BackgroundCaesarean delivery carries a risk of major intra-operative blood loss and its performance is often delayed by non-availability of blood and blood products. Unnecessary cross-matching and reservation of blood lead to apparent scarcity in centres with limited supply. This study set out to identify the risk factors for blood transfusion in women who underwent caesarean delivery at a tertiary obstetric unit with a view to ensuring efficient blood utilization.MethodsA prospective cohort analysis of 906 women who had caesarean deliveries at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between January and December, 2011. A comparison was made between 188 women who underwent blood transfusion and 718 who did not. Data were obtained on a daily basis by investigators from patients, clinical notes and referral letters using structured pre-tested data collecting form. Socio-demographic characteristics; antenatal, perioperative and intraoperative details; blood loss; transfusion; and puerperal observations were recorded. EPI-Info statistical software version 3.5.3 was used for multivariable analysis to determine independent risk factors for blood transfusion.ResultsOf the 2134 deliveries during the study period, 906 (42.5%) had caesarean deliveries and of which 188 (20.8%) were transfused. The modal unit of blood transfused was 3 pints (41.3%). The most common indication for caesarean section was cephalo-pelvic disproportion (25.7%).The independent risk factors for blood transfusion at caesarean section were second stage Caesarean Section (aOR = 76.14, 95% CI = 1.25–4622.06, p = 0.04), placenta previa (aOR = 32.57, 95% CI = 2.22–476.26, p = 0.01), placental abruption (aOR = 25.35, 95% CI = 3.06–211.02, p < 0.001), pre-operative anaemia (aOR = 12.15, 95% = CI 4.02–36.71, p < 0.001), prolonged operation time (aOR = 10.72 95% CI = 1.37–36.02, p < 0.001), co-morbidities like previous uterine scar (aOR = 7.02, 95% CI = 1.37–36.02, p = 0.02) and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (aOR = 5.19, 95% CI = 1.84–14.68, p < 0.001). Obesity reduced the risk for blood transfusion (aOR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09–0.61, p = 0.0024).ConclusionThe overall risk of blood transfusion in cesarean delivery is high. Paturients with the second stage Caesarean section, placenta previa, abruptio placentae and preoperative maternal anaemia have an increased risk of blood transfusion. Hence, adequate peri-operative preparations for blood transfusion are essential in these situations. Optimizing maternal hemoglobin concentration during antenatal period may reduce the incidence of caesarean-associated blood transfusion.

Background: There has been a global increase in cesarean section rates. While this has improved perinatal outcome, it is associated with complications such as wound infection. We determined risk factors for cesarean section wound infection in a tertiary hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: We prospectively studied a cohort of 906 women who had cesarean section at the Obstetrics Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. A comparison was made between 176 women who had wound infection and 730 women who did not using logistic regression. Results: Of the 2134 deliveries during the study, 906 (42.5%) had cesarean section and of which 176 (19.4%) had wound infection. Independent risk factors for wound infection were: preoperative anemia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.88; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.03–3.41; P = 0.0396), presence of diabetes mellitus (aOR = 7.94; 95% CI = 1.60–39.27; P = 0.0111), HIV infection (aOR = 6.34; 95% CI = 1.74–23.06; P = 0.0051), prolonged operation time (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.19–4.42; P = 0.0127), excessive blood loss at surgery (aOR = 5.05; 95% CI = 2.18–11.66; P = 0.0002), and chorioamnionitis (aOR = 9.00; 95% CI = 1.37–59.32; P = 0.0224). Conclusions: Patients with HIV infection, diabetes mellitus, preoperative anemia and chorioamnionitis have an increased risk of postcesarean wound infection as is when surgical time exceeds 1 h or when associated with blood loss >11.

Background:The Papanicolaou (Pap) smear is a standard test for cervical cancer screening; however, the most important challenge is high false-negative results due to inadequate sampling using the Ayres spatula. The cytobrush has been used in combination with the Ayres spatula (cytobrush–spatula) in an attempt to improve the quality of smears with additional costs. The aim of this study was to compare the Pap smear quality with the anatomical spatula (with extended tip) and the cytobrush–spatula.Materials and Methods:This was a prospective single-bind clinical trial. One hundred and ten sexually active women aged between 22 and 65 years were randomized into groups, each having two smears at the same time: one with a cytobrush–spatula and another with an anatomical spatula. Fifty-five patients were randomized to have the anatomical spatula first to obtain their smears and 55 were randomized to have the cytobrush–spatula first to obtain their smears. Slides were assessed by a pathologist.Results:There was no significant difference in the quality of the smears using the two devices with respect to cellular adequacy (P = 0.3532), absent blood staining (P = 0.7766), presence of endocervical cells (P = 0.3502), and evidence of transformation zone sampling using the Bethesda criteria (0.4028). Kappa analysis shows moderate inter-rater agreement between the two devices by ability to show evidence of transformation zone using British Society for Clinical Cytology and Bethesda criteria.Conclusions:There was no significant difference in the quality of smears obtained using the two different methods. The anatomical spatula can be used as a single device in conventional cytology in place of the cytobrush–spatula with the aim of improving the quality of smears without necessarily increasing the cost.