A paired sequential trial was undertaken to establish whether paternal mononuclear cells improved the prognosis in couples with recurrent abortions. For this purpose, 10(7)-10(8) cells obtained from the blood of partners were injected intravenously, subcutaneously, and intra-dermally into women who had had three or more consecutive miscarriages with the same partner. Control women were given normal saline, injected in the same manner. The result of the sequential analysis showed that there was no significant beneficial effect of the cells compared to control. The overall success rate was 70% (32/46 couples). The success rate in patients given cells was 62% (13/21), while in those given saline it was 76% (19/25). While the overall success rate in this study compares with a number of other studies, we find an equally high success rate with non-immunized patients. We conclude that the value of immunization for the prevention of recurrent miscarriage has not been established.

Sixty women aged between 30 and 55 years, having hysterectomy for benign conditions, were prospectively studied to investigate psychological adjustment to operation, and to explore social, psychological and physical factors associated with psychological outcome. A further 30 women were included for prospective research on psychological outcome. Investigations took place within two weeks of operation and after four months and 14 months. The findings indicated a high prevalence of pre-operative psychological morbidity (55%), which reduced to 31.7% afterwards. There was no evidence that hysterectomy led to a greater psychological distress. The principal risk factors of poor psychological outcome were the previous scores on the mental health measures and personality inventory. Involvement in the research process did not appear to affect psychological outcome.

Summary: Two hundred and forty‐two pregnancies complicated by cervical incompetence requiring cervical ligation were reviewed. Analysis of the outcome of these pregnancies enabled conclusions to be drawn about the suture technique employed, the management of these pregnancies after premature rupture of the membranes, the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis, and fetal salvage rates after prophylactic or therapeutic cervical ligation.

No abstract