Hysteroscopic removal of retained products of conception following first trimester medical abortion.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: To investigate the use of operative hysteroscopy instead of traditional curettage in women with retained products of conception (RPOC) following first trimester medical abortion, with the aim of reducing post-operative intrauterine adhesions.Retrospective study.Gynecology department in a University affiliated hospital.All women treated by hysteroscopy for RPOC following first trimester medical abortion using the mifepristone-misoprostol protocol for pregnancy termination or the misoprostol protocol for early missed abortion from January 2013 to August 2016.Operative hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC. Post-operative intrauterine adhesions were assessed by diagnostic office hysteroscopy after 6-8 weeks.50 cases were identified. The mean time from medication administration to the operative hysteroscopy was 1.7 ± 0.7 months. Operative hysteroscopy with blunt use of the resectoscopic loop was used to remove all specimens, and all procedures were completed without intra-operative complications. Two patients (4.0%) were readmitted for fever. Pathology confirmed the presence of RPOC in 45 (90.0%) cases. On follow-up office hysteroscopy, a normal uterine cavity without evidence of intrauterine adhesions was seen in 29/29 (100%) women.Hysteroscopy for removal of RPOC following medical abortion is associated with low rates of complications and post-operative intrauterine adhesions.
Gynecology and minimally invasive therapy 20170613 4
<h4>Study objective</h4>To investigate the use of operative hysteroscopy instead of traditional curettage in women with retained products of conception (RPOC) following first trimester medical abortion, with the aim of reducing post-operative intrauterine adhesions.<h4>Design</h4>Retrospective study.<h4>Setting</h4>Gynecology department in a University affiliated hospital.<h4>Patients</h4>All women treated by hysteroscopy for RPOC following first trimester medical abortion using the mifepristone ...[more]
Project description:ObjectiveTo summarize available data on the effectiveness and safety of single-agent misoprostol for medical abortion in the first trimester.Data sourcesWe searched MEDLINE, CABI, Cochrane, EMBASE, LILACS, the Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov for English-language studies that evaluated misoprostol alone for abortion of a viable pregnancy in the first trimester.Methods of study selectionOur search yielded 1,562 citations, of which 38 included data from 53 trial groups that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria.Tabulation, integration, and resultsWe abstracted data about each trial group, including study characteristics, treatment regimen, clinical protocol, number of women treated and followed, and numbers with outcomes of interest. We used meta-analytic methods and logistic regression to examine factors associated with surgical intervention after treatment. Among all 12,829 evaluable women, 2,536 (meta-analytic estimate 22.0%, 95% CI 18.8-25.5%) had surgical uterine evacuation. Multiple factors were significantly associated with this proportion, including misoprostol amount per dose and route of administration, loss to follow-up rate, publication date, geographic region, number of misoprostol doses, duration of dosing, and time between dosing and evaluation. Of 6,359 evaluable women, 384 (meta-analytic estimate 6.8%, 95% CI 5.3-8.5%) had ongoing pregnancies. At most 26 of 12,184 evaluable women (meta-analytic estimate 0.7%, 95% CI 0.4-1.0%) were transfused or hospitalized for abortion-related reasons. In trials that provided satisfaction data, most women were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment (meta-analytic estimate 78%, 95% CI 71-85%).ConclusionsMisoprostol alone is effective and safe and is a reasonable option for women seeking abortion in the first trimester. Research is indicated to further refine the regimen and to establish efficacy in the late first trimester.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, CRD42018083589.
Project description:IntroductionNumerous studies have been performed assessing optimal treatment regimens for evacuating (retained) products of conception from the uterus, but standardized criteria for diagnosing retained products of conception (RPOC) are still lacking. We aim to provide an overview of diagnostic criteria in current literature, used to diagnose RPOC after induced first-trimester abortion or early pregnancy loss.Material and methodsPubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library were searched systematically up until March 2020 for English articles reporting on induced abortion or early pregnancy loss. Articles not specifying diagnostic criteria used to assess completeness of treatment were excluded, as were conference abstracts, expert opinions, reviews, and case reports. Four elements of diagnostic criteria were described: diagnostic tools, parameters used within these tools, applied cut-off values, and timing of follow up. Additionally, a meta-analysis was performed assessing diagnostic qualities of the most often applied diagnostic tool and parameter.ResultsThe search strategy yielded 1233 unique articles, of which 248 were included, with a total of 339 517 participants. In the 79 included randomized controlled trials, six diagnostic tools to assess RPOC were identified, combined in 14 ways, with 55 different cut-off values. In 169 observational studies, seven diagnostic tools were identified, used in 28 combinations, applying 89 different cut-off values. Transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial thickness with a cut-off value of at least 15 mm indicating RPOC, was used most frequently. In the timing of follow-up there was great variation, with 55 and 107 different combinations in randomized controlled trials and observational studies, respectively. Assessment of treatment success was scheduled most often around 2 weeks after treatment. Diagnostic qualities of endometrial thickness of 15 mm or more was not adequately assessed.ConclusionsThere is wide variation in the way RPOC are assessed, and the criteria used to define RPOC following induced abortion and early pregnancy loss; ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial thickness, with a cut-off of 15 mm or more 2 weeks after primary treatment is the most widely used diagnostic approach. A meta-analysis on diagnostic accuracy of endometrial thickness of 15 mm or more did not lead to solid results. These findings can be a first step to develop a workable standard of establishing RPOC after induced abortion or early pregnancy loss.
Project description:Introduction: Telemedicine has the potential to improve abortion access disparities in Canada. We aimed to explore the provision of telemedicine for first-trimester medical abortion and related barriers in 2019. Methods: We conducted a national, cross-sectional, anonymized, web-based survey of clinicians who provided abortion care in 2019 in Canada. We distributed our survey through professional health organizations to maximize identification of possible eligible respondents and used a modified Dillman technique to foster responses. Questions elicited provider demographics, clinical characteristics, including telemedicine first-trimester medical abortion and perceived related barriers. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using R software. Results: Among 465 respondents, 388 reported providing first-trimester medical abortion across Canada; 44.0% reported experience using telemedicine for some components of care: 49.3% of primary care clinicians and 28.7% of specialists. Telemedicine was used for initial consultation (86.0%), prescription (82.2%), or follow-up (92.2%). The median percentage of telemedicine providers' patients who underwent a dating ultrasound was 90.0. The majority usually followed up with patients through quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (84.2%). Seventy-eight percent perceived barriers to telemedicine; the most common being inability to confirm gestational age with ultrasound (43.0%), and lack of provincial telemedicine abortion fee code to pay practitioners (30.2%), timely access to serum hCG testing (24.6%), and nearby emergency services (23.3%). Discussion: In 2019, fewer than half of respondents reported providing some aspects of first-trimester medical abortion through telemedicine and the majority perceived barriers. Our results can inform knowledge translation activities to reduce barriers and increase telemedicine abortion care in Canada.
Project description:BackgroundTraditionally the gold-standard technique for the treatment of spontaneous abortion has been uterine evacuation by aspiration curettage. However, many studies have proposed medical treatment with misoprostol as an alternative to the conventional surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to apply cost minimization methods to compare the cost and effectiveness of the use of vaginal misoprostol as a medical treatment for first trimester spontaneous abortion with those of evacuation curettage as a surgical treatment.Methodology/principal findingsWe present a longitudinal, prospective and quasi-experimental research study including a total of 547 patients diagnosed with first-trimester spontaneous abortion, in the period from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients were offered medical treatment with 800 mg vaginal misoprostol or evacuation curettage. Patients treated with misoprostol were followed-up at 7 days and a transvaginal ultrasound was performed to confirm the success of the treatment. If it failed, a second dose of 800 mg of vaginal misoprostol was prescribed and a new control ultrasound was performed. In case of failure of medical treatment after the second dose of misoprostol, evacuation curettage was indicated. The effectiveness of each of the treatment options was calculated using a decision tree. The cost minimization study was carried out by weighting each cost according to the effectiveness of each branch of the treatment. Of the 547 patients who participated in the study, 348 (64%) chose medical treatment and 199 (36%) chose surgical treatment. The overall effectiveness of medical treatment was 81% (283/348) and surgical treatment of 100%. The estimated final cost for medical treatment was € 461.92 compared to € 2038.72 for surgical treatment, which represents an estimated average saving per patient of € 1576.8.Conclusions/significanceMedical treatment with misoprostol is a cheaper alternative to surgery: in the Spanish Public Healthcare System, it is five times more inexpensive than curettage. Given its success rates higher than 80%, mild side effects, controllable with additional medication and the high degree of overall satisfaction, it should be prioritized over the evacuation curettage in patients who meet the treatment criteria.
Project description:Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a clinically established intrauterine pregnancy before the fetus has reached viability. In order to compare the performance of traditional G banding karyotyping with next-generation sequencing (NGS) for detecting common trisomies in products of conception (POC). Chromosome abnormalities were detected by high-resolution G banding karyotyping and NGS. A total of 48 miscarriage samples, including 20 samples without karyotype result and 28 with karyotype results were selected and coded for analysis by NGS. The multiplex PCR analysis of maternal and miscarriage DNA for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were used to simultaneously monitor maternal cell contamination (MCC), chromosomal status, and sex of the miscarriage tissue. NGS detection results of 21 chromosome abnormalities were consisted with that in karyotyping examination. These chromosome abnormalities samples included 9 chromosome 16 trisomies, 3 chromosome 22 trisomies, 2 chromosome 7 trisomies, 2 chromosome 18 trisomies, 1 chromosome 4 trisomies, one chromosome 10 trisomies, 1 chromosome 13 trisomies, 1 chromosome 15 trisomies and 1 sex chromosomal aneuploidies (45, X). Meanwhile, NGS analysis of seven chromosome normalities was adapted to the karyotyping examination. Therefore, NGS combined with multiplex PCR is an effective method to test trisomies in POC. The results mentioned above will contribute to a detailed understanding of the first-trimester spontaneous miscarriages.
Project description:BackgroundRetained products of conception (RPOC) often cause severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) but the clinical significance of RPOC in placenta previa is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of RPOC in women with placenta previa. The primary outcome was to evaluate risk factors of RPOC and the secondary outcome was to consider risk factors of severe PPH.MethodsSingleton pregnant women with placenta previa who underwent cesarean section (CS) and placenta removal during the operation at the National Defense Medical College Hospital between January 2004 and December 2021 were identified. A retrospective analysis was performed to examine the frequency and risk factors of RPOC and the association of RPOC with severe PPH in pregnant women with placenta previa.ResultsThis study included 335 pregnant women. Among these, 24 (7.2%) pregnant women developed RPOC. Pregnant women with prior CS (Odds Ratio (OR) 5.98; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.35-15.20, p < 0.01), major previa (OR 3.15; 95% CI 1.19-8.32, p < 0.01), and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) (OR 92.7; 95% CI 18.39-467.22, p < 0.01) were more frequent in the RPOC group. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior CS (OR 10.70; 95% CI 3.47-33.00, p < 0.01,) and PAS (OR 140.32; 95% CI 23.84-825.79, p < 0.01) were risk factors for RPOC. In pregnant women who have placenta previa with RPOC or without RPOC, the ratio of severe PPH were 58.3% and 4.5%, respectively (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the occurrence of prior CS (OR 9.23; 95% CI 4.02-21.20, p < 0.01), major previa (OR 11.35; 95% CI 3.35-38.38, p < 0.01), placenta at the anterior wall (OR 3.44; 95% CI 1.40-8.44, p = 0.01), PAS (OR 16.47; 95% CI 4.66-58.26, p < 0.01), and RPOC (OR 29.70; 95% CI 11.23-78.55, p < 0.01) was more in pregnant women with severe PPH. In the multivariate analysis for severe PPH, prior CS (OR 4.71; 95% CI 1.29-17.13, p = 0.02), major previa (OR 7.50; 95% CI 1.98-28.43, p < 0.01), and RPOC (OR 13.26; 95% CI 3.61-48.63, p < 0.01) were identified as risk factors.ConclusionsPrior CS and PAS were identified as risk factors for RPOC in placenta previa and RPOC is closely associated with severe PPH. Therefore, a new strategy for RPOC in placenta previa is needed.
Project description:Retained products of conception (RPOC) is a common cause of postpartum bleeding, which may be life-threatening; however, no evidence-based guidelines exist to assist in evaluating the risk of massive hemorrhage in women with RPOC. In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the predictive factors for massive hemorrhage in women with RPOC. The primary and secondary endpoints were to validate the usefulness of power Doppler color scoring (PDCS) in evaluating hypervascularity and to identify other predictive factors (such as maximum RPOC diameter and serum βhCG and Hb level at first visit), respectively. Among the 51 women with RPOC included in this study, 16 (31.5%) experienced massive hemorrhage during follow-up. None of the women with PDCS 1 or 2 (18) experienced massive hemorrhage, whereas 16 (48.5%) women with PDCS 3 or 4 (33) did. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio [95% confidence interval] (P value) for PDCS, assisted reproductive technology (ART), and low serum hemoglobin (Hb) levels were 22.39 [2.25 - 3087.92] (P = 0.004), 5.72 [1.28 - 33.29] (P = 0.022), and 4.24 [0.97 - 22.99] (P = 0.056), respectively. Further, the decision tree method identified PDCS, ART, and low serum Hb levels as potential predictive factors for massive hemorrhage. This study identified PDCS as useful predictor of massive hemorrhage in women with RPOC. With additional inclusion of factors such as ART and low serum Hb levels, the risk of massive hemorrhage may be effectively evaluated, leading to better management of women of reproductive age.
Project description:BackgroundFollowing the decriminalization of abortion in Colombia and amidst a global health crisis due to COVID-19, Profamilia implemented a telemedicine-assisted first-trimester Medication Abortion (MAB) program. This is an opportunity to reduce inequalities in access and to promote empowerment and sexual and reproductive rights. This study aims to describe socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of users and to assess its effectiveness and safety.Study designA retrospective cohort study.MethodsThe study analyzed data from users who received Profamilia's telemedicine abortion services between August 2021 and August 2022 (n = 3073). A descriptive analysis of their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics was performed, grouping, and comparing them according to follow-up status and abortion outcome. Effectiveness was assessed by the percentage of complete abortions without surgical intervention, and safety by the incidence of complications, potential adverse events, and potentially dangerous signs.ResultsMost of the users were less than 8 weeks gestation at the start of treatment (88.3 %), from low socioeconomic strata (84.8 %), affiliated to the subsidized healthcare system (87.6 %), with educational levels up to secondary school (81.6 %), between 18 and 35 years (87.4 %), from urban areas (97.8 %) and singles (90,8 %). 94.9 % of users had a complete abortion using medication, and 0.3 % of cases reported complications.ConclusionsFirst-trimester MAB through telemedicine in the Latin American context is an effective and safe choice. Telehealth is an important strategy to expand access to safe abortion care, especially for those with limited financial means or educational backgrounds. Rural and marginalized populations need more attention to improve access.