Osman Aşıcıoğlu

Efficacy of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss after Elective Cesarean Section: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

We sought to determine the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TA) in reducing blood loss during elective cesarean section (CS). We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 660 women who underwent elective CS. The patients were randomly selected to receive an intravenous infusion of either TA (1 g/10 mL in 20 mL of 5% glucose; N = 330) or 30 mL 5% glucose prior to surgery. The primary outcome was the estimated blood loss following CS. No demographic difference was observed between groups. The mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower in women treated with TA compared with women in the placebo group (499.9 ± 206.4 mL versus 600.7 ± 215.7 mL, respectively; P < 0.001), and the proportion of women in the TA group who had an estimated blood loss >1000 mL was significantly lower than in the placebo group (7 [2.1%] versus 19 [5.8%], respectively; relative risk [RR] 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 6.3; P < 0.03). Furthermore, more women in the placebo group than in the TA group required additional uterotonic agents (48 [14.5%] versus 28 [8.5%], respectively; RR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.6; P = 0.02). Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly. TA significantly reduced bleeding during CS, the percentage of patients with blood loss >1000 mL, and the need for additional uterotonic agents. Furthermore, the incidence of thromboembolic events did not increase. Our results suggest that TA can be used safely and effectively to reduce CS bleeding.

Can Intravenous Injection of Tranexamic Acid Be Used in Routine Practice with Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor in Vaginal Delivery? A Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE To estimate the effects of adding intravenous tranexamic acid (TA) to the standard active management of third-stage labor to reduce vaginal blood loss during the third and fourth stages of labor. STUDY DESIGN A prospective, double-blind, equivalence randomized, controlled study was performed. Women were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous infusion of TA (experimental group, n = 228) or 5% glucose (placebo group, n = 226) at delivery of the anterior shoulder. Active management of the third stage of labor, which includes prophylactic injection of 10 IU of oxytocin within 2 minutes of birth, early clamping of the umbilical cord, and controlled cord traction following delivery, was used in both groups. The primary outcome was mean blood loss during the third and fourth stages of labor. RESULTS Mean estimated blood loss at the third and fourth stages of labor was significantly lower in the experimental group than that in the placebo group (261.5 ± 146.8 mL versus 349.98 ± 188.85 mL, respectively; p < 0.001). The frequency of postpartum hemorrhage > 500 mL was also lower in the experimental group (4, 1.8%) compared with that in the placebo controls (15, [6.8%]; relative risk, 3.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 11.15; p = 0.01). No episode of thrombosis occurred in the women who received TA. CONCLUSIONS The use of TA with standard active management of the third stage of labor reduced postpartum blood loss, and no increase in the incidence of thromboembolic events was observed.

Use of additional oxytocin to reduce blood loss at elective caesarean section: A randomised control trial

Objective:  The purpose of this prospective, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was to assess the effects of a 5‐IU oxytocin bolus and placebo infusion versus a 5‐IU oxytocin bolus and 30 IU infusion on the control of blood loss at elective lower segment caesarean section (C/S).

Iatrogenic bladder injuries during caesarean delivery: A case control study

This study determined the rate, risk factors, management and outcome of bladder injury during caesarean section and suggests ways to improve the quality of care and reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. During the study period, there were 76 bladder injuries in 56,799 caesarean deliveries for an overall incidence of 0.13%. Women with a bladder injury were more likely to have had a prior caesarean delivery, as compared with the control group (72.4% vs 34.2%; p < 0.001). Cases were also more likely than controls to have had prior pelvic surgery. The presence of adhesions during the procedure was greater in the bladder injury group than the controls. In conclusion, our study suggests that a previous caesarean delivery is the most common risk factor for bladder injury during caesarean delivery. Moreover, the presence of labour, station of the presenting fetal part deeper than or equal to +1, and a large baby were independent risks for a bladder injury during caesarean delivery. Women requesting primary caesarean deliveries should be counselled about the potential for significant surgical complications in repeat caesarean deliveries when discussing the indications for a primary elective caesarean delivery.

Comparison of single-dose and two-dose methotrexate protocols for the treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy

Summary The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and success rates of single- and two-dose methotrexate (MTX) protocols for the treatment of unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. This retrospective study included 87 patients with ectopic pregnancy who were treated with MTX therapy (single-dose protocol: 46 patients; two-dose protocol: 41 patients). Both protocol groups were compared with regard to success rates, β-hCG and progesterone levels, the presence of cardiac activity, a history of previous ectopic pregnancy, ectopic mass size, gestational age, adverse events, and number of repeat MTX doses. Success rates between the single-dose and two-dose methotrexate therapy groups were comparable (87% vs 90.2%; OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.18–2.75; p = 0.74). No significant differences were found between the groups in factors influencing MTX treatment success rate, including the mean β-hCG level, mean progesterone level, the presence of a positive cardiac activity, mean ectopic mass size, mean endometrial thickness, and the presence of a yolk sac. There were also no significant between-group difference were found in the percentage of women who needed a repeat dose of MTX (17.3% vs 7.3%; OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.09–1.52; p = 0.20) and in the percentage of adverse events (45.7% vs 58.7%; OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.71–3.93; p = 0.28). In conclusion, medical treatment with single-dose or with two-dose systemic MTX seem to be equal therapeutic options for patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy.

Using intraumbilical vein injection of oxytocin in routine practice with active management of the third stage of labor: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the efficacy of the routine use of intraumbilical vein injection of oxytocin with active management of the third stage of labor in reducing blood loss and length of the third stage. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial, 412 women undergoing vaginal delivery who did not have risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage were randomly allocated to receive either 20 international units oxytocin diluted with 26 mL saline (n=207) or 30 mL saline (n=205) by intraumbilical vein injection. Active management of the third stage of labor (prophylactic injection of 10 international units oxytocin within 2 minutes of birth, early clamping of the umbilical cord, and controlled cord traction) was used in both groups. The primary outcome was mean blood loss during the third and fourth stages of labor. RESULTS: The mean estimated blood loss was significantly lower in women treated with oxytocin compared with women in the placebo group (195.3±81.0 mL compared with 288.3±134.1 mL, respectively; P<.001). The third stage of labor was significantly shorter in the oxytocin group than in the placebo group (4.5±1.6 minutes compared with 7.9±3.4 minutes, respectively; P<.001). The percentages of placentas remaining undelivered beyond 15 minutes were 0% in the oxytocin group and 4.4% in the placebo group (P=.002). CONCLUSION: The use of intraumbilical injection of oxytocin with the active management of the third stage of labor significantly reduced postpartum blood loss and the duration of the third stage. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01094028. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I

A 5‐year follow‐up study comparing Burch colposuspension and transobturator tape for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence

To compare the effectiveness of transobturator tape (TOT) and Burch colposuspension in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Does saline irrigation reduce the wound infection in caesarean delivery

The aim of this prospective randomised study was to estimate the effect of saline wound irrigation before wound closure in the prevention of infection following caesarean delivery. Participants with indications for elective or emergency caesarean section were randomly allocated to two groups. A total of 260 women who underwent wound irrigation before wound closure and 260 did not. No demographic differences were identified between the groups. There were also no significant differences between the groups in terms of factors known to influence wound infection. The incidence of wound infection was 7.3% for the control group and 6.5% for the saline group; however, the difference was not significant (relative risk: 0.88; 95% confidence interval: 0.45–1.74; p = 0.86). In conclusion, saline wound irrigation before wound closure did not reduce the infection rate in patients undergoing caesarean delivery.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with placenta praevia and accreta in teaching hospitals in Western Turkey

Abstract In this retrospective study, we investigated patient characteristics and fetal and maternal outcomes of placenta praevia and accreta at two tertiary hospitals in Istanbul. A total of 364 pregnancies complicated by placenta praevia with (n = 46) and without (n = 318) placenta accreta managed between January 2005 and December 2010 were reviewed. Among 364 women, 46 (12.6%) had placenta accreta and 318 (87.4%) had placenta praevia without accreta. The rates of curettage history and caesarean delivery were significantly higher in the group with placenta accreta. Furthermore, we found that emergency surgery had negative effects on maternal outcomes in the placenta praevia group. In addition, when accreta was suspected at ultrasound examination in women who had placenta praevia, the mean estimated blood loss during surgery was reduced significantly. If placenta praevia is detected, a careful ultrasound examination should be performed and the patient should undergo elective surgery at a tertiary referral hospital.

Unintended extension of the lower segment uterine incision at cesarean delivery: a randomized comparison of sharp versus blunt techniques.

OBJECTIVE This study compared two methods of expanding the uterine incision at the time of cesarean delivery, which is associated with the risk of unintended extension. STUDY DESIGN This randomized trial included 1,076 women who underwent elective cesarean delivery. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of unintended extension related to the method used for expanding the uterine incision. RESULTS Participants in both groups (blunt vs. sharp) had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. The incidence of unintended extension (8.8% vs. 4.8%; p = 0.009), mean estimated blood loss (853.67 ± 42 mL vs. 664.80 ± 38 mL; p = 0.001), and blood loss >1000 mL (11.4% vs. 6.8%; p = 0.009) was significantly higher in the sharp group compared with the blunt group. No difference in transfusions (7.5% vs. 6.3%; p = 0.440) or the need for additional supertonic agents (16% vs. 12.9%; p = 0.144) was noted. CONCLUSION Sharp expansion of the uterine incision was related to a higher risk of unintended extension and maternal blood loss. Because blunt expansion is associated with a lower risk for unintended extension and maternal blood loss, it should be the first option during elective cesarean delivery.