PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Thomas F Baskett

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas F Baskett.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Amniotic-fluid embolism and medical induction of labour: a retrospective, population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Amniotic-fluid embolism is a rare, but serious and often fatal maternal complication of delivery, of which the cause is unknown. We undertook an epidemiological study to investigate the association between amniotic-fluid embolism and medical induction of labour. METHODS: We used a population-based cohort of 3 million hospital deliveries in Canada between 1991 and 2002 to assess the associations between overall and fatal rates of amniotic-fluid embolism and medical and surgical induction, maternal age, fetal presentation, mode of delivery, and pregnancy and labour complications. FINDINGS: Total rate of amniotic-fluid embolism was 14.8 per 100,000 multiple-birth deliveries and 6.0 per 100,000 singleton deliveries (odds ratio 2.5 [95% CI 0.9-6.2]). Of the 180 cases of amniotic-fluid embolism in women with singleton deliveries during the study period, 24 (13%) were fatal. We saw no significant temporal increase in occurrence of amniotic-fluid embolism for total or fatal cases. Medical induction of labour nearly doubled the risk of overall cases of amniotic-fluid embolism (adjusted odds ratio 1.8 [1.3-2.7]), and the association was stronger for fatal cases (crude odds ratio 3.5 [1.5-8.4]). Maternal age of 35 years or older, caesarean or instrumental vaginal delivery, polyhydramnios, cervical laceration or uterine rupture, placenta previa or abruption, eclampsia, and fetal distress were also associated with an increased risk. INTERPRETATION: Medical induction of labour seems to increase the risk of amniotic-fluid embolism. Although the absolute excess risk is low, women and physicians should be aware of this risk when making decisions about elective labour induction.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Female education and maternal mortality: a worldwide survey.

OBJECTIVE: In terms of social and political development, women's human rights have not evolved in many developing countries to the same extent as they have in the developed world. We examined the relationship between women's status and human development and maternal mortality. METHODS: Using polynomial regression analysis with a sample of 148 countries, we investigated the impact of gender-related predictors, including education, political activity, economic status, and health, and human development predictors, such as infant mortality and Human Development Index, using data from the United Nations Human Development Report 2003. RESULTS: The Human Development Index and Gender Development Index are powerful predictors of both maternal and infant mortality rates. Female literacy rate and combined enrolment in educational programs are moderate predictors of maternal mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Strategic investment to improve quality of life through female education will have the greatest impact on maternal mortality reduction.

Educational Status↗
PubMed2006

Maternal morbidity associated with cesarean delivery without labor compared with induction of labor at term.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the maternal morbidity associated with cesarean deliveries performed at term without labor compared with morbidity associated with induction of labor at term. METHODS: A 15-year population-based cohort study (1988-2002) using the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database compared maternal outcomes in nulliparous women delivering by cesarean delivery without labor and nulliparous women at term undergoing induction of labor for planned vaginal delivery with singleton, cephalic presentation. RESULTS: A total of 5,779 pregnancies satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria, 879 of which were cesarean deliveries without labor. There were no maternal deaths. There was no difference in wound infection, puerperal febrile morbidity, blood transfusion or intraoperative trauma. After controlling for potential confounders, women undergoing cesarean delivery without labor were less likely to have complications of early postpartum hemorrhage (relative risk 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.88, number needed to treat 32) and composite maternal morbidity (relative risk 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.52-0.95, number needed to treat 34) compared with women undergoing induction of labor. Subgroup analyses of maternal outcomes after induction of labor in women by method of delivery were also performed and demonstrated additional risks of traumatic morbidity after induction of labor. The highest morbidity was found in the assisted vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in labor groups. CONCLUSION: Early postpartum hemorrhage and composite maternal morbidity were decreased in cesarean delivery without labor compared with induction of labor. Hemorrhagic and traumatic morbidities with labor induction are increased after assisted vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery in labor compared with cesarean delivery without labor.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Determinants of perinatal mortality and serious neonatal morbidity in the second twin.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential determinants of perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity among second twins relative to first twins. METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used to study twin deliveries in Nova Scotia from 1988 to 2002. Monoamniotic or conjoined twins and twin pairs with major congenital anomaly or antepartum fetal death of either twin were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite measure of perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity, including birth asphyxia, respiratory distress, neonatal trauma, and infection. Risk of adverse outcome of second twins relative to first-born co-twins was determined by matched-pair analysis. RESULTS: Of 1,542 twin pairs, the second twin was at greater risk of composite adverse outcome (relative risk [RR] 1.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-1.9) than the first twin. This excess risk was evident independent of presentation, chorionicity, or infant sex but was associated with planned vaginal delivery, birth weight discordance, and prolonged interdelivery interval. Term second twins were less likely to suffer excess morbidity with elective cesarean (RR 1.0, 95% CI 0.14-7.10) than with planned vaginal delivery (RR 3.0, 95% CI 1.47-6.11). The major contributors to neonatal morbidity in the second twin were birth asphyxia at 37 weeks or later and respiratory distress syndrome at less than 37 weeks. CONCLUSION: The second twin is at greater risk of adverse perinatal outcome than the first twin, independent of presentation, chorionicity, or infant sex. Planned vaginal delivery, birth weight discordance, and prolonged interdelivery interval increase this infant risk. Elective cesarean delivery at term may improve perinatal outcome for the second twin. However, the number of cesarean births required to prevent one case of composite adverse outcome, assuming causality, was 33.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Cumulative economic implications of initial method of delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cumulative costs of hospital care in the first and subsequent pregnancies associated with different methods in the initial delivery of nulliparous women. METHODS: An 18-year population-based cohort study (1985-2002) using the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database compared cumulative delivery costs in the first and subsequent pregnancies. Women were identified by initial method of delivery for nulliparous women with singleton cephalic presentation at term undergoing spontaneous or induced labor for planned vaginal delivery, and for nulliparous women undergoing cesarean delivery without labor. Costs that were assessed included nursing hours in antepartum, labor and delivery, postpartum and neonatal intensive care units, physician costs, labor induction agents, consumables, and costs for postpartum hysterectomy, tubal ligation, and dilatation and curettage. RESULTS: A total of 27,613 pregnancies satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. When cumulative costs by type of labor at first delivery were considered, induction of labor (7,220 dollars) was more costly than spontaneous onset of labor (6,919 dollars, P = .006). The cumulative costs of assisted vaginal delivery at first delivery (7,288 dollars) and cesarean delivery in labor at first delivery (9,524 dollars) were similar in magnitude and were higher than spontaneous vaginal delivery at first delivery (P < .001). Cesarean delivery in labor in the first delivery was the most costly type of delivery (9,524 dollars), and the differences in cost increased with increasing number of deliveries (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Cesarean delivery in labor in the first delivery is associated with increased cumulative costs compared with other methods of delivery, regardless of the number or type of subsequent deliveries.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The choice of elective cesarean delivery in obstetrics: a voluntary survey of Canadian health care professionals.

To survey Canadian health care professionals about their willingness to offer elective cesarean delivery and to evaluate how their knowledge of obstetric-related pelvic-floor injury influences their practice. A voluntary questionnaire was distributed to health care professionals attending the 58th Annual Meeting of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada in 2002. Appropriate statistical analysis was used. One hundred and sixty-two questionnaires were completed. One hundred respondents were female (62%). Twenty-three percent (37/162) of respondents approved elective cesarean delivery after informed request in nulliparous women without an obstetrical indication. Males were more likely than females to perform cesarean delivery in these circumstances (34% versus 16%; OR 2.7, CI 1.2, 6.0). When questioned about the impact of mode of delivery on bladder and bowel continence, the number of respondents who answered "usually" or "always has a detrimental effect" were: vaginal birth, 16%; forceps, 20%; and cesarean delivery "reduces bladder and bowel problems", 44%. Males were more likely to emphasize a protective effect of cesarean delivery (55% versus 38%; OR 1.9, CI 1.0, 4.0). Health care professionals would opt for cesarean delivery for themselves when forceps delivery was the alternative more often than they would offer cesarean delivery to their patients (OR 1.98, CI 1.1, 3.5). While a significant number of women's health care professionals are prepared to offer cesarean delivery to nulliparous women, informed choice seems to motivate the offer rather than a conviction that cesarean delivery will protect the pelvic floor.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Economic implications of method of delivery.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to examine the costs of hospital care associated with different methods of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: An 18-year population-based cohort study (1985-2002) using the Nova Scotia Atlee Perinatal Database compared outcomes in nulliparous women at term undergoing spontaneous or induced labor for planned vaginal delivery, or undergoing cesarean delivery without labor. Costs that were assessed included physician fees, nursing hours in the labor and delivery, postpartum and neonatal intensive care units, epidural use, induction of labor agents, and consumables. RESULTS: A total of 27,614 pregnancies satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5233 of which had labor induced. A comparison of mean costs per mother/infant pair demonstrated that cesarean delivery in labor ($2137) was increased compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery ($1340, P=.01), assisted vaginal delivery ($1594, P=.01), and cesarean delivery without labor ($1532, P=.01). The cost of delivery after induction of labor ($1715) was increased compared with spontaneous onset of labor ($1474, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Cesarean delivery in labor occurs more frequently with labor induction and is associated with increased costs compared with other methods of delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A review of intrapartum fetal deaths, 1982 to 2002.

This study identifies cases of unexpected intrapartum fetal deaths over 20 years in a Canadian tertiary hospital. Of 121,659 births, 82 were intrapartum deaths. Eleven fetuses were considered viable and nonanomalous. Six deaths were deemed ideally preventable. Application of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring and rapid operative delivery may reduce the already low rate of intrapartum fetal deaths.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

NovaSure bipolar radiofrequency endometrial ablation: report of 200 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To review the perioperative complications and short-term outcome in women undergoing endometrial ablation for menorrhagia using the NovaSure bipolar radiofrequency impedance-controlled system. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of endometrial ablation using the NovaSure system in 200 women with menorrhagia not amenable to medical management. RESULTS: Of the 200 women treated, 146 have been observed for 1 to 4 years with the following outcomes related to menstrual bleeding: amenorrhea 43.1%, light bleeding 41.8%, normal bleeding 4.1%, and heavy bleeding 11%. Twelve of the 146 women (8.2%) required repeat surgical treatment: hysterectomy in 10 cases and repeat ablation in 2. In the 200 cases, 1 laparoscopy was performed because of uterine perforation at the time of pretreatment hysteroscopy, and 2 patients required antibiotic therapy for postoperative endomyometritis. Of the women observed for 1 to 4 years, 81.5% felt the procedure was successful, and 97.3% would recommend the procedure to a friend. CONCLUSION: Endometrial ablation using the NovaSure system is a simple technique in the normal uterine cavity, which can be performed under local anaesthesia and conscious sedation. The complication rate is low, and the short-term satisfaction and results are good.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Disability and litigation from urinary tract injuries at benign gynecologic surgery in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of urinary tract injury and the relative risk of litigation from an injury for benign gynecologic surgery in Canada and to analyze a subset of cases of litigation, determining independent risk factors that predicted medical and legal outcomes. METHODS: The prevalence of urinary tract injury and the relative risks of litigation from an injury were determined from the national hospital discharge abstract and the national physician malpractice databases. Multiple logistic regression was performed on a subset of litigation cases. RESULTS: The prevalence of urinary tract injury at benign gynecologic surgery was low (0.33%). If a patient sustained a urinary tract injury, there was a high relative risk of litigation (relative risk 91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 55-158). Patients had a higher chance of major disability after urinary tract injury from hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding (odds ratio [OR] 6.16, 95% CI 1.13-39.01, P = .04), but a lower chance of this being a permanent disability (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.05-0.96, P = .05). Permanent disability was more likely after an obstructed ureter compared with other types of urinary tract injuries (OR 4.54, 95% CI 1.55-14.88, P = .008). Only 18% of the injuries were recognized intraoperatively. An acute bladder injury was more likely to be recognized intraoperatively than other types of injury (OR 14.98, 95% CI 3.89-57.74, P < .001). No obstructed ureters or urinary tract fistulae were recognized intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: Urinary tract injuries are an uncommon but significant complication from benign gynecologic surgery. Such injuries are associated a high relative risk of litigation.

Adnexa Uteri↗
PubMed2005

Maternal and perinatal morbidity of caesarean delivery at full cervical dilatation compared with caesarean delivery in the first stage of labour.

To estimate maternal and perinatal morbidity associated with caesarean delivery at full cervical dilatation, a population-based cohort study from 1997 to 2002 was used, which included 1623 nullipara with singleton pregnancies at 37-42 weeks of gestation requiring caesarean delivery in labour. Compared to caesarean delivery at less than full dilatation, women undergoing caesarean delivery at full dilatation were more likely to have complications of intraoperative trauma (RR 2.6, P < 0.001) and infants with perinatal asphyxia (RR 1.5, P < 0.05). There was no difference in maternal or perinatal morbidity when duration of the second stage of labour or when failed assisted vaginal delivery was considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Hysterectomy: evolution and trends.

Hysterectomy was mentioned in Greek manuscripts 2000 years ago, but there is no proof that it was performed. Early--usually fatal--attempts at vaginal hysterectomy are recorded from the 16th century. The origins of vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy are traced from the 19th century after the pioneering work of Langenbeck and Clay. Advances in anaesthesia, blood transfusion, antibiotics and surgical technique led to hysterectomy becoming the second most common operation in women. In the first part of the 20th century subtotal abdominal hysterectomy was standard, but by the 1950s this was replaced by total abdominal hysterectomy. There has been a recent, albeit minor, resurgence of interest in subtotal hysterectomy. The development of laparoscopic assisted hysterectomy in the 1990s has, ironically, led to the re-emergence of standard vaginal hysterectomy as the method of choice for most cases of benign gynaecological disease requiring hysterectomy. At the start of the 21st century there are signs that alternatives to hysterectomy-such as hysteroscopic surgery, uterine fibroid embolization, and the levonorgestrel intrauterine device-are leading to a reduction in hysterectomy rates.

Cesarean Section↗