OB GYN News articles from February 2004

OB GYN News archives from February 2004

Study links UAE, pregnancy risks: compared with laparoscopic myomectomy.
February 1, 2004... SANTIAGO, CHILE -- Women whose fibroids were treated using uterine artery embolization are at significantly increased risk of future preterm delivery, malpresentation, and spontaneous abortion, compared with women who've undergone laparoscopic...

Vital signs.
February 1, 2004... More Women Applying to U.S. Medical Schools Than Men, 2003 Women Men Applicants (34,785 total) 17,672 17,113 (50.8%) (49.2%) Entrants (16,524 total) ...

FDA raises bar for silicone breast implant approval: new guidance issued: recommendation of advisory panel rejected, additional safety data requested.
February 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration has revised its guidelines for manufacturers seeking approval to market silicone gel breast implants, curbing the hopes of the California company that seemed closest to this goal. The new FDA guidance...

Fewer hysterectomies after MEA than resection: randomized trial: outcomes evaluated after 5-7 years.
February 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Women with menorrhagia who underwent microwave endometrial ablation reported greater satisfaction with the procedure and fewer hysterectomies 5-7 years after treatment than did those who had endometrial resection in a randomized...

Data watch.(News)
February 1, 2004... Annual Dispensed U.S. Prescriptions for Hormone Therapy [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Neuropsychologic deficits may follow breast Ca chemo: recall, language.(News)
February 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Chemotherapy for breast cancer appears to exert subtle adverse effects on cognitive function, Barbara Collins, Ph.D., reported at a breast cancer symposium sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center. Specifically,...

FDA launches effort to ban ephedra products: linked to serious adverse events.(News)
February 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to ban the sale of all dietary supplements containing ephedra, marking the first time the agency has moved to ban a dietary supplement. The agency has issued a consumer alert advising the...

Doctors urged to increase their focus on curbing medical injuries: medical liability crisis.(News)
February 1, 2004... If physicians want to resolve the medical liability crisis, they'll have to take actions to reduce medical injuries, according to Dr. Steven Schoenbaum and Randall R. Bovbjerg. Focusing solely on capping malpractice awards won't be enough...

Schedule self-maintenance time.(Guest Editorial)
February 1, 2004... You've invested a lot of money in your medical equipment, so you're careful to maintain it with regular service and anything else you need to keep it in good working order. Your computers are important to your practice, so you back up your...

Talk back online.(Opinion)
February 1, 2004... Are the health savings accounts included in the new Medicare reform law a good idea? (Jan. 1, 2004, p. 21) YES 75% NO 25% Note: Table made from pie chart. To Talk Back, visit www.eobgynnnews.com

Does patient cost sharing lead to better care?(Pro & Con)
February 1, 2004... YES Consumer cost sharing is by no means a preferred tool by which to optimize the value of health spending. A better approach would be to rely primarily on clinicians and hospitals. However, the triad of professionalism, government...

'A life of decimated value'.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... The debate over partial-birth abortion has very little to do with abortion and the right to choose ("Bush Signs Partial-Birth Abortion Ban," Dec. 1, 2003, p. 1). This is a social issue about allowing practitioners, clinics, and for-profit...

Movement taking step back.(letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... It is time someone called this whole anti-episiotomy movement into question. As an ob.gyn. who has done literally thousands of episiotomies over 33 years, I must strenuously dispute Dr. Jay Goldberg's assertion that the episiotomy rate...

Early discharge OK in laparoscopic hysterectomy: avoiding an overnight stay.(gynecology)
February 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS--Women who chose to go home the same day after laparoscopic hysterectomy fared as well as those who stayed longer in the hospital in a study of 359 patients. After undergoing total or supracervical laparoscopic hysterectomy in...

Botox eased chronic pelvic pain in pilot study: levator ani spasms.(Gynecology)
February 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Promising results from a pilot study may lead to a role for botulinum toxin in relieving certain kinds of chronic pelvic pain, Dr. Sherin Jarvis said at the annual meeting of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists....

Laparoscopic hysterectomy: good long-term results: 357 patients surveyed.(Gynecology)
February 1, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy reported high satisfaction rates and had a low incidence of subsequent cervical surgeries or vaginal bleeding an average of 55 months after the procedure in a study of 357 patients....

Offer emergency OCs to sexually active teens: expert opinion.(Gynecology)
February 1, 2004... CAMBRIDGE, MASS. -- Although controversy rages about whether emergency contraception should be available without a prescription in the United States, as it is in 25 other countries, "medically, there's no reason it shouldn't be...

Chemo doses often suboptimal in early breast Ca: large community practice-based study.(Gynecology)
February 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Nearly two-thirds of women with early-stage breast cancer experience a substantial reduction in chemotherapy dosing due to toxicity, Dr. Gary H. Lyman reported. This finding from a very large community practice-based study is...

High vegetable fat intake in teen years may reduce breast Ca risk: nurses' health study data.(Gynecology)
February 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- Dietary fat consumption during adolescence--but not in midlife--may be an important modifiable risk factor for breast cancer, according to Dr. Walter C. Willett. Three separate analyses of data from the first and second...

Update on breast Ca prevention from lifestyle changes: a 30%-40% reduction is possible.(Gynecology)
February 1, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- American women aren't going to be able to lower their breast cancer risk to the extent they'd like solely through dietary changes and other lifestyle measures, according to Dr. Walter C. Willett. "It's pretty clear that...

Cultural factors impact amniocentesis decision: prospective study suggested.(Obstetrics)
February 1, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Social, cultural, and demographic factors seem to exert a stronger influence than numeric risk on a woman's decision to undergo amniocentesis following ultrasound and a maternal serum screen positive for Down syndrome, according...

Folic acid.(Drugs, Pregnancy And Lactation)
February 1, 2004... It has now been more than a decade since the publication of two critical studies that resulted in the firm conclusion that folic acid supplementation in early pregnancy prevents neural tube defects. These findings led to the recommendation...

Albumin infusion may aid oliguria in preedampsia: small retrospective study.(Obstetrics)
February 1, 2004... SANTIAGO, CHILE -- The majority of women with oliguria from preeclampsia benefited from human serum albumin in a study presented at the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the...

Failed albumin Tx leads to C-section.(Obstetrics)
February 1, 2004... Not all women with preeclampsia respond to a human serum albumin, as illustrated by a case reported at the congress. "Cases may not be responsive to human albumin 25-50 g due to small placenta, edema of the villi, or spiral artery...

Immigrant women show better birth outcomes: study of New York City births.(Obstetrics)
February 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Better birth outcomes among pregnant foreign-born women in New York City compared with U.S.-born women varied considerably by country of origin, with more problems in babies born to Jamaican women and fewer problems in Chinese...

Three pulls, three hours of pushing the limit in operative vaginal delivery: expert opinion.(Obstetrics)
February 1, 2004... MAUI, HAWAII -- When considering the safety of an operative vaginal delivery, the magic number seems to be three. Results of three studies in recent years show that risks increase significantly with attempted operative vaginal delivery if...

Delaying pregnancies by a few years might prevent congenital CMV infections: poor, minority women.(Obstetrics)
February 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Information from epidemiology might be useful in preventing congenital cytomegalovirus infections, Dr. Gary S. Marshall suggested at a conference sponsored by the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society. Young women from poorer...

Notification law overturned.(Policy & Practice)
February 1, 2004... New Hampshire's recently enacted parental notification law is unconstitutional, says the U.S. Federal District Court in Concord, N.H. The court ruled that the law was unconstitutional because it did not provide a health exception. The law was...

Pap smear suit.(Policy & Practice)
February 1, 2004... Three law firms have filed a class action suit on behalf of tens of thousands of women who had Pap smears processed by Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh. The suit charges that the hospital knowingly misrepresented the results of Pap smear...

Art success rates.(Policy & Practice)
February 1, 2004... More than 40,000 children were born in the United States because of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures conducted in 2001, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 27% of ART procedures in 2001 resulted in the...

Italian art rules.(Policy & Practice)
February 1, 2004... Italian legislators are close to enacting a new law that would ban donor sperm and eggs and surrogate mothers. and limit assisted fertilization to heterosexual couples. The legislation has already been passed by both houses of the Italian...

Quality report card.(Policy & Practice)
February 1, 2004... Progress in improving health care quality and eliminating disparities has been mixed, the Department of Health and Human Services' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says. The "National Healthcare Quality Report" and the "National...

2004 Congress may aim spotlight at uninsured: tax credits to be prominently featured.(Practice Trends)
February 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- What will Congress' health policy priority be in 2004? Two words: the uninsured. "The increasing number of people without health coverage truly represents one of the most daunting policy challenges facing our nation," Senate...

ACOG: Liability top priority.(Practice Trends)
February 1, 2004... Enacting medical liability reform at the federal level remains the top priority for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists this year. But ACOG also will focus on improving the physician payment method under Medicare,...

Suspicion of scientists clouds support of genetics research: public opinion studies.(Clinical Rounds)
February 1, 2004... LOS ANGELES -- Americans enthusiastically support using genetic technology to prevent or cure disease, but voice a profound skepticism that scientists can be trusted to use genetic discoveries wisely. Specifically, a nationwide study...

Dyslipidemia: women's health adviser.(Clinical Rounds)
February 1, 2004... While cardiovascular disease mortality in men has dropped since the early 1980s, women have not been so lucky. After a substantial drop in the early 1990s, women's rates of death from cardiovascular disease have increased steadily. Yet most...

Retinoid plus antibiotic is the standard Tx for acne: international expert panel.(Clinical Rounds)
February 1, 2004... BARCELONA, SPAIN -- Combination therapy utilizing a topical retinoid and an antibiotic ought now to be considered the standard of care in treating mild to moderate acne, according to practice guidelines created by an international blue ribbon...

Migraine spray does well in real-life trials: Zolmitriptan.(Clinical Rounds)
February 1, 2004... Migraine Spray Does Well in Real-Life Trials SAN FRANCISCO -- Zolmitriptan nasal spray to treat migraine headache performed well in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 912 patients designed to mimic use in real-life...

Maximizing myomectomy.(The Master Class)
February 1, 2004... Laparoscopic myomectomy is a safe surgical procedure with a low complication rate. For patients interested in future fertility, it is without question a better alternative to hysterectomy in managing fibroids. Laparoscopic myomectomy...

Hand protection from a bottle.(Products)
February 1, 2004... "Gloves in a Bottle" is a lotion that bonds to the outer surface of the skin, protecting against reactions to latex as well as the drying effects of repeated hand washing. The "invisible gloves" last up to 4 hours before breaking down due to...

Compression stocking aid.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Heel Guide compression stocking aid helps patients put on compression hose with less difficulty. The aid has been tested on hose up to 30-40 mm Hg. The device can be taken apart for travel. For more information, contact Maddak Inc.,...

Office computer package.(Products)
February 1, 2004... HP Medical Office Solution features an HP Compaq computer loaded with Microsoft Office 2003, a drug reference tool, medical forms and templates, a medical dictionary and spell-checker, and access to a medical journal database. For information,...

Appeals management software.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Power of Appeals denial management system provides tools to generate appeal letters and track and analyze insurance claim denials. The software is compatible with MediSoft medical patient accounting software. For more information, contact...

Web-based administration system.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The WebSTAFF software system allows physicians to access schedules and input procedure and diagnosis codes and new patient entries by using an Internet browser. The software is for use with the OnSTAFF practice management system. For more...

Latex examination gloves.(Products)
February 1, 2004... Bio-Shield Plus latex gloves are powder free and are sold in boxes of 100, which retail for $3.95 per box. Pro-Fit latex gloves are lightly powdered and retail for $2.95 per box of 100. For more information, call Bio-Flex International Inc. at...

Decontamination device.(Product)
February 1, 2004... The SterilWand uses ultraviolet waves in the C band to decontaminate surfaces of mold, bacteria, or viruses by destroying the microorganism's DNA, thereby preventing replication. The handheld device can be used in laboratories, hospitals, and...

Instrument cart.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Anthro all-metal instrument cart has two shelves which can hold up to 50 pounds each. Its legs have wide channels to conceal cables. For more information, contact Anthro Corp., 800-325-3841, fax, 800-325-0045.

Examination lamp series.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The PF series of examination lamps have special reflectors to minimize heat output and a safety guard. The lamps are available in 120 V or 230 V and in ceiling, wall, or table models. For more information, contact Sunnex Inc., 800-445-7869,...

Biopsy system for breast lumps.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Mammotome breast biopsy system is cleared for use in the management of fibroadenomas. The biopsy procedure involves a 1/4-inch incision to vacuum, cut, and remove the tissue. No stitches are required. For more information, contact Ethicon...

No increase in Ca risk after ablation: low-risk women studied.(News)
February 15, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Low-risk women who underwent endometrial ablation between 1978 and 1995 did not increase or decrease their risk for endometrial cancer, compared with age-matched controls, in a retrospective study. Anecdotal reports of...

New ovarian Ca screening test to debut next month: targets high-risk women: critics concerned that OvaCheck's accuracy rates remain unpublished.(News)
February 15, 2004... A new test to screen patients at high risk for ovarian cancer is slated for release next month. But critics say the test, to be marketed as OvaCheck, may not replicate the high accuracy rates shown in studies of a similar test on which it...

Early SLE flares tied to poor pregnancy outcomes: fewer live births and term deliveries seen: first and second trimesters.(News)
February 15, 2004... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Severe systemic lupus erythematosus flares during the first and second trimesters led to a markedly reduced rate of live births and a drop in term deliveries in a study involving more than 200 women, Dr. Michelle Petri said at...

Pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients by disease activity.(News)
February 15, 2004... Pregnancy Outcomes in SLE Patients by Disease Activity Live Births Term Births First Trimester Low Activity 84% 48% High Activity 58% 23% Second Trimester...

Home pregnancy kit and cervical washings may detect PPROM: small pilot study.(News)
February 15, 2004... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- A small pilot study shows the potential of using a bedside pregnancy kit and cervical washings to detect premature preterm rupture of membranes. When used to measure human chorionic gonadotropin in cervical washings of...

Singletons from assisted conception shown to have worse perinatal outcomes, compared with twins: review of 25 studies.(News)
February 15, 2004... Singleton pregnancies due to assisted conception have significantly worse perinatal outcomes than other singleton pregnancies, reported Dr. Frans M. Helmerhorst of University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands, and his colleagues. In...

Outcomes of assisted reproductive technology cycles.(Data Watch)
February 15, 2004... Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technology Cycles 19.1% Single-Fetus Pregnancy 12.0% Multiple-Fetus Pregnancy 1.7% Indeterminate Number Of Fetuses * 0.7% Ectopic Pregnancy 66.5% No Pregnancy *...

After benign biopsy, yearly imaging OK: no interim follow-up.(News)
February 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- Women who have had a benign breast biopsy do not need interim follow-up and can resume yearly mammography, said Dr. Anthony J. Miller at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. A retrospective review of...

Workout for 30-somethings.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 15, 2004... For my Medicaid patients, I find it best to keep weight-loss recommendations as simple and nonthreatening as possible ("Intensive Counseling Recommended for the Obese," Jan. 1, 2004, p. 29). I explore their diets and con them into cutting...

Protecting the CME process.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
February 15, 2004... The Coalition for Healthcare Communication, which represents 11 major organizations with members in all phases of health care communications, gives credit to Dr. Robert W Rebar for recognizing all the measures now in place to protect the...

Tocolysis timing.(Letters)
February 15, 2004... I was confused by the article "Careful Monitoring Called Key to Tocolysis" (Dec. 15, 2003, p. 13). Since Dr. Washington C. Hill discussed 20-36 weeks' gestation as a time period to use tocolytics, he appears to advocate the use of...

Avoid new practice pitfalls.(Guest Editorial)
February 15, 2004... Before accepting that first job in medicine or buying into a practice, it's important for young physicians to do their research. Too often, a physician fresh out of residency will sign a contract without knowing the details about the practice,...

Should emergency contraception pills be available over the counter?(Talk back online)
February 15, 2004... TALK BACK ONLINE Should emergency contraception pills be available over the counter? (Jan. 15, 2004, p. 2) NO 67% YES 33% To Talk Back, vivit www.eobgynnews.com Note: Table made from pie chart.

Metronidazole gel bests placebo for recurrent BV: ongoing study.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... PLAYA HERRADURA, COSTA RICA -- Women with bacterial vaginosis treated with vaginal metronidazole gel had a lower recurrence rate and prolonged time to recurrence compared with those on placebo, according to initial results of an ongoing study....

HPV types, Ca link studied in young women: HPV 16, 18 implicated.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... PLAYA HERRADURA, COSTA RICA --Certain types of human papillomavirus are associated with a higher risk for cervical cancer and genital warts in young women, according to a study of 600 female university students. Detection of viral types...

Ultrasound, Doppler can flag leiomyosarcomas: vascularity, morphology provide clues.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Findings from ultrasound and power flow Doppler imaging of uterine leiomyomas can differentiate suspected leiomyosarcomas that need further work-up from leiomyomas that require surgical or conservative management, Dr. Annalisa...

MRI adds value after transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis: suspicious screen.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- Magnetic resonance imaging offers valuable information following transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis of adenomyosis, Dr. Thomas Zacharia reported at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. Recent studies...

MRI explored for urinary incontinence evaluation: can help in surgical planning.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- Magnetic resonance imaging allows for a more accurate and panoramic visualization of female pelvic organ prolapse in the evaluation of urinary stress incontinence than conventional cystourethrography, and could be particularly...

Vaccine aims to prevent breast cancer recurrence: preliminary results.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- A vaccine so simple it could potentially be administered by community physicians induced a durable and specific immune response in a small group of breast cancer patients at high risk of recurrence. No patient who had a durable...

Family history is critical in breast, ovarian cancer: along with BRCA mutation testing.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... With the availability of testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations and prophylactic options for those who test positive, primary care physicians now have important reasons for taking thorough family histories concerning breast and ovarian...

MRI staging likely to play an increasing role in breast cancer care: definitive trials underway.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... SAN ANTONIO -- One of the most promising emerging indications for breast MR/is in staging the contralateral breast in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients according to Dr. Bruce L. Daniel. Three preliminary studies totalling more than 500...

NAMS outlines alternative Tx for hot flashes: lifestyle changes.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... The first alternative to hormone therapy for treating hot flashes should be a lifestyle approach, such as instituting an exercise regimen or practicing controlled breathing techniques, according to a statement released last month by the North...

Awake patient can facilitate laser treatment: superficial endometriosis.(Gynecology)
February 15, 2004... LAS VEGAS -- Patients who remain awake during laser treatment for superficial endometriosis can help assess whether the treatment reduces their pelvic pain, Dr. Larry Demco said at an international congress of the Society of Laparoendoscopic...

Delivery record key after shoulder dystocia: consider dictating notes.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... MAUI, HAWAII -- Put plenty of details in the delivery record of a baby injured due to shoulder dystocia to avoid a lawsuit, two attorneys advised at a conference on obstetrics, gynecology, perinatal medicine, neonatology, and the law. ...

Tips offered on avoiding 'the second stage from hell': labor induction.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... MAUI, HAWAII -- Physiologic logic and a basic principle of pharmacology can help clinicians avoid "the second stage from hell" after inducing labor, Lisa A. Miller said at a conference on obstetrics, gynecology, perinatal medicine, neonatology,...

Rate of obstetric procedures per 1,000 live births, 2002.(Data Watch)
February 15, 2004... Rate of Obstetric Procedures per 1,000 Live Births, 2002 Electronic Fetal Monitoring 851.9 Ultrasound 675.6 Induction Of Labor 206.2 Stimulation Of Labor 173.1 Amniocentesis 19.7 Note:...

Delay Tx until second trimester in drug-naive women with HIV: transmission risk low in first trimester.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- It may be counterproductive to put drug-naive HIV-positive women on antiretroviral drugs early in pregnancy, Dr. Deborah Cohen said at a meeting on HIV management sponsored by the University of California, San Francisco. ...

Optimize patients' psychosocial situation to improve health behaviors in women infected with HIV: preventing vertical transmission.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- The most important goal of prenatal care in HIV-positive women is to optimize the woman's health and her psychosocial situation, Dr. Deborah Cohen said at a meeting on HIV management sponsored by the University of California,...

U. of Michigan boosts screening for CF carriers: observational study.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... SANTIAGO, CHILE -- A new initiative to expand cystic fibrosis screening to more white patients at the University of Michigan is a success, Dr. Kathleen Hanlon-Lundberg said at the FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics. In...

Clindamycin benefits pregnant women with BV: early treatment optimal.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... PLAYA HERRADURA, COSTA RICA --Clindamycin use was associated with a significant reduction in the rates of late miscarriage and preterm birth in women with asymptomatic abnormal vaginal flora or bacterial vaginosis in a randomized, controlled...

Risk factors for glyburide failure identified: small open-label trial.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... BOCA RATON, FLA. -- Almost 80% of patients with gestational diabetes achieved blood sugar control in a small open-label trial of glyburide, Dr. Adiam Haileleul reported at the annual meeting of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetricians...

MRI useful if fetal brain abnormality suspected: diagnostic accuracy up 48%.(Obstetrics)
February 15, 2004... CHICAGO -- In utero magnetic resonance imaging results in a 48% improvement in diagnostic accuracy over ultrasound in cases when brain abnormalities are suspected, Dr. Paul D. Griffiths reported at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society...

Data standards called crucial to patient safety: IOM calls for federal initiative.(Practice Trends)
February 15, 2004... Physicians agreed with an Institute of Medicine panel's assessment that federal intervention and financial support was key to developing national, uniform standards on patient safety information. "Patient Safety: Achieving a New Standard...

Easy access to medicare providers cited in report: reimbursement still an issue.(Practice Trends)
February 15, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Most seniors still have easy access to their primary care physicians and specialists, but that could change if the physician reimbursement system is not reformed. "It's not this year's crisis, but over the next few years it...

Health care spending, 2002.(Data Watch)
February 15, 2004... Health Care Spending, 2002 Private Health Insurance 36% Medicare 17% Medicaid and SCHIP 16% Out of Pocket 14% Other Public * 12% Other Private ** 5% *...