Objective: To investigate the ability of intrapartum translabial sonography to diagnose fetal station in the second stage of labor.Methods: Patients with uncomplicated pregnancies at term gestation with fetuses in vertex presentation in the second stage of labor underwent serial translabial sonography and digital examinations. In a sagittal section of the maternal pelvis, the direction of the head was noted and categorized as downward, horizontal or upward. By rotating the transducer in the transverse plane the cerebral midline echo was also visualized and the rotation of the head was noted. Clinical and ultrasound data were compared using Somer's d‐test.Results: Sixty patients underwent a total of 168 clinical and sonographic examinations. When on the sonogram the fetal head was directed downward, the station assessed clinically was most frequently ≤ + 1 cm from the ischial spines (44/57 (77.2%) cases); when the direction was horizontal, the station was most frequently ≤ + 2 cm (53/59 (89.8%) cases); when the fetal head was directed upward, the station was usually ≥ + 3 cm (46/52 (88.5%) cases). Failure to visualize the cerebral midline or a rotation ≥ 45° were associated with a station of + 2 cm or less in 98/103 (95.1%) examinations. Conversely, a rotation of < 45° was associated with a station of + 3 cm or more in 45/65 (69.2%) examinations. All comparisons between clinical and sonographic findings demonstrated a statistically significant relationship (P < 0.0001). The probability of a station + 3 cm or more was particularly high when an upward direction of the head was seen in combination with a rotation of < 45° (40/42 (95.2%) examinations). The interobserver variability (Cohen's kappa 0.795 and 0.727 for station and rotation, respectively; P < 0.001) and intraobserver variability (0.845 for both station and rotation, P < 0.001) suggested good reproducibility of the method.Conclusions: Translabial sonography allows a diagnosis of fetal station with an accuracy comparable to that of digital examination and may provide useful information for diagnosing obstructed labor in the second stage as well as assisting in the choice of instrumental delivery. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of sonographic identification of the site of umbilical cord insertion (CI) at 18–20 weeks of gestation, to compare the sensitivities for detection of a velamentous cord insertion (VCI) secondary to a CI into the anterior, posterior or fundal wall, and to compare the intrapartum complications secondary to VCI into the upper, middle or lower third of the uterus.Methods: As part of the routine ultrasound scan at 18–20 weeks' gestation we evaluated abnormal CI (VCI and marginal CI) and the location of the CI in the uterus in 3446 pregnancies. In cases of abnormal CI, the location of the CI was further classified as being in the upper, middle or lower third of the uterus. After delivery, the placenta and the umbilical cord were examined and intrapartum complications were compared with the location of the CI.Results: The values for antenatal detection of VCI were: sensitivity, 25 of 40 (62.5%); positive predictive value, 25 of 25 (100%); and negative predictive value, 3406 of 3421 (99.6%). The sensitivity for cases in which the CI was located on the anterior wall was 12 of 13 (92.3%); when it was located on the posterior wall, the sensitivity was 11 of 22 (50.0%); and when it was fundal the sensitivity was 2 of 5 (40.0%). Variable decelerations were frequently observed with a VCI. In lower VCI cases, non‐reassuring fetal heart rate patterns and emergency Cesarean sections occurred with a higher frequency than in cases with upper or middle VCI (P < 0.01). After delivery, the length of the aberrant vessels in cases of VCI by pathologic examination was 3.9 ± 3.3 cm in the upper third, 4.7 ± 4.6 cm in the middle third, and 10.6 ± 6.8 cm in the lower third; thus, the aberrant vessel length was significantly greater when the CI was in the lower third of the uterus (P = 0.024).Conclusion: We have demonstrated that VCI with a lower CI site and with longer aberrant vessels is associated with various intrapartum complications. This finding has the potential for improving perinatal outcome. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Porous polyethylene (Medpor) is an alloplastic material worldwide used for craniofacial reconstruction. To evaluate complications and risk factors associated with this synthetic graft, a retrospective study was performed. A series of 285 Medpor grafts were placed in 187 patients. Age, sex, diagnosis at admission, site, type of surgical insertion, type of fixation, and outcome (no complications, anesthesia, exposure, infection, and implant remodeling and removal) are considered. By means of univariate and multivariate analyses, we detect variables most associated with poor outcome. Univariate analysis showed that graft “survival” curves stratified according to (1) diagnosis at admission and (2) site are statistically significant. Subsequently, a Cox analysis was performed: both variables are also predictors of graft outcome. Porous polyethylene is a reliable alloplastic material that can be satisfactory used for craniofacial reconstruction. However, some sites (i.e., nose, maxilla, and ear) and diagnosis at admission (i.e., syndromic patients previously operated) are related to an higher risk of implant failure.