American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2019
Observational StudyComputerized analysis of cardiotocograms and ST signals is associated with significant reductions in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and cesarean delivery: an observational study in 38,466 deliveries.
Intrapartum cardiotocography is widely used in high-resource countries and remains at the center of fetal monitoring and the decision to intervene, but there is ample evidence of poor reliability in visual interpretation as well as limited accuracy in identifying fetal hypoxia. Combined monitoring of intrapartum cardiotocography and ST segment signals was developed to increase specificity, but analysis relies heavily on intrapartum cardiotocography interpretation and is therefore also affected by the previously referred problems. Computerized analysis was developed to overcome these limitations, aiding in the quantification of parameters that are difficult to evaluate visually, such as variability, integrating the complex guidelines of combined intrapartum cardiotocography and ST analysis, and using visual and sound alerts to prompt health care professionals to reevaluate features associated with fetal hypoxia. ⋯ Introduction of computerized analysis of intrapartum cardiotocography and ST signals in a tertiary care hospital was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and a modest reduction in cesarean deliveries.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2019
Safety of robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery and early hospital discharge in elderly patients.
A minimally invasive surgical approach has proven to decrease peri- and postoperative complications and shorten duration of hospital stay; however, there are limited data evaluating the safety of robotic-assisted surgery and early hospital discharge in the elderly population. Because age is a well-known, independent risk factor for perioperative morbidity and gynecologists treat many elderly patients, this is an important area of study. ⋯ Despite having more preoperative risk factors and more surgically complex procedures, elderly patients undergoing robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery had similar postoperative complication rates, and almost half of elderly patients were safely discharged the day of surgery. Our data suggest that robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery and early hospital discharge are safe in elderly patients.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2019
Observational StudyOpioid use after laparoscopic hysterectomy: prescriptions, patient use, and a predictive calculator.
In the setting of America's opioid epidemic, judicious postoperative opioid prescribing is important. Gynecologists lack standard guidelines about postoperative opioid prescriptions. ⋯ On average, surgeons prescribed 4 times the amount of opioids than was needed for patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for acute postoperative pain control. Individualizing patients' opioid prescriptions based on preoperative risk factors could help reduce excess prescription opioids.
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Changes in the make-up of the Supreme Court make an overturn of the Roe v Wade decision a realistic possibility. In order to mitigate any adverse health consequences that could result from a change in the law, all stakeholders in women's health have to start to plan for that contingency. ⋯ Among the tasks for physicians and their professional organization, we include education about the management of women injured by unsafe abortions, post-residency training for physicians with reduced access to residency training in abortion, and planning for the management of medically complicated pregnancies that currently are often terminated (eg, Eisenmenger's syndrome). In this piece, we argue for preparation for a potential post-Roe world.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Mar 2019
Meta AnalysisDepressive symptoms among women with endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To evaluate whether endometriosis is associated with depressive symptoms, and whether the association is modulated by pelvic pain. ⋯ The association between endometriosis and depressive symptoms is largely determined by chronic pain but may also be modulated by individual and context vulnerabilities. Awareness of the complex relationship between endometriosis and depressive symptoms informs tailored care and patient-centered research outcomes.