A. Cristina Rossi

Emergency Postpartum Hysterectomy for Uncontrolled Postpartum Bleeding: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To describe factors leading to and outcomes after emergency postpartum hysterectomy for uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage. DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted up to August 2009 using the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, using the following medical subject heading and text words: “postpartum bleeding,” “postpartum hysterectomy,” “uterine atony,” “cesarean hysterectomy,” “placenta accreta,” “increta,” “percreta,” and “placenta previa.” METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Studies were reviewed if they included cases of emergency postpartum hysterectomy performed at the time or within 48 hours of delivery, described factors leading to uncontrolled postpartum hemorrhage, enrolled women who delivered after 24 weeks of gestation, and reported data as proportional rates in tables or text. Studies were excluded if they analyzed hysterectomy performed after 48 hours of delivery or electively for an associated gynecologic condition, enrolled a small sample size (fewer than 10 patients), were conducted in underdeveloped countries, reported data in graphs or percentages, or did not include the actual numbers of patients. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Twenty-four articles that included 981 cases of emergency postpartum hysterectomy were retrieved. Study characteristics and quality were recorded for each study. Demographic maternal characteristics, previous uterine surgery, conservative procedures to prevent emergency postpartum hysterectomy, type of hysterectomy (total or subtotal), factors leading to emergency postpartum hysterectomy, and maternal morbidity and mortality related to emergency postpartum hysterectomy were abstracted, presented as proportional rates (percentage), and integrated with meta-analysis techniques. The maternal morbidity rate was 549 (56.0%) of 981, and 428 (44.0%) of 981 women required blood transfusion. The maternal mortality rate was 26 (2.6%) of 981 cases. The type of hysterectomy was specified in 601 (61.2%) of 981 cases of emergency postpartum hysterectomy (total hysterectomies, 314 of 601 [52.2%]; subtotal hysterectomies, 287 of 601 [47.8%]). Additional surgery was required in 103 (10.5%) of 981 of cases. CONCLUSION: Women at highest risk of emergency hysterectomy are those who are multiparous, had a cesarean delivery in either a previous or the present pregnancy, or had abnormal placentation.

Accuracy of ultrasonography at 11-14 weeks of gestation for detection of fetal structural anomalies: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature concerning the efficacy of early ultrasonography (at 11–14 weeks of gestation) to identify fetal malformations. DATA SOURCES: A search in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed (January 2000 to December 2012). Keywords were: fetal anatomy, fetal echocardiography, nuchal translucency, fetal structural anomalies, fetal malformations, prenatal diagnosis, prenatal screening, and first-trimester ultrasonography. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria were: fetal anatomy examination at early ultrasonography and diagnosis of fetal malformations confirmed by postnatal or postmortem examination. Data abstracted were: sample size, location of structural defect, ultrasound modality, presence of multiple defects, and study population. Pooled detection rate was calculated for each malformation and compared with &khgr;2. Differences were considered statistically significant if P<.05. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: From 1,203 articles, 19 were included. Overall, we pooled 78,002 fetuses undergoing ultrasonography at 11–14 weeks, of which 996 were malformed, leading to prevalence of malformation of 12 per 1,000. The overall detection rate was 472 of 957 (51%). The highest detection rate was achieved for neck anomalies (92%), whereas limbs (34%), face (34%), and genitourinary anomalies (34%) were associated with the lowest detection rate. At 14 weeks of gestation or less, fetal echocardiography detected 53% of congenital heart disease compared with 43% by complete scan (P=.040). The use of Doppler did not improve the detection rate for congenital heart defects (52% compared with 44%, respectively; P=.11). Multiple defects were identified more frequently than isolated malformations (60% compared with 44%; P=.005). The detection rate was higher combining transabdominal and transvaginal techniques (62%) than either abdominal (51%) or transvaginal (34%; P<.001). Detection rate was higher in women at high risk (65%) than unselected population (50% P=.001). CONCLUSION: Because of the natural history of fetal defects and the late development of some organ systems, a number of fetal malformations remain undetected by early ultrasonography.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes after laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of the literature regarding the occurrence of neurologic morbidity, neurologic impairment, or neurologic morbidity and impairment of patients treated with laser therapy for twin–twin transfusion syndrome. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE databases and reference lists were searched up to December 2010 for studies describing outcomes in laser-treated twin–twin transfusion syndrome pregnancies. METHODS FOR STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria were twin–twin transfusion syndrome diagnosed with standard criteria and treated by laser therapy and neurologic morbidity and neurologic impairment collected at birth or 28 days after birth. Exclusion criteria were omission of at least one criterion; data in graphs or percentage; and non-English publications, letters, personal communications. TABULATION, INTEGRATION AND RESULTS: Data recorded were rates and length of successful follow-up, age at diagnosis and type of neurologic morbidity, affected donors and recipients, prevalence of neurologic morbidity, and neurologic impairment for twin sets. From 15 articles, the incidence of neurologic morbidity at birth was 55 out of 895 (6.1%), without differences between donors and recipients (19/249, 7.6% compared with 16/273, 5.8%; odds ratio [OR] 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–2.70). At follow-up, the incidence of neurologic impairment was 140 out of 1,255 (11.1%), with cerebral palsy the most frequent (60/151, 39.7%). Neurologic impairment was identified equally between donors and recipients (48/330, 14.5% compared with 54/364, 14.8%; OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.66–1.57), and between one survivor and two survivors for twin sets (24/139, 17.3% compared with 88/489, 18.0%; OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.18–2.49). CONCLUSION: A small number (11.1%) of cases of twin–twin transfusion syndrome treated with laser therapy are affected with neurologic impairment that manifests during infancy. A strict follow-up of apparently healthy neonates is warranted.

Prevention of pre-eclampsia with low-dose aspirin or vitamins C and E in women at high or low risk: a systematic review with meta-analysis

UNLABELLED The aim of this study is to review literature about the efficacy of low dose aspirin (LDA) and vitamins C/E (VCE) to prevent pre-eclampsia in women at high and low risk. Randomized clinical trials were included and stratified for high and low risk women. Inclusion criteria were: assignment of patients in treated or placebo groups, definition of pre-eclampsia according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy. Exclusion criteria were: omitting at least one of the inclusion criteria, trials involving women with pre-eclampsia at trial entry, studies investigating hypertensive disorders other than pre-eclampsia, prophylaxis of intrauterine growth restriction with low-dose aspirin or vitamins C/E, non-randomized studies and data reported in graphs or percentages. The incidence of pre-eclampsia, perinatal outcomes and adverse effects attributable to LDA and VCE were compared between treated women and placebo. Inter-studies heterogeneity was tested. P<0.05 was considered significant. pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Fifteen studies were pooled. LDA did not decrease the incidence of pre-eclampsia in high-risk (396/5025 - 8% vs placebo: 464/5027 - 9%; P=0.05; OR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.51-1.00) and low-risk (137/4939 - 3% vs placebo: 166/4962 - 3%; P=0.10; OR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.65-1.04) women. Similarly, VCE did not reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia in high-risk (VCE: 250/1744 - 14% vs placebo: 275/1741 - 16%; P=0.24; OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.63-1.12) and low-risk (VCE: 56/935 - 6% vs placebo 47/942 - 5%; P=0.57; OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.82-1.75) women. In high-risk women, other hypertensive disorders were more frequent in VCE (121/1692 - 7%) than placebo (79/1693 - 5%; P=0.002). Perinatal outcomes were not improved by LDA or VCE. CONCLUSION there is no evidence to support the administration of LDA or VCE to prevent pre-eclampsia.

The Efficacy of Quintero Staging System to Assess Severity of Twin–Twin Transfusion Syndrome Treated with Laser Therapy: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Severity of twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is classified in five stages according to Quintero staging. However, the efficacy of such staging was recently debated. We reviewed the efficacy of Quintero staging to predict survival rate in TTTS treated with laser therapy. Articles reporting survival rate for each stage in TTTS treated with laser therapy were reviewed. Number of twins alive per pregnancy (NAP) was compared between early (I + II) and advanced (III + IV) stages and within stages. Meta-analysis was performed according to Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. Heterogeneity was tested with chi-square for heterogeneity at a significance level of P < 0.10, and random or fixed models were generated as appropriate. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. NAP was similar between early (zero survivors: 34/228, 15%; one survivor: 49/228, 21%; two survivors: 145/228, 63%) and advanced stages (zero survivors: 38/214, 18%; one survivor: 64/214, 30%; two survivors: 112/214, 52%; P > 0.05) except for one survivor ( P < 0.05). A trend for increased NAP was observed in all stages. Because clinically relevant differences were not observed, laser therapy is the optimal treatment for all stages. As Quintero staging does not provide information about prognosis, a new staging system is proposed.

Comparison of six sonographic signs in the prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida.

Abstract Aims: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of sonographic signs that may be looked for in fetuses with spina bifida. Methods: Forty-nine fetuses affected by spina bifida were enrolled, at a gestational age of 18–28 weeks. The following sonographic signs were looked for: “lemon” sign, small cerebellum, effaced cisterna magna, small posterior fossa, ventriculomegaly and direct visualization of a spinal defect. Results: The “lemon” sign was present in 53%, a small cerebellum in 96%, an effaced cisterna magna in 93%, a small posterior fossa in 96%. Ventriculomegaly was present in 40/49 (81%) cases and was severe in 20 fetuses and borderline in the remaining 20. The spinal defect was missed in one fetus presenting the cerebellar and posterior fossa signs. In two fetusus, the myelomeningocele was present without cranial signs of Chiari II malformation and in both cases the defect was covered by intact skin. Conclusions: Our results confirm the usefulness of evaluation of the posterior fossa in the diagnosis of spina bifida, particularly in cases of small spinal defects that may be missed at ultrasound. Conversely, myelomeningocele covered by intact skin was not associated with the cranial signs of Chiari II malformation.

Perinatal outcomes of isolated oligohydramnios at term and post-term pregnancy: a systematic review of literature with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE The management of isolated oligohydramnios (IO) in post/term pregnancies is controversial. The aim of this paper was to review outcomes of term and post-term pregnancies with IO versus normal amniotic fluid (AF) at labor assessment. STUDY DESIGN A search in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and reference lists was performed. Inclusion criteria for articles selection: singleton pregnancy, definition of olgohydramnios as AFI <5cm, AF assessment at 37-42 gestational weeks. EXCLUSION CRITERIA fetal malformations, preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth restriction. Perinatal outcomes were: obstetric intervention for non-reassuring fetal heart rate (cesarean section, operative delivery), meconium-stained AF, Apgar score <7 at 5min, umbilical artery pH <7.0, small for gestational age infants (SGA), admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and perinatal death. Meta-analysis compared outcomes of pregnancies with IO vs normal AF. Inter-studies heterogeneity was tested. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Differences between the two groups were considered significant if 95% CI did not encompass 1. MOOSE guidelines were followed. RESULTS Four articles provided 679 (17.2%) cases with IO and 3264 (82.8%) with normal AF. Obstetric interventions occurred more frequently in the IO than normal AF group (IO: 89/679, 13% vs normal; AF: 166/3354, 5%; OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.00-5.29). Meta-analysis did not show differences with regard to meconium, Apgar, pH, SGA, NICU and perinatal death. CONCLUSION In term or post-term pregnancies, IO is associated with increased risk of obstetric interventions but outcomes are similar to those of pregnancies with normal AF.

Neonatal outcomes of assisted and naturally conceived twins: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Objective: To review the neonatal outcomes of assisted reproductive technique (ART) vs. naturally conceived (NC) twins. Methods: A search in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane library was performed (January 2000–September 2010). Articles reporting outcomes of ART vs. NC twins were classified in controlled and non-controlled studies. A sub-group was limited to unlike sex twins (UST). The MOOSE guidelines were followed. A randomized model was generated if inter-studies heterogeneity was >25%. Inter-group comparison was significant if P<0.05. Results: Thirteen articles were reviewed. In non-controlled studies, outcomes were equal between groups, except for cesarean section rates (ART: 71.8%; NC: 49.6%; P<0.0001; OR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.55–3.54). Similar results were obtained in controlled studies, except for higher rates of preterm delivery in ART (55%) than in NC (53%) twins (P=0.03; OR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.03–1.65). UST differed with regard to preterm delivery (ART: 58.6%; NC: 49.5%; P<0.0001; OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.25–1.83), and perinatal death (ART: 3.6%; NC: 1.8%; P<0.0001; OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.41–2.71). Birth weight differed between groups. Conclusion: ART twins carry increased risk of adverse outcomes. UST are at higher risk of perinatal death, although further studies are needed to assess whether chorionicity impacts on neonatal outcomes after ART.

Comparison of donor and recipient outcomes following laser therapy performed for twin-twin transfusion syndrome: a meta-analysis and review of literature.

We reviewed current literature about donor and recipient outcomes after laser therapy performed for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Study inclusion criteria were monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies, TTTS diagnosed with standard criteria, survival, and cerebral anomalies rates defined individually for donors and recipients. Exclusion criteria were studies including triplets and monoamniotic pregnancies, therapeutic techniques different from laser therapy, data reported in graphs or percentage, and non-English language publications. Meta-analysis was performed by random effects model whenever heterogeneity across studies was > 25%. Fifteen articles were reviewed. Survival rate was 60% in donors and 70% in recipients ( P = 0.0002; odds ratio: 0.66; 95% confidence interval: 0.53 to 0.82). Neurological morbidity did not differ between twins (donors: 9% versus recipients: 10%; P = 0.66). This review shows that recipients are more likely to survive as compared with donors, whereas no differences are noted with regard to neurological morbidity. It may be hypothesized that a lethal injury (to which donors appear to be more sensitive) or a cerebral damage (with which donors and recipients are equally affected) occurs before the timing of surgery. Therefore, a study protocol to assess whether diagnosis of TTTS may be anticipated in the first trimester is proposed.

Prevention, Management, and Outcomes of Macrosomia: A Systematic Review of Literature and Meta-analysis

&NA; Macrosomia represents an obstetric challenge, and when suspected, there is no general consensus as to whether expectant management, induction of labor, or elective cesarean delivery are the best option. This review article was aimed to discuss literature published in the last decade about the identification, management, and outcomes of macrosomia. The identification of macrosomia remains uncertain, mainly because of the high heterogeneity across studies because of different definitions of macrosomia, gestational age at time of assessment, and fetal weight formulas. With regard to management and outcomes of macrosomia, 12,212 macrosomic neonates can be pooled from 17 articles. Compared with neonates with normal birth weight, the odds ratio of emergency cesarean delivery increases from 1.92 (1.53–2.42) to 2.24 (1.42–3.56) and 5.20 (3.47–7.79) for macrosomia 4000 g or greater, 4500 g or greater, and 5000 g or greater, respectively. The odds ratios of shoulder dystocia are 7.18 (2.06–25.00), 7.33 (5.13–10.48), and 16.16 (7.62–34.26) for macrosomia 4000 g or greater, 4500 g or greater, and 5000 g or greater, respectively. Three birth traumas were reported after cesarean delivery. Perinatal mortality is similar between macrosomic and neonates with normal birth weight at each cutoff of macrosomia. Nonetheless, limitations of current literature, which are also discussed in this review, do not allow to drive definitive conclusion about the management of macrosomia. Target Audience Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians Learning Objectives After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to determine the optimal mode of delivery for pregnant women whose fetuses may be macrosomic, identify the potential risks of adverse neonatal outcomes in macrosomic fetuses, and identify the limitations in the obstetric literature on macrosomia.