Mifepristone and misoprostol for cervical ripening in surgical abortion between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Misoprostol and mifepristone are the two substances recommended for cervical preparation during first-trimester surgical abortions to decrease intraoperative bleeding and complications. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for cervical preparation in an elective surgical abortion between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation can reduce blood loss in comparison to misoprostol or mifepristone alone. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was performed in Marseille, France between May 2013 and May 2014. Women requesting a surgical abortion under general anesthesia between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation were 198, randomized into three groups: one received 400µg oral misoprostol 3h before surgery, one 200mg oral mifepristone 36h before surgery, and the other, both treatments. The main outcome was the quantity of intraoperative bleeding. The secondary outcomes were duration of intervention, ease of dilatation, and complications. RESULTS: The quantity of intraoperative bleeding differed significantly between the groups (p=0.001): 222±64mL in the combination group, 329±129mL in the misoprostol group, and 276±119mL in the mifepristone group. The combination was associated with a shorter operative duration (p=0.001): 5±2min in the combination group, 7±5min in the misoprostol group, and 7±3min in the mifepristone group. A hemorrhage was observed for 5 of 55 women (9%) in the combination group, 13 of 51 (25%) in the misoprostol group, and 9 of 56 (16%) in the mifepristone group (p=0.08). No cervical laceration or uterine perforation was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of mifepristone and misoprostol in cervical preparation for elective surgical abortions between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation significantly reduced blood loss in comparison to misoprostol or mifepristone alone.

Maternal and anthropomorphic risk factors for shoulder dystocia.

OBJECTIVE: To study maternal and anthropomorphic parameters as potential risk factors for shoulder dystocia. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From a series of 9667 vaginal deliveries between January 1998 and December 2003, a total of 138 cases complicated by shoulder dystocia were retrospectively identified and compared with a control group of 138 uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. In addition to maternal age, parity, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and ethnicity, anthropometric factors including maternal height-to-infant weight ratio, characteristics of labor, management techniques, and outcome were evaluated as possible risk factors for shoulder dystocia. RESULTS: The overall incidence of shoulder dystocia in this retrospective series of vaginal deliveries was 1.4%. In univariate analysis, maternal obesity (OR; 95% CI: 3.6; 2.1-6.3), diabetes (OR: 19.4; 2.5-145.7), parity greater than 2 (OR: 2.5; 1.4-4.4), maternal height-to-infant weight ratio (OR: 1.02; 1.01-1.04; P < 0.001), and infant weight-to-maternal BMI ratio (OR: 1.02; 1.01-1.03; P < 0.001) were predictive of shoulder dystocia. In multiple regression analysis, obesity and multiparity were the most significant maternal risk factors for shoulder dystocia. The only anthropometric factors associated with shoulder dystocia in multiple regression analysis were maternal height <1.55 m (OR: 6.6; 1.3-34.9) and maternal height-to-infant weight ratio (OR: 1.02; 1.01-1.05). CONCLUSION: Shoulder dystocia may be anticipated in cases involving short women and discrepancy between maternal height or weight and infant weight.

Maternal morbidity associated with obstetrical maneuvers in shoulder dystocia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether shoulder dystocia and obstetrical maneuvers used for its relief have detrimental effects on perineum or immediate postpartum outcome. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary maternity ward in Marseille, France. POPULATION: A total 140 cases with shoulder dystocia and 280 controls without shoulder dystocia were enrolled by reviewing charts for the period between January 1999 and December 2004. METHODS: Demographic data including obstetrical history, age, height, weight before pregnancy and at the time of delivery, and respective body mass index (BMI) and obstetrical data including analgesic technique, duration of first and second stage of labor were compared in function of outcome and of the type and number of maneuvers used to relieve shoulder dystocia. RESULTS: Resolving shoulder dystocia required one obstetrical maneuver in 41 cases (29.3%) and two obstetrical maneuvers in 48 cases (34.3%). Third-degree tears occurred in one patient in the case group versus five in the control group. No correlation was found between the number of obstetrical maneuvers needed to relieve shoulder dystocia and risk for third-degree tear (OR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1-7.6). Mean hemoglobin values were 96.1 g/l in the case group and 96.0 g/l in the control group (p=0.95). There was no difference between the two groups regarding duration of postpartum hospitalization. The incidence of urinary incontinence was similar in the group that underwent obstetrical maneuvers: 4.7% (6/127) and in the control group: 3.7% (13/352). Only two patients reported de novo anal symptoms, both in the control group. CONCLUSION: Shoulder dystocia and obstetrical techniques used for its relief did not result in adverse maternal outcome.