Group A Streptococcus vulvovaginitis in breastfeeding women

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus-associated vulvovaginitis is uncommon in adult women. Clinicians should include group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus as a possible cause of vulvovaginal symptoms in breastfeeding women. Along with appropriate antibiotic therapy, vaginal estrogen therapy may be considered to diminish susceptibility to recurrent infection in women with vaginal atrophy.     

Transversus abdominis plane infiltration for laparoscopic gastric anding: A pilot study简

AIM: To estimate an effect size for the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) infiltration on quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric band surgery.METHODS: The pilot study was a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. Patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric band surgery were randomized to receive a bilateral TAP infiltration with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or saline. The evaluated outcomes included quality of recovery-40 (QoR-40) at 24 h, postoperative opioid consumption and pain. Data was examined using the Mann-Whitney U test.RESULTS: Nineteen subjects were recruited. There was a positive trend favoring the TAP infiltration group in global QoR-40 scores at 24 h after surgery, median [interquartile range (IQR)] of 175.5 (170-189) compared to 170 (160-175) in the control group (P = 0.06). There also a positive trend toward a lower cumulative opioid consumption in the TAP infiltration group, median (IQR) of 7.5 (2.5-11.5) mg iv morphine equivalents compared to 13 (7-21.5) in the control group (P = 0.07). Correlation analysis (Spearman’s Rho) demonstrated an inverse relationship between 24 h cumulative opioid consumption and global QoR-40 scores, -0.49 (P = 0.03).CONCLUSION: The use of multimodal analgesic techniques to reduce opioid related side effects is particularly desirable in morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric reduction surgery. The TAP infiltration seems to have a clinically important effect in reducing postoperative opioid consumption and improve quality of recovery after laparoscopic gastric band surgery in morbid obese patients. Future studies to confirm the beneficial effects of the TAP infiltration in these patients are warranted.     

Transversus abdominis plane infiltration for laparoscopic gastric banding: A pilot study

AIM: To estimate an effect size for the transversus abdominis plane(TAP) infiltration on quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric band surgery. METHODS: The pilot study was a randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. Patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric band surgery were randomized to receive a bilateral TAP infiltration with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or saline. The evaluated outcomes included quality of recovery-40(QoR-40) at 24 h, postoperative opioid consumption and pain. Data was examined using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Nineteen subjects were recruited. There was a positive trend favoring the TAP infiltration group in global QoR-40 scores at 24 h after surgery, median [interquartile range(IQR)] of 175.5(170-189) com-pared to 170(160-175) in the control group(P = 0.06). There also a positive trend toward a lower cumulative opioid consumption in the TAP infiltration group, median(IQR) of 7.5(2.5-11.5) mg iv morphine equivalents compared to 13(7-21.5) in the control group(P = 0.07). Correlation analysis(Spearman's Rho) demonstrated an inverse relationship between 24 h cumulative opioid consumption and global QoR-40 scores,-0.49(P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The use of multimodal analgesic techniques to reduce opioid related side effects is particularly desirable in morbidly obese patients undergoing gastric reduction surgery. The TAP infiltration seems to have a clinically important effect in reducing postoperative opioid consumption and improve quality of recovery after laparoscopic gastric band surgery in morbid obese patients. Future studies to confirm the beneficial effects of the TAP infiltration in these patients are warranted.     

Bilateral independent periodic discharges are associated with electrographic seizures and poor outcome: A case-control study

Objective

To determine the clinical correlates bilateral independent periodic discharges (BIPDs) and their association with electrographic seizures and outcome.

An observational cohort study of Chlamydia trachomatis treatment in pregnancy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, azithromycin is not considered a first-line treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women. We evaluated the use, efficacy, and safety of azithromycin compared with erythromycin and amoxicillin in the treatment of genital chlamydial infection during pregnancy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with genital chlamydial infection. Data on antibiotics prescribed, test-of-cure (TOC) results, and maternal and infant complications were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Of the 277 women in the study sample, 69% were initially prescribed azithromycin, 9% amoxicillin, and 19% erythromycin. Eight-one percent of subjects had a TOC 7 or more days after diagnosis and before delivery. Treatment efficacy, as defined by a negative TOC, was 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.9-99.2) for azithromycin, 95% (95% CI, 76.2-99.9) for amoxicillin, and 64% (95% CI, 44.1-81.4) for erythromycin. The efficacy of azithromycin was significantly higher than erythromycin (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in efficacy by age, race/ethnicity, concurrent sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, partner treatment, or substance use. Furthermore, there was no difference in complications for women or infants exposed to azithromycin compared with those treated with other regimens. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcome data from this study population of women and infants support both efficacy and safety of azithromycin for treatment of C. trachomatis in pregnancy.     

Eszopiclone increases the respiratory arousal threshold and lowers the apnoea/hypopnoea index in obstructive sleep apnoea patients with a low arousal threshold

Recent insights into sleep apnoea pathogenesis reveal that a low respiratory arousal threshold (awaken easily) is important for many patients. As most patients experience stable breathing periods mediated by upper-airway dilator muscle activation via accumulation of respiratory stimuli, premature awakening may prevent respiratory stimuli build up as well as the resulting stabilization of sleep and breathing. The aim of the present physiological study was to determine the effects of a non-benzodiazepine sedative, eszopiclone, on the arousal threshold and the AHI (apnoea/hypopnoea index) in obstructive sleep apnoea patients. We hypothesized that eszopiclone would increase the arousal threshold and lower the AHI in patients with a low arousal threshold (0 to -15 cm H(2)O). Following a baseline overnight polysomnogram with an epiglottic pressure catheter to quantify the arousal threshold, 17 obstructive sleep apnoea patients, without major hypoxaemia [nadir SaO(2) (arterial blood oxygen saturation) >70%], returned on two additional nights and received 3 mg of eszopiclone or placebo immediately prior to each study. Compared with placebo, eszopiclone significantly increased the arousal threshold [-14.0 (-19.9 to -10.9) compared with -18.0 (-22.2 to -15.1) cm H(2)O; P<0.01], and sleep duration, improved sleep quality and lowered the AHI without respiratory event prolongation or worsening hypoxaemia. Among the eight patients identified as having a low arousal threshold, reductions in the AHI occurred invariably and were most pronounced (25±6 compared with 14±4 events/h of sleep; P<0.01). In conclusion, eszopiclone increases the arousal threshold and lowers the AHI in obstructive sleep apnoea patients that do not have marked overnight hypoxaemia. The greatest reductions in the AHI occurred in those with a low arousal threshold. The results of this single night physiological study suggest that certain sedatives may be of therapeutic benefit for a definable subgroup of patients. However, additional treatment strategies are probably required to achieve elimination of apnoea.