Use of an aortic balloon to achieve uterine conservation in a case of placenta accreta spectrum: A case report.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a rare complication of pregnancy associated with a high risk of massive haemorrhage and caesarean hysterectomy. This is a case report of abdominal aortic balloon occlusion, using intravascular ultrasound, to achieve uterine conservation in a case of severe PAS. The patient was a 34-year-old woman, G2P1, with one prior caesarean section. Antenatal imaging, consisting of transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging, showed features of PAS. The risk of caesarean hysterectomy with PAS was explained, but the patient declared a desire to retain fertility. Following multi-disciplinary discussion, it was considered appropriate to attempt uterine conservation using en-bloc myometrial and placental resection. An elective caesarean delivery was performed at 36 weeks of gestation. An aortic balloon was inserted prior to surgery using intravascular ultrasound, which allowed for radiation-free, point-of-surgery, accurate balloon sizing, by measuring the aortic diameter, and correct placement of the balloon in the abdominal aorta below the renal vessels. Intraoperative findings confirmed PAS, and a myometrial resection was performed. There were no intraoperative complications. Estimated blood loss was 1000 mL and the patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. This case demonstrates how the use of an intravascular intraoperative aortic balloon can facilitate uterine conservation in a case of severe PAS.

Preventing skin staining: an effective iron infusion protocol.

PURPOSE: To implement a safe and effective intravenous iron infusion protocol to prevent skin staining. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Mixed methods approach was utilised including education, auditing, self-reported survey, patient information leaflet and patient feedback. In total 25 healthcare professionals completed the survey and 15 patients provided feedback. FINDINGS: No skin staining or severe adverse reactions were observed over eight weeks. Audit results found 53 per cent of staff were compliant with the recommended IV iron infusion protocol and 46 per cent informed patients of skin staining risk. Self-report surveys indicated 92 per cent flushed the cannula with sodium chloride before starting the infusion, 88 per cent flushed the cannula after the infusion and 76 per cent informed patients of skin staining risk. Patient feedback was largely positive and constructive. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS: Limitations include self-reported bias, short audit time interval, missing data and discrepancy between audit and survey results. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This quality improvement project was developed following two skin staining incidences at our maternity hospital. Although rare, skin staining after intravenous iron infusion is potentially permanent and may be distressing for some patients. Intravenous iron is considered safe and effective to treat anaemia during pregnancy and is often prescribed for this patient cohort. To avoid medicolegal action and patient dissatisfaction, it is essential that patients are informed of potential skin staining and an evidence-based administration protocol is utilised.

Skin staining following intravenous iron infusion.

This report describes the case of a 36-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, at 11 weeks' gestation, who received a ferric carboxymaltose infusion for iron deficiency anaemia after medical management of a miscarriage. The following morning, light brown skin staining was noted at the infusion site, and the staining was present 2 months later at follow-up. Skin staining following intravenous iron infusion is a rare but important side effect. The skin staining is potentially permanent but may fade in time. Such an adverse effect may have cosmetic consequences for the patient.

Classical Limberg versus classical Karydakis flaps for pilonidal disease- an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal disease (PD) is associated with significant disability culminating in time off work/school. Recurrence rates remain high following conventional surgical interventions. Flap-based techniques are postulated to decrease recurrence. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness of the classical Limberg (LF) and Karydakis (KF) flaps in the treatment of PD. METHODS: The online databases of Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials as well as Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles from inception until May 2017. All randomized studies that reported direct comparisons of classical LF and KF were included. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled effect size estimates. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials describing 727 patients (367 in LF, 360 in KF) were examined. There was significant heterogeneity among studies. On overall random effects analysis, there was a lower rate of seroma formation associated with LF, and this approached statistical significance (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.22 to 1.03, p = 0.06). However, there were no significant differences in recurrence (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.48 to 2.21, p = 0.939), wound dehiscence (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.09 to 2.85, p = 0.459), wound infection (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.23 to 1.52, p = 0.278) or haematoma formation (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 0.82 to 5.30, p = 0.124) between LF and KF. On sensitivity analysis, focusing only on primary and excluding recurrent PD, the results remained similar. CONCLUSIONS: LF and KF appear comparable in efficacy for primary PD, although LF is associated with less seroma formation.