Cesarean 10-group classification: a tool for clinical management of the delivery ward.

AIM: Aim of the present study was to evaluate 10-group Robson classification for delivery ward clinical management. METHODS: To evaluate cesarean section (C-section) rate following the implementation firstly of recommendations, and then of 10-group reporting and medical audit, a retrospective cohort study was performed including all women who gave birth in the years 2001, 2006 and 2010. Data were analyzed by means of 10-group classification. RESULTS: C-section rate was 27.5% in 2001, 31.1% in 2006, and 30.5% in 2010. Ten-group analysis showed that from 2001 to 2006 group 1-2 size increased from 27.6% to 42.5% (P<0.01), and contribution to the overall cesarean rate from 22.3% to 29.9% (P<0.01), whereas the group 1 C-section sub-rate was reduced from 19.6% to 13.5% (P<0.05). Previous cesarean increased from 9.2% to 11.6% (P<0.05). Delivery ward 10-group monitoring showed that from January to May 2010 the C-section rate was consistently above 30%. The audit was started and the causes were analyzed. Subsequently, C-section rate dropped to the actual 30.5%. CONCLUSION: Ten-group analysis showed that the 2006 cesarean rate increase was related to a significant shift in obstetric population toward groups 5 to 9 at higher risk of C-section, whereas after recommendation implementation a significant reduction of C-section subrates was observed in groups 1, 2a, 3, 4a, and 10 which represented more than 80% of the hospital population. In 2010, 10-group monitoring of the cesarean subrates stabilized the C-section rate. Ten-group analysis should be implemented in clinical practice to control delivery ward clinical management. It only requires the involvement of a clinical manager and of a midwife for data collection.

[Delivery induction with slow-release dinoprostone in clinical practice: results of a clinical protocol]. / L'induzione del parto con prostaglandine a lento rilascio nella pratica clinica: risultati di un protocollo clinico.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the feasibility of a protocol for the induction of delivery with slow-release dinoprostone in women with unfavourable cervix. METHODS: Indications for the induction were: pregnancy beyond 40 weeks, amniotic fluid index (AFI) <5, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth retardation, or adverse maternal conditions. Eligibility criteria were: single pregnancy, cephalic presentation, Bishop Score <4, no previous uterine scar. Slow-release vaginal insert containing dinoprostone 10 mg was used to induce delivery according to a dedicated protocol agreed between clinicians and midwifes. Dinoprostone induction failure was defined as no cervical dilation >3 cm at the removal of the insert. RESULTS: One-hundred-nineteen patients were enrolled. The onset of labour was obtained in 102 (85.7%) patients, 98 (82.3%) with the insert only, and in 4 (3.3%) after the sequential administration of prostaglandins and oxitocin. The mean interval between insert application and delivery was 16.85±11.48 hours. Vaginal delivery was reported in 87 (73.1%) women, whereas Cesarean was necessary in 32 (26.9%) patients [29 nulliparous]. Cesarean section was also required in 15/98 (15.3%) women who responded to prostaglandins and in 17/21 (80.9) non-responders. Protocol violations occurred in 11 (9.2%) patients. Uterine hyperstimulation occurred in 4 (3.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Induction of delivery with slow-release dinoprostone seems a feasible option, characterized by high efficacy, good adherence to protocol, low incidence of adverse events and easy management. In our opinion the high compliance of the gynecologists and midwifes is based on the insert handiness.

Duration and Intensity of Anesthetic Effect Produced by Canker Sore Medications.

Canker sore medications are often recommended to patients for relief of pain associated with aphthous ulcers or other minor irritations of the mouth. The anesthetic effect of these medications is achieved by incorporation of local anesthetics, such as benzocaine, into the products' formulations. To determine the duration and intensity of the anesthetic effect of benzocaine-containing products, three topical oral health care medications, Red Cross Canker Sore Medication, Maximum Strength Anbesol and Orajel Mouth Aid, were compared. In this double blind cross-over study, each product was tested on 21 subjects with normal mucosa and gingiva. All three products produced anesthetic effects. Red Cross Canker Sore Medication was shown to have the longest duration and greatest intensity.