Aims and objectives To explore the perceptions and experiences of perioperative nurses and Certified Registered Nurse Anaesthetists (CRNAs) in robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS). The objective was to identify the factors that affect nursing care of patients who undergo robotic‐assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS). Background The rapid introduction of technological innovations into the healthcare system has created new challenges for perioperative nurses. RALS affects the physical and interpersonal context of the surgical team's work and subsequent patient outcomes. Despite significant changes to the workflow for perioperative nurses and CRNAs, there is little research focusing on the nurses’ experience and their challenges with RALS. Design A qualitative descriptive study. Method Semi‐structured interview questions guided data collection. A total of seventeen participants including six preoperative and postoperative nurses, seven intraoperative nurses, and four CRNAs in the United States were interviewed. The interviews were conducted between 26 April–24 June 2018. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, and the COREQ checklist was used to report data collection, analysis and the results. Results Three major themes and two categories within each theme were identified: (a) surgical innovation: nurse perception and workflow; (b) interprofessional practice: teamwork and standards; and (c) outcome: patient outcomes and system outcomes. Conclusions The findings indicate that RALS has the potential to improve patient outcomes when performed in a timely fashion by skilled surgeons, and efficient, well‐trained surgical teams. For patients to experience full benefits of RALS, patient characteristics, the underlying reason for surgery, and cost must be considered. Relevance to clinical practice The results of this study highlight the necessity of promoting factors that improve the surgical team training and practice for RALS and will ultimately impact patient outcomes.

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Surgical excision followed by radiotherapy has been reported to be successful in the treatment of spinal cord compressions due to extramedullary hematopoiesis in patients affected by thalassemia. The authors report a case of cauda equina compression in such a patient successfully treated with repeated blood transfusions.

Congenital defects of the reproductive system are associated with a number of adverse health consequences. The pathophysiology of these defects is thought to be müllerian abnormalities, but they can also be attributed to failure of cells to degenerate appropriately during embryogenesis. The management of these congenital defects is dependent on the type of defect present and the severity of presentation. Women with congenital defects of the reproductive system have physical as well as psychosocial issues that must be addressed, and the condition frequently creates medical challenges for health care providers.

Several pathogens that have been identified as teratogenic or fetotoxic have associated dermatologic changes when active infection is present. Viral and bacterial teratogenic pathogens include herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, human papilloma virus, human parvovirus B19, rubella, viral hepatitis, syphilis, and gonorrhea. This article focuses on the characteristic dermatologic manifestation of these diseases in pregnancy; diagnostic strategies; interpretation of maternal and fetal laboratory test results; treatment of the pregnant woman, fetus, and newborn; and congenital outcomes of treated and untreated infection. Emphasis is placed on vaccination and prevention of transmission of infection to pregnant women.