A new and more effective feticide technique in late termination of pregnancy: potassium chloride injection into the interventricular septum of the fetal heart.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to compare the efficacy and outcomes of fetal intracardiac intraventricular and interventricular septal potassium chloride (KCl) injections during the induced fetal demise process in a cohort of pregnant women with severe fetal abnormality who opted for late termination of pregnancy (TOP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 158 pregnant women who requested late TOP for severe fetal abnormality between 22 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Participants were randomly assigned with the simple randomization procedure to one of two feticide procedure groups: the intraventricular KCl injection group and the interventricular septal KCl administration group. We studied the clinical outcomes of both the feticide procedures. RESULTS: The median total dose of strong KCl was significantly lower in the interventricular septal KCl administration group (3 mL) than in the intraventricular KCl injection group (5 mL, p < 0.001). The median time to reach asystole and the median total duration of the procedure was significantly shorter in the interventricular septal KCl administration group (42 s and 85 s, respectively) than in the intraventricular KCl injection group (115 s and 150 s, respectively, p < 0.001). We detected a statistically significant correlation between the gestational week at feticide and the total dose of KCl (r = 0.705, p < 0.001), time to reach asystole (r = 0.653, p < 0.001), and total duration of the procedure (r = 0.683, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: KCl administered directly into the interventricular septum induces immediate and permanent fetal cardiac asystole with a 100% of success rate without comprising maternal safety. We did not observe any maternal complications related to the procedure in our cases. Since the consequences of failed feticide procedure are challenging for both parents and healthcare providers, and providers are also concerned about potential legal implications regarding an unintended live birth, it is crucial to guide a strict protocol to confirm permanent fetal cardiac asystole.

Anesthetic efficacies of buccal with palatal injection versus buccal with intra-septal injection in permanent maxillary first molars of pediatric patients.

The high success rate of dental treatment is dependent on the cooperation of pediatric patients during procedures. Dental treatment often causes pain, particularly in children. The factors in providing treatment to pediatric patients include the characteristics and location of the tooth, profoundness of the anesthesia including the type of local anesthetic, and cooperation of the patient. Previous studies have examined several techniques to successfully achieve profound pulpal anesthesia in maxillary permanent teeth. The dentist should select the injection technique to be used based on patient needs. In children, either buccal with palatal injections or buccal with intra-septal injections may be used to anesthetize the permanent maxillary first molar. Buccal with palatal injections are commonly used prior to routine maxillary dental procedures. Currently, there are only a few studies on the employment of buccal with intra-septal injections to anesthetize permanent maxillary first molars in pediatric patients. This review will focus on efficacy of buccal with palatal versus buccal with intra-septal pulpal anesthesia of the permanent maxillary first molars in pediatric patients and aim to determine which technique should be used during routine dental procedures.

Comparison between botulinum toxin and steroid septal injection in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of botulinum toxin and steroid septal injections in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) by evaluating improvements in the rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT), visual analog scale (VAS), nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scores, and active anterior rhinomanometry (RMM) measurements. METHODS: This prospective, single-blinded cohort study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei City Hospital between January 2017 and December 2018. Ninety-five patients were randomized to receive botulinum toxin, dexamethasone, or normal saline (group A, group B, and placebo, respectively). The main outcome measures were pretreatment subjective nasal symptoms (RCAT, VAS, and NOSE) and active anterior RMM measurements. All measurements were repeated during posttreatment 1, 2, and 3 months. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in pretreatment questionnaire scores and RMM values between the study and placebo groups. The mean posttreatment RCAT, VAS, and NOSE scores after 1 and 2 months significantly improved in the treatment groups compared to placebo. The VAS and NOSE at posttreatment 2 months and RCAT, VAS, and NOSE at posttreatment 3 months were significantly different comparing group A to group B. All RMM parameters showed better values in group A than in group B at 1, 2, and 3 months posttreatment, with significant differences in four parameters in posttreatment 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin septal injection is a safe treatment option for AR and improves subjective nasal symptoms for 3 months. Botulinum toxin A injection tended to be more effective than steroid septal injection in terms of duration and degree.Level of Evidence: 2b, individual cohort study.