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Biomedical subjects

P Litta

Publications and source records attributed to P Litta.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Reduction of postoperative adhesions with an auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel in gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: a blinded, controlled, randomized, multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Following myomectomy, postoperative adhesions occur in many patients with adverse effects on fertility. This study investigated the applicability, safety and efficacy of an auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel in preventing adhesion formation after laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: Fifty-two patients aged 22-42 years, undergoing surgery at four centres, were randomly allocated to receive either the gel or no adhesion prevention. The incidence and severity of postoperative adhesions were assessed laparoscopically after 12-14 weeks in a blinded, scored fashion. The primary efficacy variable was the presence/absence of postoperative adhesions at second-look. RESULTS: A nonsignificantly higher proportion of patients receiving the gel were free from adhesions (13 of 21; 62%) compared with control patients (9 of 22; 41%), with a statistically significant difference between the severity of uterine adhesions at baseline and at second-look (0.3 +/- 0.9 versus 0.8 +/- 1.0, P < 0.05). In subjects undergoing myomectomy without concomitant surgery, the proportion of adhesion-free patients was 8 of 12 (67%) and 4 of 11 (36%) (not significant) in the gel and control groups, respectively, with a significant difference in the mean severity scores (P < 0.05). In subjects without uterine adhesions before myomectomy, 12 of 18 (67%) and 8 of 20 (40%) patients in the gel and control groups, respectively were adhesion-free (not significant), with a significant difference in the severity of uterine adhesions (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the auto-crosslinked hyaluronan gel may have a favourable safety profile and efficacious antiadhesive action following laparoscopic myomectomy.

Adult↗

Hysteroscopic permanent tubal sterilization using a nitinol-dacron intratubal device without anaesthesia in the outpatient setting: procedure feasibility and effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopic permanent tubal sterilization has recently been introduced, resulting in a non-invasive, safe and effective technique. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of outpatient hysteroscopic tubal sterilization using a nitinol-dacron intratubal device without anaesthesia and to assess patient procedure compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We untertook a prospective study of 36 consecutive cases of outpatient hysteroscopic tubal sterilization using a nitinol-dacron intratubal device without anaesthesia. Tubal sterilization was performed by placing the device with the aid of a 5.2-mm continuous-flow operative hysteroscope. At the end of the procedure women were asked to rate the pain experienced on a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0, no discomfort to 100, severe discomfort). Successful device placement was assessed after 3 months by hysterosalpingography and diagnostic hysteroscopy. RESULTS: Successful bilateral placement was obtained in 32 patients (88.9%); in one (2.8%) the placement was monolateral; and in three (8.3%) the procedure failed. Mean operating time was 8.6 +/- 5.3 min. A mean VAS of 36.1 +/- 23.9 was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: The nitinol-dacron intratubal device is safe, appears to be effective long-term, is non-invasive and can be used in the outpatient setting without anaesthesia. Low-level discomfort was experienced by the patients. Limitations of its use include that it is not effective immediately, it is irreversible, it requires special equipment and training, and it is difficult to use in cases of uterine anomalies. We conclude that this method may be offered to all woman asking for permanent tubal sterilization, particularly those who refuse or have contraindications for anaesthesia.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic cryomyolysis: an alternative to myomectomy in women with symptomatic fibroids.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cryomyolysis may present an alternative valid surgical procedure to hysterectomy or myomectomy for selected women with symptomatic fibroids who wish to preserve their uterus but do not desire future pregnancies. METHODS: Sixty-three women with symptomatic fibroids who refused either myomectomy or hysterectomy, requesting a conservative surgery for myomata, underwent laparoscopic cryomyolysis using a 3- to 5-mm or 8-mm cryoprobe (CRYOcare system). RESULTS: Our study showed a mean (+/-standard deviation) decrease of myoma volume of 60.3% (+/-20.7) and complete symptom relief in 83.6% (p < 0.001) of patients after a 12-month follow-up from cryomyolysis. No significant intra- or postoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Cryomyolysis is an effective laparoscopic procedure for obtaining myoma shrinkage and symptom relief in women with symptomatic fibroids who desire to preserve their uterus.

Adult↗

Adenosarcoma of the ovary. A case report.

Adenosarcoma of the ovary is a rare condition. We report a case of a 32-year-old patient that has been treated in our Department. The diagnosis of ovarian adenosarcoma was carried out after laparoscopy with removal of an ovarian endometriotic cyst. Laparoscopic homolateral ovariectomy was then performed and conservative treatment was decided on considering the young age, low stage and low grade of the disease. Second-look laparoscopy, clinical evaluation and ultrasound were performed for four years of follow-up. No recurrence has been detected. Conservative treatment should be proposed in fertile age with low-grade ovarian adenosarcoma, but a strict follow-up is always necessary.

Adenosarcoma↗

Laparoscopic management of early stage endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic hysterectomy versus the transabdominal approach with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy in early stage endometrial cancer. METHODS: From January 1996 to April 2002, 59 women were treated for endometrial cancer at the Department of Gynecology in Padova, Italy (29 by the laparoscopic technique and 30 by laparotomy). Every patient underwent hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Comparing the two techniques, operating time was longer and hospital stay was significantly shorter for laparoscopy; no differences were observed about the number of removed lymph nodes (range 5-33) or intra-postoperatory complications. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to endometrial cancer is certainly to be considered appropriate and efficacious, even if it requires skilled surgeons and adequate oncologic training. It is important to perform pelvic lymphadenectomy in all cases of early stage cancer.

Adult↗

The role of hysteroscopy in early diagnosis of endometrial cancer.

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare stage, disease-free survival and overall survival in patients suffering from endometrial cancer who underwent hysteroscopy and those who did not. Between January 1, 1990 and June 30, 2001, 181 patients were referred to our Gynaecologic Department for primary endometrial carcinoma; from clinical charts we reviewed the personal and pathological data of all patients. Patients were divided into two groups: those with hysteroscopy (69 patients) and those without (112 patients). Endometrial biopsy was performed at the end of hysteroscopy. We compared symptoms at diagnosis, stage and survival. Hysteroscopy demonstrates a high diagnostic accuracy for endometrial cancer. In our case series we obtained a sensitivity of 93.10%, specificity of 99.96%, positive predictive value of 98.18% and negative predictive value of 99.85%; when hysteroscopy was associated with endometrial biopsy the sensitivity was 96.55% and specificity 100%. In this study we had a significant difference in stage Ia; in the group with hysteroscopy, stage Ia cases were 23.2% while in the group without, stage Ia cases were 15.2%. Survival in stage Ia only was 100% and 91.7%, respectively, at three and five years. In conclusion hysteroscopy was found to have a very important role in the early diagnosis of endometrial cancer, especially when it is limited to the mucosal surface.

Adult↗

Rectosigmoid endometriosis: diagnosis and surgical management.

The recurrence of endometriosis varies from 6% to 10% and, among the non-gynaecological sites, the bowel is involved in 12%-37%. Various symptoms, such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, diarrhoea, constipation, cyclic rectal bleeding, colic-abdominal pain up to intestinal occlusion characterize this pathology. Surgery seems to be the best treatment especially for gastrointestinal symptoms; conservative surgery should be performed, particularly in young patients. Four cases of intestinal endometriosis were reevaluated.

Adult↗

Hysteroscopic follow-up in tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer.

In the postmenopausal women endocrinotherapy proves to be as useful as the cytotoxic treatment in breast cancer therapy, regarding the percentage and duration of response, both in prophylactic and palliative therapy, with the advantage of milder side-effects and a better quality of life. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the Tamoxifen weak estrogenic activity, which could appear during long-term therapies, determining endometrial morphological modifications. Twenty-one postmenopausal women suffering from breast cancer underwent hysteroscopy with target biopsy or curettage at the same time with mastectomy and afterwards during additional Tamoxifen treatment at 12 and 24 months. Our results confirm that this simple, outpatient endoscopic investigation should be provided as a routine in the follow-up of oncologic patients during hormonotherapy.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Risk factors for complicating infections after cesarean section.

In this study of 906 women who underwent Cesarean Section without the use of an antibiotic prophylactic it has been confirmed that age, labour in course and the premature rupture of the membrane are clinical parameters that are statistically significant for unspecified fever/endometritis or for infections of the wound and that hemoglobin and hematocrit values below 9 gr/dl and at 35% post-operation are significant for infections of the wound. 13.2% women had complicating infections of which 1.3% were infections of the wound, 0.6% were endometritis, 7.2% were unspecified fever and 4.1% were urinary infections. The Authors show that preventive measures in some areas could be as effective as chemoprophylaxis.

Cesarean Section↗

HPV genital infections and contraception.

Human Papilloma Virus genital infections are, especially during fertile age, a very common finding in performing PAP smear and colposcopy. The interest in these infections arises from their frequent association with dysplasia and their possible role in the etiology of carcinoma of the lower genital tract. The natural history of HPV infections is not very well known and foreseen. Epidemiological studies indicate that the progression, regression or stability of induced HPV lesions are correlated with cofactors which are considered risk factors in carcinoma of the lower genital tract. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of estroprogestinic contraception and other methods on the evolution of the HPV genital infections.

Adult↗

Angular pregnancy. Clinical management.

A case of angular pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound examination after curettage of abortion hemorrhage. The rarity and clinical management of this condition are discussed, as well as the importance of ultrasound investigation for early diagnosis.

Abortion, Induced↗

Diagnostic breast screening: clinical significance during menopause.

Three-hundred and fifty nine out-patients with no signs of breast disease, who had been seen at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic for problems related to their perimenopausal state, were also screened at the Breast Pathology Center to exclude the presence of hormone-sensitive neoplastic disease, in view of possible hormone therapy. The breast cancer incidence detected (1.7%), and the importance of thermography in evaluating the metabolic-functional aspects of the breast, confirm the utility of breast screening in all perimenopausal patients.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Diagnostic integrated program in breast pathology: clinical experiences.

1068 patients were examined using a unified diagnostic protocol. 618 patients at high risk were screened out, and underwent further instrumental and surgical investigation. 17 cases of breast cancer were detected, while the remaining patients were addressed to an appropriate, highly reliable and repeatable follow-up for breast care.

Age Factors↗

Progestinic treatment of mastodynia. New suggestion for the follow-up.

The problem of progestin treatment for benign breast disease and mastodynia is still dividing Clinicians and Searchers: the traditional methods of clinical investigation and follow-up do not allow any further step in the debate. In this work we evaluated the role of E2/Progesterone R.I.A. and thermography in monitoring the effect of progestin on BBD and found that only the latter can give useful informations, insufficient, however, to direct the treatment. If we want to be able to select the patients suitable to be treated by progesterone, we must know the tissutal hormone receptivity and be able to reexamine it during the treatment to verify the effectiveness of the administered drug. These informations can be obtained through the assay of Estradiol and Progesterone Receptors in the most accessible hormone-dependent tissue: the endometrium. Our data point out a quite different behaviour of Estradiol and Progesterone cytoplasmic Receptors in the endometrium of women with mastodynia and controls. The knowledge of these informations in the single patient will let us come out from subjectivity when deciding about BBD therapy or when trying to correct unsatisfactory treatments.

Breast Diseases↗