Multidisciplinary Obstetric Simulation Training: Experience at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore, a Tertiary Referral Centre.

Background Multidisciplinary simulation training in the management of acute obstetric emergencies has the potential to reduce both maternal and perinatal morbidity. It is a valuable tool that can be adapted for targeted audiences of different specialities at all experience levels from medical students to senior consultants. Methods In this study, pre- and post-course questionnaires of learners with varying levels of clinical experience from Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), Anaesthesia, Neonatology, Emergency Medicine, midwifery, and nursing who undertook two simulation courses (namely the Combined Obstetrics Resuscitation Training course, CORE, and the CORE Lite), which comprised lectures and simulation drills with manikins and standardized patients, between 2015 and 2023 were compared. This also included a period when training was affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.  Results The results showed that both simulation courses increased confidence levels among all learners in the management of obstetric emergencies.  Pre-course, participants were most confident in the management of neonatal resuscitation and severe pre-eclampsia, followed by postpartum haemorrhage. They were least confident in the management of vaginal breech delivery, uterine inversion, and twin delivery. Post-course, participants were most confident in the management of neonatal resuscitation and shoulder dystocia, followed by postpartum haemorrhage. They were least confident in the management of uterine inversion and maternal sepsis, followed by vaginal breech delivery and twin delivery. Whilst we saw a huge improvement in confidence levels for all obstetric emergencies, the greatest improvement in confidence levels was noted in vaginal breech delivery, twin delivery, and uterine inversion. Conclusion The simulation courses were effective in improving the confidence in the management of obstetric emergencies. While it may be difficult to measure the improvement in clinical outcomes as a result of simulation courses alone, the increase in confidence levels of clinicians can be used as a surrogate in measuring their preparedness in facing these emergency scenarios.

Retrospective Study Comparing Treatment Outcomes in Obstetric Patients With Iron Deficiency Anemia Treated With and Without Intravenous Ferric Carboxymaltose.

Introduction Iron deficiency anemia is associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Intravenous iron preparation containing ferric carboxymaltose has been shown to be a safe and effective way of increasing hemoglobin (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels and reducing the need for blood transfusion. In our center, it used to be given as an inpatient procedure because of the risks of potential drug reactions. In 2021, we initiated the administration of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose as an outpatient procedure. We compared the outcomes of patients between 2021 and 2023 after the initiation of outpatient administration of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in 127 obstetric patients with iron deficiency anemia in the second and third trimesters. Methods In this study conducted in a large maternity unit in Singapore between 2021 to 2023, we compared the changes in maternal hematological parameters among obstetric patients with iron deficiency anemia presenting to the day care unit in the second or third trimester with a Hb level of <8 g/dl treated with a single dose of ferric carboxymaltose injection (Ferinject) against a control group who were referred for treatment but defaulted on and declined treatment. Results Ferric carboxymaltose significantly increased the Hb and MCV levels at delivery in obstetric patients with iron deficiency. The mean Hb at delivery was 10.8 g/dL in the case group compared to 8.8 g/dL in the control group. The percentage of patients with Hb ≥10.0 g/dL was 73.4% in the case group compared to 27.8% in the control group. The incidence of adverse side effects was low and mild (2/127; 1.6%). None of the patients received were hospitalized because of ferric carboxymaltose. Conclusion A single injection dose of ferric carboxymaltose as an outpatient antenatal procedure was easily administered and well tolerated. Obstetric patients with iron deficiency anemia who received intravenous ferric carboxymaltose had a significantly higher level of Hb than those who did not.

Uterine Manipulation May Not Influence Ongoing Pregnancy: Case Report and Literature Review.

Abdominal pain is a very common presentation in early pregnancy. Its cause may be gynecological or totally nonpregnancy related. While acute appendicitis is the most common nonobstetric cause of pain in pregnant women, diagnosis and differentiation from other causes, including ectopic pregnancy, remain challenging. In clinical situations of uncertainty, laparoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool, but uterine manipulation should be avoided if an intrauterine pregnancy is a possibility. In this report, we describe a case of complicated appendicitis in very early pregnancy where the patient ended with a full-term healthy pregnancy despite undergoing a diagnostic laparoscopy with inadvertent uterine manipulation.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Feedback in the Subsequent Development of Gestational Diabetes: A Pilot, Randomized, Controlled Trial in Pregnant Women.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effects of receiving glucose feedback from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) by intermittent scanning (unblinded group), and CGM with masked feedback (blinded group) in the subsequent development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective, single-center, pilot, randomized controlled trial including n = 206 pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy with no prior diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The participants were randomized into the unblinded group or blinded group and wore the CGM in the first trimester of pregnancy (9-13 weeks), the second trimester of pregnancy (18-23 weeks), and late-second to early-third trimester (24-31 weeks). The primary outcome was GDM rate as diagnosed by the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24 to 28 weeks. RESULTS: Over 47 months, 206 pregnant women were enrolled at 9 to 13 weeks. The unblinded group had a higher prevalence of women who developed GDM (21.5 vs. 14.9%; p > 0.05), compared to the blinded group. In the unblinded group compared to the blinded group, plasma glucose values were higher at 1 hour (median 7.7 [interquartile range {IQR}: 6.3-9.2] vs. 7.5 [6.3-8.7]) and 2 hours (6.3 [5.8-7.7] vs. 6.2 [5.3-7.2]), but lower at 0 hour (4.2 [4.0-4.5] vs. 4.3 [4.1-4.6]; p > 0.05). All these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Glucose feedback from CGM wear in the first to the third trimester of pregnancy without personalized patient education failed to alter GDM rate. KEY POINTS: · Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is feasible for use in pregnant women.. · No significant difference in gestational diabetes rates with or without CGM feedback.. · Future clinical trials should incorporate CGM education and personalized guidance to enhance study outcomes..

Design of Next-Generation DGAT2 Inhibitor PF-07202954 with Longer Predicted Half-Life.

Diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) inhibitors have been shown to lower liver triglyceride content and are being explored clinically as a treatment for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). This work details efforts to find an extended-half-life DGAT2 inhibitor. A basic moiety was added to a known inhibitor template, and the basicity and lipophilicity were fine-tuned by the addition of electrophilic fluorines. A weakly basic profile was required to find an appropriate balance of potency, clearance, and permeability. This work culminated in the discovery of PF-07202954 (12), a weakly basic DGAT2 inhibitor that has advanced to clinical studies. This molecule displays a higher volume of distribution and longer half-life in preclinical species, in keeping with its physicochemical profile, and lowers liver triglyceride content in a Western-diet-fed rat model.

Management dilemma in Thoracoamniotic Shunt Migrations.

Shunt migration is a rare but significant complication of thoracoamniotic shunting, an intervention widely used for fetal pleural effusion. We describe a case of a term infant noted antenatally to have fetal hydrothorax that was managed with thoracoamniotic shunting but complicated by shunt migration. We also present the current literature on risk factors, complications and management of intrathoracic shunt migration. The majority of shunt migration cases are managed conservatively with no untoward postnatal sequelae, but surgical removal of the migrated shunt has been used for associated clinical complications, if visceral damage is suspected or if postnatal thoracic surgery is indicated for other reasons. We advocate an approach of conservative management for asymptomatic infants, where possible, to avoid unnecessary surgical and anaesthetic risks to very young, often already compromised children. However, further studies are still required to determine optimal management after shunt migration has occurred to ensure the best outcome.

Scope and Suction: Hysteroscopic-guided Suction Evacuation of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy - A Safe and Efficacious Treatment for Selected Patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate hysteroscopic-guided suction evacuation for the treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of CSP over 2 years. This study was conducted at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), Singapore, thirty-seven patients with a CSP. Hysteroscopic-guided suction evacuation to treat CSP used alone or in combination with laparoscopy depending on residual myometrial thickness (RMT) and future fertility requirements. Results: The majority of women (29) were diagnosed under 9-week gestation. Just over a third (13) had an RMT of more than 3 mm. Women with an RMT <3 mm had added laparoscopy. In total, 22 women had hysteroscopic-guided suction evacuation with 9 having it performed under laparoscopic guidance because the RMT was under 3 mm. The remaining patients underwent either laparoscopic repair (5 cases) or vaginal repair (1 case) done under laparoscopic guidance. Conclusion: Hysteroscopic-guided suction evacuation of CSP has the potential to become part of the routine management for uncomplicated cases of CSP in women with an RMT of greater than 3 mm who do not wish for future pregnancy. Its use, in combination with other minimally invasive techniques, can be extended to more complex cases where the RMT is <3 mm and future fertility is desired.

Cesarean Scar Pregnancy: Current Understanding and Treatment Including Role of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques.

The incidence of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is increasing reflecting the global increase in cesarean section (CS) rate which has almost doubled since 2000. CSP differs from other types of ectopic pregnancy in its ability to progress while still carrying a significant risk of maternal morbidity. Little is known about precise etiology or natural history although current interest in the pathology of placenta accretes spectrum disorders might be enlightening. Early detection and treatment of CSP are challenging. Once diagnosed, the recommendation is to offer early termination of pregnancy because of the potential risks of continuing the pregnancy. However, as the likelihood of future pregnancy complications for any CSP varies depending on its individual characteristics, this might not always be necessary nor might it be the patient's preferred choice if she is asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable, and wants a baby. The literature supports an interventional rather than a medical approach but the safest and most efficient clinical approach to CSP in terms of treatment modality and service delivery has yet to be determined. This review aims to provide an overview of CSP etiology, natural history, and clinical implications. Treatment options and methods of CSP repair are discussed. We describe our experience in a large tertiary center in Singapore with around 16 cases/year where most treatment modalities are available as well as an "accreta service" for continuing pregnancies. We present a simple algorithm for approach to management including a method of triaging for those CSPs suitable for minimally invasive surgery.

Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions Around Perinatal Mental Health Among Doctors in an Obstetrics and Gynaecology Academic Department in Singapore.

Background Frontline healthcare professionals who provide regular care to women in the antenatal and postnatal period play a critical role in the early detection and management of maternal perinatal mental health (PMH). This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of doctors around perinatal mental health in an obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) department in Singapore. Methods Using an online survey, data was collected from 55 doctors who participated in the Doctor's Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Perinatal Mental Health (I-DOC) study. The survey questions assessed the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices in relation to PMH among doctors in the O&G specialty. Descriptive data was presented as means and standard deviations (SDs), or frequency and percentages. Results Out of the 55 doctors, more than half (60.0%) were not aware of the adverse impacts of poor PMH; 83.7% of doctors were not confident in providing PMH advice and 65.5% did not routinely screen patients for PMH disorders. There was a lower percentage of doctors (10.9% vs. 34.5%, p<0.001) who discussed PMH issues in the antenatal period compared to the postnatal period and this was statistically significant. Majority of doctors (98.2%) agreed that having standardised PMH guidelines will be useful. All doctors agreed on the benefits of having PMH guidelines, education and routine screening for patients. Conclusion There is inadequate PMH literacy among O&G doctors and lack of emphasis on antenatal PMH disorder. The findings highlighted the need for increased education and development of perinatal mental health guidelines.

Tranexamic acid, as an adjunct to oxytocin prophylaxis, in the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in women undergoing elective caesarean section: A single-centre double-blind randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss during elective caesarean sections in women with and without risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). DESIGN: A double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: An academic tertiary referral centre in Singapore. POPULATION: Multiethnic women aged 21 years or older undergoing elective caesarean section. METHODS: Randomisation to intravenous TXA or normal saline (placebo) 10 minutes before skin incision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Calculated estimated blood loss (cEBL), derived from blood volume and haematocrit levels. RESULTS: Between June 2020 and October 2021, 200 women were randomised to the placebo or TXA groups. Women who received prophylactic TXA had a significantly lower mean cEBL compared with those receiving placebo (adjusted mean difference -126.4 mL, 95% CI -243.7 to -9.1, p = 0.035). The effect was greatest in those at high risk for PPH, with a reduction in cEBL (mean difference -279.6 mL, 95% CI -454.8 to -104.3, p = 0.002) and a lower risk of cEBL ≥500 mL (risk ratio [RR] 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.83, p = 0.007) and cEBL ≥1000 mL (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.20-0.98, p = 0.016). Subgroup analysis showed benefit for women with preoperative haemoglobin <10.5 g/dL (mean difference -281.9 mL, 95% CI -515.0 to -48.8, p = 0.019). There was no significant difference in need for additional medical or surgical interventions. There were no maternal or neonatal adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic TXA should be considered in women with risk factors for PPH, and those most likely to benefit are those with preoperative haemoglobin <10.5 g/dL.

Conservative surgical approach towards placenta accreta spectrum disorders for uterine preservation.

OBJECTIVE: We previously described a technique for repair of the myometrial defect at repeat Caesarean section which increases residual myometrial thickness thereby potentially reducing future niche-related complications. Here we describe how this technique can be modified for use for placenta accreta spectrum disorders, in line with emerging evidence that this is more a disorder of myometrial deficiency than morbid adherence. DESIGN: The surgical performance of peripartum hysterectomy was compared with that of the modified technique in all women having repeat Caesarean delivery for placenta accreta spectrum disorder in a tertiary unit in Singapore between December 2019 and October 2021. METHODS: Modification of the original technique involved the systematic delivery of the placenta starting from its most posterior attachment after uterine exteriorization. This is followed by the identification, mobilization, and apposition of the boundaries of myometrial defects as described previously. RESULTS: Ten women had Caesarean hysterectomy and ten had Caesarean section using the modified approach. Age and gestational age at delivery were similar for the two groups. Women in the modified technique group had had fewer prior Caesarean sections and had a lower body mass index. Operating time, estimated blood loss and need for transfusion were all lower in the myometrial repair group but without statistical significance. There were no visceral injuries in the repair group but there was one bladder injury in the hysterectomy group. CONCLUSION: The modified approach provides an effective alternative to peripartum hysterectomy with favourable surgical profile and allows uterine conservation with restoration of myometrial thickness.

Whooping cough complicating pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy.

We report a case of a previously fit woman who presented at 26 weeks into her fourth pregnancy with a dry cough. Following a nasopharyngeal swab, she was diagnosed with a pertussis infection, and treated with antibiotics. A chest X-ray showed right atrial dilatation and an echocardiogram was scheduled outpatient. However, after re-presenting with worsening cough and dyspnoea, an inpatient echocardiogram was performed which suggested elevated pulmonary pressures with significant tricuspid regurgitation, as confirmed by subsequent cardiac catheterisation. She had an elective caesarean section at 34 weeks and underwent repeat right heart catheterisation which revealed persistent, and likely pre-existing, pulmonary arterial hypertension. This case highlights the importance of thorough assessment of non-obstetric symptoms in pregnancy in formulating alternative differentials, even after a diagnosis has been made, to prevent potentially life-threatening conditions from being missed. It also shows that although often associated, respiratory and cardiac causes may coexist separately.

A comparison of antenatal prediction models for vaginal birth after caesarean section.

INTRODUCTION: An antenatal scoring system for vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) categorises patients into a low or high probability of successful vaginal delivery. It enables counselling and preparation before labour starts. The current study aims to evaluate the role of Grobman nomogram and the Kalok scoring system in predicting VBAC success in Singapore. METHODS: This is a retrospective study on patients of gestational age 37 weeks 0 day to 41 weeks 0 day who underwent a trial of labour after 1 caesarean section between September 2016 and September 2017 was conducted. Two scoring systems were used to predict VBAC success, a nomogram by Grobman et al. in 2007 and an additive model by Kalok et al. in 2017. RESULTS: A total of 190 patients underwent a trial of labour after caesarean section, of which 103 (54.2%) were successful. The Kalok scoring system (area under curve [AUC] 0.740) was a better predictive model than Grobman nomogram (AUC 0.664). Patient's age (odds ratio [OR] 0.915, 95% CI [confidence interval] 0.844-0.992), body mass index at booking (OR 0.902, 95% CI 0.845-0.962), and history of successful VBAC (OR 4.755, 95% CI 1.248-18.120) were important factors in predicting VBAC. CONCLUSION: Neither scoring system was perfect in predicting VBAC among local women. Further customisation of the scoring system to replace ethnicity with the 4 races of Singapore can be made to improve its sensitivity. The factors identified in this study serve as a foundation for developing a population-specific antenatal scoring system for Singapore women who wish to have a trial of VBAC.

Repair of the myometrial scar defect at repeat caesarean section: a modified surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether the existing surgical technique for uterine closure at repeat lower segment Caesarean section (LSCS) can be modified to achieve adequate residual myometrial thickness (RMT) to ensure scar integrity and reduce complications in future pregnancy. METHODS: Women with a significant scar defect at repeat LSCS had the anterior uterine wall closed by a single experienced obstetrician with a technique focused on recognition, mobilisation and apposition of the retracted myometrial edges at the boundary of the defect. This was aimed at anatomical restoration of the lower segment. The RMT at the scar area was assessed by postnatal pelvic ultrasound scan at three months. RESULTS: Thirty women with a history of at least one previous CS, incidentally found to have a large defect at operation underwent the technique with prior consent. A postnatal scan showed a mean residual myometrial thickness of 8.4 mm (SD ±1.3 mm; range 5.6-11.0 mm). The average operating time was 91 mins and the average blood loss 728 ml. Two women who underwent the repair have gone on to have a further uneventful CS. CONCLUSION: This modified technique resulted in scan evidence of an RMT indicative of uterine wall stability postnatally and offers the potential for reducing the risk of rupture and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in future pregnancy.

Optimal first trimester HbA1c threshold to identify Singaporean women at risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse pregnancy outcomes: A pilot study.

This pilot study examined the use of early HbA1c in screening for gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Singapore. One hundred and fifty-one pregnant women with a gestational age of under 14 weeks had an HbA1c test measured with their antenatal bloods prior to a second trimester oral glucose tolerance test. Patient characteristics and pregnancy outcome data were collected. Gestational diabetes mellitus prevalence was 11%. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed an HbA1c level of 5.2% (33 mmol/mol), had an 82% sensitivity, 72% specificity, 97% negative predictive value and 27% positive predictive value to predict gestational diabetes mellitus. Women with HbA1c of 5.2% (33 mmol/mol) or over 5.2% (33 mmol/mol) were older, had higher BMI and were less likely to be Chinese than those with HbA1c less than 5.2% (33 mmol/mol). There was no difference in pregnancy outcomes. Early HbA1c less than 5.2% (33 mmol/mol) may be useful to exclude low-risk Singaporean women from further testing, while those with HbA1c of 5.2% (33 mmol/mol) or greater would still need a oral glucose tolerance test between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation.

Safety and Feasibility of Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Criteria to Identify Patients With "Good Prognosis" Rectal Cancer Eligible for Primary Surgery: The Phase 2 Nonrandomized QuickSilver Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT), followed by surgery, is the recommended approach for stage II and III rectal cancer. While CRT decreases the risk of local recurrence, it does not improve survival and leads to poorer functional outcomes than surgery alone. Therefore, new approaches to better select patients for CRT are important. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a phase 2 study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria to select patients with "good prognosis" rectal tumors for primary surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective nonrandomized phase 2 study at 12 high-volume colorectal surgery centers across Canada. From September 30, 2014, to October 21, 2016, a total of 82 patients were recruited for the study. Participants were patients newly diagnosed as having rectal cancer with MRI-predicted good prognosis rectal cancer. The MRI criteria for good prognosis tumors included distance to the mesorectal fascia greater than 1 mm; definite T2, T2/early T3, or definite T3 with less than 5 mm of extramural depth of invasion; and absent or equivocal extramural venous invasion. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with rectal cancer with MRI-predicted good prognosis tumors underwent primary surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with a positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) rate. Assuming a 10% baseline probability of a positive CRM, a sample size of 75 was estimated to yield a 95% CI of ±6.7%. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (74% male) participated in the study. The median age at the time of surgery was 66 years (range, 37-89 years). Based on MRI, most tumors were midrectal (65% [n = 53]), T2/early T3 (60% [n = 49]), with no suspicious lymph nodes (63% [n = 52]). On final pathology, 91% (n = 75) of tumors were T2 or greater, 29% (n = 24) were node positive, and 59% (n = 48) were stage II or III. The positive CRM rate was 4 of 82 (4.9%; 95% CI, 0.2%-9.6%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The use of MRI criteria to select patients with good prognosis rectal cancer for primary surgery results in a low rate of positive CRM and suggests that CRT may not be necessary for all patients with stage II and III rectal cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN.com identifier: ISRCTN05107772.

Educational Models for the Re-Establishment of Dental Therapy Education in Canada.

With the closure of the Canadian dental therapy program in Saskatchewan in 2011 and the increasing need for oral health providers, there have been growing discussions at the national and provincial levels regarding the re-establishment of a provider with dental therapy abilities. The aims of this study were to define models for dental therapy education in Canada and explore how dental therapy abilities could best be integrated into Canadian post-secondary education. In 2017, purposeful sampling was used to invite key informants to participate in a semi-structured interview. Participants were individuals from government, education, and regulation and those working with underserved populations in Canada and internationally. A 75% response rate (n=53) was achieved. Thematic analysis was employed for coding of data and generation of themes. Respondents highlighted the need to include minimally invasive restorative services in the current scope of dental hygiene practice across all Canadian jurisdictions and to build dental therapy abilities with or upon accredited dental hygiene curricula. The models supported by respondents were a fourth-year option built on three-year diploma education, a one-year postgraduate diploma based on a baccalaureate degree and a current dental hygiene registration, and a three-year dental therapy diploma incorporating core courses in accredited dental hygiene diploma education. While the respondents' views were divergent, the educational model that received the most support involved a two- to three-term addition to current three-year dental hygiene diploma education. In contrast to international trends, the respondents valued learner flexibility to exit with a diploma dental hygiene credential, thus making the dental therapy scope optional. These educational models provide a starting point for further analysis and exploration.