Abordaje integral de la Interrupción Voluntaria del Embarazo: (segunda entrega) / Comprehensive approach to the voluntary interruption of pregnancy: (second issue)

La legalización de la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo ha transformado la práctica médica con respecto a la atención de las pacientes que desean interrumpir la gestación hasta la semana 14 en Argentina. En la primera entrega, el equipo PROFAM compartió su punto de vista a través de una adaptación de su material educativo destinado, sobre todo, a aclarar los aspectos legales que hacen a la práctica cotidiana. En esta entrega se desarrolla en detalle el procedimiento para realizar un aborto farmacológico con misoprostol y mifepristona, así como las generalidades del aspirado manual endouterino. (AU)

The legalization of voluntary termination of pregnancy has transformed medical practice regarding the care of patients who wish to terminate a pregnancy up to 14 weeks in Argentina. In the first issue, the PROFAM team shared its point of view through an adaptation of its educational material aimed, above all, at clarifying the legal aspects of daily practice. In this issue, the procedure to perform a pharmacological abortion with misoprostol and mifepristone is developed in detail, as well as the generalities of manual uterine aspiration technique. (AU)

A technical comparison of thrombectomy vacuum aspiration systems.

INTRODUCTION: Improved functional outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for emergent large vessel occlusion depend on expedient reperfusion after clinical presentation. Device technology has improved substantially over the years, and several commercial options exist for both large-bore aspiration catheters and suction pump systems. OBJECTIVE: To compare various vacuum pumps and examine the aspiration forces they generate as well as the force of catheter tip detachment from an artificial thrombus. METHODS: Using an artificial thrombus made from polyvinyl alcohol gel, we tested various mechanical characteristics of commercially available suction pumps, including the Penumbra Jet Engine, Penumbra Max, Stryker Medela AXS, Microvention Gomco, and a 60 cc syringe. Both aspiration pressure and tip force generated were analyzed. Subsequently, a cohort of thrombectomy catheters were assessed using the Penumbra Jet Engine to determine tip forces generated on an artificial thrombus. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: The Penumbra Jet Engine system generated both the highest maximum aspiration pressures (28.8 inches Hg) and the highest tip force (23.68 grams force (gf)) on an artificial thrombus, with statistical significance compared with the other pump systems. Using the Jet Engine, the largest-bore catheter was associated with the highest tip force (32.12 gf). The overall correlation coefficient between catheter inner diameter and tip force was 0.98. CONCLUSIONS: The Penumbra Jet Engine pump generates significantly higher vacuum pressures and tip forces than the other commercially available aspiration pump systems. Furthermore, catheters with a larger inner diameter generate higher tip suction forces on aspiration. Whether these mechanical features lead to improved clinical outcomes is yet to be determined.

Validation of instrument reprocessing methods for the Ipas manual vacuum aspiration devices.

OBJECTIVE: To validate recommended reprocessing methods for Ipas manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) devices. METHODS: All recommended reprocessing methods for Ipas MVA devices were tested for effectiveness in cleaning, achieving high-level disinfection (HLD) and/or sterilization, and any physical effects on instruments. Worst-case scenario testing was performed using artificial soil and microorganisms. Study protocols replicated standard steps for reprocessing. The specified method for reprocessing was performed 25 times on multiple devices, including controls. After runs 1, 2, 3, 15, and 25, devices and controls were analyzed for: microbial growth; residual soils; surface damage; and functionality. RESULTS: All samples were negative for microbial growth and residual soils. On inspection and functionality testing, no damage was observed for aspirators and cannulae except with STERRAD and Cidex OPA. Other methods of HLD and sterilization did not affect surfaces or functionality through 25 cycles. DISCUSSION: Ipas MVA devices were not negatively affected following validated instrument reprocessing methods for HLD or sterilization for up to 25 reuse cycles. STERRAD and Cidex OPA did not meet assessed standards and are therefore not recommended. Strict adherence to guidance is critical for effective reprocessing of instruments.

Expansion Vibration Lipofilling: A New Technique in Large-Volume Fat Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Despite rapid growth, gluteal fat transplantation is an operation in search of science and a teachable technique. Long operating times, tedious syringe transfers, inability to shape the recipient site, and the risk of fat embolism all headline as impediments to clinical adoption of the procedure. Expansion vibration lipofilling is a syringe-free surgical strategy that is a logical extension of Separation, Aspiration, and Fat Equalization (SAFELipo). In expansion vibration lipofilling, there is simultaneous disruption of recipient-site connective tissue, internal expansion using exploded-tip cannulas, and backfilling of these spaces with roller pump-propelled fat. METHODS: Two thousand four hundred nineteen consecutive cases of expansion vibration lipofilling fat transplantation to the buttocks were reviewed. Average follow-up was 12 months. The technique of expansion vibration lipofilling is dependent on the use of larger caliber cannulas attached to a roller pump and to an oscillatory power-assisted liposuction device, which is less labor-intensive, potentially allowing for better knowledge of cannula-tip location at all times during the procedure. RESULTS: Operating times averaged 1 hour 40 minutes. The average volume of fat inserted was 1003 cc. Complications included donor-site seroma, infection, and one pulmonary embolism treated with anticoagulation. There were no cases of fat embolism or death. CONCLUSIONS: Expansion vibration lipofilling is a new method for large-volume fat transplantation. Avoidance of fatal fat emboli demands a surgeon's complete knowledge of cannula tip location at all times during the procedure. Syringe-free, larger caliber, and less flexible cannulas, combined with techniques requiring less operator upper extremity effort resulting in less fatigue, may contribute to avoidance of this dreadful complication. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Cook Cervical Ripening Balloon successfully prevents excessive hemorrhage combined with ultrasound-guided suction curettage in the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy.

AIM: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare occurrence of ectopic pregnancy. CSP incidence has increased significantly as a result of the increase in cesarean section rates. At present, there are no standard treatment guidelines for CSP; therefore, we report a minimally invasive treatment method for patients diagnosed with CSP. METHODS: This study included 15 women who were diagnosed with CSP. Ultrasound-guided suction curettage was performed on all patients. The Cook Cervical Ripening Balloon was used to tamponade and prevent hemorrhage during the procedure. In 12 patients, the balloon was placed immediately following ultrasound-guided suction curettage; in two patients, the balloon was placed when excessive bleeding occurred post-curettage; and in one patient, the balloon was placed after the gestational sac evacuated by itself, and then suction aspiration was performed on day 5, following the evacuation. Human chorionic gonadotropin levels were evaluated three days after the procedure. RESULTS: Placement and inflation of the Cook Cervical Ripening Balloon was well tolerated by all patients. The balloon tamponade effectively reduced or prevented vaginal bleeding in all patients, and none of the patients had an estimated blood loss higher than 1000 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided suction curettage is effective in the treatment of CSP. The Cook Cervical Ripening Balloon is easy to place and inflate and successfully prevented bleeding or assisted in the management of bleeding complications. We recommend the Cook Cervical Ripening Balloon as an adjuvant method for ultrasound-guided suction curettage for the treatment of CSP.

[APPLICATION OF VACUUM-THERAPY ON STAGES OF SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME].

Vacuum therapy of an acute and chronic wounds was used in a complex of surgical treatment of 228 patients, suffering diabetic foot syndrome. There was established a positive local and systemic action of this method for the treatment of the wound defect. Vacuum therapy of the wounds guarantees the wound process clinical course stabilization, improvement of microcirculation, reduction of their microbial soiling, stimulation of regenerative processes, elimination of endogenous intoxication.

[VACUUM-THERAPY OF DIFFUSE PERITONITIS].

The experience of treatment of 37 patients, suffering diffuse peritonitis, in 18 of them in complex with vacuum-therapy, is adduced. In a comparison group a sanation relaparotomy was applied only. International classifications SOFA, APACHE II, Manheim's Index of the Peritonitis Severity were used for estimation of the patients' state severity. The vacuum-therapy application have promoted significant reduction of the abdominal cavity microbial soiling, permitted to escape the compartment syndrome occurrence, and to reduce the sanation relaparotomy performance rate.

'It's a very complicated issue here': understanding the limited and declining use of manual vacuum aspiration for postabortion care in Malawi: a qualitative study.

Malawi has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world. Unsafe abortions are an important contributor to Malawi's maternal mortality and morbidity, where abortion is illegal except to save the woman's life. Postabortion care (PAC) aims to reduce adverse consequences of unsafe abortions, in part by treating incomplete abortions. Although global and national PAC policies recommend manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for treatment of incomplete abortion, usage in Malawi is low and appears to be decreasing, with sharp curettage being used in preference. There is limited evidence regarding what influences rejection of recommended PAC innovations. Hence, drawing on Greenhalgh et al. 's (2004. Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: systematic review and recommendations. Milbank Quarterly 82: 581-629.) diffusion of healthcare innovation framework, this qualitative study aimed to investigate factors contributing to the limited and declining use of MVA in Malawi. Semi-structured interviews with 17 PAC providers in a central hospital and a district hospital indicate that a range of factors coalesce and influence PAC and MVA use in Malawi. Factors pertain to four main domains: the system (shortages of material and human resources; lack of training, supervision and feedback), relationships (power dynamics; expected job roles), the health workers (attitudes towards abortion and PAC; prioritization of PAC) and the innovation (perceived risks and benefits of MVA use). Effective and sustainable PAC policy must adopt a broader people-centred health systems approach which considers all these factors, their interactions and the wider socio-cultural, legal and political context of abortion and PAC. The study showed the value of using Greenhalgh et al. 's (2004. Diffusion of innovations in service organizations: systematic review and recommendations. Milbank Quarterly 82: 581-629.) framework to consider the complex interaction of factors surrounding innovation use (or lack of), but provided more insights into rejections of innovations and, particularly, a low- and middle-income country perspective.

Tratamiento médico del aborto espontáneo del primer trimestre / Medical treatment of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester

Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento médico con misoprostol en el aborto espontáneo del primer trimestre de la gestación. En segundo plano, conocer la incidencia de efectos secundarios y complicaciones e identificar las causas que puedan motivar el fracaso del tratamiento médico. Establecer el grado de aceptabilidad y satisfacción de las pacientes. Realizar un estudio coste/eficacia. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio longitudinal, observacional, prospectivo, descriptivo y analítico. Se evaluó a 680 pacientes con diagnóstico de aborto espontáneo del primer trimestre en el periodo comprendido entre junio de 2009 y diciembre de 2011 en el Hospital Clínico San Carlos, elaborándose un protocolo para la administración del tratamiento médico con misoprostol para aquellas pacientes que lo aceptaban, frente al tratamiento quirúrgico clásico. Resultados: El éxito del tratamiento médico fue del 81,85%. Eficaz en el 89,21% de los abortos consumados incompletos, en el 79,52% de los abortos diferidos y en el 78,46% de las gestaciones anembrionadas. Hubo efectos secundarios menores en el 33,59% de las pacientes, declarándose satisfechas el 84,99% de las pacientes. Con respecto al estudio de costes, se produjo un ahorro por paciente de 960,54 Euros. Conclusiones: El éxito del tratamiento médico en nuestro estudio fue elevado, siendo eficaz aproximadamente en 8 de cada 10 pacientes. El misoprostol es altamente aceptado por las pacientes, declarándose la mayoría satisfechas. La incidencia de efectos secundarios menores es baja, y fueron bien tolerados, por lo que su presencia no parece que limite la aplicación de dicho tratamiento. Su utilización contribuye a reducir los costes sanitarios

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of medical treatment with misoprostol in spontaneous abortion in the first trimester; to determine the incidence of adverse effects and complications and identify causes that may lead to the failure of medical treatment; to identify the acceptability of the treatment, patient acceptance and patient satisfaction; and to perform a cost-effectiveness analysis. Subjects and methods: A longitudinal, observational, prospective, descriptive and analytic study was performed in 680 patients diagnosed with spontaneous abortion in the first trimester between June 2009 and December 2011 at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos. A protocol was developed for medical treatment with misoprostol administration for patients who accepted to undergo this treatment rather than classical surgery. Results: The success of medical treatment was 81.85%. The treatment was effective in 89.21% of incomplete abortions, in 79.52% of missed abortions, and in 78.46% of anembrionic pregnancies. Minor adverse effects occurred in 33.59% of the patients, and 84.99% of the patients reported they were satisfied. Medical treatment produced a cost saving of 960.54 Euros per patient. Conclusions: The success of medical treatment in our study was high, with misoprostol administration being effective in approximately 8 out of 10 patients. Misoprostol is highly accepted by patients and most reported that they were satisfied. The incidence of minor adverse effects was low, and these effects were well tolerated; consequently, their presence does not seem to restrict the application of this treatment. Misoprostol use helps to reduce healthcare costs

Intrauterine infusion of lidocaine does not reduce pain scores during IUD insertion.

BACKGROUND: Potential pain with IUD insertion is a concern for women. Studies have found that systemic and local cervical therapies do not reduce pain scores. Since intrauterine infusion of lidocaine may reduce pain with endometrial aspiration, in this pilot study, we tested whether such infusion through an inexpensive endometrial aspirator could reduce IUD insertion pain scores with IUD insertion. STUDY DESIGN: In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo control pilot study of 40 women undergoing IUD insertion, pain scores of women receiving 1.2 mL 2% lidocaine versus normal saline (1:1) infused 3 min prior to IUD insertion were measured using a 0-9-point scale. RESULTS: Pain at tenaculum placement was similar between groups. There was no difference in mean pain scores during IUD insertion of women infused with lidocaine (2.95) versus normal saline (3.75), p=.37. Considerable variation in pain scores was noted; 46% of subjects had pain scores ≤2 while 33% had pain scores ≥5. CONCLUSION: Use of 2% lidocaine administered through an endometrial aspirator did not significantly reduce IUD insertion pain scores in this pilot study.

[Different methods for the diagnosis of endometrial histological comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of endometrial sampler Pipelle for endometrial histologic diagnosis. METHODS: Using prospective and self-control methods, 200 patients with endometrial biopsy firstly used Pipelle endometrial sampler for endometrial tissue, then followed by diagnostic curettage, the same pathologist evaluated the specimen quality and made the histologic diagnosis. RESULTS: Totally 200 patients completed the observation, the specimen satisfaction of Pipelle was 93.0% (in this 200 cases, 186 cases were satisfactory), its pathological accuracy was 85.0% (in this 200 cases, 170 cases' pathological results are highly consistent with diagnostic curettage). There was no significant difference between two kinds of endometrial sampling (P > 0.05). There was no pain for patients during the Pipelle using process. CONCLUSION: Pipelle could obtain satisfactory samples used for histological diagnosis in normal endometrium, simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and endometrial cancer disease, because its pathological accuracy is so close to the diagnostic curettage, which may be used as a routine screening tool of endometrial diseases.

Comparison of the success of histopathological diagnosis with dilatation-curettage and Pipelle endometrial sampling.

The aim of this study is to compare collection of sufficient material and diagnostic accuracy of Pipelle biopsy with curettage and hysterectomy. A total of 82 cases with indications for endometrial biopsy for any reason and in which endometrial biopsy was performed with dilatation and curettage (D&C) and Pipelle aspiration biopsy, and 66 cases in which an indication for hysterectomy was established for any reason were included in the study. Histopathological findings were examined in the following six groups: normal; endometrial polyps; hyperplasia without atypia; hyperplasia with atypia; atrophy; and insufficient material. Descriptive statistical methods and McNemar's test were used. When the histopathological compatibility between Pipelle and D&C was considered (n=82), a diagnosis that was different from that obtained by D&C was obtained in 22 of the 63 cases (34%), in whom normal endometrial histology was found with a Pipelle biopsy specimen. It was observed that only 1 of 13 cases of endometrial polyps was diagnosed with Pipelle biopsy. Insufficient material was obtained in six cases (7%) with Pipelle biopsies and three cases (4%) with D&C. While Pipelle biopsies and D&C have a nearly equal level of success in widespread endometrial lesions, Pipelle biopsies provide limited diagnostic accuracy in cases with focal pathologies.

Aborto diferido como origen de una enfermedad trofoblástica persistente / Persistent trophoblastic disease presenting as missed abortion

La enfermedad trofoblástica persistente puede ser diagnosticada después de cualquier tipo de gestación, pero su frecuencia aumenta tras el hallazgo de un embarazo molar, con lo que su adecuado diagnóstico y seguimiento es vital para un tratamiento temprano y eficaz. Presentamos un caso de un aborto diferido, en el que se diagnosticó mola completa y tras la confirmación de persistencia de esta, precisó de tratamiento poliquimioterápico para lograr su curación (AU)

Persistent trophoblastic disease can be diagnosed after any type of pregnancy, but the frequency of this entity increases after molar pregnancies and consequently early diagnosis and follow-up is vital for prompt and effective treatment. We present a case of missed abortion, with diagnosis of a complete hydatiform mole. Persistent trophoblastic disease was subsequently diagnosed, requiring treatment with multiple drug therapy to achieve complete resolution (AU)

Legrado uterino bajo control ecográfico en embarazo ectópico intersticial / Ultrasound-guided transcervical curettage in interstitial pregnancy

El embarazo intersticial se ha visto incrementado en las últimas décadas como consecuencia del aumento de técnicas de reproducción asistida. A pesar del diagnóstico cada vez más temprano y el desarrollo de tratamientos cada vez más conservadores, presenta una morbilidad y mortalidad importantes. Presentamos 2 casos de embarazo intersticial tratado mediante legrado por aspiración bajo control ecográfico. En ambos, el procedimiento fue rápido, con mínimo sangrado y sin complicaciones. El legrado uterino ecoguiado es una alternativa efectiva y segura como tratamiento del embarazo ectópico intersticial (AU)

Interstitial pregnancy has increased in the last few decades due to greater use of assisted reproductive technology. Despite early diagnosis and the development of increasingly conservative treatment, maternal morbidity and mortality remain high. We report two cases of interstitial pregnancy treated by ultrasound-guided transcervical suction curettage. In both cases, the procedure was quick, bleeding was minimal and there were no complications. Ultrasound-guided transcervical curettage is a safe and effective alternative in interstitial pregnancy (AU)

Comparison of level of pain between using manual vacuum aspiration and sharp curettage in management of abnormal uterine bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the level of pain between using manual vacuum aspiration and sharp curettage in the patients who had abnormal uterine bleeding that underwent uterine curettage under paracervical block with analgesics. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between September 2009 to June 2010, 48 women with abnormal uterine bleeding who need to undergone uterine curettage were asked to join the present study and informed consents were signed. Twenty four women were randomly assigned into manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) group and other 24 women into sharp curettage group. The main outcome was the difference of the level of pain before, during and after procedure measured by using the visual analog scale and categorical pain scores. Fisher exact, Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median visual analog score during MVA-procedure was significantly lower than the median visual analog score during in sharp curettage (median visual analog pain scores (interquartile range) 80 (30-100) vs. 45 (0-80); p < 0.01)). And the median score immediately after procedure in the MVA group was also significantly lower than in the sharp curettage group (median visual analog pain scores (interquartile range) 45 (0-80 vs. 25 (0-70); p = 0.02). The categorical pain score in the MVA group during procedure and immediately after procedure were also significantly lower than in the sharp curettage group. (No pain to mild pain vs. moderated to severe pain; p = 0.03, immediately after procedure: no pain to mild pain vs. moderated to severe pain; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The level of pain in the patients who underwent uterine curettage by using MVA was lower than using sharp curettage. The using MVA may reduce pain compared to sharp curettage. However, more sample size research should be conducted to determine this significant.

A novel device for the revascularization in acute ischemic stroke patients.

SUMMARY: This article provides insights into how the authors developed the Solitaire™ FR revascularization device and associated procedure including commentary on the mechanism of revascularization and future of device development in this area. The article is intended to give research-minded physicians a view into the device development world by sighting examples of this novel device for revascularizing patients with acute ischemic stroke.

VFDs can cut costs and improve control.

Phil Giles of Becker Pumps Australia examines the use of variable frequency drives for medical suction plant, and explains the many potential benefits--both practical and economic. The paper on which this article is based was presented at the Institute of Hospital Engineering Australia's (IHEA) 60th National Conference in 2009.