of microscopically non-treatable tubal occlusion has been expanded considerably. Although GIFT is associated with a pregnancy rate of between 30 and 40%, IVF is increasingly being used in women in whom GIFT is indicated, thus avoiding the need for laparoscopy. The alternative techniques of transvaginal GIFT or transvaginal embryo transfer cannot yet be definitively evaluated for clinical routine use. In view of the wide range of therapeutic possibilities, individual counselling of the patient is an essential requirement.

[Current possibilities in reproduction medicine. 1. Diagnosis]

The methods employed by assisted conception, presuppose a rational diagnostic evaluation. The endocrine work-up concentrates on demonstrating adequate ovulation. Today, apart from vaginal ultrasonography, this largely means LH determination in the urine in the middle of the cycle, together with progesterone measurements in the luteal phase. Recording the basal body temperature can offer no more than an orientation. The clarification of tubal patency is ideally served by laparoscopy with pertubation. With the aid of new sonographically visible contrast media, tubal flow can also be investigated using sonography. For the male work-up, classical evaluation of the ejaculate has declined in importance. As a means of establishing a fertility prognosis, forward progression, lateral movements of the head of the sperm, and functional sperm analysis (hamster oocyte penetration test) would appear most suitable.

[Course of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer]

Worldwide analysis of pregnancies after IVF/ET allows the evaluation of the pregnancy outcome compared to normal population. The mean age of IVF-patients is significantly higher. The incidence of clinical abortions after IVF/ET is within normal range, correlating rather with age than with treatment modalities. The rate of multiple gestations is increased after IVF/ET as well as GIFT or hMG-stimulation, leading to more high risk pregnancies. Gestosis is seen in 7% of singletons and 17% of triplet pregnancies. Preterm deliveries before 36 weeks of gestation occur in 17% of singleton and 52% of twin pregnancies after IVF/ET (control 7.3%). This leads to an increasing rate of caesarean section. The global malformation rate is 2% and in a comparable range to normal population. A presumably higher incidence of neural tube defects has to be proven in a larger number of IVF pregnancies.