We present a case of a 38+1 weeks pregnant patient (G1P0) with a proven COVID-19 infection, who was planned for induction of labour because of pre-existent hypertension, systemic lupus erythematosus, respiratory problem of coughing and mild dyspnoea without fever during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. To estimate the risk of vertical transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during labour and delivery, we collected oropharyngeal, vaginal, urinary, placental and neonatal PCRs for SARS-CoV-2 during the period of admission. All PCRs, except for the oropharyngeal, were negative and vertical transmission was not observed. Labour and delivery were uncomplicated and the patient and neonate were discharged the next day. We give a short overview of the known literature about SARS-CoV-2-related infection during pregnancy, delivery and outcome of the neonate.

In a 5-year period 299 patients were admitted to the Heinz-Kalk Hospital with bleeding esophageal varices. Patients with acute bleeding were treated with endoscopic sclerotherapy. Sessions were performed as many times as needed for each individual case. One hundred seventy-eight patients in Child-Pugh class C were excluded from surgical treatment; the remaining 121 patients (Child AB) were selected using the following criteria: liver volume (ultrasound) between 1000 to 2500 ml, portal perfusion (sequential scintigraphy) more than 30%, no activity or progression of liver disease proved by biopsy, no stenosis of the hepatic arteries, and suitable anatomy to perform the Warren shunt. Only 32 patients fulfilled these criteria. In seven of these cases the shunt was technically impossible to perform. Operative mortality rate was 8% and the late mortality rate was 12%. No history of rebleeding, encephalopathy, and/or shunt thrombosis was recorded. Five-year survival rate, according to the method of Kaplan-Meier was 75%. We conclude that the Warren shunt is the treatment of choice for elective management of bleeding esophageal varices. The postoperative results can be improved with strict selection using the above criteria. The preoperative use of sclerotherapy has a positive influence. Prophylactic management to prevent encephalopathy is also recommended.

From 1 January 1986 to 1 January 1988, 91 consecutive patients who had undergone repeated paravariceal endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (PEIS) for bleeding esophageal varices over a period of up to 10 years were followed up prospectively by endoscopy, manometry and 24-h pH monitoring. In 39% nonfatal complications occurred after two phases of PEIS. The number of complications tended to decrease with increasing phases and was only 12% after five or more phases of PEIS. Endoscopy is undoubtedly the most important method in the follow-up of these patients. Early and long-term complications are mostly diagnosed by direct view and thus can be managed or sometimes even prevented in the follow-up. No significant motility disorders were found. Only 12 patients showed significant gastroesophageal reflux. No correlation was found between the severity of reflux and the number of phases of PEIS. No correlation between clinical symptoms and changes in the manometric and pH metric results could be found. The effects and side effects of PEIS can be closely monitored by manometry and pH monitoring and therapy can be tailored accordingly. Our results suggest that PEIS is a superb method with a low complication rate, both short- and long-term. It has proven to be an effective long-term treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.

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