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Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of the pubic arch angle (PAA) measured by transperineal ultrasound during prolonged second stage of labor. Methods We evaluated prospectively 62 women ≥ 37 weeks of gestation with failure to progress in the second stage of labor. Transperineal ultrasound (transverse plane) was used to measure the pubic arch angle. Correlations with fetomaternal characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome were evaluated. Results The mean PAA was 101.1° (±13.1°; range, 80°-135°). We found a negative correlation with maternal age. Patients with an occipitotransverse fetal position had a significantly smaller angle compared with those with occipitoanterior positions (94.3° ± 5.5° vs 103.2° ± 14.8°, P < 0.05), as did those with operative deliveries compared with those with spontaneous vaginal delivery (97.1° ± 11.5° vs 110.1 ± 14.0°, P < 0.05). The prediction of operative delivery in prolonged second stage of labor by receiver-operating characteristics curve using PAA alone yielded an area under the curve of 0.75. The predicted probability for operative delivery increased as PAA decreased, with an odds ratio of 0.933 for each decrease in angle of 1°. Conclusion Our study suggests a correlation between the PAA and mode of delivery in prolonged second stage of labor. This may be used as an adjunctive parameter when considering delivery mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of fetal head progression distance (HPD), measured by transperineal ultrasound, during prolonged second stage of labor. Methods In this prospective study, a single operator, who was blinded to the results of the digital examination, assessed using transperineal ultrasound women at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation with failure to progress in the second stage of labor. Patients had an empty urinary bladder and the examination was performed during maternal pushing. HPD was defined as the length of the line perpendicular to the infrapubic line that would connect it to the lowest part of the fetal bony skull. We analyzed associations between HPD and digital examination of fetal head station, fetomaternal characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcome. Results Sixty-five patients in prolonged second stage of labor participated in the study. The overall mean HPD was 6.50 (± 1.35; 95% CI, 6.16-6.83) cm. No correlation was found between HPD and head position or mode of delivery, but HPD was positively correlated with fetal head station and neonatal head circumference measured after delivery. Logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis demonstrated no significant predictive value of HPD with respect to mode of delivery. Conclusion Although HPD in prolonged second stage of labor could not predict mode of delivery, it may have a role as an ancillary tool for fetal head station assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Sonographic assessment of the lower uterine segment during active labour in women with or without a uterine scar: a prospective study," by E. Barzilay and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Head progression distance during the first stage of labour as a predictor for delivery outcome" by U. Erlik and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Caput succedaneum thickness in prolonged second stage of labor: a clinical evaluation," by Y. Gilboa, Z. Kivilevitch, M. Spira, A. Kedem, T. Borkowski, O. Moran, and R. Achiron is presented.

An abstract of the article "Intrapartum translabial sonography: a prospective analysis of various methods to predict the mode of delivery in prolonged second stage of labor," by Y. Gilboa, Z. Kivilevitch, M. Spira, A. Kedem, O. Moran, and R. Achiron is presented.

An abstract of the article "The head progression distance measured by trans-perineal ultrasound in prolonged 2nd stage of labor: its role in predicting mode of delivery," by Y. Gilboa, Z. Kivilevitch, M. Spira, A. Kedem, O. Moran, and R. Achiron is presented.