Clinical Research Directory

Using Empowered Relief and Education To Help Postpartum Women Recover After Cesarean Delivery

The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) and educational content on global postpartum recovery at 12 weeks post cesarean delivery.

Evaluation of an mHealth-CHW Tool for Post-c-section Follow-up in Rural Rwanda

Cesarean sections (c-sections) are one of the most common surgical procedures done globally. However, there has been an increase in the number of c-section related complications. Women who deliver via c-section are nearly twice as likely to experience a complication (not including hemorrhage) as compared to women who deliver vaginally. One of the most commonly reported postoperative complications is surgical site infections (SSIs) - in this case, an infection of the c-section wound - with the highest rates of infection globally being in African regions (11.91%). In Rwanda, patients receive verbal instructions after surgery to return to the hospital should they experience an SSI or other complication. However, there is often patient delay in identification of complications and return to care, which increases rates of morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) from post c-section complications. The investigators think that if patient follow-up after operation is improved, this may reduce the impact of complications on patient health and well-being. This research is being done to evaluate the mHealth-CHW tool developed to support comprehensive home-based follow-up by community health workers (CHWs). Patients who have had c-section at Kirehe District Hospital will be recruited for this study, and will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the intervention for home follow-up using the mHealth-CHW tool (referred to as Arm 1) or the standard of care (referred to as Arm 2). Individuals assigned to Arm 1 will be visited at home twice by a study CHW (sCHW) using the mHealth-CHW tool. They may be instructed to return to the health center for care based on the visit using the mHealth-CHW tool. Individuals in Arm 2 will follow the current standard of care and will be instructed to return to a health center every few days for follow-up until instructed otherwise. Regardless of the arm assignment, all participants will be instructed to return to Kirehe District Hospital 30 days after the date of their operation for a study clinic. At this study clinic they will undergo physical exam by a general practitioner (the healthcare provider who typically sees patients post c-section at the hospital level in Rwanda) and the study team will ask questions regarding financial expenditure for us to understand the rate of financial catastrophe experienced by both groups.

Ultrasonographic ONSD as a Predictor of PDPH in Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

The Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter (ONSD), measured non-invasively by bedside ultrasound, is a well-established surrogate for intracranial pressure (ICP), as the optic nerve sheath is continuous with the intracranial dura mater and its subarachnoid space is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). While ONSD is typically used to detect elevated ICP (with a cut-off often \> 5.0-5.7 mm for ICP \> 20 mmHg), studies investigating PDPH have paradoxically shown a reduction in ONSD post-spinal anesthesia, correlating with the state of intracranial hypotension. Previous research has demonstrated that a lower ONSD or a significant decrease in ONSD values 24 hours post-puncture is associated with PDPH development. A study determined that an ONSD at 24 hours of less than 0.40 cm was the best predictor for PDPH. Our study aims to specifically investigate the utility of the immediate change in ONSD to offer a bedside, real-time assessment of risk.

Trends in the Administration of Tranexamic Acid for Postpartum Hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is the global leading cause of maternal death, with 20-30% of maternal deaths in Thailand linked to hemorrhage. The WOMAN Trial (2017) provided strong evidence that administering tranexamic acid (TXA)within three hours of bleeding onset lowered PPH-related mortality by 31%. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its guidelines, recommending TXA as part of the standard treatment package for all PPH cases. Following this, the use of TXA has been widely adopted globally and increased in Thailand. A recent study at a major Thai university hospital observed a significant increase in TXA administration after 2017. The current study aims to further analyze the recent growth rate of TXA use and its impact on obstetric and perinatal outcomes during cesarean deliveries with PPH.

Empowered Relief: A One-Time Session to Help Postpartum Women Manage Ongoing Pain After Cesarean Delivery

The purpose of this study is to study the effect of a pain relief skills session (Empowered Relief) on chronic pain incidence at 12 weeks post cesarean delivery.

Oxytocin Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Oxytocin is the first-line drug to promote contraction of the uterus and prevent atony immediately after delivery. Nonetheless, unpredictable uterine atony refractory to oxytocin affects roughly 250,000 parturients annually in the U.S. and rates are increasing. This two-part study will measure the action of oxytocin at cesarean delivery. The first part will measure the pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous (IV) dose of deuterium-labeled oxytocin. The second part will measure the pharmacodynamics of all plasma oxytocin to see how concentrations correspond to the contractile effect on the uterus. After delivery of the fetus, study subjects will receive a bolus of IV deuterated oxytocin followed by an unlabeled oxytocin infusion. Venous blood samples drawn at multiple time points (within 1 hour after delivery) will be analyzed for plasma concentrations of labeled and unlabeled (endogenous + exogenous infused) oxytocin over time. Plasma concentrations will be compared with 0-10 uterine tone scores measuring uterine contraction strength, to describe the concentration-effect relationship. The goal of this study is to define both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oxytocin in parturients to help identify the cause(s) of failed first-line oxytocin therapy.

Personalized Perioperative Analgesia Platform (PPAP) for Cesarean Section

The purpose of this collaborative CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Award) application is to develop an innovative perioperative precision analgesia platform (PPAP) to improve analgesia and reduce serious immediate and long-term adverse outcomes of perioperative opioids in breastfeeding mothers and their infants

Combined Hystroscopic and Laparoscopic Repair of CS Scar Disorder

Combined hystroscopic and laparoscopic repair of symptomatic uterine Niche as new technique to maximize resolution of symptoms after niche repair with concomitant increase in RMT

Continuous Infusion of Norepinephrine vs Phenylephrine During Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section (INPEACE)

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare norepinephrine and ephedrine in maintaining blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for elective cesarean delivery. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do phenylephrine and norepinephrine administered as manually controlled continuous infusion during elective cesarean delivery have different effects on neonatal outcome ? * Do phenylephrine and norepinephrine administered as manually controlled continuous infusion during elective cesarean delivery have different effects on maternal hemodynamics? Participants will receive either phenylephrine or norepinephrine infusion, at the time of performing spinal anesthesia, the infusion rate will be adjusted manually depending on maternal arterial pressure.

Insufficient Regional Anesthesia and Conversion to General Anesthesia for Cesarean Section A Qualitative Multicenter Study

Background In Denmark, approximately 20% of all children are born via cesarean section (C-section), making it the most common surgical procedure (also internationally). The recommended anesthesia for cesarean sections is regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural, "spinal anesthesia"), as it has several advantages: the woman is awake and experiences the delivery of her child, she maintains spontaneous breathing (the risk of difficult airway management is significantly higher in pregnant women), and the risk of aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs (which is clearly increased in pregnant women) is reduced. Furthermore, regional anesthesia can contribute to early postoperative pain management to some extent. With spinal anesthesia, most women feel pressure and touch but no pain during the cesarean section. However, some women do experience pain during the procedure, necessitating a change in the plan. If inadequate anesthesia is detected before the surgery begins, one may choose (depending on, for example, the urgency of the cesarean) to administer renewed regional anesthesia (typically an epidural). However, if the woman first experiences pain after the surgery has commenced, it is necessary to place her under general anesthesia for the remainder of the procedure. Experience shows that this process can be challenging, and there are frequent examples in clinical practice of inappropriate courses of action, where women have experienced unacceptable pain during their cesarean sections without being placed under general anesthesia. It is difficult to obtain an exact figure on how many women experience inadequate anesthesia during cesarean sections under regional anesthesia, as not all cases are recognized or followed up on. Studies indicate that up to 12% experience pain during a cesarean section. The consequences of inadequate anesthesia for cesarean sections can be quite significant for women, including impaired bonding with the child, poorer establishment of breastfeeding, increased risk of postpartum reactions and post-traumatic stress, as well as (anecdotally) the risk of women opting out of future pregnancies, as they may be reluctant to subject themselves to a similar situation again. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate how women experience insufficient regional anesthesia during cesarean sections that require conversion to general anesthesia. The focus is on exploring the factors that contribute positively and negatively to the woman's experience in this situation. Method Qualitative study in six Danish hospitals. Inclusion criteria: * Women undergoing elective or emergency cesarean section, aged over 17 years * Regional (spinal or epidural or combined epidural-spinal) anesthesia converted to general anesthesia intraoperatively (i.e., after surgery has commenced) due to insufficient regional anesthesia (i.e., not for obstetric indications, such as in cases of difficult fetal extraction) Exclusion criteria: * Does not speak Danish or English * Does not wish to participate The woman will be contacted for the first time on day 1 or 2 after the cesarean section (before she is discharged from the hospital). She will be informed about the project and invited to participate. As a potential project participant, she is entitled to a 24-hour consideration period, and if desired, a new contact will be arranged for the following day. If she wishes to participate, she will be contacted again after 3 months. At this time, she will receive a call to schedule a follow-up telephone interview within a few days. This will take place as a semi-structured interview, initiated with open questions and concluded with a few more specific questions. At the end of the interview, a screening for post-traumatic stress will be conducted using the PTSD-8 tool. Follow-up interviews will be recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Sample Size The project encompasses all women at the participating centers who experience insufficient regional anesthesia during a cesarean section and conversion to general anesthesia during 1 year.

Platelet Rich Plasma for Uterine Scar

When vessel wall injury occurs, platelets become activated, releasing more than 30 bioactive proteins, many of which have a fundamental role in hemostasis, inflammation and ultimate wound healing. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a modification of fibrin glue made from autologous blood, is being used to deliver growth factors in high concentration to sites requiring wound healing. PRP is obtained from a sample of patients' blood drawn at the time of treatment. As the rate of cesarean deliveries has been rising, long-term adverse sequelae due to uterine scar defects have been increasing. PRP might be a simple preventive treatment that potentially can reduce morbidity following cesarean deliveries.

Effect of a 20% Reduction in Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Dose on High Spinal Block Incidence in Cesarean Delivery: A Risk-Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial.

Effect of a 20% Reduction in Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Dose on High Spinal Block Incidence in Cesarean Delivery: A Risk-Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial.

Effect of Myofascial Release Versus Deep Friction Massage on Abdominal Recovery and Scar After Cesarean Section

This study was done to compare the effect of myofascial release versus deep friction massage on abdominal recovery and scar after cesarean section.

Height Adjusted Versus Standardized Dose of Bupivacaine for Spinal Anesthesia

General anesthesia during pregnancy is associated with several major risks including unanticipated difficult airway, pulmonary aspiration, and specific anesthetic effects on the newborn. Thus, intrathecal anesthesia is the technique of choice for cesarean section. Nevertheless, the main side effect of intrathecal anesthesia is arterial hypotension which depend mainly on the dose of local anesthetic administered intrathecally. To date there is no guidelines nor evidences whic help the anesthetist to precisely estimate the required dose. Most often a "standardized dose" of 8 to 10 mg of bupivacaine is administered. However, some data suggest that a lower dose may be administered resulting in less frequent arterial hypotension. Nevertheless, a well designed randomized study is lacking.

Factors Influencing Bradycardia During Spinal Anesthesia in Obstetric Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section

The study titled "Factors Influencing Bradycardia During Spinal Anaesthesia in Obstetric Patients Undergoing Caesarean Section"" aims to investigate the causes and patterns of bradycardia in pregnant women receiving spinal anesthesia during cesarean deliveries. Bradycardia, defined as a heart rate below 60 beats per minute, is a known complication of spinal anesthesia, often resulting from sympathetic blockade and unopposed parasympathetic activity. This condition may lead to hypotension, decreased cardiac output, and compromised fetal oxygenation.

Wound Irrigation With Saline Versus Hypodilute-chlorhexidine After Cesarean Section (WISHES Study)

This investigator-initiated, open-label, randomized controlled trial will explore the effects of two treatment arms, comparing standard treatment with normal saline against Irrisept, a jet lavage solution containing a low concentration of Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) at 0.05% in 99.95% sterile water for irrigation. The study aims to evaluate the impact on postoperative wound healing in patients who have undergone cesarean delivery.

Aortic Compression Trial to Reduce Blood Loss at Cesarean Section

The goal of this clinical trial is to test if manual external aortic compression can prevent heavy blood loss in cesarean section. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: 1. Is external aortic compression effective? 2. Is external aortic compression safe? Participants will receive preventive manual external aortic compression or no external aortic compression (standard care) immediately after the baby is out at cesarean section. Blood loss will be measured, as well as kidney function, hemoglobin, and hematocrit before and after the operation. Experienced discomfort will be assessed the day after surgery and breastfeeding and signs of depression will be assessed using questionnaires after 2 months. Researchers will compare women with and without manual external aortic compression to see if there are differences in these outcomes.

The Effect of HPI to Reduce Intraoperative Hypotension in Caesarean Sections

During caesarean section, blood pressure variations especially a reduction in blood pressure (or hypotension) can bring harmful effects to mother and baby. This usually occurs after spinal anaesthesia is administered. Usually, the anaesthetist will treat hypotension as it occurs. However, a new medical device is now available to predict hypotension. It is called the Hypotension Prediction Index (HPI). This device allows the prediction of hypotension; hence, treatment can be given before it occurs. It has been widely utilised in major surgeries like abdominal tumour surgery and cardiac surgery worldwide and has shown a substantial reduction in hypotension. This study aims to determine whether the duration and severity of hypotension can be reduced when HPI is used in lower segment caesarean sections. The secondary objective of the study is to determine if the complication rate can be reduced in both mother and baby.

Durometer for Measuring Uterine Tone

This study will evaluate the use of a durometer to measure uterine tone in parturients undergoing cesarean delivery.

The Norwegian World Health Organisation Labour Care Guide Trial (NORWEL)

Appropriate and timely care during birth is critical to the survival and health of women and their babies. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) presented the Labour Care Guide (LCG) as the new recommended tool for monitoring birth and assessing progression, replacing the WHO partograph. This evidence-based guide was designed to ensure improved quality and safety of care, and to avoid unnecessary interventions during birth. The LCG was developed to be used in all settings globally, but it has only been tested in health facilities in South America, Asia and Africa, while it has not been tested in high-income settings. Implementing a new guideline for monitoring birth is a comprehensive operation that will affect both the national economy, health systems, and individual patients; therefore, further research on the possible advantages is needed before national enrolment. Hence, the trial proposed in this application is crucial to form the required foundation of knowledge. The trial will be conducted in labour wards at ten hospitals, covering all health regions in Norway, and the established Norwegian Research Network for Clinical Studies in Obstetrics (NORBIRTH), with dedicated local principal investigators, will provide a robust research environment. This trial will test the effect of the LCG. Results from this trial will provide knowledge needed to determine a future implementation of the LCG in Norway.

Osteopathy of Post Cesarean Section Adhesions

Chronic low back pain post cesarean section adhesions represents a restricting dysfunction, mainly influences abdominal fascia that leads to major welfare and economic restrictions. Osteopathic manipulation is a drug-free non-invasive is the therapeutic application of manually guided forces to improve physiologic function and support homeostasis. The purpose of the current study is to determine the effect of osteopathic manipulations of post cesarean section adhesions on low back pain

Analgesic Efficacy of Surgeon-administered Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks for Caesarean Section.

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate whether or not adding a Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (TAP block) improves pain control for patients having a cesarean section. A TAP block is a type of nerve block where at the end of the surgery an injection of a long acting local anesthetic is made into the abdominal wall. In studies in patient's having other abdominal surgeries this has reduced the amount of narcotics patients need for pain control. This may also led to patients being more active after surgery and maybe spending less time in hospital.

Effects of Intrathecal Midazolam (1mg) With Hyperbaric Bupivacaine 0.5% (15mg) for Spinal Anesthesia for C-section

This study evaluates the effects of intrathecal midazolam (1 mg) combined with hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% (15 mg) for spinal anesthesia in cesarean section patients.

Predictive Hemodynamic Monitoring During Elective Cesarean Section

Single shot spinal anesthesia (SA) is the most commonly used technique for Caesarean section (CS) . SA is associated with maternal hypotension (Post Spinal Hypotension - PSH) often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, bradycardia and fetal acidosis. Preventive administration of vasopressors is widely used to counterbalance hypotension. Routine prophylactic infusion of phenilephrine and norepinephrine raises concerns for unnecessary treatment, reactive hypertension, baroreceptor-mediated bradycardia, and effects on fetal acidosis. Non-invasive continuous measurement of arterial pressure using a finger cuff is well established. Hypotension Prediction Index - HPI is an algorithm that could predict the onset of hypotension in working on invasive and non-invasive arterial waveform signal. The aim of this prospective randomized study is to compare the amount of PSH during elective caesarean section among two groups of patients receiving standard intermittent hemodynamic monitoring versus continuous ClearSight-HPI monitoring. The primary hypothesis is that hemodynamic management HPI-guided reduces the incidence, entity and duration of post-spinal hypotension, defined as mean arterial pressure (MAP) lower than 65 mmHg lasting more than one minute. Our secondary aim was to study the impact of maternal PSH during CS on foetal outcome evaluated by comparing neonatal Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, and umbilical cord arterial and venous pH in the two groups.