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Ultrasound Control (ultrasound + control)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	60%

Selected Abstracts

Ultrasound control for presumed difficult epidural puncture

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2001
T. Grau
Background: The efficacy of epidural anaesthesia depends on the accurate identification of the epidural space (ES). Abnormal anatomical conditions may make the procedure difficult or impossible. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-puncture ultrasound examination of the spinal anatomy might be beneficial in expected cases of difficult epidural anaesthesia. Methods: We used digital ultrasound equipment with a 5-MHz transducer to assess the anatomy of the ES and the posterior parts of the spinal column. We examined 72 parturients with abnormal anatomical conditions who were scheduled for epidural anaesthesia. The women were randomised into two equal groups. In all patients, the standard loss of resistance technique was used. In the ultrasound group, an ultrasound examination of the appropriate spinal region was conducted prior to epidural puncture. ES depth seen on the ultrasound images was compared to the ES depth measured by the needle. We compared the number of puncture attempts with the standard method (control group) to the number of attempts under ultrasound guidance. Results: Ultrasonography significantly improved operating conditions for epidural anaesthesia. The maximum VAS scores and patient acceptance were significantly better. Conclusions: With ultrasound measurement of the ES depth, the quality of epidural anaesthesia was enhanced. [source]

The role of SeprafilmÔ bioresorbable membrane in the prevention and therapy of endometrial synechiae

JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2002
Vassilios S. Tsapanos
Abstract This randomized controlled blind prospective study is undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SeprafilmÔ,a novel bioresorbable membrane of chemically modified hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose,in prevention and reduction of postoperative endometrial and endocervical synechiae formation after general suction evacuation or curettage for incomplete, missed, and recurrent abortion. In total, 150 patients with incomplete or missed abortion participated in the clinical study. The study population was divided into two main groups. In the treatment (SeprafilmÔ) group (n=50), application of SeprafilmÔ membrane in the endometrial cavity and the cervical canal was used after the suction evacuation and/or the curettage. In the control group (n=100), nothing was inserted in the uterus. Both groups were divided into two subgroups: patients who had no previous suction or curettage, (with no previous D&C) (n=88), and patients who had at least one previous suction or curettage (with one or more previous D&C) (n=62). In the treatment (SeprafilmÔ) group, 32 patients had no previous D&C and 18 patients had one or more previous D&C. In the control group, 56 patients had no previous D&C and 44 patients had one or more previous D&C. Further fertility was estimated by pregnancy success in all groups. Endometrial synechiae formation was evaluated with the use of hysterosalpingography (HSG) in patients of all groups without pregnancy success 8 months after the intervention. Registering any adverse reaction and performing ultrasound controls assessed the safety of SeprafilmÔ use. From the subgroup with no previous D&C, all 32 patients (100%) who received SeprafilmÔ had a pregnancy in the following 8 months; in the controls, pregnancy occurred only in 54%. It was also demonstrated with hysterosalpingography (HSG) that patients with one or more previous interventions and no pregnancy 8 months later were adhesion free in 90% of the patients where SeprafilmÔ was used, and only 50% in the untreated group. The membrane was tested on the endometrial area of the uterus and did not produce any adverse reaction. Ultrasound controls did not show any abnormal echoes. Intrauterine insertion of SeprafilmÔ is safe, prevents the appearance of endocervical adhesions or endometrial synechiae after curettage, and reduces the area of the endometrial cavity occupied by them in a large percent of cases. It also seems that its use improves the possibility of a new pregnancy and fertility. © 2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 10,14, 2002 [source]

Two new approaches in intrauterine tracheal occlusion using an ultrathin fetoscope

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2010
Michael Tchirikov MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: To introduce and establish a new approach in minimal invasive fetoscopic surgery in order to reduce access trauma and the iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) as a major complication of intrauterine treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Methods: In total, 27 pregnant sheep were operated on using fetoscopes with 1.2 and 1.0 mm optics. We used an elliptic sheath alone with a maximum diameter of 2.6/1.3 mm; in these cases the balloon was placed under ultrasound control. In comparison, we placed the balloon under fetoscopic control using the fetoscopic sheath and a 7F (2.3 mm) introducer. Therefore, the maximum access trauma was not bigger than the diameter of sheath of introducer. Results: With this technique we successfully operated on 22 sheep. The use of real time three-dimensional ultrasound control distinctly facilitates the operation procedure. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings show that fetoscopic tracheal occlusion using ultrathin fetoscopes and reducing the access trauma on the level of 4.2 or even 2.65 mm2 could be seen as a method of reducing the rate of PPROM. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source]