Assessment of urinary cotinine levels in women with gynecological complaints at a tertiary care hospital: A pilot study.

Gynecological effects due to smokeless tobacco exposure are not well studied. This cross-sectional study was undertaken with the objective to evaluate the urinary cotinine levels in women of reproductive age with gynecological complaints. The study was conducted in 2015 at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi. A total of 192 consecutive women presenting with gynecological complaints (pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and menstrual abnormality) were recruited. Their demographic details and tobacco exposure were recorded. All of them denied exposure to any form of tobacco. Urinary cotinine level of each participant was measured. The mean urinary cotinine level was 23.60 ± 12.00 ng/ml. PID was the most common gynecological complaint. Women with PID had significantly higher urinary cotinine levels compared to those with menstrual complaints and infertility: 24.9548 (±12.259) ng/ml versus 20.2042 (±10.9248) ng/ml. This study highlights the importance of addressing the issue of secondhand smoke exposure and reproductive morbidities in women.

A novel technique of vagino-hysteroscopy using alginate gel interface: A proof of concept study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the feasibility of vagino-hysteroscopy using alginate gel Interface (VAGI) with conventional vaginoscopic hysteroscopy (CVH). METHODS: Thirty women undergoing diagnostic vagino-hysteroscopy were randomly allocated into Group I (VAGI): Alginate occluder was used at introitus to facilitate hydrodistension during hysteroscopy; or Group II: Underwent no-touch hysteroscopy. Primary outcome was feasibility, defined as successful visualization of uterine cavity. Secondary outcomes included operative time, hydrostatic pressures for optimum visualization, pain experienced by patient on visual analog scale, maneuverability and surgeon satisfaction. Data analysis was performed using χ2 and Fisher exact tests for qualitative variables and Student t test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: VAGI was significantly better than CVH (80% vs. 33.3%; relative risk 8, P = 0.025). With VAGI, optimum visualization was achieved at significantly lower pressures at all levels (vagina, P = 0.034; cervix, P = 0.01; uterus, P < 0.001), in less time (P = 0.007), and using less irrigation fluid (P < 0.001). Surgeon satisfaction was significantly higher for VAGI (P = 0.009). Subgroup analysis showed higher likelihood of success of VAGI in women who were premenopausal (P = 0.015), younger than 45 years (P = 0.024), and had a history of vaginal birth (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: VAGI is quicker to perform and provides optimum visualization at much lower pressures than CVH. Use of alginate is patient friendly and yields higher surgeon satisfaction rate.

Minimum effective dose of oxytocin bolus during the caesarean section for patients at high vs low risk of uterine atony: A non-randomized, dual-arm, dose-finding prospective trial.

Background and Aims: There are scanty data for oxytocin dose in patients at high risk of uterine atony. We aimed to compare the effective dose (ED) 90 of oxytocin for adequate uterine tone during the caesarean section in patients at high-risk vs low-risk uterine atony. Methods: This dose-finding study was undertaken after ethical approval in non-labouring women aged >18 years with pre-defined risk factors for uterine atony (high-risk group) vs those without such factors (low-risk group) (n = 39 each). Starting dose of oxytocin in the first patient of low-risk and high-risk groups was 1 and 3 IU, respectively. Achieving adequate uterine tone at 3 min of oxytocin bolus was designated 'success', while inadequate tone constituted 'failure'. If the response was 'failure', the dose of oxytocin was increased for the next patient by 0.5 or 0.2 IU (high- and low-risk groups, respectively). In case of a successful response, the dose for the next patient was decreased with a probability of 1/9 using the same dosing intervals or otherwise kept unchanged. Results: The ED90 (95% CI) of oxytocin bolus was 4.7 (3.3-6.0) IU for the high-risk group and 2.2 (1.3-3.2) IU for the low-risk group (P = 0.044). Oxytocin-associated tachycardia (P = 0.247) and hypotension (P = 0.675) were clinically greater for the high-risk vs low-risk group but statistically similar. Conclusion: Non-labouring patients with high-risk factors for uterine atony require a greater dose of initial oxytocin bolus to achieve adequate uterine tone during the caesarean section compared to those without risk factors.

Massive Maternal Haemorrhage: A Rare Case of Ruptured Uterine Varix.

Haemoperitoneum anytime during pregnancy is a rare but catastrophic event. With advancement in antenatal and intrapartum care, the maternal survival has improved manyfold. Management involves immediate resuscitation with volume correction followed by surgery, mostly laparotomy. This case is of a booked primigravida, with otherwise uneventful pregnancy, who suffered a massive haemoperitoneum. On laparotomy, the only cause found was a small uterine varix on the posterior uterine surface. The patient survived after multiple transfusions, but it led to a fresh stillborn baby. Immediate action is the only answer to improving maternal and foetal survival.

A Ten Year Audit of Maternal Mortality: Millennium Development Still a Distant Goal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess various causes of maternal mortality over a ten year period. DESIGN: Retrospective audit of hospital case records. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. POPULATION: Pregnant women who expired in the premises of GTB Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective audit of case records of maternal deaths was conducted for a ten year period (January 2005 to December 2014). RESULTS: There were a total of 647 maternal deaths out of 1,16,641 live births. Sixty-eight percent (n = 445) of women were aged 21-30 years, while 10.5% (n = 68) were <20 years of age. The most common direct causes of maternal mortality were preeclampsia/eclampsia in 24.4% (n = 158), obstetric hemorrhage in 19.1% (n = 124) and puerperal sepsis in 14.5% (n = 94). With regards to indirect causes, anemia accounted for 15.3% (n = 99) mortality. There was only 1 (0.1%) mortality because of HIV/AIDS. Other notable causes of maternal mortality were infective hepatitis in 7.1% (n = 46). Tuberculosis, that is a disease of tropical countries, accounted for 3.0% (n = 20) of the total deaths. CONCLUSION: High maternal mortality in GTB hospital can be due to it being a tertiary hospital with referrals from all neighbouring states. Accessible antenatal care can help prevent these maternal deaths. Female education can be of immense help in dealing with the problem and improving the utilization of public health facilities. KEY MESSAGE: Preeclampsia/eclampsia and obstetric hemorrhage have been the main causes of maternal mortality for ages. Regular antenatal visits and the judicious training of grassroot level workers to pick-up complications early on in the pregnancy can be an effective way to deal the morbidity and mortality associated with these problems. The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) in India are pioneer steps in this direction.

Emergency Peripartum Hysterectomy: Indications and Outcome in a Tertiary Care Setting.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency Peripartum Hysterectomy (EPH) is an important lifesaving procedure, mostly reserved for conditions deemed to be serious and life threatening, and not amenable to conservative methods. In the present scenario, the advent of newer medical and conservative surgical methods for controlling obstetric haemorrhage has influenced the incidence, trend and the outcomes of the procedure. AIM: To evaluate the demographic profile, indications, operative details, maternal morbidity and mortality and neonatal outcomes of women undergoing EPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive analysis of case records of women who underwent EPH between September 2006 to July 2014, at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital Delhi, India was done. Data were collected from the medical records department. RESULTS: A total of 194 cases (n) were identified among 1,00712 deliveries, an incidence of 1.92 per 1000 deliveries. Majority of the women were unbooked i.e., they did not receive any form of antenatal care and were gravida 3 and above. The indications were atonic PPH in 89 (45.87%), rupture of unscarred uterus in 36 (18.56%), morbidly adhered placenta in 30 (15.46%), scar rupture in 20 (10.31%) and gangrenous uterus 19 (9.79%). The mean blood loss was around 1.6±0.45 litres. Approximately 14% cases underwent stepwise devascularisation prior to hysterectomy and in only 2% women, B-Lynch suture was applied. Thirteen (6.7%) cases had bladder injury and 22 (11.34%) needed re-laparotomy for hysterectomy. Around 76 (39%) women were shifted for ICU care. Nineteen (9.79%) women developed Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). The case fatality rate was 7.2% and perinatal mortality was 30%. CONCLUSION: Atonic PPH remains the leading cause of EPH in our analysis. Surprisingly rupture of unscarred uterus was more common compared to scar rupture. Creating awareness among women to seek health services in time with facilities for early referral, teaching younger obstetricians with conservative surgical procedures like stepwise devascularisation steps and compressive sutures should be of utmost priority.

Evaluation of sonographic endometrial patterns and endometrial thickness as predictors of ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether endometrial patterns and thickness could be used for the prediction of ectopic pregnancy (EP). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in a center in India between October 2007 and December 2008. It included 100 women with an early pregnancy confirmed by urine pregnancy testing but for whom an intrauterine gestational sac was not visualized on transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). The women were divided into an EP group and an intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) group depending on the final diagnosis. The endometrial pattern and endometrial thickness were determined by TVS. Sensitivity and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to determine the predictive value. RESULTS: A heterogenous hyperechoic or trilaminar endometrial pattern was noted in 53 (77%) of 69 women in the EP group and 12 (39%) of 31 in the IUP group, and a homogenous hyperechoic pattern in 3 (4%) women in the EP group and 13 (42%) in the IUP group. An endometrial thickness of less than 9.8 mm was predictive of EP (P<0.001), and an endometrial pattern other than homogenous hyperechoic had a sensitivity and a negative predictive value of 81.3% for the diagnosis of EP. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of endometrial thickness and pattern by TVS helps to identify women with a pregnancy of unknown location for close supervision.

Pregnancy with Pemphigoid Gestationis: A Rare Entity.

Pemphigoid Gestationis (PG) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease with an incidence of 1/50000 pregnancies. Presentation in the second or third trimester is most common and tends to recur in subsequent pregnancies with earlier onset and a more severe course. Direct Immunofluorescence (DIF) staining is confirmatory on skin biopsy specimen. A 24-year-old female presented at 6 months period of gestation with increased blood pressure records. On examination, there were fresh bullous lesions along with old healed scar marks on the abdomen and limbs. Termination of pregnancy was done due to high BP. Patient delivered a fresh still birth weighing 750 gm. No postpartum flare ups were seen and she was discharged on prednisolone in a satisfactory condition.

Forgotten Vaginal Foreign Body Presenting as Cervical Dystocia.

Generally encountered in paediatrics age group, vaginal foreign body is a rare presentation in gynaecological clinics. Inserted as a part of sexual abuse, gratification or psychiatric disorder, these foreign bodies can present with a varied symptomatology. We report a case of 22-year-old female, a victim of domestic violence, who had a foreign body inserted in the vagina which was forgotten. Later it was discovered when she presented at term with cervical dystocia.

Materno-Fetal Outcomes with Viral Hepatitis in Pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate materno-fetal outcomes in pregnant women with jaundice. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted over a period of 6 months in a tertiary care hospital of Delhi, India. 82 pregnant women with jaundice were included. The serum was screened for viral markers, liver function tests, and coagulation status. RESULTS: The mean age of women was 27.3 ± 4.3 years. 43.9 % (n = 36) women were HEV positive, 36 % (n = 27) HBsAg positive, 4 % (n = 3) HAV positive and 1.3 % (n = 1) HCV positive. Intrahepatic cholestasis was diagnosed in 10.8 % (n = 8) of women. Maternal morbidity was evaluated in terms of chorioamnionitis (5.4 %, n = 3), encephalopathy (26.8 %, n = 15), and coagulopathy (67.9 %, n = 38). There were five maternal deaths, and all were unbooked with HEV-positive status and a bilirubin >15 mg/dl with deranged coagulogram and encephalopathy and IUDs. 79 women delivered vaginally, and three had cesarean section. Of the vaginal deliveries, 59.8 % (n = 49) went into spontaneous labor, and 25.5 % (n = 21) were induced for varied reasons (BPS < 6/10 (38 %, n = 8)) and progressive derangement of LFT (38 %, n = 8). Among the 71 deliveries, 29 (40.8 %) were IUD and 42 (59.1 %) were live born. On analyzing the morbidity data, it was found that HEV-positive women (deranged coagulogram 71.05 %, IUD 75.86 %, encephalopathy 80 %) had a poorer outcome as compared to their HBsAg positive counterparts (deranged coagulogram 10.52 %, IUD 13.79 %, encephalopathy 6.66 %). CONCLUSION: Urgent redressal of issues pertaining to sanitation and provision for clean drinking water for citizens of India is the need of the hour as HEV is fecooral in transmission.

First trimester abortion: a rare cause of intrauterine bony spicules.

Bony fragments in the uterus occur after second trimester termination of pregnancy following retained fetal bones. Very rarely, they can form following first trimester loss. Clinical symptoms range from pain, menstrual symptoms, and infertility. Ultrasound shows a hyperechoic shadow, and treatment is by curettage or hysteroscopic removal.

Transabdominal amnioinfusion in preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of transabdominal amnioinfusion on prolongation of pregnancy, and maternal and neonatal outcomes in preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM). METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled study of women with pPROM during singleton live pregnancy-between 26 and 33+6weeks-whose amniotic fluid index (AFI) was less than the 5th percentile. The study group underwent transabdominal amnioinfusion at admission and then weekly if their AFI fell below the 5th percentile again. The control group received expectant management. RESULTS: The difference in the mean interval from pPROM to delivery between the groups was not statistically significant. Neonatal and maternal outcomes were significantly improved in the study group compared with the control group (fetal distress [10% vs 37%]; early neonatal sepsis [17% vs 63%]; neonatal mortality [17% vs 63%]; spontaneous delivery [83% vs 53%]; and postpartum sepsis [7% vs 33%]). CONCLUSION: Transabdominal amnioinfusion reduced fetal distress, early neonatal sepsis, and neonatal mortality. In the study group, more participants delivered spontaneously and there were fewer cases of postpartum sepsis, although the pPROM-delivery interval was not increased.