The SPARE score reliably predicts the conversion from open partial to radical nephrectomy

Aim To assess the power of nephrometry scores to predict the intraoperative conversion from partial nephrectomy (PN) to radical nephrectomy (RN). Methods We identified all the patients at our institution who were scheduled for PN between April 2012 and December 2017. Patients who underwent robotic or laparoscopic surgery were excluded. A total of 149 patients (94 men) who underwent open surgery and had complete data were included. The power of the R.E.N.A.L., PADUA, SPARE, and DAP scores to predict the conversion to RN, and the threshold values were assessed. In the multivariate analysis, the predictive power of the nephrometry scores was tested by separately including them in different models. Results The median age was 57 (48-67) years, while the median follow-up was 15 (7-29.5) months. The overall conversion rate was 10.7%. The optimal cut-off values for the R.E.N.A.L., PADUA, SPARE, and DAP scores were 7.5, 9.5, 5.5 and 7.5, respectively. The SPARE score had the highest area under the curve (AUC=0.807, P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the SPARE score had the highest odds ratio (OR 12.561; confidence interval 3.456-45.534, P<0.001]. Conclusion A high SPARE score was significantly associated with the conversion to RN in patients who underwent open PN

Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity and Stool Antigen in Patients With Hyperemesis Gravidarum

The objective of this paper is to investigate whether Helicobacter pylori is an etiologic factor in hyperemesis gravidarum. Thirty one patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and twenty nine pregnant controls without hyperemesis gravidarum were included in this prospective study. All pregnant women were examined both for Helicobacter pylori serum immunoglobulin G antibodies (HpIgG Ab), showing chronic infection, and Helicobacter pylori stool antigens (HpSA), showing active gastrointestinal colonization. Chi-square and Student t tests were used accordingly for statistical analysis. Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was 67.7% in the patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 79.3% in the control group (χ(2) = 1.02, P = .31). HpSA was detected in 22.6% of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, whereas 6.9% of patients in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (χ(2) = 2.89, P = .08). In this study, no relation was found between Helicobacter pylori and hyperemesis gravidarum. The low social status of women in both groups could be one of the reasons for the high prevalence of Hp infection

Comparison of the Effect of Different Anesthesia Maintenance on Hemodynamics in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective:General anesthesia management in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGC) should preserve myocardial function, prevent ischemic damage, and maintain stable hemodynamics. There is not a universally accepted technique for anesthetic management during CABGC. Drugs or drug combinations and maintenance of infusions are decided based on the pathophysiological condition of the patient and the individual preference and experience of the anesthesiologist (1). Although there are many studies about an anesthesia induction in CABGC, studies about anesthetic maintenance are very limited. In this study, we compared the hemodynamic effects of three different methods that were used in anesthetic maintenance in CABGC.Method:The retrospective records of 108 patients in ASA II-III group who underwent elective CABGC were divided into 3 groups according to their anesthetic maintenance methods. Group I was maintained with 1-3% sevoflurane and fentanyl 4 mcg/kg/hour infusion, group II with propofol 1.5-4 mg/kg/hour and fentanyl 4 mcg/kg/hour infusion, and group III with propofol 1.5-4 mg/kg/hour and remifentanil infusion of 0.03 mg/kg/hour. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured and recorded after induction (T0), after sternotomy (T1), after pericardiotomy (T2), 5 minutes after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) (T3), after thorax closure (T4), at the end of the operation (T5). The vasodilator requirements in the time period before CBP and the inotropic agent requirements after CPB were noted.Results:Data of 108 patients (88 men/20 women) were analyzed. Demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in all the groups. Statistical analysis was made among the groups depending on coronary artery bypass graft number, cross-clamp time, total fluid administration, total blood transfusion, total urine volume, inotropic agent requirement after CPB, postoperative central venous pressure, and pre- and postoperative lactate levels; however, there was no statistical difference. There was not change more than 20-25% in MAP and HR in group I than the others.Conclusion:Better hemodynamic results were achived with sevoflurane and fentanyl in the anesthetic maintenance of CABGC

A 3-year multicentre randomized controlled trial of etonogestrel- and levonorgestrel-releasing contraceptive implants, with non-randomized matched copper-intrauterine device controls

STUDY QUESTION Is there any difference in the clinical performance of the 3-year one-rod etonogestrel (ENG)- and the 5-year two-rod levonorgestrel (LNG)-releasing contraceptive implants during 3 years of insertion, and between implant and intrauterine device (IUD) contraception, in particular complaints possibly related to hormonal contraceptives? SUMMARY ANSWER The cumulative contraceptive effectiveness after 3 years and method continuation through 2.5 years were not significantly different between ENG and LNG implants, but both outcomes were significantly worse in the non-randomized age-matched group of IUD users than in the combined implant group. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ENG- and LNG-releasing implants are safe and highly efficacious contraceptives with pregnancy rates reported to be 0.0-0.5 per 100 women-years (W-Y). No head-to-head comparative study of the two implants has been undertaken, and little information is available on comparisons of complaints of side effects of implant and copper IUD users. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This was an open parallel group RCT with 1:1 allocation ratio of the ENG and the LNG implants with non-randomized control group of women choosing TCu380A IUD to address lack of reliable data on common side effects typically attributed to the use of progestogen-only contraceptives. After device(s) placement, follow-ups were at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and semi-annually thereafter for 3 years or until pregnancy, removal or expulsion of the implant/IUD occurred. PARTICIPANTS, SETTING, METHODS The study took place in family planning clinics in Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Thailand, Turkey and Zimbabwe. Women seeking long-term contraception were enlisted after an eligibility check and informed consent, and 2982 women were enrolled: 1003, 1005 and 974 in the ENG-implant, LNG-implant and IUD groups, respectively; 995, 997 and 971, respectively, were included in the per protocol analysis reported here. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE ENG and LNG implants each had the same 3-year cumulative pregnancy rate of 0.4 per 100 W-Y [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-1.4]. A weight of ≥70 kg at admission was unrelated to pregnancy. Method continuation rates for ENG and LNG implants at 2.5 years were 69.8 (95% CI 66.8-72.6) and 71.8 per 100 W-Y (68.8-74.5), and at 3 years 12.1 (95% CI 5.2-22.0) and 52.0 per 100 W-Y (95% CI 41.8-61.2), respectively. Bleeding disturbances, the most frequent reason for method discontinuation, were significantly more common in the ENG group [16.7 (95% CI 14.4-19.3)] than in the LNG group [12.5 (95% CI 10.5-14.9)] (P 0.019). The 3-year cumulative loss to follow-up was lower in the ENG- than in the LNG-implant group, 8.1 (95% CI 6.4-10.2) and 14.4 per 100 W-Y (95% CI 12.1-17.1), respectively. The median duration of implant removal was 50 s shorter among women with ENG than among women with LNG implant (P < 0.0001). In the observational comparison between IUD and implant users, the 3-year relative risk for pregnancy in IUD group compared with the combined implant group was 5.7 per 100 W-Y (95% CI 4.4-7.3) (P = 0.0003). The 3-year expulsion rate of the IUD was 17.8 per 100 W-Y (95% CI 14.5-21.9), while the discontinuation rate for bleeding disturbances was 8.5 (95% CI 6.7-10.9). Frequency of complaints of headache and dizziness was not significantly different between implant and IUD users (P = 0.16 and 0.77, respectively), acne and bleeding irregularities were more frequent among implant users (P < 0.0001), while heavy bleeding and lower abdominal pain occurred more often among IUD than implant users (P < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Few women were ≤19 years old or nulligravida, the proportion of implant users ≥70 kg was <20% and <8% were obese. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Findings of the study can inform policy makers and clinicians about choice of implant, but also about TCu380A IUD in relation to implants. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/UNICEF/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR), World Health Organization (WHO). This report contains the views of an international expert group and does not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the WHO. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN33378571 registered on 22 March 2004. The first participant was enrolled on 12 May 200

The Complete Evacuation Rate of Two Different Single Dose Misoprostol Regimens for Termination of Missed Abortion

OBJECTIVE: To compare the complete evacuation rate of two different single dose misoprostol regimens in termination of missed abortion within 24 hours. STUDY DESIGN: Hundred and one women with a diagnosis of missed abortion were randomized into two groups. Women in Group I received four tablets of misoprostol (800 mg) vaginally. In Group II, two tablets of misoprostol were administered vaginally simultaneously with two tablets taken orally. Women were evaluated by transvaginal sonography after the initiation of vaginal bleeding (primary visit) or in cases with no bleeding within 24 hours after the administration. In cases that had not completed the abortion at the primary visit, a surgical evacuation was performed. Mean expulsion time, clinical outcomes, side-effects, complications and any additional interventions required were analyzed in two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, number of previous pregnancies, the complete evacuation rate at the primary visit or mean expulsion time. The complete evacuation rate within 24 hours was 18% in Group I and 14% in Group II (p=0.38). The overall complete evacuation rate was 16% (n=16). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for mean hemoglobin values before and after treatment (0.64 vs 0.62 respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: With a single dose misoprostol regimen regardless of the route of administration, overall complete evacuation rate was low at the first follow-up visit

Use of diazepam for hyperemesis gravidarum

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) fluid and diazepam therapy compared with the IV-fluid only therapy for the resistant hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) cases. Methods. Medical records of 74 HG cases who were refractory to standard management were reviewed. All patients hospitalised were administered IV fluid and multivitamin combination as the first-step therapy. Patients who were refractory to first-step therapy were given IV fluid (Group 1, n=43) or IV fluid and diazepam (Group 2, n=31) depending on the patients' desire. Groups were matched for demographic characteristics, rehospitalisation requirement, patient satisfaction and neonatal outcomes. Results. Thirteen of the 74 patients were excluded from the study because of unknown maternal and fetal outcome. The mean gestational age was 10.42.4 year. Age, parity, body mass index and educational level were similar between the two groups. Mean diazepam dose was 62.824.5mg (range 40-160) in Group 2 (n=31). The number of hospitalisation was significantly lower, and patient satisfaction was significantly higher in Group 2. There were no differences for the obstetrics outcomes between the groups. Conclusions. The addition of diazepam to IV fluids was associated with less hospitalisation in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Safety of diazepam therapy in early pregnancy deserves further study

The immediate effect of vaginal and caesarean delivery on anal sphincter measurements.

This study evaluated the effects of vaginal and caesarean delivery on internal and external anal sphincter muscle thickness using translabial ultrasonography (TL-US)

Short-Term Results of Ivabradine versus Metoprolol: The Effects on Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Introduction: Classic coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery involves diastolic cardiac arrest under cardiopulmonary bypass, while off-pump CABG (OPCABG) has become widespread in recent years. Methods: 174 patients who underwent OPCABG were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n=90) received ivabradine and Group M (n=84) received metoprolol before surgery until postoperative day 10. Intraoperative arrhythmias and hypotension were recorded. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) and arrhythmia, mortality and morbidity rates were assessed based on the 30-day postoperative follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences in the intraoperative amount of inotropic support and red blood cell transfusion between groups (P=0.87 and P=0.31). However, the rates of intraoperative arrhythmias and hypotension were not significantly higher in Group M (P=0.317 and P=0.47). Ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) was observed in 2 patients in both groups. Postoperative AF occurred in 7 patients (7.7%) in Group I and in 10 patients (11.9%) in Group M. Although there was a trend towards a higher prevalence of AF in Group M patients, this did not reach statistical significance. In addition, mortality and morbidity rates were comparable between groups