Factors associated with preterm birth in women undergoing cervical cerclage.

Objectives: Cervical cerclage is used to manage women at high risk of late miscarriage (LM) and spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) due to factors such as history of cervical insufficiency (CI), uterine anomaly, cervical surgery and ultrasound (US) diagnosed cervical shortening. Urinary tract infection (UTI) and subsequent pyelonephritis, and bacterial infection are associated with PTB, but their role in PTB after cervical cerclage is unknown. We examined the relationship between UTI and bacterial vaginosis (BV), fetal fibronectin (fFN) test and PTB in women undergoing elective- or US-indicated cervical cerclage.

Intrapartum ultrasound assessment of fetal spine position.

We investigated the role of foetal spine position in the first and second labour stages to determine the probability of OPP detection at birth and the related obstetrical implications. We conducted an observational-longitudinal cohort study on uncomplicated cephalic single foetus pregnant women at term. We evaluated the accuracy of ultrasound in predicting occiput position at birth, influence of fetal spine in occiput position during labour, labour trend, analgesia request, type of delivery, and indication to CS.

LigaSure vessel sealing system in vaginal hysterectomy: safety, efficacy and limitations.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare vaginal hysterectomy performed with standard technique versus the one performed with LigaSure.

Methods: Observational-longitudinal-cohort study on 42 women candidates to vaginal hysterectomy because of benign uterine pathology. Outcome variables, methods of analysis, inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined prospectively.