Artigos Originais Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(3):125-129
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000300005
BACKGROUND: patients with primary amenorrhea and gonadal dysgenesia have higher serum gonadotrophins and should be submitted to chromosome studies. Karyotype studies may be performed in gonadal tissue or peripheral blood however, it is not yet established if cases of primary amenorrhea without signs of virilization need additional investigation of gonadal karyotype. PURPOSE: to analize the gonadal karyotypes (ovaries) from patients with primary amenorrhea and compare them to their respective peripheral blood karyotypes. METHODS: clinical and karyotype data of 12 patients were retrospectively analyzed from January 1997 to December 2003. RESULTS: when the investigation was indicated for primary amenorrhea without signs of virilization, the gonadal and peripheral blood karyotypes were concordant in 8 cases (7 cases 46XX and 1 case 46XY). One patient with virilization signs was the only case of discordant karyotype. CONCLUSION: the present study suggests that the gonadal karyotype does not bring additional information to peripheral blood karyotype in patients with amenorrhea and no signs of virilization. Although all previous studies had a small number of patients, it seems advisable to investigate the gonadal karyotype in patients with signs of virilization. The cost-benefit analysis could allow cost and stress reduction for patients, family and institutions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(3):125-129
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000300005
BACKGROUND: patients with primary amenorrhea and gonadal dysgenesia have higher serum gonadotrophins and should be submitted to chromosome studies. Karyotype studies may be performed in gonadal tissue or peripheral blood however, it is not yet established if cases of primary amenorrhea without signs of virilization need additional investigation of gonadal karyotype. PURPOSE: to analize the gonadal karyotypes (ovaries) from patients with primary amenorrhea and compare them to their respective peripheral blood karyotypes. METHODS: clinical and karyotype data of 12 patients were retrospectively analyzed from January 1997 to December 2003. RESULTS: when the investigation was indicated for primary amenorrhea without signs of virilization, the gonadal and peripheral blood karyotypes were concordant in 8 cases (7 cases 46XX and 1 case 46XY). One patient with virilization signs was the only case of discordant karyotype. CONCLUSION: the present study suggests that the gonadal karyotype does not bring additional information to peripheral blood karyotype in patients with amenorrhea and no signs of virilization. Although all previous studies had a small number of patients, it seems advisable to investigate the gonadal karyotype in patients with signs of virilization. The cost-benefit analysis could allow cost and stress reduction for patients, family and institutions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(3):118-124
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000300004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of the association of estrogen and androgen on the quality of life and sexuality of women during climacterium. METHODS: ninety-six postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction were included. The participants were randomly divided into three treatment groups with 32 pacients each: placebo, conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) (0.625 mg per day) and CEE (0.625 mg per day) associated with methyltestosterone (2.5 mg per day). The length of the treatment period was three months. The Women Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and the Modified Sexuality Questionnaire were applied to evaluate the quality of life and sexuality before and after the treatment. Some parameters of cardiovascular risk, endometrial echo and hepatic toxicity were evaluated. ANOVA was used for data analysis followed by the Fisher test and the Shapiro-Wilk post hoc test. RESULTS: the improvement in WHQ parameters was significant in the hormonal treatment groups (CEE and CEE + methyltestosterone) compared to the placebo group. However, there were no differences in somatic symptoms among the three groups. The association of estrogen with androgen significantly improved sexual function (score (mean): 64 vs 67, p<0.05) and depressive humor (score (mean): 75 vs 80, p<0.05) compared to estrogen alone. This therapy also presented a large number of WHQ questions with a high score (p<0.05). The use of CEE associated with methyltestosterone decreased the total cholesterol (212±42 and 194±43, before and after the treatment, respectively) and HDL colesterol (56±16 and 48±14, before and after the treatment, respectively), and slightly increased the endometrial echo (4.7±2.3 and 5.5±2.3, before and after the treatment, respectively). No signifcant changes in liver enzymes during the treatment period was detected. CONCLUSIONS: estrogen associated with methyltestosterone resulted in significant improvement in the quality of life and sexuality of postmenopausal women. This effect was superior to estrogen alone and placebo. The effect of treatment with the estrogen-androgen association was evident regarding depressive humor and sexual function questions of the WHQ.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(3):118-124
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005000300004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the effects of the association of estrogen and androgen on the quality of life and sexuality of women during climacterium. METHODS: ninety-six postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms and sexual dysfunction were included. The participants were randomly divided into three treatment groups with 32 pacients each: placebo, conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) (0.625 mg per day) and CEE (0.625 mg per day) associated with methyltestosterone (2.5 mg per day). The length of the treatment period was three months. The Women Health Questionnaire (WHQ) and the Modified Sexuality Questionnaire were applied to evaluate the quality of life and sexuality before and after the treatment. Some parameters of cardiovascular risk, endometrial echo and hepatic toxicity were evaluated. ANOVA was used for data analysis followed by the Fisher test and the Shapiro-Wilk post hoc test. RESULTS: the improvement in WHQ parameters was significant in the hormonal treatment groups (CEE and CEE + methyltestosterone) compared to the placebo group. However, there were no differences in somatic symptoms among the three groups. The association of estrogen with androgen significantly improved sexual function (score (mean): 64 vs 67, p<0.05) and depressive humor (score (mean): 75 vs 80, p<0.05) compared to estrogen alone. This therapy also presented a large number of WHQ questions with a high score (p<0.05). The use of CEE associated with methyltestosterone decreased the total cholesterol (212±42 and 194±43, before and after the treatment, respectively) and HDL colesterol (56±16 and 48±14, before and after the treatment, respectively), and slightly increased the endometrial echo (4.7±2.3 and 5.5±2.3, before and after the treatment, respectively). No signifcant changes in liver enzymes during the treatment period was detected. CONCLUSIONS: estrogen associated with methyltestosterone resulted in significant improvement in the quality of life and sexuality of postmenopausal women. This effect was superior to estrogen alone and placebo. The effect of treatment with the estrogen-androgen association was evident regarding depressive humor and sexual function questions of the WHQ.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):619-626
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000009
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of cytologic, colposcopic and histopathologic alterations observed in the uterine cervix of adolescents with suspected cervical neoplasia and to compare it with young adult women. METHODS: a cross-sectional, retrospective study that analyzed 366 medical records of females referred to clarify diagnosis of the suspected cervical neoplasia. The patients had been classified into two groups defined by age. The Adolescent group was composed of 129 females between 13 and 19 years and the Adult group was composed of 237 females between 20 and 24 years. Data were analyzed statistically by the prevalence ratio (PR), respective confidence intervals (CI) at 95% for each variable, chi2 test, or Fisher exact test used to compare proportion. RESULTS: the first sexual intercourse coitarche occurred on average at 15.0 years in the Adolescent group and 16.6 years in the Adult group. The possibility of diagnosis of cytological alterations in the first Papanicolaou smears (PR=2.61; CI 95%: 2.0-3,4), the condition of non-clarified cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (PR=1.78; CI 95%: 1.26-2,52), and the colposcopic impressions of low grade (PR=1.42; CI 95%: 1.08-1.86) were statistically significant in the Adolescent group. The histopathologic analysis did not show differences at any grade of CIN. However, two cases of microinvasive carcinoma, one in each group, and three cases of clinical invasive carcinoma in the Adult group were identified. CONCLUSION: our study suggests that cervical cancer is rare among adolescents, but we verified that alterations associated with it occurred even in younger women. The evaluation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with the careful application of the same tools used for adult women was appropriate also in adolescence.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):619-626
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000009
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of cytologic, colposcopic and histopathologic alterations observed in the uterine cervix of adolescents with suspected cervical neoplasia and to compare it with young adult women. METHODS: a cross-sectional, retrospective study that analyzed 366 medical records of females referred to clarify diagnosis of the suspected cervical neoplasia. The patients had been classified into two groups defined by age. The Adolescent group was composed of 129 females between 13 and 19 years and the Adult group was composed of 237 females between 20 and 24 years. Data were analyzed statistically by the prevalence ratio (PR), respective confidence intervals (CI) at 95% for each variable, chi2 test, or Fisher exact test used to compare proportion. RESULTS: the first sexual intercourse coitarche occurred on average at 15.0 years in the Adolescent group and 16.6 years in the Adult group. The possibility of diagnosis of cytological alterations in the first Papanicolaou smears (PR=2.61; CI 95%: 2.0-3,4), the condition of non-clarified cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (PR=1.78; CI 95%: 1.26-2,52), and the colposcopic impressions of low grade (PR=1.42; CI 95%: 1.08-1.86) were statistically significant in the Adolescent group. The histopathologic analysis did not show differences at any grade of CIN. However, two cases of microinvasive carcinoma, one in each group, and three cases of clinical invasive carcinoma in the Adult group were identified. CONCLUSION: our study suggests that cervical cancer is rare among adolescents, but we verified that alterations associated with it occurred even in younger women. The evaluation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia with the careful application of the same tools used for adult women was appropriate also in adolescence.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):613-618
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000008
PURPOSE: to evaluate the results of 14 cases of laparoscopic surgical treatment of patients with deep endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum in the Sector of Gynecological Endoscopy of the 'Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira"'. METHODS: a retrospective analysis was accomplished with data from the records, associated with postoperative evaluation of the patients operated between February 2002 and February 2004. The patients' age varied from 33 to 44 years, with a mean of 38.4. The parity ranged from 0 to 3, with a mean of 1.1. The main preoperative symptoms were: dysmenorrhea in 14 (100%), deep dyspareunia in 12 (85.7%), non-ciclic pelvic pain in 10 (71.4%), pain at defecation in two (14.3%), rectal bleeding in two (14.3%), and infertility in two (14.3%). The plasma level of CA-125 ranged from 3.6 to 100.3 U/mL, with a mean of 52.9 U/mL. RESULTS: the histological examination of the lesions of the rectovaginal septum was compatible with endometriosis in nine (64.3%) patients. Concerning painful symptoms, there was total regression in seven (50%) patients, partial regression (more than 80% relief) in two (14.3%), no improvement in four (28.6%), and worsening in one (7.1%). The incidence of complications was 14.3%: a ureter lesion associated with lesion of the sigmoid and a lesion of the rectum diagnosed on the 8th postoperative day. Conclusion: it can be concluded that endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum can be treated through laparoscopic surgery with low morbidity, leading to a complete or almost complete relief of the symptoms in most of the patients.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):613-618
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000008
PURPOSE: to evaluate the results of 14 cases of laparoscopic surgical treatment of patients with deep endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum in the Sector of Gynecological Endoscopy of the 'Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira"'. METHODS: a retrospective analysis was accomplished with data from the records, associated with postoperative evaluation of the patients operated between February 2002 and February 2004. The patients' age varied from 33 to 44 years, with a mean of 38.4. The parity ranged from 0 to 3, with a mean of 1.1. The main preoperative symptoms were: dysmenorrhea in 14 (100%), deep dyspareunia in 12 (85.7%), non-ciclic pelvic pain in 10 (71.4%), pain at defecation in two (14.3%), rectal bleeding in two (14.3%), and infertility in two (14.3%). The plasma level of CA-125 ranged from 3.6 to 100.3 U/mL, with a mean of 52.9 U/mL. RESULTS: the histological examination of the lesions of the rectovaginal septum was compatible with endometriosis in nine (64.3%) patients. Concerning painful symptoms, there was total regression in seven (50%) patients, partial regression (more than 80% relief) in two (14.3%), no improvement in four (28.6%), and worsening in one (7.1%). The incidence of complications was 14.3%: a ureter lesion associated with lesion of the sigmoid and a lesion of the rectum diagnosed on the 8th postoperative day. Conclusion: it can be concluded that endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum can be treated through laparoscopic surgery with low morbidity, leading to a complete or almost complete relief of the symptoms in most of the patients.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):607-612
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000007
PURPOSE: to test the hypothesis that gene TP53 codon 72 polymorphism is a risk factor for premalignant and malignant cervical lesions associated or not with human papillomavirus (HPV). METHODS: uterine cervical samples were collected for HPV DNA and TP53 codon 72 polymorphism tests from 155 patients who underwent cervical biopsy. Three groups were formed according to histological diagnosis: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical carcinoma. Subjects without cytological and histological displasic changes were considered controls. To verify the association between the gene TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and the groups, the chi2 test was applied. Confidence interval was considered significant at 95% (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: forty subjects were found to present cervical carcinoma, 18 had HSIL, 24 had LSIL and 73 were grouped as controls. The genotype Arg/Arg p53 was found in 60% of the patients with cancer, in 50.0% of the cases with HSIL, 45.8% with LSIL, and in 45.2% of the controls. No significant differences were identified in the frequencies of p53 genotype between all groups, independently of the presence of HPV (chi2: 3.7; p=0.716). CONCLUSIONS: our data do not support hypothesis that the gene TP53 codon 72 polymorphism is important for the development of pre-malignant and malignant cervical lesions associated or not with HPV.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):607-612
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000007
PURPOSE: to test the hypothesis that gene TP53 codon 72 polymorphism is a risk factor for premalignant and malignant cervical lesions associated or not with human papillomavirus (HPV). METHODS: uterine cervical samples were collected for HPV DNA and TP53 codon 72 polymorphism tests from 155 patients who underwent cervical biopsy. Three groups were formed according to histological diagnosis: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical carcinoma. Subjects without cytological and histological displasic changes were considered controls. To verify the association between the gene TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and the groups, the chi2 test was applied. Confidence interval was considered significant at 95% (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: forty subjects were found to present cervical carcinoma, 18 had HSIL, 24 had LSIL and 73 were grouped as controls. The genotype Arg/Arg p53 was found in 60% of the patients with cancer, in 50.0% of the cases with HSIL, 45.8% with LSIL, and in 45.2% of the controls. No significant differences were identified in the frequencies of p53 genotype between all groups, independently of the presence of HPV (chi2: 3.7; p=0.716). CONCLUSIONS: our data do not support hypothesis that the gene TP53 codon 72 polymorphism is important for the development of pre-malignant and malignant cervical lesions associated or not with HPV.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):599-606
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000006
PURPOSE: comparative analysis of the outcome of women with advanced pelvic endometriosis and women with tubal sterilization submitted to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: ninety-three infertile women, with normal menstrual cycle, without hormonal or surgical treatment during 12 months, body mass index of 20-25, ovaries with no tumors or cysts were included in the present study and divided into two groups: tubal sterilization (TUB), 39 women, and endometriosis (EDT), 54 women with III-EDT and IV-EDT, undergoing ovulatory induction using r-FSH and ICSI. Clinical and laboratorial data were compared. chi2, Fisher, Student's t, and Mann-Whitney tests were employed. RESULTS: lower estradiol levels (2,243.1 vs 1,666.3; p=0.001) and lower number of follicles per patient (16.9 vs 13.9, p=0.001) were noted in EDT group, in spite of more units of r-FSH (1,775.6 vs 1,998.6; p=0.007, for TUB and EDT, respectively). There were no differences in the rates of retrieved oocyte (69 vs 73.5%; p=0.071) as well as in normal fertilization rates (83.7 vs 81.7%; p=0.563, for TUB and EDT, respectively. However, lower number of top quality preembryos were obtained in patients from EDT group (36.5 vs 24.8%, TUB and EDT, respectively; p=0.005). Total pregnancy (41.0 vs 42.6%; p=0.950) and implantation rates (13.9 vs 14.5%; p=0.905) were not different when groups TUB and EDT were compared. CONCLUSIONS: ovaries of women from EDT group seem to be less responsive to ovulatory induction with r-FSH. EDT seems to impair the mean number of follicles and top quality preembryos with no impairment of retrieved oocyte and fertilization rates. However, once obtained, preembryos from EDT patients are able to exhibit similar implantation potential and pregnancy when compared with patients from TUB group.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):599-606
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000006
PURPOSE: comparative analysis of the outcome of women with advanced pelvic endometriosis and women with tubal sterilization submitted to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: ninety-three infertile women, with normal menstrual cycle, without hormonal or surgical treatment during 12 months, body mass index of 20-25, ovaries with no tumors or cysts were included in the present study and divided into two groups: tubal sterilization (TUB), 39 women, and endometriosis (EDT), 54 women with III-EDT and IV-EDT, undergoing ovulatory induction using r-FSH and ICSI. Clinical and laboratorial data were compared. chi2, Fisher, Student's t, and Mann-Whitney tests were employed. RESULTS: lower estradiol levels (2,243.1 vs 1,666.3; p=0.001) and lower number of follicles per patient (16.9 vs 13.9, p=0.001) were noted in EDT group, in spite of more units of r-FSH (1,775.6 vs 1,998.6; p=0.007, for TUB and EDT, respectively). There were no differences in the rates of retrieved oocyte (69 vs 73.5%; p=0.071) as well as in normal fertilization rates (83.7 vs 81.7%; p=0.563, for TUB and EDT, respectively. However, lower number of top quality preembryos were obtained in patients from EDT group (36.5 vs 24.8%, TUB and EDT, respectively; p=0.005). Total pregnancy (41.0 vs 42.6%; p=0.950) and implantation rates (13.9 vs 14.5%; p=0.905) were not different when groups TUB and EDT were compared. CONCLUSIONS: ovaries of women from EDT group seem to be less responsive to ovulatory induction with r-FSH. EDT seems to impair the mean number of follicles and top quality preembryos with no impairment of retrieved oocyte and fertilization rates. However, once obtained, preembryos from EDT patients are able to exhibit similar implantation potential and pregnancy when compared with patients from TUB group.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):594-598
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000005
PURPOSE: to verify if there is any difference in the number of miscarriages and newborns with low weight in patients with scleroderma (SSc) when compared with women without the disease, between the two clinical variants of the disease and when the expression of SSc occurred before or after the gestation. METHODS: twenty-six patients were analyzed regarding the number of pregnancies, miscarriages, sex, and birth weight of the children, studying the clinical variant of the disease and the temporal relationship between diagnosis and gestation. The patients had not used either medications that could interfere in gestation or had any other disease that could do it. For control, twenty-six healthy women, without diseases that might alter the gestation, of the same ages and socioeconomic status were studied. For the statistical analysis study, tables of frequency, tables of contingency, and Fisher, chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Statistical significance was considered when p<0.05. RESULTS: among the patients with SSc, there were 96 gestations with 13.5% (n=13) of miscarriages. In the control group, there were 94 gestations with 9.6% (n=9) of miscarriages. There were no differences in the number of newborns with low weight between the two groups (cases, n=8 and controls, n=6, with p=0.54), nor in the number of miscarriages (p=0.46). However, the number of newborn babies with low weight was significantly higher among the cases with the diffuse disease (diffuse form, n=4 and limited, n=4, with p=0.04) and among patients that became pregnant after the diagnosis of SSc (37.5% in women known to be sick and 6.7% in women who became pregnant before getting ill, with p=0.03). The number of male newborns was higher in the women with SSc (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: the women with SSc showed a higher number of low-weight newborns in the group with diffuse disease and when pregnancy occurred after the clinical diagnosis of the disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):594-598
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000005
PURPOSE: to verify if there is any difference in the number of miscarriages and newborns with low weight in patients with scleroderma (SSc) when compared with women without the disease, between the two clinical variants of the disease and when the expression of SSc occurred before or after the gestation. METHODS: twenty-six patients were analyzed regarding the number of pregnancies, miscarriages, sex, and birth weight of the children, studying the clinical variant of the disease and the temporal relationship between diagnosis and gestation. The patients had not used either medications that could interfere in gestation or had any other disease that could do it. For control, twenty-six healthy women, without diseases that might alter the gestation, of the same ages and socioeconomic status were studied. For the statistical analysis study, tables of frequency, tables of contingency, and Fisher, chi2 and Mann-Whitney tests were used. Statistical significance was considered when p<0.05. RESULTS: among the patients with SSc, there were 96 gestations with 13.5% (n=13) of miscarriages. In the control group, there were 94 gestations with 9.6% (n=9) of miscarriages. There were no differences in the number of newborns with low weight between the two groups (cases, n=8 and controls, n=6, with p=0.54), nor in the number of miscarriages (p=0.46). However, the number of newborn babies with low weight was significantly higher among the cases with the diffuse disease (diffuse form, n=4 and limited, n=4, with p=0.04) and among patients that became pregnant after the diagnosis of SSc (37.5% in women known to be sick and 6.7% in women who became pregnant before getting ill, with p=0.03). The number of male newborns was higher in the women with SSc (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: the women with SSc showed a higher number of low-weight newborns in the group with diffuse disease and when pregnancy occurred after the clinical diagnosis of the disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):588-593
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration for the treatment of abortion. METHODS: a prospective, descriptive study, with group comparison was carried out between November 2000 and August 2001 on 80 women between 15 and 48 years old, admitted to a public hospital for abortion care. Manual vacuum aspiration consisted of extracting the uterine content by suction using a Karman syringe connected to plastic cannulas. Intrauterine adhesions were screened by hysteroscopy, performed 40-60 days after the aspiration. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact test, ANOVA and estimation of prevalence risk, when indicated. RESULTS: hysteroscopy identified intrauterine adhesions in 13 patients (prevalence = 16.3%), most of them of the mucosal type (9 of 13), minimal severity (11 of 13) and lateral location in the uterus (5 of 13). Adhesions were more frequent at a gestational age more than 8 weeks (24.4 vs 3.7%; prevalence risk of 6.6) as well as in missed abortion (41.7 vs 12.1% ; prevalence risk of 3.54). CONCLUSIONS: prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration was 16.3%. Missed abortion and advanced gestational age seem to be associated with the occurrence of adhesions.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(10):588-593
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001000004
PURPOSE: to evaluate the prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration for the treatment of abortion. METHODS: a prospective, descriptive study, with group comparison was carried out between November 2000 and August 2001 on 80 women between 15 and 48 years old, admitted to a public hospital for abortion care. Manual vacuum aspiration consisted of extracting the uterine content by suction using a Karman syringe connected to plastic cannulas. Intrauterine adhesions were screened by hysteroscopy, performed 40-60 days after the aspiration. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact test, ANOVA and estimation of prevalence risk, when indicated. RESULTS: hysteroscopy identified intrauterine adhesions in 13 patients (prevalence = 16.3%), most of them of the mucosal type (9 of 13), minimal severity (11 of 13) and lateral location in the uterus (5 of 13). Adhesions were more frequent at a gestational age more than 8 weeks (24.4 vs 3.7%; prevalence risk of 6.6) as well as in missed abortion (41.7 vs 12.1% ; prevalence risk of 3.54). CONCLUSIONS: prevalence of intrauterine adhesions after manual vacuum aspiration was 16.3%. Missed abortion and advanced gestational age seem to be associated with the occurrence of adhesions.