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The aim of the study was to analyze the overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of patients with high grade and advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with at least 60 months of follow-up treated in a single gynecologic oncology institute. We compared primary debulking surgery (PDS) versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus interval debulking surgery (NACT + IDS) stratifying data based on residual disease with the intent to identify the rationale for therapeutic option decision and the role of laparoscopic evaluation of resectability for that intention.

Aims: Urinary incontinence is a common symptom in many diseases as well as in general population. To measure the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on individual's quality of life the English short form International Consultation on Incontinence questionnaire (ICIQ-UI Short Form) has been developed, which consists of three scored and one self-diagnostic question. Our aim was to translate the ICIQ-UI Short Form into Slovene, re-validate it, and test the diagnostic value of the questionnaire in determining the type of UI., Methods: ICIQ-UI Short Form was translated into Slovene and re-validated. In the validation process we included urology and gynecology outpatient clinics attendants, elderly institutionalized patients, and a community sample. One group of patients underwent urodynamic testing and the results were compared to their responses to question six of the ICIQ-UI Short Form. Both sets of answers were compared using the Kappa (kappa) statistics., Results: The Slovene version of the ICIQ-UI Short Form was found to be valid (excellent test-retest reliability, good internal consistency, good responsiveness to change, and reflected well underlying theories). The questionnaire correlated well with urodynamic findings. The perceived cause of leakage (Question 6) was a good indicator of objectively proven cause of incontinence (Kappa value 0.77)., Conclusions: We found that the Slovene version of the ICIQ-UI Short Form is a valid and reliable questionnaire for assessment of UI. In addition to its ability to assess the impact of UI on individual's quality of life it also has a diagnostic value of the cause of incontinence., ((c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Aims: To report for the first time occurrence of obstructed voiding due to excessive activity of the urethral sphincter (US) muscle in two sisters with polycystic ovaries (Fowler's syndrome)., Methods: In both patients precise micturition history was obtained. In addition, clinical neurological and gynecological examinations, cystometry, urethral pressure profile measurements, gynecological ultrasound, measurement of gonadotropic hormone levels, and concentric needle electromyography (EMG) of the US muscle were performed., Results: Both sisters reported symptoms of severely obstructed voiding. Clinical examination, and filling cystometries were normal. Urethral pressures were increased (99-134 cm water). The first sister was not able to void, and the urinary flow was slow and intermittent in the second on voiding studies. Profuse complex repetitive discharges and decelerating burst activity were found on concentric needle EMG of the US in both of them. Both sisters had increased LH/FSH ratio (2.96 and 2.64), and ultrasonographic abnormalities compatible with polycystic ovaries., Conclusions: Diagnosis of Fowler's syndrome was made in both sisters. Due to very low incidence rate of this syndrome (0.2/100.000 per year), we think that it is highly unlikely to find it in two sisters just by chance. We suggest that the probable explanation is a genetic predisposition to polycystic ovaries, with which this condition has been shown to be associated., ((c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Objective: To describe our experience with the sentinel lymph node biopsy in cervical cancer patients, using a laparotomic approach and blue dye technique., Methods: Between January 2003 and January 2005, patients with histologically proven FIGO stage IA2 to IIA carcinoma of the uterine cervix were submitted to SLN procedure if they were scheduled to have radical abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The SLN mapping was done after intracervical methylene blue (4 ml) injection. Final pathologic evaluation of SLNs included serial step sections and wide spectrum cytokeratin immunohistochemical analysis., Results: Fifty patients were accrued to this prospective observational double-center study. A total of 86 SLNs (mean 1.9) were identified in the 45 patients with fruitful quest for SLN detection. The SLN detection rate per patient was 90%, and for the side of dissection, 72%. Bilateral SLNs were detected in 60% of cases. SLNs were identified in the external iliac and obturator areas in 55% and 38%, respectively; 5 isolated SLNs were discovered in the common iliac region. Ten patients (20%) had lymph node metastases; one of these had false-negative SLN. The false-negative rate and the negative predictive value, calculated by patient and by side of dissection, were 10% and 97.2%, and 8.3% and 98.4%, respectively., Conclusions: SLN detection with blue dye is a feasible procedure, particularly useful as a surgical staging procedure in young patients with small tumors. The true morbidity-sparing role of this technique in cervical cancer treatment is yet to be found.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether differences in the quantity of elastic fibres, collagen type I and collagen type III in the endopelvic fascia occur with female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A total of 54 patients participated in the study. They were divided into two groups (continent and incontinent) that were comparable with respect to age and parity. All patients underwent gynaecologic surgical procedures and biopsies from the endopelvic fascia were obtained. Histological slides were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome or Weigert's techniques and immunohistochemistry for either collagen type I or type III were performed. The elastic fibres constituted 3.81+/-0.6% and 5.93+/-0.92% of the cross-sectional area of the endopelvic fascia in incontinent and control groups of patients, respectively. Collagen type I and type III were not significantly reduced in patients with SUI. Our results suggest that the quantity of elastic and collagen fibres in the endopelvic fascia does not play a significant role in continence.

Aims: Firm bladder neck support during cough, suggested to be needed for effective abdominal pressure transmission to the urethra, might depend on activity of the levator ani muscle and elasticity of endopelvic fascia., Methods: The study group of 32 patients with stress urinary incontinence and hypermobile bladder neck, but without genitourinary prolapse, were compared with the control group of 28 continent women with stable bladder neck. The height of the bladder neck (HBN) and compliance of the bladder neck support (C) were assessed, the latter by the quotient of the bladder neck mobility during cough and the change in abdominal pressure. By using wire electrodes, the integrated full-wave rectified electromyographic (EMGave) signal of the levator ani muscle was recorded simultaneously with urethral and bladder pressures. The pressure transmission ratio (PTR), time interval between the onset of muscle activation and bladder pressure increment (DeltaT), and area under the EMGave curve during cough (EMGcough) were calculated. From bioptic samples of endopelvic fascia connecting the vaginal wall and levator ani muscle, elastic fiber content was assessed by point counting method. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare all the variables. Correlations between the parameters were evaluated by using the Spearman correlation coefficient., Results: In the study group, HBN was significantly lower (P < 0.001), C was significantly greater (P < 0.001), and PTR was significantly lower (P < 0.001). In the study group, the muscular activation started later (median, DeltaT(l), -0.147 second; DeltaT(r), -0.150 second), and in the control group, it preceded (DeltaT(l), 0.025 second; P < 0.001; DeltaT(r), 0.050 second; P < 0.001) the bladder pressure increment. EMGcough on the left side was significantly greater in the study group (P < 0.046). Elastic fiber content showed no difference between the groups. The analysis of all patients revealed negative correlations between C and PTR (r = -0.546; P < 0.001) and between C and DeltaT(l) (r = -0.316; P < 0.018)., Conclusions: Firm bladder neck support enables effective pressure transmission. Timely activation of the levator ani seems to be an important feature., (Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)