Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Dilatation of the cervix at non-labour caesarean section: Does it improve the patients' perception of pain post-operatively?
Our aim was to determine the effect of cervical dilatation at non-labour caesarean section on post-operative pain and maternal morbidity. This prospective, randomised, single-blinded trial was conducted from March 2013 to February 2014. In all, 199 patients were enrolled in the study: 102 in non-dilated group and 97 in cervical dilatation group. ⋯ We observed thinner endometrial cavity thickness, shorter operation time and shorter hospitalisation duration in cervical dilatation group. However, change in haemoglobin concentrations and puerperal fever rates were found to be comparable between the groups. In conclusion, intra-operative cervical dilatation does not seem to benefit in terms of post-operative pain, change in haemoglobin concentrations or puerperal fever.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Does bupivacaine and fentanyl combination for epidural analgesia shorten the duration of labour?
In this study we aimed to explore the effects of epidural analgesia achieved by a combination of low-dose bupivacaine and fentanyl infused through an epidural catheter on mother, foetus and labour process in nulliparous at-term pregnant women during vaginal delivery. This study was designed in a prospective, randomised controlled manner. Epidural analgesia was achieved in 50 nulliparous women. ⋯ The duration of the first stage of labour was significantly shortened, while the second stage was significantly lengthened in pregnant women who underwent epidural analgesia (p < 0.05). In conclusion, starting epidural analgesia application during the active phase of the first stage of labour may shorten the duration of the first stage compared with the group of nulliparous women not undergoing epidural analgesia. The factor that has an impact on this may be the addition of fentanyl to bupivacaine used for epidural analgesia.
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Women obtain information on epidural analgesia from various sources. For epidural for pain relief in labour this is provided by the anaesthetist as part of the consenting process. There is much discussion about the inadequacy of this consenting process; we report on women's knowledge, experience and recall of this process at a regional hospital with a 24-h epidural service. ⋯ Lack of recall of benefits of epidural analgesia accounted for 26 (38%) and 25 (26%) of the responses, respectively. Similarly in terms of amount of pain relief they could expect, 13 (21%) could not remember and 13 (21%) thought that it may not work. We suggest use of varying methods of disseminating information and wider utilisation of anaesthetists in the antenatal educational programmes.
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We report our experience in neoadjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy in a single centre between 2000 and 2011. We looked for predictive factors for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the present study. A total of 110 consecutive breast cancer patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our centre. ⋯ No statistically significant differences were found in pathological tumour response according to T stage. The multivariate analysis revealed tumour subtype was the only associated factor for pathological response, with HER2 + tumours the best responders, OR 3.9 (1.5-9.9): 5-year DFS was 40% HER2+/no response; 78% HER2+/response; 65% HR+/HER2-/no response; 82% HR+/HER2-/response; 25% triple-negative/no response and 100% triple-negative/response. HR and HER2 status were the only prognostic factors for pathological response. pCR was correlated with survival in all tumour subtypes.
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Observational Study
Effect of postural changes on inferior vena cava dimensions and its influence on haemodynamics during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.
The effect of postural changes on inferior vena cava (IVC) dimensions and its influence on intra-operative haemodynamics in term parturients can be studied using abdominal ultrasound by a subcostal approach. Thirty-two term parturients scheduled to undergo elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were recruited in this observational study. ⋯ A greater fall in systolic blood pressure (>20%) was noted in patients with collapsibility index of more than 11.5 in recumbent with wedge position with a positive predictive value of 86%. IVC dimensions change significantly with change in position and collapsibility index in recumbent position can be a useful parameter for predicting hypotension during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.