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Background: The recent literature on intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy raises questions on the best management of such a disease. Improved evidence might be achieved by meta-analyses. Aim: Providing data for allowing individual patients meta-analyses and aggregate data meta-analyses. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively at the Fabia Mater Hospital of Rome (Italy), between 2013 and 2018. Several variables were collected and analyzed according to low-level bile acid (less than 40 μmol/L) and high-level bile acid (at least 40 μmol/L). Eighty-three cases of pregnancy cholestasis, diagnosed according to itching symptoms and excluding bile diseases, were collected and analyzed, both descriptively and inferentially. Conclusion: The analyzed data do not provide significant evidence supporting the use of ursodeoxycholic acid to prevent composite adverse fetal outcomes but they can be included in further meta-analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Episiotomy is associated with an increased risk of postpartum pain, bleeding, and dyspareunia. The hypothesis of this trial was that in women with singleton pregnancy, and spontaneous labor at term, use of calendula ointment would reduce pain after episiotomy. This was a single-center parallel group randomized trial of women with singleton pregnancies and spontaneous labor at term who were randomized to either use of calendula ointment (i.e. intervention group) or standard care (i.e. control group) after episiotomy. Eligible women were those with singleton gestations in spontaneous labor and vertex presentation at term. Women with premature rupture of membranes were excluded from the study. Women in the intervention group were recommended use of calendula ointment 4 h after the episiotomy and then every 8 h for 10 days. The primary outcome was the pain level. Pain level was self-reported and recorded using the verbal rating scale (VRS). The effect of the calendula ointment was quantified as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). During the study, 100 women agreed to take part in the study, underwent randomization, and were enrolled in this trial. Of the 100 randomized women, 50 were randomized to the calendula ointment group, and 50 to the control group. No women were excluded after randomization or lost to follow up.Women who received calendula ointment after episiotomy compared to standard care had a significantly lower pain level starting from day two and during all the follow-up. Calendula ointment also improve wound healing in terms of redness and edema. Use of calendula ointment significantly reduce pain after episiotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objectives: To describe and demonstrate a technique for laparoscopic removal of a perforating intrauterine device (IUD) during pregnancy, and to provide tips to facilitate safe laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy.Design: Video presentation of the technique for laparoscopic removal of a perforating IUD in a pregnant woman.Setting: Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences, and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.Intervention: A 30-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, with a copper T IUD (Nova T 380; Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany) perforating the left adnexa presented to the emergency room complaining of left lower quadrant pain. The patient had the IUD inserted by her gynecologist 3 months before the onset of the symptoms. Ultrasound revealed a 6-week intrauterine pregnancy with the presence of fetal cardiac activity along with the IUD perforating the left adnexa. The patient returned at 11 weeks of gestation complaining of worsening abdominal pain and excruciating left lower quadrant pain. She was scheduled for laparoscopic excision of the perforating IUD [1-3]. Considering her pregnancy, laparoscopy under regional anesthesia was performed in the minimal Trendelenburg position at 12 degrees, through open laparoscopic access [4]. Intra-abdominal pressure of 8 mmHg and ultrasound energy to cut and coagulate, avoiding monopolar/bipolar energy owing to the presence of a copper IUD, were used. The IUD and tube were extracted in an endobag through umbilical access, under a 5-mm, 0-degree telescope in left lateral access [5]. The procedure was carried out uneventfully, and the IUD was removed. Fetal viability was confirmed after the procedure. At the time of this report, the patient was in the 23rd week of gestation, and the pregnancy was progressing without any problems.Conclusion: Laparoscopic removal of perforated IUD during pregnancy under regional anesthesia is a feasible and safe option that should be considered when needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]