Rates of Māori women receiving surgical treatment for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in Southern District Health Board

AIMS

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI) are common gynaecological conditions that are amenable to surgical management. The prevalence of these conditions has not been well studied in the New Zealand population, but limited evidence suggests that Māori women are likely to have a higher prevalence of POP and UI than non-Māori women. The aim of this study was to formally document the rate of access to these surgical procedures for Māori and non-Māori women in the area served by Southern District Health Board (SDHB).

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study of women who underwent surgical management for POP and/or UI at SDHB facilities between 2015 and 2019 was performed.

RESULTS

Unadjusted results suggested that there was a difference in the accessibility of operations for Māori and non-Māori. However, standardisation for the difference in the age structures of the two populations showed that Māori and non-Māori women access gynaecological surgery for POP and UI at very similar rates.

CONCLUSIONS

We have documented that the standardised rates for Māori and non-Māori women accessing POP and UI surgery are similar in SDHB. Owing to the likely greater prevalence of these conditions in Māori women, the near equality of standardised rates of surgical intervention is likely to represent an inequity of access for Māori women.

Patient-targeted Googling and social media: a cross-sectional study of senior medical students

Background

Social media and Internet technologies present several emerging and ill-explored issues for a modern healthcare workforce. One issue is patient-targeted Googling (PTG), which involves a healthcare professional using a social networking site (SNS) or publicly available search engine to find patient information online. The study’s aim was to address a deficit in data and knowledge regarding PTG, and to investigate medical student use of SNSs due to a close association with PTG.

Method

The authors surveyed final year medical students at the Otago Medical School, University of Otago in January 2016. A subset completed focus groups that were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes relating to students’ attitudes towards PTG, and reasons why they might engage in PTG.

Results

Fifty-four students completed the survey (response rate = 65.1%), which showed that PTG was uncommon (n = 9, 16.7%). Attitudes were varied and context dependent. Most participants saw problems with PTG and favoured more explicit guidance on the issue (n = 29, 53.7%). SNS usage was high (n = 51, 94.4%); participants were concerned by the content of their SNS profiles and who they were connecting with online. Participants showing high SNS use were 1.83 times more likely to have conducted PTG than lower use groups.

Conclusions

The diverse attitudes uncovered in this study indicated that teaching or guidelines could be useful to healthcare professionals considering PTG. Though ethically problematic, PTG may be important to patient care and safety. The decision to conduct PTG should be made with consideration of ethical principles and the intended use of the information.

Uterine Scar Dehiscence Associated with Misoprostol Cervical Priming for Surgical Abortion: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Cervical priming prior to pregnancy termination is a common treatment. Both osmotic agents such as laminaria and Dilapan or pharmacologic agents such as misoprostol and mifepristone have been used for this purpose.

CASE

A 30-year-old patient with a previous cesarean delivery was undergoing surgical termination of pregnancy at 13 weeks' gestation for a lethal fetal malformation. During preoperative cervical priming with misoprostol the uterine scar dehisced. Interval laparoscopic repair was performed.

CONCLUSION

Uterine scar dehiscence can occur with misoprostol preoperative cervical priming for second trimester surgical termination of pregnancy.

Shoulder dystocia: management and documentation

Shoulder dystocia is an obstetric emergency that occurs when the fetal shoulders become impacted at the pelvic inlet. Management is based on performing maneuvers to alleviate this impaction. A number of protocols and training mnemonics have been developed to assist in managing shoulder dystocia when it occurs. This article reviews the evidence regarding the performance, timing, and sequence of these maneuvers; reviews the mechanism of fetal injury in relation to shoulder dystocia; and discusses issues concerning documentation of the care provided during this obstetric emergency.

Glove perforations with blunt versus sharp surgical needles in caesarean delivery: a randomized trial

AIMS

To compare the rate of glove perforations and surgeon satisfaction when utilizing blunt surgical needles compared to conventional sharp surgical needles.

METHODS

Patients undergoing Caesarean delivery were randomly assigned to the use of blunt or sharp surgical suture needles. Surgical team members reported any known needlesticks or perforations of gloves and the primary surgeon completed a survey to gauge their satisfaction with the needles. Glove perforation was assessed by suspending gloves and filling with water. The chi-square test was used to assess categorical variables and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used to assess ordinal data.

RESULTS

A total 240 patients were enrolled into the study. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of glove perforation per case between groups assigned to sharp (24%) or blunt surgical needles (26%). (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.68-1.63). There were significant differences in the surgeon satisfaction surveys, with surgeons in the sharp needle group being more satisfied with the tissue penetration of the needle (p < .001), needle integrity (p = .01), force to penetrate tissue (p < .001) and control of bleeding at the needle insertion site (p = .001). Surveys from surgeons in the blunt needle group showed a statistically significant improvement in the perceived safety profile of the blunt needles (p < .001) CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the rate of glove perforation between blunt and sharp surgical needles during Caesarean delivery. Overall surgeons were more satisfied with the sharp surgical needles.

Laparoscopic removal of a large ovarian mass utilizing planned trocar puncture

BACKGROUND

Large cystic ovarian masses pose technical challenges to the laparoscopic surgeon. Removing large, potentially malignant specimens must be done with care to avoid the leakage of cyst fluid into the abdominal cavity.

CASE

We present the case of a large ovarian cystic mass treated laparoscopically with intentional trocar puncture of the mass to drain and remove the mass.

DISCUSSION

Large cystic ovarian masses can be removed laparoscopically with intentional trocar puncture of the mass to facilitate removal without leakage of cyst fluid.

Chronic postpartum uterine inversion treated by abdominal replacement and cerclage

BACKGROUND

Chronic uterine inversion is a potentially dangerous condition that often requires abdominal surgical reduction of the uterine inversion. Uterine inversion can recur after successful uterine replacement.

CASE

A young primagravida presented with chronic recurrent uterine inversion 5 weeks after spontaneous vaginal delivery. The uterus was replaced abdominally and an abdominal cervical cerclage was placed to prevent recurrent inversion.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal cervical cerclage can be utilized after treatment of chronic recurrent uterine inversion to prevent future recurrence of uterine inversion.

Unruptured 32-week rudimentary horn pregnancy presenting as right upper quadrant pain

BACKGROUND

An unruptured third trimester rudimentary horn pregnancy is rare, life threatening, and can go undetected until the onset of symptoms. Given the high risk of uterine rupture, conservative management after viability is controversial.

CASE

A 21 year-old with a 32-week rudimentary horn pregnancy, diagnosed via exploratory laparotomy five days earlier, presented with acute right upper quadrant pain. The patient underwent cesarean delivery. The rudimentary horn was noted to be intact, but so thin it was transparent.

CONCLUSION

Advanced ectopic pregnancy or rudimentary horn pregnancy should be considered in cases of unusual or undiagnosed abdominal pain in pregnancy. When surgical exploration is performed, an incision allowing optimal visualization and exposure is recommended.

Use of a Yankauer suction tip combined with the Colpo-Pneumo Occluder balloon to suction the surgical field at the vaginal cuff during robotic hysterectomy

A 39-year-old patient with complex endometrial hyperplasia without atypia underwent robotic total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The procedure was technically challenging because of the patient's obesity (body mass index 50 kg/m(2)). Concomitant suction of pooled blood and retraction of bowel and omentum were necessary to close the vaginal cuff. An endoscopic retractor was used through the assistant's port, and a Yankauer suction tip was placed through an inflated Colpo-Pneumo Occluder balloon in the vagina to provide directed suction to the vagina cuff. This technique enabled efficient closure of the vaginal cuff.

Vulvar abscess: a retrospective review

Vulvar abscesses can progress to cause significant illness requiring disfiguring surgical debridement, broad spectrum antibiotics, and require hospitalization. A retrospective review of de-identified charts of 13 patients admitted for inpatient care for vulvar abscesses from 2004-2009 at West Virginia University Hospitals was conducted. Risk factors for vulvar abscess in these patients included obesity and diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is directly proportionate to the size of the abscess and increased risk of intensive care unit admission. Most patients did not seek medical care prior to hospital admission. Polymicrobial infections were common, and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was seen in two cases. The presence of multiple risk factors increased the length of hospitalization. Clinicians should be aware of these risk factors and initiate aggressive therapy for patients with elevated BMI or multiple risk factors.

Successful pregnancy following conservative surgical therapy of an invasive molar gestation

BACKGROUND

An invasive mole is a form of persistent trophoblastic disease. The traditional surgical treatment is hysterectomy.

CASE

A young nullipara presented with a positive pregnancy test 6 months following a suction curettage for an incomplete abortion. Radiologic imaging was suspicious for intramural ectopic gestation. She was treated with methotrexate but became thrombocytopenic with failure to resolve the abnormal gestation. Surgical excision of the mass was performed. Pathologic evaluation revealed the diagnosis of invasive molar pregnancy. The beta-hCG levels remained negative for greater than a year. The patient subsequently conceived and underwent a cesarean delivery of a viable infant at 36 weeks gestation.

CONCLUSION

Conservative surgical excision can successfully treat invasive molar gestation. This should be considered for patients who desire future fertility and have contraindications to medical therapy.

Prevalence of drug use in pregnant West Virginia patients

INTRODUCTION

Substance abuse in pregnancy is of serious concern to society as well as health care providers caring for pregnant women and their infants. Various studies have suggested a prevalence of 10 -20%. This study used anonymous sampling of umbilical cord tissue to estimate the prevalence of substance abuse in West Virginia.

METHODS

For the period of August 2009, as many umbilical cord samples as possible were collected at 8 regionally diverse hospitals in West Virginia. The cord tissue samples were then assayed for amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, marijuana, benzodiazapines, methadone, buprenorphine and alcohol.

RESULTS

146 of 759 collected (19.2%) were positive for drugs or alcohol. The regional diversity in drug and alcohol consumption was striking, as was the absence of cocaine, methamphetamine and buprenorphine. Voluntary reporting on birth certificates and other maternal questionnaires underestimated the prevalence by 2-3 fold.

CONCLUSION

One in five infants born in West Virginia has a significant drug exposure that is not captured by conventional reporting instruments. It is hard to estimate the societal and financial cost since so many infants are exposed.

Diagnosis and management of a monochorionic/monoamniotic twin gestation discordant for fetal anomalies

Monoamniotic twinning is rare and associated with fetal mortality as high as 13-32% (1). In pregnancies discordant for fetal anomalies, mortality is as high as 43% (2.3). Currently, the optimal management and timing of delivery is not clearly defined. A 28-year-old presented with a monochorionic/monoamniotic twin gestation with unexplained ascites, ventriculomegaly, and pericardial effusion of Twin B. She was admitted at 24 weeks for intensive fetal surveillance and sulindac therapy. Planned Cesarean delivery was performed at 32 weeks gestation. A favorable neonatal outcome was achieved. Aggressive inpatient surveillance and intentional preterm delivery may result in favorable outcomes in monochorionic/monoamniotic twin gestations.

Laparoscopic removal of a rudimentary uterine horn in a previously hysterectomized patient

BACKGROUND

The unicornuate uterine anomaly is often difficult to diagnose and usually low on the list of differential diagnoses for pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea. The authors present a case of a rudimentary uterine horn as a cause for continued pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea in a previously hysterectomized woman.

CASE REPORT

A 43-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, presented for evaluation of right lower quadrant pain of several years' duration. Her past surgical history was significant for multiple prior laparoscopies and a vaginal hysterectomy. Radiographic studies revealed a mass in the right lower quadrant. Laparoscopy revealed a solid mass in the right pelvis that was diagnosed as a rudimentary uterine horn.

CONCLUSION

Uterine anomalies, although uncommon, should be thought of as part of the differential diagnosis for pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea. A thorough inspection of the pelvis should be performed at the time of any operative procedure for abdominal pain.

Labor with Abnormal Presentation and Position

Abnormal presentation and position are encountered infrequently during labor. Breech and transverse presentations should be converted to cephalic presentations by external cephalic version or delivered by cesarean section. Face, brow, and compound presentations are usually managed expectantly. Persistent occiput transverse positions are managed by rotation to anterior positions and delivered as such. Occiput posterior positions can be delivered as such or rotated to occiput anterior positions. As with any position or presentation, an obstetrician should not hesitate to abandon any rotational or operative vaginal procedure and proceed to cesarean delivery if rotation or descent does not occur with relative ease.

Early intrauterine pregnancy failure: a randomized trial of medical versus surgical treatment

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether medical treatment of early pregnancy failure represents a reasonable alternative to surgical therapy.

STUDY DESIGN

Patients who were diagnosed with pregnancy failure before 12 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to receive either medical (intravaginal misoprostol) or surgical therapy (dilatation and curettage). In the medical arm of the study, 800 microg of misoprostol was placed within the posterior vaginal fornix. Patients subsequently were seen 24 and 48 hours after the initial dosing; intravaginal misoprostol was readministered only if ultrasound images revealed evidence of persistent pregnancy tissue. By 72 hours after initial study entry, if either a gestational sac or placental tissue was present, the medical treatment was considered a failure, and uterine curettage was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with the two-tailed unpaired t test, chi(2) analysis, Fisher exact test, and Mann-Whitney U test; a probability value of <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 50 women were enrolled, with 2 patients in the surgical arm experiencing spontaneous pregnancy loss before their scheduled procedures. Twenty-five women received medical therapy; 25 women were randomized to surgical procedure. Fifteen patients in the medical group (60%; 95% CI, 0.41-0.79) had successful pregnancy termination and did not require curettage. There were no significant differences between the medical and surgical groups with respect to either posttreatment hematocrit level or the time needed to achieve negative human chorionic gonadotropin test results.

CONCLUSION

Intravaginal misoprostol is an effective agent for the treatment of early pregnancy failure. Medical treatment of early pregnancy failure represents a reasonable alternative to immediate surgical therapy.

Pyometria after hemostatic square suture technique

BACKGROUND

The square suture technique to achieve hemostasis for postpartum hemorrhage has been described in the medical literature. In a prior report of 23 cases, there were no complications from the technique.

CASE

A young woman with an gravida 1 para 0 with an uncomplicated prenatal course presented at 40 weeks' estimated gestational age in active labor. Cesarean delivery was performed for arrest of dilatation and was complicated by postpartum hemorrhage unresponsive to medical therapy and uterine artery ligation. Several hemostatic square sutures were placed, obtaining hemostasis. The patient presented 4 weeks postpartum with pain and mucopurulent discharge. Pyometrium was discovered at the time of dilation and curettage.

CONCLUSION

Pyometrium may result from the use of hemostatic square suture technique for control of postpartum hemorrhage.

Outpatient cervical ripening with intravaginal misoprostol

OBJECTIVE

To determine if outpatient cervical ripening using misoprostol can initiate labor within 48 hours of medication administration and to determine if time from medication administration to time of delivery is decreased using outpatient cervical ripening.

METHODS

Uncomplicated singleton, vertex pregnancies at 41 weeks' gestation or later with Bishop score of 4 or less were eligible for enrollment. Other inclusion criteria included intact membranes, less than eight uterine contractions per hour, a reactive nonstress test, and amniotic fluid index (AFI) over 5 cm. After randomization, 25 micro(cg) of misoprostol or placebo was placed within the posterior vaginal fornix. Patients were continuously monitored for 4 hours, then discharged if not in active labor. Patients returned in 24 hours for a repeat administration of the respective medication. Patients not delivered within 48 hours were admitted for inpatient induction of labor. Statistical analysis was performed with the Fisher, Student t, chi(2), and Mann-Whitney U tests, with P <.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Among the 60 patients enrolled, 27 (45%) received misoprostol and 33 (55%) received placebo. The majority (24 of 27, 88.9%) of study group patients entered active labor within 48 hours after dosing, compared with 16.7% (five of 33) of placebo group patients (P <.001). The time from initial dose to delivery was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group (36.9 +/- 3.8 compared with 61.3 +/- 3.8 hours, P <.001).

CONCLUSION

Intravaginal misoprostol is effective for outpatient cervical ripening. No adverse effects were encountered, although further study is required to determine the safety of this treatment regimen.

Successful pregnancy outcome following first trimester pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease rarely complicates pregnancy. Although few in number, most of the previously reported cases have resulted in spontaneous abortion or intrauterine fetal demise. At 5 weeks gestation, a 20 year old gravida 2 para 1 underwent uterine curettage and diagnostic laparoscopy for a suspected ectopic gestation. Seventeen days later, she presented with severe bilateral lower abdominal pain, cervical motion tenderness, uterine tenderness, and bilateral adnexal tenderness. After 84 hours of intravenous cefazolin, gentamycin, and clindamycin, the patient had resolution of all symptoms. She then completed 14 days of outpatient antibiotic therapy with oral cephalexin. At 39 weeks gestation, she delivered a 3611 g male fetus via spontaneous vaginal delivery. Successful pregnancy outcome can occur after first trimester pelvic inflammatory disease.