Platinum based adjuvant chemotherapy is generally recommended for ovarian cancer to improve the survival rate. Intravenous route is commonly used, easily administered and less associated complications. However, intraperitoneal route is gaining its popularity as a single procedure or adjunctive to the intravenous route. Numerous questions on its eligibility and safety are still perplexed. A case review on a patient with non optimal debulking surgery of advanced ovarian cancer was studied. Intravenous platinum based chemotherapy combined with paclitaxel failed to bring her to clinical remission. Second line chemotherapy, gemcitabin rendered her to poor response with unresolved debilitating ascites needing recurrent drainage. Surprisingly, a trial of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin revealed a great response with a complete clinical remission.
Fulminant haemorrhage in cervical cancer leads to severe anaemia and haemodynamic instability. Palliative management includes vaginal packing as temporary measure, radiotherapy and other invasive surgical procedures. High dose emergency chemotherapy is not commonly implemented particularly when complicated with anaemia and renal impairment. We discuss three case series on the usefulness of high dose chemotherapy to combat bleeding from cervical cancer as an emergency treatment. The first case was clinically staged as operable 2A disease with severe anaemia due to bleeding from the tumour mass. The haemoglobin was corrected by blood transfusion while the bleeding was being arrested by high dose chemotherapy. The second case was inoperable with invasion to the bladder mucosa. She had frank haematuria and bleeding from the tumour with severe anaemia. A course of chemotherapy and blood transfusion controlled the bleeding and anaemia was corrected. The third case presented late with obstructive uropathy and anaemia. She required dialysis, blood transfusion and high dose emergency chemotherapy to stop the bleeding before undergoing urinary diversion after an unsuccessful ureteric stenting. High dose chemotherapy consisting cisplatin, vincristine, bleomycin and mitomycin-C has a clinical value in arresting fulminant haemorrhage in cervical cancer.
A 28-year-old G3P1+1 at 6 weeks period of amenorrhea with a previous Caesarean section presented with per vaginal bleeding. A cervical ectopic pregnancy was confirmed by a transvaginal scan. An intramuscular methotrexate was given followed by intracervical route due to poor decline of the serum βHCG. However, due to persistent increment of serum βHCG, an additional four doses of intramuscular methotrexate with folinic acid rescue were administered and she responded well to the regime. Unfortunately, following the last dose, she developed an episode of excessive per vaginal bleeding which required suction and curettage of the cervical canal. A Foley‘s catheter balloon was placed intracervically as a tamponade and the bleeding was successfully arrested.
Morbidly adherent placenta with spontaneous rupture of membrane at extreme prematurity poses poor pregnancy outcome. Various issues on different management modalities still remain perplexed and individual consideration is vital. Two cases of morbidly adherent placenta with symptomatic per vaginal bleeding and spontaneous rupture of membrane at severe prematurity were reviewed and discussed. We found that, active intervention by termination of pregnancy and methotrexate therapy at early gestation can prevent the need of hysterectomy following major obstetrics haemorrhage.
Vulvo-vaginal haematomas are not an uncommon obstetric complication. Despite advances in obstetric care, practice and technique, vulvo-vaginal haematomas do occur especially in complicated vaginal deliveries. Various management options are available for vulvo-vaginal haematomas. We describe three cases of vulvo-vaginal haematomas with different severity and presentations which were managed in different manners i.e. local haemostasis control, laparotomy with hysterectomy, and transarterial embolisation. The choice of treatment options would mainly depend on the clinical presentations, availability of expertise as well as facilities. Early identification is crucial.