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Biomedical subjects

D M Gibb

Publications and source records attributed to D M Gibb.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

A comparative study of methods of oxytocin administration for induction of labour.

Equipment has become available for the automatic infusion of oxytocin in a closed loop system for the induction of labour. This system was compared with manual administration of oxytocin by peristaltic infusion pump, the dosage being based on data derived from an intrauterine catheter or by clinical assessment of uterine activity. A total of 121 patients classified according to parity and cervical score were allocated to an automatic infusion system (AIS) or a peristaltic infusion pump system. Patient characteristics were similar in both groups. Labour was significantly longer in those induced by automatic infusion system particularly in nulliparae and patients with poor cervical scores. In 53.3% of the nulliparae with poor cervical scores the automatic infusion system proved inadequate to effect vaginal delivery. Neonatal outcome was similar in both groups. Automatic infusion of oxytocin by the present system increased the length of induced labour and had no statistically significant effect on neonatal outcome, conferring no advantage over a more traditional method of oxytocin administration.

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Total uterine activity in induced labour--an index of cervical and pelvic tissue resistance.

Uterine activity was studied during labour induced using an automatic infusion system (AIS) or a peristaltic infusion pump (IVAC) to administer oxytocin. In the 110 patients who achieved vaginal delivery the total uterine activity required to effect full dilatation of the uterine cervix was found to vary according to parity and cervical score but not according to mode of oxytocin infusion. Irrespective of whether the uterine activity level per 15 min was maintained at between 700 and 1500 kPas or at between 1500 and 2000 kPas, the total uterine activity was similar the lower levels being compensated for by a longer duration. Fetal outcome, in terms of 1- and 5-min Apgar scores and umbilical vein blood pH, was unaffected by the level of uterine activity. The cervical and pelvic tissue resistance varies according to parity and cervical score and the uterus has to achieve a certain total uterine activity in induced labour which is best achieved by maintaining optimal uterine activity levels of 1500-2000 kPas/15 min to effect vaginal delivery of the baby in good condition in optimal time.

Cervix Uteri↗

Failed induction of labour.

Over a 15-month period 1,057 consecutive inductions of labour were performed representing a 10% induction rate; 174 (16.5%) of these patients were delivered by Caesarean section of which 74 (7.0%) were for failed induction of labour, 58 (5.5%) for fetal distress, 19 (1.8%) for cephalopelvic disproportion, 6 for malposition and 17 for other reasons. The mean cervical score at induction of labour was 5.7 and 5.5 for cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) and malposition respectively but was 4.0 for failed induction. The mean cervical dilatation at the time of Caesarean section was 5.7 cm and 6.6 cm for CPD and malposition respectively whereas it was 3.5 cm for failed induction. Mean maximum dose of oxytocin was 19.2 milliunits per minute (mu/min) and 22.5 mu/min for CPD and malposition respectively whereas it was 24.7 mu/min for cases of failed induction. Nulliparas with a cervical score of 3 or less had a 65.4% Caesarean section rate of which more than two-thirds were for failed induction of labour. Analysis of indications for induction of labour revealed that a fair number of inductions had debatable obstetric indications. Tailoring induction of labour to the cervical score and indication might reduce the Caesarean section rate for failed induction of labour. Rational management to ensure an adequate dose of oxytocin and sufficient time in the first stage of labour is important. Failed induction of labour may be differentiated from failure of labour progress due to CPD or malposition.

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The effects of subcutaneous hormone implants during climacteric.

Climacteric symptoms in 120 women were treated with a total of 469 hormone implants (oestradiol 50 mg and testosterone 100 mg) over a period of four years. All patients with a uterus were given an oral progestogen to prevent endometrial hyperplasia. There was a marked response to treatment, hot flushes being improved in all patients, depression in 99% and loss of libido in 92%. Patient acceptability of this type of treatment was good and there were few side effects or complications. After therapy, the serum oestradiol exceeded the serum oestrone but remained within normal limits. When climacteric symptoms returned and re-implantation occurred the serum levels of oestrone, oestradiol, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were within the normal range for the reproductive age. This indicates that the return of symptoms is due to a change in the hormone levels rather than absolute hypo- oestrogenism .

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The effect of parity on uterine activity in labour.

Uterine activity was studied in 40 multiparous Singapore women of Chinese origin who were in normal labour and had a normal delivery. A catheter tip pressure transducer coupled with a uterine activity integrator was used to quantify uterine activity. Normal labour progress was defined as labour progressing within 2 h to the right of a line drawn on the partogram at 1 cm/h in the active phase of labour. A wide range of activity was observed. The median level of uterine activity rose from 815 kPas/15 min at 3 cm dilatation to 1731 kPas/15 min at 9 cm dilatation with an overall median level of 1130 kPas/15 min. The 10th centile value rose from 430 kPas/15 min at 3 cm dilatation to 923 kPas/15 min at 9 cm dilatation. Profiles of dilatation-specific activity values were constructed. These values were significantly lower than in a comparative group of nulliparous patients. The parous uterus requires to expend significantly less effort to effect normal vaginal delivery than its nulliparous counterpart.

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Characteristics of uterine activity in nulliparous labour.

Uterine activity was studied in 40 nulliparous Chinese women who were in normal labour and had a normal delivery. A catheter-tip pressure transducer coupled with a uterine activity integrator was used to observe and quantify uterine activity. Normal labour progress was defined as labour progressing within 2 h to the right of a line drawn at 1 cm/h in the active phase. A wide range of uterine activity was recorded with varying degrees of co-ordination. The minimum level of uterine activity likely to be associated with labour progress was 650 kPas/15 min at 3 cm cervical dilatation. The median level in the active phase of normal labour was 1440 kPas/15 min. There was a strong correlation between measurements in kPas/15 min and Montevideo units/15 min (r = 0.71, P less than 0.001). No significant increase was found in basal tone.

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Should we abandon Kielland's forceps?

To assess the risks associated with the use of Kielland's forceps 2708 consecutive deliveries were studied prospectively and the neonatal outcome related to the mode of delivery. Of the 1191 primigravidas, 279 (23.4%) underwent instrumental delivery, of whom 65 (5.5%) were delivered with Kielland's forceps. There was no difference in early neonatal outcome (as judged by Apgar scores, intubations, and admission to the special care baby unit) between these babies and those delivered normally or by non-rotational forceps, but a higher proportion of the 127 (10.7%) delivered by emergency caesarean section were compromised. Of the 1517 multigravid patients, only 57 (3.8%) underwent instrumental delivery, 15 (1.0%) by Kielland's forceps. Among these babies, also, the outcome was no worse than for those delivered normally, but the babies delivered by caesarean section showed a greatly increased incidence of low Apgar scores, intubations, and admission to the special care baby unit. There were no stillbirths or neonatal deaths among babies delivered by Kielland's forceps, nor were there any cases of severe birth trauma or of obvious neonatal morbidity.

Apgar Score↗

Obstetric characteristics in different racial groups.

A detailed analysis of 2632 consecutive pregnancies in white, black and Asian women, who were delivered during the period 1978 to 1980, found significant differences between the three ethnic groups. Asian primiparae had the longest first and second stages of labour, with the highest incidence of prolonged latent phase (14%) and primary dysfunctional labour (30%). Black primiparae and multiparae had the highest incidence of secondary arrest in the first stage of labour (10% and 4% respectively) and of primary dysfunctional labour, with the greatest recourse to emergency caesarean section (13% and 4% respectively). The mean birthweight for singletons born between 37 and 42 weeks was 3.37 kg for white babies, 3.25 kg for black babies and 3.14 kg for Asian babies. There was no racial difference in perinatal mortality or morbidity in this survey.

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