Objective To compare maternal and obstetrical outcomes of water birth and land birth. Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, SCI, The Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Journal Full Text Database, Chinese Scientific Journals Full Text Database, conference proceedings, and references of the included studies to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing water birth and land birth. The methodological quality was evaluated and the data was extracted by two reviewers independently using a designed extraction form. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0 software was used to carry out meta-analyses. Results Eleven RCTs involving 3963 lying-in women were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the rate of episiotomy (OR=0.09, 95%CI 0.01 to -0.59) and estimated blood loss (MD= -36.02, 95% -55.24 to -16.79) in the immersion group were significantly lower than those in the non-immersion group. There were no significant differences between the two groups on the other sides of the study. Conclusion Water birth can reduce the rate of episiotomy and estimated blood loss during the duration of labor. And there is no more risk of maternal and neonatal infection. More high-quality randomized controlled trials are required.
Objective To compare the surgical outcome and investigate the clinic value between laparoscopic operation and laparotomy in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Methods We searched PubMed, EMbase, SCI, The Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China Journal Full Text Database, Chinese Medical Association Journals, and references of the included studies up to April 2009. Studies involving treatment outcome of ectopic pregnancy using laparoscopy compared with laparotomy were included. Data were extracted and methodological quality were evaluated by two reviewers independently with designed extraction form. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0.1 software was used for data analyses. Results A total of 11 studies involving 1795 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that laparoscopy comparing with laparotomy; the operation time and complications had no difference; intraoperative blood loss was less than laparotomy; intestinal gas exhaust and evacuation active time was earlier than laparotomy. Conclusion Laparoscopy treating for ectopic pregnancy is better than laparotomy. It is a minimally invasive surgical technique, and is worthy to be popularized.