The Abstracts of the JOGI’s best paper winners (Senior and Junior Category) for the year 2019

 SENIOR CATEGORY
Dr.Vasundhara Kamineni
(First Prize)
Can  LBC Completely Replace Conventional Pap Smear in Developing Countries
Abstract :
Background

A number of screening techniques have been developed to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, most common of which is conventional Pap smear (CPS) being overtaken by liquid-based cytology (LBC) in most of the developed countries. There are a number of studies with conflicting results, and no method has been shown superior in terms of all parameters. LBC was introduced in our hospital in 2014, and we planned to do a study and compare results of the two techniques. This study aims to compare the two methods in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, turnover time, cost-effectiveness, sample adequacy. This study has been done in 100 women with unhealthy cervix to increase the output.

Method

This was a prospective observational study. A total of 100 women fulfilling the inclusion criteria were subjected to screening test. In first 50 cases, first conventional Pap smear was taken and then LBC, and in remaining 50 cases, first LBC and then conventional Pap smear were taken; this was done to remove bias.

Results

The number of unsatisfactory slides was reduced with LBC, and turnover time was less for LBC. The detection of ASCUS was increased with LBC, but the detection of higher-grade lesions (HSIL and SCC) was equal with both tests.

Conclusion

The superiority of LBC with respect to reduction in the number of unsatisfactory slides and less turnover time is being offset with increased detection of low-grade lesions subjecting women to further testing increasing the cost of programme and anxiety among women. It is difficult to say that it can completely replace conventional Pap smear in low-resource settings.

Dr. Hemant G. Deshpande
(Second Prize)
Relationship of Decubitus Ulcer on Cervix in Pelvic Organ Prolapse with POP-Q Staging.
Abstract:
Aim

Utero vaginal prolapse is a very common complaint of patients in the OPD. It’s an entity that existed since a very long time and hence many classifications were proposed; however, only one system was found to be a validated system for determining the degree of prolapse—POP-Q system.

Objective

To determine the relationship of decubitus ulcer with POP-Q staging.

Materials and Methods

A prospective study of 100 patients with complaints of prolapse (something coming out of vagina) was considered. The patients were staged in accordance with POP-Q system. The number of patients with decubitus ulcer were noted. The area of each decubitus ulcer was also noted, by measuring the radius. Statistical tests were applied to find out if the relationship of the presence of and the area of decubitus ulcer with stage of prolapse was significant.

Results

It was found that as the stage of prolapse increased, the number of patients with decubitus ulcer also increased. Also, as the Point C measurement increased, the area (small/medium/large size) of the decubitus ulcer also increased.

Conclusion

There is a definite correlation between the presence of decubitus ulcer along with its area and the POP-Q component. The study also indicated that POP-Q staging is the only method of classification available that allows accurate and standardized measurements, foregoing pitfalls of all previous classifications.

Dr.Taru Gupta
(Third Prize)
Role of Chromohysteroscopy in Evaluation of Endometrial Pathology Using Methylene Blue Dye
Abstract :
Background

Chromohysteroscopy is expected to help in diagnosing subtle endometrial pathologies which could be missed on conventional hysteroscopy and also help in targeting biopsy from endometrium.

Objective

To study staining pattern of endometrium in patients undergoing chromohysteroscopy and to evaluate and compare the histopathology of chromohysteroscopy-guided endometrial biopsy with conventional endometrial sampling.

Method

This was a cross-sectional study conducted during the period of 18 months in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ESI PGIMSR, New Delhi, India, from September 2016 to February 2018. Totally, 60 women with complaints of infertility, failed intrauterine insemination (IUI), recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) and postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) meeting inclusion criteria were evaluated and enrolled in the study. In patients with normal looking endometrium on hysteroscopy, methylene blue dye was administered through the hysteroscopic inlet. Tissue samples were obtained from stained areas followed by blind endometrial sampling immediately. The results of chromohysteroscopy-guided biopsy from light- and dark-blue-stained areas and blind biopsy were compared.

Results

Mean age of the study group was 37 years, with mean BMI of 24 kg/m2. There were 24 cases of HMB, 9 of IMB, 7 of PMB, 15 of infertility, 2 of failed IUI and 3 with RSA. On chromohysteroscopy, 39(65%) cases showed light-stained endometrium (group I) and 21(35%) showed dark-stained endometrium (group II). Comparison was done between histopathology obtained through chromohysteroscopy and blind endometrial sampling. The diagnostic accuracy of chromohysteroscopy-guided endometrial biopsy in evaluation of endometrial pathology was 86.67% with sensitivity of 91.67%, specificity of 85.41%, PPV of 61.12% and NPV of 97.61% (P <0.001).

Conclusion

Chromohysteroscopy was able to detect endometrial pathology which was missed on conventional hysteroscopy and detected more cases of endometrial pathology than blind endometrial sampling.

JUNIOR CATEGORY
 
Dr. Reshu Agarwal 
(First Prize)
A Comparison of the Clinical Outcomes in Uterine Cancer Surgery After the Introduction of Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Abstract :
Objective

To compare the rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications of open and robotic-assisted surgery in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed at a single academic institution from January 2014 to February 2017 in the Department of Gynecology Oncology at Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kerala, India. The study included patients with clinically early stage uterine malignancy undergoing open or robotic-assisted surgery. Data collected included clinicopathological factors, intraoperative data, length of hospital stay and intraoperative and postoperative (early and late and severity according to Clavien–Dindo classification). Morbidity was compared between two groups.

Results

The study included 128 patients, of whom 61 underwent open surgery and 67 underwent robotic-assisted surgery. Mean operative time (P = 0.112), mean estimated blood loss (P < 0.001), number of patients requiring blood transfusion (P < 0.001) and mean length of hospital stay (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in robotic group. None of the patients in robotic group experienced intraoperative hemorrhage (P = 0.010). The early postoperative complications, SSI (P < 0.001), infection (P = 0.002), and urinary complications (P = 0.030) and late postoperative complications lymphoedema (P = 0.002), vault-related complications (1.5% robotic vs. 6.6% open) and incisional hernia (none in robotic vs. 4.9% in open) were significantly lower in robotic group. Grade-II complications (Clavien–Dindo classification) were significantly lower in robotic group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted surgical staging for uterine cancer is feasible and safe in terms of short-term outcomes and results in fewer complications and shorter hospital stay.

Dr. Shobha A. Alluvala
(Second Prize)
One-Year Follow-Up of Women with Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity (SAMM): A Cohort Study
Abstract:
Background

Some women experience unforeseen complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which may be life threatening; their survival depends on intensive support and timely interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term prevalence of adverse health conditions and their impact on quality of life in women who had severe acute maternal morbidity (SAMM).

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study comprising 43 women with SAMM during 2015 (exposure group) and 43 women who had an uneventful pregnancy and delivery (non-exposure group) during the same study period. Those who consented were given an additional follow-up date for free medical health check at 1 year.

Results

The incidence of SAMM during study period was 8.6/1000 births. There were five deaths in the exposure group. Adverse health events were seen in 30 (78.94%) out of 38 survivors. Abnormal lipid profile, thrombocytopenia, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, amenorrhoea, Sheehan and Asherman syndrome were major findings in the exposed group. Four (10.52%) women required re-admission, and eight (20.05%) required additional procedures to confirm screening abnormalities. The exposure group had higher mean scores on the EPDS scale, incidence of suicidal thoughts and poorer performance in the WHOQOL BREF psychological domain.

Conclusion

Health programmes need to focus on maternal health, provide medical treatment and psychological support for a longer duration than the traditional 6 weeks postpartum in women who experience SAMM.

Dr.Kavitha Yogini Duraisamy
(Third Prize)
A  Prospective Study of Minimally Invasive Paravaginal Repair of Cystocele    and Associated Pelvic Floor Defects: Our Experience
Abstract :
Aims and objectives

To assess the outcome of minimally invasive paravaginal repair of symptomatic cystocele and to correlate postoperative outcome with preoperative presentation. The primary outcome was the anatomical outcome measured by postoperative physical examination and the functional outcome was assessed by subjective symptoms and questionnaires. The secondary outcomes were perioperative and postoperative complications.

Materials and methods

In this longitudinal prospective observational study, 44 women underwent laparoscopic or robotic paravaginal cystocele repair from January 2016 to July 2016 and they were followed up to 1 year after surgery in a tertiary advanced laparoscopic center. All patients had a symptomatic lateral cystocele ≥ grade 2 according to Baden–Walker classification. Other coexisting defects like apical cystocele or combined defects were corrected concomitantly. The anatomical outcome was measured by physical examination and functional outcome was assessed by questionnaires—Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6 and Urinary Distress Inventory 6 preoperatively and during postoperative follow-up.

Results

All 44 patients were followed up to 12 months after surgery. The anatomical cure rate for cystocele was 97.7%. There were no major complications. All subjective symptoms and quality of life scores improved significantly during postoperative follow-up. The anatomical recurrence rate in our study was 2.3%.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive paravaginal repair of cystocele is an effective advanced laparoscopic procedure. It can be concomitantly performed with other surgical procedures to correct coexisting defects. The anatomical and functional results were outstanding with minimum perioperative morbidity and encouraging long-term outcome.