Modern management of miscarriage

Manual Vacuum Aspiration Versus Expectant Management for First Trimester Miscarriage: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Miscarriage is one of the common problems encountered in pregnancy. The treatment modalities are expectant, medical, and surgical management. This study compared the effectiveness and safety of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) with expectant management for first trimester miscarriage. Method This randomized controlled trial was conducted in Teaching Hospital Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, and 134 eligible patients with first trimester spontaneous miscarriage were randomized to expectant management (67) and MVA (67). Those allocated to expectant management were managed expectantly for up to two weeks, and those allocated to MVA underwent aspiration under a paracervical block in the ward. The primary outcome was complete evacuation of the uterus, and the secondary outcomes were duration of bleeding, duration of pain, level of pain, need for the second procedure, cervical or uterine injuries, and patient satisfaction. Results Of the 134 eligible women, seven were lost to follow-up and 127 were analyzed. The MVA was superior in achieving complete evacuation compared to expectant management (95.2% vs. 70.3%; p ≤ 0.001). Notably, in both groups, complete evacuation was more readily achievable in incomplete miscarriage than in missed miscarriage. Duration of bleeding (mean days, 1.6 vs. 4.3; p ≤ 0.0001), duration of pain (mean days, 1.0 vs. 4.2; p ≤ 0.0001), and the need for additional surgical procedure in the form of dilatation and curettage (4.8% vs. 29.7%; p ≤ 0.001) were lower in MVA. Patient satisfaction was higher in the MVA group than in the expectant group (93.7% vs. 65.6%; p ≤ 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of blood transfusion and infection. There wasn't any incidence of cervical damage or uterine perforation. Conclusion MVA is an effective and safe treatment method for first trimester miscarriage with higher patient satisfaction.

Acute pancreatitis in pregnancy: meta-analysis of maternal and fetal outcomes

The impact of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes is unclear. Historical case series document very poor outcomes, with maternal mortality rates of 20 per cent and fetal loss of 50 per cent. However, this is based on outdated clinical practice. This meta-analysis quantified both maternal and fetal outcomes following acute pancreatitis in pregnancy based on the concurrent literature. Maternal and fetal outcomes after acute pancreatitis in pregnancy have improved with advances in the management of pancreatitis.

Infertility and miscarriage: common pathways in manifestation and management

The relationship between miscarriage and fertility is complex. While most healthcare settings treat miscarriage as a problem of subfertility in assisted reproduction units, others believe that miscarriage occurs in super-fertile women. Infertile women undergoing assisted reproduction are at a greater risk of having a miscarriage especially at an advanced age compared with women conceiving naturally. Aberrant expression of immunological factors and chromosomal abnormalities underlie both infertility and miscarriage. Common risk factors include increased maternal age, obesity, smoking, alcohol, pre-existing medical conditions and anatomical abnormalities of the reproductive system. Management pathways of both conditions may be similar with pre-implantation genetic testing and assisted reproductive technology used in both conditions. This paper discusses the synergies and differences between the two conditions in terms of their epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, risk factors and management strategies. The two conditions are related as degrees of severity of reproductive failure with common pathways in manifestation and management.

Expectant management of miscarriage in view of NICE Guideline 154

Objective. To find out the success rate of conservative management of complete two weeks for miscarriage in view of NICE Guideline 154. Design. Prospective observational study. Setting. Early pregnancy assessment units of District General Hospital in the United Kingdom. Participants. Women of less than 14 weeks' gestation, with a diagnosis of miscarriage (missed miscarriage/anembryonic or incomplete miscarriage). Interventions. Expectant management for two weeks. Main Outcome Measure. (1) Efficacy of 2-week expectant management, that is, complete resolution of miscarriage based either on self-reporting of patient after passing products of conception at home between D0 and D14 of expectant management or confirmation on scan at D14, and (2) short-term complications needing strong analgesia, blood transfusion, and antibiotics. Results. Expectant management of miscarriage for 2 weeks from the day of diagnosis was successful in 58% (64 /111) and failed in 42% (47/111). Conclusions. Expectant management success rate is consistent with the results from the longitudinal studies and RCTs published in the past. It is a safe option as none of the patients on expectant/medical management needed strong analgesia/antibiotics or blood transfusion.

Maternal mortality and unsafe abortion

Unsafe abortions refer to terminations of unintended pregnancies by persons lacking the necessary skills, or in an environment lacking the minimum medical standards, or both. Globally, unsafe abortions account for 67,900 maternal deaths annually (13% of total maternal mortality) and contribute to significant morbidity among women, especially in under-resourced settings. The determinants of unsafe abortion include restrictive abortion legislation, lack of female empowerment, poor social support, inadequate contraceptive services and poor health-service infrastructure. Deaths from unsafe abortion are preventable by addressing the above determinants and by the provision of safe, accessible abortion care. This includes safe medical or surgical methods for termination of pregnancy and management of incomplete abortion by skilled personnel. The service must also include provision of emergency medical or surgical care in women with severe abortion complications. Developing appropriate services at the primary level of care with a functioning referral system and the inclusion of post abortion contraceptive care with counseling are essential facets of abortion care.