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ObjectivesThe safety of cesarean myomectomy has been proven by previous studies. Our study aimed to reveal the long-term perinatal, obstetric, and surgical outcomes of cesarean myomectomy (CM) by comparing different CM techniques.Material and methodsThis retrospective multicentric case–control study involved 7 hospitals and included 226 singleton pregnancies that underwent repeated cesarean section (CS) between 2015 and 2020. Among these pregnancies, 113 of 226 cases had CM (Group A), and 113 had only CS (Group B). Of the 113 cases in which CM was performed, 58 underwent endometrial myomectomy (EM) (Subgroup A1) and 55 underwent serosal myomectomy (SM) (Subgroup A2). The groups were compared in terms of obstetric, perinatal, and surgical outcomes, and fibroid recurrence, myomectomy scar healing rate, and adhesion formation were noted.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the groups in terms of maternal age, body mass index, gravidity, parity, and fibroid diameter in previous CS (p > 0.05). In the perinatal and obstetric evaluation of the groups, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of neonatal weight, Apgar score, fetal growth restriction, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, hypertension in pregnancy, and diabetes mellitus (p > 0.05). The fibroid recurrence rate was 28.3%, and the myomectomy scar good healing rate was 99.1%. There was no difference between the groups in terms of CS duration, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels, perioperative blood transfusion rates, febrile morbidity, and prolonged hospitalization (p > 0.05). In terms of adhesion formation, although the adhesion rate of the SM group was higher than that of the EM group, no statistically significant difference was detected between the groups.ConclusionThis study showed that in pregnancies following CM, obstetrical, perinatal, and surgical outcomes were unaffected. Obstetricians can safely use CM, either the trans-endometrial or serosal technique, as it is a safe and effective method with long-term results.

Asynclitism, a misalignment of the fetal head with respect to the plane of passage through the birth canal, represents a significant obstetric challenge. High degrees of asynclitism are associated with labor dystocia, difficult operative delivery, and cesarean delivery. Despite its clinical relevance, the diagnosis of asynclitism and its influence on the outcome of labor remain matters of debate. This study analyzes the role of the degree of asynclitism (AD) in assessing labor progress and predicting labor outcome, focusing on its ability to predict intrapartum cesarean delivery (ICD) versus non-cesarean delivery. The study also aims to assess the performance of the AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Dystocia Algorithm) algorithm in integrating AD with other ultrasound parameters for predicting labor outcome. This retrospective study involved 135 full-term nulliparous patients with singleton fetuses in cephalic presentation undergoing neuraxial analgesia. Data were collected at three Italian hospitals between January 2014 and December 2020. In addition to routine digital vaginal examination, all patients underwent intrapartum ultrasound (IU) during protracted second stage of labor (greater than three hours). Four geometric parameters were measured using standard 3.5 MHz transabdominal ultrasound probes: head-to-symphysis distance (HSD), degree of asynclitism (AD), angle of progression (AoP), and midline angle (MLA). The AIDA algorithm, a machine learning-based decision support system, was used to classify patients into five classes (from 0 to 4) based on the values of the four geometric parameters and to predict labor outcome (ICD or non-ICD). Six machine learning algorithms were used: MLP (multi-layer perceptron), RF (random forest), SVM (support vector machine), XGBoost, LR (logistic regression), and DT (decision tree). Pearson’s correlation was used to investigate the relationship between AD and the other parameters. A degree of asynclitism greater than 70 mm was found to be significantly associated with an increased rate of cesarean deliveries. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a weak to very weak correlation between AD and AoP (PC = 0.36, p < 0.001), AD and HSD (PC = 0.18, p < 0.05), and AD and MLA (PC = 0.14). The AIDA algorithm demonstrated high accuracy in predicting labor outcome, particularly for AIDA classes 0 and 4, with 100% agreement with physician-practiced labor outcome in two cases (RF and SVM algorithms) and slightly lower agreement with MLP. For AIDA class 3, the RF algorithm performed best, with an accuracy of 92%. AD, in combination with HSD, MLA, and AoP, plays a significant role in predicting labor dystocia and labor outcome. The AIDA algorithm, based on these four geometric parameters, has proven to be a promising decision support tool for predicting labor outcome and may help reduce the need for unnecessary cesarean deliveries, while improving maternal-fetal outcomes. Future studies with larger cohorts are needed to further validate these findings and refine the cut-off thresholds for AD and other parameters in the AIDA algorithm.

PurposeTo investigate differences in reproductive outcomes among patients before and following ovarian torsion.Study designIn this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the reproductive outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for ovarian torsion between 1988 and 2015 in a tertiary medical center. Data on deliveries before and after ovarian torsion were compared.ResultsDuring the study period, 199 women underwent surgery due to ovarian torsion. The majority (91.4%; n = 182) underwent detorsion, and 8.6% (n = 17) underwent unilateral adnexectomy. At the time of the torsion, 27.6% (n = 55) of patients were pregnant. Among women who suffered from ovarian torsion, about half (52%) of the deliveries occurred before the torsion and 48% following the torsion. No significant difference in the live birth rate was noted (p = 0.19). The fertility treatment rate in our cohort was 7.5% before and 5% after the torsion (p = 0.01). In addition, live birth, cesarean delivery, and fertility treatment rates were similar in women who underwent detorsion vs. those who had adnexectomy.ConclusionSurgically treated ovarian torsion does not appear to negatively influence fertility and live birth potential.

The position of the fetal head during engagement and progression in the birth canal is the primary cause of dystocic labor and arrest of progression, often due to malposition and malrotation. The authors performed an investigation on pregnant women in labor, who all underwent vaginal digital examination by obstetricians and midwives as well as intrapartum ultrasonography to collect four “geometric parameters”, measured in all the women. All parameters were measured using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, called AIDA (artificial intelligence dystocia algorithm), which incorporates a human-in-the-loop approach, that is, to use AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms that prioritize the physician’s decision and explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). The AIDA was structured into five classes. After a number of “geometric parameters” were collected, the data obtained from the AIDA analysis were entered into a red, yellow, or green zone, linked to the analysis of the progress of labor. Using the AIDA analysis, we were able to identify five reference classes for patients in labor, each of which had a certain sort of birth outcome. A 100% cesarean birth prediction was made in two of these five classes. The use of artificial intelligence, through the evaluation of certain obstetric parameters in specific decision-making algorithms, allows physicians to systematically understand how the results of the algorithms can be explained. This approach can be useful in evaluating the progress of labor and predicting the labor outcome, including spontaneous, whether operative VD (vaginal delivery) should be attempted, or if ICD (intrapartum cesarean delivery) is preferable or necessary.

Background and Objectives: Despite advancements in detection and treatment, cervical cancer remains a significant health concern, particularly among young women of reproductive age. Limited data exists in the literature regarding fertility-sparing treatment (FST) of cervical cancers with tumor sizes greater than 2 cm. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the reproductive outcomes of women diagnosed with cervical cancer greater than 2 cm who underwent FST. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out on the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register), the Health Technology Assessment Database, and Web of Science. Only original studies (retrospective or prospective) that reported reproductive outcomes of patients with cervical cancer >2 cm were considered eligible for inclusion in this systematic review (CRD42024521964). Studies describing only the oncologic outcomes, involving FST for cervical cancers less than 2 cm in size, and case reports were excluded. Results: Seventeen papers that met the abovementioned inclusion criteria were included in the present systematic review. In total, 443 patients with a cervical cancer larger than 2 cm were included in this systematic review. Eighty pregnancies occurred, with 24 miscarriages and 54 live births. Conclusions: FST appears to be a viable option for women of childbearing age diagnosed with cervical cancer larger than 2 cm. However, careful consideration is advised in interpreting these encouraging results, as they are subject to limitations, such as variability in study designs and potential biases. In addition, reproductive outcomes should be further cross-referenced with oncologic outcomes to clarify the potential risk–benefit ratio. It is critical to conduct further research using standardized approaches and larger participant groups to strengthen the validity of the conclusions drawn.

Introduction: Intrapartum ultrasound (IU) is used in the delivery ward; even if IU monitors the labouring women, it could be perceived as a discomfort and even as an“ obstetric violence”, because it is a young technique, not often well ''accepted''. A group of clinicians aimed at obtain an informed consent from patients, prior to perform a translabial ultrasound (TU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptance of both translabial and transabdominal IU. Methods: In this study, performed at the University Hospital of Bari (Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology), were enrolled 103 patients in the first or second stage of labor in singleton cephalic presentation. A statistical frequency and an association analysis were performed. As a significant result, we consider the peace of mind/satisfaction and the” obstetric violence”. IU was performed both transabdominal and translabial to determine the presentation, head positions, angle of progression and head perineum distance. During the first and second stage of labor, the ASIUG questionnaires (Apulia study intrapartum ultrasonography group) were administered. Results: 74 (71, 84%) patients underwent IU and 29 had a vaginal examination (28, 15%). Significant less “violence” has been experienced with a IU (73 out 74/98, 65%) and only one person (1 /1, 35%) recorded that. On the contrary, 10 patients (10/29) perceived that “violence” (34, 48%) while 19 (65, 52%) did not respond on a similar way, after a vaginal examination (VE). More patients felt satisfaction (71 out 74/95, 95%) with the use of IU and only 3 (3/4, 05%) felt unease. A different picture was evident in the vaginal examination group. Only 17 patients (17 out 29/58, 62%) felt comfort while 12 (41, 38%) felt unease. Conclusions: In our study, IU use is well accepted by most of patients, because it could reassure women about their fetal condition. Moreover, they can see the fetus on the screen, while the obstetrician is performing the US and this is important for a visual feedback, in comparison with the classical VE.

Endometrial osseous metaplasia (EOM) is an uncommon clinical entity with the presence of bone in the endometrium which requires clinical and therapeutic framework. It is also described by various other names such as endometrial ossification, ectopic intrauterine bone, and heterotopic intrauterine bone. Ossification could have various locations as the cervix the ovary, and the vagina. This overview highlights the attention on the actual pivotal points of EOM.

Fertility preservation (FP) is becoming a critical issue in transgender men who desire biological offspring in the future. The prevalence of transgender individuals in the United States is increasing, and as a result, the demand for gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) and associated FP techniques is rising. Despite the growing demand, there is currently no personalized approach to FP for transgender men, and the available techniques have limitations that require further investigation. In the present review we carefully examine the existing literature on this topic to highlight the shortcomings of current methods and areas where additional research is needed to advance the field. Hormonal therapy (HT), which is an integral part of gender transition in transgender men, can have a significant impact on fertility and may increase the risk of various diseases. Moreover, GAS usually leads to permanent sterility in these patients. Therefore, it is essential to provide patients with accurate information about the benefits and potential risks of different FP techniques, taking into account the patient’s reproductive goals. This review underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of FP in transgender men and emphasizes the need for further research to develop more effective and personalized approaches to FP for this population.

Background: Nutrition may impact reproductive health and fertility potential. The role of dietary antioxidants in affecting conception and birth outcomes is a topic of emerging interest. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis from a prospective cohort study aims to explore the relationship between the intake of antioxidants, vitamins, and carotenoids and the outcomes of assisted reproduction techniques. Information on the socio-demographic characteristics, health histories, lifestyle habits, and diet information of subfertile couples referred to a fertility center was obtained. Results: A total of 494 women were enrolled. According to the four IVF outcomes considered, 95% of women achieved good quality oocytes, 87% achieved embryo transfer, 32.0% achieved clinical pregnancies, and 24.5% achieved pregnancy at term. Associations were found between age and the number of good quality oocytes (p = 0.02). A moderate level of physical activity in the prior 5 years was associated with a better rate of achieving clinical pregnancy (p = 0.03). Smoking habits, alcohol intake, and caffeine consumption did not show associations with any outcome. No associations were found, even after accounting for potential confounders, with the intake of vitamins C, D, E, and α-carotene, β-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and folate. Conclusion: Further research is needed to understand how antioxidant intake may have a role in modulating fertility.

Asynclitism, the most feared malposition of the fetal head during labor, still represents to date an unresolved field of interest, remaining one of the most common causes of prolonged or obstructed labor, dystocia, assisted delivery, and cesarean section. Traditionally asynclitism is diagnosed by vaginal examination, which is, however, burdened by a high grade of bias. On the contrary, the recent scientific evidence highly suggests the use of intrapartum ultrasonography, which would be more accurate and reliable when compared to the vaginal examination for malposition assessment. The early detection and characterization of asynclitism by intrapartum ultrasound would become a valid tool for intrapartum evaluation. In this way, it will be possible for physicians to opt for the safest way of delivery according to an accurate definition of the fetal head position and station, avoiding unnecessary operative procedures and medication while improving fetal and maternal outcomes. This review re-evaluated the literature of the last 30 years on asynclitism, focusing on the progressive imposition of ultrasound as an intrapartum diagnostic tool. All the evidence emerging from the literature is presented and evaluated from our point of view, describing the most employed technique and considering the future implication of the progressive worldwide consolidation of asynclitism and ultrasound.

Objectives: Purpose of this narrative review is to compare, the latest findings about ectopic pregnancy (EP) reporting pathogenetic hypothesis, common and uncommon symptoms, diagnostic work-up, treatment alternatives. EP is a pathological condition characterized by an abnormal blastocyst implant at any site apart from uterine cavity. Dealing with pathogenesis we can recognize many factors: hormonal imbalance, post infective or mechanical induced defects of the tube, assisted reproduction techniques. This condition has aroused interest for its capacity to evolve instantly in a life-threatening condition, needing an early diagnosis and an urgent surgical solution. Mechanism: A comprehensive literature research of recent articles has been performed. Researches for relevant data were conducted utilizing multiple databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS and Ovid. Searches included combinations of the key terms: tubal pregnancy, cervical pregnancy, cesarean scar pregnancy, ‘twin and ectopic pregnancy’, ‘twin and tubal pregnancy’, ‘twin heterotopic pregnancy’, ‘laparoscopy and twin pregnancy’, ‘laparoscopy and tubal pregnancy’, ‘surgery and pregnancy’, ‘surgery and ectopic’, ‘surgery and twin tubal pregnancy’, “methotrexate and twin pregnancy ‘cornual pregnancy’ ”. Findings in brief: EP is frequently located in the salpinges but may also occur in many other sites like uterine horns, cervix, ovaries, cesarean scar or in splanchnic organs. Typical signs and symptoms of EP usually consist of pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding or sudden amenorrhea. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) dosages are fundamental tools for diagnosis of the early pregnancy whether is normal or not, always considering tubal pregnancy a possible event. Imaging diagnostic tools are described in our review, Ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) are the main options. When the serum b-hCG is positive but at ultrasound examination of pregnancy cannot be found, physician must define this condition as a pregnancy of unknown location (PUL). In this literature-based review we found three therapeutic solutions: expectant, medical or surgical management. Expectant strategy consists of strictly monitoring b-hCG values with no pharmacological or surgical intervention. Methotrexate administration following therapeutic schemes is a cost-effective solution and keeps patient away from surgical risks. Surgery maintains a key role in treatment choice considering that is the only one available in emergency scenario. Conclusions: EP is a diagnostic challenge for the physician, therapy choice is a careful and difficult decision that must be always individualized to ensure patient life uppermost and also future fertility desire.

Authors evaluated the impact of laparoscopic intracapsular myomectomy (LIM) in women 40 years of age and over with desire of future fertility compared with medical management of symptomatic fibroids, by a prospective cohort study in University affiliated Hospitals. This study includes a cohort of women 40 years of age and older with symptomatic intramural fibroids with desire of future fertility. Women with symptomatic fibroid uterus were offered to undergo LIM or medical management. They were encouraged to attempt conception either spontaneously or by assisted reproductive technology (ART) according to their individual preference. All women were followed for 2 years. Fibroid characteristics, pre- and post-surgical variables, including surgical complications, days of hospitalization, pregnancy rate, and obstetrical outcomes were collected. A total of 100 patient were included in the analysis. Fifty patients were assigned to the LIM group and 50 to the medical treatment group (MT). Groups were similar regarding age (43.5 ± 2.4 and 43.5 ± 2.4, p = 0.99), body mass index (23.8 ± 3.1 and 24.2 ± 3.1, p = 0.54), parity (0.46 ± 0.09 and 0.58 ± 0.09, p = 0.37), fibroid number (1.38 ± 0.6 and 1.46 ± 0.6, p = 0.53), and fibroid size (5.92 ± 1.62 cm vs. 5.94 ± 1.49 cm, p = 0.949). Of the patients who underwent LIM, 62% conceived within the study period compared with 56% in the control group (p = 0.54). Pregnancy was achieved by ART in 44% of the patients of the LIM group and 30% in control group. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rates among the two groups regarding spontaneous pregnancy rate (p = 0.332), nor in pregnancies obtained by ART with own eggs (p = 0.146) and oocyte or embryo donation (p = 0.821). The take home baby rate was 65% (20/31) in the LIM group and 61% (17/28) in the control group (p = 0.7851). Both groups had similar rate of miscarriage (p = 0.748). Patients 40 years old and over with symptomatic fibroid uterus who undergo LIM have similar subsequent fertility and obstetrical outcomes than women treated with medical management. LIM has no detrimental impact on future fertility in women 40 years old and over.

Backgrounds and Aims: This study aims to compare hysteroscopic and histological findings in asymptomatic postmenopausal patients with thickened endometrium. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study involving case records of 295 asymptomatic postmenopausal women with a thickened endometrium >5 mm diagnosed at transvaginal ultrasound (TVS). Patients (women) underwent hysteroscopy with biopsy between 2009 and 2015, and they were followed up at National Cancer Institute of Bari and at University Hospital of Pisa. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of hysteroscopy were evaluated. Results: Inclusion criteria were TVS, hysteroscopy, and endometrial biopsy. When the hysteroscopic findings were normal, a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 98.6%, PPV of 95.2%, and NPV of 100% were achieved. For polyps and myomas, we found 100%, 98.7%, 99.5%, and 100%, respectively. In case of endometrial hyperplasia, a sensitivity of 66.7%, a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%, and a NPV of 98.1% were achieved. For endometrial cancer hysteroscopy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 100%, 99.6%, 75%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: Hysteroscopy allows an accurate diagnosis in benign endometrial pathology and suspect of malignant endometrial pathology in postmenopausal women with thickened endometrium.

Abstract Background Ultrasound elastography is a non-invasive medical imaging technique able to quantitatively characterize the stiffness of a given tissue. It has been shown to predict the risk for cervical insufficiency and preterm delivery, and to allow differentiation of malignancy from normal tissue. The present study sought to evaluate whether cervical tissue dishomogeneity, as assessed by cervical ultrasound elastography, may predict the embryo transfer (ET) ease in infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI. Methods We evaluated 154 infertile patients with no history of previous ET or intrauterine insemination. Cervical stiffness was evaluated in six regions of interest (ROI), compared two by two to obtain strain ratio (SR) values. Since a SR value of 1 was suggestive of tissue homogeneity, we computed 1-SR/SR-1 values to obtain a measure of the degree of cervical tissue dishomogeneity that we named “dishomogeneity index” (DI). Ultrasound-guided ET was performed by an expert operator blinded to the results of cervical elastography. The prediction ability of elastography on ET ease was evaluated by binary logistic regression, and the predictive accuracy of the independent variables was quantified with area under the curve (AUC) estimates derived from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results ET resulted to be easy in 99 out of 154 patients (64,2%), difficult in 54 patients (35%), and impossible in one. DI values in cervical medial lips region correctly classified 86.9% of patients, according to binary logistic regression, with a sensitivity of 81.4% and a specificity of 89,9%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) 8.07 and negative LR of 0.21. A DI cut-off value of 0.29 predicted a difficulty of ET with a sensitivity of 88,9% and a specificity of 85%. Conclusions Cervical ultrasound elastography, by allowing the identification of cervical tissue dishomogeneity, may be of help in predicting the ET ease in infertile women candidates to IVF/ICSI.

To evaluate the expression of genes encoding cytokines, grow factors and cell cycle regulators in the proliferative endometrium of women with chronic endometritis (CE) compared to controls. We performed a case-control study on seven women with CE as diagnosed by hysteroscopy and histology (Cases) compared to six women without CE (Controls). All women underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy plus endometrial biopsy during the mid-proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Endometrial samples were divided into two different aliquots for histological and molecular analyses. The endometrial expression profile of 16 genes encoding proteins involved in the inflammatory process, proliferation and cell cycle regulation/apoptosis was assessed by using high-throughput qPCR. Study endpoints were between-group differences in the expression of VEGF A, VEGF B, VEGF C, EGF, TNF, TGF B1, IFNG, TP73, TP73L, BAXva, CDC2, CDC2va, CCND3, CCNB1, BAX and IL12. RESULTS: VEGF A, VEGF B, VEGF C, EGF, TNF, TGF B1, IFNG, TP73, TP73L, BAXva, CDC2, CDC2va, CCND3, CCNB1 were significantly overexpressed in women with CE compared to controls, while BAX and IL12 had similar expression between groups. In women with CE, we found an altered endometrial expression of genes involved in inflammatory, cell proliferation, and apoptosis processes. The dominance of proliferative and anti-apoptotic activity in CE may potentially promote the development of polyps and hyperplastic lesions.