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Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Normal and Pathologic Puerperium

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Intrapartum Ultrasonography for Labor Management

Abstract

The puerperium represents a period of profound physiological and anatomical changes that aim to return to the pre-pregnancy state. As shown by the almost half maternal deaths reported related to this period, the correct diagnosis and treatment of any complication are of paramount importance. In this scenario, the ultrasonographic evaluation has a key role as a first-level tool to identify and diagnose any complication and to address the cause of any pathological sign and symptom. The ultrasound evaluation is able to identify or exclude retained products of conception or arteriovenous malformations in the case of postpartum hemorrhage. Moreover, ultrasound allows for identifying and monitoring post-surgical complications after cesarean section, such as postpartum hematomas or pelvic abscess. Although the key role of this diagnostic tool, the reported reliability and validity of ultrasounds in assessing the different complications are heterogeneous, and the limited specificity and sensitivity of different ultrasound appearances need to be taken into account. To address this issue, the knowledge of the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the genital tract during the physiological puerperal involution is the first step to achieve an accurate distinction between normal and abnormal development of puerperium.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filippo Del Ponte” Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Antonio Simone Laganà, Simone Garzon & Fabio Ghezzi

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AOUI Verona, University of Verona, Verona, Italy

    Massimo Franchi

Authors
  1. Antonio Simone Laganà
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  2. Simone Garzon
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  3. Massimo Franchi
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  4. Fabio Ghezzi
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Correspondence to Antonio Simone Laganà .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Santa Maria Hospital, GVM Care and Research, Bari, Italy

    Antonio Malvasi

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Laganà, A.S., Garzon, S., Franchi, M., Ghezzi, F. (2021). Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Normal and Pathologic Puerperium. In: Malvasi, A. (eds) Intrapartum Ultrasonography for Labor Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57595-3_49

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57595-3_49

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