Maternal Mortality Due to an Undiagnosed Large Thymoma in Puerperium: A Case Report

Introduction: Delayed or avoided medical care due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related concerns may increase morbidity and mortality associated with both acute and chronic health conditions. Thymoma is uncommon in pregnancy, although it could be accompanied with unfavorable outcomes. We report a puerperal woman presented with dyspnea and cardiac arrest with a recent diagnosis of thymoma that led to maternal mortality. Case Presentation: A 38-year-old woman with occasional dyspnea during pregnancy without medical referral was admitted to the hospital with severe dyspnea and orthopnea three days after cesarean section. Spiral computed tomography (CT) angiography showed a 64 × 84-centimeter mass with soft tissue density in the left perivascular that was originated from the anterior mediastinum; in biopsy, thymoma was suggested. She died shortly after due to severe dyspnea and cardiac arrest. Conclusions: Prenatal care during COVID-19 pandemic should not be postponed. Indeed, any symptom similar to the physiologic changes in pregnancy needs to be evaluated for optimal clinical management.

Efficacy of Intraperitoneal Dexamethasone Infusion in Reduction of Shoulder Pain and Nausea/Vomiting After Gynecological Laparoscopy

Background: The reduction of shoulder pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), causing great discomfort for patients after gynecological laparoscopy, requires preventive or treatment strategies. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) dexamethasone in the reduction of shoulder pain and PONV after gynecological laparoscopy. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 130 consecutive patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopy were randomly assigned to two groups of 65 patients within May 2015 to May 2016. One group received 16 mg IP dexamethasone before the end of the surgery, and the other group received the placebo (i.e., the IP infusion of distilled water). Patients' age and body mass index (BMI), and surgery duration were recorded in this study. The severity of shoulder pain was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS) at recovery and 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after the surgery. Moreover, the need for opioid use and PONV were recorded within the first 24 h after the surgery. The study outcomes were compared between the two study groups and among the different intervals using SPSS software (version 21). Results: The groups had similar demographics (i.e., age and BMI) and mean surgery duration (P > 0.05). The mean values of VAS scores of the intervention group were lower than those of the placebo group at five intervals (P = 0.001). The frequency of opioid use was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group (P = 0.010). In addition, 20% and 60% of the patients in the dexamethasone and placebo groups had PONV, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The IP dexamethasone is effective in the reduction of shoulder pain and nausea/vomiting after gynecological laparoscopy and can significantly reduce opioid requirement within the first 24 h after surgery; however, IP dexamethasone does not increase surgery duration. Therefore, it is recommended to use this technique during gynecological laparoscopy.

Predicting the Antepartum Factors Resulted in Failed Labor Induction in Nulliparous Term Pregnancies

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a computerized machine to predict a successful normal vaginal delivery and determine the antepartum factors involved in failed labor induction in nulliparous term women. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in Yas Hospital affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2017 to 2019. The data used for the computerized system were obtained during the admission of the term nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation. The cesarean delivery rate, as well as maternal and perinatal outcomes, were evaluated. The input variables were maternal age, gravida, gestational age at birth, necessity and type of labor induction, presentation of the baby at birth, Bishop Score, fetal weight, and fetal head circumference, and maternal disorders. The outputs were vaginal deliveries or cesarean sections. Results: The rate of cesarean section was 41.8% (n = 287). Higher maternal age (OR = 1.044, P = 0.018, CI = 1.007 - 1.082), lower Bishop Score (OR = 0.192, P < 0.001, CI = 0.139 - 0.256) and non-occiput anterior position (OR = 82.194, P < 0.001, CI = 15.888 - 425.214) were significantly associated with failed induction. Conclusions: The result of this study may be beneficial for healthcare providers to predict the delivery route, the risk of labor induction failure and make a personal decision according to each individual.