Both predicted and actual birth weight increased as the BMI increased. However, the BMI did not affect the accuracy of the estimated ultrasound-derived birth weight. Maternal race and diabetes status did not influence the accuracy of the ultrasound-derived predicted birth weight.

Background Complete hydatidiform mole and coexisting normal fetus pregnancies (CHMCF) are rare and can be life-threatening to the mother. Definitive diagnosis can be made with chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. However invasive procedures carry a risk of bleeding. We present the case of a twin molar pregnancy where a cell-free DNA screening test was utilized to evaluate for CHMCF pregnancy. Case A patient presented at 15-week gestational age with suspected CHMCF pregnancy. Ultrasound revealed a normal-appearing pregnancy abutting a multicystic lesion concerning for a complete mole. Cell-free DNA was obtained and was suggestive of complete paternal uniparental disomy. Pathological evaluation of the products of conception confirmed the diagnosis of CHMCF. Conclusion In atypical cases, cell-free DNA may be useful in evaluation of molar pregnancy.

Objective: Compare performance of a maternal surface electrode patch with ultrasound- and tocodynamometer-based monitoring to detect fetal heart rate and uterine contractility in late preterm labors. Study design: Thirty women between 340/7 and 366/7 weeks’ gestation were monitored simultaneously with a Doppler/tocodynamometer system and a wireless fetal-maternal abdominal surface electrode system. Fetal and maternal heart rate and uterine contraction data from both systems were compared. Reliability was measured by the success rate and percent agreement. Deming regression and Bland-Altman analysis estimated the concordance between the systems. Uterine contractions were assessed by visual interpretation of monitor tracings. Results: The success rate for the surface electrode system was 89.5 (95% CI 85.7,93.3)% and for ultrasound 88.4 (84.9,91.9)%; p=0.73, with a percent agreement of 88.1 (84.2,92.8)%. Results were uninfluenced by the subjects’ body mass. The mean Deming slope was 1.0 and the y-intercept -3.0 bpm. Bland-Altman plots also showed a close relationship between the methods, with limits of agreement <10 bpm. The percent agreement for maternal heart rate was 98.2 (97.4,98.8)% and for uterine contraction detection was 89.5 (85.5,93.4)%. Conclusions: Fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitoring at 34-366/7 weeks using abdominal surface electrodes was not inferior to Doppler ultrasound-tocodynamometry for fetal-maternal assessment. Registration: clinicaltrials.gov/February 20, 2017/ Identifier NCT03057275

One of the most fundamental prerequisites for successful microsurgery is thoughtful and adequate training. A combination of knowledge, technical skill, and decision making directly influences the surgical outcome. This study aims to analyse microsurgical hand coordinations quantitatively and to study the utility of a sensory glove interface in identifying the hand coordination patterns during microsurgery. A sensory glove interface used to measure the angular flexion-extension movements of the major interphalangeal joints of the hand, the grasp pressure, and the relative hand movements has been developed. Experiments of two suturing techniques were conducted with five experienced microsurgeons, and microsurgery practice was examined. The custom sensory glove interface required both signal conditioning and amplification which was directly interfaced with a custom-designed LABView software code. The sensory glove interface was calibrated using regression techniques and the set-up was validated using the Bland-Altman correlation technique. The hand coordination patterns were analysed using principal-component analysis. Pareto plots showing the contribution of the principal components were analysed. The contributions of the first two sensory data components have also been compared with hand coordination studies. The temporal variations provided new insights into the underlying synergetic mechanisms and in particular the relation between different suture techniques on grasp pressure.

Background and AimsWe investigated whether the use of a prophylactic negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system in women undergoing caesarean would decrease wound complications in a high‐risk population.Materials and MethodsA randomised controlled trial was performed. Women with risk factors for wound complications undergoing caesarean delivery were randomised to a standard dressing or NPWT placed over their caesarean wound. We standardised the closure of the subcutaneous fat and skin layers, both with Vicryl. Patients were followed for wound complications for up to 6 weeks after their caesareans. The incidence of wound complications was the primary outcome. The single‐use NPWT system, PICO, was provided by Smith and Nephew for use in this trial. The trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov, # NCT03082664.ResultsWe report here on 154 women randomised to either a standard dressing or to the NPWT. Wound complication rates were equivalent between groups, with 19.4 and 19.7% (P = 0.43) of women with follow‐up information available experiencing wound complications.ConclusionWe found no difference in wound complications in women with risk factors treated with a prophylactic NPWT system or standard wound dressing at the time of caesarean birth.