The following review includes a number of studies on the effect of fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing and non-testing, as well as the positive and negative test results, some combining with transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length primarily to reduce hospital admissions and length of hospital stay (with associated reduction in health service costs), in women presenting to hospital with symptoms of pre-term labour. English language medical literature was analysed using the search parameters: fetal fibronectin, cervical length, preterm labour, hospital admissions and length of stay. A total of 19 studies were included. Ten of these discussed the role of fFN in decreasing hospital admissions, transfers, length of stay and interventions like corticosteroids and tocolytics. Seven studies demonstrated a correlation of fFN testing with an actual estimate of cost savings of health resources. Five studies explored the combined predictability of fetal fibronectin and cervical length with regards to pre-term labour.
Those who had the fFN test done were less likely to be admitted in the hospital and had a shorter length of stay, without any increase in the adverse maternal or foetal effects, avoiding unnecessary admissions.
An ex-intravenous drug user was admitted four times during a 2 year period from December 2006, with the same complaint of vulval abscess which required repeat incision and drainage procedures. In January 2009, a pelvic x-ray showed widening of the symphysis pubis, marginal irregularities, and severe erosive changes which were consistent with pubic osteomyelitis. She was treated with intravenous ciprofloxacin and clindamycin for 2 weeks and was discharged on oral antibiotics for 6 weeks. She recovered well and her condition has significantly improved with no recurrent infection so far. She is now being followed up every 4-6 weeks at the orthopaedics outpatient clinic.
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