Striking decrease in blood loss with a urologist-assisted standardized multidisciplinary approach in the management of abnormally invasive placenta.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of a standardized multidisciplinary approach using a modified surgical technique in the management of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP), with special reference to blood loss and the need for transfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively in women managed with a recently adopted multidisciplinary strategy using a modified surgical approach, involving a urologist (study group: 10 patients). Women managed before the introduction of this standardized management served as a control group (nine patients). Comparisons were made between the study group and the control group. The main outcome measures were blood loss and the need for transfusion in the two groups. RESULTS: Standardized multidisciplinary management, involving a modified surgical technique performed by a urologist, decreased blood loss in the study group compared with the control group [median 1400 ml (range 400-3000 ml) vs median 8000 ml (2300-40000 ml); p < .001]. It also decreased postoperative complications and the need for transfusion of blood products. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized multidisciplinary management of patients with AIP, using a modified surgical technique, reduces the risks of massive obstetric hemorrhage, the need for massive transfusion and the risk of postoperative complications. Involving an experienced urologist appears to be of paramount importance in the management of AIP.

Prospective longitudinal study of thromboelastography and standard hemostatic laboratory tests in healthy women during normal pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Hemostatic disorders are common in obstetric complications. Thromboelastography (TEG®) simultaneously measures coagulation and fibrinolysis within 10 to 20 minutes. Our primary aim in this prospective longitudinal study was to obtain knowledge about physiological changes in TEG® variables during normal pregnancy and 8 weeks postpartum. The secondary aims were to compare TEG® variables during pregnancy with TEG® variables 8 weeks postpartum and gestational weeks 10 to 15 and to correlate TEG® variables to standard laboratory analyses. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 45 healthy pregnant women at gestational weeks 10 to 15, 20 to 22, 28 to 30, and 38 to 40, and at 8 weeks postpartum. The following TEG® analyses were performed: time until start of clotting (TEG®-R), time until 20-mm clot firmness (TEG®-K), angle of clotting (TEG®-Angle), maximum amplitude (TEG®-MA), and lysis after 30 minutes (TEG®-LY30). Activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, soluble fibrin, antithrombin, D-dimer, and platelet count were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared to 8 weeks postpartum TEG®-R was at least 0.9 minutes shorter (upper limit 99% confidence intervals) until gestational weeks 28 to 30 and the mean reduction varied between 23%-26%. TEG®-K was at least 0.1 minutes shorter throughout pregnancy and the mean reduction varied between 18%-35%. TEG®-Angle was at least 2.5 degrees greater during pregnancy and the mean increase varied between 12%-20%. TEG®-MA was also at least 0.4 mm greater during pregnancy and the mean increase varied between 6%-8%. TEG®-LY30 was at least 0.03% lower during gestational weeks 28 to 30 and 38 to 40 and the mean reduction varied between 67%-73%. The routine coagulation laboratory values were within normal pregnant limits. There were no or weak correlations between TEG® and the laboratory variables. CONCLUSIONS: TEG® demonstrates increased coagulability and decreased fibrinolysis during pregnancy. There was a faster initiation of hemostasis, with a minor increase in clot strength. Fibrinolysis decreased during late pregnancy. Alternative cutoff limits for TEG® variables may be required during pregnancy. Standard hemostatic laboratory tests were as expected during pregnancy. Future studies are needed to ascertain whether viscoelastic methods are preferable to standard hemostatic tests for the diagnosis of coagulopathy during obstetric hemorrhage.

Suturing after childbirth--a randomised controlled study testing a new monofilament material.

The aim of this study was to assess if a monofilament suture material (Biosyn) compared with a commonly used multifilament suture (Dexon II) would cause fewer problems and lower levels of discomfort and pain after suturing lacerations and episiotomies following vaginal delivery. Women (1139) who required suturing by a midwife were allocated for repair with either the multifilament polyglycolic acid suture (Dexon II) or with a new monofilament of glycomer 631 (Biosyn). The outcome assessment involved inspection of the sutured area and measuring levels of discomfort and pain with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At follow up after 8-12 weeks, more women in the monofilament group reported problems with the sutured area.