Severe Fetal Distress and Umbilical Cord Strangulation

We describe an extreme case of amniotic band syndrome, presented with fetal stress during labor and associated with strangulation of umbilical cord

Carbetocin versus oxytocin in caesarean section with high risk of post-partum haemorrhage

Objectives: the aims of the present study were to compare the haemodynamic effects of oxytocin and carbetocin and to assess the efficacy of these two drugs in terms of blood loss and the additional uterotonic needed in caesarean section at high risk of primary post-partum haemorrhage. Methods: women in the carbetocin group (group A) received a bolus of 100 μg IV; women in the control group (group B) received 20 IU of oxytocin in 1000 ml of 0,9% Na- Cl solution IV (150 mL/ hour). The main parameter evaluated was the haemodynamic effects of drugs and the need for additional uterotonic agents. In addition we compared the drop in haemoglobin level, the uterine tone, the uterine fundal state and the diuresis. Results: regarding the haemodynamic effects, both drugs have a hypotensive effect, but we found a greater reduction in blood pressure within the oxytocin group. Significantly more women needed additional uterotonic agents in the oxytocin group (23,5% vs 0%, p0.05). There was a significant difference in the diuresis, higher in carbetocin group (1300 ml ± 450 ml vs 1100 ml ± 250 ml, p=0.01). Conclusions: a single injection of carbetocin appears to be more effective than a continuous infusion of oxytocin to prevent the PPH, with a similar haemodynamic profile and minor antidiuretic effect

Thrombophilia and damage of kidney during pregnancy

Objectives: It’s known that heritable thrombophilias are a risk factor for the development of obstetrics complications associated to inadequate uterine-placental circulation, as pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, placental abruption and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), however it was never investigated the role that they could have in the renal failure associated to such conditions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if thrombophilia itself that predispose to a possible renal damage or if its occurrence determines a more severe involvement of the kidneys in the course of these obstetric pathologies. Methods: In the study were enrolled 301 pregnant women, who carried a thrombophilic state, 125 of whom (B group) has had an obstetric complication. In all the women the renal function was assessed taking into consideration proteinuria, creatininaemia and hypalbuminaemia. Results: Of the three parameters which have been considered as evidence of a severe renal involvement the hypalbuminaemia appears statistically significant compared to the controls. Even creatinaemia is significantly increased in pregnant women with an Anthithrombin deficiency, and increased levels are detected in women with Factor V Leiden. Conclusions: In obstetric complications associated to thrombophilic state could be a more severe involvement of the kidney

Schauta-Amreich Operation vs Piver II Procedure with Pelvic Lymphadenectomy for Cervical Cancer

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare two groups of patients with early stage cervical cancer who underwent either abdominal or vaginal surgery, in terms of post-operative findings and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: 55 patients with diagnosed cervical cancer were retrospectively selected for this study. They were preoperatively staged according to FIGO criteria. Forty four patients had disease between stages Ib and IIa with no evidence of extra-pelvic lymph node involvement and 10 patients had stage ≥ IIb. RESULTS: Of the 55 patients, 17 had been operated by Schauta-Amreich radical vaginal hysterectomy and 38 by Piver type II abdominal hysterectomy. No significant statistical differences have been found between two groups about age (median age was 49 for Schauta and 54 for Piver p=0.494) and parity of the patients (Median parity was 2 (range: 0-5) for Piver II group and 1 (range: 0-4) for Schauta group (p=0.607)) and about histotype and stage of the cervical cancer (34 patients with squamous cell carcinoma among Piver II Group vs 16 patients from Schauta Group; 4 women with adenocarcinoma from Piver II Group vs 1 subject from the Schauta Group; p value 1.000). Among the two groups there were significant statistical differences regarding the mean operative time (86 ± 28 minutes for Vaginal surgery and 115 ± 31 minutes for Abdominal surgery, p=0.038) and the average hospital stay (8.65 ± 4.42 days for abdominal surgery and 5.65 ± 2.3 days for vaginal surgery, p=0.020). Significant statistical difference was reported as regarding adjuvant RT, increased in the Piver II group with respect to the Schauta group (22 vs 4 pts; p=0.028). The survival rate at 5-years was without significant difference between the two groups (23 patients frof Piver II Group vs 11 patients from Schauta Group, p=0.510). DISCUSSION: This study confirms the benefits of the Schauta-Amreich vaginal radical hysterectomy in terms of hospital stay, mean operative time and early complications. CONCLUSION: We believe that this surgery is a plausible alternative to radical abdominal hysterectomy and could be considered to be a valid approach for the treatment of patients with cervical neoplasms, but still randomized trials are needed on this topic with respect to the ethical issues involved