Stillbirth at Patan Hospital, Nepal

Introductions:  Stillbirth (SB) is one of the most common adverse outcomes of pregnancy.  The aim of this study was to determine the SB rate and to identify the likely causes contributing to SB. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Patan Hospital from 15th June 2014 to 14th June 2017 for all the cases of SBs, at or after 22 weeks, birth weight of 500 gm or more. The perinatal outcome, demographic profile, fetal characteristics, causes and contributing factors were analyzed. Results: There were 262 SB out of total 23069 deliveries, (11.24 per 1000) and 119 (46.12%) had antenatal check-up (ANC) at Patan Hospital. The 214 (82.95%) SB were among 20-34 years mothers, 133 (51.55%) being multigravida. Antepartum SB were 234 (89.31%), macerated 213 (81.30%), birth weight <1000gm 86 (32.82%) and male 156 (59.54%).  The intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was present in 60 (22.90%), unexplained casue in 43 (16.41%), prematurity 28 (10.69%), congenital anomalies 26 (9.92%), pre-eclampsia 19 (7.25%), gestational diabetes, and abruptio placenta each 13 (4.96%). Delay in seeking care in 202 (78.30%) was a potential contributing factor. Conclusions:  The SB was 11.24/1000 births. The causes in descending order were IUGR, unexplained, prematurity, congenital anomalies, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and abruptio placenta. Delay in seeking care was found as a potential contributing factor. Keywords:  antenatal check-up (ANC), birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), stillbirt

A Outcome of breech delivery: caesarean section versus vaginal delivery at Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Patan

Introductions: Obstetricians have long debated the role of caesarean section as a potentially safer mode of delivery for the fetus with breech presentation. However, the experience of the health care provider remains a critical element in the decision to pursue a vaginal breech delivery, and it may still be a viable option. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of breech delivery at Patan Hospital and compare maternal and neonatal outcomes subjected to either vaginal or caesarean section. Methods: A five-year retrospective study of breech deliveries covering the year 2010 to 2014. Patient’s charts were retrieved from the medical record section and reviewed.Results: There were 896 breech deliveries out of a total 44,842 deliveries giving an incidence of 1.99%. One hundred thirteen (12.61%) of breech deliveries were through vaginal route while 431 (48.10%) and 352 (39.28%) were through emergency and elective caesarean sections respectively. There were 154(17.18% preterm intrauterine death. Among term pregnancy, there were 3-neonate deaths not associated with mode of delivery. There were 154(17.18%) preterm breech deliveries including 27(17.5%) preterm intrauterine death. Among term pregnancy, there were 3 neonatal deaths not associated with mode of delivery. None of the term infant had neurological morbidity comprising neonatal seizures, brachial plexus injury, chephalohematoma. Maternal blood loss was significantly higher is caesarean section group. Conclusions: In well-selected cases, the neonatal outcome following assisted vaginal breech delivery and caesarean section may not be different.Keywords: Breech delivery; Maternal and perinatal outcom

Relaparatomy after caesarean section

Introductions: Relaparotomy after caesarean section is rare and literature are scanty. The decision requires a good clinical judgment to save mother’s life. Our objective was to analyse the outcome of relaparotomy after caesarean section at Patan hospital.Methods: This was a cross sectional study done at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Patan Hospital, Nepal. Charts of caesarean section from January 2010 to December 2014 were reviewed to analyze the cases of relaparotomy for incidence, indication, management and outcome. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS.Results: During 5 years, there were 17,538 caesarean deliveries, 39.15% of total 44,788 deliveries. Relaparotomy was done in 15 cases, 0.085% of 17538 caesarean. Mean age was 26.6±4.7 years, 14 (93.3%) were between 25-35 years, 12 (80%) were primigravida. Indications of relaparotomy were pyoperitonium (40%), hemoperitoneum (33.3%) and rectus sheath hematoma (26.7%). Out of 15 relaparotomy, 14 were conservative surgery and one required hysterectomy. There was no maternal mortality. Conclusions: Relaparotomyin our study the rate was eight in 10,000. Those requiring relaparatomy had fetal distress as indication for first caesarean.Keywords: caesarean section, pyoperitoneum, relaparotom

Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

Background: Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with poor patient outcomes. We studied the effectiveness of a national quality improvement (QI) programme to implement a care pathway to improve survival for these patients. Methods: We did a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial of patients aged 40 years or older undergoing emergency open major abdominal surgery. Eligible UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals (those that had an emergency general surgical service, a substantial volume of emergency abdominal surgery cases, and contributed data to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit) were organised into 15 geographical clusters and commenced the QI programme in a random order, based on a computer-generated random sequence, over an 85-week period with one geographical cluster commencing the intervention every 5 weeks from the second to the 16th time period. Patients were masked to the study group, but it was not possible to mask hospital staff or investigators. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days of surgery. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80682973. Findings: Treatment took place between March 3, 2014, and Oct 19, 2015. 22 754 patients were assessed for elegibility. Of 15 873 eligible patients from 93 NHS hospitals, primary outcome data were analysed for 8482 patients in the usual care group and 7374 in the QI group. Eight patients in the usual care group and nine patients in the QI group were not included in the analysis because of missing primary outcome data. The primary outcome of 90-day mortality occurred in 1210 (16%) patients in the QI group compared with 1393 (16%) patients in the usual care group (HR 1·11, 0·96–1·28). Interpretation: No survival benefit was observed from this QI programme to implement a care pathway for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Future QI programmes should ensure that teams have both the time and resources needed to improve patient care. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme

Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

BACKGROUND: Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with poor patient outcomes. We studied the effectiveness of a national quality improvement (QI) programme to implement a care pathway to improve survival for these patients. METHODS: We did a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial of patients aged 40 years or older undergoing emergency open major abdominal surgery. Eligible UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals (those that had an emergency general surgical service, a substantial volume of emergency abdominal surgery cases, and contributed data to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit) were organised into 15 geographical clusters and commenced the QI programme in a random order, based on a computer-generated random sequence, over an 85-week period with one geographical cluster commencing the intervention every 5 weeks from the second to the 16th time period. Patients were masked to the study group, but it was not possible to mask hospital staff or investigators. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days of surgery. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80682973. FINDINGS: Treatment took place between March 3, 2014, and Oct 19, 2015. 22 754 patients were assessed for elegibility. Of 15 873 eligible patients from 93 NHS hospitals, primary outcome data were analysed for 8482 patients in the usual care group and 7374 in the QI group. Eight patients in the usual care group and nine patients in the QI group were not included in the analysis because of missing primary outcome data. The primary outcome of 90-day mortality occurred in 1210 (16%) patients in the QI group compared with 1393 (16%) patients in the usual care group (HR 1·11, 0·96-1·28). INTERPRETATION: No survival benefit was observed from this QI programme to implement a care pathway for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Future QI programmes should ensure that teams have both the time and resources needed to improve patient care. FUNDING: National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme