The Efficacy and Safety of Inflatable Obstetric Belts for Management of the Second Stage of Labor

This study was designed to assess the effect of inflatable obstetric belts on uterine fundal pressure in the management of the second stage of labor. One hundred twenty-three nulliparas with a singleton cephalic pregnancy at term were randomized. Standard care was performed in the control group, and uterine fundal pressure by the Labor Assister(TM) (Baidy M-420/Curexo, Inc., Seoul, Korea) was utilized in addition to standard care in the active group. The Labor Assister(TM) is an inflatable obstetric belts that synchronized to apply uniform fundal pressure during a uterine contraction. The 62 women in the active group spent less time in the second stage of labor when compared to the 61 women in the control group (41.55+/-30.39 min vs. 62.11+/-35.99 min). There was no significant difference in perinatal outcomes between the two groups. In conclusion, the uterine fundal pressure exerted by the Labor Assistertrade mark reduces the duration of the second stage of labor without attendant complications.

Prenatal Diagnosis and Clinical Outcome of Fetal Ovarian Cysts / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ultrasonographic finding and clinical course of fetal ovarian cysts. METHODS:A retrospective study of 11 cases of fetal ovarian cysts, evaluated by prenatal and postnatal ultrasonographic studies was conducted. We analyzed the demographic factors, the ultrasonographic findings, the change of ultrasonographic parameters, the mode of delivery, the management of ovarian cysts and pathologic finding. RESULTS:In all cases, fetal ovarian cysts were unilateral simple cysts at the time of diagnosis. The mean sizes of the ovarian cysts were 29.7 mm on prenatal and 19.8 mm on postnatal studies. In four of the 11 cases, the ultrasonographic patterns of cysts changed from simple to complicated cysts on serial monitorng, and one of them required postnatal surgery. Ten of 11 cases were spontaneously resolved during perinatal follow-up ultrasound. CONCLUSION:We recommend continuous ultrasonographic assessment of antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts, which is helpful to predict the outcome of cysts and decide on the management.

Evaluation for Patterns of the Maternal Weight changes and the Twin Weight Discordance Changes during whole Pregnant Periods / 대한주산의학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the patterns of changes in maternal weight and fetal weight discordance in twin pregnancies during consecutive gestational periods. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done for a total of 148 twin pregnancies taken care of throughout pregnancies between February 2002 and May 2004. They were divided into two groups; group A consisting of 109 cases without postnatal complications and with no more than 25% twin weight discordance at birth, and group B consisting of 39 cases with more than 25% twin weight discordance. Both ultrasound examination and maternal weight measurement were conducted in the three gestational intervals; between prepregnant times to gestational age 18 weeks, between gestational ages 18 to 28 weeks, and from gestational age 28 weeks to delivery. RESULTS: Except for maternal weights, none of the pregnancy factors such as maternal age, parity, gravity, height, prepregnant weight, duration of pregnancy, natural or artificial pregnant status, gender and chorionicity showed any significant difference by means between the two groups. The maternal BMI of the group A vs. the group B at the first, the second, and the third period were 0.53+/-0.10% and 2.01+/-1.28%, 2.97+/-0.11% and 4.84+/-1.23%, and 3.29+/-0.16% and 2.15+/-0.63% respectively. Inter-twin weight discordances between the two groups were 8.29+/-0.67% vs. 11.26+/-1.25 %, 7.79+/-0.05% vs. 11.03+/-1.36%, and 9.07+/-0.55% vs. 32.79+/-1.13%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although several factors that affect twin weight discordance may be considered, we showed that the pattern of maternal weight gain during the gestational period is associated with the estimated values of twin weight discordances in the first gestational period.

A Case of Pregnancy Associated with Colon Cancer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Colorectal cancer developed during pregnancy is extremely rare condition associated with a poor prognosis. Pregnant women usually present with more advanced stage at diagnosis than their non-pregnant counterparts. There are several possible reasons for this disparity as follows. The first one is delay in making the diagnosis due to similarity between the early symptoms of colon cancer and the gastrointestinal complains of pregnancy, the second is proliferation and decreased apoptosis of tumor cells due to the effects of various cytokines and hormonal environmental stimuli related to the state of pregnancy, and the third is an increased opportunity for tumor spread due to the immunosuppressed state of pregnancy and increased perfusion of all the organs. Thus, it is important not to underestimate the patient's symptoms because the early diagnosis is essential for better prognosis. We report a 27-year-old primigravida with advanced stage adenocarcinoma of the left colon diagnosed after cesarean delivery with a brief review of literature.