Implementation of evidence-based practices in the perineal pain management in the postpartum period

ABSTRACT Objectives: To implement strategies for managing perineal pain in puerperal women admitted to a public maternity hospital in São Paulo state and to evaluate their compliance with evidence-based practices. Methods: Implementation study using the JBI model conducted with nursing professionals and puerperal women between September and December 2019. Interviews with puerperal women and medical record data were used to audit seven evidence-based criteria. The interventions adopted included a care protocol, professional training, and folder elaboration for puerperal women. Results: Prior to the intervention, deficits in audited practices and obstacles to pain management were identified, which were overcome by the strategies employed. The follow-up audit demonstrated improvements in compliance with best care practices. Conclusion: There was an increase in the criteria compliance evaluated after the implemented strategies, contributing to improving the nursing care results in the perineal pain management based on the best scientific evidence.

Primary Prostatic Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: a Case Report and Literature Review

Introduction: Primary lymphomas of the prostate are globally rare representing less than 0.1% of all prostatic neoplasms. In this paper we present a case of an early stage diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) of the prostate managed with six cycles of rituximab-based chemotherapy, and review the related literature. Case description: A 32-year-old man presented to our clinic with complaints of difficult urination and perineal pain. An enlarged, hard and nodular prostate was palpable on digital rectal examination. Needle biopsy of the prostate was performed, which revealed diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma by immunohistochemical studies. CT scan showed large pelvic mass arising from prostate encasing ureters with bilateral hydronephroureter. No abnormal finding was seen on abdominal CT and bone marrow histology. Therefore, the disease was classified into the clinical stage IAXE according to Ann Arbor's criteria. The patient achieved complete response (CR) to six cycles of rituximab based combination chemotherapy, R-CHOP with CNS prophylaxis. He remained disease free, until now, 36 months after the end of chemotherapy. Practical Implications: According to the literature, the treatment and prognosis of primary lymphoma of the prostate is the same as that of other nodal lymphomas. Rituximab-based regimen should be considered in the management of prostatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Healing of disrupted perineal wounds after vaginal delivery: a poorly understood condition

Perineal injury following childbirth can result in complications such as wound infection and dehiscence. The reported incidence of these complications in the literature range between 0.1-23.6% and 0.2-24.6%, respectively. However, the healing of disrupted perineal wounds is poorly understood. In addition, it is a neglected area in maternity services. In this review, the authors explore the process of wound healing in the context of infected perineal wounds following childbirth. In addition, the authors describe the management of complications including hypergranulation, perineal pain and dyspareunia.

Prevalence of Perineal Tear Peripartum after Two Antepartum Perineal Massage Techniques: A Non-Randomised Controlled Trial

Perineal massage increases elasticity of myofascial perineal tissue and decreases the burning and perineal pain during labour, thus optimising child birth, although an application protocol has not been standardised yet. The objective of this study is to determine the efficiency of massage in perineal tear prevention and identification of possible differences in massage application. Total of 90 pregnant participants were divided into three groups: perineal massage and EPI-NO® device group, applied by an expert physiotherapist, self-massage group, where women were instructed to apply perineal massage in domestic household, and a control group, which received ordinary obstetric attention. Results: The results showed significant differences among the control group and the two perineal massage groups in perineal postpartum pain. Correlations in perineal postpartum pain, labour duration and the baby’s weight were not statistically significant. Lithotomy posture was significantly less prevalent in the massage group than in the other two; this variable is known to have a direct effect on episiotomy incidence and could act as a causal covariate of the different incidence of episiotomy in the groups. Perineal massage reduces postpartum perineal pain, prevalence and severity of perineal tear during delivery.

Cytomorphologic Features of Extramammary Paget’s Disease of The Vulva in a patient with history of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of The Cervix, Status Post Chemoradiation and Neoadjuvant Therapy. The Importance of Basic Principles

Introduction/Objective Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD) is a rare neoplasm commonly affects postmenopausal women. It usually presents in the anogenital area where apocrine sweat glands are abundant, most commonly in the vulva. The disease is characterized by slow grow and high local recurrence rates. Clinically, EMPD present as well demarcated erythematous lesion or plaques that may ulcerated. Microscopically, it shows a group of atypical cells with abundant clear cytoplasm and nuclear pleomorphism. Methods/Case Report Here in we present a 58-year-old female with history of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia III (VIN III) status post wide local excision, and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma status post radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy and chemoradiation who presented for perineal pain, itching and discomfort. She also noticed skin changes on her left labia without bleeding or discharge. Punch biopsies of the vulva and periurethral areas revealed acanthosis of the epidermis with intraepidermal scattering of single or clusters of large cells with round/ovoid nuclei and abundant clear cytoplasm. The cells are positive for p16, CK19, CK7, PAX8 supporting the diagnosis of EMPD without evidence of dysplasia. The concurrent PAP smear shows hypercellular specimen composed of hyperchromatic fragments of tissue with high nuclear-to-cytoplasmic rations, and apoptotic bodies. The presence of intracytoplasmic mucin and the tridimensionality of the fragments supported the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. The HPV testing was positive for HPV-16. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) N/A Conclusion This study compares the histological and cytomorphological features of EMPD with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), since the molecular pathways, precursor lesions, etiologic associations, staging, clinical treatment, and prognosis differ substantially and may have a significant clinical impact for the patient’s treatment.

Pathogenic Roles of CXCL10 in Experimental Autoimmune Prostatitis by Modulating Macrophage Chemotaxis and Cytokine Secretion

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is an inflammatory immune disease characterized by intraprostatic leukocyte infiltration and pelvic or perineal pain. Macrophages play vital roles in the pathogenesis of CP/CPPS. However, the mechanisms controlling the activation and chemotaxis of macrophages in CP/CPPS remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the roles of the CXCL10/CXCR3 pathway in the activation and chemotaxis of macrophages in CP/CPPS patients. The serums of CP/CPPS patients and healthy volunteers were collected and measured. Results showed that CXCL10 expression was significantly elevated and correlated with the severity of CP/CPPS patients. The experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) model was generated, and adeno-associated virus and CXCR3 inhibitors were used to treat EAP mice. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were used to analyze the functional phenotype and regulation mechanism of macrophages. Results showed that CXCL10 deficiency ameliorates EAP severity by inhibiting infiltration of macrophages to prostate. Moreover, CXCL10 could induce macrophage migrations and secretions of proinflammatory mediators via CXCR3, which consequently activated the downstream Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. We also showed that prostatic stromal cell is a potential source of CXCL10. Our results indicated CXCL10 as an important mediator involved in inflammatory infiltration and pain symptoms of prostatitis by promoting the migration of macrophages and secretion of inflammatory mediators via CXCR3-mediated ERK and p38 MAPK activation.

Contemporary practice of prostate biopsy in Nigeria: Differences in technique and prophylactic measures among urologist

Objectives: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in Nigeria. Trans-rectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate is routinely performed to diagnose prostate cancer. Though safe, prostate biopsy may be associated with some complications. In Nigeria, there are scanty national guidelines on prophylactic measures and techniques in prostate biopsy. The aim of the study was to assess the pre-biopsy prophylactic measures and biopsy protocols employed by Nigerian Urologists. Material and Methods: A survey questionnaire was distributed during the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Urologic Surgeons and information collected on the biopsy route, use of anesthesia, antibiotic prophylaxis, number of samples taken, and possible complications. Results: A total of 72 urologists participated in the study. Bowel preparation was performed by 10 (13.9%) participants for a duration of 1–3 days. All urologists used the transrectal route and anesthesia was given by all. Prophylactic antibiotics were given by all participants. Our participants administered antibiotic prophylaxis for a period of 1, 3, 5, or 7 days (4.2%, 23.6%, 43.1%, and 22.2%, respectively). Ciprofloxacin/metronidazole combination was most commonly prescribed (70.8%). Most urologists (69.4%) commonly take between 8 and 12 core tissues per biopsy session. The most common complication was hemorrhage (43.1%), followed by perineal pain (40.3%). Conclusion: There is a lack of evenness in pre-biopsy prophylactic measures and biopsy protocol among Nigerian Urologists. There is a need for a Nigerian guideline to elucidate the most appropriate antibiotic(s), route of administration and duration of treatment, the preferred anesthesia type, and the number of core-tissues that are appropriate.

Selective episiotomy versus no episiotomy – A clinical study on primigravida

Background: Episiotomy is the incision given over the pudendum, i.e. on the external genitalia organ during the vaginal delivery. Aims and Objective: In this study it has been tried to evaluate the benefits and the risks of selective episiotomy over spontaneous lacerations. Materials and Methods: This is an institution based interventional longitudinal study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology of College Of Medicine & JNM Hospital, Kalyani over a period of 18 months in 218 patients (109 in each group) fulfilling the inclusion criteria. The recruitment and allocation in episiotomy and non-episiotomy groups were random after proper consent from the participants. Results: The frequency of postpartum perineal pain was around 47% in no episiotomy group and around 60% in selective episiotomy group. There were no cases of dehiscence, haematoma or wound infection in either of the groups. Around 96.22% of the women in the non-episiotomy group were satisfied or very satisfied compared to 89.52% in the selective episiotomy group. Conclusion: An episiotomy rate of less than 1% found in no episiotomy group as compared to around 18% episiotomy rate in selective episiotomy group. However, they have almost same feto-maternal outcome which successfully establish the effectiveness of no episiotomy practice over the selective one.

Realigning Expectations With Reality: A Case Study on Maternal Mental Health During a Difficult Breastfeeding Journey

Introduction: Many mothers have the goal to breastfeed. However, more than 50% will have breastfeeding difficulty by the 3rd day of life. Mothers who are unable to meet their breastfeeding goals are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, embarrassment, and guilt. Those who stop breastfeeding need support and help resolving these feelings. This case study aims to describe one woman’s difficulty with mental health surrounding breastfeeding, her decision to bottle feed, and her successful transition back to direct breastfeeding. Main Issue: Barriers to the participant’s success with breastfeeding were pre-existing history of depression/anxiety, forceps delivery, uncontrolled perineal pain, infant physical trauma, and nipple/flow confusion. The decision to discontinue direct breastfeeding and start bottle feeding came after 2 months of anxiety, frustration, and persistence. Management: The participant followed her healthcare team’s recommendations of triple feeding, lactation support groups, pediatric chiropractic adjustments, and prescribed galactagogues. After 2 months of exhaustion and deliberation, she made the difficult decision to stop breastfeeding for nutritional benefits and switched to breastfeeding only for her infant’s pleasure and comfort. Lowered expectations allowed the dyad to heal and her son to transition to nearly exclusive breastfeeding at 4 months of life. Conclusion: Clinicians must be aware of the delicate balance between promoting breastfeeding for its nutritional value and health benefits and supporting a struggling mother with mental health needs.