Journal/Magazine Articles
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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) in the Sri Lankan setting: translation, cultural adaptation and validation into the Sinhala language(BioMed Central, 2020) Patabendige, M.; Palihawadana, T.S.; Herath, R.P.; Wijesinghe, P.S.OBJECTIVE: To adapt the CEQ into Sri Lankan Sinhala cultural context and to determine the psychometric properties of CEQ. This would yield an opportunity to evaluate childbirth experience among Lankan population. RESULTS: Out of 390, 226 (57.9%) postnatal mothers completed the CEQ after 1 month postpartum. Face validity and content validity were demonstrated with all participants stating that CEQ was easy to understand and complete. For reliability, internal consistency was acceptable for the overall score (0.85) and for all four domains in CEQ (0.65, 0.80, 0.70, 0.83 for "own capacity", "professional support", "perceived safety" and "participation", respectively). A weighted kappa of 0.61-0.80 for all 22 items in CEQ demonstrated a good test-retest reliability. This Sri Lankan version showed fit statistics in line with standard recommendations in exploratory factor analysis. Women with spontaneous onset of labour (except for "professional support" in women with spontaneous onset of labour) and women with a normal birth showed significantly higher CEQ scores. However, oxytocin augmentation could not yield a difference in CEQ scores. KEYWORDS: Birth satisfaction; Childbirth experience questionnaire; Low-resource settings.Item Nutcracker syndrome in pregnancy: a worrying presentation of a benign condition(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2017) Motha, M.B.; Palihawadana, T.S.; Dias, T.D.; Wijesinghe, P.S.Item Outcome of Non-Descent Vaginal Hysterectomy at a Single Centre in Sri Lanka: an Observational Study(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2015) Chaminda, S.H.H.; Ekanayake, C.D.; Sriskanthan, R.S.; Perera, B.; Palihawadana, T.S.INTRODUCTION: Hysterectomy is the commonest major gynaecological surgery performed worldwide. Though many routes of hysterectomy are described, open abdominal approach remains the commonest route to date for indications other than genital prolapse. There is evidence of advantages of non-descent vaginal hysterectomy (NDVH) over abdominal hysterectomy in such indications. However, the acceptance rate for vaginal approach by the gynaecologists remains low. We describe the outcome data of a series of non-descent vaginal hysterectomies performed in a single centre in Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVES: To describe the post-operative outcome and complications of NDVH for benign indications of uteri less than 14 weeks size. METHOD: An observational study was undertaken at the ward 14 of The De Soysa Maternity Hospital, Colombo over a period of one year from May 2007 to April 2008 among women who underwent NDVH for benign conditions. Those with co-existing genital prolapse requiring surgical correction, uteri larger than 14 weeks, a history of previous abdominal surgery and medical co-morbidities were excluded from the study. RESULTS: The study included 53 patients who underwent NDVH. The majority had a normal sized uterus 39 (73.6%). There was a statistically significant improvement in post-operative urinary index compared to pre-operative urinary index [Kruskal-Wallis test-6.155, degrees of freedom = 2, p < 0.05 (0.046)]. There was no difference in pre-operative and post-operative bowel function. The frequency of coitus and patient satisfaction appear to have improved post-surgery. Most patients [n=45 (85%)] had a faster than expected recovery. There were no visceral injuries and only one patient required blood transfusion following surgery. One patient developed a urinary tract infection. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 4.11 days (95% CI=3.48-4.74 days). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome and complication rates of non-descent vaginal hysterectomy this series were comparable with evidence from literature. Therefore, we conclude that NDVH is a feasible option for benign gynaecological conditions with a uterus less than 14 weeks in size in the current gynaecological practice of Sri Lanka.Item An audit on the outcome of Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section (VBAC) in a Sri Lankan tertiary care setting and factors associated with failure(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2015) Tilakaratna, T.J.; Palihawadana, T.S.; Fernandopulle, R.C.INTRODUCTION: Caesarean section is a major surgical operation and its rate is on the rise in Sri Lanka as well as in the world. It is recommended to lower the Caesarean section rate due to the risk of potential complications and burden on the health care system. Previous Caesarean is a common indication for planned Caesarean section and vaginal birth after Caesarean section (VBAC) is considered a safe alternative for many women. This audit study was aimed at determining the success rate of VBAC in a local setting and to identify the factors that are associated with failure in this study population. METHOD: An audit study was carried out in two obstetric units if South Colombo Teaching hospital, Kalubowila and De Soysa hospital for women, Colombo 8 to assess the success rate among women who underwent VBAC. The unit policies included patient choice for decision to undergo VBAC and non-usage of medication either for induction or augmentation of labour. The audit standards were set as a VBAC success rate of 72% (RCOG Green-top guidelines) and a low APGAR (<7) in less than 2% of neonates (set by clinical experience). The demographic and past obstetric factors were compared between groups to determine significant associations. RESULTS: A total of 161 women (37.8% of those with a previous one Caesarean) had opted to undergo VBAC during the study period. It was successful in 69.6% of the total study sample and 84.6% who has had a previous vaginal delivery. Low APGAR scores at 5 minutes was observed in two neonates (1.2%) and both these were in the group with a successful VBAC. The factors associated with failed VBAC in this study population included not having had a previous vaginal delivery (Odds ratio 2.99), poor progress of labour being the indication for previous section (OR 2.32), a cervical dilatation of <2cm at onset of labour (OR 4.43), malpositions in early labour (OR 12.24), and a birth weight of more than 3000g (OR 2.11). Other preciously described factors such as a high BMI and inter-delivery interval failed to show a significant association in this study group. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The take up rate of VBAC in our study population seems to be low. However, the study did not study the reasons contributing to this low rate hence no recommendations can be made. The success rate of VBAC on our group (69%) was very close to the set standards (72%) and the rate of low APGAR at 5 minutes was 1.2% and was achieving the set standard. These figures along with the factors identified to be associated with the failure at VBAC should be used for patient counseling in our local setting. Other units also should carry out such audit projects to find out the success rate of VBAC in their respective units. More in-depth studies should be carried out to find causes for low rate of undergoing VBAC and to determine effective ways to improve itItem A study of psychological impact on women undergoing miscarriage at a Sri Lankan hospital setting(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2015) Wijesooriya, L.R.A.; Palihawadana, T.S.; Rajapaksha, R.N.G.INTRODUCTION: Miscarriage is common and affect one third of women some time during their lifetime. Its management has seen many advances in recent times including introduction of less interventional methods, thus seldom cause serious complications. However, the psychological morbidity associated with miscarriage is often overlooked and data on the subject among Sri Lankan population is scarce. This study was aimed at describing the presence of psychological morbidity among women after a miscarriage and to determine the factors associated with development of such morbidity in a local population. METHOD: A cohort study was carried out at a gynaecology unit of the North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama, between August 2011 and April 2012. The exposed group included 198 consecutive consenting women who had an early pregnancy loss and were compared with 179 parity and gestation matched controls. Two validated psychological assessment tools, the General Health Questionnaire 30 (GHQ30) and the Edinburgh postnatal depression questionnaire (EPDS) were administered at the initial visit and 6-8 week later in both groups. The threshold levels of 6 and 9 were used for GHQ30 and EPDS scales, respectively. RESULTS: At the initial assessment, the psychological morbidity of screen positives by the GHQ30 was 42.4% and 11.7% (OR5.54, 95%CI 3.25-9.46) in the exposure and controls groups, respectively. With the EPDS it was 23.7% and 10.1% (OR2.78, 95%CI 1.55-5.0). At the 6-8 week follow up the GHQ30 screen positive rate among exposure and control groups were 25.4% vs. 9.9% (OR 3.0, 95%CI 1.64-5.48), while with the EDPS, it was 24.8% vs. 10.5% (OR 2.81, 95%CI 1.55-5.09). The factors associated with screen positive psychological morbidity among subjects of the exposure group were common to both scales. At the initial visit they included age>30 years, having had secondary or more education, a history of infertility preceding the miscarriage, a history of previous miscarriage, nulliparity and a gestation >12 weeks. The same factors, with the exception of education level, were associated with screen positive psychological morbidity with both scales at 12 weeks too. DISCUSSION: This study shows the psychological morbidity following miscarriage can be as high as 40% in the initial stage while it can persist in around a quarter of patients even after 6-8 weeks. Recognitions and providing effective treatment including psychological support should be an integral part of management of miscarriage. Risk factors associated with psychological morbidity have been identified and these should be used to identify women who are at a higher risk of developing such abnormalities in order to provide effective screening and offer treatmentItem Thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2015) Motha, M.B.C.; Palihawadana, T.S.; Dias, T.D.Item Mirror syndrome: a rare presentation with a trisomy 21 fetus(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2014) Prasanga, D.P.G.G.M.; Dias, T.D.; Palihawadana, T.S.; Gunathilaka, S.N.M.P.K.; Herath, H.M.R.P.; Wasalathilaka, C.D.Item The apt use of symphysio - fundal height chart during antenatal follow up: A multicenter audit(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2014) Palihawadana, T.S.; Wasalthilaka, C.; Dias, T.Item Iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy: diagnosis, prevention and treatment(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2014) Palihawadana, T.S.; Goonewardene, I.M.R.; Motha, M.B.C.; Williams, H.S.A.Item A Study on Factors Associated with Clomifene Resistance in Infertile Women with WHO Group II Anovulation at a Teaching Hospital in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2014) Palihawadana, T.S.; Dissanayake, D.M.A.B.; Wijesinghe, P.S.; Seneviratne, H.R.Background: Anovulation is a common cause of infertility and induction of ovulation with oral agents such as clomifene is the treatment of choice in women with normogonadotropic anovulation. While such treatment is able to achieve ovulation in many, some women fail to respond thus termed as having clomifene resistance. Knowledge on factors associated with such resistance would enable us to counsel patients more accurately and offer alternative treatment modalities without undue delays. This study was aimed at identifying factors associated with clomifene resistance among infertile women with WHO group II anovulation at a teaching hospital in Sri Lanka. Method: A case control study was done at the Infertility clinic of the North Colombo teaching hospital, Ragama conducted by the department of obstetrics & Gynaecology of the University of Kelaniya. Women with WHO group II anovulation (n=128) were included and underwent induction of ovulation with clomifene citrate starting at a dose of 50mg per day, increased up to 150mg till ovulation was achieved. Those who fail to respond to a maximum dose of 150mg were termed as clomifene resistant. The factors known to be associated with clomifene resistance were compared between the two groups who responded and those who failed to respond. The study was registered with the Sri Lankan clinical trial registry maintained by the Sri Lanka Medical association. The study was funded by the National Science foundation of Sri Lanka through a research grant (Grant No: RG/2007/HS/08) Results: Ovulation was achieved in 77.3% (n=99) of subjects and therefore the prevalence of clomifene resistance was 22.8% (n=29). Among those who responded, 41 did so at a dose of 50mg per day while 40% did with 100mg, thus over 80% achieving ovulation at a dose of 100mg per day or less. The factors associated with clomifene resistance in this population included infertility of more than three years (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.51-9.14), presence of hirsutism (OR 2.76, 95%CI 1.18-6.46), a higher AFC (16 vs 13, p=0.04), PCOS (OR 2.99, 95%CI 1.06-8.41) and an LH:FSH ratio of > 1(OR3.11, 95%CI 1.33-7.24). Other factors that have been described to be associated with clomifene resistance such as advanced age, a BMI > 25, and a higher ovarian volume did not show any significant associations in this study. Discussion: This study was able to identify factors associated with clomifene resistance in a local population. Most factors identified included clinical and laboratory findings of PCOS thus highlighting the limitations in treatment success of clomifene among women with PCOS. This information may be used in clinical practice to counsel patients prior to treatment or to consider other alternative treatment options such as Letrozole or gonadotropins. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljog.v36i3.7715