Trends in the Use of Minimally Invasive Adnexal Surgery in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the utilization of minimally invasive adnexal surgery, including ovarian cystectomy and oophorectomy, among women with benign gynecologic diseases and compare the associated morbidity and mortality of minimally invasive and open surgery. METHODS: Women with benign ovarian pathology who underwent an ovarian cystectomy or oophorectomy from 2016 through 2018 in the Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample and Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases were included. Patients with a diagnosis of gynecologic malignancy or concurrent hysterectomy were excluded. Population-level weighted estimates were developed, and perioperative morbidity, mortality, and hospital charges were examined based on surgical approach for each procedure. RESULTS: The cohort included 351,207 women who underwent oophorectomy and 220,893 women who underwent cystectomy, when weighted representing 547,836 and 328,408 patients, respectively, nationwide. A minimally invasive surgical approach was used in 294,190 (89.6%) patients who underwent ovarian cystectomy, and in 478,402 (87.3%) of patients who underwent oophorectomy. Use of minimally invasive surgery for cystectomy increased from 88.7% in 2016 to 91.0% in 2018, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery for oophorectomy increased from 85.8% to 88.7% over the same time period (P<.001 for both). The complication rates for ovarian cystectomy were 2.7% for minimally invasive surgery and 8.8% for laparotomy (P<.001); for oophorectomy the complication rate was 3.1% for minimally invasive surgery and 22.9% for laparotomy (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery is used in the majority of women who are undergoing oophorectomy and ovarian cystectomy for benign indications. Compared with laparotomy, minimally invasive surgery is associated with fewer complications.

Complicaciones en la cirugía ginecológica / Complications in gynecological surgery

Introducción: Los procedimientos quirúrgicos tienen riesgos y complicaciones, que determinan el pronóstico de los pacientes. La tasa de mortalidad de la cirugía ginecológica, es inferior al 1 por ciento, la de complicaciones varía de 0,2 a 26 por ciento. Ambas están determinadas por factores de riesgo como la edad, enfermedad médica preexistente, obesidad, cirugías previas, anemia y cáncer. Objetivo: Determinar las principales complicaciones, su asociación con el diagnóstico preoperatorio, el tipo de operación realizada y la comorbilidad en pacientes intervenidas por afecciones ginecológicas. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo en pacientes intervenidas quirúrgicamente por vía convencional y de forma electiva. Se seleccionó una serie de 616 pacientes tributarias de cirugía mayor electiva por vía convencional. Las variables utilizadas fueron la comorbilidad asociada, diagnóstico preoperatorio, operación realizada y complicaciones postquirúrgicas. Resultados: Se produjeron complicaciones postquirúrgicas en 96 pacientes (15,5 por ciento). Las de mayor frecuencia fueron el íleo paralítico (4,2 por ciento de la serie y 26,04 por ciento de las complicaciones) y el absceso de cúpula (2,75 por ciento de la serie y 17,7 por ciento de las complicaciones), fundamentalmente en quienes presentaron antecedentes de obesidad y asociación de factores de riesgo. Conclusiones: Las principales complicaciones de la cirugía ginecológica fueron el íleo paralítico y el absceso de la cúpula, las complicaciones se presentaron fundamentalmente en pacientes operadas por mioma uterino y tumor de ovario. De acuerdo con el tipo de operación, ocurrieron en pacientes operadas por histerectomía total abdominal con doble anexectomía y la histerectomía total abdominal sin anexectomía, y las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron la obesidad y la asociación de comorbilidad(AU)

Introduction: Surgical procedures have risks and complications, which determine the prognosis of patients. The mortality rate of gynecological surgery is less than 1 percent, that of complications varies from 0.2 to 26 percent. Both are determined by risk factors such as age, pre-existing medical illness, obesity, previous surgeries, anemia, and cancer. Objective: To determine the main complications, their association with the preoperative diagnosis, the type of operation performed and the comorbidity in patients operated on for gynecological conditions. Methods: Descriptive study in patients operated on by conventional and elective route. A series of 616 tributary patients of major elective surgery by conventional route were selected. The variables used were associated comorbidity, preoperative diagnosis, operation performed, and postoperative complications. Results: Post-surgical complications occurred in 96 patients (15.5 percent). The most frequent were paralytic ileus (4.2 percent of the series and 26.04 percent of complications) and dome abscess (2.75 percent of the series and 17.7 percent of complications), mainly in who presented a history of obesity and association of risk factors. Conclusions: The main complications of gynecological surgery were paralytic ileus and abscess of the cupola, complications mainly occurred in patients operated on for uterine myoma and ovarian tumor. According to the type of operation, they occurred in patients operated on for total abdominal hysterectomy with double adnexectomy and total abdominal hysterectomy without adnexectomy, and the most frequent comorbidities were obesity and the association of comorbidity(AU)

Hazardous effects of chemical pesticides on human health-Cancer and other associated disorders.

Poisoning from pesticides is a global public health problem and accounts for nearly 300,000 deaths worldwide every year. Exposure to pesticides is inevitable; there are different modes through which humans get exposed to pesticides. The mode of exposure is an important factor as it also signifies the concentration of pesticides exposure. Pesticides are used extensively in agricultural and domestic settings. These chemicals are believed to cause many disorders in humans and wildlife. Research from past few decades has tried to answer the associated mechanism of action of pesticides in conjunction with their harmful effects. This perspective considers the past and present research in the field of pesticides and associated disorders. We have reviewed the most common diseases including cancer which are associated with pesticides. Pesticides have shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases as well as various disorders of the respiratory and reproductive tracts. Oxidative stress caused by pesticides is an important mechanism through which many of the pesticides exert their harmful effects. Oxidative stress is known to cause DNA damage which in turn may cause malignancies and other disorders. Many pesticides have shown to modulate the gene expression at the level of non-coding RNAs, histone deacetylases, DNA methylation patterns suggesting their role in epigenetics.

Diagnosis and risk stratification of women with stable ischemic heart disease.

Although mortality rates for cardiovascular disease are on the decline, it remains the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Until recently, more women died of heart disease every year than men. Significant effort has been focused on increasing the awareness of cardiovascular disease among women, but ethnic disparities in awareness still exist. Early symptom recognition, risk assessment, and diagnosis of CAD are paramount in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in women. This review will highlight the unique risk factors for CAD in women, variability in clinical presentation for ischemic heart disease, and risk stratification for CAD in symptomatic women.

Economic and Survival Implications of Use of Electric Power Morcellation for Hysterectomy for Presumed Benign Gynecologic Disease.

BACKGROUND: Electric power morcellation during laparoscopic hysterectomy allows some women to undergo minimally invasive surgery but may disrupt underlying occult malignancies and increase the risk of tumor dissemination. METHODS: We developed a state transition Markov cohort simulation model of the risks and benefits of hysterectomy (abdominal, laparoscopic, and laparoscopic with electric power morcellation) for women with presumed benign gynecologic disease. The model considered perioperative morbidity, mortality, risk of cancer and dissemination, and outcomes in women with an underlying malignancy. We explored the effectiveness from a societal perspective stratified by age (<40, 40-49, 50-59, and ≥60 years). RESULTS: Under all scenarios, modeled laparoscopic hysterectomy without morcellation was the most beneficial strategy. Laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation was associated with 80.83 more intraoperative complications, 199.64 fewer perioperative complications, and 241.80 fewer readmissions than abdominal hysterectomy per 10 000 women. Per 10 000 women younger than age 40 years, laparoscopic hysterectomy with morcellation was associated with 1.57 more cases of disseminated cancer and 0.97 fewer deaths than abdominal hysterectomy. The excess cases of disseminated cancer per 10 000 women with morcellation compared with abdominal hysterectomy increased with age to 47.54 per 10 000 in women age 60 years and older. Compared with abdominal hysterectomy, this resulted in 0.30 (age 40-49 years), 5.07 (age 50-59 years), and 18.14 (age 60 years and older) excess deaths per 10 000 women in the respective age groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic hysterectomy without morcellation is the most beneficial approach of the three methods of hysterectomy studied. In older women, the risks of electric power morcellation may outweigh the benefits of minimally invasive hysterectomy.

Video-, Audio-, and Computer-Mediated Education of Patients and Relatives in Gynecologic Cancer Care: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients can often experience emotional distress, and gynecologic cancer patients may be among the most distressed. As hospital stays become shorter, nurses are challenged to educate patients and relatives adequately. The use of computer-based technologies may alleviate the situation. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to review the literature related to the use of audio-, visual-, or computer-based technologies to support healthcare professional training of adult female patients and their close relatives in gynecologic cancer care. We describe to what extent these technologies were found to be effective and evaluate clinical implications. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and PsycINFO via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library were searched, and 4177 unique references were examined. All studies evaluating healthcare professional training of women with gynecologic cancer and/or their relatives via audio-, visual-, or computer-based technologies were included. RESULTS: We found scarce and conflicting evidence of benefits to gynecologic patients of healthcare professional use of video- or computer-based patient education. These interventions might be best suited to the highest educated with coping skills beyond the average. No studies were found to include relatives or found to test audio-based patient education. CONCLUSION: More rigorously produced and reported studies of healthcare professional training initiatives for gynecologic cancer patients and their relatives are recommended. Measures used to capture the perceived benefits to patients might be reconsidered. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Precautions should be taken before recommending technologies that are unevaluated in own context. Attention must be on both what is provided when and to whom.

Predictors of surgical site infection in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease: a multicenter analysis using the national surgical quality improvement program data.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the rate and predictors of surgical site infection (SSI) after hysterectomy performed for benign indications and to identify any association between SSI and other postoperative complications. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. PATIENTS: Women who underwent abdominal or laparoscopic hysterectomy performed for benign indications from 2005 to 2011. INTERVENTIONS: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of SSI and its association with other postoperative complications. Odds ratios were adjusted for patient demographic data, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, and operative factors. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 28 366 patients, 758 (3%) were diagnosed with SSI. SSI occurred more often after abdominal than laparoscopic hysterectomy (4% vs 2%; p < .001). Among patients who underwent abdominal hysterectomy, predictors of SSI included diabetes, smoking, respiratory comorbidities, overweight or obesity, American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥ 3, perioperative blood transfusion, and operative time >180 minutes. Among those who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, predictors of SSI included perioperative blood transfusion, operative time >180 minutes, serum creatinine concentration ≥ 2 mg/dL, and platelet count ≥ 350 000 cells/mL(3). For patients with deep or organ/space SSI, significant predictors included perioperative blood transfusion and American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥ 3 for abdominal hysterectomy, and non-white race, renal comorbidities, preoperative or perioperative blood transfusion, and operative time >180 minutes for laparoscopic hysterectomy. SSI was associated with longer hospital stay and higher rates of repeat operation, sepsis, renal failure, and wound dehiscence. SSI was not associated with increased 30-day mortality. CONCLUSIONS: SSI occurred more often after abdominal hysterectomy than laparoscopic hysterectomy performed to treat benign gynecologic disease. SSI was associated with increased postoperative complications but not mortality. Several risk factors for SSI after each abdominal and laparoscopic hysterectomy were identified in this study.

Impact of surgical intervention timing on the case fatality rate for Fournier's gangrene: an analysis of 379 cases.

UNLABELLED: Study Type - Prognosis (outcome) Level of Evidence 2b. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Reportedly, Fournier's gangrene has a high mortality rate, ~7.5-40%, and experts recommend early surgical debridement. This study examines 379 patients and shows that an early intervention, i.e. within 2 hospital days could halve the mortality rate compared with later intervention. OBJECTIVE: • To examine how early surgical intervention influenced cases of Fournier's gangrene (FG) fatality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: • Patients with FG (defined as an International Classification of Diseases-10 code of M72.6 [necrotizing fasciitis] at the perineum or external genitalia), who received surgical intervention ≤ 5 days after admission, were identified from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database for the 6-month period July to December, in the years 2007-2010. • Data included age, sex, comorbidities, ambulance use, operations and debridement ranges. • Multivariate logistic regression analysis of mortality was performed to show whether early (≤ 2 hospital days) or delayed (3-5 hospital days) surgical treatment affected FG outcomes. RESULTS: • A total of 302 male and 77 female patients with FG were identified for which the overall case fatality rate was 17.1% (65 cases). • There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the early operation group (n = 327) and the delayed operation group (n = 52), with the exception of ambulance use (33.3% vs 17.3%, P = 0.020). • Cystostomy, colostomy, orchiectomy/penectomy (male patients only), or debridement ≥ 3000 cm(2) were performed on 42 (8.8%), 56 (11.5%), 46 (10.8%) and 17 (4.4%) patients, respectively. • Multivariate analysis showed that there was a significantly lower case fatality rate among the early operation group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.38; P = 0.031). • Older age (OR 1.80, for 10-year increments), Charlson comorbidity index score (OR = 1.33, for 1-point increments), sepsis or disseminated intravascular coagulation at admission (OR 4.01), and debridement range ≥ 3000 cm(2) (OR 5.22, compared with other operations) were significantly associated with a higher case fatality rate. CONCLUSION: • Early (≤ 2 hospital days) surgical intervention for FG is significantly associated with lower mortality than delayed (3-5 hospital days) action.

Fournier's gangrene: an analysis of 80 patients and a novel scoring system.

BACKGROUND: To create a better scoring system for outcome prediction for patients with Fournier's gangrene in order to design more appropriate and feasible management strategies. METHODS: Using logistic regression, the medical records of 80 patients who underwent surgery for Fournier's gangrene in the last 10 years were reviewed using a prospectively maintained database, and a novel scoring system was adopted combining this data with the Fournier's gangrene severity index (FGSI). The new system consists of a physiological score, an age score, and an extent of gangrene score. RESULTS: The mortality rate of the 80 patients was 21%. Using the new scoring system (UFGSI), at a threshold value of 9, there was a 94% probability of death with a score greater than 9 and an 81% probability of survival with a score of 9 or less (P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis concluded that the new scoring system was more powerful than the FGSI (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The power of the novel scoring system introduced in this study proves that in patients with Fournier's gangrene, the extent of the gangrene as well as the patient's age and physiological status have a significant effect on the outcome.

[Clinical analysis for death in gynecological patients].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the death affairs of gynecological patients and find the measurements of down-regulating the mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on the 54 death in-patients in our gynecological department during January 1993 and June 2008. Associated with literature, the data were analyzed according to primary diseases, death causes and clinical demonstrations, in order to probe into the rule of death in gynecological in-patients. RESULTS: The main death causes were gynecological cancers, such as ovarian carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, invasive mole and endometrial carcinoma, which accounted for 79.6 percent (43/54) of gynecological death. Sudden death took up 24 percent (13/54), with death causes of cardio-cerebral vascular events, such as myocardium infarction, pneumonia embolism and cerebral embolism. CONCLUSION: Gynecological oncology is still the main disease threatening women's lives. Emphasis should be put on the physical and surgical complications of the patients. We should attach more importance to the observation and associated treatment of post-operative and post-chemotherapeutic patients with high risks.

Genitourinary infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria at a university hospital in Taiwan, 1996-2008.

Genitourinary infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rarely reported. The medical records of all patients with genitourinary NTM infections treated at National Taiwan University Hospital from 1996-2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen patients were identified, of whom 10 (67%) were male. More than two-thirds of patients had underlying conditions, the most common of which was chronic renal disease. Only one patient had AIDS. Acid-fast smears of urine were negative in all patients. Eleven isolates were available for further confirmation by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common (n = 5, 33%), followed by both Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 2; 13%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (n = 2; 13%). Of the 12 patients receiving anti-NTM treatment, only four received adequate prescribed regimens and none died of NTM infections. Two patients died of refractory urosepsis before the urinary NTM infections were diagnosed. The clinical characteristics of the 15 patients were also compared with 43 previously reported patients with genitourinary tuberculosis. Patients with genitourinary NTM infections were more likely to report constitutional symptoms, seek medical help within 1 month after the onset of symptoms and develop leukocytosis. Patients with genitourinary tuberculosis were more likely to have ureteral strictures and abnormal chest radiographs associated with active or inactive tuberculosis. Although rare, genitourinary NTM infections pose a significant threat to life and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of genitourinary infections, especially when patients are unresponsive to conventional antibiotic treatment.

Validation of the Fournier's gangrene severity index in a large contemporary series.

PURPOSE: In this study we identified prognostic factors for survival and validated the accuracy of the Fournier's gangrene severity index in patients with Fournier's gangrene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients diagnosed with Fournier's gangrene between 1996 and 2006. Fournier's gangrene severity index scores were assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Using an outcome variable of inpatient mortality, univariate analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U, chi-square and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients (79.4% male, mean age 55.8 +/- 15.2 years) diagnosed with Fournier's gangrene met the criteria for review. The inpatient mortality rate was 10% (7 patients). The mean Fournier's gangrene severity index score for survivors was 5.4 +/- 3.5 vs 10.9 +/- 4.7 for nonsurvivors (p = 0.006). Isolated Fournier's gangrene severity index and individual laboratory parameters associated with mortality included heart rate (p = 0.05), respiratory rate (p = 0.02), serum creatinine (p = 0.03), serum bicarbonate (p = 0.001), serum lactate (p = 0.001) and serum calcium (p = 0.03). Although mean total body surface area was only suggestive of an association (p = 0.169), abdominal wall (p = 0.004) or lower extremity (p = 0.005) involvement was associated with increased mortality. Using a Fournier's gangrene severity index score threshold of 9 (sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 90%) there was a 96% survival rate in patients with a Fournier's gangrene severity index of less than 9 and a 46% mortality rate in those with a Fournier's gangrene severity index of 9 or greater (p = 0.001, OR 22, 95% CI 3.5-139.7). CONCLUSIONS: The Fournier's gangrene severity index remains an objective and simple method to quantify the extent of metabolic aberration at presentation in patients with Fournier's gangrene. A Fournier's gangrene severity index threshold value of 9 is sensitive and specific for predicting mortality in this patient population.

Genital and nongenital nonmelanoma skin cancer: more epidemiological studies are needed.

Although black men in the United States have a lower mortality of nongenital nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) than white men, they have a higher mortality of genital NMSC than white men. Mortality of NMSC has declined over time. Ethnicity-specific incidence and survival analyses of NMSC can be used to determine to what degree earlier detection and/or more efficient therapies have contributed to these observations.

Critical care management of gynaecological patients in Enugu, Nigeria.

A retrospective study of the management of gynaecological patients admitted to the general intensive care unit (ICU) of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Nigeria, over a 6-year span was carried out. Out of a total of 816 patients admitted to the ICU during the study period, 21 (2.6%) were gynaecological patients with the following diagnoses: generalized sepsis, postoperative respiratory distress, hypovolaemic shock, preoperative anaemia and mennorhagia, and major surgery with potential for major complications. The mortality rate was 28.6% with six deaths, sepsis being the major cause of death (four fatalities).

Trends in nonmelanoma skin cancer mortality rates in the United States, 1969 through 2000.

The purpose of this population-based study was to assess trends in mortality rates for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the United States. Particular emphasis was placed on the subgroup of malignancies arising on genital skin. Nearly 75,000 deaths in the United States were attributed to NMSC from 1969 to 2000. The age-adjusted US mortality rate for NMSC arising on nongenital skin from 1969 to 2000 was 0.69/10(5)/year; the rate among men was twice that among women. Mortality rates among white men exceeded that of black men by a factor of two; the same was observed among women, but by a smaller multiple. Corresponding mortality rates for malignancies arising from genital skin (penis, scrotum, vulva) were higher in women (0.54) than in men (0.30). In contrast to nongenital NMSC, mortality rates among black men were twice that of white men; however, rates for white and black women were similar. These results suggest that greater emphasis could be placed on reducing mortality from genital NMSC while continuing to stress reduction of excess sun exposure.

Use of case fatality and readmission measures to compare hospital performance in gynaecology.

OBJECTIVE: To identify suitable outcome measures for comparing gynaecology performance between hospitals. DESIGN: Analysis of routinely collected statistics. SETTING: England. POPULATION A total of 1.45 million gynaecology admissions in 1999/2001. METHODS: The database used was a linked file of English NHS hospital admission statistics and death certificate data. Case fatality rates (CFRs)and emergency readmission (ERA) rates were calculated for different components of gynaecology workload. Funnel plots, using age-sex standardised measures, were displayed to compare the outcomes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CFRs and ERA rates. RESULTS: The CFR within 30 days after admission for patients with cancer was 5.1%. These patients accounted for only 3% of all the admissions but for 73% of all 30-day deaths. All other 30-day CFRs were extremely low-below 0.5%. The 30-day ERA rates ranged from 1.8% after day case care to 17.4% after emergency admissions for people who did not have an operation. Funnel plots showed considerable variation between hospitals for ERA after day case care but not after elective abdominal hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: There are no measures of mortality that could be used routinely and meaningfully to compare the performance of gynaecology units. We suggest that two suitable comparative measures of outcome, derivable from routine hospital statistics, are 30-day ERA rates after day case admissions and after elective abdominal hysterectomy, excluding those records with a cancer diagnosis. These measures are relatively homogeneous with respect to their likely rates of adverse events and have sufficient numbers to produce potentially useful comparative results.

Hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of fournier's gangrene.

PURPOSE: Fournier's gangrene is a necrotizing fasciitis of the genitalia that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Groups at many institutions have initiated routine adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. We examined whether HBO has made a difference in the morbidity, mortality and costs associated with treating this disease. We also analyzed predictors of extended hospital stay and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of patients with the hospital discharge diagnoses of Fournier's gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, gangrene of the genitalia and scrotal gangrene from 1993 to 2002 were reviewed. Data concerning clinical presentation characteristics, hospital stay, complications, hospital charges and outcomes, including graft failure and death, were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were identified and followed a median 4.2 years. Of the patients 16 underwent surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy alone, and 26 were treated with HBO plus surgery and antibiotics. Overall disease specific mortality was 21.4%, that is 12.5% in the nonHBO group and 26.9% in the HBO group. Three or more complications occurred in 13% of nonHBO and in 19% of HBO cases, of which the most common was myocardial infarction. The skin graft failure rate was 6% (nonHBO) and 8% (HBO). Physical disability was a statistically significant predictor of extended hospital stay (p <0.01). There was a trend toward a correlation between known coronary artery disease and death (p = 0.2). A statistically significant difference was noted in average daily hospital charges in nonHBO vs HBO cases ($2,552 vs $3,384 daily, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data do not support routine HBO in the treatment of Fournier's gangrene. There was a trend toward higher morbidity and mortality in the HBO group, suggesting that treatment may have been given to patients who were more ill.

Gynecological surgery in octogenarians and nonagenarians.

OBJECTIVE: The study analyzed morbidity and mortality rates among octogenarian and nonagenarian patients who underwent operations for gynecologic indications. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients, aged >or=80 years, who underwent gynecologic procedures between January 1, 1995, and September 30, 2000. Information obtained included a complete medical history, type of surgical procedure, length of hospital stay, and discharge disposition. Simple demographic statistics were used. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (mean age, 83.6 years) were identified. Seventy-seven operative procedures, 49 major and 28 minor, were performed. All patients were discharged home, except 2, who were discharged to nursing homes. Sixteen patients, who underwent minor procedures, were discharged the same day, and 6 patients were admitted for "23" hour stays. There were 11 perioperative complications and no perioperative deaths. CONCLUSION: Successful gynecologic surgical outcomes with minimal morbidity are achievable in octogenarian patients and nonagenarian patients with optimization of co-medical conditions and careful perioperative treatment. Age should not be the sole determinant in the decision-making process.

Routes of inoculation and the immune response to a resolving genital flavivirus infection in a novel murine model.

The prolonged, abnormal immune response patterns produced by many sexually transmitted viruses have been intensively studied. Because normal antiviral immune responses in the vagina are less well-defined, we developed a resolving murine model using vaginal inoculation with the flavivirus, West Nile virus. Infection resulted in 12% mortality, with sterile protective immunity to vaginal or systemic re-challenge. B-cell numbers increased in the vaginal mucosa from day 1-7 after primary infection, while similar increases in B220(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes in the draining lymph node were delayed by 48 h. By day 4 postinfection, a MHC-II(+) dendritic cell population became depleted from the stroma and formed aggregates below the basement membrane at points of demonstrable epithelial infection. In contrast, primary systemic or intradermal inoculation resulted in 80-90% mortality, but also conferred protective sterile immunity to vaginal West Nile virus re-challenge. Intravaginal and intradermal immunization elicited comparable, accelerated accumulation of larger B-cell numbers in the mucosa and draining lymph node upon intravaginal re-challenge than systemic immunization. However, accumulation of CD4(+) T cells in both sites in the intradermally immunized group was significantly greater than in intravaginally or systemically immunized mice. Accelerated accumulation of dendritic cells occurred at periodic sub-basement membrane sites in the absence of detectable virus 1 day after vaginal re-challenge, irrespective of the route of immunization. These data illustrate the diversity of possible effective immune responses to West Nile virus in the vaginal mucosa. They show primary vaginal inoculation produces effective immunity to flavivirus infection with lower mortality than other routes and suggest a local role for vaginal mucosal dendritic cells in both primary and secondary responses.