Role of blood and blood components transfusion in obstetric emergencies

Background: Common obstetric emergencies require blood and blood components transfusion. The use of blood and its components has become a lifesaving strategy in management of obstetric haemorrhage. This study was aimed to know the prevalence, indications and adverse reactions of blood and its components transfusion.Methods: A review of 405 patients of obstetric emergencies requiring blood and its component transfusion was done.Results: Prevalence of blood and blood components transfusion in obstetric emergencies in one-year period was 18.4%. Mostly women who received blood transfusions were multiparous (50.12%) and belonged to rural areas (62%). Anemia is a risk factor for obstetric emergencies and the mean pre transfusion hemoglobin ±SD was 8.04±1.38 (g/dl). Obstetric hemorrhage (68.6%) was the most common indication for transfusion and packed red cells were most commonly (54.07%) transfused. The overall percentage of adverse reactions seen during transfusion was 1.95%.Conclusions: The present study reinforces the importance of appropriate use of blood and its components in obstetric emergencies. Appropriate use of blood components avoids many of the hazards associated with use of whole blood. All blood components should be made available at peripheral hospitals as most of the patients require specific blood component and they are referred to tertiary care centre in emergencies which can be avoided.

Clinical and pathological correlation in benign breast diseases in women

Background: Benign breast diseases are a common problem presenting in a day to day surgical practice. A combination of three tests i.e. clinical examination, radiological imaging and pathological examination is commonly used to accurately diagnose breast diseases. This study was aimed to know the clinico-pathological correlation in diagnosing benign breast diseases in women.Methods: A study of 30 female patients of benign breast disease was conducted by clinical examination and comparing its accuracy with the pathological findings.Results: The highest incidence of benign breast diseases was in the age group of 30-39 years (33.3%). The most common presenting symptom was lump (53.3%) in the breast. The most common quadrant involved was the upper outer quadrant (60%). Fibroadenoma (53.3%) was the most common lesion in this study. The clinical examination in cases of fibroadenoma had sensitivity and specificity of 87.5 % and 92.8% respectively. In cases of fibrocystic disease, clinical examination had sensitivity and specificity of 85.7 % and 91.3% respectively.Conclusions: Overall clinical breast examination had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 98% in this study. Hence, combination of all three diagnostic modalities i.e. clinical, radiological and pathological examination should be used. But in rural areas where radiological and pathological facilities are not available, clinical examination can also give us a fair amount of idea in diagnosing benign breast diseases.