Vacuum-assisted birth in maternal lateral posture versus lithotomy. A simulation study.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal lateral postures provide advantages during childbirth. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of assisting vacuum births in maternal lateral postures in a simulation model. STUDY DESIGN: In a simulation model, four obstetricians and four medical students were randomly allocated to perform vacuum-assisted births first in maternal lateral posture or lithotomy. A modification of Aldo Vacca's 5-step technique was developed to assist vacuum-assisted births in lateral posture. The lateral distance, vertical distance, and distance from the cup center to the flexion point were measured for every placement of the cup. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 128 vacuum-assisted births were performed. The mean distance to the flexion point was 1.15 ± 0.71 cm for the lithotomy posture and 1.31 ± 0.82 cm for the lateral posture (P = 0.127). There were no statistically significant differences in vacuum extractor cup placement accuracy based on maternal posture. Performing vacuum-assisted births in maternal lateral posture is feasible in a simulation model. The technique is easy to learn, and the differences in cup placement between the lateral and lithotomy postures are small.

Swine virome on rural backyard farms in Mexico: communities with different abundances of animal viruses and phages.

Domestic swine have been introduced by humans into a wide diversity of environments and have been bred in different production systems. This has resulted in an increased risk for the occurrence and spread of diseases. Although viromes of swine in intensive farms have been described, little is known about the virus communities in backyard production systems around the world. The aim of this study was to describe the viral diversity of 23 healthy domestic swine maintained in rural backyards in Morelos, Mexico, through collection and analysis of nasal and rectal samples. Next-generation sequencing was used to identify viruses that are present in swine. Through homology search and bioinformatic analysis of reads and their assemblies, we found that rural backyard swine have a high degree of viral diversity, different from those reported in intensive production systems or under experimental conditions. There was a higher frequency of bacteriophages and lower diversity of animal viruses than reported previously. In addition, sapoviruses, bocaparvoviruses, and mamastroviruses that had not been reported previously in our country were identified. These findings were correlated with the health status of animals, their social interactions, and the breeding/rearing environment (which differed from intensive systems), providing baseline information about viral communities in backyard swine.

Which technique is better to place a manoeuvrable vacuum extractor cup on the flexion point? Vacca vs. Bird technique.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the vacuum extractor cup application technique described by Bird vs. the technique described by Vacca on a simulation model. Methods Six obstetricians participated in the study. Each obstetrician performed eight vacuum assisted deliveries using the Bird technique and eight vacuum assisted deliveries using the Vacca 5-Steps technique. Results A total of 96 vacuum assisted deliveries were performed. The mean distance from the centre of the cup to the flexion point was 1.78±0.96 cm for the Bird technique and 1.05±0.60 cm for the Vacca technique (p<0.001). The lateral distance (over the parietal bone) was 1.16±0.69 cm for the Bird technique and 0.66±0.52 cm for the Vacca technique (p<0.001). The vertical distance (towards the frontal or occipital bone) was 1.12±1.02 cm for the Bird technique and 0.67±0.55 cm for the Vacca technique (p=0.009). In occipito anterior positions, there were no significant differences between both techniques. Conclusions The Vacca technique was better in transverse and posterior positions.

The sexual health approach in postmenopause: The five-minutes study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether actively addressing sexuality in a gynaecological consultation with menopausal patients improves the diagnosis of sexual problems. STUDY DESIGN: A multi-centre analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at 12 Spanish hospitals. In gynaecological consultations the usual medical histories were taken, except that, initially, issues relating to sexuality were omitted, unless the patients raised them. Then, after 5min, gynaecologists offered the possibility of talking about sexuality and asked about possible sexual problems. Main outcome measures Observed prevalence of sexual problems. RESULTS: A total of 256 postmenopausal women participated in the study. Of them, 12.1% reported a sexual problem during the first 5 minutes of the interview. The prevalence of patients with a sexual problem increased by 35.9% (from 12.1% to 48.0%) when they were asked about sexuality after 5min (p<0.0001). The main factors associated with having a sexual problem were genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and having a stable sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS: Asking postmenopausal women about sexuality in gynaecological consultations is an important tool that increases the number of diagnoses of sexual problems. Gynaecologists should routinely ask about sexuality.

A Prospective Randomized Trial of Postural Changes vs Passive Supine Lying during the Second Stage of Labor under Epidural Analgesia.

There exist very few studies comparing different postures or postural changes during labor in parturients with epidural analgesia. AIM: To disclose whether the intervention of a multidisciplinary nursing team including a physiotherapist during the second stage of labor improves the obstetric outcome in parturients with epidural analgesia. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. POPULATION: Women undergoing labor with epidural analgesia after a normal gestation. METHODS: 150 women were randomized either to actively perform predefined postural changes during the passive phase of the second stage of labor under the guidance of the attending physiotherapist (study group), or to carry out the whole second stage of labor lying in the traditional supine position (control group). RESULTS: There were significantly more eutocic deliveries (p = 0.005) and, conversely, significantly less instrumental deliveries (p < 0.05) and cesarean sections (p < 0.05) in the study group. The total duration of the second stage of labor was significantly shorter (p < 0.01) in the study group. This was at the expense of the passive phase of the second stage of labor (p < 0.01). Significantly less episiotomies were performed in the study group (31.2% vs 17.8%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intervention of a physiotherapist during the second stage of labor significantly improved the obstetric outcome.

Intrapartum ultrasound prior to Kristeller maneuver: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of criteria followed by obstetricians when performing a Kristeller maneuver in cases of prolonged second stage of labor. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, the station of the fetal head was measured using the angle of progression (intrapartum ultrasound) just prior to the intervention of the managing obstetrician in 52 women with prolonged second stage of labor. The managing obstetricians were blinded to the sonographic results. The decision of performing a Kristeller maneuver was taken by the obstetricians based on digital palpation and their experience. Delivery mode, Apgar score, umbilical artery pH value, episiotomy, perineal tears, bleeding, and time to delivery were recorded. RESULTS: Kristeller maneuver was performed in 36/52 (69.2%) cases. There were no significant differences between the Kristeller and the non-Kristeller group regarding the angle of progression. There were no significant differences between both groups with respect to delivery mode, perineal tears, episiotomy, bleeding, Apgar score, and umbilical artery pH value. CONCLUSIONS: Our study failed to define any criteria followed by obstetricians when performing a Kristeller maneuver in cases of prolonged second stage of labor. There was no relation between the angle of progression and the decision to perform a Kristeller maneuver.

Does fluid hysteroscopy increase the stage or worsen the prognosis in patients with endometrial cancer? A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether fluid hysteroscopic directed biopsies, in patients with endometrial cancer upstages the tumor and worsens the prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 1996 and September 2001, a total of 62 consecutive patients with endometrial cancer, treated at our institution, were randomized 3:2 to have or not to have a fluid hysteroscopic biopsy just prior to surgery. A total of 38 patients underwent a hysteroscopy after the induction of anesthesia. All patients had pelvic washings performed, followed by a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooforectomy and pelvic +/- para-aortic lymph node dissections. Only stages I and II endometrioid type tumors or stage IIIa, secondary to positive pelvic washings, were included in the study. Eight patients in the hysteroscopy group and four patients in the control group were excluded for various reasons. Patients received post-operative radiation therapy depending on the surgical-pathological risk factors. The median follow up was 34 months. Fisher's Exact Test was performed to compare differences between the hysteroscopic (n = 30) and the control (n = 20) groups. RESULTS: We found three patients (10%) with positive washings in the hysteroscopic group compared to one (5%) among the controls (P = 0.64), with a statistical power of <20%. If the differences would persist, we would need 588 patients in each arm to obtain a power of 80%, and reach definitive conclusions. The Odds Ratio (OR) of performing a hysteroscopy and upstaging the tumor in this study was: 2.1 95% CI (0.20-21.09). Prognostic variables were compared between both groups and no differences were observed. All patients but one (dead due to intercurrent disease), were alive and with no evidence of disease at the completion of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Fluid hysteroscopy and directed biopsies may have a small risk of upstaging early endometrial cancers, but does not seem to influence prognosis.