The ratio of vaginal hysterectomy to abdominal hysterectomy in the UK is 1:3. It is well known that patients who have had a vaginal hysterectomy recover better compared with abdominal hysterectomy. However, abdominal hysterectomy is the preferred method in most hospitals because it is deemed easier to do. With ERBE Biclamp diathermy forceps, vaginal hysterectomy could be safely and easily performed by gynaecologists. This study showed a different surgical technique for performing vaginal hysterectomy. It allowed easier and safer operations in patients with large uterus, fibroid uterus, where there was no uterine descent and narrow introitus. Also it allowed the adnexal appendages to be removed easily by the vaginal route. We compared 100 patients who had a vaginal hysterectomy performed using this method, with patients who had a vaginal hysterectomy performed by the conventional method using sutures. We found that we could safely perform vaginal hysterectomy with greater ease. Also, the need for postoperative analgesia was less and the patients were discharged earlier. Consequently, the patients' convalescence period was shorter and better.

Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus was the cause of worldwide respiratory infection in 2009. The majority of these infections were self-limiting, however, high-risk groups, including pregnant women were at increased risk of mortality and morbidity from swine flu. Because of these risks, the World Health Organization recommended that pregnant women should receive the swine flu vaccine during pregnancy. The swine flu vaccine, like the seasonal flu vaccine, is safe to use in pregnancy. In view of the obvious benefits and safety of the pandemic flu vaccine, we decided to undertake a survey to assess the awareness and uptake of the vaccine among pregnant women in our local community. In our survey, lack of counselling from healthcare providers and fears of risks from the vaccine are the main reasons for refusal. For these reasons, healthcare professionals are provided with up-to-date information about the vaccine and are asked to provide this information to pregnant women at all stages of pregnancy in order to increase their awareness and acceptance of the vaccine.

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