Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Salvat.
A documented case of triploidism which developed to 20 weeks gestation underlines the importance of early ultrasonographic assessment of the trophoblast. Large placentas, especially when pre-eclampsia occurs, should lead to assay of beta-hCG and search for chromosome anomalies. Paternal genomic origin was suggested based on the large volume of the placenta.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of endoscopic exploration of the axilla. To compare this technique to open surgical treatment by comparing the following variables: operative time, peri-operative complications, duration of hospital stay, node's histology and morphologic aspects and esthetic results. MATERIALS: Standard instruments for traditional operative laparoscopy plus a lipo-aspirator (0.8 Bar). PATIENTS: Forty patients, 20 (group A) undergoing open surgery and 20 (group B) undergoing axilloscopy. All patients with early invasive breast cancer are eligible for conservative operative treatment. METHOD: Randomized study. The technique is described and preliminary results are presented. RESULTS: The operative time for axilloscopy is approximately double that for open surgery. A comparable number of lymph nodes is collected by axilloscopy and open surgery. The nodes collected by axilloscopy are more likely to be fractured. What is the clinical consequence? Two loco-regional relapses are observed in the endoscopic group. DISCUSSION: Axillary sampling by endoscopic procedure gives the same pathologic information than surgical axillary sampling. Anatomo-pathologic aspects of nodes and possibilities of relapses were two drawbacks of this procedure. CONCLUSION: Operative time is increased for axilloscopy compared with open surgery. The techniques yield comparable anatomo-pathologic results. It is still unknown whether this endoscopic technique is as effective as traditional surgery or if the frequency or severity of lymphedema is decreased by the endoscopic approach.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic modalities by selective biopsies permit a better assessment of the pelvic lymph nodes status than imaging procedures in cervix carcinoma. They could enable the radiation oncologist to adapt the target volume of external irradiation, provided the feasibility of such procedures is good and the toxicity reduced as much as possible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 1980 to May 1993, 52 women with a mean age of 49, underwent a retroperitoneal pelvic lymph node laparoscopic procedure for cervix carcinoma classified according to FIGO as stages IA2 (14), IB (12), IIA (6), IIB (14), IIIB (3) and IVA (3). Two techniques were used: retroperitoneoscopy (RPS) in 16 cases, and a panoramic retroperitoneal pelviscopy (PRPP) in 36 cases. RESULTS: Intra-operative and post-surgical morbidity were equivalent in the two procedures. Among the 33 patients who had external irradiation, one Grade 3 urinary late morbidity (3%) due to an overtreatment was observed; no Grade 3/4 morbidity of the gastro-intestinal tract, no lymphoedema of the lower extremities, no parietal tumor cells implantation were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: These procedures can be used safely to better know the prognosis and to define the pelvic lymph node planning target volume and its radiation management with accuracy.
OBJECTIVE: To present our method of sacro-spinous ligament fixation by palpation and compare it to the classical approach described by Richter. MATERIAL: In addition to the standard instruments needed for vaginal surgery, we use a Rasemond dissector, a small O'Shaugnessy dissector with smooth branches. We also use a Bengolea forceps and a monothread-nylon (Ethilon), decimal 4 suture loaded on a needle with a 30-mm curve. PATIENTS: Twenty patients underwent this procedure from 03/15/1978 to 05/19/1995. Their ages ranged from 46 to 86 years with a mean age of 64.7 years. METHOD: This was a retrospective study of the indications, results and complications associated with this technique. RESULTS: With an average follow-up of 7 years, we observed 90% success, 10% recurrences, and no complication directly attributable to this technique. This technique is valuable because of its effectiveness and simplicity. CONCLUSIONS: Sacrospinous fixation by palpation is more simple and provides the same results as the classic exposure technique. We describe the technique in this text. The efficacy of sacro-spinous ligament fixation by palpation would be improved by its systematic and bilateral use. Its value must be confirmed by a controlled prospective study to confirm our impression that our technique carries fewer risks.
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Twenty cases of fast growing cancer of the uterine cervix (14 IB, three IIA, three IIB FIGO), the definition of which is specified, have been reviewed and compared to a cohort of 160 cases not having this feature, to assess their outcomes. In regard to fast growing carcinomas, the median age was 41 (25-50) years and the median follow-up 22 months (8-213) as compared to 54 years (27-79) and 80 months (5-199) for the reference cohort. The comparison of the two cohorts shows only a difference of breakdown which concerns the pelvic lymph nodes status (P < 0.05, chi 2). Thirteen deaths are reported in the fast growing series instead of 54 in the other series. The 5-year overall survival is respectively 34% (13-55) versus 74% (68-82), the loco-regional free survival 58% (33-84) versus 85% (79-81) (P < 0.001), the 5-year metastasis free survival 61% (38-84) versus 84% (78-90) (P = 0.004). This particular form needs a multidisciplinary approach, and the local regional treatment has to be intensified.
Progesterone has been the first isolated gestagen. After a short review on the physiology of secretion of progesterone some pharmacologic actions are considered by the authors. Among gestagens, derivatives of pregnane are of special interest, particularly because of fewer, notably androgenic, side effects. After reviewing commercial French and Swiss products the authors focus on three applications: the premenstrual syndrome where progesterone is of interest for local and systemic administration the perimenopause in which several pathologies treatable by gestagens occur Finally the menopause in which progesterone is important in view of its physiologic role. Among the reasons to use progesterone combined with estrogens during menopause, prevention of endometrial cancer is the most important but other advantages are also noted. The authors discuss risk factors for breast cancer during treatment with gestagens in menopause. Finally the authors review compliance and underline the importance of new treatment schedules for the menopause: Continuous treatment, on-demand treatment or menstruation every 3 months.
From June 1980 to May 1993, 52 patients with a mean age of 49, underwent a retroperitoneal pelvic lymph node laparoscopic procedure for cervix carcinoma classified as stage IA (14), IB (12), IIA (6), IIB (14), IIIB (3), IVA (3). Two techniques were used: a retroperitoneoscopy in 16 cases and a panoramic retroperitoneal pelviscopy (PRPP) in 36 cases. The aim was to define, with a better accuracy, the pelvic lymph node status, to adapt the target volume, and to estimate the morbidity. More nodes were biopsied with PRPP than with retroperitoneoscopy (p < 0.05). There was a disagreement between the conventional radiologic assessment and the histological results in 28.6%. Specificity is 100%. Intra-operative and post-surgical morbidity was equivalent in the two procedures. One grade 3 urinary late morbidity (3%) was observed among the 33 patients who underwent a pelvic external irradiation. There was no morbidity of the gastro-intestinal tract. Discussion deals with the support offered by the two laparoscopic procedures to define the pelvic lymph node status, to choose the planning target volume, and to precise the lymph node boost.
The treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal fungal infections is difficult. Pathogenic mechanisms are discussed. Available pharmacologic treatments and their mechanisms of action are reviewed. Patients clearly prefer oral treatment. Ketoconazole is toxic. Only topical or nonabsorbed oral agents can be used during pregnancy. Agents absorbed via the digestive tract can be used in women who use effective contraceptive methods. Published data demonstrate that trifluconazole (which has not yet been granted a license in France) is potent and less toxic than ketoconazole, and that recurrences at discontinuation of this drug are less common. A few hypotheses for future research are presented.
From 1982 to 1990, patients less than 75 years, without any previous or synchonous carcinoma, suffering from an invasive breast cancer classified as T1T2/N0N1/MO according to clinical TNM staging, were enrolled in this study; 82.4% underwent a breast conservative procedure and 17.2% a modified radical mastectomy followed by a postoperative irradiation. Histological axillary lymph node status, Scarff-Bloom grade and/or cytological grade, estradiol receptor content, were used to define three groups of patients. The breakdown of patients is not well balanced: 416 women were included in group I (N-, grade I II, ER+) when there was no adjuvant medical treatment, 110 in group II (N-, grade III, ER+), 169 in group III (N+ < or = 3, grade I II, ER+). Patients from the latter two groups were receiving tamoxifene, 20 mg per day for 2 years; Those women not menopaused received first a pelvic irradiation. With a median follow-up of 35 months (1-138) the overall survival is respectively for the three groups 95%, 96%, 96% (P = 0.5) and the disease free survival 86%, 93%, 90% (P = 0.1). The actuarial local regional remission rate is 94%, 97%, 99% (P = 0.07). Such results need to be updated with a longer follow-up, but they show the ability of adjuvant hormonotherapy to tailor the short term survival thanks to prognostic factors.
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Several different physics procedures have been tried to mechanize the recording of partograms. Can a measure of impedance of tissue Z using potential difference V, according to Ohm's law V = Z1, and 1 is a constant, be correlated with a measure of cervical dilatation using vaginal examination? This was our hypothesis. The tissue impedance meter was made to our design and applied according to a bipolar procedure. Our work was carried out on 28 patients. 10 patients were registered before labour started in order to test the apparatus and to record the impedance variations without labour taking place, and 18 patients were registered in labour to see whether there was any correlation. The level of impedance in the cervix without labour was 302.7 Ohms with a deviation of 8.2. Using student's t tests it was found that there was a significant correlation (p less than 0.001) in four measurements between the impedance measure and measures obtained by extrapolating the degrees of dilatation calculated from vaginal examination. This is a preliminary study in which we have defined the conditions that are necessary to confirm these first results and to further develop the method.
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One hundred women with cul-de-sac obliteration secondary to retrocervical deep fibrotic endometriosis (48 partial, 52 complete) were treated laparoscopically for infertility (46 cases), pain (46), hypermenorrhea (7) and a mass (1). The surgical techniques included aqua-dissection, electrosurgery, CO2 laser, scissors, probes to identify the upper posterior vagina and rectum, and multiple rectovaginal examinations. In all the procedures the anterior rectum was freed to the loose areolar tissue of the rectovaginal septum prior to excising deep fibrotic endometriosis. The viable intrauterine pregnancy rate among patients with infertility was 70% (32/46). Of patients presenting with pain, 89% (41/46) reported significant relief. The average operating time was 178 minutes. Laparoscopic cul-de-sac dissection, though time intensive, offers increased fertility potential and significant symptom relief.
Nine cases of inflammatory invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix are reviewed. All appeared in women under less than fifty years old, quickly after normal PAP smears. They occupied the endocervix, which mean diameter was 5 cm and outcome was very poor with only one survivor: four patients were free of disease in the pelvis and relapsed outside, the others underwent a local regional failure in less than 2 years. Association of radiotherapy and surgery is mandatory for stage IB and IIA FIGO; radiotherapy modalities--brachytherapy, external irradiation followed by brachytherapy--must be chosen according to tumor volume, size of the cervix, anatomy of vagina. For other stages radiotherapy alone is recommended using hyperfractionated treatment; in the future such observation would be documented by cytofluorometry analysis and/or molecular biology approach.
We describe a patient who, throughout a period of 6 years, had several cranial tumors in different locations. Bilateral acoustic neuromas, frontal meningiomas and a brain stem schwannoma were found on clinical and CT scan examinations and were histologically confirmed after surgery. These findings were associated with cutaneous neurofibromas and large café au lait spots suggesting the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis (NF) type 2. However, the presence of Lisch nodules, which characterizes NF-1, makes this patient rather unique. Clinical findings in the patient's relatives suggested the existence of NF-1 within the family. That is, the patient combines features of both types of NF.
The author sent out a questionnaire to all surgeons who were likely to be operating on cancers of the breast; breast surgeons, gynaecologists and general surgeons in France. He was able to contact more than a third of all those who operate for cancer of the breast in France each year. The author analysed the present situation in regard to lymphatic clearance in cancers of the breast. He tried to establish what the indications and the technique are that are used at present. He could emphasize those where there was a consensus of opinion, areas where there was disagreement, and he was able to analyse the complications and how in the end to prevent them. The results show that axillary clearance is at present the best recognised prognostic step that can and it is virtually unanimously recognised to be effective. Axillary lymph node clearance is the most commonly practised procedure: the first two stages of Berg grade I and II are explored. It is quite clear that the nerve to the serratus anterior muscle and to the latissimus dorsalis have to be preserved. The accessory nerve to the medial brachial cutaneous nerve which supplies the internal surface of the arm should usually be preserved wherever possible to lessen the paresthesias or lack of sensation that can occur on the inner surface of the arm. Lymphocele occurs as the most common complication (12%). Internal mammary clearance is rarely carried out.
Vaginal caesarean section, or Durhssen's procedure, is seldom performed in France. Although its indications are exceptional, it enables to rapidly deliver a small fetus minimal maternal trauma without compromising the future of the mother.