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Biomedical subjects

M Herlicoviez

Publications and source records attributed to M Herlicoviez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Laparoscopic management of pelvic mass in pregnancy].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility, safety and limiting factors of laparoscopic management of pelvic mass in pregnancy. MATERIAL: and methods. During a 10-year period, 21 laparoscopic procedures were performed in patients with pelvic masses in pregnancy after exclusion of appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy. Laparoscopic surgery was done during the first trimester of pregnancy in 8 cases, the second trimester in 12 cases and the third trimester in one case. All the procedures were performed with general anesthesia and the laparoscopic cystectomies were performed with the intraperitoneal technique. RESULTS: The indications were: persistent or sonographically abnormal ovarian cyst (12 cases), torsion of ovarian cyst (5 cases), and symptomatic pelvic mass (4 cases: 2 painful cysts and 2 infarction of fibroma). One borderline tumor were discovered. The laparoscopic procedure could not be performed in two cases due to difficulty of access to the lesion. No patient encountered complications during the intra- and post-operative periods. The mean hospital stay was 4.5 days. The outcome of the pregnancy was normal in all cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of pelvic masses in pregnancy by an experienced team, is a safe and effective procedure.

Adult↗

[A rare complication of vomiting in pregnancy: Wernicke's encephalopathy].

Gayet-Wernicke syndrome is a rare neurological pathology due to a deficit in vitamin B1. It occurs in alcoholics but several reports have been published of cases in a context of intractable vomiting. The frequency is probably under-estimated because there have been many cases described at autopsy. The diagnosis is clinical with the triad (found in 60% of cases) of mental confusion, oculomotor disorders and ataxia. MRI can confirm the diagnosis by hyper signal images most frequently in a peri-acqueductal location, the thalamus and mamillary bodies. We report 3 observations of Gayet-Wernicke encephalopathy discovered in a context of hyperemesis gravidarum. These 3 cases, which occurred within the past two years in the West of France, give us the opportunity to assess 3 different outcomes for this pathology. In a second section we review the main publications in the literature. Hyperemesis gravidarum is a frequent pathology and can be the cause of serious neurological complications. Early vitamin supplementation should be instituted in case of severe vomiting in order to ensure the pregnancy can continue together with the mother's well-being.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Comparative efficacy of vaginal insert and dinoprostone gel for cervical ripening at term in current practice].

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficiency for slow release vaginal insert and vaginal gel in current practice. METHODS: This retrospective historical study included 171 women: 85 with vaginal insert (Propess, Ferring) and 86 with vaginal gel (Prostine 2mg, Pharmacia). Inclusion criterion were Bishop score 5, singleton pregnancy, vertex presentation, unruptured membranes, and patients with only one prior cesarean delivery were not excluded. Indications for cervical ripening were post-term pregnancy, maternal or fetal pathologies, convenience. The outcomes were vaginal delivery within 12 and 24 hours, cesarean section rate, mean time to delivery, uterine hyperstimulation rate and cost. The statistical analysis was done with Pearson chi2, Student test exact Fisher and U Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Comparing vaginal insert to vaginal gel, no significant differences appeared for vaginal delivery by 24 hours (53% versus 58%), cesarean section (17.6% versus 19.7%) and mean time to delivery (23.8h versus 22.4h). Labor induction rate within the primipara subgroup was significantly reduced with vaginal gel (39% versus 63.6%; p=0.03) but the rate and time of vaginal delivery were similar. In the same population, the rate of uterine hyperstimulation was higher (9.8% versus 0%; p=0.05) with vaginal gel. Cost of treatment was lowered with vaginal insert. CONCLUSION: The dinoprostone vaginal insert for cervical ripening seems to have the same efficiency as vaginal 2mg gel. The cost of treatment appears to be lower, probably because only a single dose is necessary. Use of prostaglandine gel after vaginal insert is not accepted as a gold standard for cervical ripening though our conclusions only concern this retrospective study.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

[Antenatal diagnosis and management of vein of Galen aneurysm: review illustrated by a case report].

Vein of Galen aneurysm is a rare vascular congenital malformation. We report an antenatal diagnosis with duplex Doppler at 26 weeks gestation. Magnetic resonance imaging was used before and after delivery in order to determine neurological prognosis. The neonatal prognosis is poor if fetal cardiac insufficiency or cerebral lesions are present antenatally. Premature delivery does not improve the neonatal outcome. When the aneurysm is not life threatening, embolization of the malformation is at best delayed five months after birth.

Adolescent↗

[Comparison of women's alcohol consumption before and during pregnancy. A prospective series of 150 women].

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the prevalence of prenatal alcohol exposure in relation with declared alcohol consumption (DAC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational prospective study based on the DAC of 150 women in post-partum or hospitalized for abnormal pregnancies. The main selection criterion was change in DAC before and during pregnancy, classified according to alcohol use and misuse limits. Excessive alcohol intake was defined as more than 4 glasses on occasion and/or more than 14 glasses a week. Age and professional position were also taken into account. Data were obtained using semi-directive interviews. RESULTS: 79% of these women drank before pregnancy. 33.2% of them had excessive intake. Consumption of more than 14 glasses a week concerned 10% of the population. Excessive consumptions on occasion significantly affected 33% of the population. During pregnancy, 43% of these women continued drinking. Overall excessive intake, which is noxious for children, concerned 9.9% of the women. 5% declared a regular misuse above 14 glasses a week and 7% of them consumed more than 4 glasses on occasion. The average age was 29.8 years. Most of the women (61%) had a stable job. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms alcohol consumption by women, even during pregnancy. Consumptions of pregnant women is decreasing progressively. DAC is very useful to evaluate alcohol intake.

Adult↗

[Complications of vacuum extractor deliveries].

OBJECTIVES: To describe maternal and neonatal complications following deliveries assisted by vacuum extraction and to compare outcomes with those obtained after spontaneous vaginal delivery. We wanted to know if vacuum extractor was a risk factor by itself. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of two years activity involving 4524 deliveries of which 845 (18.7%) were vacuum extractor assisted. We precisely defined maternal and neonatal complications to compare their rates in spontaneous vaginal delivery and vacuum extractor groups. RESULTS: There were 1333 maternal complications and 114 neonatal complications. The adjusted risks of maternal complications were significantly higher in the vacuum extractor group for simple vaginal tears (OR=3.0; p<0.001), the simple perineal tears (OR=1.8; p<0.001) and third degree perineal tears (OR=2.7; p<0.01). For neonatal complications, the difference was significant for cephalhematomas (OR=10; p<0.001) and scalp abrasions (OR=53; p<0.001). No cases of skull fracture or subgaleal subaponeurotic hemorrhage were recorded. CONCLUSION: Our rates of maternal and neonatal complications after vacuum extractor were similar to those described in the literature. We have been able to show that vacuum extraction is itself a risk factor for third degree perineal tears and cephalhematoma. However, these complications are so infrequent that the advantages of this method of extraction argue in favor of wide use in obstetrics.

Birth Injuries↗

[Medical treatment of early spontaneous miscarriages: a prospective study of outpatient management using misoprostol].

OBJECTIVES: Medical treatment using misoprostol has been recommended as an alternative to surgical evacuation for spontaneous miscarriages in the first trimester, in order to avoid anesthesia, a surgical operation and hospitalization. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and the safety of vaginal misoprostol in out-patient management of early miscarriages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study including patients with a spontaneous miscarriage of less than 14 weeks gestation. Exclusion criteria were hemorrhagic miscarriages, gestational sac larger than 40 mm and/or cranio-caudal length of the embryo of more than 30 mm. Our protocol used 4 intravaginal tablets (800 microg) of misoprostol on Day 1, out-patient follow-up, clinical and ultrasound reassessment on Day 2. If the intra-uterine antero-posterior diameter on ultrasound examination was greater than 15 mm (or the gestational sac persisted), a second dose of misoprostol was administered or surgical evacuation was performed (failure of medical treatment). RESULTS: One hundred two patients were included, of whom 30 had an inevitable or threatened miscarriage and 72 had a missed abortion. The success rate defined by complete expulsion of the products of conception without resorting to surgical evacuation and without short-term complications, was 78.4% (80 patients). Two patients were lost to follow-up at 48 hours. Complete expulsion occurred within 2 days in 94% of cases. There were 13 emergency consultations, including 8 for expulsion pain and five surgical evacuations (3 for hemorrhagic expulsion, 2 for hemorrhagic retention). All together, there were 15 surgical evacuations for retention of the products of conception after 1 or 2 doses of misoprostol. There was one case of endometritis (1%). Thirty-four patients were hospitalized, 22 for surgical evacuation and 12 for expulsion pain. CONCLUSION: It is possible to use misoprostol as a single vaginal dose (800 microg) as out-patient treatment, since it gives satisfactory efficacy (80%) and is sufficiently safe (5% needing emergency surgery). However, out-patient management should only be performed after explaining the treatment and its risks clearly to the patient.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

[Obstetrical complications of morbid obesity].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether morbidly obese women have an increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse perinatal outcome. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 2472 women with morbid obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) more than 40 were compared with normal weight women (BMI 20-25). Fisher and Student tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the group of morbidly obese mothers (BMI greater than 40) as compared with the normal weight mothers, there was an increased risk of the following outcomes: gravidic hypertension (7.7 vs 0.5%; p<0.05). preeclampsia (11.5 vs 2%; p<0.05), gestational diabetes (15.4 vs 1.8%; p<0.05), cesarean delivery (50 vs 15.4%; p<0.05), and macrosomia (42.3 vs 10.3%; p<0.05). However, we noted a lower rate of prematurity in the obese group (0 vs 11%). Even when morbidly obese women with preexisting diabetes and chronic hypertension were excluded from the analysis, significant differences in the perinatal outcomes still persisted. CONCLUSION: Morbid obesity appears to be an independent risk factor for perinatal and gestational complications.

Adult↗

Role of anxiety and depression in the onset of spontaneous preterm labor.

The aim of this cohort study conducted in France in 1997-1998 was to investigate the effects of antenatal anxiety and depression on spontaneous preterm labor. A consecutive series of 634 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies was included. Anxiety and depression were assessed using self-administered questionnaires: Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Edinburgh depression scale. Depression scores were dichotomized with a cutoff value suggestive of major depression. The 75th percentile was used for anxiety scores. A logistic regression analysis, controlling for sociodemographic and biomedical factors and including interaction terms, revealed that depression was positively associated with the outcome among underweight women, defined as women with a prepregnancy body mass index below 19 (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 6.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8, 26.2). A similar result was observed for trait anxiety in women with a history of preterm labor (adjusted OR = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.1, 20.4). The association was close to significance for state anxiety in women with vaginal bleeding (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 0.9, 14.7). These findings show that anxiety and depression, when combined with specific biomedical factors, are associated with spontaneous preterm labor. A synergic action of psychological and biomedical factors on the secretion of placental corticotropin-releasing factor is hypothesized.

Adolescent↗

[Iniencephaly and early prenatal diagnosis].

Iniencephaly is a rare malformation of the base of the skull. The brain is involved and prognosis is almost invariably lethal. Diagnosis is now possible with morphologic ultrasound, and lead to propose induced abortion. We describe a new case report with early prenatal diagnosis that allowed induced abortion at the term of 14 weeks.

Adult↗

[Placental chorioangioma, value of ultrasonography: report of two cases].

Placental chorioangioma is the most frequent benign vascular placental tumor, and the prenatal diagnosis can be made by ultrasound. With color flow and pulsed doppler, ultrasound is helpful for the follow-up and the prognosis of this tumour associated with severe maternal and fetal consequences.

Adult↗

[Predictive value of non-automated spermatic parameters and automated kinetic parameters on cleavage rate in fertilization in vitro].

The aim of this work was to determine retrospectively in 114 couples the predictive value of semen analysis for the in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome when sperm evaluation before IVF was assessed by either conventional parameters or a Hamilton-Thorne automated motility analyser. A backward logistic regression analysis was used to study the relative contribution of each conventional or computerized parameter. Computerized sperm values were the worst index for predicting oocyte fertilization. However a tight relationship between morphology and cleavage ratio was observed. Using ROC analysis, under a 18% threshold, cleavage failure was noted in 71% of couples undergoing an IVF program. This study indicates that morphology is the best parameter for predicting cleavage failure.

Adult↗

Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of a twinning epigastric heteropagus.

Epigastric heteropagus is a rare type of conjoined twinning which results from an ischemic atrophy of one fetus at an early stage of gestation. We present what we believe to be the first case diagnosed antenatally at 22 weeks' gestation. The pelvis and lower limbs of the ischemic fetus (the parasite) were attached to the epigastrium of the well-developed fetus (the autosite), which had a small omphalocele. Antenatal sonography provided an accurate diagnosis, enabling unnecessary abortion to be avoided.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[A rare case of epigastric heteropagus twinning].

Epigastric heteropagus is a very rare form of conjoined twins. It results from an ischemic atrophy of the body structure of the monozygotic conjoined twins at an early gestational age. Diagnosis is made by prenatal echography which must look for congenital heart disease associated in 28% of epigastric heteropagus. Cesarean section is indicated to prevent for mechanical dystocia. The autosite component of epigastric heteropagus can successfully be treated with early minor surgery. Autosite twin survival is good. Discussion with the family is important to avoid needless terminations. We report a rare prenatal diagnosis of epigastric parasitic twinning in which the parasite had pelvis with lower limbs. At birth, the autosite had omphalocele containing only bowel loops from the parasite.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Laparoscopic promontofixation feasibility study in 44 patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic promontofixation. MATERIAL: and methods. Forty patients between 1993 and 1999 were scheduled for a laparoscopic promontofixation. Fifteen of these patientes had a previous cure of prolapse with recurrence. Three patients had a "universal jointcervix" syndrome (Masters and Allen). RESULTS: We observed no recurrence of the prolapse after an average follow-up of 18.6 months. The peroperatoire complication rate is 9%, and the postoperative complication rate is 9% too. 4.5% of the patients had to undergo a laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic promontofixation is feasible with good results in the cure of genital prolapse. Laparoscopy is performing the same procedure as the open technique with the advantages of the minimal invasive surgery.

Adult↗