Profile of Live-born Infants of In-vitro Fertilisation

Introduction

The Army Hospital (R&R) is the only service hospital providing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) facility. Neonatal characteristics of live-born infants at this centre over a two-year period are analyzed in this study.

Methods

Data on 504 consecutive live-born IVF infants over a two-year period (01 Feb 2007 to 31 Jan 2009) were analysed.

Result

Of the 504 neonates, 190 (37.7%) were born by vaginal delivery, 156 (30.9%) by elective lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) and 127 (25.19%) following emergency LSCS. Maternal illness posing specific risk to the neonate was present in 165 out of 504 (32.7%). There were 239 (47.4%) preterm neonates. Males formed 51.8% of the cohort. Singletons accounted for 51.2%, while the rest (48.8%) were products of twin pregnancies. Small for gestational age neonates formed 22.6% (n = 114). A total of 20 (3.9%) infants had congenital malformations. There were 242 (48.1%) low birth weight neonates. A total of 128 (25.4%) neonates needed neonatal intensive care. Of the 504, there were 474 (94.1%) survivors while 30 (5.9%) did not survive. Twenty-nine (6.1%) neonates required readmission during the neonatal period.

Conclusion

In our setting, neonates born following IVF appeared to be at increased risk of prematurity, multiple births and low birth weight. Proper obstetric and neonatal management can result in good neonatal outcomes.Key Words: In-vitro fertilisation, Live-births, Low birth weight     

Reconstitution of Squamous Epithelium in Barrett's Oesophagus with Endoscopic Argon Plasma Coagulation: A Prospective Study

Background: Barrett's oesophagus is a premalignant condition. Recent reports have suggested that laser coagulation or photodynamic therapy combined with acid suppression may induce reconstitution of squamous mucosa. However, a high percentage of residual glands remain in cases treated with both techniques. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) appears to be an attractive alternative to other thermoablative techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the reconstitution of squamous epithelium in Barrett's oesophagus after APC. Methods: Fifteen patients with histologically proven Barrett's oesophagus were included in a prospective study. After base-line documentation by videotaping and biopsies, Barrett's epithelium was treated by repeated APC at intervals of 4-6 weeks until complete squamous restoration was achieved. All patients were kept under high-dose proton pump inhibitor therapy. Results: In 13 patients complete reconstitution of squamous epithelium was achieved. Buried glands after squamous restoration were detected transiently in only one case after the first session. As side effects seven patients had mild retrosternal discomfort. One patient reported severe retrosternal pain for 1 week. He then refused further APC sessions. Another patient was excluded because of noncompliance. During the follow-up period (6-13 months) recurrence of Barrett's epithelium was observed in one patient. Conclusions: APC is a suitable technique for achieving squamous restoration in Barrett's oesophagus. The rare occurrence of remaining buried glands may result from the homogeneous coagulation achieved by the ionized argon gas beam.     

‘Nephrostomy-Free’ Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: Experience in a UK District General Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the first-line treatment for large and complex renal calculi. Accepted UK practice is to insert a nephrostomy tube at the end of the procedure to drain the kidney and reduce potential complications. ‘Tubeless’ or ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNL has been advocated in selected patients as it is thought to reduce length of hospital stay, analgesia requirements and pain experienced. We present our outcomes of a consecutive series (n = 101) of ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNLs compared to standard PCNL over a 4-year period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2004 and October 2006, we performed 55 standard (with nephrostomy tube) PCNLs (Group 1). From October 2006 onwards, we changed our technique and have performed 46 consecutive ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNLs (JJ stent inserted), independent of patient and stone factors (Group 2). We have compared the two groups in terms of length of hospital stay (LOS), analgesia requirements, transfusion rates, haemoglobin (Hb) decrease and immediate, early and late complications.

RESULTS

‘Nephrostomy-free’ PCNL significantly reduced the length of hospital stay (2.8 vs 5.1 days; P < 0.001), morphine-based analgesia requirements (23% no morphine required vs 2.8%; P < 0.001), transfusion rate (2.5% vs 7%; P < 0.01) and mean Hb decrease (1.89 g/dl vs 2.25 g/dl; P > 0.05). Overall, no patient experienced a serious complication. All attempted ‘nephrostomy-free’ PCNLs were completed (stone clearance 95%) and no patient needed an unplanned nephrostomy. Only 5% in Group 2 needed their ureteric JJ stent removing earlier than planned secondary to pain. Both groups were comparable in terms of immediate, early and late complications, though three patients in Group 1 developed chronic loin pain and one patient in the ‘nephrostomy-free’ group developed a delayed perirenal haematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

‘Nephrostomy-free’ percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a safe, effective and feasible procedure independent of patient and stone factors. It decreases the length of hospital stay, the pain experienced and the need for morphine-based analgesia; we feel it should be the standard of care for patients undergoing a PCNL.     

Midline fractures in single maxillary complete acrylic vs flexible dentures

Background: Patients using single maxillary denture against their natural mandibular teeth face the problem of midline fracture in their routine acrylic dentures. Various techniques have failed over the years to address the problem. In this study, flexible denture material (Lucitone) with injection moulding system has been used and evaluated for midline fracture in these patients.     

Profile of culture positive enteric fever from bangalore

Background: Enteric fever is endemic in India. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical, laboratory, antibiotic sensitivity profile and response to antibiotics of culture positive enteric fever patients from Bangalore.     

The safety of intravenous fluorescein for confocal laser endomicroscopy in the gastrointestinal tract

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31 , 548–552

Summary

Background Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is rapidly emerging as a valuable tool for gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging. Fluorescent contrast agents are used to optimize imaging with CLE, and intravenous fluorescein is the most widely used contrast agent. Fluorescein is FDA‐cleared for diagnostic angiography of the retina. For these indications, the safety profile of fluorescein has been well‐documented; however, to date, fluorescein is not cleared for use with CLE. Aims To estimate the rate of serious and total adverse events attributable to intravenous fluorescein when used for gastrointestinal CLE. Methods We performed a cross sectional survey of 16 International Academic Medical Centres with active research protocols in CLE that involved intravenous fluorescein. Centres using i.v. fluorescein for CLE who were actively monitored for adverse events were included. Results Sixteen centres performed 2272 gastrointestinal CLE procedures. The most common dose of contrast agent was 2.5–5 mL of 10% sodium fluorescein. No serious adverse events were reported. Mild adverse events occurred in 1.4% of individuals, including nausea/vomiting, transient hypotension without shock, injection site erythema, diffuse rash and mild epigastric pain. The limitation is that only immediate post procedure events were actively monitored. Conclusions Use of intravenous fluorescein for gastrointestinal CLE appears to be safe with few acute complications.     

Hemodynamic effects of dobutamine and dopexamine after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery*

Background: After surgical repair of congenital heart disease, inotropic support is sometimes necessary to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass. In pediatric cardiac surgery, dobutamine and dopamine are often used as inotropic support. Dopexamine is a synthetic catecholamine, which has positive inotropic and vasodilating properties. Because the hemodynamic effects of catecholamines are modified after cardiopulmonary bypass, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dobutamine and dopexamine on cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance index after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: The study was performed in a prospective, randomized, and double‐blinded cross‐over design. The investigation included 11 children for elective, noncomplex congenital heart surgery. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass and a 20‐min period of steady state, children received either 2.5 μg·kg^?1·min^?1 dobutamine or 1 μg·kg^?1·min^?1 dopexamine for 20 min. Cardiac index (transpulmonary thermodilution), mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, stroke volume, systemic vascular resistance, and central venous oxygen saturation were determined. The primary outcome variable was cardiac index. Results: No difference in cardiac index was observed between the two groups (P = 0.594). Both drugs increased cardiac index, dopexamine from 3.9 ± 0.6 to 4.7 ± 0.8 l·min^?1·m^?2 (P = 0.003) and dobutamine from 4.1 ± 0.7 to 4.8 ± 0.7 l·min^?1·m^?2 (P = 0.004). During treatment with dobutamine, children presented with significantly higher mean arterial pressure (P = 0.003) and systemic vascular resistance index (P = 0.026). Conclusions: This trial demonstrates that low‐dose dobutamine and dopexamine both increase cardiac index during pediatric cardiac surgery but with different hemodynamic effects.     

Results of definitive radiotherapy in T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma: Institute of Rotary Cancer Hospital experience

Early glottic carcinomas (T₁ and T₂) constitute only 2% of all laryngeal cancers in our data. Seventy patients were seen between 1985 and 1992. All patients were treated by cobalt-60 small field radiotherapy using a beam directed shell. The total dose delivered was 60–65 Gy in 31 patients and 66–70 Gy in 39 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 126 months, with a mean follow up of 37 months overall and 55 months in the surgical salvage group. Radiation therapy controlled disease in 71% (50 of 70) of patients overall; 75% with T₁ and 67% with T₂ lesions. Total laryngectomy as salvage surgery was performed in 70% (14 of 20) of patients whose disease recurred. Ultimate control including surgical salvage occurred in 64 (91%) of 70 patients in the present study. The actuarial 5 year survival was 83 and 80% in T₁ and T₂ tumours, respectively (statistically insignificant). This report supports the policy of definitive irradiation, reserving surgical salvage for radiation failures in early laryngeal cancers.     

Diffusion-Weighted MRI Correlates of Subacute Methotrexate-Related Neurotoxicity

SummaryPurpose: Chemotherapy with alkylating agents is of proven efficacy in recurrent anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AO) with reported response rates ranging between 50% and 70%. The response of newly diagnosed AO to initial treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) has not yet been reported. This study evaluated the response and time to tumor progression of newly diagnosed AO initially treated with TMZ.Patients and methods: Twenty patients with a median age of 47 (range: 26–65) received a median of 14 (range: 3–24) cycles of TMZ as their first modality of therapy following diagnosis of AO. Treatment was given every 28 days for 5 days at a starting dose of 200 mg/m²/d and was continued for 24 cycles unless toxicity or tumor progression required withdrawal of TMZ. MRI evaluations were repeated every 8 weeks and scales of Karnofsky performance status (KPS) and of neurological function were used to assess clinical response.Results: Clinical improvement was observed in 60% of the patients with statistically significant gain measured by KPS and the neurologic function scales. The objective response rate was 75%, and median time to tumor progression was 24 months. Maximal objective response was reached within a median of 6 months (range: 3–12). Tumors with 1p loss had longer progression free survival compared to tumors without deletions (PFS at 24 months: 1p LOH = 100%, 1p intact = 20%; P = 0.057). TMZ was well tolerated with only two events of grade 3/4 hematological toxicity.Conclusions: Newly diagnosed AO demonstrates a high rate of response to initial therapy with TMZ, similar to the response reported for PCV combination therapy. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal duration of treatment and whether radiotherapy should immediately follow chemotherapy.