Cervical priming with misoprostol before manual vacuum aspiration versus electric vacuum aspiration for first-trimester surgical abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) with electric vacuum aspiration (EVA) and to evaluate whether cervical priming with misoprostol facilitates cervical dilation and reduces complications associated with first-trimester medical abortion performed up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 600 women who requested termination of pregnancy were randomized into 4 groups (150 women in each group). Group I and II received a vaginal placebo 3 hours before MVA or EVA, respectively. Group III and IV received 400 µg of vaginal misoprostol 3 hours before MVA or EVA, respectively. RESULTS: Complete abortion rates after MVA and EVA were both 97.9%; after cervical priming with misoprostol complete abortion rates were 98.6% versus 97.3% after cervical priming with placebo (P>0.05). Administration of misoprostol into the vagina before MVA resulted in 99.3% complete abortions (P=0.40), and the least operative blood loss, operating time, and need for cervical dilation (P<0.05). Overall complications and adverse effects were similar in all groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: For surgical evacuation, EVA and MVA did not differ in efficacy. Cervical priming 3 hours before MVA for termination of pregnancy significantly reduced the need for cervical dilation and the operative time, and improved the efficacy of the procedure. Pretreatment with vaginal misoprostol before MVA is a safe and effective method for terminating pregnancies of up to 10 weeks of gestation. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: CTRI/2009/091/000008.

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney in a puerperal woman.

Puerperal pyrexia is still rampant, especially in third world countries, and is usually due to puerperal sepsis, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infection, and breast infection. Rarely, in third world countries like India, it may be due to tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, and so on, which are also rampant in the general population. Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) is a recently recognized subset of renal tumors composed mainly of smooth muscle cells in which epithelial structures are embedded. It usually occurs in middle aged and older women. In the present case report, a 36-year-old woman presented with puerperal pyrexia, possibly due to tuberculosis and with an incidental mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney causing complex ascitis and fever, which required nephrectomy that was followed by full recovery. This case report highlights the importance of keeping MESTK in mind even in younger women with asymptomatic renal mass. It also highlights the importance of keeping renal tumors in mind as a possibility and to perform proper investigations for adequate treatment and recovery.

Control of presacral venous bleeding, using thumbtacks.

BACKGROUND: Massive life threatening bleeding from presacral venous plexus in gynecological surgery, though uncommon can be fatal when conventional methods fail. CASE: In the present case, a 55-year-old woman undergoing radical hysterectomy for cancer cervix was saved using thumbtacks to control bleeding from presacral vessels when conventional methods were ineffective. CONCLUSION: Use of thumbtacks in such patients is simple, cost effective and life saving.