The IUCD--Is it an acceptable option for the adolescent?
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Sari Kives.
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Separate crossover studies compared the bioavailability of oral vs. vaginal routes of administration for the Yuzpe (n=5) and levonorgestrel regimens (n=4) of emergency contraception. Twice the standard dose of the Yuzpe regimen (200 microg of ethinyl estradiol, 1000 microg of levonorgestrel) or the levonorgestrel regimen (1500 microg of levonorgestrel) was self-administered vaginally. One week later, each subject received orally the standard dose of the assigned medication. Serial blood samples were collected over 24 h and assayed for levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (for the Yuzpe regimen only). Paired t tests were used to compare oral vs. vaginal administration for maximum concentration (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax) and area under the curve over 24 h (AUC0-24). Relative bioavailability (vaginal/oral) was derived from AUC0-24. Vaginal administration of double the standard dose of the Yuzpe regimen resulted in a lower Cmax (vaginal=5.4 vs. oral=14.6 ng/mL, p=.038) and a later Tmax (5.9 vs. 2.0 h, p=.066) for levonorgestrel, compared to oral administration. Corresponding ethinyl estradiol concentrations were higher (786 vs. 391 pg/mL, p=.039) and peaked later (4.0 vs. 1.9 hr, p=.154) with vaginal administration. Relative bioavailabilities for levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol were 58% and 175%, respectively. Similarly, vaginal administration of the levonorgestrel regimen resulted in a lower Cmax (vaginal=5.4 vs. oral=15.2 ng/mL, p=.006) and a later Tmax (7.4 vs. 1.3 h, p=.037) for levonorgestel, compared to oral administration. The relative bioavailability was 62%. Our preliminary data suggest that vaginal administration of these emergency contraception regimens appears to require at least three times the standard oral dose to achieve equivalent systemic levonorgestrel concentrations.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the physiologic effects of vaginally and orally administered emergency contraception. DESIGN: Prospective, open-label, crossover study. SETTING: University research center. PATIENT(S): Nine regularly menstruating volunteers. INTERVENTION(S): Five subjects received 1,000 microg of levonorgestrel with 200 microg of ethinyl E2 (twice the standard Yuzpe regimen dose) vaginally, and the standard Yuzpe regimen dose orally 1 week later. Four subjects received 1,500 microg of levonorgestrel (twice the standard Plan B regimen dose) vaginally and received the standard Plan B dose orally 1 week later. Serum samples were obtained at baseline and at frequent intervals after each dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum gonadotropin, hepatic globulin, and androgen levels measured at baseline, at the time of peak levonorgestrel, and 24 hours later. RESULT(S): Gonadotropin, hepatic globulin, and androgen levels were suppressed to a similar degree among the four regimens, with a return to baseline levels after 24 hours. CONCLUSION(S): We conclude that high doses of levonorgestrel found in emergency contraception regimens lead to a transient direct suppression of gonadotropin, hepatic globulin, and androgen levels. This effect is similar after vaginal and oral administration of emergency contraception. Therefore, the vaginal route of administration of emergency contraception regimens may be as efficacious as the oral route.
OBJECTIVE: To compare serum müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) concentrations in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or normal menstrual cycles. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University department of obstetrics and gynecology. PATIENT(S): Thirty-one girls (12-18 years old) with PCOS and 17 girls (12-19 years old) with normal menstrual cycles. INTERVENTION(S): Serum was collected from girls with PCOS or normal cycles during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, stored frozen until assayed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum levels of MIS, E2, free-T, androstenedione, LH, and FSH. RESULT(S): Serum MIS levels in girls with PCOS were significantly higher compared with normal girls (4.1 +/- 2.2 [SD] and 2.4 +/- 1.0 ng/mL, respectively). The subjects were stratified for body mass index (BMI) (< and >25 kg/m2). Serum MIS levels in PCOS girls (4.2 +/- 3.0 ng/mL [BMI <25 kg/m2] and 4.0 +/- 1.6 [BMI >25 kg/m2]) were significantly higher compared with normal girls (2.2 +/- 0.8 and 2.6 +/- 0.7 ng/mL, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Adolescent girls with PCOS have significantly higher serum MIS levels compared with normally cycling girls. Serum MIS levels in PCOS were not influenced by BMI. Increased MIS production may represent an early manifestation of the disease.
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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Canadian women' s knowledge of the risks, benefits and side effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) and the effect of counseling. STUDY DESIGN: Six-hundred and forty-nine Canadian women filling an OC prescription at Shopper's Drug Mart stores completed the survey. Respondents recorded whether or not they had discussed 12 separate issues about OC use with their healthcare provider. Optimal responses to multiple-choice questions were compared between those reporting counseling to those reporting no counseling, using Fisher's Exact Tests. Women were also questioned on what they were told about associated cancer risks. RESULTS: Eighty percent or more of the women selected the optimal response for the questions relating to dysmenorrhea, leg pain and co-medication. Less than half of survey respondents identified the optimal response for nausea, breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, acne, headaches and weight change. Counseling made a significant impact on selection of the optimal response for 7 of the 12 questions (p < 0.004, adjusted significance level). Fifty-two percent indicated that they did not know what they were told about the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer when on the pill. A significant proportion of women said they would phone their physician for relatively minor problems such as breakthrough bleeding (65%), breast tenderness (55%) and acne (54%). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge level of Canadian women on the pill regarding risks, benefits and side effects of the pill remains deficient in several key areas. Adequate counseling by healthcare providers can help women recognize the pill's positive health benefits, and may result in fewer unnecessary physician contacts and unwanted pregnancies.
BACKGROUND: Vesicouterine fistula is a rare complication of Caesarean delivery. This is the third known report of vesicouterine fistula diagnosed during pregnancy. CASE: Linda (pseudonym), a 28-year-old woman in her second pregnancy, having had a Caesarean delivery in her first pregnancy, was admitted to the delivery unit with possible preterm ruptured membranes at 23 weeks' gestation. She also complained of a fluid-filled sac bulging from her introitus during her admission assessment. Diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes was confirmed by a positive nitrazine paper test and appearance of ferning during microscopic evaluation of vaginal fluid. Cystoscopy, performed 3 days after admission, demonstrated ballooning of amnion into the bladder. At 24 weeks' gestation, the woman had a precipitous vaginal breech delivery. Two months later, the fistula was successfully repaired through a transabdominal route. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon in pregnancy, vesicouterine fistula should be considered in women who present with urinary incontinence or recurrent urinary tract infections after a lower transverse Caesarean section. Evaluation in pregnancy is usually limited to cystoscopy. Treatment is usually surgical and is often delayed until 2 to 3 months following delivery.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between adverse outcomes in twin pregnancies and preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM). A chart review of 246 consecutive twin pregnancies with confirmed PPROM was conducted. Regression analysis (beta [natural log of the odds ratio] and odds ratio [OR]) was performed to identify independent predictors. Two hundred and forty-six twin pregnancies, 492 liveborns, and 20 neonatal deaths. Mean (SD) PPROM gestational age (GA): 31.3 (3.8) wk; delivery GA: 32.0 (3.3) wk. PPROM < 30 wk was associated with increased parity (OR: 2.66), and log (admission leukocyte count) (OR: 9.99). Shortened latency was associated with PPROM GA (beta = -0.17) and chorioamnionitis (beta = 0.95). Neonatal sepsis was predicted by lower delivery GA (OR: 2.04). Adverse perinatal outcomes were protected against by older GA at PPROM (OR 0.53) and shortened latency (OR 0.73). It was concluded that increased leukocytosis and parity implies an infectious aetiology in earlier PPROM. Increased risk for neonatal sepsis at earlier delivery GA is consistent with gestation-dependent fetal immunocompetence. Early PPROM and long latencies were associated with increased adverse perinatal outcomes.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: The value of a cadaver training program in laparoscopic surgery has rarely been studied. As there is a dearth of cadaver training programs, it is important to evaluate them. The goal of this study was to estimate if our cadaver training program significantly and relatively rapidly taught residents laparoscopic surgical skills. DESIGN: Observational, timed comparative study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: University of Louisville School of Medicine, Fresh Tissue Laboratory, Louisville, KY. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine obstetric/gynecology residents (15 postgraduate year PGY 2 and 14 PGY 3) participated in the study. INTERVENTION: During 5 half days, we compared the performance of each postgraduate year (PGY) 2 and PGY 3 obstetric/gynecology resident to his or her own results on five outcome skills before and after training in lightly embalmed cadavers. The testing was performed at the beginning and at the end of the week so that all improvement was secondary only to the training experience with the cadaver. Residents were assessed using laparoscopic techniques in a physical-reality simulator for three outcomes: bead transfer time, number of beads transferred, and suturing time on a stuffed vinyl glove and in two specific areas of the cadaver pelvis, with one slightly more difficult than the other. Assessment of suturing time was made on the two distinct tasks using the embalmed cadavers. Although the number of residents was relatively small, it covered two levels for one year. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The residents were assessed on a simulator before and after laparoscopic surgical training on the cadaver. The median decrease in bead transfer time (task I, simulator) was 38.5 seconds (p=.02); 69% of the residents showed some reduction in time to complete this task. The median increase in the number of beads transferred (task II, simulator) was 2.5 beads (p=.0001); 72.4% of the residents transferred at least one more bead after training. The median decrease in suture time (task III, simulator) was 63.5 seconds (p=.001); 79.3% of the residents performed this task more quickly after training. The median decrease in suture time (task IV, cadaver) was 54.5 seconds (p=.001); 72.4% of the residents showed improved performance on this task after training. The median reduction in suture time (task V, cadaver) was 53.5 seconds (p<.001); 82.8% of the residents completed this task more quickly after training. CONCLUSIONS: This cadaver surgical training program appeared to significantly improve laparoscopic surgical techniques in PGY 2 and PGY 3 obstetric/gynecology residents in a relatively short time. This model teaches residents specific training in the handling and manipulation of tissue as well as practice in surgical techniques for adnexal surgery, pelvic dissection, laparoscopic hysterectomy, and dissection within the space of Retzius that is not possible with mechanical trainers.
BACKGROUND: Simulation is the most effective and safe way to train laparoscopic surgeons in an era of limited work hours, lack of funding, and increasing malpractice costs. However, the costs associated with the use of virtual reality simulators are significant, and although very technically sophisticated they still lack tactile feedback. We are proposing a physical reality simulator, the LTS 2000, as a reliable and effective alternative to virtual reality. This study was carried out to establish how reliably the simulator was able to differentiate between different levels of laparoscopic experience and to analyze the detection of skills improvement after simulation and clinical training. METHODS: This study was carried out, between July 2002 and August 2003, in the departments of Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology at 2 separate institutions. We enrolled 40 individuals in the study who had experience ranging from postgraduate year-1 to full-time faculty level. Five postgraduate year-3 residents were subsequently retested after rotating on clinical services, performing advanced laparoscopic procedures to assess whether the simulator was sensitive enough to detect improvements in laparoscopic skills at the intermediate level. Six tasks were included in the test, and they were scored for speed and precision with the McGill system. Two scores were obtained: a coordination score and a suturing score combined in a total score. Other variables analyzed were handedness, specialty, number of laparoscopic procedures performed, and hours spent on the simulator. RESULTS: Forty-five tests were performed. The number of subjects in each group based on level of experience was equally distributed. No difference occurred in scores between institutions, specialty, and right- or left-handed surgeons. A significant increase occurred in the coordination score and suturing score combined in the total score with increasing experience (P < 0.05) at each level. Furthermore, the simulator was sensitive enough to detect a significant difference in all 3 scores between subjects who had practiced with the simulator before being tested (P < 0.05). The scores of the 5 postgraduate year-3 participants doubled when tested, without reaching statistical significance due to the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the LTS 2000 reliably and reproducibly detects different levels of laparoscopic expertise and progression of the learning curve. LTS 2000 as a model of physical reality simulation should be considered a reliable alternative to virtual reality simulation.