The analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block vs. local anesthetic infiltration technique in major gynecologic surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Background and Aim: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local anesthetic infiltration (LAI) technique are used as part of the multimodal analgesic regimen after abdominal surgery. Postoperative opioid consumption and analgesic efficacy was compared using TAP and LAI techniques in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery in a randomized, controlled clinical trial. Material and Methods: Total of 135 patients scheduled for major gynecological surgeries were allocated into three groups: group T received bilateral TAP block with bupivacaine 0.25%; group I received LAI with 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine 5 µ/mL in the peritoneum and abdominal wall, and group C was control group. Anesthesia and postoperative analgesia were standardized. Outcome measures were cumulative and rescue tramadol consumption, numerical rating score (NRS) for pain and side effects in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) at 4, 8, 12 hours postoperatively. Results: Tramadol consumption, need for rescue analgesia, and NRS for pain between three groups at 4, 8, and 12 hours postoperatively had no statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). In PACU, median tramadol consumption used for rescue analgesia between group T (15 (15-30)) and group C (30 (15-45)) (P = 0.035), and between group T (15 (15-30)) and group I (30 (15-52)) was statistically significant (P = 0.034). In PACU, the percentage of patients having NRS >4 on movement in group C (72%) compared to group T (46.5%) and group I (46.5%) was significant (P = 0.034). No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of side effects among study groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Except for the immediate postoperative period, neither TAP block nor LAI had added benefit to the multimodal analgesia regimen in patients undergoing gynecological surgeries.

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation during pregnancy or labour for maternal and neonatal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B6 plays vital roles in numerous metabolic processes in the human body, such as nervous system development and functioning. It has been associated with some benefits in non-randomised studies, such as higher Apgar scores, higher birthweights, and reduced incidence of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth. Recent studies also suggest a protection against certain congenital malformations. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical effects of vitamin B6 supplementation during pregnancy and/or labour. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (31 March 2015) and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials comparing vitamin B6 administration in pregnancy and/or labour with: placebos, no supplementations, or supplements not containing vitamin B6. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. For this update, we assessed methodological quality of the included trials using risk of bias and the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: Four trials (1646 women) were included. The method of randomisation was unclear in all four trials and allocation concealment was reported in only one trial. Two trials used blinding of participants and outcomes. Vitamin B6 as oral capsules or lozenges resulted in decreased risk of dental decay in pregnant women (capsules: risk ratio (RR) 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 0.98; one trial, n = 371, low quality of evidence; lozenges: RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.83; one trial, n = 342, low quality of evidence). A small trial showed reduced mean birthweights with vitamin B6 supplementation (mean difference -0.23 kg; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.04; n = 33; one trial). We did not find any statistically significant differences in the risk of eclampsia (capsules: n = 1242; three trials; lozenges: n = 944; one trial), pre-eclampsia (capsules n = 1197; two trials, low quality of evidence; lozenges: n = 944; one trial, low-quality evidence) or low Apgar scores at one minute (oral pyridoxine: n = 45; one trial), between supplemented and non-supplemented groups. No differences were found in Apgar scores at five minutes, or breastmilk production between controls and women receiving oral (n = 24; one trial) or intramuscular (n = 24; one trial) loading doses of pyridoxine at labour. Overall, the risk of bias was judged as unclear. The quality of the evidence using GRADE was low for both pre-eclampsia and dental decay. The other primary outcomes, preterm birth before 37 weeks and low birthweight, were not reported in the included trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There were few trials, reporting few clinical outcomes and mostly with unclear trial methodology and inadequate follow-up. There is not enough evidence to detect clinical benefits of vitamin B6 supplementation in pregnancy and/or labour other than one trial suggesting protection against dental decay. Future trials assessing this and other outcomes such as orofacial clefts, cardiovascular malformations, neurological development, preterm birth, pre-eclampsia and adverse events are required.

Misoprostol in addition to routine treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: a hospital-based randomized-controlled trial in Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a major killer of women worldwide. Standard uterotonic treatments used to control postpartum bleeding do not always work and are not always available. Misoprostol's potential as a treatment option for PPH is increasingly known, but its use remains ad hoc and available evidence does not support the safety or efficacy of one particular regimen. This study aimed to determine the adjunct benefit of misoprostol when combined with standard oxytocics for PPH treatment. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in four Karachi hospitals from December 2005 - April 2007 to assess the benefit of a 600 mcg dose of misoprostol given sublingually in addition to standard oxytocics for postpartum hemorrhage treatment. Consenting women had their blood loss measured after normal vaginal delivery and were enrolled in the study after losing more than 500 ml of blood. Women were randomly assigned to receive either 600 mcg sublingual misoprostol or matching placebo in addition to standard PPH treatment with injectable oxytocics. Both women and providers were blinded to the treatment assignment. Blood loss was collected until active bleeding stopped and for a minimum of one hour after PPH diagnosis. Total blood loss, hemoglobin measures, and treatment outcomes were recorded for all participants. RESULTS: Due to a much lower rate of PPH than expected (1.2%), only sixty-one patients were diagnosed and treated for their PPH in this study, and we were therefore unable to measure statistical significance in any of the primary endpoints. The addition of 600 mcg sublingual misoprostol to standard PPH treatments does, however, suggest a trend in reduced postpartum blood loss, a smaller drop in postpartum hemoglobin, and need for fewer additional interventions. Women who bled less overall had a significantly smaller drop in hemoglobin and received fewer additional interventions. There were no hysterectomies or maternal deaths among study participants. The rate of transient shivering and fever was significantly higher among women receiving misoprostol CONCLUSION: A 600 mcg dose of misoprostol given sublingually shows promise as an adjunct treatment for PPH and its use should continue to be explored for its life-saving potential in the care of women experiencing PPH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials.gov, Registry No. NCT00116480.

Women's health in developing countries.

Healthcare priorities are different in developing and developed countries. A more effective resource allocation, complemented by efforts to implement only those practices that are effective, should be a priority for improving reproductive health services in developing countries. A large burden of gynaecological disease exists in developing countries and it is difficult to envisage serious reforms and improvements without an increase in public-sector spending. However, communities themselves could assume some responsibility for women's health in ways that prioritize women's own perceptions and primary needs. In this chapter we have compiled existing evidence regarding various gynaecological problems faced by women in developing countries. To name a few: sexual health issues, abortion, subfertility, cancer, and genital fistulae. We believe that there is a large knowledge gap in the area of women's health in developing countries, and there is an urgent need to conduct appropriately designed studies.

Massive primary postpartum haemorrhage: setting up standards of care.

OBJECTIVE: To review practice of massive primary postpartum haemorrhage management and develop a protocol. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi between January 1, 2003 and July 31, 2004. Women with primary postpartum haemorrhage and had blood loss > or = 1000ml were included in the study. Medical record files of these women were reviewed for maternal mortality and morbidities which included mode of delivery, possible cause of postpartum haemorrhage, supportive, medical and surgical interventions. RESULTS: Approximately 3% (140/4881) of women had primary postpartum haemorrhage. 'Near miss' cases with blood loss > or = 1500ml was encountered in 14.37% (20/140) of these cases. Fifty-six percent (18/32) of the women who had massive postpartum haemorrhage delivered vaginally. Uterine-atony was found to be the most common cause, while care in High Dependency Unit (HDU) was required in 87.5% (28/32) of women. In very few cases balloon tamponade (2-cases) and compression sutures (2-cases) were used. Hysterectomy was performed in 4-cases and all of them encountered complications. Blood transfusions were required in 56% of women who had massive postpartum haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the existence variable practices for the management of postpartum haemorrhage. Interventions to evaluate and control bleeding were relatively aggressive; newer and less invasive options were underutilized. Introduction of an evidence-based management model can potentially reduce the practice variability and improve the quality of care.