The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology
-
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Dec 2012
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C): survey of RANZCOG fellows, diplomates & trainees and FGM/C prevention and education program workers in Australia and New Zealand.
Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is traditionally practised in parts of Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia. Migration has brought FGM/C to the attention of health practitioners in industrialised nations. It is not known whether FGM/C procedures are being performed in Australia and New Zealand, where legislation has been passed banning the practice. ⋯ There is no conclusive evidence of FGM/C being performed in Australia and New Zealand, either from direct reports or children presenting with complications, although re-suturing post-delivery is occurring. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is most likely that people other than registered health practitioners are performing FGM/C.
-
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 2012
A prospective survey of cases of complications of induced abortion presenting to Goroka Hospital, Papua New Guinea, 2011.
Induced abortion on demand or for socio-economic indications is illegal in Papua New Guinea under the 1974 Criminal Code. Nevertheless, the procedure is known to be widely practised. ⋯ It was noted that abortion was most commonly induced using the synthetic prostaglandin analogue misoprostol. Although illegal induced abortion cannot be condoned, it appears that misoprostol, much safer in this context than mechanical or traditional herbal methods, is now being widely used for the purpose of induced abortion in Papua New Guinea, as it is in other developing countries.
-
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Oct 2012
Preoperative anaemia is common in patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery and is associated with a fivefold increased risk of transfusion.
To ascertain the incidence of preoperative anaemia in a cohort of patients undergoing major gynaecological surgery in a tertiary Australian hospital over a two-year period and to investigate whether it is associated with an increased rate of transfusion or complications. ⋯ This study demonstrates preoperative anaemia is common in women undergoing elective major gynaecological surgery and is associated with increased red cell transfusions. A system to detect and treat anaemia prior to surgery in these patients should be implemented, and interventions should be evaluated to ensure they are effective.
-
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Aug 2012
Comparative StudyMode of anaesthetic for category 1 caesarean sections and neonatal outcomes.
Birth by emergency caesarean section (CS) is common and often considered urgent (category 1). In the UK, over half of all category 1 CS are performed under general anaesthesia (GA). In this setting, little is known about the effect of the mode of anaesthesia on the neonate. ⋯ General anaesthesia was associated with short-term neonatal morbidity of term babies born by category 1 CS for presumed fetal compromise, despite enabling a more rapid delivery of the baby. These data should help inform the discussion between anaesthetist and obstetrician, in balancing the risks and benefits of the mode of anaesthesia.
-
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol · Aug 2012
Implementation and audit of 'Fast-Track Surgery' in gynaecological oncology surgery.
Fast-track surgery is a multidisciplinary approach to surgery that results in faster recovery from surgery and decreased length of stay (LOS). ⋯ The development of a fast-track protocol is achievable in a gynaecological oncology unit, with input from a multidisciplinary team. Effective implementation of the protocol can result in a short LOS, with acceptable complication and readmission rates when applied non-selectively to gynaecological oncology patients.