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Objective: Pregnancy-induced hypertension is still a common cause for fetal morbidity and mortality besides causing life-threatening diseases for the mother. The aethiology of this disease is still unclear. Some research support the theory of an immunological genesis., Patients and Methods: 32 patients were treated for gestosis or HELLP-Syndrome in our clinic. A number of data, blood samples as well as the immunological status (IL-6, Interferon-gamma. TNF-alpha und TNF-alpha-receptores p 55/p 75) of every patient were taken into consideration and compared to the results of 44 pregnant women in good health., Results: Predisposing factors seem to have an crucial impact on the development of PIH. Under stimulation of peripheral blood monocytes the immunological results and the measurement of cytokines showed a significantly higher concentration of TNF-alpha compared to the results of the control group. The tendency of an increase of TNF-alpha-receptors p 75 was observed however it proved to have no statistical relevant when comparing the results of both groups., Discussion: An new approach to examine the aethiology of pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases consists in measuring immunotransmitters such as interferon, Interleukin and the tumor necrosis factor. The increased concentration of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha-receptor shows the involvement of the cytokines thus supporting the hypothesis of an immunological genesis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of women after a breast cancer surgery. The question was if women which had reconstructive breast cancer surgery experience a higher quality of life than women who, for various distinct reasons, had not undergone reconstruction., Patients and Methods: The participants of this study were women who had either received a mastectomy or those who at the same time underwent a breast reconstruction using implants during the time period from 1/1/2000 until 31/10/2003 at the University Hospital for Women of Heidelberg and Mannheim. With the help of three standardised questionnaires, the women could describe their post-surgical physical and psychological condition as well as the perceived quality of life. The study included 33 patients who had received breast implants and 31 patients without reconstruction., Results: Women who had breast cancer surgery with reconstruction through implants had less problems and restrictions concerning their physical condition as well as their functional status. Moreover, compared to those participants with no reconstruction, their cognitive and emotional burdens were not as pronounced and they also they were able to better cope with the disease. Thus, their overall quality of life was superior than that of the other women., Conclusion: Breast reconstruction after primary and secondary mastectomy is an important contribution in order to improve the self-esteem and quality of a patient's life. Furthermore, it plays an essential role in coping with the psychological effects of breast cancer.

Purpose: Within this study the improvement of life quality in patients after surgery for breast reduction should be evaluated., Material and Method: In total 70 patients, who had undergone an operation for breast reduction in the University Women's Hospital of Heidelberg from May 1998-June 2000, were chosen for this study. They were invited to an interview with three different standardized questionnaires concerning life quality. In total the questionnaires of 37 patients could be evaluated. They were about 12 months after operation., Results: It could be shown, that all patients had a significant improvement of their functional symptoms, the main part of them were totally free of symptoms after the operation. Most patients felt more female than before. They regarded themselves as more active, productive and sociable. This resulted in an improved self-confidence. In both groups the improvement was based mostly on a release of their functional complaints such as pain in th back or in the shoulders, but also on the psychological relief of the physical shame. The reduction of the breast masses, which were before well hidden by clothes, led to an improved self-confidence and self-assurance., Conclusion: Either women, who underwent the operation due to medical reasons, as well as women, who had mainly esthetic reasons for the operation, reach an improvement of life quality after surgery. The reached satisfaction of the patients and the improvement of life quality were absolutely independent from the weight of the resected tissue.