Biomedical subjects

Joseph B Lessing

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph B Lessing.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Surgical complications and medium-term outcome results of tension-free vaginal tape: a prospective study of 313 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective study was undertaken to examine the incidence of surgical complications and medium-term outcomes of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) surgery in a large, heterogeneous group of stress-incontinent women. METHODS: Surgery was tailored according to preoperative clinical and urodynamic findings: stress-incontinent women underwent TVT surgery, whereas those with concomitant urogenital prolapse underwent combined TVT and prolapse repair. Post-operatively the patients were scheduled for evaluation at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. All underwent urodynamics at 3 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirteen consecutive patients were prospectively studied. The mean follow-up period was 21.4 +/- 13.5 months. Sixteen (5.1%) cases of intravesical passage of the prolene tape occurred in our series, two of which were diagnosed at 3 and 15 months post-operatively. Eight (2.5%) patients had post-operative voiding difficulties, necessitating catheterization for more than 7 days. However, transvaginal excision of the tape was required in one case only. Vaginal erosion of the tape was diagnosed in four (1.3%) patients, all of whom were successfully treated by local excision of the eroded tape. Outcome analysis was restricted to 241 consecutive patients with at least 12 months of follow-up. Subjectively, 16 (6.6%) patients had persistent mild stress urinary incontinence, although urodynamics revealed asymptomatic sphincteric incontinence in 17 (7%) other patients. De-novo urge incontinence developed post-operatively in 20 (8.3%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The TVT procedure is associated with good medium-term cure rates, however, it is not free of troublesome complications and the patients should be informed accordingly. Only well-trained surgeons, familiar with pelvic anatomy, surgical alternatives, and endoscopic techniques should perform the operation.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Cesarean section: does it really prevent the development of postpartum stress urinary incontinence? A prospective study of 363 women one year after their first delivery.

AIMS: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in young women is usually the result of pelvic floor injury during vaginal delivery. Whether cesarean section delivery may prevent such injury is questionable. We undertook a prospective study to compare the prevalence of SUI among primiparae 1 year after spontaneous vaginal delivery versus elective cesarean section, or cesarean section performed for obstructed labor. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-three consecutive primiparae were recruited immediately after delivery and were followed for 1 year. Women were asked upon recruitment whether they had ever experienced SUI before pregnancy. Those who had SUI before pregnancy were excluded. Thus, only cases of de novo childbirth-associated SUI were analyzed. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the mode of delivery: spontaneous vaginal delivery (n = 145), elective cesarean section (n = 118), and cesarean section performed for obstructed labor (n = 100). Patients who underwent elective cesarean section were not given a trial of labor. Cesarean sections for obstructed labor were performed at a mean cervical dilatation of 8.7 +/- 1.6 cm and arrest of 184 +/- 24 min. Prevalence, frequency, and severity of postpartum SUI, as well as demographic and obstetric parameters, were analyzed in each subgroup. RESULTS: The three subgroups were comparable with respect to maternal age, weight, and height. Prevalence of postpartum SUI was similar after spontaneous vaginal delivery (10.3%) and cesarean section performed for obstructed labor (12%). However, SUI was significantly less common following elective cesarean section with no trial of labor (3.4%, P < 0.05). Approximately half of the symptomatic patients in each subgroup reported either moderate or severe symptoms, however, only 15-18% expressed their desire for further evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of postpartum SUI is similar following spontaneous vaginal delivery and cesarean section performed for obstructed labor. It is quite possible that pelvic floor injury in such cases is already too extensive to be prevented by surgical intervention. Conversely, elective cesarean section, with no trial of labor, was found to be associated with a significantly lower prevalence of postpartum SUI. Whether the prevention of pelvic floor injury should be an indication for elective cesarean section is yet to be established.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) for the treatment of occult stress urinary incontinence in women undergoing prolapse repair: a prospective study of 100 consecutive cases.

AIMS: Clinically continent women with genitourinary prolapse and occult stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are considered to be at high risk of developing symptomatic SUI once the prolapse is repaired. We studied the efficacy and safety of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure in preventing postoperative SUI in these women. METHODS: One hundred consecutive women (mean age 66.7 +/- 9.9 years) with significant genitourinary prolapse and occult SUI were prospectively enrolled. Preoperatively, none of the women complained of SUI. However, all had urodynamically-confirmed occult SUI, revealed by repositioning of the prolapse. Surgical intervention was comprised of transvaginal prolapse repair and prophylactic TVT procedure. Main outcome end points included operative morbidity, postoperative SUI, persistent or de novo urge incontinence, and voiding dysfunction. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 27 months (range: 12-52 months). There was only one case of technique-related bladder perforation with no adverse outcome. Two other patients had postoperative urinary retention necessitating catheterization for more than 7 days, none of whom required any surgical intervention. Vaginal erosion of the tape was diagnosed in three patients, all of whom were successfully treated by excision of the eroded tape. Two (2%) patients developed urodynamically-confirmed SUI within 1 year postoperatively. However, postoperative urodynamics revealed asymptomatic sphincteric incontinence in 15 (15%) other patients. Thirteen (72%) of 18 patients with preoperative urge incontinence had postoperative persistent urge incontinence. De novo urge incontinence developed postoperatively in 8 (8%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: TVT procedure is effective and safe in patients with occult SUI undergoing prolapse repair. Long-term durability of this procedure is yet to be established.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Successful transfer of frozen-thawed embryos obtained after subtotal colectomy for colorectal cancer and before fluorouracil-based chemotherapy.

Background. Fertility preservation is applied to patients with cancer who may be rendered sterile from chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Fluorouracil is considered as having almost no effect on human reproductive function, although clinical data defining infertility risk is negligible. Case. Controlled ovarian stimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo freezing were performed before fluorouracil-based chemotherapy in a 28-year-old woman who underwent subtotal colectomy for colorectal cancer (CRC). Three years later, when the clinical and hormonal analysis confirmed ovarian failure, two thawed embryos were transferred to the uterus. She gave birth at term to a 3200g infant. Discussion. Women with good prognosis who wish to bear children in the future should be offered fertility preservation options before chemotherapy, even if the likelihood of permanent ovarian failure appears to be negligible.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The diagnostic accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in patients with gynecological malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of integrated positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) in patients with gynecological cancer. METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive patients with gynecologic malignancies were included. The patients were referred to our tertiary center to undergo a PET/CT scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET/CT were compared with the conventional imaging assessments [CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US)]. RESULTS: All tested values were higher for PET/CT than those for the conventional modalities: sensitivity 0.97 vs. 0.40, specificity 0.94 vs. 0.65, PPV 0.97 vs. 0.70, and NPV 0.94 vs. 0.34, respectively. CONCLUSION: PET/CT is a reliable modality for assessing the extent of disease in patients with gynecologic malignancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Prospective randomized comparison of two embryo culture systems: P1 medium by Irvine Scientific and the Cook IVF Medium.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of two commercially available in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo culture media systems: the glucose-free P1 Medium supplemented with 20% synthetic serum substitute (SSS) (Irvine Scientific), and the Cook IVF Medium (Cook, Australia). METHODS: A prospective randomized study. Medical center-based IVF Unit affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine of Tel Aviv University. IVF patients were randomly assigned to either P1 Medium supplemented with 20% SSS (182 patients, 196 cycles) or Cook Medium (167 patients, 179 cycles). RESULTS: Fertilization rates were similar with both media (52.3 +/- 26.1 and 53.8 +/- 27.6, respectively). Likewise, no difference was found in morphological characteristics and grading of cultured embryos. However, a significantly higher proportion of the embryos incubated in the P1 Medium reached the four-cell stage on day 2 or the 6-cell stage on day 3 postfertilization, compared to those incubated in Cook Medium (54.3% vs. 41.9%, p < 0.0001). Clinical pregnancy and delivery rates were improved when oocytes and embryos were cultured in P1 Medium. Finally, Implantation rate was significantly higher in the P1 Medium Group (9.9% vs. 6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the P1 Medium may be associated with a higher embryo cleavage rate and improved implantation rates compared to the Cook IVF Medium.

Culture Media↗

PubMed2004

Increased rates of thrombophilia in women with repeated IVF failures.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether hereditary thrombophilia is more prevalent in women with recurrent IVF-embryo transfer failures. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in an academic tertiary care hospital and compared 45 women with a history of four or more failed IVF cycles (group A) with 44 apparently healthy women matched for age and ethnic origin (group B). All participants were tested for inherited thrombophilias: mutations of prothrombin, factor V Leiden and methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and protein C, protein S and antithrombin III deficiencies. RESULTS: Excluding homozygotic MTHFR, the incidence of thrombophilia in group A, was 26.7% compared with 9.1% in group B (P = 0.003; odds ratio 2.9; 95% confidence interval 1.02-8.4). The incidence of thrombophilia in women with unexplained infertility in group A was 42.9% (9/21), compared with 18.2% in group B (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that inherited thrombophilia may play a role in the aetiology of repeated IVF failures, particularly in the subgroup with unexplained fertility.

Antithrombin III Deficiency↗

PubMed2004

Renal blood flow alteration after paracentesis in women with ovarian hyperstimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate renal arterial resistance to flow by Doppler indices concurrently with ascites drainage in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. METHODS: We conducted an interventional clinical study of 19 women with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, manifested by free peritoneal fluid. The subjects were evaluated before and after therapeutic paracentesis by measuring urine output, blood urea nitrogen, intra-abdominal pressure, and renal artery flow measures by Doppler ultrasonography (systolic/diastolic ratio [S/D] and resistance index). RESULTS: An average of 3,340 mL of ascitic fluid was drained, and the intra-abdominal pressure decreased from 17.5 +/- 1.24 cm H2O to 10 +/- 1.22 cm H2O. Urine output was increased (by 65%, from 925 +/- 248 mL/d before paracentesis to 1,523 +/- 526 mL/d on the day after paracentesis, P <.001). The mean renal arterial S/D decreased from 3 +/- 0.15 to 2.29 +/- 0.13 (P =.001). Most of the decrease in intra-abdominal pressure as well as in renal vasculature resistance was apparent after an initial drainage of 2,000 mL. Additional fluid drainage had only negligible effect on intra-abdominal pressure and renal flow. CONCLUSION: Paracentesis lowered intra-abdominal pressure and decreased renal arterial resistance (lowered S/D and resistance index), ultimately resulting in increased urine production. It is plausible that the beneficial effects of paracentesis on urine output in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome are due to improved renal blood flow from a direct decompression effect.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Undiagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus in a cohort of infertile women.

PROBLEM: Systemic lupus erythematosous (SLE) is a chronic disease with a broad spectrum of clinical and immunological manifestations, therefore, this condition may be frequently misdiagnosed. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed SLE among a cohort of infertile women. METHOD OF STUDY: Screening was performed using sequential (two stage) testing, which included a self-completed questionnaire followed by an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test. The Liang screening questionnaire was distributed to 143 consecutive infertile patients, aged 24-42 years (mean, 33.6 +/- 4.7 years), who were receiving in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Patients who completed the questionnaire with three or more positive answers, were sent for ANA testing; those who tested positive (>or=1:40) were referred to the Clinical Immunology Unit for anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody test and clinical assessment. RESULTS: A total of 136 women (95.1%) completed the questionnaire. Thirteen patients (9.6%) answered yes to three or more questions. Of these, five patients (3.7%) were ANA-positive and two (1.5%) had undiagnosed SLE. CONCLUSIONS: A 1.5% prevalence of undiagnosed SLE was found in our cohort of infertile women. Additional investigations should be performed as to the role of SLE screening in infertile female population; a high-risk group with regard to ovulation induction treatments.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Perinatal outcome in women with severe pregnancy complications and multiple thrombophilias.

Hypercoagulability leading to placental thrombosis has been implicated in severe pregnancy complications. We compared the perinatal outcome in women with severe preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and severe abruptio placentae and multiple acquired and inherited thrombophilias (study group, n=22) to matched women with similar complications and single thrombophilia (control group, n=22). Gestational age at delivery and birth weight were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.01) and among the study women with severe preeclampsia and IUGR. Severe pregnancy complications may occur earlier during pregnancy and more seriously affect perinatal outcome in women with multiple thrombophilias.

Abruptio Placentae↗

PubMed2004

Accuracy of diagnosis of retained products of conception after dilation and evacuation.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine re-evacuation samples taken in cases of suspected residua after curettage are occasionally negative for gestational tissue. We aimed at evaluating the occurrence of such postcurettage re-evacuation-negative samples and at exploring factors that may influence their occurrence. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional comparative retrospective study of 69 consecutive women who underwent uterine re-evacuation for suspected postcurettage gestational remnants. Pathologic reports of samples drawn during re-evacuations were reviewed to determine whether the extracted tissue contained gestational tissue. The presence of factors that may influence the rate of a positive or negative sample (eg, sonographic findings, gestational age at initial procedure, and presenting symptom) was noted and compared between women with and without histologically verified remnants. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (41%) of the re-evacuation samples were histopathologically positive for gestational remnants. Residual tissue was more commonly found when the initial evacuation was performed at a more advanced gestational age (> 15 weeks). Women referred by emergency department attendants had significantly fewer positive samples. Normal expert sonographic examination practically excluded yielding samples. Conversely, no negative samples were preceded by sonographic reports mentioning residua. CONCLUSIONS: Most re-evacuation samples taken during a re-evacuation procedure for suspected residua are negative for gestational tissue. Parameters that are likely related to histologically confirmed gestational residual tissue are advanced gestational age at initial evacuation, level of the sonographer's skill, persistent bleeding as the presenting symptom, and a sonographic report specifically mentioning retained gestational tissue.

Abortion, Incomplete↗

PubMed2004

Cervical length in the early second trimester for detection of triplet pregnancies at risk for preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm triplet delivery is common and has a tremendous impact on neonatal mortality and morbidity. We aimed at assessing early second-trimester cervical length as a means of detecting triplet pregnancies at risk for preterm birth. METHODS: Cervical length was measured in triplet pregnancies during weeks 14 to 20. Cervical length of less than 25 mm was used as a cutoff to divide individuals into 2 groups. Perinatal outcome parameters were compared between the 2 groups and included gestational age at delivery, birth weights, and neonatal intensive care unit admission rates. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for cervical length as a screening method for preterm birth. RESULTS: We evaluated 36 triplets during weeks 14 to 20. Cervical length of less than 25 mm was measured in 14 (group I), 12 of which were delivered before 32 weeks (mean +/- SD, 28.4 +/- 3.1 weeks). Four of 22 women with cervical length of greater than 25 mm (group II) had delivery before 32 weeks (mean, 30.1 +/- 1.8 weeks). The mean gestational age at delivery for all parturients from group II was 33.1 +/- 2.1 weeks (P < .05). Group I neonates had lower birth weights (972 versus 1889 g; P < .001) and higher rates of low 5-minute Apgar scores and neonatal intensive care unit admissions compared with group II neonates. The sensitivity of a shorter cervix as a predictor of preterm labor was 75%, with specificity of 90%, a positive predictive value of 83%, and a negative predictive value of 81%. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical length of less than 25 mm at 14 to 20 weeks' gestation is associated with preterm delivery and adverse perinatal outcome in triplet pregnancies.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Early postpartum voiding dysfunction: incidence and correlation with obstetric parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and obstetric risk factors in early postpartum voiding dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred seventy-seven consecutive women in the early postpartum period were prospectively enrolled. Evaluation included history, physical examination, urinary questionnaire and non-invasive uroflowmetry measurements. Patients were interviewed regarding the presence and severity of voiding symptoms and were categorized into symptomatic versus asymptomatic subgroups. Obstetric parameters were compared in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients as well as in cases of decreased (< 15 mL/sec) versus normal maximum urinary flow rates. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five women (45% of the study population) hadearly postpartum voiding difficulties. Symptoms were significantly more common after vacuum extraction (38%) than spontaneous vaginal delivery (27%) or cesarean section (15%). The second stage of labor was significantly prolonged in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients (62+/-52 versus 47+/-48 minutes). Voided volume, maximum and average flow rates and continuous flow pattern were significantly decreased in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients. Twenty-eight patients (10%) demonstrated decreased (<15 mL/sec) maximum flow rates. The first stage of labor was significantly prolonged in these patients (9.7+/-5.8 versus 6.4+/-3.9 hours). Twenty-five patients (13%) gave birth to a neonate weighing > or =3,800 g. Maximum flow rates among these women were significantly decreased as compared to women with smaller infants (25.6+/-11 versus 32.9+/-19.2 mL/sec, respectively). CONCLUSION: Approximately 50% of patients complained of voiding difficulties in the immediate postpartum period. Main risk factors were prolonged first and second stages of labor, vacuum extraction and birth weight > or = 3,800 g. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine the significance of this clinically common entity.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Divalent cation levels in serum and preovulatory follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer.

In this controlled clinical study, we determined the serum and follicular fluid concentrations of the biologically active fractions of magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in 39 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo transfer (ET). Serum levels of ionized Ca (Ca2+) and ionized Mg (Mg2+) were measured during day 3 of the IVF cycle, on the day of ovum pickup and 12 days following ET. Follicular fluid levels were measured on the day of ovum pickup. Serum levels of Mg2+ decreased and Ca2+ levels increased during the IVF cycle. Mg levels were significantly higher in follicular fluid than in serum. Ca2+ and Mg2+ may play a role in the preovulatory follicle, a possibility that warrants further study.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

The significance of clinical signs and blood indices for the diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of clinical signs and blood indices for the diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy. SAMPLE: Of the 40,112 women delivering at our institution (January 1995 to June 2002), 38 women (0.094%) were operated due to the suspicion of appendicitis during pregnancy. METHODS: Body temperature, clinical examination, white blood cell counts and lag time from arrival to operation were obtained for each patient. All women were operated with the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis, and their appendices were removed and examined by a pathologist. RESULTS: Inflammatory appendix was discovered in 19 (0.047%) of the pregnancies with subsequent deliveries while a normal appendix was found in 19 of the 38 (50%) appendices removed. The group with normal appendix did not significantly differ from women with inflamed appendix with regard to gestational age at presentation, signs of peritoneal irritation, body temperature, leukocyte count, time elapsed between arrival and surgery, gestational age at delivery and birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: The accurate diagnosis of appendicitis during pregnancy is a difficult task requiring a very high level of suspicion and clinical skills and not merely relying upon laboratory and classic signs.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Ectopic pregnancies following emergency levonorgestrel contraception.

There are little or no data on the risk of ectopic pregnancy following levonorgestrel treatment as an emergency contraception. We encountered three cases of ectopic pregnancy following the use of levonorgestrel administered peri- or postovulation. Here we report these cases and discuss the clinical and epidemiologic implications of this association. Health providers should be alert to the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy in women who become pregnant or complain of lower abdominal pain after taking levonorgestrel.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Surrogate pregnancy in a patient who underwent radical hysterectomy and bilateral transposition of ovaries.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate IVF-surrogate pregnancy in a patient with ovarian transposition after radical hysterectomy for carcinoma of the cervix. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: A maternity hospital in Tel Aviv that is a major tertiary care and referral center. PATIENT(S): A 29-year-old woman who underwent Wertheim's hysterectomy for carcinoma of the uterine cervix and ovarian transposition before total pelvic irradiation. INTERVENTION(S): Standard IVF treatment, transabdominal oocyte retrieval, and transfer to surrogate mother. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Outcome of IVF cycle. RESULT(S): A twin pregnancy in the first cycle. CONCLUSION(S): This is the second reported case of controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval performed on a transposed ovary.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Effect of 1 week of oral hydration on the amniotic fluid index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of long-term (1-week) oral hydration on amniotic fluid volume in women with an amniotic fluid index (AFI) < 10th percentile. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective, nonrandomized, interventional study was conducted on 30 women with AFI < 10th percentile. Study inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy, well-established gestational age, intact membranes, no maternal complications (e.g., hypertension, cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism), no evidence of preeclampsia, no fetal structural malformations and no evidence of fetal distress. The women were instructed to drink at least 2L of water daily; their AFI was evaluated before and 1 week after the initiation of oral hydration. The study group was compared to a control group of 30 women matched for age and gestational age, with AFI > 10th and < 90th percentile. RESULTS: AFI increased from 8.1 +/- 0.73 (mean +/- SD) to 11.8 +/- 2.4 1 week later (P < .01) in 25 (83%) of the study subjects. The AFI was similar before and 1 week after oral hydration in all the controls. CONCLUSION: Long-term maternal oral hydration seems to significantly increase the AFI in selected women with reduced fluid and possibly prevents oligohydramnios.

Adult↗