Pelvic spleen with uterovaginal prolapse

A case of wandering (pelvic) spleen associated with third degree uterovaginal prolapse and ascaris in the biliary and intestinal tract is being presented here. On laparotomy; congested splenomegaly was found in the pelvis. Splenectomy, total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-ophrectomy was performed.

Acute puerperal uterine inversion

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency, causes, clinical presentations, management and maternal mortality associated with acute puerperal inversion of the uterus.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analytical study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, over eight years period from 1st January 1995 to 31st December 2002.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All the patients who developed acute puerperal inversion of the uterus either in or outside the JPMC were included in the study. Patients of chronic uterine inversion were not included in the present study. Abdominal and vaginal examination was done to confirm and classify inversion into first, second or third degrees.

RESULTS

57036 deliveries and 36 acute uterine inversions occurred during the study period, so the frequency of uterine inversion was 1 in 1584 deliveries. Mismanagement of third stage of labour was responsible for uterine inversion in 75% of patients. Majority of the patients presented with shock, either hypovolemic (69%) or neurogenic (13%) in origin. Manual replacement of the uterus under general anaesthesia with 2% halothane was successfully done in 35 patients (97.5%). Abdominal hysterectomy was done in only one patient. There were three maternal deaths due to inversion.

CONCLUSION

Proper education and training regarding placental delivery, diagnosis and management of uterine inversion must be imparted to the maternity care providers especially to traditional birth attendants and family physicians to prevent this potentially life-threatening condition.

Placenta percreta causing acute abdomen in the second trimester of pregnancy

Two cases of acute abdomen due to haemoperitoneum caused by placenta percreta in the second trimester are presented. Both had a history of previous lower segment caesarean section, a factor well-known to predispose the condition. However, the rarity of the condition, presenting in mid pregnancy makes diagnosis and management difficult. Optimum ways of management are discussed.

Pregnancy following cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pregnancy outcome in women with cardiac disease who have undergone cardiac surgery.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective study in a tertiary care hospital.

POPULATION

One hundred and thirteen pregnant women who had cardiac surgery due to valvular disease (commisurotomy as well as valve replacement), or other cardiac defects. These women were followed up in 170 pregnancies between January 1990 and December 1999.

RESULTS

Rheumatic heart disease (91%) affecting the mitral valve, was the commonest indication for cardiac surgery (89%). Valve replacement with mechanical prostheses followed by anticoagulant therapy was carried out in 45%. There was no maternal death. Maternal morbidity from complications included pulmonary oedema (16%), cardiac arrythmias (4%), postpartum haemorrhage (3.5%). Other bleeding complications included epistaxis and haematoma at episiotomy site (2%). Impaired functioning of prosthesis (4%), severe pregnancy induced hypertension (2%) and thromboembolism (0.6%) were also observed. The abortion rate was 10.6%. There were 3 stillbirths (2%), another 6.7% babies were born preterm and 28% were lighter than appropriate for the period of gestation. There were no neonatal deaths. Coumarin derivatives were not associated with obvious foetal malformation.

CONCLUSION

With appropriate care, the outcome of pregnancy in women who have had cardiac surgery is favourable, if their functional class is good.