Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls

Pre-labor rupture of membranes should be diagnosed based on clinical assessment. In March 2020, the ACOG will release a new practice bulletin (217) on PROM. This bulletin highlights the potential hazards of over reliance on lab tests for the diagnosis, and offers a new management option for PROM in the late preterm interval. Are steroids contraindicated in the presence of suspected intraamniotic infection? We will take a look at the data in this session.

Chronic pelvic pain is more complex than previously thought, with a broader range of causes outlined in a recent ACOG bulletin. Key topics include the usefulness of the Carnett test and the effectiveness of trigger point injections. The discussion also delves into the role of SNRI medications and highlights the limited success of routine laparoscopic adhesiolysis. Emphasis is placed on the importance of accurate diagnosis, physical therapy, and strategies to reduce opioid dependency for better management of this condition.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: Although widely recognized in the gastroenterology and psychiatry literature, its occurrence in pregnancy is well known. The pathophysiology of this condition is not well known but potential MOAs have been published. How does this present? And what do “hot baths“/“hot showers“ have to do with his condition? In this podcast we will review this interesting and intriguing condition specifically as it relates to pregnancy.

In 2013, actor Michael Douglas blamed frequent oral sex with his wife as a cause of his throat cancer. In the 17 years from 1999 through 2015, the mouth and throat replaced the cervix as the most common site of cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the United States. What is a data show about vaginal to oral HPV transmission, and even oral to oral transmission? Does Gardasil have a role in prevention here as well? In this podcast, we were review published data on oral HPV transmission and trends of acquisition.

Malignant GTD includes choriocarcinoma, invasive mole, and placental site trophoblastic tumor. When is single agent chemotherapy indicated? What about multiagent care? What is the classification system for malignant GTD? In this episode we will review the diagnosis, work up, and management of this condition.

Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia is a complex condition with various histological and clinical distinct entities. In this episode, we will review the benign variants of GTN, hydatidiform moles (complete and partial). We will review their clinical presentations, diagnosis, management, and follow up. Data for this podcast comes from the ACOG practice bulletin 53 as well as the SGO.

Currently, the CDC does not recommend “routine screening” for extragenital gonorrhea or chlamydia in women, although it does make that recommendation for MSM or bisexual males. However, as most extragenital infections are asymptomatic, this is potentially missing a large reservoir of infection. In this episode, we will review the USPSTF and CDC screening guidelines and compared that to evolving prevalence data of extragenital STIs.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) Is a national crisis. Pregnancy is not immune to OUD. Traditionally, methadone and buprenorphine have been used as medical treatments for this condition in pregnancy, with concerns about naltrexone (an opioid antagonist) use. In January 2020, a new prospective cohort study (AJOH) adds reassuring data on the safety and effectiveness of this medication option.

Up to 30% of initial BV diagnoses will have a recurrence. Does partner therapy (male or female) help reduce recurrence? Most of the original data which stated “No”, is now outdated. Additionally, what is the data on vaginal Vit C for recurrence prevention? Does that actually work? Let’s examine both of these questions...now.

Vaginismus is the involuntary tightening of pelvic floor muscles that surround the vagina; this can make penetration very painful, if not impossible. The DSM5 reclassified female sexual dysfunction into 4 main categories, with vaginismus fitting in the “penetration disorder“ group. What role does medical therapy play with this condition? Does physical therapy have a role? In this session, we will review the July 2019 practice bulletin from the ACOG (213) focusing specifically on vaginismus.