高橋 宏典

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of the Matsubara–Takahashi cervix-holding technique (MT-holding) for achieving hemostasis for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Methods: The present retrospective observational study included data from deliveries that occurred between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2014, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan. Deliveries were included where patients experienced blood loss greater than 2500 mL and MT-holding was used. The success rates of the technique in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders and PPH were determined subsequent pregnancy outcomes were also examined. Results: There were 53 deliveries included in the study 29 patients had placenta previa and 8 of these patients also had PAS disorders. MT-holding achieved hemostasis in 15 (71%) and 4 (50%) patients with placenta previa without and with PAS disorders, respectively the placenta was removed in the latter. Overall, MT-holding achieved hemostasis in 40 (75%) deliveries. Of nine patients who became pregnant after this procedure, six went on to have full-term deliveries. Conclusion: MT-holding achieved hemostasis in 50% of patients with PAS disorders and had an overall success rate of 75% for PPH, comparable to other uterus-sparing procedures. MT-holding is suggested as a simple, effective, safe technique available to less-experienced obstetrician these findings require confirmation in larger studies.

Uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP), an important cause of postabortal or postpartum hemorrhage, usually accompanies a preceding event, which injures the arterial wall, leading to pseudoaneurysm formation. The authors here propose a new concept, UAP without preceding events. Simultaneous occurrence of UAP and cesarean scar pregnancy may well illustrate the situation.

Introduction: Intentional placental removal for abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is fundamentally abandoned at planned surgery for it. Whether this holds true even after recent introduction of various hemostatic procedures is unclear. Materials and Methods: We discussed on this issue based on our own experiences and also on the recent reports on various hemostatic procedures. Results: Studies directly answering this question have been lacking. We must weigh the balance between the massive bleeding and possibility of uterus-preservation when intentional placental removal strategy is employed. Conclusion: An almost forgotten strategy, the “intentional placental removal” for planned AIP surgery may regain its position when appropriate hemostatic procedures are concomitantly used depending on the situation. Even employing this strategy, quick decision to perform hysterectomy under multidisciplinary team may be important.

Our aim was to evaluate whether the serum level of galectin-1 (Gal-1) at 18-24 and 27-31 weeks of gestation is a risk factor for predicting the later occurrence of not only preeclampsia (PE) but also gestational hypertension (GH). We measured serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF), and Gal-1 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 81 and 73 normal pregnant women, 22 and 16 women with a later onset of GH, and 37 and 29 women with a later onset of PE at 18-24 and 27-31 weeks, respectively. We also measured Gal-1 in 33 women with GH and 78 women with PE after the onset. The levels of Gal-1 after the onset of GH, late-onset PE (onset at ≫34 weeks), and earlyonset PE (onset at o34 weeks) were significantly higher than those in normal pregnant women at 27-31 weeks. However, the low levels of Gal-1 (o8.1 ng ml-1) at 18-24 weeks, but not at 27-31 weeks, predicted the later occurrence of not only earlyonset PE and late-onset PE but also GH. The low level of Gal-1 at 18-24 weeks was an independent risk factor for the later occurrence of GH and PE, after adjusting for the effects of a high BP and increased sFlt-1/PlGF ratio at 18-24 weeks. In conclusion, the serum level of Gal-1 is a novel risk factor for both GH and PE, specifically its expression at a low level in the second trimester and a high level after onset.

Background At cesarean hysterectomy for abnormally invasive placenta, rupture of aberrant vessels around the uterus causes massive bleeding. Purpose This study aimed at describing a technique to reduce bleeding from aberrant vessels at the posterior bladder wall in this surgery. Methods The bladder is filled with 200-300 mL of water during handling the posterior bladder wall. Results This technique facilitates understanding that some aberrant vessels do not have communications with the cervix-uterus. Some aberrant vessels have communication with the cervix-uterus and this technique makes cutting and ligation of these vessels easy. Conclusions Filling the bladder may reduce bleeding from the posterior bladder wall at cesarean hysterectomy for abnormally invasive placenta.

Objective: The intrauterine balloon (Balloon) has recently been widely used to achieve hemostasis for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). We concomitantly used a novel method, "holding the cervix", with the Balloon to prevent Balloon prolapse and achieve hemostasis. We aimed to clarify the following three factors: 1) hemostatic success rate of Balloon use for PPH, 2) effect of holding the cervix on Balloon prolapse, and, 3) the rate of bleeding after Balloon insertion, possibly predictive of Balloon failure. Study design: We retrospectively examined 80 patients undergoing Balloon application for PPH in our institution. We defined "success" as achieving hemostasis with no requirement of additional invasive procedures, and "failure" as their requirement. Between success vs. failure, several parameters were compared. For statistical analyses, Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were applied. Results: Excluding "unable to insert" patients, "holding the cervix" was performed in 56 (75%). Prolapse was less likely to occur in patients with than in those without "holding the cervix" (4 vs. 11%, respectively). The success rate in patients with "Balloon + holding the cervix" was 94%. Treatment for atonic bleeding and placenta previa (PP) showed similarly high success rates (97 and 94%, respectively). The rate of bleeding following Balloon insertion was significantly higher in failure than success cases (P =0.03) and all failure cases showed bleeding >250 mL/h. Conclusions: The "Balloon + holding the cervix" strategy achieved hemostasis in over 90% of primary PPH. Treatment: for not only atonic bleeding but also PP showed a high success rate. Bleeding >250 mL/h after Balloon insertion may indicate the requirement of additional invasive procedures. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is associated with several symptoms; of those, visual acuity loss, light oversensitivity (photophobia), and light flashes (photopsia) are known as PRES-related eye symptoms. We report a post-partum woman with PRES associated with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome (HELLP), in whom color vision abnormality (achromatopsia) was the sole manifestation. Cesarean section was performed at 28 weeks due to headache, epigastralgia, and severe hypertension. HELLP became evident after delivery. On post-partum day 1, she complained of achromatopsia, stating: all things look brownish-gray. Ophthalmologic examination was normal, but brain magnetic resonance imaging showed occipital lobe lesions, indicative of PRES, and, interestingly, also color vision center (area V4) lesions, suggesting that the achromatopsia had been caused by brain damage. It may be prudent to question HELLP patients concerning achromatopsia.

Introduction: Adequate extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion is essential for successful placentation. Although miR-520c-3p plays an important role in CD44-mediated invasion in cancer cells, there is little information on whether miR-520c-3p is involved in the regulatory mechanisms of CD44-mediated EVT invasion. Methods: We screened first trimester trophoblast cells and trophoblast cell lines for expression of miR-520c-3p using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cell invasion assay was performed using EVT cell lines, HTR8/SVneo and HChEpC1b, to investigate the capability of suppressing EVT invasion by miR-520c-3p. Laser microdissection analysis was then used to determine whether miR-520c-3p was present in the first trimester decidua. Finally, the possibility of chorionic villous trophoblast (CVT)-EVT communication via exosomal miR-520c-3p was determined using an in vitro model based on BeWo exosomes and the EVT cell lines as recipient cells. Results: The miR-520c-3p level was significantly downregulated in EVT cell lines and EVTs. Cell invasion was significantly inhibited in miR-520c-3p-overexpressing cell lines, involving a significant reduction of CD44. Laser microdissection analysis showed that miR-520c-3p in the periarterial area of the decidua was significantly higher than that in the non-periarterial area. Using an in vitro model system, BeWo exosomal miR-520c-3p was internalized into the EVT cells with subsequently reduced cell invasion via CD44 repression. Conclusions: EVT invasion is synergistically enhanced by the reciprocal expression of endogenous miR-520c-3p and CD44. The present study supports a novel model involving a placenta-associated miRNA function in cell-cell communication in which CVT exosomal miR-520c-3p regulates cell invasion by targeting CD44 in EVTs. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A primiparous pregnant woman in remission of myositis suffered very acute-onset ritodrine-induced rhabdomyolysis. At 29 gestational weeks, ritodrine was administered for threatened preterm labor. Just 3 h later, she complained of severe limb muscle pain, with serum creatinine phosphokinase elevated to 32019 U/L and myoglobinuria. The muscle pain disappeared immediately after ceasing administration of ritodrine. At 31 weeks, premature rupture of the membranes occurred, necessitating cesarean section, yielding a baby with weak tonus, and the presence of infantile muscle diseases was suspected. Genetic analysis of the infant confirmed myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica, DM), which prompted us to perform maternal genetic analysis, confirming maternal DM. Ritodrine can induce rhabdomyolysis even in the prodromal phase with a mild phenotype of DM. A literature review suggested that ritodrine-induced rhabdomyolysis may be likely to occur more acutely after ritodrine administration in DM compared with non-DM mothers.

Purpose of investigation: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a life-threatening condition that requires early pregnancy termination. Its early ultrasound diagnosis is clinically important; however, previous studies focused on the CSP site itself. The present study was conducted to investigate the authors' clinical impression that a uterine-fundal hypoechoic mass is more frequently observed in CSP. Such a finding, if confirmed, may contribute to ultrasound diagnosis of CSP. The authors also determined the relationship between the treatment strategy and outcome, with special emphasis on conditions eventually requiring uterine artery embolization (UAE). Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study of CSP, and the authors analyzed all 14 women that were treated in this single tertiary institute over a period of ten years. Control subjects consisted of all pregnant women with prior cesarean section (CS) but no CSP. Results: Patients with CSP were significantly more likely to have a hypoechoic mass than controls (42.9 vs. 15.4%, respectively; p = 0.028). On confining results to a "fundal" hypoechoic mass, only CSP(+) patients showed it (CSP vs. control: 28.6 vs. 0%, respectively; p < 0.001). Six (43%: 6/14) received UAE: four following vaginal evacuation (artificial or spontaneous), and two for bleeding after methotrexate (MTX) treatment. Conclusion: Patients with CSP more frequently had a uterine-fundal hypoechoic mass, whose detection may trigger a detailed observation of the CSP site, possibly leading to CSP diagnosis.