Abstract

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of autologous blood injection and 0.9% NaCl at Zusanli (ST 36) on ovarian function in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency. METHODS Sixty patients with primary ovarian insufficiency were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The patients in the observation group were treated with injection of autologous blood at Zusanli (ST 36); the patients in the control group were treated with 0.9% NaCl with identical volume at Zusanli (ST 36). Both the treatments were given once a week for 3 months. The ovarian function, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) were tested before treatment, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after first acupoint injection; the endometrial thickness before and after treatment and clinical efficacy were compared in the two groups. RESULTS Compared before treatment, FSH was lowered in the observation group after 1-month treatment (P<0.05), while FSH and LH were lowered and E2 was increased after 2-month treatment and 3-month treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with 1-month treatment, FSH and LH were lowered and E2 was increased in the observation group after 2-month treatment and 3-month treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with 2-month treatment, FSH was lowered and E2 was increased in the observation group after 3-month treatment (both P<0.05). The differences of all serum tests before and after treatment were insignificant in the control group (all P>0.05). The FSH after 1-month treatment, and FSH, LH and E2 after 2-month treatment and 3-month treatment in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). The endometrial thickness after treatment in the observation group was higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), while the endometrial thickness after treatment in the control group was similar to that before treatment (P>0.05); the difference of endometrial thickness before and after treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical effective rate was 83.3% (25/30) in the observation group, which was superior to 46.7% (14/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The autologous blood injection at Zusanli (ST 36) can significantly improve ovarian function, promote endometrial growth in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW An important cause of maternal morbidity and direct maternal death is obstetric haemorrhage at caesarean section. Concerns regarding allogeneic blood safety, limited blood supplies and rising health costs have collectively generated enthusiasm for the utility of methods intended to reduce the use of allogeneic blood transfusion in cases of haemorrhage at caesarean section. This can be achieved by intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS). The aim of this review is to summarize and examine the evidence for the efficacy of IOCS during caesarean section, in women at risk of haemorrhage, in reducing the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. RECENT FINDINGS The majority of the evidence currently available is from case reports and case series. Although this evidence appears to support the use of IOCS in obstetrics, strong clinical evidence or economic effectiveness from clinical trials are essential to support the routine practice of IOCS in obstetrics. SUMMARY Current evidence is limited to reported case series and two small controlled studies. Overall, IOCS may reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusions during caesarean section. Future large randomized trials are required to assess effectiveness, cost effectiveness and safety. The results of the current ongoing SALVO (A randomised controlled trial of intra-operative cell salvage during caesarean section in women at risk of haemorrhage) trial will shed light on these aspects.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare the clinical outcomes of simple salvage autotransfusion and homologous blood transfusion in the management of ruptured ectopic pregnancies. METHODS Standard statistical analysis was done and relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for 112 women randomized to salvage autotransfusion or donor blood transfusion following ruptured ectopic pregnancy. RESULTS More women in the autologous group received more than 1000 mL of blood (RR, 6. 41; 95% CI, 2. 75-15. 24) and had a hematocrit greater than 0. 27 at discharge (RR, 3. 62; 95% CI, 1. 41-6. 67). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative fever (RR, 0. 95; 95% CI, 0. 43-2. 01), postoperative wound infection (RR, 0. 73; 95% CI, 0. 17-3. 19) or duration of hospital stay longer than 7 days (RR, 1. 3; 95% CI, 0. 44-4. 31). CONCLUSION In resource-poor countries, women with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy receive more blood with salvage autotransfusion.