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Biomedical subjects

I Bukovsky

Publications and source records attributed to I Bukovsky.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Cytogenetic analysis of the oocyte and embryo after removal of the zona pellucida following failed fertilization.

Cytogenetic analysis of the oocyte and embryo after removal of the zona pellucida provides a simple screening method for examining the oocyte and embryo and considering the morphological abnormalities of the zona and adjacent formations, cytoplasm and nucleus. Seventy-one unfertilized oocytes and 27 embryos with poor morphology or cleavage arrest were studied after fixation, staining and mechanical removal of the zona. Fixation was done with a glutaraldehyde solution (1%). The oocytes and embryos were then stained, causing weakening of the zona. A slight pressure on the cover slide led to rupture of the zona and the exposure of the oolema. The oocytes and embryos were analyzed for sperm attachment to and penetration through the zona, appearance of the polar bodies, differentiation of blastomeres from cytoplasmic fragments, nuclear status--pyknotic non-analyzable form, chromosomes or different degenerative appearances of DNA. Peeling of the zona is an easy and reliable screening technique needing only an ordinary light microscope. It provides the advantage of observing the whole structure of the oocyte-embryo, not just the chromosomes as in classical cytogenetic methods.

Female↗

Current management of ruptured corpus luteum.

The objectives of the study are to assess current management of the rather frequent event of ruptured corpus luteum. Special emphasis is made on the value of ultrasonography, laparoscopy and culdocentesis in deciding appropriate treatment. A series of 70 patients with ruptured corpus luteum diagnosed and treated during a period of 6 years in one institution in Israel is reported. Eighteen patients with concurrent ruptured corpus luteum and ectopic pregnancy are included. Abdominal pain, the most prevalent presenting symptom, has no typical characteristics. The correlation between large amount of fluid as observed by ultrasound and the finding of > 250 ml of blood at laparotomy is very high. Culdocentesis was performed in only 21 patients. Surgical intervention (laparoscopy, laparotomy following laparoscopy or direct laparotomy) was carried out in 58 patients (83%). The remaining 12 cases were handled by observation only. Forty patients required laparotomy in whom 17 underwent wedge resection. We conclude that observation is sufficient treatment in hemodynamically stable patients, without severe abdominal pain and in the presence of a small amount of pelvic fluid demonstrated by ultrasound. When a large amount of fluid is observed and/or in the presence of severe abdominal pain laparoscopy should be performed on admission. Direct laparotomy is mandatory in case of circulatory collapse.

Abdominal Pain↗

Dynamic ultrasonographic imaging of the third stage of labor: new perspectives into third-stage mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: Dynamic ultrasonographic imaging of the third stage of labor was performed to document ultrasonographic findings and to present new perspectives into third-stage mechanisms. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-five normal deliveries and five with prolonged third-stage labor were studied. RESULTS: Normal third-stage labor could be divided into four phases: (1) latent phase, characterized by thick, placenta-free wall and thin, placenta-site wall; (2) contraction phase, with thickening of placenta-site wall (from < 1 cm to > 2 cm); (3) detachment phase, in which the placenta completes its separation and detaches; and (4) expulsion phase, with a sliding movement of the placenta. Although oxytocic agents were routinely used, they do not seem to influence the findings. In five cases with retained placenta the placenta-site wall was initially thin. In four of them it became thick, and the placenta was removed by traction of the cord, whereas in the fifth case the placenta-site wall remained thin and the placenta had to be removed manually. CONCLUSION: Shearing forces seem to tear the decidual septae and thereby separate the placenta. This process is completed only when the placenta-site wall attains full thickness. In cases of prolonged third-stage labor, traction of the cord should be applied only when this phase is completed and the actual sliding movement of the placenta is observed.

Female↗

Overstimulated cycles under low-dose gonadotrophins in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: characterization and management.

Among 30 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, treated with low-dose gonadotrophins, 75 cycles were analysed in order to characterize overstimulated cycles that were at increased risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation. Optimal response (one or two follicles > or = 14 mm diameter) was observed in 59 cycles (79%). The remaining 16 cycles (21%) exhibited an overstimulated response characterized either by growing more than two follicles or having an oestradiol level > 850 pg/ml (2 SD above the mean observed in optimal cycles). Six of the latter were handled prospectively when oestradiol levels were found to be too high according to the size of the leading follicle. This stage was termed as developing overstimulation and its identification was based on objective criteria obtained from the optimal group. Following the withholding of gonadotrophin, the follicles continued to grow; however, the final oestradiol level was lower compared with six other matched overstimulated cycles. Overall, 14 patients conceived (47%) of whom three (21%) had multiple pregnancies. Mild or moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in three cases; all of which involved overstimulated cycles. Low-dose gonadotrophin treatment is associated with a substantial degree of overstimulated response. All cycles should be monitored carefully in order to recognize the overstimulated response, which deserves cautious management.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

Pre-operative gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist treatment in surgery for uterine leiomyomata.

To determine whether pre-operative treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue may have a beneficial effect on surgery outcome, 53 patients with symptomatic fibroid uteri awaiting myomectomy or transabdominal hysterectomy (TAH), were randomly divided into a study group (n = 29) and a control group (n = 24). The study group of patients were treated by an i.m. injection of D-Trp6 LHRH microcapsules at 2 months and 1 month prior to surgery. The control group had no pre-operative treatment. Haemoglobin concentration and oestradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone concentrations were measured at 2 months and 1 month prior to surgery, and at surgery. The duration of surgery was shorter in the study group (49 versus 70 min in the hysterectomy group) and intra-operative blood loss was less (208 versus 309 ml in the hysterectomies and 320 versus 476 ml in the myomectomies). Pre-operative treatment with GnRH-agonists which induces shrinkage of the uterus and fibroids is therefore efficient in shortening the duration of surgery, and diminishing the intra-operative blood loss in surgery for fibroid uteri. Such pre-operative treatment is therefore a useful addition to surgery in cases with symptomatic fibroid uteri.

Adult↗

Human chorionic gonadotrophin is a better luteal support than progesterone in ultrashort gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist/menotrophin in-vitro fertilization cycles.

In an attempt to determine the best luteal support in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) by the ultrashort protocol, 60 patients were prospectively randomized for either i.m. progesterone or human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) luteal support. The two groups did not differ in the mean number of oocytes retrieved and embryos replaced, nor in the mean age of the patients and the amount of HMG used. HCG maintained higher levels of oestradiol and progesterone during the luteal phase. Conception rate was significantly higher in the HCG group. We conclude that HCG is superior to i.m. progesterone as luteal support in IVF cycles in which GnRHa is used in the ultrashort protocol.

Adult↗

A simplified preinduction scoring method for the prediction of successful vaginal delivery based on multivariate analysis of pelvic and other obstetrical factors.

Most of the popular preinduction scoring methods were created three decades ago, applied to selected populations and based on analysis of each factor separately. In order to overcome these limitations and to try and create a simple and reliable scoring method, 401 inductions of labor were analyzed. Failure was defined as delivery by cesarean section, regardless the indication. Results of multivariate analysis demonstrated that only two of the five factors used by Bishop's method were included (cervical dilatation and fetal head station). Gestational age and parity also constituted important factors and thus the new method incorporates these four factors. The variables among each factor were scored according to their relative risk, obtained from the analysis; dilatation 3 cm or more = 2, dilatation 1-2 cm = 1, fetal head station -1 cm or lower = 1, multiparity = 1, term delivery = 1, closed cervix = 0, station -2 cm or higher = 0, primiparity = 0 and non-term delivery = 0. Comparison of the suggested scoring method and Bishop's method demonstrated that in the low score category our method predicted more accurately cesarean section rate (44.7% and 27.6%, respectively). No difference was noted among the middle or high score groups. More studies among other populations may clarify whether our proposed method really overcomes other methods concerning simplicity, universality and predictability.

Birth Weight↗

Indomethacin and amniocentesis-induced changes in fetal flow velocity waveforms.

The effect of genetic amniocentesis on flow velocity waveforms in the fetal aorta and the umbilical artery, and fetal heart rate and their correlation with uterine contractions was examined in 75 pregnant women who underwent this procedure. Forty-three were untreated and 32 were pretreated with indomethacin. Median maternal age was 36 years and median gestational age was 18 weeks. The resistance index of waveforms from the fetal aorta was stable at 0.8 throughout the approximately 20-h study period in both groups, but the systolic/diastolic ratio in the umbilical artery increased significantly after amniocentesis in the untreated group, and remained stable in the treated group. Fetal heart rate remained at about 150 beats/min throughout all measurements in both groups. These findings indicate that genetic amniocentesis causes an increase in downstream resistance in the umbilical artery which, however, remains within normal limits. This mild fetoplacental response to amniocentesis can be suppressed by the administration of a potent prostaglandin inhibitor like indomethacin.

Journal Article↗

Methotrexate local injection for unruptured tubal pregnancy: an alternative to laparotomy?

Fifty-nine women with early unruptured tubal pregnancy were treated by a single local injection of methotrexate at laparoscopy. All 59 patients underwent the procedure without any adverse reaction, 47 (80%) of them needing no laparotomy. Twelve patients required a laparotomy for reasons such as rising beta-hCG levels and abdominal pain with or without rising levels of beta-hCG. Only one patient ruptured the tube. None of the women needed a blood transfusion. We found tubal patency in 19 out of 21 patients at follow up hysterosalpingography. Eleven pregnancies were subsequently reported, one of them tubal. The appearance of the injected tube was absolutely normal in three patients, one at cesarean section and two at repeated laparoscopy. No peritubal adhesions were observed. We suggest that this new technique is a safe and effective alternative to laparotomy in a patient with an early unruptured tubal pregnancy.

Adult↗

Hysteroscopic findings after missed abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relation of missed abortions and intrauterine pathology. DESIGN: A postabortal hysteroscopy was performed 8 to 12 weeks after a dilatation and curettage (D&C) for missed abortion. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel. PATIENTS: Sixty patients after a D&C for a missed abortion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The hysteroscopic appearance of the uterine cavity. RESULTS: Intrauterine adhesions occurred in only 10 patients (16.7%) with most of them of the mild type. A previous missed abortion was recorded in 60% of these cases. Uterine anomaly was found in one quarter of the cases, mainly an incomplete uterine septum. CONCLUSION: We believe that missed abortion does not predispose for intrauterine adhesions to the extent that was previously believed. A partial uterine septum is a major factor predisposing for the occurrence of missed abortion. Hysteroscopy after a missed abortion is an easy and efficient means for both identifying such uterine anomaly and excluding intrauterine adhesions.

Abortion, Missed↗

Diagnostic hysteroscopy: its value in an in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer unit.

A total of 324 patients participating in our in-vitro fertilization/embryo transfer (IVF) programme underwent a diagnostic hysteroscopy. Of these, 152 women were referred before their first IVF attempt, because of some hysterosalpingographic suspicion of an intra-uterine abnormality; the other 172 patients had failed to conceive after IVF and transfer of good quality embryos. An intra-uterine pathology (mainly intra-uterine adhesions) was diagnosed in 50% of the patients in each group. Hysterosalpingography, although very sensitive, had low specificity (23%), a false positive rate of 44% and false negative rate of 10%. The main risk factor for intra-uterine pathology was a previous abortion. Conception rates were 22% after surgical treatment and 38% after the diagnostic procedure. We think that hysteroscopy should be performed in every patient failing to conceive after replacement of good quality embryos. It is also recommended whenever a suspicious finding is revealed by hysterosalpingography, before IVF. Routine hysteroscopy before entering an IVF programme should be seriously considered.

Adult↗

Prerequisite work-up of the couple before in-vitro fertilization.

Prerequisite examinations, including immune status for rubella and hepatitis B antigens, cultures for Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasmas, Pap smear and hystersalpingogram were performed in 227 couples before their enrollment into an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programme. The examinations were completed in 187 couples. Immune status for rubella had already been documented in 45% of the women: of the remainder, 11 patients were not immune (6%). A screening test for hepatitis B antigens had already been documented in only 10% of the patients; eight of the remaining women (5%) were carriers of hepatitis B antigen. C. trachomatis and Mycoplasma hominis were each isolated from 14% of the patients and Ureaplasma urealiticum from 16%. Pap smears had been previously performed in only 35% of the enrolled women. Six (5%) of the 122 newly referred cases had cervical intra-epithelial dysplasia. In 21 (11%) cases some pathology in the uterine cavity was demonstrated. One patient conceived after diagnostic hysteroscopy; another two patients conceived following lysis of adhesions and before IVF treatment. The results of this study show the importance of the preparatory examinations before the IVF and embryo transfer procedure, and raise the medical and medico-legal aspects of this prerequisite work-up.

Adult↗

Fetal hydrocephalus associated with maternal neurofibromatosis.

Neurofibromatosis (NF), an autosomal dominant inherited disorder affecting multiple organ systems, is rare among pregnant women. NF in pregnancy has been reported to be complicated by maternal hypertension, fetal intrauterine growth retardation and fetal wastage. A case of pregnancy associated with neurofibromatosis, complicated by pregnancy aggravated chronic hypertension, asymmetric intrauterine growth retardation and fetal hydrocephalus is described. Possible interrelations between those pathologies are discussed.

Female↗

Triplet, quadruplet and quintuplet pregnancies. Management and outcome.

The management and outcome of 46 pregnancies, 37 triplets, 7 quadruplets and 2 quintuplets, were analysed. Management of pregnancies, initiated upon diagnosis of multiple pregnancy, included bed rest, beta-mimetic agents, dexamethasone late in the second trimester and selective cerclage. The mean gestational age at labor was 235 days in triplet pregnancies, 241 for quadruplets and 220 days for quintuplets. Fifty-four percent of the deliveries were by cesarean section and the remainder per vaginam. The mean weight of the neonates was 1809 g for the triplets, 1837 g for quadruplets and 1284 g for the quintuplets. The mean overall Apgar score was 8.13, total perinatal mortality 14.8% and 9.4% in cases more than 28 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference in the outcome for triplets born vaginally or by cesarean section. In recent years there has been a pronounced reduction in neonatal mortality, dropping from 17.3% during 1970-78 to 5.9% from 1979 to 1983 (p less than 0.05), probably due to the improved neonatal treatment.

Adult↗

Effects of induced menopause on Burch colposuspension for urinary stress incontinence.

The clinical and urodynamic short term results after colposuspension for urinary stress incontinence has been studied in a group of young patients in whom menopause was induced surgically and compared with a similarly treated group who did not undergo surgical castration. Clinically, no differences were found in the incidence of diurnal frequency, nocturia, urgency, urge incontinence or stress incontinence between the groups. No urodynamic changes in the cystometric, uroflowmetry and urethral pressure profile measurements were found post-operatively between the two groups. It is concluded that surgically induced menopause in the absence of aging has no effect on the results of colposuspension for urinary stress incontinence in the short term.

Adult↗

Clear ovarian cyst aspiration guided by vaginal ultrasonography.

Thirty patients with clear ovarian cysts underwent aspiration guided by vaginal ultrasound. In 23 cases a complete aspiration was accomplished. In 4 only partial aspiration was possible, and in the remaining 3 failed aspiration led to surgery. Histological findings correspond to retroperitoneal lipoma and mucinous cystadenoma (2 cases). Malignant cells were not detected in the fluid of any of the 27 aspirates. Eight of the ten patients presenting with abdominal pain experienced a relief following aspiration. Recurrence of the cyst occurred in 12 cases (40%) with significantly smaller dimensions (P less than 0.01). Vaginal ultrasound aspiration of clear cyst is easy and safe and can be considered as an outpatient procedure.

Adult↗

Nonsurgical management of tubal pregnancy. Necessity in view of the changing clinical appearance.

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is definitely increasing. Ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed earlier these days because of the improvement in diagnostic means and the increasing awareness of the condition. It seems that there is a dramatic change in the clinical presentation of this disease; it used to be a grave and life-threatening condition, and now it is a more benign presentation. The vast majority of the diagnosed ectopic pregnancies are unruptured. This has stimulated various investigators to attempt nonsurgical methods of treatment such as systemic administration of methotrexate or RU 486 (mifepristone) or local injection of methotrexate, potassium chloride, or prostaglandins under laparoscopic or ultrasonographic guidance. Most of these conservative, nonsurgical measures proved efficient in 80% to 90% of cases. Expectant management, which was practiced in some cases, proved to be equally successful. We believe that the ideal mode of treatment in early unruptured ectopic pregnancy is still to be determined. The answer probably lies in proper selection.

Dactinomycin↗