Extra-axial haemorrhage in a patient with Alport syndrome after epidural anaesthesia.

Extra-axial haemorrhage following epidural anaesthesia is extremely rare. We present the case of an 18-year-old G1P0 woman with Alport syndrome who had a ventouse delivery for failure to progress that was complicated by a postpartum tonic-clonic seizure. Clinically, and confirmed radiologically, the patient was found to have experienced an extra-axial haemorrhage (extradural and subdural haemorrhage) secondary to a cerebrospinal fluid leak caused by a dural puncture during epidural anaesthesia. Differentiating between postdural puncture headache, subdural haemorrhage and extradural haemorrhage can be extremely challenging, but it is important to consider these rare conditions when evaluating patients presenting with postpartum headache and seizure.

COVID-19 pandemic gestational diabetes screening guidelines: A retrospective study in Australian women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy and associated with significant perinatal and long-term morbidity. Temporary changes to the diagnostic testing for GDM have been recommended for the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify what proportion of women with GDM would be missed by the COVID-19 GDM screening criteria. Secondly an analysis of the relationship between HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and pregnancy outcomes will be completed. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all GDM patients at an Australian secondary hospital between January 2019 and February 2020. The proportion of women with GDM who would have been missed using the COVID-19 guidelines was assessed. Patients were divided into groups according to how their GDM was managed during the pregnancy: Diet, Metformin (MF), Insulin and MF + Insulin groups. Differences between the groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc analysis was completed using the Bonferroni test. Logistic regression was employed to further compare the differences between the groups. RESULTS: The study group comprised 237 patients. Sixty patients (25.3%) would not have had GDM detected in their pregnancy using the COVID-19 guidelines. FBG was the most significant predictor for intervention with medication for GDM (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: HbA1c and FBG are poor screening tests for GDM. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the OGTT should be given clinical priority in high risk patients. Elevated FBG is a significant predictor for needing medical management and could be used in the future to better enable individualised treatment.

Comparison of outcomes at full-dilation cesarean section with and without the use of a fetal pillow device.

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether use of the fetal pillow device resulted in a reduction in intraoperative complications, such as uterine incision extension, requirement for breech extraction, etc. Other maternal outcomes (duration of hospital stay, requirement for blood transfusion, and requirement for return to hospital or operating theatre) were also reviewed. Neonatal outcomes of APGAR-5, arterial pH, and requirement for intensive care admission were assessed. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was completed for fully dilated cesarean deliveries completed between January 2014 and December 2018 at Ipswich Hospital, Australia. In total, 174 patient records were identified (114 with pillow, 60 without). Logistic and linear regressions were used to assess the outcomes associated with fetal pillow use. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in operative complications between the pillow and no-pillow groups (odds ratio [OR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-1.22, P=0.146). Linear regression analysis showed a decrease in hospital length of stay (hours) (-9.4, 95% CI -17.80 to -0.99, P=0.029) and a higher neonatal arterial pH at delivery (0.06, 95% CI 0.03-0.09, P=0.0001) in the pillow group. CONCLUSION: At full dilation cesarean, operative complications are not increased when employing the fetal pillow with maternal benefits of decreased hospitalization.

A persistent urethral diverticulum in pregnancy: Case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: A urethral diverticulum (UD) is a localised evagination of the urethral mucosa that forms a herniation that is continuous with the lumen of the urethra. We report of a patient who presented with a persistent UD during consecutive pregnancies and present a review of the current literature of other cases of UD during pregnancy. METHODS: A literature search was undertaken to identify previous research and case reports on the clinical presentation and management of UD in pregnancy using the search terms "pregnancy" and "urethral diverticulum". Medline, PubMed and Cinahl were used as search engines. RESULTS: Six publications that described UD in pregnancy were identified with a total of nine cases documented within the literature. The articles reviewed showed that UD during pregnancy can be managed conservatively with expectant management, antibiotics and incision and drainage if required. CONCLUSION: Overall, it is important for clinicians treating women in pregnancy to be aware of the rare diagnosis of UD, especially in those women who present with vague urinary symptoms refractory to other treatments. BRIEF SUMMARY: A case presentation of UD and literature review of UD in pregnancy.

Right-sided obstructed hemivagina ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA): A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructed hemivagina ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) is a rare anomaly of the urogenital system. The characteristic triad of this syndrome, which was initially reported in 1950, is didelphys uterus, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis (Embrey, 1950 [1]). CASE: A 17-year-old girl was referred with a 6-month history of offensive vaginal discharge. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) established the diagnosis of OHVIRA. She underwent surgery for drainage of the hematocolpos and excision of the vaginal septum followed by an uncomplicated recovery and the patient had normal menstrual cycles after surgery. CONCLUSION: There should be a high suspicion of OHVIRA syndrome when encountering adolescent patients with non-specific abdominal or pelvic symptoms.

Rates of vaginal birth after caesarean section: What chance do obese women have?

BACKGROUND: For women considering vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC), obesity has been associated with a lower rate of vaginal birth and a higher rate of uterine rupture. To enhance antenatal counselling, this study aimed to evaluate the success rates of morbidly obese women undergoing a trial of labour (TOL). METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed of women who birthed at our hospital who had previously had one caesarean section. Routinely collected data were reviewed for mode of birth for women who underwent a TOL. A number of maternal and neonatal outcomes were also gathered. The data were analysed according to those women with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or above 40, compared to those women with a BMI below 40. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2018, 2097 women gave birth at our hospital and had a caesarean section for a prior pregnancy. Of these women, 1234 (58.9%) had an elective caesarean section and 863 (41.1%) underwent a TOL. Of the women undertaking a TOL, 73.1% gave birth vaginally. Women with a BMI equal to or greater than 40 were less likely to have a successful VBAC compared to women with a BMI less than 40 (58.9% vs 74.1%, P = 0.013). Only 50% of women with a BMI equal to or greater than 40 had a successful VBAC if they had not previously had a vaginal birth. CONCLUSION: Women with a BMI over 40 had lower rates of successful VBAC. Rates were even lower for those who had not had a prior vaginal birth.

Sacrospinous hysteropexy: review and meta-analysis of outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Sacrospinous hysteropexy is a uterine-preserving procedure for treatment of apical prolapse. We present a literature review evaluating the sacrospinous hysteropexy procedure and its current place in the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse. Additionally, to assess the efficacy of the procedure, we performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing sacrospinous hysteropexy to vaginal hysterectomy and repair in terms of anatomical outcomes, complications, and repeat surgery. METHODS: Major literature databases including MEDLINE (1946 to 2 April 2016), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 3), and Embase (1947 to 2 April 2016) were searched for relevant studies. We used Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager software to perform meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and observational studies. RESULTS: Vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy was first performed in 1989 and is similar in technique to sacrospinous colpopexy. Two randomized controlled trials and four cohort studies (n = 651) were included in the meta-analysis. Apical failure rates after sacrospinous hysteropexy versus vaginal hysterectomy were not significantly different, although the trend favored vaginal hysterectomy [odds ratio (OR) 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-5.68]. Rates of repeat surgery for prolapse were not significantly different between the two groups (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.41-2.37). The most significant disadvantage of uterine-preservation prolapse surgery when compared with hysterectomy is the lack of prevention and diagnosis of uterine malignancy. CONCLUSION: Sacrospinous hysteropexy is a safe and effective procedure for pelvic organ prolapse and has comparable outcomes to vaginal hysterectomy with repair.

A case of ruptured uterus at 27 weeks of gestation complicated by placenta accreta.

INTRODUCTION: Placenta accreta is a rare complication, which can lead to maternal morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a interesting case report where uterine rupture in the fundal region complicated with placenta accreta. CONCLUSION: Undiagnosed placenta accreta can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Puerperal group A Streptococcus infection.

Group A Streptococci infection during antenatal period as well as postnally can be very serious and would require intense management-both surgical and medical. Many authors believe the incidence is rising. High index of clinical suspicion is necessary in order to early intervention.

Caesarean scar endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION: Caesarean section incidence is rising and caesarean scar endometriosis could be encountered more in the day to day clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present three cases of caesarean scar endometriosis which were managed in our unit with excision biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Complete excision is both diagnostic and therapeutic. FNAC could be a tool to exclude malignancy and allows a quick diagnosis.

Transobturator tape as a day surgery procedure: a case control study.

This study aims to assess the suitability of the transobturator tape (TOT) as a day surgery procedure. A retrospective study of all the patients who underwent TOT as a day surgery procedure, at a tertiary referral centre in the south-west of Scotland, over a 3-year period (August 2002-July 2005). The outcome measures were as follows: complication rates (both intra- and immediate postoperative), voiding dysfunction rates, analgesic requirements and unscheduled in-patient ward admission following the procedure. One hundred and sixty-seven case notes were examined; the mean operating time was 14.7 min (range: 12-28 min, median: 14 min). 97.8% of patients had blood loss <100 ml and the mean blood loss was 54 ml (range: 10-500 ml). None of the patients had major complications such as urethral or bladder injury or anaesthetic complications. 79.6% of patients had satisfactory postoperative voiding pattern achieved within the time frame of the DSU (08:30-17:00 hours). No patient had complete urinary retention. However, 34 patients (20.4%) failed to achieve satisfactory voiding within that time frame and warranted in-patient admission. Three other patients required in-patient admission; the reasons being vaginal bleeding (n=1), postoperative nausea and vomiting (n=1) and postoperative pain (n=1). Therefore, a total of 37 patients required in-patient ward admission, with an admission rate of 22.2%. In conclusion, the transobturator tape procedure is suitable as a day surgery procedure in selected patients. There is minimal peri-operative morbidity, and nearly 80% of patients are discharged home within the scheduled time frame.

Perineal cellulitis and persistent vaginal erosion after transobturator tape (Obtape)--case report and review of the literature.

Transobturator sub-urethral tapes are emerging as one of the surgical options for the management of urodynamic stress incontinence. Though with relatively less risk of injury to the bladder, a different approach as well as the different characteristics of the tape material mean a variety of complications like obturator abscess, obturator haematoma, retro-pubic haematoma, and perineal cellulitis. In this paper, we describe a case of perineal cellulitis following the insertion of a transobturator tape (Obtape). Though cellulitis was managed conservatively with intravenous antibiotics, the patient was found to have vaginal extrusion of the tape. Vaginal erosion was initially managed with resuturing of the vaginal wall. Persistent erosion unfortunately necessitated complete tape removal. The patient later had another sub-urethral procedure after 3 months. Perineal cellulitis is rare after transobturator tape procedures. In the literature, only two cases have been described so far. Though vaginal erosion can be managed conservatively, we recommend the complete removal of the tape when an infection is proven or suspected.

How common are tape erosions? A comparison of two versions of the transobturator tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two transobturator suburethral tapes (Obtape, Mentor-Porges and TVT-O, Gynaecare, Johnson and Johnson) used in the management of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI), for tape erosion (vaginal/urethral) rates, clinical presentation, management and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied women who underwent a transobturator suburethral tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure for managing USI in a tertiary referral centre in the West of Scotland over a 36-month period. In our department, the transobturator approach has been the first-choice approach for TVTs since July 2003. Two types of tapes were mainly used, Obtape and TVT-O, and the choice of tape was primarily decided by the surgeons' preference. RESULTS: In all, 316 women had a transobturator tape procedure, of which 96 were associated with another procedure; 112 women had TVT-O using the 'inside-out' technique and 204 had the 'outside-in' technique. Of the latter, 192 had Obtape, four had Obtryx (Boston Scientific) and eight had Monarc (American Medical Systems Inc.) tapes. Sixteen women developed vaginal tape erosion, and significantly more were in the Obtape group than in the TVT-O group (7.29% vs 1.78%, P = 0.038). The patients' age, body mass index, previous vaginal surgery and concomitant vaginal surgery were not significant risk factors for erosions. The time between surgery and diagnosis of erosion was 1-45 weeks, with only one patient being asymptomatic; all others presented with clinical symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, discharge and dyspareunia. Thirteen patients were continent at presentation and 10 of these remained continent after surgical management. In the TVT-O group the erosions were in the lateral vaginal wall, while in the Obtape group the erosions were in the form of central tape extrusion secondary to defective vaginal wall healing. CONCLUSION: There were significantly more vaginal tape erosions in the Obtape group than in the TVT-O group. No cases of urethral erosions were identified.