ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2545-524X
Current Organisations
Mercy Hospital for Women
,
University of Melbourne
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Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 15-03-2018
Abstract: Accurate dosing of protamine reversal following on-pump cardiac surgical procedures is challenging, with both excessive and inadequate administration recognised to increase bleeding risk. We aimed to examine the relationship between three ratios for heparin reversal and markers of haemostasis. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was undertaken at a single tertiary cardiac unit, reviewing all cases of on-pump coronary artery bypass grafts and single valve replacements from 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2015. The ratio between total intra-operative heparin and protamine was stratified to three groups (low: ≤0.6 mg per 100 IU of heparin, moderate: 0.6-1.0 and high: >1.0) and related to the primary outcome of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, with secondary outcomes being the number of units transfused, the haemoglobin differential and mediastinal drain output at 4 hours. Of the 803 patients identified, 338 received a blood transfusion, with 1035 units being used. Eighteen percent of in iduals (145) received a low ratio, 50% (404) received a moderate ratio and 32% (254) a high ratio. Using the moderate group as a reference, the low dose group was 56.5% less likely to have received a RBC transfusion (OR 0.435 95% CI 0.270:0.703 p=0.001) while the high dose group carried a 241% increased association with transfusion (OR 3.412 95% CI 2.399:4.853 p<0.001). For those transfused, a lower protamine:heparin ratio was associated with a lower number of units transfused, lesser haemoglobin differential and less mediastinal drain output. Higher doses of intra-operative protamine relative to heparin are associated with greater risk of transfusion and post-operative bleeding.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-06-2018
DOI: 10.1111/AJO.12836
Abstract: Clinician and patient factors impact on the management of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) with medical, surgical or combined approaches possible, although none have proven superior. To understand the characteristics of women offered laparoscopic pelvic surgery for CPP. We performed an observational study of women referred with CPP. They were asked to complete a study questionnaire regarding their symptoms, medical history, quality of life and pain catastrophisation. Examination and ultrasound findings were collected from patient records. Gynaecologists who recommended a laparoscopy completed a survey detailing their reasoning at the time of booking. The outcomes were investigated using a Cox proportional hazards ratio (HR) model. Of 211 participants, 59 (28%) were booked for laparoscopic surgery during the study timeframe. Factors increasing the rate of laparoscopy included severe dysmenorrhoea (Cox HR = 1.94 P = 0.017), unsuccessful trial of hormonal therapy (Cox HR = 1.81 P = 0.044), prior abdominal surgery (Cox HR = 1.79 P = 0.030), prior pelvic laparoscopy (Cox HR = 2.00 P = 0.007) and past diagnosis of endometriosis (Cox HR = 5.44 P = 0.010). Abnormal vaginal examination (Cox HR = 2.86 P = 0.019) and ultrasound probe tenderness (Cox HR = 2.52 P < 0.001) also increased the likelihood of surgery. Surgical and non-surgical patients did not differ in family history, quality of life or pain catastrophisation. Of gynaecologists' questionnaires, 75% were returned. Results indicated they were most influenced by the severity or duration of pain and least by examination or ultrasound findings. The characteristics of women booked for surgery were in keeping with the features evidence suggests increases the risk of pathology. There were some discrepancies between patient characteristics elicited in the questionnaires and those indicated by gynaecologists to influence their decision.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 02-07-2018
Abstract: Myomectomy is the gold standard uterine-sparing treatment for fibroids. However, the procedure is often complicated by blood loss. In rare cases, haemorrhage may be so severe that a conversion to hysterectomy is warranted. The aim of our study was to investigate the rates of and the clinical reasoning behind unplanned hysterectomies following attempted myomectomies at our institution. All patients who underwent an open or laparoscopic myomectomy at the Royal Women’s Hospital were identified using a gynaecology unit database, maintained from January 2004 to December 2013. Records for patients whose surgeries were unexpectedly converted to a hysterectomy were examined. A review of the literature was also performed, investigating the rates of unplanned hysterectomies following myomectomies. Of the 1501 myomectomies performed, six resulted in an unplanned hysterectomy an incidence rate of 0.4%. Fibroids were either intramural or pedunculated with the median number of tumours per patient being 2.5 (interquartile range: 1–6). The largest tumour for each patient varied significantly from 4.0 × 3.2 cm to 29.0 × 25.0 cm. In all cases, despite being strongly advised to have a planned hysterectomy, patients insisted on having a myomectomy. Two patients underwent conversion to hysterectomy intraoperatively while the remainder required a return to theatre. Difficulty achieving intraoperative haemostasis (n = 2), and the development of postoperative bleeding and coagulopathy (n = 4) were reasons cited for proceeding to hysterectomy. The rate of conversion from myomectomy to hysterectomy at our institution was low at 0.4%. In all cases, the reason for conversion was difficulty with haemostasis, despite infrequent use of haemostatic agents, and coagulopathy.
No related grants have been discovered for Kelly Mirowska-Allen.