Burak Akselim

Objective: To investigate the relationship of beta-hCG changes between the first, fourth and seventh days as a predictor of the additional dose requirement in single-dose methotrexate protocol in tubal ectopic pregnancy. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, between January 2017 and June 2020. Methodology: Data of 123 patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy, treated with a single-dose methotrexate protocol, were retrospectively analysed. Patients who received methotrexate on the first day and achieved treatment success constituted one group. Patients who received additional doses on the seventh day and achieved treatment success, constituted the other group. Treatment success was defined as normalisation of beta-hCG levels without surgical intervention. Results: The percentage of beta-hCG change between day-one and day-four was a significant independent variable for the additional dose treatment requirement (OR:1.07, CI:1.01-1.13, p=0.022). The cut-off value of the beta-hCG change percentage between the first and fourth day, was calculated as 4% (sensitivity 72.9%, specificity 78.9%, positive predictive value [PPV] 88.6%, negative predictive value [NPV] 56.6%). Conclusion: In the single-dose methotrexate protocol applied in the medical treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy, the change in beta-hCG value between the first and fourth days may predict the need for additional doses. Administration of an additional dose of methotrexate on the fourth day may be considered, if there is less than a 4% decrease or any increase in beta-hCG value between the first and fourth days.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and conventional laparoscopy in ectopic pregnancies accompanied by severe hemoperitoneum. Material and methods: The main outcome measures were duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding quantity, complications, post-operative pain scores, additional analgesic requirements, and length of hospital stay. Results: A total of 53 women, 28 in the conventional laparoscopy group and 25 in the SILS group, participated in the study. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between the two groups. There were no differences in terms of variables including gestational week, beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) levels, and operation time. No intraoperative complications were observed in either group. The groups exhibited no significant differences regarding additional analgesic requirements or postoperative pain scores. However, pain at the sixth postoperative hour was lower in the SILS group. This effect was not observed at 12 and 24 hours. Conclusion: SILS appears to be effective and safe for the treatment of ruptured ectopic pregnancies accompanied by hemoperitoneum.

Background: Our aim was to compare single incision and conventional laparoscopic surgeries performed for benign adnexal masses with regard to their intraoperative characteristics and postoperative pain levels. Material and methods: The main outcome measures were laparoscopic entry time, total operation time, amount of bleeding, intraoperative complications, post-operative pain scores, additional analgesic requirements, and length of hospital stay. Results: A total of 71 women, 39 in the conventional laparoscopy group and 32 in the SILS group, participated in the study. Demographic findings did not differ between the two groups. Similarly, rates of intraoperative complications, rates of conversion to laparotomy, pre- and postoperative hematocrit levels were not significantly different between the groups. Laparoscopic entry time was shorter in the SILS group (10.4 ± 5.9 min. vs. 5.28 ± 1.7 min.). However, total operation time was similar in the two groups. The groups did not show significant differences regarding additional analgesic requirements, or postoperative pain scores after 24 h. However, pain scores in the recovery room and after six and 12 h were lower in the SILS group. Conclusion: SILS seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of benign adnexal masses. SILS appears to be advantageous regarding postoperative pain especially in the early period.

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between mean bladder wall thickness (BWT) and treatment success in patients diagnosed with urinary incontinence, based on urodynamic test results. In this prospective study, patient urinary incontinence type was identified using urodynamic tests. Patients (N = 125) were categorized into three groups: urodynamic stress incontinence (SUI), detrusor over-activity (DO) and mixed urinary incontinence. Measurements from the bladder dome, anterior wall and trigone were averaged to calculate BWT. Student’s t test and Mann–Whitney U test were used to compare pre-treatment BWT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine optimal cut-off values for BWT to predict treatment success. Mean pre-treatment BWT significantly differed between success and non-success groups for each urinary incontinence type (p value for the SUI, DO and MUI groups was 0.043, 0.001 and 0.002 respectively). Using ROC curves to anticipate the treatment success, a threshold was calculated for mean pre-treatment BWT; 5.05 mm for SUI (sensitivity 74 %, specificity 66 %, positive predictive value [PPV] 85 %, negative predictive value [NPV] 50 %), 4.98 mm for DO (sensitivity 73 %, specificity 92 %, PPV 95 %, NPV 63 %) and 5.31 mm for mixed type (sensitivity 88 %, specificity 73 %, PPV 79 %, NPV 85 %). The study results suggest a significant relationship between the pre-treatment BWT and the success of urinary incontinence treatment. The mean BWT may be used as a benchmark in assessing the responsiveness to treatment of urinary incontinence types.