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R Seracchioli

Publications and source records attributed to R Seracchioli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Laparoscopic hysterectomy in the management of endometrial cancer].

Endometrial carcinoma is the most commonly reported gynaecologic malignancy in industrialized countries. Traditionally the surgical treatment of endometrial cancer is total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and peritoneal washing cytology. Alternative surgical procedures have been proposed compared to abdominal hysterectomy: increased number of issues about laparoscopy shows the common trend to use this technique. Literature largely described advantages of the laparoscopic procedure compared to abdominal and vaginal surgery. Long-term follow-up series are not available; further investigation into survival and recurrence rates is indicated.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Transvaginal sonographic features of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

OBJECTIVES: Peritoneal carcinomatosis involves the dissemination of intra-abdominal tumor tissue often associated with gynecological malignancies. The objective of this study was to describe the transvaginal sonographic appearance of this condition. METHODS: The data of 60 patients with surgically and histologically proven peritoneal carcinomatosis were analyzed. Transvaginal sonograms performed within 7 days of admission to the operating theater were re-evaluated in order to identify the sonographic features associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis. RESULTS: Carcinomatosis was revealed in 53/60 cases (88%) by the presence of hypoechoic nodules attached to the peritoneum and visible on transvaginal sonography (TVS). The pouch of Douglas was the site most frequently involved. Power Doppler sonography showed the presence of blood vessels in 48 (91%) of these metastases. Ascites was found in 50 (83%) women. An adnexal mass suggestive of being the primary tumor was present in only 41 women (68%). CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal carcinomatosis has typical features on TVS and, in the vast majority of cases, its genital origin can be correctly hypothesized. Power Doppler sonography strengthens the diagnosis by showing vascularity of the peritoneal implants. In a patient with a known pelvic malignancy or whenever peritoneal carcinomatosis is suspected, TVS can give useful information in order to better assess the presence and extension of metastatic nodules within the abdominal cavity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Ovarian tissue banking and fertility preservation in cancer patients: histological and immunohistochemical evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: A combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in young females with cancer has greatly enhanced the life expectancy of these patients, even if these treatments have a highly deleterious effect on the ovary and cause a severe depletion of the follicular store. Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue before chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, followed by autograft after remission or in in vitro maturation, could restore gonadal function and fertility. The aim of this study is to verify the efficiency of the ovarian tissue cryopreservation procedure by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. METHODS: Ovarian tissue was obtained by laparoscopy from 22 patients affected with different malignant diseases. Tissue specimens were frozen using a combination of PROH (1,2-propanediol) and sucrose as cryoprotectants, and the cryopreservation protocol used consisted of a slow freezing-rapid thawing program. Both fresh and frozen/thawed tissues were embedded in paraffin blocks for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Good stromal and follicular morphology was found in fresh and frozen/thawed tissue. No significant differences were found in follicular density, distribution, and diameters in fresh and frozen/thawed tissue. Follicle immunohistochemical analysis showed a high percentage of negative staining for both estrogen receptor (ER) (100% both in fresh and frozen/thawed specimens) and progesterone receptor (PR) (97% versus 91%, respectively). Regarding the Ki67 protein, positive staining was found in both the granulosa cells and/or the oocytes (36% in fresh and 56% in frozen/thawed). For the Bcl2 protein, positive staining was observed in the follicle granulosa cells but not in the oocytes in 74% of the fresh and in 79% of the frozen/thawed specimens. For the stromal cells, ER showed a negative staining distribution in 97% of the fresh and 100% of the frozen/thawed specimens. The stroma staining distribution was diffuse/focal in fresh versus frozen/thawed specimens (50% versus 74% respectively) for PR, patch/focal (70% versus 80%, respectively) for Ki67 protein, and diffuse (55% versus 54%, respectively) for Bcl2. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that human ovarian tissue morphology, antigenicity, cellular proliferation, and anti-apoptotic index were well preserved by cryopreservation in PROH and sucrose.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

GnRH agonist treatment before total laparoscopic hysterectomy for large uteri.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether uterine shrinkage induced by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists in women with a large uterus (>14 wks) may facilitate total laparoscopic hysterectomy. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty-two women with symptomatic uterine myomas (size 16-20 wks). INTERVENTIONS: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign pathology. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Before surgery, women were assigned, at a ratio of 1:1 by random selection, to receive injections of triptorelin depot 11.25 mg 3 months before surgery (group A) or no treatment (group B). Uterine volume, mean operating time, uterine weight, drop in hemoglobin, intraoperative complications, conversions to laparotomy, and hospital stay were recorded. Triptorelin decreased uterine volume, calculated by ultrasonography, by 26.5% in group A, whereas the volume remained unchanged in group B. Statistical differences were found between groups concerning uterine weight, operating time, and drop in hemoglobin level. Three patients in group B were converted to laparotomy because of uterine size. CONCLUSION: In women with a large uterus, a 3-month preoperative course of GnRH may facilitate laparoscopic hysterectomy, decreasing uterine size, operating time, and blood loss.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic myomectomy for fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity: is it a safe procedure?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the post-operative course and follow up of women who had undergone laparoscopic removal of intramural fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Center for Reconstructive Pelvic Endosurgery, Italy. POPULATION: Thirty-four women with fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity. METHODS: Laparoscopic myomectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility and safety of surgical technique, length of operation, blood loss, intra- or post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, resolution of symptoms and future obstetric outcome. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 79 (SD 30) minutes; the mean reduction in haemoglobin was 1.1 +/- 0.9 g/dL. No intra- or post-operative complications were observed. The average post-operative stay in hospital was 54 (SD 22) hours. Nineteen (73%) out of 26 patients who had experienced symptoms prior to surgery reported resolution of these symptoms post-operatively. All patients resumed work within a mean time of 20 (SD 8) days. Among 23 of the 32 patients attempting pregnancy during the follow up period, nine (39%) conceived within one year. Seven pregnancies went to term without complications. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical results of this study suggest that laparoscopic myomectomy for intramural fibroids penetrating the uterine cavity is a safe procedure, providing well known advantages of minimal access surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A study of hysteroscopic metroplasty in 141 women with a septate uterus.

141 patients who had a hysteroscopic septum resection of a partial uterine septum (class Vb, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, ASRM) were divided into two groups: Group I (69 patients) presented with infertility and Group II (72 patients) with recurrent abortion. The mean+/-SD post-operative follow up period was 36+/-19.5 months. Thiry-six Group I patients (52.1%) and 38 Group II patients (52.7%) achieved pregnancy, with respective abortion rates of 20% and 25%.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed2001

Fertility and tumor recurrence rate after conservative laparoscopic management of young women with early-stage borderline ovarian tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic conservative surgery in young women with borderline ovarian tumors who want to preserve their childbearing potential, and to assess whether pregnancy influences the recurrence rate during the follow-up evaluation period. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Center for Reconstructive Pelvic Endosurgery, Reproductive Medicine Unit, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Italy. PATIENT(S): Nineteen women (mean age 27.4 +/- 4.7) with borderline ovarian tumors who underwent laparoscopy between January 1995 and January 1998. All of the women wanted to preserve their fertility. INTERVENTION(S): A standardized conservative laparoscopic approach and a strict follow-up schedule. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A complete preoperative examination. RESULT(S): Follow-up evaluations (mean 42 +/- 19 months) were made available to all patients. Among 19 patients, 10 attempted pregnancy and 6 conceived spontaneously. All six pregnancies went to term and the disease did not affect the gestation or the follow-up period after the pregnancy (24.5 +/- 15.7 months). CONCLUSION(S): Conservative laparoscopic management of borderline ovarian tumors is a potentially safe alternative in young women who want to retain their childbearing potential. Fertility and pregnancy outcome remain excellent in these women. Our preliminary data seem to indicate that the recurrence rate after pregnancy is not influenced by this approach.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Conservative treatment of recurrent ovarian fibromas in a young patient affected by Gorlin syndrome.

The case of recurrent bilateral ovarian fibromas occurring in a 22 year old Italian girl affected by Gorlin syndrome is reported. Ovarian fibromas occur in 75% of female patients with Gorlin syndrome and their recurrence has rarely been reported in the literature. Management is guided by the benign nature of the lesion and consists of surgical removal of the fibroma. Preservation of the normal ovarian tissue is recommended even though there is risk of recurrence of the fibroma.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Low-dose flutamide (125 mg/day) as maintenance therapy in the treatment of hirsutism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a low dose of flutamide (125 mg/day) in maintaining the clinical results already obtained using a higher dose (250 mg/day), in women suffering from hirsutism. METHOD: Forty-three women suffering from hirsutism of varying origin received 250 mg/day of flutamide as an initial treatment for 12 months and, subsequently, 125 mg/day of flutamide for an additional 12 months as a maintenance treatment. Hirsutism was evaluated by the Ferriman-Gallwey score, and hair diameter and hair growth rate were determined by a special image analysis processor. Biochemical, clinical and hormonal parameters were evaluated in basal conditions and every 2-6 months. RESULTS: The significant decrease in the hirsutism score, hair diameter and hair growth rate during the initial treatment period was confirmed at the end of the maintenance treatment period. Androgen levels decreased up to the end of the initial treatment period and partially decreased during the maintenance treatment. During the initial treatment period, 4 subjects showed an increase of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and dropped out. During the maintenance treatment period, no side effects or complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory management of hirsutism with flutamide seems to be represented by an initial treatment period using 250 mg/day to achieve satisfactory results, followed by a long maintenance treatment period using 125 mg/day.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Technical aspects of oocyte cryopreservation.

Since the successful development in the mouse, the oocyte cryopreservation has been applied with varying success to a number of different species including the human. The recently reported successes in terms of pregnancies obtained by human oocyte cryopreservation are encouraging. Several studies typically reported different rates of survival (20-80%), fertilization (30-60%) and cleavage (32-100%). This variability of results throws some doubts on the usefulness of oocyte cryopreservation in IVF treatment cycles. It remains to be determined whether the relatively different success rates reported in literature, mainly in terms of survival rate, are due to methodological differences. We tried to investigate the effect of some factors on the oocyte survival rate after thawing: the presence or absence of cumulus oophorus and the exposure time of the oocytes to cryoprotectant. We suggest that a combination of several factors including both morphological and biophisical ones can affect the oocyte survival rate.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Fertility and obstetric outcome after laparoscopic myomectomy of large myomata: a randomized comparison with abdominal myomectomy.

The purpose of this study was to compare, in infertile patients, the efficacy of laparoscopic myomectomy versus abdominal myomectomy, in restoring fertility and to evaluate the obstetric outcomes. Between January 1993 and January 1998, 131 patients of reproductive age, with anamnesis of infertility, underwent myomectomy because of the presence of at least one large myoma (diameter greater than or = 5 cm). Patients were randomly selected for treatment by laparotomy (n = 65) or laparoscopy (n = 66). The two groups were homogeneous for number, size and position of large myomata. Significant differences were found in the post-operative outcome: febrile morbidity (> 38 degrees C) was more frequent in the abdominal than in the laparoscopic group (26.2 versus 12.1%; P < 0.05). Laparotomy caused a more pronounced haemoglobin drop (2.17 +/- 1.57 versus 1.33 +/- 1.23; P < 0.001); three patients received a blood transfusion after laparotomy and none after laparoscopy. The post-operative hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopic group (142.80 +/- 34.60 versus 75.61 +/- 37.09 h; P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between the two groups as concerns pregnancy rate (55.9% after laparotomy, 53.6% after laparoscopy), abortion rate (12.1 versus 20%), preterm delivery (7.4 versus 5%) and the use of Caesarean section (77.8 versus 65%). No case of uterine rupture during pregnancy or labour was observed.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1998

Oocyte cryopreservation.

Cryopreservation of human oocytes has been employed with little success in clinical practice, even though it may solve the legal and ethical problems linked to embryo freezing. Various attempts to cryopreserve human oocytes have mostly been unsuccessful, leading to low oocyte survival rates after thawing, and the search for an optimal protocol for oocyte cryopreservation remains elusive. A preliminary study was undertaken to evaluate some of the factors influencing the survival rate of human oocytes and the efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as an insemination procedure. A total of 38 women with tubal infertility were enrolled in the study. The cryopreservation procedure consisted of a slow freeze-rapid thawing technique using 1,2 propanediol and sucrose as cryoprotectants. The overall oocyte survival rate was approximately 60%. A better survival rate was obtained when the oocytes were cryopreserved in the presence of partially removed cumulus oophorus rather than in the presence of totally enzymatically removed cumulus oophorus. The cryoprotectant concentration and the equilibration time also appear to influence the oocyte survival rate. ICSI may be an efficient method of achieving a satisfactory outcome in terms of fertilization in cryopreserved human oocytes. Embryonic morphological quality does not seem to be compromised by cryopreservation. In conclusion, these data show that cryopreservation may ensure that the integrity of the human oocyte is adequate for normal fertilization and embryo development.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Birth of a healthy female after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of cryopreserved human oocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the first birth achieved after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of cryopreserved human oocytes. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University of Bologna Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology Unit, IVF and Infertility Center. PATIENT(S): One patient undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval followed by oocyte freezing. Artificial preparation of the endometrium with E2 and P, oocyte thawing, and ICSI. RESULT(S): Four of 12 cryopreserved oocytes survived; using ICSI, 2 underwent normal fertilization but only 1 cleaved. One good-quality 4-cell embryo was transferred. A single gestation was confirmed by ultrasound at the 7th week. Amniocentesis was performed at the 16th week and demonstrated a normal female karyotype of 46,XX. After a normal pregnancy, a healthy female infant was born at the 38th week of gestation. CONCLUSION(S): The combination of ICSI and oocyte cryopreservation is a new tool in assisted reproductive technology.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Births after transcervical gamete intrafallopian transfer with a falloposcopic delivery system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of a new delivery system to perform transcervical GIFT. DESIGN: Evaluation of pregnancy rate (PR), miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, and delivery rate. SETTING: Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology Unit, Infertility and IVF Center. PATIENT(S): Twenty-five patients with patent tubes documented by laparoscopy plus falloposcopy. INTERVENTION(S): Superovulation was induced with GnRH analogue and FSH. Under laparoscopic control, transcervical cannulation of the tube was done using a linear everting catheter incorporating direct falloposcopic vision of the tubal lumen. Two lengths of everting catheter (3 and 6 cm) were used providing either isthmic-ampullary or midampullary placement of the inoculum. A comparison was done in terms of ease of access and transfer, falloposcopic observations, and PRs between the groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Efficacy was established by evaluating the PR, miscarriage rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, and delivery rate. RESULT(S): The PR was 28% (with no differences between the lengths of everting catheters). No ectopic pregnancies occurred. The abortion rate was 28.6% and the delivery rate was 20%. Neither tubal perforation nor other complications occurred during the procedure. CONCLUSION(S): Falloposcopic GIFT is safe and efficient and may be a less invasive alternative than laparoscopic transfer.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1996

The effect of leuprorelin on steroidogenesis of human preovulatory granulosa cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: LHRH analogues are commonly used in in vitro fertilization protocols to induce hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The aim of our study was to evaluate the action of the LHRH agonist leuprorelin on the E2 steroidogenesis of human preovulatory granulosa cells. RESULTS: FSH causes a significant increase in E2 production which is double that of the basal condition (P < 0.01). At concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml, leuprorelin does not produce any modification with respect to the basal condition during the 24- or 72-hr culture period. The FSH, added at different analogue concentrations, produces a significant increase in E2 production as compared to the basal condition (P < 0.05) and the E2 production percentage is similar to the values obtained with FSH alone during the 24- or 72-hr culture period. CONCLUSIONS: Leuprorelin has no effect on the in vitro E2 production at any concentration. The treatment with different doses of leuprorelin does not suppress FSH-stimulated E2 production. Our findings suggest that human granulosa cells are not acutely sensitive to a direct action on E2 steroidogenesis by LHRH analogues.

Estradiol↗
PubMed1996

Financial impact in the Italian Health Service of laparoscopic versus laparotomic surgery for the treatment of ovarian cysts.

To assess the cost of two procedures for the removal of ovarian cysts, 200 pre-menopausal women were recruited for the surgical removal of ovarian cysts by laparoscopy (n = 100) and laparotomy (n = 100) according to case-control criteria. Patients operated by laparoscopy (mean age +/- SD 32.22 +/- 9.98 years) and laparotomy (mean age +/- SD 29.57 +/- 6.62 years) for ovarian cysts (mean diameters +/- SD 4.98 +/- 3.62 and 4.83 +/- 2.78 cm) had a post-surgical hospital stay of 3.12 +/- 0.41 and 7.25 +/- 1.08 days (P < 0.001) respectively. The total rate of complications occurring in patients operated by laparoscopy was 9 versus 53% (P < 0.001) of those operated by laparotomy; body temperature > 38 degrees C was recorded in 52/100 of patients operated by laparotomy versus 6/100 of those operated by laparoscopy. The mean cost for each pure surgical treatment performed by laparoscopy was US $498.17 versus US $642.47 when it was performed by laparotomy (P < 0.001). The laparoscopic surgical approach is more expensive in the first 36 operations, thereafter becoming cheaper. The mean of the entire overall expenditure was US $1142.08 and US $2138.72 for laparoscopy and laparotomy (P < 0.001) respectively. The entire expenditure for laparoscopy is higher than laparotomy only until eight operations. In conclusion, laparoscopy versus laparotomy has resulted in a saving of US $14,429.3 for 100 operations while the saving on entire costs was US $99,664.8.

Adult↗