Does an acidic medium enhance the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol for pre-abortion cervical priming? (1/56)

Absorption pharmacokinetics reveal a relationship between plasma concentrations of misoprostol and its therapeutic effect. To achieve a constant plasma profile and optimal efficacy, it is important to develop a medium that ensures complete dissolution of vaginal misoprostol tablets. Vaginal misoprostol is said to liquefy better in an acidic medium; thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether a 200 microg misoprostol tablet dissolved in acetic acid would be more efficacious than 200 microg misoprostol dissolved in water for pre-abortion cervical priming. A total of 120 healthy nulliparous women requesting legal termination of pregnancy between 6-12 weeks gestation were allocated randomly to either of the study groups. Vacuum aspiration was performed 3-4 h after insertion of the misoprostol tablet. Using Hegar's dilator, the degree of cervical dilatation before operation was measured. Of 60 women, 14 (23%) achieved a cervical dilatation of >/=8 mm when the misoprostol dose was dissolved in acetic acid; 12 (20%) achieved a similar cervical dilatation when the dose was dissolved in water. The mean cervical dilatation for the acid and water media used was 6.3 mm and 6.2 mm respectively; these differences were not statistically significant, neither were pre-operative and intra-operative blood losses statistically different between the two groups. Twenty-four (40%) and four (7%) respectively of women in whom a water medium was used experienced vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain; 20 (33%) and 0 women respectively among those in whom an acetic acid medium was used experienced vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. These differences in side effects were not statistically significant. Our study shows that the use of acetic acid to dissolve vaginal misoprostol does not improve the efficacy in achieving successful cervical dilatation for pre-abortion cervical priming.  (+info)

The use of misoprostol for pre-operative cervical dilatation prior to vacuum aspiration: a randomized trial. (2/56)

Misoprostol is effective for cervical priming prior to vacuum aspiration for first trimester termination of pregnancy. Previous studies showed that the oral route was more acceptable to patients but there were higher incidences of side-effects when compared with the vaginal route. This study is to determine the optimal dosage and route of administration of misoprostol for pre-operative cervical dilatation. A double-blind, randomized trial was undertaken for 225 nulliparous women with 8-12 weeks amenorrhoea. They were randomly assigned to groups given 0 (placebo), 200 or 400 microg oral or vaginal misoprostol 3 h prior to vacuum aspiration. In misoprostol-treated groups the baseline cervical dilatation was significantly increased when compared with the placebo group; the effect was dose-related in the oral but not in the vaginal group. The cumulative force and blood loss was significantly decreased in the misoprostol-treated groups. The incidences of side-effects were more frequent in misoprostol groups but were not related to the route and dosage of medication. The duration of procedure, incidences of post-operative complications, the duration of post-operative bleeding and the interval to the first period were similar in the five treatment groups. We conclude that a 3 h pre-treatment interval is effective for both oral and vaginal routes. When given orally, 400 microg is more effective than 200 microg. The efficacy was otherwise similar when compared with the vaginal route. We recommend 400 microg oral misoprostol 3 h prior to vacuum aspiration for cervical dilatation.  (+info)

Suction curettage for removal of retained intrathoracic blood clots and pleural lesions. (3/56)

OBJECTIVE: To develop a thoracoscopic technique for correcting and/or removing an intrathoracic disease process using our existing operating room equipment and without a "small thoracotomy." METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Fifty-eight patients from October 1994 to April 1998 were prospectively studied. All were undergoing procedures involving the removal of a suspected benign (or infectious) pleural process or a retained blood clot. Three or four thoracic ports were used in all cases. Straight and curved suction curettage cannulae (with finger valve attachment) ranging from 8 to 16 French were available for use. Intermittent variable suction (between zero and 60 mm Hg) was used in all cases. Dependent upon the size and adherence of the lesion to be removed, the pressure was determined by the surgeon and regulated by the circulating nurse in the room. In each case, a trap system was used for retrieval of the specimen. One lung ventilation was used in every case, and when suction was used one of the ports was kept "open" to allow room air to enter the chest cavity. RESULTS: All patients in our series had their procedures completed without the need for any kind of open thoracotomy. Pre and postoperative diagnosis concurred in all 10 patients, and no complications occurred (specifically, no injury to the lung tissue or chest wall structures). Operative time ranged from 45 minutes to 180 minutes with a mean of 75 minutes. In all cases of a hemothorax, a cell saver system was used for an average of one unit of blood autotransfused per case. CONCLUSIONS: New techniques do not always require the purchase of new equipment. Tight hospital budgets are forcing surgeons to rely on redefining uses of instrumentation already available in solving surgical problems. We believe that the use of this instrumentation will provide another avenue for surgeons to successfully complete a procedure thoracoscopically without the need for a thoracotomy. It is through multidisciplinary conferences such as the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons that ideas such as this are propagated.  (+info)

Uterine anomalies and failed surgical termination of pregnancy: the role of routine preoperative transvaginal sonography. (4/56)

Although used extensively in the assessment of many gynecological conditions, transvaginal ultrasonography is not performed routinely prior to termination of pregnancy in the UK. We describe a case in which surgical evacuation of the uterus failed. Postoperatively, transvaginal ultrasonography demonstrated a bicornuate uterus with a viable pregnancy within the left horn. Subsequent medical termination of pregnancy was successful. This case shows the potential value of transvaginal ultrasonography prior to termination of pregnancy. A prospective trial is needed to assess whether its routine introduction into clinical practice will lead to a reduction in morbidity resulting from termination.  (+info)

Menstrual regulation in family planning services. (5/56)

Menstrual regulation is a safe, effective, and economical method of fertility control. Its increased safety compared to first trimester abortion establishes menstrual regulation by vacuum aspiration for treatment of up to 14 days missed menstrual period as probably better medical practice than waiting to confirm the presence of a pregnancy. Because it is a postcontraceptive method, menstrual regulation has potential in family planning services both as a recruitment service and for the treatment of contraceptive failures. Its use as an only method of fertility control is being studied. The acceptance of this new family planning service will primarily depend on its availability, dissemination of information about the service, and the ability of women freely to avail themselves of the service without delay. Although long term effects of single and repeated use of menstrual regulation are not known, its immediate complications are few and it can be recommended as a useful addition to present fertility control methods in family planning programs.  (+info)

A randomized comparison of medical abortion and surgical vacuum aspiration at 10-13 weeks gestation. (6/56)

BACKGROUND: Since 1991, mifepristone in combination with a prostaglandin analogue has been licensed for termination of pregnancy in the UK at up to 9 weeks amenorrhoea, and since 1995, beyond 13 weeks. Surgical methods are used almost exclusively at 10-13 weeks amenorrhoea. METHODS: A patient-centred, partially randomized, controlled trial was carried out. Those who expressed a strong preference for either medical (n = 15) or surgical (n = 62) abortion were allocated to that method. The remainder agreed to be randomized. The medical method (n = 188) was mifepristone 200 mg followed by misoprostol up to 3 doses, and surgery (n = 180) was by vacuum aspiration under general anaesthesia. Outcome measures included efficacy rates, medical complications within 8 weeks of the procedure, patient preferences and acceptability. RESULTS: Among women who underwent medical abortion, 5.4% required a second procedure compared with 2.1% who had surgery, although this difference was not statistically significant. Side effects experienced were higher in women who underwent medical abortion compared with those who underwent surgery. There were no significant differences in the rates of major complications up to 8 weeks. Prior to termination, 80% of women had a preference for a method, with 72% preferring medical and 28% preferring surgical abortion. Following abortion, 70% of those who underwent medical termination and 79% who underwent surgery would opt for the same method in the future. CONCLUSION: Medical abortion is safe and effective at 10-13 weeks gestation and should be considered an option for those women who wish to avoid surgery and anaesthesia.  (+info)

Exogen, shedding phase of the hair growth cycle: characterization of a mouse model. (7/56)

The hair growth cycle is generally recognized to comprise phases of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen). Whereas, heretofore, the hair shedding function has been assumed to be part of the telogen phase, using a laboratory mouse model and newly developed techniques for quantitative collection and spectroscopic determination of shed hair, we found that shedding actually occurs as a distinct phase. Although some shedding occurs throughout the growth cycle, the largest peak is coupled to anagen. Using hair dye and rhodamine labeling we established that the shafts that shed arise during the previous hair cycle. We found that over the cycle the ratio of shed overfur to shed underfur hair shafts varies with the cycle phase and that the shed shaft base is unique morphologically, having a cylindrical shape with scalloped or "nibbled" edges. By electron microscopy the mooring cells of the exogen root show intercellular separation suggesting a proteolytic process in the final shedding step. This is the first report describing a distinct shedding, or exogen, phase of the hair cycle. This study supports the notion that this phase is uniquely controlled and that the final step in the shedding process involves a specific proteolytic step.  (+info)

Experiences of termination of pregnancy in a stand-alone clinic situation. (8/56)

This paper describes the authors' experience of conducting termination of pregnancy on conscious patients in community settings. If patients are appropriately selected and prepared, and the procedure conducted in the presence of well-trained and motivated nursing assistance, the method described is successful, safe and acceptable to patients.  (+info)