Abstract

Uterine cervical cancer is the second most frequent gynecological malignancy worldwide. The assessment of the extent of disease is essential for planning optimal treatment. Imaging techniques are increasingly used in the pre-treatment work-up of cervical cancer. Currently, MRI for local extent of disease evaluation and PET-scan for distant disease assessment are considered as first-line techniques. Notwithstanding, in the last few years, ultrasound has gained attention as an imaging technique for evaluating women with cervical cancer. In this paper, current knowledge about the use of ultrasound for assessing uterine cervical cancer will be reviewed and discussed.

Abstract

Globally, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer, and in India, it is the most common cancer in women. Human Papilloma virus (HPV) is the main cause of it. Although there are several methods for preventing cervical cancer, primary prevention by vaccination is the most effective option. HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It is expensive and is not a replacement for periodic cervical screening procedures. In developing countries, the cost effectiveness of vaccine and that of effective screening program with broader coverage is questionable. Today, HPV vaccine with regular cervical cancer screening program is the best possible tool to prevent cervical cancer.

Abstract

Purpose: Post-partum hemorrhage remains an important cause of significant maternal morbidity and mortality throughout theworld. The objective of this studywas to review the incidence, indications, predisposing factors, and associated complications of emergency peripartum hysterectomy.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study done in a Tertiary Care Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between 1983 and 2006. Women who underwent emergency peripartum hysterectomy after cesarean delivery or following vaginal birth due to severe post-partum hemorrhage who did not respond to conservative treatment were included in the study. Data were abstracted from chart reviews. Descriptive analysis was carried out to summarize relevant variables. Primary outcomes included indications, risk factors, maternal morbidity, and mortality.

Results: There were 66 emergency peripartum hysterectomies among 155,857 deliveries, which yielded an incidence of 0.04 %. Prior cesarean delivery was present in 88 %of the patients; a majority of the patients were grandmultiparous, Para[6 (65 %). The incidence of hysterectomy after cesarean delivery was much higher than after vaginal delivery (0.3 vs. 0.01 %). Common indications included placenta accreta (65 %), uterine atony (27 %), and uterine rupture (8 %). The majority of the study cohort (64 %) had undergone total hysterectomy. Post-operatively, 25 patients (38 %) developed DIC, 32 (48.5 %) had febrile illnesses, and 22 (33 %) experienced injury to the urinary tract. The maternal mortality in this study was 4.5 %.

Conclusions: Hysterectomy for the control of obstetric hemorrhage is usually associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Prompt intervention to include peripartum hysterectomy may likely decrease the rate of maternal deaths and significant maternal morbidity.

Abstract

Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid) is the stable, fully oxidized form of folate which is used in food fortification and supplements. Keen interest has been generated in folic acid due to its suggested role in prevention of various disorders. Strong evidence from clinical trials indicates preventive effect of folic acid on both occurrence and recurrence of neural tube defects. It also plays a significant role in mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disorders through homocysteine regulation. In addition, the beneficial effect of folic acid in various types of cancers, neurological disorders, conditions affecting pregnancy, and other clinical conditions has been reported in literature. Various guidelines reinforce the need for women to obtain adequate amount of folic acid either through food fortification or supplements. In India, national guidelines on the proper dose of folic acid to pregnant women are not available. Given its significant beneficial effects on health, awareness should be spread among communities on the usage and benefits of folic acid.

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: This study is undertaken to emphasize the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and clinical analysis of the same in a tertiary care referral hospital.

Methodology: One hundred patients with provisional diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy were studied. Physical examination, urine pregnancy test, transabdominal scan using 5 MHz transducer or transvaginal ultrasonography of 7 MHz was done. The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was confirmed by direct observation by laparotomy or laparoscopy (which was taken as gold standard).

Results: The study showed ectopic pregnancy was most common in gravida 2 and in age group 26–30 years with most of them having married life\10 years. One or more risk factors were found in 66 % of cases. 54 % of cases presented with acute symptoms, 14 % of cases in shock. Among clinical presentation pain abdomen, history of amenorrhea, bleeding per vaginum, abdominal tenderness, and cervical motion tenderness was most common. In ultrasonography, complex mass in adnexa was present in 60 % of cases and hemoperitoneum in 50 %. 96 % of cases were tubal pregnancy with most of them tubal rupture. In 98 % of cases, radical surgery was done. Salpingectomy was the most common surgery done (90 %). There was no negative laparotomy in this study. There was no maternal mortality in this series.

Conclusions: In all the 100 cases of ectopic pregnancy studied, the ultrasonography provided definitive diagnosis resulting in 100 % sensitivity and 100 % specificity, predictive value of positive test being 100 %. Ultrasonography done in earlier weeks of gestation had sensitivity of 96 % and false negative 4 %.

Abstract

Purpose: Incorrectly placed copperT380A leads to increased contraception failure. This study aimed to find an association between the ultrasonographic position of the copper T 380A in the immediate postpartum period and the adverse effects observed during the period of 6 months after its insertion.

Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of a tertiary-carecenter of India from September 2011 to February 2013. The women eligible for immediate postpartum copper T 380A insertion with previous regular menstrual cycles for at least 6 months before the current pregnancy, and those who were willing for follow-up visits and had easy accessibility to the hospital, were recruited. A clinical evaluation and ultrasonographic assessment of Intra-Uterine-Contraceptive- Device (IUCD) after insertion was carried out after enrolment. The complications (expulsions, vaginal discharge, menstrual irregularity, and lower abdominal pain) were subsequently assessed during a 6-month follow-up period. The primary objective was the ultrasonographic assessment of the placement of IUCD immediately after insertion. The incidence of complications and their association with the presence of malposition was also studied.

Results: Hundred patients were evaluated during the study period. Forty-four (44 %) women were found to have malpositioned IUCDs on ultrasonographic evaluation done following insertion. The complications among the IUCD users included menstrual irregularity (27.17 %), pain in lower abdomen (20.65 %), vaginal discharge (7.6 %), and expulsions (9.7 %). The IUCD expulsions, menstrual irregularities, and pain were significantly more in patients with malpositions (p\0.05).

Conclusions: Malpositioning of IUCD is common immediately following insertion and is significantly associated with more complications during the follow-up.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraoperative autologous blood transfusion during laparotomy for hemoperitoneum in ectopic pregnancy and also safety of homologous blood transfusion along with autologous blood transfusion.

Method: Fresh blood, from peritoneal cavity, was collected for autotransfusion in sterile dish, filtered through eight layers of sterile gauze pieces, and collected in a sterile bowl. The collected blood was transferred into blood infusion bag containing citrate phosphate dextrose adenine solution in the proportion of five parts of blood to one part of citrate solution.

Results: Mean volume of autologous blood transfused in patients without homologous transfusion was 573 ± 328. Mean preoperative hemoglobin was 4.95 ± 1.5, and postoperative hemoglobin was 6.85 ± 1.3. Hence, rise in hemoglobin was 1.9 g%. Autologous blood volume transfused in 29 patients (who required homologous blood transfusion) was 488 ± 216. Preoperative hemoglobin was 4.35 ± 1.94. The result was compared with other studies.

Conclusion: Intraoperative autologous blood transfusion enabled the performance of laparotomy in hemodynamically unstable ectopic pregnancy patients without availability of homologous blood transfusion. Homologous blood transfusion is compatible with autologous blood transfusion.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the obstetric management and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies with delayed delivery of the second twin, including follow-up.

Methods: This study is a review of four cases of delayed delivery of the second twin in our hospital from 2009 to 2012. The obstetric management of the cases from the expulsion of the first twin to the delivery of the second twin is analyzed. The neonatal outcomes including follow-up for 2 years were reviewed.

Results: The first twins were delivered between 15 and 25 weeks (average 21 weeks) and the second twins were delivered between 25 and 31 weeks (average 27 weeks). One first twin (25 %) survived, while three (75 %) second twins survived. Two out of the three second twins delivered after 28 weeks were in satisfactory condition.

Conclusions: The delayed delivery of the second twins which occurred in the third trimester is associated with favorable outcome, however, the risks should not be ignored.

Abstract

Objectives: The study was carried out to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and Pregnancy outcome in anti- HCV-positives pregnant women admitted for delivery in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot between January 2010 and January 2013.

Setting: Department of obstetrics and Gynaecology of GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot.

Material and Methods: A case–control study design was selected for the study. A total of 1412 pregnant women presenting in the labor room of our hospital between January 2010 and January 2013 were subjected to anti-HCV testing by third generation ELISA. Age, parity, and gestational age-matched controls were taken from the women delivering during the same time frame who tested negative for hepatitis C. All the subjects and controls were nonreactive for HIV and HBsAg as well. Risk factors and pregnancy outcome were compared with the control group. Approval was taken from ethic committee of the institute. The women who consented to participate in the study were evaluated on the basis of a questionnaire for the presence of risk factors of hepatitis C and pregnancy outcome. Women with the known previous liver disease were excluded from the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows version 16.0. p\0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Forty patients tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies among 1,412 patients subjected to anti-HCV testing during study period. 40 patients were taken as controls, who were negative for anti-HCV antibodies. Prevalence of HCV during pregnancy was 2.8 % in our study. Among the risk factors studied, previous surgery and blood transfusion were the statistically significant risk factors. There was history of previous major surgery in 16 cases versus 4 controls and was statistically significant (p value 0.002) at p\0.05. History of blood transfusion was present in 4 versus 2 among cases and controls, respectively, and statistically significant (p value 0.004) at p\0.05. Sexual transmission was not the risk factor as none of the spouse of the pregnant women was positive for HCV antibodies. Neonatal outcome was similar in both groups. Pregnancy complications i.e., Pregnancy-induced hypertension and antepartum hemorrhage were significantly higher in study group compared to control group.

Conclusion: Incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in pregnancy is 2.8 %. Surgical procedures, blood transfusion, are the major risk factors for transmission. There are no identifiable risk factors in 35 % of cases. Pregnancy complications like Pregnancy-induced hypertension and antepartum hemorrhage are more common in HCV-positive mothers. Neonatal outcome is not affected. Universal screening of all pregnant women should be done for HCV as many patients may not have any risk factor.

Abstract

Background: This study examines to describe the factors associated with acceptability of immediate PPIUCD insertion in women according to their socio-demographic and obstetrics characteristics, and future pregnancy desires and to determine the rates of uterine perforation, expulsion, pelvic infection, lost strings and displacement following PPIUCD insertion among the acceptors by 6 to 18 months.

Aim: An intrauterine device (IUD) is an effective form of Long Acting Reversible Contraception. Present study is aimed at determining the safety, efficacy, and expulsion of Post-placental and intra-cesarean insertion of Intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD).

Materials & Methods: The study was conducted at District Head Quarters Hospital, Bolangir, Odisha, India. From 1st. January 2012 to 31st. December 2012. Women admitted and delivered at D.H.H. Bolangir, were counseled. CuT 380A was inserted within 10 minutes of delivery of placenta in accepters who fulfilled the Medical Eligibility Criteria and had no contraindications for PPIUCD. They were followed up till 30th June 2013.

Results: Total women counseled 3209, Accepted 564, Declined 2645, lost to follow up 130, Followed up 434, Complications: 190 (Expulsion 39, Bleeding 102, String problem 49), Removal 43, Continuation 352.

Conclusions: The PPIUCD (Inserting CuT 380 A by 10 minutes after placental delivery) was demonstrably safe, effective, has high retention rate. The expulsion rate was not very high and it can be reduced with practice. With the high level of acceptance despite low levels of awareness, the government needs to develop strategies to increase public awareness of the PPIUCD through different media sources. It is also important to arrange training on PPIUCD in order to increase knowledge and skills among healthcare providers. This will also further promote PPIUCD use and aid in reduction of the expulsion rates. Cash incentives to the accepter, motivator and of course provider would bring about a substantial progress in the PPIUCD use in developing countries like India.

Specimen retrieval bags have long been used in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery for contained removal of adnexal cysts and masses. More recently, the concerns regarding spread of malignant cells during mechanical morcellation of myoma have led to an additional use of specimen retrieval bags for contained ‘‘in-bag’’ morcellation. This review will discuss the indications for use retrieval bags in gynecologic endoscopy, and describe the different specimen bags available to date.