BACKGROUND A worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity has been observed in the past three decades, particularly in women of reproductive age. Female obesity has been clearly associated with impaired spontaneous fertility, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increasing evidence in the literature shows that obesity also contributes to adverse clinical outcomes following in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. However, the heterogeneity of the available studies in terms of populations, group definition and outcomes prevents drawing firm conclusions. A previous meta-analysis published in 2011 identified a marginal but significant negative effect of increased female body mass index (BMI) on IVF results, but numerous studies have been published since then, including large cohort studies from national registries, highlighting the need for an updated review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Our systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature aims to evaluate the association of female obesity with the probability of live birth following IVF. Subgroup analyses according to ovulatory status, oocyte origin, fresh or frozen-embryo transfer and cycle rank were performed. SEARCH METHODS A systematic review was performed using the following key words: (‘obesity’, ‘body mass index’, ‘live birth’, ‘IVF’, ‘ICSI’). Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Eudract and clinicaltrial.gov from 01 January 2007 to 30 November 2017. Study selection was based on title and abstract. Full texts of potentially relevant articles were retrieved and assessed for inclusion by two reviewers. Subsequently, quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scales for patient selection, comparability and assessment of outcomes. Two independent reviewers carried out study selection and data extraction according to Cochrane methods. Random-effect meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager software on all data (overall analysis), followed by subgroup analyses. OUTCOMES A total of 21 studies were included in the meta-analysis. A decreased probability of live birth following IVF was observed in obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) women when compared with normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) women: risk ratio (RR) (95% CI) 0.85 (0.82–0.87). Subgroups analyses demonstrated that prognosis was poorer when obesity was associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, while the oocyte origin (donor or non-donor) did not modify the overall interpretation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Our meta-analysis clearly demonstrates that female obesity negatively and significantly impacts live birth rates following IVF. Whether weight loss can reverse this deleterious effect through lifestyle modifications or bariatric surgery should be further evaluated.

The objective of our observational prospective study was to investigate the severity and prevalence of urinary and pelvic floor disorders in gynecologic cancer survivors. All patients surviving gynecological cancer in the region as well as women receiving invitations to attend breast-screening checkups as the control population were asked to fill-in questionnaires assessing pelvic prolapse symptoms (PFDI-20, Wexner) and associated quality of life (PFIQ-7). Eighty-nine women were included in the cancer survivor group and 1088 in the control group. Pelvic floor symptoms (PFDI-20 questionnaire) were significantly worse in cancer survivors than in control women (score: 33.3 [14.6–74.1] vs. 20 [4.2–50.0], p = 0.0003). Urge incontinence was significantly worse in cancer survivors in both univariable (ORb = 2.061 [95% CI = 1.284–3.309], p = 0.0027) and multivariable analyses (ORa = 1.672 [95% CI = 1.014–2.758], p = 0.0442), as was fecal incontinence in univariable (ORb = 3.836 [95% CI = 1.710–8.602], p = 0.0011) and in multivariable (ORa = 3.862 [95% CI = 1.657–9.001], p = 0.0018) analyses. Women with benign hysterectomies had poorer quality of life and increased pelvic floor disorders compared to women with no history of surgery. Survivors of gynecological cancer experience significantly more pelvic floor symptoms and an associated reduction in quality of life.

Objective: To evaluate fertility after robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RALM) in terms of pregnancy rates, and obstetrical outcomes.Patients: This is a retrospective cohort of RALM performed for symptomatic leiomyomas among women who want to conceive. Medical data were retrospectively reviewed. An office hysteroscopy was prescribed 3 months after the surgery.Results: Fifty-three patients were included. The mean number of myomas was 2 ± 1.5 with a mean size of 69 ± 17.7 mm. A breach of the cavity was noticed in 15.1% of the cases. Two cases of intrauterine adhesions were diagnosed and treated during the post-operative office hysteroscopy (5.7%).Clinical pregnancy rates were 52.8% with a live birth rate of 41.5% in patients desiring pregnancy. A caesarean section was performed in 17 cases (70.8%). No case of uterine rupture was reported.Conclusion: More than half of the patients became pregnant after RALM. A low rate of obstetrical complications was reported, with no uterine ruptures, highlighting the promise of this technique for infertile patients.infertility, miscarriage, myoma, robot-assisted myomectomy, synechiae imaging, strict and appropriate patient selection, and appropriate training in the safe practices of contained morcellation. 36 Although the number of subjects is higher than in some other studies, the present study is limited by its observational and retrospective nature. A randomized study, comparing standard laparoscopy vs robot-assisted myomectomy, would clarify the benefits of robot assistance on pregnancy rates, obstetrical complications, and intrauterine adherences more accurately (Table 7). | CONCLUSIONIn this retrospective series, we report 52.8% pregnancy rates after robot-assisted myomectomy in patients desiring pregnancy, and 47% pregnancy rates in infertile patients (half undergoing ART). In all, 78% of pregnancies gave way to a live birth, the majority through programmed caesarean sections. A low rate of obstetrical complications was reported, with no uterine ruptures, and no abnormal placentation. After systematic post-operative hysteroscopy in patients desiring pregnancy, a 5.7% intrauterine adhesion rate was found, a lower rate than those after laparoscopy or laparotomy published in the literature. This low synechiae rate probably contributes to fertility preservation.These results are encouraging for improving fertility after robotassisted myomectomy. A comparative, prospective, multicentre study, comparing standard laparoscopy vs robot-assisted laparoscopy in patients operated for myomectomy, with a longer follow-up, is highly encouraged.

We investigated whether implementation of a routine catheterization procedure in labor improves covert postpartum urinary retention (cPUR) rates. We conducted a prospective before-after study. 121 women admitted to delivery room in the observational group, and 82 in the intervention group, in a tertiary university hospital in Southern France were included. All patients in the intervention group were systematically catheterized 2 hours after delivery. cPUR was screened for in both groups. The primary end-point was cPUR (post-void residual bladder volume >150 ml when voided volume is >150 mL). The rate of cPUR decreased from 50% (60 out of 121 patients) in the observational group to 17% (14/82) in the intervention group (OR = 0.21; 95% Confidence Interval [0.13;0.58]; p < 0.001). Similarly, in the subgroup of patients who underwent instrumental delivery, the rate of cPUR was lower in the intervention group (18%, 2/11) than in the observational group (65%, 15/23) (p = 0.02). Systematic intermittent bladder catheterization immediately postpartum could decrease cPUR. Further studies are necessary to assess the long-term outcomes and improve understanding of postpartum voiding dysfunction.

ObjectiveIntrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are the most common complication after hysteroscopy in patients of reproductive age. Intra-abdominal anti-adhesion gel reduces the incidence of adhesions, but effects on fertility after uterine surgery are not known. The objective of our work was to evaluate the effect of intrauterine anti-adhesion gel on spontaneous fertility after repeated intrauterine surgery with induced experimental synechiae in the rabbit model.Materials and MethodsTwenty New Zealand White rabbits underwent a double uterine curettage 10 days apart and were randomized into two groups. Each rabbit served as its own control: one uterine tube was the treatment group (A), the second uterine tube was the control group (B) to avoid bias through other causes of infertility. Group A received a post curettage intrauterine instillation of anti-adhesion gel whereas group B, the control group, underwent curettage without instillation of the gel. After a recovery period, the rabbits were mated. An abdominal ultrasound performed 21 days after mating allowed us to diagnose pregnancy and quantify the number of viable fetuses.ResultsThere was a significant difference in total fetuses in favor of group A, with an average of 3.7 (range, 0–9) total fetuses per tube against 2.1 (0–7) in group B (p = .04). The number of viable fetuses shows a trend in favor of group A, with an average of 3.4 (0–7) viable fetuses per tube against 1.9 (0–6) viable fetuses per tube in group B (p = .05).ConclusionThe use of immediate postoperative anti-adhesion gel improved fertility in an animal model after intrauterine surgery likely to cause uterine synechiae. This experimental model will permit comparison of different anti-adhesion solutions, including assessment of their tolerance and potential mucosal toxicity on embryonic development.

The clinical advantage of MRI visualization of prostheses in soft tissue prolapses is very appealing as over 1,000000 MRI-transparent synthetic meshes are implanted annually, and postoperative complications such as mesh shrinkage and migration are frequent. Here, the synthesis of a new material composed of a DTPA-Gd complex grafted onto a backbone of PMA via a covalent bond is described (DTPA-Gd-PMA). This new polymer is sprayed onto meshes and gives an MR signal for a long period without any significant release of Gd. In vitro cytocompatibility tests on fibroblasts show limited cytotoxicity. Microscopic investigations indicate that vital cells rapidly colonize the material. Finally, coated meshes implanted in rats are easily recognizable using an MR imaging system.

PAC prophylaxis does not reduce the risk of postoperative bacteriuria in patients undergoing pelvic surgery.

Intrauterine adhesions lead to partial or complete obliteration of the uterine cavity and have life-changing consequences for women. The leading cause of adhesions is believed to be loss of stroma resulting from trauma to the endometrium after surgery. Adhesions are formed when lost stroma is replaced by fibrous tissue that join the uterine walls. Few effective intrauterine anti-adhesion barriers for gynecological surgery exist. We designed a degradable anti-adhesion medical device prototype to prevent adhesion formation and recurrence and restore uterine morphology. We focused on ideal degradation time for complete uterine re-epithelialization for optimal anti-adhesion effect and clinical usability. We developed a triblock copolymer prototype [poly(lactide) combined with high molecular mass poly(ethylene oxide)]. Comparative pre-clinical studies demonstrated in vivo anti-adhesion efficacy. Ease of introduction and optimal deployment in a human uterus confirmed clinical usability. This article provides preliminary data to develop an intrauterine medical device and conduct a clinical trial.