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Hope for the childless
By Esther Williams
The scanned image of the male reproductive structure showed the
manner in which blood supply to these organs was functioning. It
was found that the drainage of blood through the venous blood vessels
was affected. "Such impairment of blood flow could affect the
movement, count and even the normality of the structure of sperms,"
Prof. Harsha Seneviratne, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
says.
The couple in question was being investigated for infertility. Initial
tests indicated that both husband and wife required further testing.
One of the tests that was required before a plan of treatment could
be designed was an ultrasound scan of the abdomen/ reproductive
system of the husband.
Since it was possible to quantify the extent to which the blood
flow had been affected, a decision had to be made; whether or not
the patient required a surgical option offering medical treatment.
This facility (ultra sound scan with colour Doppler) is now available
at the Vindana Reproductive Health Centre, an added facility in
their whole range of treatments.
It is at Vindana that the first local team performed In Vitro Fertilization
(IVF) and successfully delivered two babies in the last two years.
In addition there are several more ongoing pregnancies.
Higher levels of technologies have been added over the years in
IVF and further introduction of newer techniques continues by collaborating
with a reputed team from the UK.
Their infertility services include: basic investigations and treatments
at Level 1, stimulating the ovaries with medication and placing
the husband's sperm directly in the womb of the wife at Level II
and test tube babies at Level III.
Evaluating male infertility clinically and by lab tests is done
by their latest addition, the ultrasound scan assessment.
Treatment of such problems by way of more advanced technology such
as the separation of sperms of best quality, storage of sperms for
future use and intra-uterine insemination followed by the most advanced
technologies in assisted reproduction such as IVF and Intracytoplasmic
Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Vindana's facilities have thus been enhanced, providing for reproductive
health from adolescence to the menopausal years, and in particular
the management of infertility, high-risk pregnancies and a range
of gynaecological disorders. "In the whole process," Dr.
Harsha Seneviratne adds, "we are only promoting or giving a
better chance for the sperm and ova to meet, thereby assisting nature.
The final fertilization takes place according to the natural phenomenon.
All advances in fertility treatment, when you go beyond the basic
level, involve fine tuned biological techniques.
Equipment and material have to be invariably imported. The cost
of such techniques is an ever-present barrier to expanding the facility
to all who need it.
An ultrasound scan is an indirect assessment of a structure living
within the body. "Therefore however advanced the machine is
it has its limitations whereby all abnormalities cannot be detected.
It cannot be used to replace other forms of assessment, as it remains
a tool for study," the doctor reiterates.
One in five couples have fertility problems. This could be attributed
to social changes - People are driven to advancing their career
prospects and status, causing stress that has affected lifestyles
and the whole bio-system. Further, there is a marked change in the
type and quality of food consumed.
Because of smoking, alcohol and ever-present pollution, life has
deteriorated, especially in the urban society, causing all kinds
of health complications, even in reproductive health.
However, it is heartening to note that men are coming forward voluntarily
for investigations.
Explaining that this is due to better awareness and education, Dr.
Seneviratne says that the blame that was previously shifted to women
is very subtly changing. "Couples seem to support each other
much better now."
Showing the way
Vindana conducted a workshop for medical staff (radiologists and
gynaecologists) on January 8 and 9, providing an opportunity for
them to gain knowledge and guidance in using the ultrasound scanning
machine with colour doppler. Dr. S. Suresh, Director of Mediscan
Systems: Diagnostic Ultrasound Research and Training Centre, Chennai
was their resource person.
An applications expert from the Hitachi Ultrasound Company also
fine-tuned the machine to the needs of the scanning practices of
doctors and trained them in the use of this machine. The entire
workshop had very active interaction between resource persons and
participants.
Ultrasound Scans:
Ultrasound scans are images of the internal organs created from
sound waves.
The images are produced when the sound waves are directed into the
body then reflected back to a scanner that measures them.
Ultrasound scanning is used to help monitor and diagnose conditions
in many parts of the body, including the kidneys, the liver and
the heart. It is often used to examine conditions affecting the
organs in a woman's pelvis - the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
It is not dangerous and has no side effects, so is considered safe
to use during pregnancy.
The ultrasound scanner looks like a small paint roller.
As it moves back and forth over the body, it sends sound waves through
the skin and muscles.
These waves are then turned into an image that appears on a TV screen.
The scanner can be used externally on the skin, or through the natural
openings of the body, such as the vagina.
It has revolutionized the care of women during pregnancy. The scan
can be copied onto paper or an X-Ray film.
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