Pannus Retraction for Ultrasound Evaluation of the Obese Gravida: A Pilot Study

Detailed Summary

Pregnancies complicated by obesity have an increased risk of multiple pregnancy complications, including structural fetal anomalies. Therefore, maternal obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) is an indication for a detailed anatomic ultrasound examination. Ultrasound is a critical tool for the detection of congenital anomalies; however, obesity makes ultrasound examinations technically challenging. The primary objective of this ambidirectional cohort pilot study is to evaluate whether utilization of a pannus retractor is associated with increased rates of detailed anatomic ultrasound completion amongst pregnant patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2. Retrospective data will be collected for 100 patients with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or greater to assess the baseline rate of completion of 16 components of the detailed anatomic survey prior to the intervention. We plan to enroll 20 patients into a prospective pilot to the intervention arm. The intervention is placement of an adhesive medical device, the traxi® Panniculus Retractor (Laborie, Portsmouth, New Hampshire), which was developed for pannus retraction during cesarean section. Adequacy of anatomic ultrasound completion will be based upon 16 pre-defined views from the anatomic survey. Ultrasound completion rates from the prospective cohort of participants that undergo ultrasound evaluation using a pannus retractor will be compared to a historical cohort without pannus retractor use. We hypothesize that use of a pannus retractor for pregnant participants with BMI greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2 increases the rate of anatomical ultrasound completion.

Study Details

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Interventions