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The effect of the homeopathic remedies Arnica montana and Bellis perennis on mild postpartum bleeding--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study--preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Arnica Montana and Bellis perennis on postpartum blood loss. DESIGN: Double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial. SETTING: Department of Gynecology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem. INTERVENTIONS: Forty parturients were randomized to one of three groups: Arnica montana C6 and Bellis perennis C6 (n=14), Arnica montana C30 and Bellis perennis C30 (n=14), or double placebo (n=12). After 48 h the Arnica/placebo was halted, and patients continued the Bellis/placebo until cessation of lochia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hemoglobin levels (Hb) at 48 and 72 h postpartum. RESULTS: At 72 h postpartum, mean Hb levels remained similar after treatment with homeopathic remedies (12.7 versus 12.4) as compared to a significant decrease in Hb levels in the placebo group (12.7 versus 11.6; p<0.05), in spite of less favorable initial characteristics of the treatment group. The mean difference in Hb levels at 72 h postpartum was -0.29 (95% CI -1.09; 0.52) in the treatment group and -1.18 (95% CI -1.82; -0.54) in the placebo group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment with homeopathic Arnica montana and Bellis perennis may reduce postpartum blood loss, as compared with placebo.

Adult↗

"Silent" rupture of unscarred gravid uterus with subsequent pelvic abscess: successful laparoscopic management.

Intrapartum rupture of an unscarred uterus is rare in current times. However, it is still associated with significant maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Unlike rupture or dehiscence of a previous cesarean scar, which is occasionally bloodless, complete rupture of a gravid unscarred uterus frequently results in fetal jeopardy and significant maternal intraperitoneal bleeding, causes acute abdomen, and demands emergency surgical (laparotomy) intervention. Laparoscopy generally has no role in such circumstances due to the generally unstable maternal hemodynamic condition and the necessity of prompt fetal delivery with an abdominal approach. We present a rare case of intrapartum rupture of an unscarred gravid uterus with an atypical insidious clinical course. The diagnosis of complete uterine rupture was made 20 days after the patient's successful vaginal delivery, at which time a large pelvic abscess formed. The condition was successfully managed laparoscopically. Successful vaginal delivery, even with normal lochia, good uterine contraction, and stable vital signs, does not preclude the possibility of uterine rupture. For patients with unusual postpartum pelvic pain, uterine rupture should be considered as one of the possible etiologic factors, and prompt survey should be performed. Laparoscopic intervention may be valuable in such situations.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Use of enrofloxacin in the treatment of canine brucellosis in a dog kennel (clinical trial).

To date, no totally effective antibiotic for the eradication of canine brucellosis has been found. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of enrofloxacin in a kennel infected with Brucella canis. Twelve dogs, 2 males and 10 females (including 1 in estrus, 3 pregnant, and 6 in anestrus) infected with B. canis were given 5 mg/kg of enrofloxacin orally every 12 h for 30 days. Females received additional courses of enrofloxacin during the estral and luteal phases of the subsequent cycles (0-2 cycles). They were repeatedly mated by infected males. A serological follow-up was carried out for 38 months. The clinical, serological and bacteriological findings were recorded. In a trial carried out 14 months after the beginning of this study, all dogs were negative on the Rapid Slide Agglutination Test (RSAT). No abortions were observed. All mated female dogs conceived and gave birth to healthy puppies. Cultures of postpartum vaginal discharges (lochia) were negative for B. canis. Similar to other treatments, although enrofloxacin was not completely efficacious in treating canine brucellosis, it maintained fertility and avoided the recurrence of abortions, transmission of the disease to the puppies and dissemination of microorganisms during parturition. We inferred that enrofloxacin could be used as an alternative drug for the treatment of canine brucellosis.

Agglutination Tests↗

Lochial secretions of Escherichia coli- or Arcanobacterium pyogenes-infected bovine uteri modulate the phenotype and the functional capacity of neutrophilic granulocytes.

It has been suggested that in cases of puerperal endometritis of cattle infected with Escherichia coli and Arcanobacterium pyogenes, the neutrophils are compromised in their defense capacity or downregulated functionally. In addition to direct bacterial effects, contents of lochial secretions and secreted products of locally activated polymorphonuclear neutrophilic granulocytes (PMNs) may also account for changes in function of freshly immigrating neutrophils. In this study, lochial secretions were obtained from healthy cows and from cows infected by E. coli or A. pyogenes. Separated uterine PMN of infected cows displayed an altered phenotype and function which correlated with the degree of bacterial contamination. Concurrently tested circulating PMN showed no such changes. Infected lochial secretions sterilized by filtration also changed the phenotype of blood PMN. Lochial secretions of healthy cows displayed only minor effects. The effects on PMN function in infected cows varied: ingestion was less affected, whereas generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was severely depressed. Concurrently tested purified bacterial products (solubles and fragments) of E. coli and A. pyogenes did not induce the phenotypical and functional changes observed in blood PMN. Since infected lochia also contained high numbers of immigrated and probably activated PMN, the influence of supernatants from phorbol myristate acetate-activated PMN were tested on freshly isolated blood PMN. Such supernatants also increased the expression of certain surface molecules and inhibited the ROS generation. Thus, reduced function and altered phenotypes of PMN which immigrate into the uteri of cows with bacterial endometritis is due not only to interactions with bacteria or bacterial products, but is also to the uterine milieu.

Actinomycetaceae↗

Failure of luteolysis leads to prolonged gestation in a bitch: a case report.

A healthy, 5-yr-old rough collie bitch exhibited prolonged gestation, characterized by intrauterine fetal death and plasma progesterone concentrations (PPC) above 6 nmol/L/d until Day 65 or 66 of cytologic diestrus, which then only dropped following treatment with dinoprost tromethamine. The bitch showed no signs of parturition prior to laparotomy and hysterotomy on Day 63, which revealed 5 corpora lutea (CL) on the left ovary and 1 on the right ovary; 5 full-term, dead conceptuses without obvious autolysis but with 4 of the 5 placentas detached; and a tightly closed cervix. All conceptuses were in the left uterine horn. Treatment with dinoprost tromethamine was initiated 1 d after hysterotomy and was continued for IO d (120 microg/kg twice daily for a total dose of 240 microg kg/d). The discharge of lochia through the cervix and lactation started 3 d after the onset of treatment. Plasma progesterone concentration was 14.4, 16.2 and 1.6 nmol/L/d on the day of hysterotomy and at 1 and 3 d after the onset of prostaglandin therapy, respectively. The reason for the failure of luteolysis to occur is not known.

Journal Article↗

A study on the effects of low haemoglobin on postnatal women.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effect of low haemoglobin (Hb) on the mental and physical health of postnatal women. DESIGN: survey conducted between May 1991 and February 1992. SETTING: maternity unit in district general hospital in the UK. PARTICIPANTS: 1010 postnatal women who had delivered a live baby, did not stay in hospital for seven or more days postnatally, whose baby was not admitted to the neonatal unit and who did not have a current psychiatric disorder. MEASUREMENTS: Hb levels at 'booking', 34 weeks gestation, three days and six weeks post delivery; the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a self-completion questionnaire at ten days, four weeks and six weeks post delivery. FINDINGS: women with a low Hb are more likely to be under 25 years of age, primiparous, be anaemic at 34 weeks gestation, not to have had a normal delivery, have had a blood loss greater than 250 ml and to have had heavy lochia postnatally. Low Hb levels were not associated with high EPDS scores. Low Hb levels were related to reports of low energy, breathlessness, faintness/dizziness, painful perineal sutures and tingling in fingers and toes at ten days post delivery. Whilst tiredness persisted to six weeks post delivery the other symptoms disappeared. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: in order to reduce the incidence of postnatal anaemia a review of policies for testing is recommended so that the incidence of physical problems in the first six weeks can be reduced. There is a need for further research into the causes and potential alleviation of tiredness.

Adolescent↗

A prospective, randomized, clinical study to compare the clinical safety, effectiveness, and cost of oral ofloxacin/clindamycin vs intravenous clindamycin/gentamicin for the treatment of postpartum endomyometritis.

Objective: The primary objective of this prospective, randomized, clinical study was to compare the safety, clinical and microbiologic efficacy, and cost of oral ofloxacin in combination with clindamycin vs intravenous (IV) clindamycin/gentamicin in the early empiric treatment for hospitalized patients with mild to moderate postpartum endomyometritis. The secondary objective is to reduce total hospital and patient treatment cost. Postpartum endomyometritis is a major cause of infectious morbidity in the obstetric patient. It is the most common complication associated with cesarean delivery. Careful timing and amniotomy, limited vaginal examinations, and prophylactic antibiotics for cesarean section delivery may help to reduce the incidence and severity of endomyometritis. Endomyometritis is caused by bacteria that compose the normal cervicovaginal flora. These are anaerobic gram-positive cocci (Peptostreptococcus and Peptococcus), aerobic streptococci (Group B Streptococci and enterococci), Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroides (B. fragilis, B. bivius, and B. disiens), and clostridium species.Ofloxacin is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial agent for intravenous and oral administration. Following oral administration, the bioavailability in tablet form is 98% with maximum serum concentrations in 1 to 2 hours. Steady state concentrations are achieved after 4 doses. Ofloxacin usually is bactericidal in action. A synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial agent for intravenous and oral administration. Ofloxacin inhibits DNA topoisomerase (ATP-hydrolyzing), commonly referred to as DNA-gyrase. DNA-gyrase causes double-stranded DNA breakage; it inhibits duplication, transcription, and repair of bacterial DNA.Methods: This is a preliminary study that has enrolled 19 evaluable patients towards the overall enrollment of 60 patients for statistical significance. Patients clinically diagnosed as having postpartum endomyometritis who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria were entered into the trial. Patients were examined for the presence of fever (102.2 degrees F), pelvic pain, and foul lochia. A medical history, physical examination, and laboratory analysis were obtained prior to the first dose of antibiotic treatment. A signed consent was obtained prior to the study enrollment and randomization. Appropriate endometrial, blood, and urine culture specimens were obtained prior to the initiation of antibiotic therapy.Patients in Group 1 were treated with oral therapy using ofloxacin 400 mg q12h plus clindamycin 900 mg q8h until 24 hrs of afebrility. In Group 2, patients were treated with clindamycin 900 mg IV q8h plus gentamicin IV 5mg/kg/d q 8h until afebrility. Antibiotic therapy was continued for at least 48 hours unless significant clinical deterioration occurred necessitating the withdrawal of the patient from the study.Results:Conclusions: We found in our preliminary study that oral ofloxacin in combination with oral clindamycin was equally as efficacious, well tolerated, and safe as the combination of intravenous therapy with clindamycin and gentamicin for the treatment of postpartum endomyometritis.

Journal Article↗

Postnatal care in hospitals: ritual, routine or individualized.

Postnatal care in hospital continues to include routine recording of observations of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, fundal height, lochia and perineal injury on clinical pathways that allow little if any leeway for individualizing care. This paper discusses the issues of designing a new clinical pathway that encompasses best practice, is woman friendly and allows for individualized care rather than routine rituals.

Critical Pathways↗

Cervimetry and ultrasonographic observations of the cervix regression in dairy cows during the first 10 days post partum.

The aim of this study was to describe the involution process of the bovine cervix during the first 10 days post partum by using an intracervically introduced gauge and transrectal ultrasonography. Twenty-five pluriparous Holstein Friesian cows were included, which were randomized into three groups: group 1 (n = 10): transrectal ultrasonographic presentation of the formation of cervical folds; group 2 (n = 10): measurement of the reduction of the canalis cervicalis using an intracervically introduced gauge. The examinations were performed directly after expulsion and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18 and 24 h post partum, and in intervals of 24 h up to the tenth day. The involution process can be divided into four phases: 1: fast reduction up to the sixth hour; 2: protracted reduction up to the second day without constant formation of folds; 3: protracted reduction up to the seventh day with constant formation of folds; 4: re-opening of the canalis cervicalis maintaining the structure of the folds. The reduction process (phase 1- phase 3) can be shown as the sum of two exponential functions with different grading coefficients: y = reduction 1 x e(-b1 x t) + reduction 2 x e(-b2 x t). Reduction 1 is reduction in cm during the first phase and reduction 2 is reduction in cm during the second and the third phase. Group 3 (n = 5): to exclude an influence of the high frequency of examinations on the involution process the cows were examined immediately after parturition and on the fifth and tenth day postpartum using the same method as in groups 1 and 2. In conclusion, the involution process of the bovine cervix guarantees a fast protection of the cavum uteri and a drainage of the lochia at the end of the early puerperium. The re-opening phase after the seventh day has not yet been described in any other species and can be interpreted as the adaptation to the exsudative puerperium in the cow.

Animals↗

Postnatal vaginal bleeding problems and General Practice.

OBJECTIVES: to investigate women's experiences of problems with vaginal loss from 28 days to three months postnatally and to describe the treatment and referral patterns for women who consult their GP about such problems during the first three months postnatally. DESIGN: a longitudinal questionnaire study of consecutively delivered postnatal women and a report-card survey of GP consultations by women with problems with postnatal vaginal loss. SETTING: two health districts in the south of England. PARTICIPANTS: women delivering in the two health districts during specified recruitment periods in 1995 and 1996. For the GP study, with her consent, the GP returned an anonymous registration card for each woman presenting. FINDINGS: in the survey of women, 20% (64/325) reported problems with postnatal loss occurring between 28 days and three months after the birth. Around a half of these consulted a GP. The GP study was disappointing in that only 26% (30/115) of practices agreed to take part and 16% (18/115) returned notification cards. Forty-eight women were included from 18 practices. The most common presenting symptoms were excessive bleeding (29/48; 60%) and prolonged bleeding (26/48; 54%). The commonest form of treatment was antibiotics alone (15/48; 31%) but 12 women (25%) were neither treated nor referred. Referral (n=19) was for hospital admission, out-patient appointment or direct referral for an ultrasound scan. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: morbidity related to abnormalities of postnatal vaginal fluid loss (lochia) has been shown to be significant, yet nothing was known about the outcome of related GP consultations during the first three months postnatally. A variety of treatment and referral patterns were revealed, highlighting the need for a systematic review of the literature on the management of secondary postpartum haemorrhage. Health care workers need to be aware of the significant morbidity experienced by postnatal women in relation to their lochial loss.

Adolescent↗

A randomized clinical trial of two surgical techniques for cesarean section.

The Joel-Cohen incision followed by nonclosure of pelvic and parietal peritoneum has been advocated as an alternative method to the Pfannenstiel incision with peritonealization at cesarean section. A randomized trial was designed to compare intra- and postoperative morbidity between the two techniques. Women to undergo a cesarean section were randomly allocated to have either the Joel-Cohen incision with the parietal and pelvic peritoneum left open (group 1) or to have the Pfannenstiel incision with both peritoneal layers sutured (group 2). The myometrium was closed with 1-0 polyglactin 910 suture using a continuous single-layer nonlocking technique. Patients in group 2 had the peritoneum approximated with 2-0 polyglactin 910 suture. The fascia was sutured with continuous 1-0 polyglactin 910 suture in all cases. Opening time was defined as the interval from skin incision to the opening of the uterine cavity. Febrile morbidity was defined as a temperature > or =38 degrees C on two occasions 4 hours (hr) apart excluding the first postoperative day. Endometritis was defined as postpartum temperature > or =38 degrees C on two occasions 4 hr apart, with uterine tenderness and/or foul-smelling lochia. One hundred forty-nine and 150 patients were allocated to group 1 and to group 2, respectively. A shorter median (range) opening time [4 min (2-21) vs. 6 min (2-19), respectively, p < 0.01] and a shorter median (range) operative time [30 min (10-65) vs. 40 min (20-110), respectively, p < 0.01] were observed in group 1. No difference was found in terms of intraoperative complications, proportion of patients who required transfusion, endometritis, sepsis, febrile morbidity, and urinary tract infections. A higher rate of wound infections was found in group 2 than in group 1 [14 of 150 (9.3%) vs. 2 of 149 (1.3%), respectively, p < 0.01]. The Joel-Cohen incision without peritonealization resulted in a shorter opening and total operative time than the Pfannenstiel laparotomy with peritonealization. This was accomplished with a reduction of wound infections.

Adult↗

[Post-operative complications following Caesarean section. A comparative study of the years 1957-1958 and 1977-1978].

104 Caesarean sections of the Obstetric Department of the University in Hamburg-Eppendorf of the years 1957-1958 were compared with 399 Caesarean sections of the years 1977-1978 in a retrospective study. An attempt was made to correlate the post-operative complications with possible causes. There was a marked rise in wound infections, endometritis, post-operative pyrexia and a decrease of thromboembolic complications and retained lochia. Differences in the old and new years were in the management of labour, the operative technique and the post-operative treatment. In the Caesarean sections of 1977 to 1978 a clear cut correlation between wound infections uterine complications and pyrexia and the number of vaginal examination following rupture of the membranes the duration of rupture of the membranes and the length of labour was found. To reduce the post-operative complication rate at attempt should be made to reduce the number of vaginal examinations, to be stringent in the indications for rupture of the membranes and to avoid delay in inevitable Caesarean sections.

Cesarean Section↗

Puerperal infection after cesarean delivery: evaluation of a standardized protocol.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate an antibiotic protocol for treatment of postcesarean endometritis. STUDY DESIGN: Endometritis was diagnosed as a persistent fever > or =100.4 degrees F beyond 24 hours after cesarean delivery and one or more of the following: uterine tenderness, tachycardia, foul lochia, or leukocytosis. Antibiotic therapy included gentamicin plus clindamycin and ampicillin (or vancomycin) as a triple antimicrobial in 148 women. Antibiotic failure was defined as persistent fever after 5 days of antibiotics and 72 hours of triple antibiotics. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 1996, 322 of 1643 (20%) women were diagnosed with postcesarean endometritis. One hundred seventy-four patients (54%) were cured with clindamycin-gentamicin, and 129 who additionally received ampicillin or vancomycin (40%) were cured. Nineteen of the 322 (6%) women had persistent fever despite triple antibiotics. Of these, 6 had a wound complication, 12 were suspected to have antimicrobial resistance, and 1 had an infected hematoma. CONCLUSION: A prospective protocol consisting of clindamycin-gentamicin plus the selective addition of ampicillin or vancomycin cured 303 of 322 (94%) women with postcesarean endometritis.

Ampicillin↗

Postpartum beliefs and practices in Danbare village, Northern Nigeria.

Postpartum cultural beliefs and practices are widely prevalent in northern Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey, we set out to examine contemporary postpartum beliefs and practices among a cohort of 300 mothers in Danbare village, northern Nigeria. Common postpartum practices included sexual abstinence (100%), physical confinement (88%), hot ritual baths (86%), nursing in heated rooms (84%) and ingestion of gruel enriched with local salt (83%). The majority of mothers (93%) believed that these practices made them stronger and helped them regain their physiologic state. Most respondents believed that non-observance could lead to body swelling, foul-smelling lochia and perineal pain. Mothers with formal education were significantly more likely to believe that these practices were non-beneficial compared with those mothers without formal education (odds ratio (OR) = 9.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.6 - 28.8). Almost half of the respondents (49%) said they would continue with these practices. In conclusion, women are still holding on to postpartum cultural beliefs and practices in northern Nigeria. However, educated women could act as useful agents of change towards the elimination of practices harmful to the health of mothers and their children.

Adolescent↗

Does uterine wiping influence the rate of post-Cesarean endometritis?

OBJECTIVE: To compare two methods of uterine cleansing to remove residual amnion-chorion at the time of Cesarean delivery. METHODS: All consenting uninfected parturients undergoing a non-emergency Cesarean delivery at the university were enrolled. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis of a 1-g intravenous bolus of a first-generation cephalosporin immediately after cord clamping. Postpartum endometritis was defined as a temperature of > or = 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C) on two occasions 6 h apart after the first 24 h with uterine tenderness and/or foul-smelling lochia. RESULTS: Between January 1998 and February 2000 there were 1400 patients enrolled in this investigation. A total of 153 women were determined to have chorioamnionitis present at surgery and 17 women refused participation, leaving 614 women in the uterine wipe group and 616 in the no wipe group. Maternal demographics were similar between patient groups (NS). Intrapartum factors including gestational age at time of Cesarean section, type of anesthesia used for the operative delivery, hours of amnion rupture prior to delivery, use of internal monitoring devices, type of skin incision, method of placental removal, total operative time and estimated blood loss were similar between patient groups (NS). An almost identical number of patients in each arm of the study developed post-Cesarean endometritis (65 out of 614, 10.5%, in the uterine wipe group vs. 66 out of 616, 10.7%, in the no wipe group; p = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Both methods of removing residual amnion-chorion membrane tissue and associated debris at surgery were comparably effective, but neither produced a dramatic reduction in the incidence of postoperative endometritis.

Adult↗

Analgesia after caesarean section. The use of rectal diclofenac as an adjunct to spinal morphine.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the analgesic effect of rectal sodium diclofenac 100 mg after Caesarean section using subarachnoid hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% and morphine 0.2 mg. During the 48 h follow-up period, both placebo and diclofenac groups had comparable analgesia as measured by visual analogue scores (VAS) at rest and on movement. However, diclofenac prolonged the mean time to first analgesia by more than 5 h from 13 h 45 min in the placebo group to 18 h 58 min (p < 0.03). The incidence of side effects (nausea, vomiting, itching, excessive lochia loss and the need for additional analgesia) were comparable in each group.

Adult↗

Microbial aetiology and diagnostic criteria of postpartum endometritis in Nairobi, Kenya.

Using a protected triple lumen device, Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis, or both, were isolated from the endometriums of five out of 35 women with clinical postpartum endometritis compared with none of a control group of 30 puerperal women without endometritis (p less than 0.05) in Nairobi, Kenya. These sexually transmitted agents were also found in 12 cervical specimens from women with and three without postpartum endometritis (p = 0.04). Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum were equally isolated from the endometrium in both groups. Histology showed plasma cell infiltration in 6/25 patients compared with 1/22 controls (p = 0.06). A history of foul lochia (p less than 0.01) and abdominal pain (p = 0.02) were associated with postpartum endometritis. Sexually transmitted agents appear to be major causes of puerperal upper genital tract infections in Nairobi.

Adult↗