Does temperature of distending medium matter in outpatient hysteroscopy? A double-blinded cohort control observational study of room temperature versus warmed saline.

AIM: There is little data assessing outcomes of outpatient hysteroscopy using warmed versus room temperature saline. The aim of this study was to determine if the temperature of the distending medium during outpatient hysteroscopy affect ease of procedure, clarity of view, procedural discomfort/pain and patient satisfaction. METHODS: This was a double-blinded cohort control quasi-randomized prospective study involving 100 women undergoing outpatient diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy for abnormal uterine bleeding, intrauterine contraceptive devices retrieval and removal of endometrial polyps. Outpatient hysteroscopy was performed either with normal saline either at room temperature (control at 25°C) or warmed to body temperature (37°C). RESULTS: Confounding variables such as age, parity, previous cervical surgery, previous vaginal births, menopausal status and indications for hysteroscopy were similar in the room temperature (n = 48) and warmed saline (n = 52) groups. Mean procedure duration (256 vs 233 s), ease of entry (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] 9.55 vs 9.4) and the clarity of view (VAS 9.02 vs 9.3) were statistically similar in both groups (all P > 0.05) as was discomfort experienced during hysteroscopy (VAS 6.6/10 vs 6.8/10) and at 5 min post-procedure (VAS 4.2/10 vs 3.2/10) (both P > 0.05). The likelihood of recommending the procedure to a friend was similar in both groups (mean VAS 6.9/10 vs 7.2/10; P = 0.1). CONCLUSION: The temperature of the distension medium did not influence ease of procedure, clarity of hysteroscopy view, procedural discomfort/pain and patient satisfaction. Patients were not any more likely to recommend the procedure to a friend in the warmed saline compared to the room temperature group.

Novel laparoscopic cornual resection of interstitial pregnancy using the Endo GIA™ Universal Stapler (Medtronic): A series of 12 cases.

BACKGROUND: The maternal mortality of interstitial pregnancy is five times greater than that of other ectopic gestations due to potential haemorrhage. Minimal access surgical techniques usually comprise cornual resection and cornuostomy, requiring laparoscopic suturing skills. AIM: To describe a case series using a laparoscopic automatic stapling device with reloadable cartridges to resect the cornu, enabling surgeons less familiar with intracorporeal suturing to avoid laparotomy when managing interstitial pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve cases of laparoscopic cornual resections for interstitial pregnancies with the Endo GIA™ Universal Stapler (Medtronic) were collected prospectively over eight years. Outcome measures include human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (hßCG) levels, successful laparoscopic completion, estimated blood loss, intra-and post-operative complications and length of stay. RESULTS: Median age and gestation at surgery were 31 years (range: 20-44) and eight weeks (range: 5-12), respectively. All involved live interstitial gestations, and 4/12 cases had significant haemoperitoneum at laparoscopy. The median blood loss was 300 mL (range 100-3500), and five women had blood loss >500 mL. The median serum hßCG level was 6429 IU/L (range: 1800-58690), and the median ectopic size was 4 cm (range 2-6). All cases were completed laparoscopically with no intra- or post-operative complications, although two women required blood transfusions. Median length of stay was 40 h. Further pregnancies could only be followed in 2/12 cases due to the migratory nature of our local population. CONCLUSION: We describe a case series of 12 laparoscopic cornual resections for interstitial pregnancies using Endo GIA™ Universal Stapler, which simultaneously staples and transects the tissues, thus minimising the need for laparoscopic intracorporeal suturing.

Maternal outcomes following massive obstetric haemorrhage in an inner-city maternity unit.

This retrospective study evaluates the effects of a massive postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) on maternal outcomes in an inner-city London hospital. One hundred and eighty-four cases of a massive primary PPH (>2000 mL) were identified over a seven-year period. A sub-group analysis was performed to assess whether 2000-3000 mL blood loss (134 cases) was associated with specific maternal characteristics or reduced adverse outcomes compared with >3000 mL blood loss (50 cases). Bakri balloon tamponade (BBT) was the most frequent form of surgical management in both groups (21 vs. 46%), followed by compression sutures (16.4 vs. 24%), the 'uterine sandwich' technique (6.7 vs. 14%) and the hysterectomy (0 vs. 4%). There were significant differences between these groups in placenta praevia as the cause of blood loss (8 vs. 22%, p = .01), length of stay (4.6 vs. 5.9 d, p = .02), use of BBT (p = <.01) and hysterectomy (p = .03). PPH is associated with premature maternal morbidity and mortality. The incidence is increasing in high income countries despite various guidelines, skills training and identification of risk factors. A prediction and assessment of blood loss remain the very cornerstone for a prompt, effective management. Our study shows that the morbidity is clearly related to the amount of blood loss and highlights the existing variable practices for the management of PPH. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? A postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains a common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Massive PPH (>2000 mL) rates continue to rise in developed countries. The management of PPH includes the medical treatment followed by surgical methods including the Bakri balloon tamponade (BBT), compression sutures or a hysterectomy. What do the results of this study add? This retrospective study evaluates the effects of a massive PPH (blood loss >2000 mL) on maternal outcomes. One hundred and eighty-four cases of a massive PPH were identified over a seven-year period. Sub-group analysis was performed to assess whether a 2000-3000 mL blood loss was associated with specific maternal characteristics and differences in obstetric practice compared with a >3000 mL blood loss. There were significant differences between these groups in placenta praevia, as the cause of blood loss, the length of stay, the use of BBT and the hysterectomy rates. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? An early identification of the risk factors of a massive PPH is essential to improve maternal outcomes and is an important part of the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period. The prediction and assessment of blood loss remain key for a prompt, effective management. The amount of blood loss is related to adverse maternal outcomes and the management techniques applied. BBT has an essential role to play and should be included as part of the core training in the management of a PPH.

Bullying workshops for obstetric trainees: a way forward.

BACKGROUND: In sector-wide surveys, trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology have consistently reported the experience of being undermined in the workplace. Bullying has serious implications within the UK's National Health Service (NHS), for both the individual experiencing it and the wider system. CONTEXT: Obstetrics and gynaecology is a high-pressure specialty: the workload is intense, staffing is often suboptimal and litigation levels are high. Obstetrics alone accounted for 50 per cent of litigation claims in the NHS in 2012. This 'cocktail', when combined with the target-based management style common in the current financial climate, easily lends itself to a culture of bullying. INNOVATION: In order to manage this problem a workshop was developed with the initial aim of raising awareness, entitled 'Undermining and Harassment: A Practical Workshop for Trainees'. A typical workshop comprises the following interlinking topics relevant to bullying: (1) what is bullying (interactive session); (2) case scenarios (based on real events) and discussion (audiovisual clips); (3) how bullying affects patient safety (presentation); (4) how to support senior staff displaying bullying behaviour (interactive session); (5) how to be assertive without being aggressive (role-play); and (6) practical tips, including the 'Survivors' Guide to Bullying' (interactive session). EVALUATION: These workshops were designed as practical tools to raise awareness of workplace harassment, and not as a research project to assess the longitudinal impact of the workshops. Feedback from six such workshops as well as informal focus groups from trainees who had previously attended indicated that the subject was useful and necessary. CONCLUSION: The aim of the workshops was to raise awareness of bullying and undermining in the workplace, and the serious implications they can have for the individual, patients and the NHS as a whole. This will enable a positive culture shift and encourage health care professionals to think before they speak or act.

Can enhanced recovery pathways improve outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy? Cohort control study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of enhanced recovery pathway implementation on patient outcomes after vaginal hysterectomy (VH) performed to treat benign indications. DESIGN: Case-control study examining outcome measures including length of stay, pain scores, postoperative morbidity, and readmission rates after implementation of the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program for VH (Canadian Task Force classification II). SETTING: Teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty patients who underwent VH after implementation of ERAS were compared with 50 control patients before ERAS. Patients were matched for age, indication for surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, and surgeon. INTERVENTION: ERAS pathway. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Length of stay, percentage of patients discharged within 24 hours, use of urinary catheter and vaginal packing, and readmission rates were determined. Perioperative expenditures were compared, and cost-effectiveness of ERAS was assessed. Median patient vs control age (49.0 vs 51.0 years), parity (2.0 vs 2.0), and body mass index (26.5 vs 28.3) were statistically comparable. After ERAS implementation, the median length of stay was reduced by 51.6% (22.0 vs 45.5 hours; p < .01), and the percentage of patients discharged within 24 hours was increased by 5-fold (78.0 vs 15.6%; p < .05). Frequency of catheter use (82.0% vs 95.6%) and use of vaginal packing (52.0 vs 82.2%) were significantly lower in the post-ERAS group, and these devices were removed earlier (14.5 vs 23.7 hours and 16.0 vs 23.0 hours, respectively; p < .05 in all cases). Attendance in the Accident and Emergency Department (12.0% vs 0%; p > .05) and inpatient readmission rate (4.0% vs 0%; p > .05) were similar in both groups. Despite having to start a "gynecology school" and employ a specialist Enhanced Recovery nurse, a cost savings of 9.25% per patient was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The ERAS program in benign VH reduces length of stay by 51.6% and enables more women to be discharged within 24 hours, with no increase in patient readmissions rates.