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International audience; Introduction : Heart failure during systemic lupus erythematosus has various causes.Case report : A 29-year-old female presented with a systemic lupus flare and a nephrotic syndrome, followed by cardiogenic shock requiring extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation. Ventricular dysfunction was related to massive myocardial infarction due to an anterior interventricular artery thrombosis and an underlying atheroma. The young age and the absence of chest pain were not suggestive of coronary artery disease initially. Coronary thrombosis was probably favored by the nephrotic syndrome, in which the arterial thrombotic risk is increased.Conclusion : Coronary artery disease should be systematically evoked in the presence of ventricular dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus, including when they are young and in the absence of chest pain. Nephrotic syndrome should be identified as a risk factor for arterial thrombosis.; Introduction : Les atteintes cardiaques au cours du lupus systémique ont des causes variées.Observation : Une patiente de 29 ans présentait 3 mois après une grossesse une poussée de lupus systémique précédemment connu, avec un syndrome néphrotique, puis un choc cardiogénique nécessitant la pose d’une assistance cardiaque extracorporelle. La dysfonction ventriculaire était liée à un infarctus myocardique massif par thrombose de l’artère interventriculaire antérieure, associée à un athérome sous-jacent. L’âge jeune et l’absence de douleur thoracique étaient peu évocateurs d’une atteinte coronarienne initialement. La thrombose coronarienne était probablement favorisée par le syndrome néphrotique, au cours duquel le risque thrombotique artériel est augmenté, et moins connu que le risque thrombotique veineux.Conclusion : Une atteinte coronarienne doit être systématiquement évoquée devant une dysfonction ventriculaire chez les patients lupiques, y compris lorsqu’ils sont jeunes et en l’absence de douleur thoracique. Le syndrome néphrotique doit être identifié comme un facteur de risque de thrombose artérielle.

International audience; Introduction : Heart failure during systemic lupus erythematosus has various causes.Case report : A 29-year-old female presented with a systemic lupus flare and a nephrotic syndrome, followed by cardiogenic shock requiring extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation. Ventricular dysfunction was related to massive myocardial infarction due to an anterior interventricular artery thrombosis and an underlying atheroma. The young age and the absence of chest pain were not suggestive of coronary artery disease initially. Coronary thrombosis was probably favored by the nephrotic syndrome, in which the arterial thrombotic risk is increased.Conclusion : Coronary artery disease should be systematically evoked in the presence of ventricular dysfunction in patients with systemic lupus, including when they are young and in the absence of chest pain. Nephrotic syndrome should be identified as a risk factor for arterial thrombosis.; Introduction : Les atteintes cardiaques au cours du lupus systémique ont des causes variées.Observation : Une patiente de 29 ans présentait 3 mois après une grossesse une poussée de lupus systémique précédemment connu, avec un syndrome néphrotique, puis un choc cardiogénique nécessitant la pose d’une assistance cardiaque extracorporelle. La dysfonction ventriculaire était liée à un infarctus myocardique massif par thrombose de l’artère interventriculaire antérieure, associée à un athérome sous-jacent. L’âge jeune et l’absence de douleur thoracique étaient peu évocateurs d’une atteinte coronarienne initialement. La thrombose coronarienne était probablement favorisée par le syndrome néphrotique, au cours duquel le risque thrombotique artériel est augmenté, et moins connu que le risque thrombotique veineux.Conclusion : Une atteinte coronarienne doit être systématiquement évoquée devant une dysfonction ventriculaire chez les patients lupiques, y compris lorsqu’ils sont jeunes et en l’absence de douleur thoracique. Le syndrome néphrotique doit être identifié comme un facteur de risque de thrombose artérielle.

Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients is a common situation that remains associated with higher maternal and fetal mortality/morbidity than in the general population. Complications include lupus flares, obstetrical complications (fetal loss, in utero growth retardation, prematurity) and neonatal lupus syndrome. The association with antiphospholipid antibodies or antiphospholipid syndrome increases the risk of obstetrical complications. Improving the care of these pregnancies depends upon a systematic pregnancy planning, ideally during a preconception counseling visit and a multidisciplinary approach (internist/rheumatologist, obstetrician and anesthetist). The absence of lupus activity, the use of appropriate medications during pregnancy adjusted to the patient's medical history and risk factors, and a regular monitoring are the best tools for a favorable outcome for these high-risk pregnancies. The aim of this review article is to perform an update on the medical care of pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome to reduce the risk of complications and to ensure the best maternal and fetal prognosis.

Fertility is not impaired in systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome, but, similarly to the general population, these patients may undergo in vitro fertilization. This type of treatment increases the risk of lupus flare, thrombosis, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This review will focus on in vitro fertilization in systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome. Literature data are relatively scant with only 3 reported studies. The first one included 17 patients and 63 cycles of induction ovulation/in vitro fertilization leading to 25 % of lupus flare, no thrombosis, and 3 % of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The second study included 10 patients and 40 cycles of in vitro fertilization showing 31 % of lupus flare, no thrombosis and no ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The last one included 34 patients and 83 procedures of in vitro fertilization leading to 8 % of flares, 5 % of thrombosis and no ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Interestingly, in this last study, half of the complications were explained by poor adherence to treatment. These data are reassuring but it is important to remember that in vitro fertilization should be scheduled and carefully supervised in the same way as the high-risk pregnancies occurring in these patients.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with a risk of obstetrical complications, affecting both the mother and the fetus. Obstetrical APS is defined by a history of three consecutive spontaneous miscarriages before 10 weeks of gestation (WG), an intra-uterine fetal death after 10 WG, or a premature birth before 34 WG because of severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia or placental adverse outcomes (intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios). Pregnancy in women with a diagnosis of obstetric APS is at increased risk for placental abruption, HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, Low Platelet count) syndrome and thrombosis that may be part of a catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). A previous thrombosis and the presence of a lupus anticoagulant are risk factors for pregnancy failure. A multidisciplinary approach, associating the internist, the anesthesiologist and the obstetrician, is recommended for these high-risk pregnancies. Preconception counseling is proposed to identify pregnancy contraindications, and to define and adapt the treatment prior and during the upcoming pregnancy. Heparin and low-dose aspirin are the main treatments. The choice between therapeutic or prophylactic doses of heparin will depend on the patient's medical history. The anticoagulant therapeutic window for delivery should be as narrow as possible and adapted to maternal thrombotic risk. There is a persistent maternal risk in the postpartum period (thrombosis, HELLP syndrome, CAPS) justifying an antithrombotic coverage during this period. We suggest a monthly clinical and biological monitoring which can be more frequent towards the end of pregnancy. The persistence of notches at the Doppler-ultrasound evaluation seems to be the best predictor for a higher risk of placental vascular complications. Treatment optimization and multidisciplinary antenatal care improve the prognosis of pregnancies in women with obstetric APS, leading to a favorable outcome most of the time.

Adrenal necrosis, a rare life threatening complication of antiphospholipid syndrome, is difficult to diagnose during pregnancy. We report the case of a 33-year-old woman with bilateral adrenal necrosis which started during the third trimester of her second pregnancy. Antiphospholipid syndrome had been diagnosed few years ago, after a thrombotic event. The pregnancy was uneventful until 36 weeks plus five days, when the patient was admitted for bilateral back ache, initially considered as uterine contractions. Labour was induced because pain persisted and was associated with major thrombocytopenia. A healthy infant was delivered vaginally on the second day, adrenal failure was diagnosed based on intense asthenia, persistent severe lumbar pain, low blood sodium and cortisol. Bilateral adrenal oedema was documented by CT scan and MRI. Symptoms resolved following administration of hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. This case illustrates the difficulty to diagnose adrenal necrosis in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Fetuses and infants of women with anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La antibodies are at risk of neonatal lupus syndrome, featuring skin lesions, hematological and hepatic disorders, and congenital heart block (CHB) in the absence of severe cardiac malformation. The prevalence of CHB in newborns of anti-SSA/Ro positive women with known connective tissue disease is 1 to 2% and the risk of recurrence ranges from 10 to 17%. CHB is definitive and is associated with significant morbidity (pacemaker must be implanted in 2/3 of cases) and mortality (16 to 19%). Myocardial involvement may either be associated or appear subsequently. Other manifestations are discussed. For anti-SSA/Ro positive pregnant women, echocardiograms should be performed every 2 weeks from 16 to 24 weeks of gestation, and every week in case of past history of CHB. Electrocardiogram should be performed in the first days of life for all children to detect incomplete CHB. Therapy for CHB detected in utero is based on fluorinated steroids, especially betamethasone. Its efficiency is variable.

Mature oocytes are rare and highly specialized cells. In vitro maturation of human oocytes is an emerging assisted reproductive technology allowing to produce more mature oocytes without ovarian stimulation. Whereas in vitro maturation is technically more demanding than conventional in vitro fertilization for the laboratory, it carries many potential advantages, for example, in terms of lower treatment heaviness and removal of risk of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome for the patients. Although the technology is still experimental, oocytes in vitro maturation has been successfully used and pregnancies and live births have been reported. Despite these successes, the overall efficiency of in vitro maturation remains low and this procedure must still be improved. The different steps of in vitro maturation process are shown and discussed as well as results in terms of pregnancy and live birth rates.

Neonatal lupus syndrome include skin lesions, hematological and hepatic disorders, and congenital heart block (CHB) in the absence of severe cardiac malformation. This rare disorder is closely linked to transplacental transport of anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La maternal antibodies.The prevalence of CHB in newborns of anti-Ro/SSA positive women with known connective tissue disease is 2% and the risk of recurrence ranges from 10 to 17%. Skin and systemic lesions are transient, whereas CHB is definitive and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality (estimated at 16-19%). A pacemaker must be implanted in 2/3 of cases. Myocarditis may be associated or may appeared secondarily. Mothers of children with CHB are usually asymptomatic or have Gougerot-Sjögren, or undifferentiated connective tissue disease. Mothers of children with cutaneous manifestations may present with more severe disease and systemic lupus erythematosus. In anti-Ro/SSA positive pregnant women, echocardiograms should be performed at least every 2 weeks from 16 to 24 weeks gestation. Electrocardiogram should be performed for all children.The efficiency of prophylactic treatment of CHB is not established. Therapy for CHB detected in utero is not standardized and involves fluorinated steroids (especially betamethasone).

Materno-fetal platelet allo-immunization causes fetal or neonatal thrombocytopenia and sometimes severe intracerebral bleeding. The HPA-1s antigen is most generally implicated. This accident can occur during the first pregnancy with a major risk of severe recurrence during the next pregnancy. These women require specific care in a specialized center although no consensus has been reached on management of second pregnancies. Proposed treatments include immunoglobulins and/or corticosteroids, fetal blood puncture and unique or iterative platelet transfusions.

Use of serum markers alone for trisomy 21 screening programs leads to a high rate of amniocentesis. Adding a second parameter (ultrasonography during the second trimester) might reduce this rate yet retain satisfactory sensitivity. This work was conducted to evaluate the pertinence of associating serum hCG level between 16 and 17 weeks gestation and morphological ultrasonography between 18 ans 20 weeks gestation.A prospective study was conducted in 5,163 pregnant women aged over 38 years. A morphological ultrasonography was performed in all patients whose hCG level1/150 indicated a risk. An amniocentesis was proposed if an anomaly was detected at ultrasonography.Serum hCG was above the risk threshold retained in 11.9% of the patients and among these patients at least one anomaly was detected at ultrasonography in 12%. An amniocentesis was performed in 1.4% of all patients. The positive predictive value of the screening test was 20%.Combining a serum marker and ultrasonography during the second trimester allows a reduction in the rate of amniocentesis compared with screening with serum markers alone. Sensitivity for detecting trisomy 21 remains satisfactory.

We present a case of maternal and fetal virilization caused by an androgen-secreting ovarian tumor. Biopsy at caesarean section was required to determine the etiology (Krukenberg tumor) and orient diagnosis to a primary cancer (gastric adenocarcinoma).

Maternal and fetal risk is high during pregnancy for young women with systemic lupus erythematosus. We analyzed outcome after a planned pregnancy program for these patients.Between 1982 and 1994, 58 pregnancy were planned in 34 women with systemic lupus. Nine of them had renal and 5 central nervous system involvement; antiphospholipid syndrome was present in 8; steroid therapy was given in 24, immunosuppressors in 2 and plasma exchange in 1. At diagnosis of pregnancy, prednisone was prescribed (at least 10 mg/d), associated with aspirin in all non-symptomatic patients with antiphospholipid antibodies followed by heparin at pre partum. Heparin was used in case of antiphospholipid syndrome. Women with anti-SSA or B antibodies and no past history of congenital atrioventricular block were not given any specific treatment.An acute lupus flare-up occurred in 27% of the cases including 6% in post partum. The flare-up was mild in all cases and treatment had to be changed in half of the cases. There were 9 early abortions, 1 induced abortion for congenital malformation, 2 fetal deaths, 28 premature deliveries and 18 term deliveries. Cesarean section was indicated in 8 cases. Severe neonatal infection occurred in 2 premature infants and 1 other was growth retarded. Cutaneous neonatal lupus was observed in 2 infants. No atrioventricular blocks occurred.Fetal death or very premature birth were more frequent in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome. When pregnancy is planned in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, live birth rate reaches 96% after exclusion of early and therapeutic abortions. This rate is close to the rate in the general population. The high rate of premature birth is the main risk, but there were no maternal nor neonatal deaths.

The psychological effect of reducing the number of embryons was studied prospectively in two Paris hospitals. All women who had multifetal pregnancy reduction (n = 18) were contacted for interviews just after the operation, during pregnancy, and four months after delivery. The decision to reduce the number of embryons was painful and led to a guilty feeling. After operation, nearly one-half of the women suffered psychologically. To justify their decision, and contain their emotions, the women spoke of the problems related to having triplets and, most importantly, the medical arguements explained by the physician. Medical counselling is thus essential to help this couples at the time of the operation. The pregnancy period is almost always a period of calm for these women. Nevertheless, four months after delivery, 5 women expressed a psychological malaise related to the reduction, and 2 women refused to continue the study because they did not want to revive their suffering. This study shows that psychological problems are of major importance after multifetal pregnancy reduction and can occur several months after delivery. These negative conclusions should however be examined in light of the consequences if reduction had not been performed.

A total of 212 diabetic pregnancies were studied prospectively over the period 1985 to 1986, included: 76 insulinodependent diabetics (IDD), 34 non insulinodependent diabetics (NIDD), and 102 gestational diabetes. The perinatal mortality rate for all diabetic pregnancies was 1.4% (n = 3); 3 congenital malformations were recorded (a therapeutic abortion was performed in 2 cases). These results are comparable with those of the non diabetic population. However, it is to be noticed that maternal as well as neonatal morbidity was important (hypoglycaemic comas: 18 in 9 IDD, preeclampsia: 7 IDD, 2 NIDD, 1 DG; caesarean delivery: 50% IDD, 50% NIDD, 25% DG; neonatal morbidity 20% of the new born. The main objectives must be targeted on the prevention of severe hypoglycaemia in IDD, the early diagnosis of DG and the development of pregnancy care in NIDD.

Three long protocols of ovarian stimulation for IVF using long acting GnRH agonist and hMG were compared. 3 molecules were used: Triptoreline (Décapeptyl* 3.75 mg), gosereline (Zoladex*) and leuproreline (Enantone* 3.75 mg). Assigning of these 3 protocols were randomised. 63, 68 and 67 cycles of stimulation were studied. Results in term of pregnancy are the same in the 3 groups. Only a tendency of lower frequency of ovarian hyperstimulation in Décapeptyl 3.75 mg group is found, associated with less embryo and less cycles with cryopreservation of supernumeraries embryos (p = 0.1).

Having carried out four cases of vaginal caesarean section the authors describe the technique they used. The advantages of the operation are: it is simple and can be carried out quickly, future obstetric behaviour is not compromised. It is important to avoid two complications of the operation: haemorrhage and injury to the bladder. These are reduced if the vertical incision in the cervix is made in the midline and long enough. The ideal indications for the operation are absence of cervical dilatation, or the occurrence of severe maternal haemorrhage during the operation to terminate a pregnancy, or while the uterine contents are being expelled towards the end of the second trimester. It is disputable whether there is a place for vaginal caesarean operation when the fetus is alive, in view of the recent studies on fetal prognosis.

The case reported consists of thrombosis of the left internal jugular vein occurring on the 22nd week of amenorrhea of a pregnancy achieved by IVF. No etiological factor other than biochemical ovarian hyperstimulation was found. Maternal outcome was positive but intrauterine fetal death occurred 7 weeks later at 29 weeks of amenorrhea. The late occurrence of this thrombosis after ovarian hyperstimulation need to be stressed.

A retrospective study of 70 fat women and 70 women of normal weight was carried out to compare their obstetric performance. The patients were assessed before pregnancy for corpulence by estimating the body mass index (IMC). Obesity was defined by having an index of 30 or above. The mean weight of the obese patients at delivery was 142 kgs and of the controls 65.4 kgs. The main risk in obese patients is a raised blood pressure (34%); and in spite of this no child showed intrauterine growth retardation. The mean weight of the newborn infants was 3.7 kgs against a mean weight of 3.2 kgs in the control group. Eighteen infants born to obese mothers were very heavy (25%). The increase in fetal weight explains why the caesarean section rate was three times as high in the obese patients as in the control due to disproportion (25%). These differences are statistically significant. Neonatal morbidity was similar in the two groups. It is debatable whether a slimming diet was worthwhile. All the same calorie intake reduced slightly to about 1.800 calories a day together with vitamin supplements is advisable. It does not have any ill effect on the fetus.

The place of laparoscopic surgery continues to increase in the field of surgery in our specialty. Although the advantages would seem to be obvious, it seemed to us interesting to quantify, if possible, the parameters of operative stress and compare laparoscopic surgery with conventional surgery. Markers studied are Prolactin, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Nor-Adrenaline, Dopamine and the Beta-Endorphins. The only marker that shows any difference in the two procedures in our study is Beta-Endorphin which is significantly less raised in laparoscopic surgery directly after the operation (p less than 0.01). This was very specific for pain, which is one of the benefits of this technique and shown in this parameter which confirms the clinical impression. The curves of the changes in the different markers have been analysed and discussed.

Improvements in the management of patients with cardiac transplantation make it possible for these patients in the child-bearing age to expect a pregnancy. In fact, since 1987, several cases of pregnancy after cardiac transplantation have been reported. We report here two cases of successful pregnancy two years after cardiac transplantation. First Case. Pregnancy was uneventful until 36 weeks of gestation with no evidence of transplant rejection. At 38 weeks of gestation, a cesarean section was performed for increasing blood pressure, cholestatic pruritus and cephalopelvic disproportion. Cesarean section was performed under regional anesthesia and a healthy baby boy of 2680 gr was delivered. The patient was discharged one week after. Eighteen months after, both the mother and the baby are in good condition. Second case. Pregnancy was complicated by severe maternal anemia and fetal hypotrophia. Because of increasing renal insufficiency and pre eclampsia, a cesarean section was performed under regional anesthesia at 36 weeks of gestation. Delivery of a healthy baby girl of 1700 g. Five other cases have been reported. Cesarean section performed in september 1984 for a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation in 1980. Delivery of a healthy baby of 3280 gr. Death of the mother five months after following heart transplant rejection. Vaginal delivery performed in august 1986 for a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation in 1984. Delivery of a preterm baby at 31 weeks of gestation who survived without any sequelae. Vaginal delivery performed in august 1987 for a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation in april 1985. Delivery of a healthy baby of 2550 gr at 38 weeks of gestation. Vaginal delivery of twins (baby girl of 1200 and 1100 gr) in april 1988 of a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation in 1986. Vaginal delivery at 38 weeks of gestation performed in november 1990 for a patient who underwent cardiac transplantation in 1986. All the cases reported showed that: The foetus is not affected by the immuno-suppressive treatment of the mother. This was already known for pregnant patients with renal transplant. The cardiovascular changes associated with pregnancy are well tolerated by the heart transplant. Preexisting hypertension is increased, particularly during the third trimester of pregnancy and during labour. The incidence of preterm labor is increased in patients with heart transplant. Transplant rejection never occurred during pregnancy.

The authors used epidural anaesthesia to carry out laparoscopy in 220 patients. The chief indications for the laparoscopies were GIFT (intratubal transfer of gametes) and tubal sterilization. The technique used was slightly different according to the indications for the use but they had to be sure of anaesthetising up to T4. In 90% of cases the patients tolerated the procedure well. No change in ventilation or in metabolic measurements. As far as fertilization was concerned studies carried out in various parameters failed to show any untoward side effects due to the use of local anaesthetics. Finally so long as the anaesthesia is only used for a short length of time this technique seems to be suitable for day cases.

This is a retrospective study of IVF cycles with failure of cleavage at the PMA centre of the University Hospital, Pitie-Salpetriere occurring between May 1985 and December 1988. Failures of cleavage occurred in 23% of the cycles where at least one oocyte was recovered (170 out of 729 cycles). There were three groups of conditions which were analysed: 1. The male factor which was known about before the attempt at IVF (38 cycles - 23% of failures of cleavage). 2. No previously known male factors (126 cycles-74% of failures of cleavage). 3. IVF with frozen donor sperm (6 cycles-3% of failures of cleavage). These couples had a total of 340 cycles with 25 pregnancies. The prognosis differs according to the category mentioned above. If there is a male factor, one attempt at IVF with this partner's sperm seems absolutely justified before proceeding to IVF with donor sperm or to AID. If there is no male factor the oestradiol curve does not make it possible to foresee a failure of cleavage and it is necessary to carry out a second IVF cycle to handle these couples.

Renal transplantation has changed completely the fertility of women who had been dialysed. Our study is on 10 pregnancies which we followed up in 7 women who had had renal transplants in the University Hospital of Pitié Salpêtrière (Professor Y. Darbois) between 1979 and 1985. All patients were treated by the same technique and the same methods of prevention of rejection of the transplant. The mean interval between the transplant and pregnancy was 53 months. In 3 cases there was hypertension and raised creatinine levels (more than 150 in 3 cases). In 2 cases the two conditions were associated. The prognosis is bad when a raised blood pressure or a change in renal function occurs before pregnancy starts, leading to a real deterioration in renal function during the pregnancy when such function was abnormal before the pregnancy started. As far as the infants were concerned, the most common complication was IUGR (intrauterine growth retardation) which was found in half of all cases. Blood flow studies in these fetuses are particularity interesting. There were two cases of intra-uterine fetal death. The reasons for these were not necessarily connected with the deterioration in renal function. All the deliveries were by caesarean section, for medical reasons in 7 out of 10 cases. The average duration of the pregnancy was 35 weeks of amenorrhoea. As far as the mothers were concerned, they did not have more infections than other women in spite of being immuno-suppressed (this was excluding urinary tract infections).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The accuracy and the low radiation dosage administered when tomodensitometry is carried out for pelvimetry has led us to specify the use of this technique in every day practice. We propose to make is still more reliable and to simplify it. We have correlated the measurements obtained on the ultrasound screen with those that have been obtained by measuring the dried pelvis and have sought ways of measuring directly the three fundamental diameters of the pelvis. We have achieved exact measurements within one millimeter. This very precise correlation has been reproduced when we examined skeletons using the tomodensitometer. Then, when we checked again the accuracy of these measurements, we used the method on pregnant women. We have taken two views and two slices: an AP view to study the contents of the uterus and the morphology of the upper strait; a profile view to measure the diameter between the promontory of the sacrum and posterior surface of the symphysis, and we have programmed the two following slices: a perpendicular slice at the level of the upper strait measuring directly the transverse median diameter; another slice at the level of the sciatic spines to measure directly the diameter between these spines. We present this method because it is very simple and absolutely precise and gives all the information that is necessary. The patient does not have to stay still for long and only has a small dose of irradiation. This procedure does not need the use of conversion tables, nor parallel rulers nor standardisation.

Gn RH analogues seemed to us to be very useful in in-vitro fertilisation. They make it easier to programme oocyte recovery. They avoid an endogenous surge of LH, and they particularly seemed to increase significantly the percentage of pregnancies that continue after embryo transfer.

413 menstrual cycles were monitored in the first two years of the work of the In-Vitro Fertilization Unit in La Pitié-Salpêtrière. On-going pregnancies were achieved from the very first months of activity, with a level which stayed relatively constant in the first year. Technical changes were introduced and in particular a higher recovery rate of oocytes when ultrasound was used and above all when LH-RH analogues were used in the process of stimulation. It is this last point that seems to be the most interesting. In fact, when the results are examined there is a definite rise in the number of on-going pregnancies of which the level went up by 2.3 times as compared with using a classical protocol of Clomithene citrate and HMG. In the 153 cycles when D-Trp6 LH-RH was used, the percentage of on-going pregnancies was 13.7% for each cycle and 20% for embryo implants. Furthermore, it became possible to work out the dates for the patients and this appears to us essential as the numbers of couples attending increase.

Thirty-three cases of obstetrical paralysis of the brachial plexus have been seen in 15 years in the gynaecological and obstetrical department of the University Hospital Pitié Salpêtrière. The authors, from studying these cases, work out the factors that tend to bring about this pathological condition. They are: multiparity, excessive weight gain in pregnancy, fetal excessive growth, prolonged second stage of labour, instrumental delivery and shoulder dystocia in cephalic presentations. In breech presentations it is mainly faulty performance of the manoeuvres that are needed to deliver the shoulders. These lesions involve, in most cases, the roots of C5 and C6. Spontaneous regression occurs very often. The authors have found 25% of sequellae. It is difficult to prevent shoulder dystocia. It consists in realising well the size of the fetus and using instruments really sensibly when the presenting part is high in a primiparous woman. In a multiparous woman one has to be on the look-out for increasing macrosomia of the fetus and it is important to teach the manoeuvres that are necessary to deal with shoulder dystocia. As far as breech delivery is concerned the major risk is the delivery itself without there being any need for fetal or maternal criteria to alter matters. Therefore prevention in this presentation has to be the presence of a competent obstetrician at each delivery always.

The authors report the results of four IVF attempts, performed on the same couple, in 16 months, because of tubal problems. June 1985 (T1): spontaneous miscarriage after 8 weeks of amenorrhea; october 1985 (T2): negative tap; january 1986 (T3): extra-uterine pregnancy; october 1986 (T4): rejected because of "poor response" and spontaneous extra-uterine pregnancy during the same cycle.