Urology

For emergency C/S and vaginal hyserectomy, the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics are clear-cut. In contrast, studies evaluating prophylaxis for elective C/S and abdominal hysterectomy are harder to interpret. The authors review the evidence.

By helping Hispanic patients interact effectively with the health-care system, ob/gyns can increase the amount of prenatal care these women receive and decrease their high rates of preterm delivery and pregnancy-related maternal mortality.

Multiple births related to infertility treatment have increased dramatically in recent years and are associated with significant personal, economic, and social costs.

While colposcopy remains an essential diagnostic tool in the hands of an experienced clinician, the five technologies outlined here may eventually replace or at least supplement this important procedure.

The author looks at three cutting-edge products that use RF energy. Unlike the mono- and bipolar instruments in use today, these new devices cool tissue to create more powerful electrosurgical tools.

The ob/gyn's armamentarium for contraception continues to expand, with the addition of several new sustained-release devices that may increase patient satisfaction and compliance.

A rare but potentially catastrophic obstetrical complication, placenta accreta is on the increase, given the current trend toward elective repeat C/S. Three experts detail the best approach to management, which begins with antenatal ultrasound diagnosis.

News Briefs

When patients present with pelvic pain, the list of diseases to consider is long and includes ectopic pregnancy, acute salpingitis, a variety of sexually transmitted diseases, acute dysmenorrhea, cervicitis, endometriosis, fibroids, and uterine inversion. But in your search for gynecologic causes, dont overlook common neurologic disorders outlined in this article.

Therapeutic successes and a trend toward delaying childbearing now permit survivors of breast, ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers to consider future fertility. How should this affect the advice you offer your patients?

Once a rare complication of pregnancy, the incidence of placenta accreta has continued to increase since the 1930s. An expert on the disorder outlines the best approach to diagnosis and management.

Androgen insensitivity

controversy about varicocelectomy treating male-factor infertility

controversy regarding use of varicocelectomy for treatment of male-factor infertility

Innovations like HDTV laparoscopy and virtual colonoscopy--which once were only science fiction--will continue transforming surgery and the OR as we know them today.

Considering the number of severe maternal and fetal complications that can result from untreated hypertension, ob/gyns must be vigilant about recognizing the chronic form of the disease. Anything less puts your patients and you in harm's way.