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Objective: The study objective was to assess in a randomized controlled study (NCT00566839) the comparative results of awake nonresectional or nonawake resectional lung volume reduction surgery. Method: Sixty-three patients were randomly assigned by computer to receive unilateral video-assisted thoracic surgery lung volume reduction surgery by a nonresectional technique performed through epidural anesthesia in 32 awake patients (awake group) or the standard resectional technique performed through general anesthesia in 31 patients (control group). Primary outcomes were hospital stay and changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second. During follow-up, the need of contralateral treatment because of loss of postoperative benefit was considered a failure event as death. Results: Intergroup comparisons (awake vs control) showed no difference in gender, age, and body mass index. Hospital stay was shorter in the awake group (6 vs 7.5 days, P = .04) with 21 versus 10 patients discharged within 6 days (P = .01). At 6 months, forced expiratory volume in 1 second improved significantly in both study groups (0.28 vs 0.29 L) with no intergroup difference (P = .79). In both groups, forced expiratory volume in 1 second improvements lasted more than 24 months. At 36 months, freedom from contralateral treatment was 55% versus 50% (P = .5) and survival was 81% versus 87% (P = .5). Conclusions: In this randomized study, awake nonresectional lung volume reduction surgery resulted in significantly shorter hospital stay than the nonawake procedure. There were no differences between study groups in physiologic improvements, freedom from contralateral treatment, and survival. We speculate that compared with the nonawake procedure, awake lung volume reduction surgery can offer similar clinical benefit but a faster postoperative recovery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of uterine artery embolization in women with uterine myomas in terms of the clinical results for the relief of related symptoms.: DesignA pilot study on 26 women affected by uterine single myoma.: SettingTertiary level care in an university hospital.: Patient(s)Twenty-six patients, aged 32 to 54 years, suffering of menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and abdominal mass for single myoma, intramural localization.: Intervention(s)Selective uterine artery embolization performed under peridural anesthesia.: Main outcome measure(s)We measured the x-ray dose to which patients were exposed. Color power Doppler ultrasound examinations were performed during the follow-up evaluations at 1 to 6 months and 1 year after the procedure.: Result(s)Uterine artery embolization was successfully performed in 100% of cases. The mean fluoroscopy time was of 20 minutes during the procedure. The mean dose of x-ray absorbed by the ovary was estimated at 18.7 cGy and the mean dose of x-ray absorbed by the skin was 126.7 cGy. A reduction of myoma volume of 55% was found at 6 months’ ultrasound examination and 75% at the 1-year examination.: Conclusion(s)Patients are well satisfied and have short recovery times with this procedure. Uterine artery embolization may be a valid alternative to traditional surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]