We compared the duration of surgery, blood loss, and complications between patients in whom both uterine arteries were ligated at the beginning of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and patients in whom ligation was done after cornual pedicle. Using a prospective study in a gynecologic laparoscopic center, a total of 52 women who underwent TLH from June 2013 to January 2014 were assigned into two groups. In group A, uterine arteries were ligated after the cornual pedicles as done conventionally. In group B, TLH was done by ligating both uterine arteries at the beginning of the procedure. All the other pedicles were desiccated using harmonic scalpel or bipolar diathermy. Uterus with cervix was removed vaginally or by morcellation. The indication for TLH was predominantly dysfunctional uterine bleeding and myomas in both groups. In group A, the average duration of surgery was 71 minutes, when compared to 60 minutes in group B (P < 0.001). In group A, the total blood loss was 70 mL, when compared to 43#x2009;mL in group B (P value < 0.001). There were no major complications in both groups. To conclude, prior uterine artery ligation at its origin during TLH reduces the blood loss and surgical duration as well as the complications during surgery.

INTRODUCTIONMaternal perception of fetal movements is a selfscreening method for assessing fetal well-being. Studies have shown that reduced fetal movement (RFM) is a risk factor for several adverse perinatal outcomes. About a quarter of women presenting with RFM have pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, fetal distress or stillbirth. A growing number of studies have confirmed a correlation between episodes of RFM and stillbirth.1 RFM has been shown to occur in up to 15% of pregnancies.2 Women who have a stillbirth note a reduction in fetal movement prior to diagnosis in up to 55%.3 Inadequate clinician response to the complaint of RFM is an important contributory factor to stillbirth. 4 Fetal movement counting may allow the clinician to make appropriate interventions in right time to improve ABSTRACT Background: Reduced maternal perception of fetal movements allows early identification, timely evaluation and intervention for fetuses at risk of adverse outcome. The primary objective of this study was to assess the pregnancy characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women presenting to hospital with reduced fetal movements (RFM). Methods: Prospective observational study, recruiting all women with singleton pregnancy at or beyond 28 weeks of gestation presenting with a subjective perception of RFM from April 2015 to December 2016. Maternal characteristics, antenatal risk factors, management pathways and perinatal outcome studied. Results: 47% belonged to high risk pregnancy. Among high risk women, although only 39% showed poor BPP at the first presentation, 58% were delivered irrespective of their gestational age, out of which 32.75% had poor neonatal outcome. Among low risk who had >2 episodes of RFM, 50% had poor neonatal outcome. 7% among high risk pregnancies and 18% among low risk, presented with RFM within 48 hours following steroid prophylaxis.24% of high risk women showed liquor volume abnormalities as compared to low risk (6.3%). Conclusions: Significant proportion of those with RFM belonged to high risk pregnancy. Among high risk group, there were high rates of stillbirth and poor BPP at the time of admission when compared to low risk group. Due to early approach to the hospital and timely intervention, significant women with abnormal BPP had good perinatal outcome. All those fetuses who were delivered on first episode of RFM in low risk group did not show evidence of compromise at birth, probably indicating unnecessary delivery. More than 2 episodes of RFM even among low risk group seems significant as good number of fetuses were compromised at birth. Steroids prophylaxis for the fetal lung maturity causes transient changes in BPP, hence unnecessary delivery should be avoided especially those among low risk pregnancy.

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Background Predicting spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) during mid-trimester would be very useful. We used a multimodality screening approach mainly focusing on urogenital infections among unselected obstetric population between 18 and 24 weeks in a tertiary center. Method Diagnosis of lower genital tract infection (LGTI) was attempted among 228 pregnant women using several factorssymptom of vaginal discharge, characteristic appearance of discharge on speculum, point of care tests using Amsel's criteria and gram staining of vaginal swab. Nugent's scoring was taken as gold standard. Urine microscopy/culture was obtained. Serum inflammatory markers were done. Total leukocyte count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein were obtained. Data on cervical length were obtained from mid-trimester scan. Results Thirty patients complained of vaginal discharge. Speculum examination revealed discharge in 221 (96.92%), appearing pathological in 192 (86.87%). Amsel's criteria showed poor sensitivity to detect full (57%) and partial (24%) bacterial vaginosis (BV). On gram staining, 104 (45.61%) showed evidence of LGTI; 14 full BV (6.1%); 45 partial BV (19.5%); 40 candidiasis (17.5%); and two each of trichomoniasis and aerobic vaginitis. Appearance of vaginal discharge and microscopic diagnosis of LGTI were poorly correlated. Forty women (17.5%) had SPTB, 24 following membrane rupture and 16 following spontaneous labor. The presence of BV (specifically partial) increased the likelihood of SPTB with OR of 3.347 (CI 1.642, 6.823). Three of seven women with short cervix delivered preterm. No other screening modality was associated with SPTB. Conclusion Active screening for LGTI between 18 and 24 weeks shows high prevalence of BV in Indian setting. There is a strong link between partial BV and SPTB.