ABSTRACT
Retrosternal goitre (RSG) is a thyroid gland with more than 50% of its mass located below the thoracic inlet. Pre-operative Computed Tomography can visualise the anatomical relations between the RSG and each mediastinal component, and the level of extension. Most cases of RSG can be resected via the cervical approach, as the thoracic approach carries a greater risk of complications. We describe a four finger technique for total thyroidectomy in five cases of RSG through a neck incision, without the need for a sternotomy. The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) was identified early in the Baehr's triangle. The thyroid was mobilised in the neck by ligation of the feeding vessels and separated from the tracheal attachments. The retrosternal portion was then delivered into the neck by blunt dissection, keeping two fingers of each hand close to the thyroid gland. The RLN and parathyroids were identified early in the surgery to avoid the complications of hoarseness and hypoalcemia, respectively.
ABSTRACT
The induction of labour is required for various indications in obstetrics. Various regimens and drugs are advocated for use in labour induction. Mifepristone is one such drug which has a definite role in first and second-trimester pregnancy terminations. However, its role in the third-trimester is still being reviewed. In the present study, the effect of mifepristone on cervical ripening was assessed and results interpreted.Impact statementWhat is already known on the subject? The role of mifepristone in termination of pregnancies at term is controversial. Some studies report onset of labour after giving mifepristone whereas others do not report any significant role.What do the results of the study add? Mifepristone has a role in improving Bishop score and can be used as a pre-induction cervical ripening agent before using other methods for labour induction. It does not report any adverse effects on the mother or foetus.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Mifepristone needs to be studied more in term pregnancies as induction of labour is increasingly required in today's scenario for various reasons. However, its role in improving the Bishop score as found in this study helps in decreasing dose of other labour inducing agents.
