Background: The aim of the current study is to assess the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant females with and without surgically corrected mitral stenosis (MS). Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Egypt between February 2016 and December 2016. All pregnant women diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease attending the antenatal care clinic were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups according to previous surgical correction of MS or not. All women were followed up during pregnancy till the end of puerperium. The primary outcome of the study was the difference in the rate of maternal cardiac complications during pregnancy between both groups. Results: The study included 48 patients (39%) with surgically corrected MS and 75 patients (61%) with uncorrected MS. All cardiac complications were significantly higher in the uncorrected MS group (p 0.05). No difference between both groups in the mode of delivery (p=0.52). Postpartum hemorrhage is more common with the corrected MS group than the uncorrected group (25% vs. 9.3% respectively, p=0.003), while the need for postpartum admission to ICU was significantly higher in the uncorrected group (p=0.006). The mean birth weight was higher in the corrected MS group (p=0.000). The percentage of stillbirths and the rate of admission to PCU was higher in the uncorrected MS group (p=0.003). Conclusions: Surgical correction of MS significantly improves the maternal and fetal outcomes of rheumatic heart pregnant females with MS. Keywords: Maternal morbidity, Mitral replacement, Perinatal outcome, Rheumatic heart disease

Background: The aim of the current study is to assess the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant females with and without surgically corrected mitral stenosis (MS). Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Egypt between February 2016 and December 2016. All pregnant women diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease attending the antenatal care clinic were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups according to previous surgical correction of MS or not. All women were followed up during pregnancy till the end of puerperium. The primary outcome of the study was the difference in the rate of maternal cardiac complications during pregnancy between both groups. Results: The study included 48 patients (39%) with surgically corrected MS and 75 patients (61%) with uncorrected MS. All cardiac complications were significantly higher in the uncorrected MS group (p 0.05). No difference between both groups in the mode of delivery (p=0.52). Postpartum hemorrhage is more common with the corrected MS group than the uncorrected group (25% vs. 9.3% respectively, p=0.003), while the need for postpartum admission to ICU was significantly higher in the uncorrected group (p=0.006). The mean birth weight was higher in the corrected MS group (p=0.000). The percentage of stillbirths and the rate of admission to PCU was higher in the uncorrected MS group (p=0.003). Conclusions: Surgical correction of MS significantly improves the maternal and fetal outcomes of rheumatic heart pregnant females with MS. Keywords: Maternal morbidity, Mitral replacement, Perinatal outcome, Rheumatic heart disease

Background: The aim of the current study is to assess the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnant females with and without surgically corrected mitral stenosis (MS). Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Egypt between February 2016 and December 2016. All pregnant women diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease attending the antenatal care clinic were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups according to previous surgical correction of MS or not. All women were followed up during pregnancy till the end of puerperium. The primary outcome of the study was the difference in the rate of maternal cardiac complications during pregnancy between both groups. Results: The study included 48 patients (39%) with surgically corrected MS and 75 patients (61%) with uncorrected MS. All cardiac complications were significantly higher in the uncorrected MS group (p 0.05). No difference between both groups in the mode of delivery (p=0.52). Postpartum hemorrhage is more common with the corrected MS group than the uncorrected group (25% vs. 9.3% respectively, p=0.003), while the need for postpartum admission to ICU was significantly higher in the uncorrected group (p=0.006). The mean birth weight was higher in the corrected MS group (p=0.000). The percentage of stillbirths and the rate of admission to PCU was higher in the uncorrected MS group (p=0.003). Conclusions: Surgical correction of MS significantly improves the maternal and fetal outcomes of rheumatic heart pregnant females with MS. Keywords: Maternal morbidity, Mitral replacement, Perinatal outcome, Rheumatic heart disease

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.

Objectives: To assess the safety and feasibility of a novel technique, External Pop-out (EPO), for supporting the lower uterine segment during fetal head extraction in cesarean section (CS). Study design: Prospective cohort study. Patients and Methods: The current research is a registered (NCT02755168) study compassing the new technique, EPO, for head extraction during CS. The technique was performed on single, living, cephalic, elective cesarean deliveries at Women's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt. The primary study outcomes were; the feasibility and the rate of incision extensions with the External Pop-out technique. The secondary outcomes included the easiness score and the learning curve of this technique on five senior obstetricians’ trainee. Results: The EPO technique was successful in 845/877 cases (96.3%) but impossible in the remaining 32 case because of extensive pelvic adhesions. The rate of occurrence of minor extensions associated with EPO was 8/845 (0.95%) with no major extensions in succeeded cases. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean of easiness score in the early 5 cases and the next 5 cases in 4 out of 5 trainees. The remaining trainee reported a higher easiness score earlier from his 4th case. The mean of total scores in the late cases was also significantly higher than the early cases (p=0.0001). Conclusions: External Pop-out technique is feasible with low rates of uterine incisions extensions. Moreover; this technique is easily learned and performed by obstetricians. Key Words: Cesarean Section; Fetal Head Extraction; Maternal Morbidity; Uterine Extension.