Obstetric outcome in twin pregnancies complicated with single intrauterine fetal demise

Background: It has been reported that single intrauterine fetal death in twin pregnancy occurs in 3.7-6.8% all twin pregnancies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the maternal and fetal demographic features and feto-maternal outcomes in twin pregnancies complicated with single intrauterine fetal demise and evaluation of available management guidelines.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at obstetrics and gynecology department of SGRRIM and HS, Dehradun, Uttarakhand between January 2015 and December 2019. There was a total of 182 twin deliveries at study hospital during this period and 35 of these cases were complicated with single intrauterine fetal demise. Maternal age, parity, chorionicity of twin gestation, gestational age at single intrauterine fetal demise, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, birth weight, Apgar Score at birth, neonatal intensive care unit stay of newborn,  maternal fibrinogen levels during pregnancy and delivery time and associated obstetric complications were analyzed in these cases of single intrauterine fetal demise with twin gestation. All monochorionic twin pregnancies were included in the study Group A and dichorionic twin in Group B.Results: The mean age of 32 patients included in study was 29.7±4.6 years. Twenty (62.5%) of these patients were dichorionic and 12 (37.5%) of these were monochorionic twin gestation. Single intrauterine fetal demise occurred in first trimester in 8 (25%) patients, during the second trimester 20 (62.5%) and 4 (12.5%) patients had third trimester single intrauterine fetal demise. Preterm deliveries occurred in 18 (56.3%) of patients and 8 (44.4%) of patients were of monochorionic and 10 (55.6%) of dichorionic twin patients. Among thirty-two patients, 11 (34.4%) patients had caesarean delivery and 21 (65.6%) patient had vaginal birth. No maternal or fetal mortality noted and none of the patients had maternal coagulation disorder.Conclusions: This study indicates that in cases of twin pregnancies with single fetal intrauterine demise with individualized management plan at higher centre and close maternal and fetal surveillance live fetus can be saved without any maternal risk.

Factors associated with induced second trimester abortion at a tertiary level hospital of Uttarakhand region: a 6-year retrospective study

Background: Despite the liberalization of the abortion services since the early 1970s in India, access to safe abortion services remains limited for the vast majority of Indian women particularly from rural areas. Second trimester abortions have different indications and associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to the first trimester abortions.Methods: This study was a retrospective study conducted from the January 2014 to December 2019 at obstetrics and genecology department of Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. All patients of 12 weeks to 20 weeks of confirmed gestational age were given medical method of second trimester abortion. Data was collected and analyzed regarding demographic features, gestational age, indications, and induction-abortion interval and post abortion contraceptive methods accepted by patient.Results: During this study period a total of 180 patients had second trimester abortion at study institute. Maximum number of patients 69 (38.3%) were of 25-30 years of age group and 161 (85%) patients were of Hindu religion. Major indication was failure of contraception (42.8%) and congenital anomalies in the fetus (45.6%). There was one case of failed medical abortion in which emergency hysterectomy was done for undiagnosed adherent placenta. All patients were compliant of using contraceptive methods after the abortion because of recent medical and mental stress and majority 82 (45.6%) of the patients preferred oral combined contraceptive pills.Conclusions: Apart from congenital anomalies rest all indications can be reduced if women in our country are empowered to control their fertility, get education to become more aware and provided with social security.

Study of demography and clinical profile of ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary level hospital in Uttarakhand: a five year review

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is a condition when a fertilized ovum is implanted outside the uterine cavity. Life threatening risk of rupture of ectopic pregnancy remains one of the important causes of maternal mortality in India. The aim of study is to analyse the clinical profile, associated risk factors, complications, treatment outcomes to improve maternal mortality and morbidity associated with ectopic pregnancy.Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted at Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences from January 2015 to January 2020. A total of 182 patients diagnosed of Ectopic Pregnancy were analysed for clinical profile, risk factors, serology, ultrasound findings, complications, treatment offered and outcome.Results: During the study period of 5 years there were total 182 patients who were diagnosed of ectopic pregnancy showing the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in our hospital 1.4% of total number of deliveries. Majority of patients were in the age group of 25 to 30 years (43.95%). Mostly multiparous women (80.1%) had ectopic pregnancy. Majority of patients (56.1%) had no associated risk factors for ectopic pregnancy. Main presenting complain was abdominal pain in 58.8% of patients. Majority of patients (63.2%) had surgery as primary care which indicates delay in diagnosis and arrival at hospital especially in hilly region of Uttarakhand.Conclusions: Ectopic pregnancies need to be diagnosed timely to decrease maternal morbidities and mortalities.  Clinical signs and symptoms with serology (Serum beta hCG) and radiological findings helps to optimize treatment for potentially life-threatening condition.

Bakri postpartum balloon: an obstetrician’s armamentarium in managing post-partum haemorrhage

Background: Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), an obstetric emergency that can complicate vaginal or cesarean deliveries and associated with serious complications. Guidelines for the management of PPH involve a stepwise escalation of pharmacological and eventual surgical approaches. In women who do not respond to uterotonics or medical treatment, a variety of procedures, such as arterial embolization, surgical ligation of the uterine arteries or obstetric hysterectomy, may be used. The Bakri balloon is an intrauterine device indicated to reduce or control PPH temporarily when conservative treatment is warranted. Here, we are presenting case series of primary atonic PPH and which were managed by Bakri Balloon Tamponade (BBT).Methods: This case series included five women with PPH managed by Bakri balloon as a conservative therapeutic option.Results: All five women were in age group between 23 years to 34 years. The causes of PPH were uterine atony, retained placenta and central placenta previa. The Bakri balloon was successful in controlling hemorrhage in all women (five of five) who did not respond to medical uterotonic treatment.Conclusions: Bakri balloon is a simple, easy to use and effective method for conservative management of acute PPH. This device reduces bleeding, shortens the hospital stay and avoids the need for more aggressive procedures.

Perception of Indian physiotherapists about awards: a survey

Background: World has become more awards centric probably because of the desire to recognize achievement is an integral part of being human. Awards and trophies are big business in 21st century and they are given to people of all ages by all kind of organizations. Physiotherapy profession has a long history of awards all over the globe but the current status of physiotherapy awards in India is hardly studied, documented or published in recent times and hence to get an insight of the same this survey research was done by inviting physiotherapy professionals with varying work experience, professional qualifications and achievements across the country.Methods: A qualitative research approach was used to conduct an online survey of physiotherapists in India. A brief questionnaire with basic information and strategic questions about awards and perception of physiotherapists were used for this purpose.Results: Informants reported that there hardly any award given by government to recognize the contribution of physiotherapists to the society. Most of they believed that it’s because of lack of political will and absence of central regulatory authority or council for physiotherapy profession in India. Most of them were happy about the award given by nongovernmental organizations but were not satisfied with its credibility, transparency in the process and selection of winners and felt mostly it’s a biased practice.Conclusions: There is need for some sort of awards and recognition of physiotherapists’ contribution to health care and the society by government and the process of selection for some nongovernmental awards need to be more transparent and unbiased.

Ayurvedic management of achalasia.

Achalasia is an esophageal motor disorder characterized by sustained lower esophageal sphincter contraction and reduced esophageal peristalsis. This pathology eventually results in symptoms like dysphagia, regurgitation and occasional chest pain related to food intake. This is an uncommon disorder of unexplained etiology; however viral, autoimmune and neurodegenerative causes are often afflicted to its manifestation. As per the current state of knowledge, achalasia is considered to be a chronic incurable condition. The treatment options offered here primarily aim at reducing the tone of lower esophageal sphincter by pharmacologic, endoscopic or surgical means. We are presenting here a case of achalasia with two years of symptomatic history of food regurgitation, dysphagia and heart burn without any noticeable response from allopathic medicines. The patient was subsequently kept under ayurvedic therapy considering the symptoms caused by vata impairment and hence requiring vatanulomana and reduction in esophageal muscle tone as the primary management. The patient was kept under suggested Ayurvedic therapy and followed‑up for 3 months. A symptom‑free follow‑up in this case was noticed after completion of 1 month of Ayurvedic therapy.

Pigment reduction in nevus of Ota following leech therapy.

Nevus of Ota is a congenital blue-gray color nevus affl icting unilaterally, the area near the eyes. It poses a huge cosmetic concern besides being a potential threat for developing melanoma sometime in the course of the disease. The treatment options are neither many nor promising besides they are too expensive. We have treated a case of nevus of Ota with leech therapy where leech was applied upon the lesion for fi ve times spanned in a period of 2 months. The results in terms of change in the color of lesion were evaluated with the help of serial photographs following every treatment session to mark the level of color changes in the lesion. A substantial reduction in color of the nevus was reported following the completion of the therapy. The results were demonstrated with the photographs. Although, recommended as the classical Ayurvedic management for skin diseases, leech therapy is not reported earlier in such conditions. It proposes a novel approach to deal with such congenital pigment lesions where other options are not promising.