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Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to record endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentrations in the second trimester amniotic fluid and compare these values in women who developed intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) later in pregnancy with those with uneventful pregnancies., Method: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 125 women in the second trimester of pregnancy. The levels of ET1 were measured by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay., Results: From the 125 women included in the study 12 had pregnancies that later developed IUGR and 88 had uneventful pregnancies. The ET1 concentration was significantly higher (P<0.005) in women who later developed IUGR than in normal pregnancy (106 pg/ml versus 64.7 pg/ml)., Conclusion: The amniotic fluid concentration of ET1 is elevated by the second trimester in women who later develop IUGR.

Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a late or emergency (salvage) cerclage after tissue reinforcement with Pelvicol natural implant, in preventing premature rupture of the fetal membranes and advancing pregnancy prolongation. A flat sheet of Pelvicol, a sterile acellular natural (porcine) implant was used in an emergency cerclage to reinforce the thin tissues of a widely dilated cervix in a 24 weeks' twin gestation with prolapsed unruptured membranes, without contractions, placental abruption, or intrauterine infection. The gestation was extended to 38 weeks without any complications. Two live healthy newborns were delivered by elective cesarean section due to a nonvertex/vertex presentation. The implant was found to be attached almost unaltered firmly on the outer surface of the membrane sac just opposite to the internal os. It seems that Pelvicol is safe and apparently protects by clothing the thinned, soft, and weak wall of a significantly dilated uterine cervix and the bulging or protruding gestational membranes. It also reinforces and strengthens the tissue thickness and resistance, rendering more accurate and safe the otherwise delicate and risky late cerclage. The technique gives hopes that it can help in pregnancy prolongation.

This randomized controlled blind prospective study is undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Seprafilm--a novel bioresorbable membrane of chemically modified hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose--in prevention and reduction of postoperative endometrial and endocervical synechiae formation after general suction evacuation or curettage for incomplete, missed, and recurrent abortion. In total, 150 patients with incomplete or missed abortion participated in the clinical study. The study population was divided into two main groups. In the treatment (Seprafilm) group (n=50), application of Seprafilm membrane in the endometrial cavity and the cervical canal was used after the suction evacuation and/or the curettage. In the control group (n=100), nothing was inserted in the uterus. Both groups were divided into two subgroups: patients who had no previous suction or curettage, (with no previous D&C) (n=88), and patients who had at least one previous suction or curettage (with one or more previous D&C) (n=62). In the treatment (Seprafilm) group, 32 patients had no previous D&C and 18 patients had one or more previous D&C. In the control group, 56 patients had no previous D&C and 44 patients had one or more previous D&C. Further fertility was estimated by pregnancy success in all groups. Endometrial synechiae formation was evaluated with the use of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in patients of all groups without pregnancy success 8 months after the intervention. Registering any adverse reaction and performing ultrasound controls assessed the safety of Seprafilm use. From the subgroup with no previous D&C, all 32 patients (100%) who received Seprafilm had a pregnancy in the following 8 months; in the controls, pregnancy occurred only in 54%. It was also demonstrated with hysterosalpingography (HSG) that patients with one or more previous interventions and no pregnancy 8 months later were adhesion free in 90% of the patients where Seprafilm was used, and only 50% in the untreated group. The membrane was tested on the endometrial area of the uterus and did not produce any adverse reaction. Ultrasound controls did not show any abnormal echoes. Intrauterine insertion of Seprafilm is safe, prevents the appearance of endocervical adhesions or endometrial synechiae after curettage, and reduces the area of the endometrial cavity occupied by them in a large percent of cases. It also seems that its use improves the possibility of a new pregnancy and fertility., (Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)