Oxidized cellulose: an unusual cause of post hysterectomy hemorrhage

Haemostatic material made of oxidized cellulose is a bio-absorbable fabric used widely for intraoperative haemostasis and adhesion prevention in surgery. The knit mesh facilitates platelet adhesion and aggregation during surgery. However, rarely it may cause a foreign-body reaction, which is indistinguishable from abscess or granuloma formation. This report describes a case of a local tissue reaction due to oxidized regenerated cellulose followed by vault erosion and vaginal bleeding, mimicking pelvic sepsis post hysterectomy. The signs and symptoms resolved completely following removal of the oxidized cellulose fabric

Acute intermittent porphyria and pregnancy: an obstetric challenge

Acute intermittent porphyria is a rare autosomal dominant disease caused by a mutation in the gene coding for the porphobillinogen deaminase enzymes in heam biosynthesis. The disease manifests as acute attacks of neuropsychiatric dysfunction and neurovisceral manifestations presenting as acute abdomen. In pregnancy, 54% patient has exacerbation of attacks in the form of seizures and acute abdomen occurs due to hormonal changes. Prevalence of acute intermittent porphyria is 1-2/200000 in general. Here we report a case of 36 year old women, G4P1L2A2 presenting at 10+4 weeks of gestation requesting pregnancy termination. Patient was diagnosed as case of acute intermittent porphyria with porphyic polyneuropathy 6 months back. At that time her main symptoms were acute pain abdomen with numbness and weakness in all four limbs. Her urinary porphobillinogen and 5 ALA raised. Her CECT of brain and nerve conduction studies were normal. Since then she is on Tablet Gabapentin 300 mg H.S. She underwent successful pregnancy termination by suction and evacuation under spinal anesthesia and she refused for copper-T insertion. Only safe drugs were used for procedure and she was discharged with advice of barrier contraception

Pregnancy and labor outcomes in squat versus western style sitting toilet users: a pilot study

Background: Squatting posture may appear outdated and primitive, but in the antenatal period, it is an important resistance exercise to strengthen the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles which are believed to potentially prepare the women for a more natural delivery. No study till date has evaluated the effect of type of toilet seat regularly used during pregnancy. This was a pilot study to assess obstetric outcomes in antenatal women using squat versus western style sitting toilet seat.Methods: In an observational prospective pilot study, low risk primigravida at 28-32 weeks gestation were recruited from the outpatient department and divided into two groups after matching baseline characteristics. Group I (n=50) included women regularly using squatting type toilet seat and group II (n=50) comprised women using western style toilet seat. Pregnancy was followed till delivery; obstetric and neonatal outcomes were noted.Results: Squatting group, as compared to sitting type seat users, had lower incidence of vaginal discharge (10% vs 16%), urinary tract infection(12% vs. 24%), constipation (2% vs. 6%), labor induction (52% vs. 58%), shorter second-stage duration (0.60 vs. 1.24 hours) and a higher incidence of normal vaginal delivery (94% vs. 86%), albeit not statistically significant. NICU admissions (16% vs. 20%) and mean birth weight (2.83 vs. 2.97 kg) were comparable in the two groups.Conclusions: Squatting type toilet seat users had many favourable obstetric outcomes, especially a higher incidence of normal vaginal delivery; although, the difference was not statistically significant. Large community based surveys in this regard can reveal the true effects of squatting type toilet seat on pregnancy and labour outcomes

Ground State Stability and Thermal Properties of ErCu Using First Principles Study

We have investigated elastic, vibrational and thermal properties of B2 type ErCu intermetallic compound using density functional theory (DFT). The positive phonon frequencies reflect the dynamical stability of ErCu intermetallic compound in the B2 type cubic structure phase. Furthermore, the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) as implemented in quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA) was used for the calculation of thermal properties such as vibrational energy ΔF, entropy S, internal energy ΔE and constant-volume specific heat Cv of the ErCu. The entropy of ErCu is ~ 18 J∙K – 1∙mol – 1 that concluded that, the ErCu compound is not harder compound. The computed Poisson’s ratio (σ), Young’s modulus (E), bulk modulus (B) and shear modulus (GH) are 0.30, 66.65 GPa, 62.99 GPa and 25.18 GPa respectively. The B/GH ratio is 2.50, which confirmed the good ductility of ErCu intermetallic compound

A systematic review of outcome and outcome-measure reporting in randomised trials evaluating surgical interventions for anterior-compartment vaginal prolapse: a call to action to develop a core outcome set

INTRODUCTION: We assessed outcome and outcome-measure reporting in randomised controlled trials evaluating surgical interventions for anterior-compartment vaginal prolapse and explored the relationships between outcome reporting quality with journal impact factor, year of publication, and methodological quality. METHODS: We searched the bibliographical databases from inception to October 2017. Two researchers independently selected studies and assessed study characteristics, methodological quality (Jadad criteria; range 1-5), and outcome reporting quality Management of Otitis Media with Effusion in Cleft Palate (MOMENT) criteria; range 1-6], and extracted relevant data. We used a multivariate linear regression to assess associations between outcome reporting quality and other variables. RESULTS: Eighty publications reporting data from 10,924 participants were included. Seventeen different surgical interventions were evaluated. One hundred different outcomes and 112 outcome measures were reported. Outcomes were inconsistently reported across trials; for example, 43 trials reported anatomical treatment success rates (12 outcome measures), 25 trials reported quality of life (15 outcome measures) and eight trials reported postoperative pain (seven outcome measures). Multivariate linear regression demonstrated a relationship between outcome reporting quality with methodological quality (β = 0.412; P = 0.018). No relationship was demonstrated between outcome reporting quality with impact factor (β = 0.078; P = 0.306), year of publication (β = 0.149; P = 0.295), study size (β = 0.008; P = 0.961) and commercial funding (β = -0.013; P = 0.918). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior-compartment vaginal prolapse trials report many different outcomes and outcome measures and often neglect to report important safety outcomes. Developing, disseminating and implementing a core outcome set will help address these issues

Menstrual Stem cells

Stem cells isolated from menstrual fluid have mesenchymal stem cell like properties and have multi lineage differentiation capacity. Menstrual fluid has ease of access in collection and repeated sampling is possible in a noninvasive manner. Also, rapid culture of these is possible in numbers that are sufficient for therapeutic use. They are, hence, looked upon as a novel innovation and are finding a place in the current medicine practice</p

Patient safety in obstetrics and gynecology departments of two teaching hospitals in Delhi

Background: A healthy safety culture is integral to positive health care. A sound safety climate is required in Obstetrics and Gynecology to prevent adverse outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess and compare patient safety culture in two departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Materials and Methods: Using a closed-ended standard version of Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS), respondents were asked to answer 42 survey items, grouped into 10 dimensions and two outcome variables in two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Delhi. Qualitative data were compared using Fisher's exact test and chi-square test wherever applicable. Mean values were calculated and compared using unpaired t-test. Results: The overall survey response rate was 55%. A positive response rate of 57% was seen in the overall perception of patient safety that ranged from very good to acceptable. Sixty-four percent showed positive teamwork across hospital departments and units, while 36% gave an affirmative opinion with respect to interdepartmental handoffs. However, few adverse events (0-10) were reported in the last 12 months and only 38% of mistakes by doctors were reported. Half of the respondents agreed that their mistakes were held against them. There was no statistical difference in the safety culture between the two hospitals. Conclusions: Although the perception of patient safety and standards of patient safety were high in both the hospitals' departments, there is plenty of scope for improvement with respect to event reporting, positive feedback, and nonpunitive error

First Trimester Abortion: A Rare Cause of Intrauterine Bony Spicules

Bony fragments in the uterus occur after second trimester termination of pregnancy following retained fetal bones. Very rarely, they can form following first trimester loss. Clinical symptoms range from pain, menstrual symptoms, and infertility. Ultrasound shows a hyperechoic shadow, and treatment is by curettage or hysteroscopic removal