European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · May 2013
ReviewCurrent obstetric guidelines on thromboprophylaxis in the United Kingdom: evidence based medicine?
In the United Kingdom, the national guidance from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) encourages the use of low molecular weight heparin thromboprophylaxis in high risk pregnancies. The recommendation, however, is based largely on expert opinion with almost no evidence from randomised controlled trials or meta-analyses. ⋯ Therefore, large-scale and well-designed studies are urgently needed. We find that health economic assessments, which should be central to any major health policy change, appear entirely absent in this context.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Mar 2013
Review Case ReportsStarvation ketoacidosis in pregnancy.
Starvation ketosis outside pregnancy is rare and infrequently causes a severe acidosis. Placental production of hormones, including glucagon and human placental lactogen, leads to the insulin resistance that is seen in pregnancy, which in turn increases susceptibility to ketosis particularly in the third trimester. Starvation ketoacidosis in pregnancy has been reported and is usually precipitated by a period of severe vomiting. ⋯ This article features four cases of women with vomiting in the third trimester of pregnancy associated with a severe metabolic acidosis. The mechanism underlying ketogenesis, the evidence for accelerated ketogenesis in pregnancy and other similar published cases are reviewed. A proposed strategy for management of these women is presented.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Jan 2013
Review Meta AnalysisAnalgesic effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane blocks after hysterectomy: a meta-analysis.
To determine the effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane blocks in gynecological surgery by systematic review and meta-analysis. Embase, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) bibliographic databases were searched using a Cochrane Library search strategy modified for gynecological surgery. We included randomized controlled trials comparing transversus abdominis plane block with no block or placebo block. ⋯ Transversus abdominis plane block resulted in significantly less postoperative requirement for morphine use at 24h (-11.76 mg, 95% CI -18.77 to -4.75) but not at 48 h (-16.01 mg, 95% CI -39.40 to 7.39). Evidence exists for the short-term efficacy (within 24 h) of transversus abdominis plane blocks during hysterectomy in terms of reported pain and morphine consumption, which may not be sustained at 48 h. Updates to this review should be undertaken periodically, and until further robust evidence is available, anesthetists should not rush to adopt this procedure into routine practice.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Dec 2012
Review Practice GuidelineTherapeutic management of uterine fibroid tumors: updated French guidelines.
The medical management of symptomatic non-submucosal uterine fibroid tumors (leiomyomas or myomas) is based on the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding by any of the following: progestogens, a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device, tranexamic acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or GnRH analogs. Selective progesterone receptor modulators are currently being evaluated and have recently been approved for fibroid treatment. Neither combined estrogen-progestogen contraception nor hormone treatment of the menopause is contraindicated in women with fibroids. ⋯ It is possible to use second-generation techniques of endometrial ablation to treat submucosal fibroids in women whose families are complete. Subtotal hysterectomy is a possible alternative to total hysterectomy for fibroid treatment, given that by laparotomy the former has a lower complication rate than the latter, while by laparoscopy, these rates are the same. In each case, the patient is informed about the benefit and risk associated with each therapeutic option.
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Eur. J. Obstet. Gynecol. Reprod. Biol. · Oct 2012
ReviewInfluence of mineral and vitamin supplements on pregnancy outcome.
The literature was searched for publications on minerals and vitamins during pregnancy and the possible influence of supplements on pregnancy outcome. Maternal iron (Fe) deficiency has a direct impact on neonatal Fe stores and birth weight, and may cause cognitive and behavioural problems in childhood. Fe supplementation is recommended to low-income pregnant women, to pregnant women in developing countries, and in documented deficiency, but overtreatment should be avoided. ⋯ Supplementation with vitamin D in the third trimester in vitamin D deficient women seems to be beneficial. The use of vitamins E, although generally considered "healthy", may be harmful to the pregnancy outcome by disrupting a physiologic oxidative gestational state and is consequently not recommended to prevent pre-eclampsia. Further studies on specific substances are needed as the basis for stratified, placebo-controlled analyses.