Patient characteristics, surgery outcomes, presumed aetiology and other characteristics of fistula surgeries and related procedures supported by Fistula Foundation from 2019 to 2021: a multicentre, retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Obstetric fistula is a devastating childbirth injury primarily caused by prolonged, obstructed labour. It leaves women incontinent, severely stigmatised and isolated. Fistula repair surgery can restore a woman's health and well-being. Fistula Foundation, a non-profit organisation, works in partnership with local hospitals and community organisations in Africa and Asia to address key barriers to treatment and to increase the number of women receiving surgical care. This paper presents data on fistula and fistula repair surgery across a large global network of hospitals supported by Fistula Foundation. The data were collected between 2019 and 2021. DESIGN: Multicentre, retrospective, observational, descriptive study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study analysed deidentified data from 24 568 surgical repairs supported by Fistula Foundation to treat women with obstetric fistula at 110 hospitals in 27 countries. RESULTS: The data highlight patient characteristics and key trends and outcomes from obstetric fistula repair surgeries and related procedures. Of those surgeries, 87% resulted in a successful outcome (fistula dry and closed) at the time of discharge, highlighting the effectiveness of fistula repair in restoring continence and improving quality of life. Over the period studied, the number of supported surgeries increased by 14%, but there remains an urgent need to strengthen local surgical capacity and improve access to treatment. Women suffered an average of 5.7 years before they received surgery and only 4% of women sought care independently. This underscores the importance of enhancing community awareness and strengthening referral networks. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides essential insight from a vast, global network of hospitals providing highly effective fistula repair surgery. Further investment is needed to strengthen surgical capacity, increase awareness of fistula and remove financial barriers to treatment if stakeholders are to make significant progress towards the United Nations' ambitious vision of ending fistula by 2030.

Uterine damage induces placenta accreta and immune imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface in the mouse.

INTRODUCTION: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder is one of the major complications resulting in maternal death and serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. Uterine damage - principally that associated with cesarean section - is the leading risk factor for the development of PAS. However, the underlying pathogenesis of PAS related to uterine damage remains unclear. METHODS: For this study, we constructed a mouse PAS model using hysterotomy to simulate a cesarean section in humans. Pregnant mice were sacrificed on embryonic days 12.5 (E12.5) and E17.5. Trophoblast invasion and placental vascularization were analyzed using Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the proportions of immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface were analyzed using flow cytometry. We analyzed the expressions of genes in the decidua and placenta using RNA sequencing and subsequent validation by QPCR, and measured serum angiogenic factors by ELISA. RESULTS: Uterine damage led to increased trophoblast invasion and placental vascularization, with extensive changes to the immune-cell profiles at the maternal-fetal interface. The proportions of T and NK cells in the deciduas diminished significantly, with the decidual NK cells and M - 2 macrophages showing the greatest decline. The expression of TNF-α and IL4 was upregulated in the deciduas, while that of IFN-γ and IL10 was downregulated significantly. The expression of Mmp2, Mmp9, Mmp3, and Dock4 was significantly elevated in the placenta, and the serum levels of anti-angiogenic factors were significantly attenuated. DISCUSSION: Uterine damage can cause immune imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface, which may contribute to abnormal trophoblast invasion and enhanced vascularization of the mouse placenta.

A retrospective, observational study of medicolegal cases against obstetricians and gynaecologists in South Africa's private sector.

BACKGROUND:  The viability of obstetric practice in the private sector has been threatened as a result of steep increases in professional indemnity fees over the past 10 years. Despite this, empirical research investigating key aetiological factors to target risk management interventions has been lacking. OBJECTIVES: To explore private practice medicolegal data linked to obstetricians and gynaecologists (O&Gs) to identify factors in clinical practice associated with claims, for the purposes of guiding future research and risk management solutions. METHODS:  This was a retrospective, observational study of private sector O&Gs' medicolegal case histories. All incidents declared to a prominent local professional indemnity insurer were categorised in terms of medicolegal case type, as well as clinical parameters. To allow for risk-adjusted calculations of case incidence, year of entry into private practice was estimated for all practitioners. RESULTS:  Steep increases in medicolegal investigations and demands were demonstrated for both obstetrics- and gynaecology-related cases from about 2003 to 2012. Whereas the total numbers of claims, regulatory complaints and requests for records were similar for obstetrics and gynaecology in recent years (accounting for 52% v. 48% of known cases, respectively), a significantly greater percentage of demands and paid settlements related to gynaecology rather than obstetrics (58% and 76% v. 42% and 24% of cases, respectively). In obstetrics, about half of all cases on record with a paid settlement were in the context of severe neonatal birth-related neurological injury (n=9). For gynaecology, procedure-related complications accounted for 92% of settlements, of which at least 41% were for intraoperative injuries to internal organs and vessels. Laparoscopic procedures were most frequently associated with such intraoperative injuries, followed by vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies/oophorectomies and caesarean sections. For O&Gs in private practice for >2 years, 50/458 (11%) accounted for 138/228 (61%) of demands over a 10-year period. CONCLUSIONS:  The higher number of gynaecological demands and settlements in comparison with obstetric cases was unexpected and is contrary to international experiences and public sector findings, calling for more research to identify reasons for this finding. Other than further exploring surgical outcomes in private sector gynaecological patients, aspects of surgical training and accreditation standards in gynaecology may need review. Regarding birth-related injuries, the contribution of system failures needs quantification and further interrogation. The high contribution towards the medicolegal burden by a small group of practitioners suggests a need for doctor-focused interventions, including strengthening of peer review and regulatory oversight.

[Obstetric Surgery with High Risk of Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Jehovah's Witness]. / Cirurgia Obstétrica com Risco Hemorrágico Major em Testemunha de Jeová.

Postpartum Hemorrhage is still the leading cause of maternal mortality. The management of patients who refuse allogeneic blood transfusion, like in the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, is clinically and ethically challenging. We describe the case of a woman with several risk factors for major postpartum hemorrhage, specifically the presence of a giant uterine myoma. The multidisciplinary management of this patient included an elective c-section and the use of prophylactic tranexamic acid. The perioperative and peripartum care of Jehovah's Witnesses requires specific strategies to minimize blood loss, optimize oxygen delivery and consumption, enhance hemoglobin production, correct coagulation defects and promote hemostasis. We highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach, point-of-care testing and the use of fibrinogen concentrate and tranexamic acid, according to the patients' informed consent.

A hemorragia obstétrica continua a ser a principal causa de morbimortalidade materna, sendo que a abordagem de grávidas que recusam alotransfusão, como é o caso das Testemunhas de Jeová, coloca importantes questões médicas, éticas e legais. Reporta-se um caso de uma doente Testemunha de Jeová, submetida a cesariana com fatores de risco para hemorragia major, incluindo existência de um mioma gigante, em que se evitou a transfusão e foi utilizado ácido tranexâmico profilático. A abordagem de Testemunhas de Jeová em contexto de cirurgia obstétrica com risco hemorrágico major implica a definição de estratégias anestésico-cirúrgicas para a minimização de perdas hemorrágicas, a otimização da entrega e consumo de oxigénio, o aumento da síntese de hemoglobina, a correção de defeitos de coagulação e melhoria da hemostase. Revemos a importância do planeamento multidisciplinar, o recurso ao tromboelastrograma e a administração precoce de fibrinogénio e ácido tranexâmico, de acordo com o consentimento informado das doentes.

Causes contributing to the excess maternal mortality risk for women 35 and over, United States, 2016-2017.

To better understand age-related disparities in US maternal mortality, we analyzed 2016-2017 vital statistics mortality data with cause-of-death literal text (actual words written on the death certificate) added. We created a subset of confirmed maternal deaths which had pregnancy mentions in the cause-of-death literals. Primary cause of death was identified and recoded using cause-of-death literals. Age-related disparities were examined both overall and by primary cause. Compared to women <35, the 2016-2017 US maternal mortality rate was twice as high for women aged 35-39, four times higher for women aged 40-44, and 11 times higher for women aged 45-54 years. Obstetric hemorrhage was the leading cause of death for women aged 35+ with rates 4 times higher than for women <35, followed by postpartum cardiomyopathy with a 3-fold greater risk. Obstetric embolism, eclampsia/preeclampsia, and Other complications of obstetric surgery and procedures each had a two-fold greater risk of death for women aged 35+. Together these 5 causes of death accounted for 70.9% of the elevated maternal mortality risk for women aged 35+. The excess maternal mortality risk for women aged 35+ was focused among a few causes of death and much of this excess mortality is preventable. Early detection and treatment, as well as continued care during the postpartum year is critical to preventing these deaths. The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health has promulgated patient safety bundles with specific interventions that health care systems can adopt in an effort to prevent these deaths.

Presencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico en procedimientos gineco-obstétricos en un hospital de II nivel de atención, Honduras 2017-2018 / Presence of surgical site infection in obstetric-gynecological procedures in a level II care hospital, Honduras 2017-2018

OBJETIVO: Identificar la presencia de infección de sitio quirúrgico y factores de riesgo en pacientes sometidas a cirugías Gineco-Obstétricas de forma programada o de urgencia en un hospital de II nivel de atención en Honduras. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo; recopilando 226 fichas del registro de infección de sitio quirúrgico recuperadas de los expedientes clínicos brindados por el servicio de estadística del Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas. Captando pacientes sometidas a cirugías Gineco-Obstétricas, durante el 2017 y 2018. RESULTADOS: 99 fichas cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, reportando una edad de 24 años [RIQ, 19,0 - 30,0], peso 82,0 kg [RIQ, 51,7 - 98,25], talla 154 cm [150,0 - 158,0] y el IMC de 25,8 ± 3,6 kg/m2. Un 9,1% presento antecedentes de inmunosupresión. 5,1% presento ISQ. El 55.6% de las cirugías se realizó el mismo día de ingreso del paciente. El tiempo entre la profilaxis antibiótica y el comienzo de la intervención quirúrgica es de 60 minutos [RIQ, 40,0 - 160,0]. La duración de los procedimientos quirúrgicos son de 45 minutos [RIQ, 35,0 - 55,0]. Los microrganismos aislados en los cultivos fueron Cocos gram positivos (2/5), Enterococcus faecalis (1/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/5). CONCLUSIÓN: La presencia de ISQ en cirugías Gineco-Obstétricas del HMCR es del 5.1%, identificando los siguientes factores de riesgo: edad extrema, obesidad, diabetes mellitus, estado inmunitario (VIH), profilaxis antibiótica (temprana); por último, la técnica y el tiempo quirúrgico.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of surgical site infection and risk factors in patients undergoing Gynecological-Obstetric surgeries on a scheduled or emergency basis in a 2nd level of care hospital in Honduras. METHODOLOGY: Observational, descriptive, retrospective study, compiling 226 data sheets of the surgical site infection record recovered from the clinical records provided by the statistics service of the "Hospital Mario Catarino Rivas". Recruiting patients undergoing Gynecological-Obstetric surgeries, during 2017 and 2018. RESULTS: 99 tabs met the inclusion criteria, reporting an age of 24 [RIQ, 19.0 - 30.0], weight 82.0 kg [RIQ, 51.7 - 98.25], size 154 cm [150.0 - 158.0] and BMI of 25.8 ± 3.6 kg/m2. 9.1% have a history of immunosuppression. 5.1% present ISQ. 55.6% of surgeries were performed on the same day as the patient's admission. The time between antibiotic prophylaxis and the onset of surgery 60 minutes [RIQ, 40.0 - 160.0]. Duration of surgical procedures 45 minutes [RIQ, 35.0 - 55.0]. Isolated micro-morphisms in crops were Cocos gram positives (2/5), Enterococcus faecalis (1/5), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2/5). CONCLUSION: The presence of ISQ in HMCR Gynecological-Obstetric surgeries is 5.1%, identifying the following risk factors: extreme age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, immune status (HIV), early antibiotic prophylaxis; finally, technique and surgical time.

Anesthesia for Maternal-Fetal Interventions: A Consensus Statement From the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committees on Obstetric and Pediatric Anesthesiology and the North American Fetal Therapy Network.

Maternal-fetal surgery is a rapidly evolving specialty, and significant progress has been made over the last 3 decades. A wide range of maternal-fetal interventions are being performed at different stages of pregnancy across multiple fetal therapy centers worldwide, and the anesthetic technique has evolved over the years. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recognizes the important role of the anesthesiologist in the multidisciplinary approach to these maternal-fetal interventions and convened a collaborative workgroup with representatives from the ASA Committees of Obstetric and Pediatric Anesthesia and the Board of Directors of the North American Fetal Therapy Network. This consensus statement describes the comprehensive preoperative evaluation, intraoperative anesthetic management, and postoperative care for the different types of maternal-fetal interventions.

Pelvic organ prolapse and uterine preservation: a survey of female gynecologists (POP-UP survey).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the personal views of female gynecologists regarding the management of POP with a particular focus on the issue of uterine sparing surgery. METHODS: A questionnaire based survey of practicing female gynecologists in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia. RESULTS: A total of 140 female gynecologists from 81 units responded to our questionnaire. The majority of respondents stated they would rely on a urogynecologist to aid them with their choice of POP management options. The most preferred options for POP management were sacrocolpopexy and physiotherapy. Almost 2/3 of respondents opted for a hysterectomy together with POP surgery, if they were menopausal, even if the anatomical outcome was similar to uterine sparing POP surgery. Moreover, 81.4% of respondents, who initially opted for a uterine sparing procedure, changed their mind if the anatomical success of POP surgery with concomitant hysterectomy was superior. Discussing uterine cancer risk in relation to other organs had a less significant impact on their choices. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of female gynecologists in our study opted for hysterectomy if they were postmenopausal at the time of POP surgery. However, variation in information provision had an impact on their choice.

Protease Inhibition Improves Healing of The Vaginal Wall after Obstetrical Injury: Results from a Preclinical Animal Model.

Vaginal delivery with obstetrical trauma is a risk factor for pelvic organ prolapse later in life. Loss of fibulin-5 (FBLN5), an elastogenesis-promoting cellular matrix protein, results in prolapse in mice. Here, we evaluated effects of pregnancy, parturition, and obstetrical injury on FBLN5 content, elastic fibers, biomechanics, and histomorphology of the vaginal wall in rats. Further, we analyzed the effects of actinonin, a protease inhibitor, on obstetrical injury of the vaginal wall. Vaginal FBLN5 decreased significantly in pregnancy, and injury resulted in further downregulation. Stiffness of the vaginal wall decreased 82% in pregnant rats and 74% (p = 0.019) with injury relative to uninjured vaginal delivery controls at 3d. Actinonin ameliorated loss of FBLN5, rescued injury-induced loss of elastic fibers and biomechanical properties after parturition, and reduced the area of injury 10-fold. We conclude that pregnancy and parturition have a profound impact on vaginal FBLN5 and biomechanics of the vaginal wall. Further, obstetrical injury has significant deleterious impact on recovery of the vaginal wall from pregnancy. Actinonin, a non-specific matrix metalloprotease inhibitor, improved recovery of the parturient vaginal wall after obstetrical injury.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with history of surgery for endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between history of surgery for endometriosis and adverse obstetrical outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective study using prospectively recorded data. SETTING: Referral center. PATIENT(S): Total of 569 women with history of surgery for endometriosis, postoperative conception, and pregnancy evolution over 22 weeks of gestation. INTERVENTIONS(S): Surgery for endometriosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Small for gestational age (SGA) status of the newborn, spontaneous preterm birth (PT, before 37 weeks' gestation), and placenta previa. RESULTS: Among 733 pregnancies included in the study, 566 deliveries were recorded (77.2%), of which 535 were singleton (72.9% of pregnancies) and 31 twins (4.2%). SGA was observed in 81 of 535 (15.1%) singleton pregnancies and in 9 of 31 (29%) twin pregnancies. PT occurred in 53 of 535 (9.9%) singleton pregnancies and in 19 of 31 (61.2%) twin pregnancies. The number of singleton and multiple pregnancies complicated by placenta previa were, respectively, 9 of 535 (1.7%) and 0 of 31. The independent factor found to relate to SGA was the absence of endometriomas; conception with the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) only tended toward statistical significance. Independent factors found to increase risk of PT were conception with the use of ART, body mass index >30 kg/m2, and surgery of deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum and the bladder. Independent factors associated with placenta previa were conception with the use of ART and history of stage III or IV endometriosis. CONCLUSION(S): The risk of SGA and PT is increased in women with a history of surgery for endometriosis, and a high rate of conception with the use of ART may jeopardize outcomes.

Risk factors for spontaneous miscarriage above 12 weeks or premature delivery in patients undergoing cervical polypectomy during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: It currently remains unknown whether the resection of cervical polyps during pregnancy leads to miscarriage and/or preterm birth. This study evaluated the risk of spontaneous PTB below 34 or 37 weeks and miscarriage above 12 weeks in patients undergoing cervical polypectomy during pregnancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective monocentric cohort study of patients undergoing cervical polypectomy for clinical indication. Seventy-three pregnant women who underwent polypectomy were selected, and risk factors associated with miscarriage above 12 weeks or premature delivery below 34 or 37 weeks were investigated. A multivariable regression looking for predictors of spontaneous miscarriage > 12 weeks and PTB < 34 or 37 weeks were performed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (21.9%, 16/73) had spontaneous delivery at < 34 weeks or miscarriage above 12 weeks. A univariate analysis showed that bleeding before polypectomy [odds ratio (OR) 7.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-37.3, p = 0.004], polyp width ≥ 12 mm (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.2-13.1, p = 0.005), the proportion of decidual polyps (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.00-65.9, p = 0.024), and polypectomy at ≤10 weeks (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.3-20.3, p = 0.01) were significantly higher in delivery at < 34 weeks than at ≥34 weeks. A logistic regression analysis identified polyp width ≥ 12 mm (OR 11.8, 95% CI 2.8-77.5, p = 0.001), genital bleeding before polypectomy (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.2-55.7, p = 0.025), and polypectomy at ≤10 weeks (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.2-45.0, p = 0.028) as independent risk factors for predicting delivery at < 34 weeks. Polyp width ≥ 12 mm and bleeding before polypectomy are risk factors for PTB < 37 wks. CONCLUSIONS: Our cohort of patients undergoing polypectomy in pregnancy have high risks of miscarriage or spontaneous premature delivery. It is unclear whether these risks are given by the underlying disease, by surgical treatment or both. This study establishes clinically relevant predictors of PTB are polyp size> 12 mm, bleeding and first trimester polypectomy. PTB risks should be exposed to patients and extensively discussed with balancing against the benefits of intervention in pregnancy.

Effectiveness of a multicomponent safe surgery intervention on improving surgical quality in Tanzania's Lake Zone: protocol for a quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Effective, scalable strategies for improving surgical quality are urgently needed in low-income and middle-income countries; however, there is a dearth of evidence about what strategies are most effective. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Safe Surgery 2020, a multicomponent intervention focused on strengthening five areas: leadership and teamwork, safe surgical and anaesthesia practices, sterilisation, data quality and infrastructure to improve surgical quality in Tanzania. We hypothesise that Safe Surgery 2020 will (1) increase adherence to surgical quality processes around safety, teamwork and communication and data quality in the short term and (2) reduce complications from surgical site infections, postoperative sepsis and maternal sepsis in the medium term. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Our design is a prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental study with 10 intervention and 10 control facilities in Tanzania's Lake Zone. Participants will be surgical providers, surgical patients and postnatal inpatients at study facilities. Trained Tanzanian medical data collectors will collect data over a 3-month preintervention and postintervention period. Adherence to safety as well as teamwork and communication processes will be measured through direct observation in the operating room. Surgical site infections, postoperative sepsis and maternal sepsis will be identified prospectively through daily surveillance and completeness of their patient files, retrospectively, through the chart review. We will use difference-in-differences to analyse the impact of the Safe Surgery 2020 intervention on surgical quality processes and complications. We will use interviews with leadership and surgical team members in intervention facilities to illuminate the factors that facilitate higher performance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has received ethical approval from Harvard Medical School and Tanzania's National Institute for Medical Research. We will report results in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. If effective, the Safe Surgery 2020 intervention could be a promising approach to improve surgical quality in Tanzania's Lake Zone region and other similar contexts.

MOMS Plus: Single-Institution Review of Outcomes for Extended BMI Criteria for Open Fetal Repair of Myelomeningocele.

BACKGROUND: In utero repair has become an accepted therapy to decrease the rate of ventriculoperitoneal shunting and improve neurologic function in select cases of myelomeningocele. The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial excluded patients with a BMI >35 due to concerns for increased maternal complications and preterm delivery, limiting the population that may benefit from this intervention. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes associated with extending the maternal BMI criteria to 40 in open fetal repair of myelomeningocele. METHOD: Retrospective review of fetal closure of myelomeningocele at a quaternary referral center between 2013 and 2016 with maternal BMI ranging from 35 to 40. RESULTS: Eleven patients with a BMI >35 were identified. The average BMI was 37. The average maternal age at the time of evaluation was 27 years. The average gestational age at fetal surgery was 24 weeks. Gestational age at birth was an average of 32 weeks. There was one perinatal death immediately following the fetal intervention. The shunt rate at 1 year was 45% (5/11 patients). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-institution review of expanded BMI criteria for fetal repair of myelomeningocele, we did not observe any adverse maternal outcomes associated with maternal obesity; however, the gestational age at delivery was 2 weeks earlier compared to the MOMS trial.

The Use of Indomethacin with Complete Amniotic Fluid Replacement and Classic Hysterotomy for the Reduction of Perinatal Complications of Intrauterine Myelomeningocele Repair.

OBJECTIVE: This study presented outcomes of classical hysterotomy with modified antiprostaglandin therapy for intrauterine repair of foetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) performed in a single perinatal centre. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-nine pregnant women diagnosed with fMMC underwent classic hysterotomy with anti-prostaglandin management, complete amniotic fluid replacement and high dose indomethacin application. RESULTS: The average gestational age (GA) at delivery was 34.4 ± 3.4 weeks, with no births before 30 weeks GA. There were 2 foetal deaths. Complete reversal of hindbrain herniation (HH), assessed in magnetic resonance imaging at 30-31 weeks GA was found in 72% of foetuses (mostly with HH grade I prior to fMMC repair). Our protocol resulted in rare use of magnesium sulphate (6%), low incidence of chorioamniotic membrane separation - chorioamniotic membrane separation (6%), preterm premature rupture of membranes - preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM; 15%) and preterm labour - preterm labour (PTL; 17%). The postoperative wound continuity of the uterus was usually stable (in 72% of patients), with low frequency of scar thinning (23%). CONCLUSION: Our protocol results in rare use of tocolytics, and the low occurrences of CMS, pPROM and PTL in relation to other study cohorts: Management of Myelomeningocele Study, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre.

Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Abdominal Wall as a Rare Complication of General Obstetric and Gynecologic Surgeries: 15 Years of Experience at a Large Academic Institution.

The objective of this article was to report the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes of patients with clear cell carcinoma (CCC) of the abdominal wall. Medical records of six patients diagnosed with CCC of the abdominal wall between May 2003 and May 2018 at the National Taiwan University Hospital were reviewed. All patients had prior obstetric or gynecologic surgeries. The primary clinical presentation was enlarging abdominal masses at previous surgical scars. Four patients underwent initial/primary surgeries with/without adjuvant chemotherapy. One patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical intervention and adjuvant chemotherapy, the other received chemotherapy and sequential radiotherapy without any surgical intervention. Two of four patients undergoing initial/primary surgeries had disease recurrence and the remaining two cases without initial surgery experienced disease progression during primary treatment. Inguinal lymph nodes were the most frequent sites of recurrence. In conclusion, previous obstetric or gynecologic surgery can be a risk factor for CCC of the abdominal wall. Complete resection of abdominal wall tumor and suspected intra-abdominal lesions with hysterectomy and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes dissection may be the primary treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy would be considered for potential benefits. For patients without bilateral inguinal lymph nodes dissection, careful inguinal lymph node palpation during postoperative surveillance is necessary. More cases are still needed to elucidate the clinical management of this disease.

Total Colpectomy Increases the Risk of Postoperative Hydronephrosis in Vaginal Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Due to the rarity of vaginal cancer, surgical treatment results, and postoperative complications have been poorly described in the literature. The aim of this study was to improve current knowledge about the incidence of hydronephrosis following the surgical treatment of vaginal cancer. Materials and methods: 32 patients with vaginal cancer of the middle and upper third were matched with 32 cervical cancer patients (stages I and II) for comparison of long-term urological postoperative complications. All patients underwent radical surgical treatment and all stage II patients underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Results: Hydronephrosis had a significantly higher incidence in the vaginal cancer group (p = 0.04), with 14 patients (43.8%) being diagnosed with this complication compared to only 5 patients (15.6%) in the cervical cancer group. Among patients that received radiotherapy, 40.1% (n = 9) and 22.7% ( = 5) of vaginal, respectively cervical cancer patients were found with postoperative hydronephrosis. Conclusions: In vaginal cancer patients total colpectomy increases the risk of developing postoperative hydronephrosis, especially if neoadjuvant radiotherapy has been applied.

Influence of Resident Involvement in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Surgery on Surgical Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of resident involvement during obstetrics and gynaecology (OB/GYN) surgery on surgical outcomes is unclear. This study sought to review the evidence systematically for the influence of resident participation in OB/GYN surgery on (1) operative time, (2) estimated blood loss, and (3) perioperative complications. METHOD: Published studies were identified via searches of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. The study included randomized or observational studies that compared outcomes for OB/GYN surgery performed by attending surgeons alone or with residents. Risk ratios or mean differences were extracted from the studies. A random effect model was performed for each outcome, with subgroup analysis by type of surgery and study quality. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 40 968 patients in seven countries. Surgical procedures performed only by attending surgeons had shorter operative times (mean difference 18.20 minutes; 95% CI 13.58-22.82), whereas surgical procedures with resident involvement were associated with an increased risk of blood transfusion (risk ratio 1.23; 95% CI 1.08-1.41). There were no observable differences in risk of estimated blood loss, wound infection, urologic injury, viscus injury, or return to the operating room. Significant heterogeneity (I2 >50%) was present in one of seven outcomes. CONCLUSION: Resident participation in OB/GYN surgery is associated with longer operative times and increased risk of blood transfusion; however, other perioperative complications are not increased.

Utilization of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis for obstetrics and gynaecology surgeries in Northern Nigeria.

Background Audit of antibiotic prophylaxis is an important strategy used to identify areas where stewardship interventions are required. Objectives To evaluate compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in obstetrics and gynaecology surgeries and determine the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) of antibiotic. Settings Three public tertiary hospitals located in Northern Nigeria. Methods This prospective study included women who had obstetrics and gynaecology surgeries with no infection at the time of incision. Appropriateness of antibiotic prophylaxis was determined by a clinical pharmacist. DDD of antibiotics was determined using ATC/DDD index 2017 from the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Drugs Statistics Methodology. Main outcome measure Compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis and DDD of antibiotic per procedure. Results A total of 248 procedures were included (mean age: 31.7 ± 7.9 years). Nitroimidazole in combination with either beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor or third generation cephalosporin were the most prescribed antibiotics. Redundant anaerobic antibiotic combination was detected in 71.4% of the procedures. Timing of antibiotic prophylaxis was optimal in 16.5% while duration of prophylaxis was prolonged in all the procedures (mean duration was 8.7 ± 1.0 days). The DDD of antibiotics prophylaxis was 16.75 DDD/procedure. Antibiotic utilisation was higher in caesarean section and myomectomy (17.9 DDD/procedure) than hysterectomy (14.5 DDD/procedure); P < 0.001. Redundant metronidazole represents one-third of total DDD and 87% of the DDD for metronidazole. Conclusion Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotic prophylaxis was observed in women who had obstetrics and gynaecology surgeries. These observations underline the need for antimicrobial stewardship interventions to improve antibiotic use.

Rational selection of antibacterial drugs and postoperative nursing for gynecologic and obstetric surgery patients.

Infection after gynecologic surgery is very common and frequent. If the control is not good, it will lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to use antibiotics in the period of obstetrics and gynecology. This study will explore the use of antimicrobial agents in gynecologic and obstetric surgery, thus standardizing the use of antibiotics in the process of obstetrics and gynecology. Through the analysis of the use of antibacterials, we can see that the highest utilization rate of 5 kinds of antibacterial drugs followed by Cefaclor Sustained Release Tablets (65.7%), metronidazole (32.5%), cefathiamidine (26.8%), enoxacin (22.5%) and cefoperazone tazobactam sodium (11.8%). At the same time, the hospital should improve the consciousness of rational drug use and strengthen the administration of antibacterials in the operative period of obstetrics and gynecology. The application of antibiotics in the operative period of the department of obstetrics and gynecology can improve the current situation of its irrational use. Nursing work must take strict aseptic operation to prevent cross infection. At the same time, we should strengthen the observation of the effect of medication, monitor the body temperature and blood pressure, and identify the side effects of drugs.