Uterovesical fistula and its treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

AIM:  Aim of the study to summarize the current information on diagnostic and treatment options for uterovesical fistula as a consequence of iatrogenic complication. Methods: Literature review of available information on surgical treatment options for uterovesical fistula resulting from previous caesarean section and comparison with our own experience in the developing world. Conclusion: Uterovesical fistula is an abnormal communication between the bladder and uterus. The cause of this pathology in most cases is an iatrogenic complication, most commonly arising after a caesarean section. The incidence of this pathology varies significantly geographically. In developed countries, these fistulas are rather rare. On the other hand, in developing countries, uterovesical fistulas are more common with a significant impact on the subsequent life of the patient due to generally inaccessible health care.

Syndrome Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser - uterine and vaginal agenesis: current knowledge and therapeutic options.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of existing knowledge of etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations and treatment options to increase quality of life in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH). DESIGN: Review article. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague. METHODS: Literature search using the Web of Science, Google Scholar and Medline databases with keywords (absolute uterine infertility factor, AUFI, Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome, MRKH, uterine transplantation) and analysis of articles published in impact and reviewed journals. RESULTS: MRKH syndrome is defined as congenital agenesis of the upper two-thirds of vagina and uterus in women with normal secondary sexual characteristics and female karyotype (46, XX). The incidence of the syndrome is 1 : 4500 births of female sex children. It is the second most common cause of primary amenorrhea. Recent research has focused on elucidating the genetic origin of the disease, focusing on the research of candidate genes that could be participating in the genesis of Müllerian ducts and their derivatives. CONCLUSION: MRKH syndrome now appears as a multifactorial congenital developmental defect based on a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Modern medicine can help girls with MRKH syndrome to a quality sexual life. It is also able to offer different possibilities of achieving motherhood. In the future, however, further research is needed, in particular on the etiology and pathogenesis of this syndrome to detect a possible genetic basis of the disease.

[What is the risk of pelvic organ prolapse recurrence after vaginal hysterectomy with colporrhaphy?] / Jaké je riziko recidivy sestupu pánevních orgánu po vaginální hysterektomii s posevními plastikami?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of prolapse recurrence in patients after vaginal hysterectomy with colporrhaphy. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague. METHODS: The trial involved 220 women who underwent vaginal hysterectomy with anterior and posterior kolporrhaphy at our department for uterine prolapse at least grade 2. It was the first vaginal surgery in all of the patients. Subjective feeling of pressure in the vagina and/or palpable mass in the vagina or in front of the vaginal entrance and/or objective finding decline of the vaginal walls or fundus at lest the second degree or repeated surgery for prolapse were considered as a prolapse recurrence. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of vaginal hysterectomy was 66.7 years (range 37-88). Only 11 patients were premenopausal (5%), the others were postmenopausal, a mean time of posmenopause was 16.9 years. The average parity rate of the study group was 2.1. The average duration of the surgery was 68 minutes. Postoperative urinary retention was observed in one patient (0.45%). 156 women were enrolled in the study. The average length of follow-up was 47 months (minimum 24 months). Recurrence of prolapse based on subjective assessment occured in 24 patients (15.4 %) with pressure and resistance in the vaginal introitus. According to objective criteria, the recurrence of prolapse was diagnosed in 33 (21.2%) patients, of which 16 had prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall, three of the posterior vaginal wall (two rectocoele, one rectoenterocoele), eight combination prolapse of anterior and posterior vaginal wall and vaginal vault prolapse was diagnosed in six women. Eight patients (5. 1%) underwent surgery because of prolapse recurrence. The mean interval from primary surgery to the time of reoperation was 24.4 months (range 6-62). CONCLUSION: Patients have to be preoperatively informed about the risk of the prolapse recurrence with the recommendation of appropriate preventive arrangements.

[Active cellular immunotherapy of ovarian cancer using dendritic cells]. / Aktivní bunecná imunoterapie karcinomu ovaria pomocí dendritických bunek.

OBJECTIVE: Overview and comparison of current results of studies dealing with the development and application of anti-cancer vaccines based on dendritic cells in ovarian cancer. DESIGN: Review. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Charles University, Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol, Department of Immunology 2nd Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Motol. SUMMARY: Ovarian carcinoma (OVCA) is highly sensitive to chemotherapy; however despite this results from treatment are fairly unsatisfactory. Bearing this in mind, it is important to look for new ways to better understand the immunological mechanisms which could affect reactivation of the disease. It is likely that new knowledge in the field of the immunology of ovarian carcinoma could improve monitoring of the disease and help to ameliorate prognosis of the disease. One strategy in development is creation of anti-OVCA vaccines. Theese vaccines are made by the fusion of dendritic cell (DC) and tumor cells or its parts (NA, peptides). DC are bone-marrow derived leukocytes that are critical in the initiation of T cell mediated immunity. DC are fused to patient-derived ovarian carcinoma cells. The fusion cells induces cytotoxic T cell against autologous OVCA cells.

[The effectiveness of recurrent stress urinary incontinence treatment after Burch colposuspension failure with transobturatory tape procedure]. / Efektivita lécby recidivující stresové inkontinence moci pomocí transobturatorní pásky po seláhní kolposuspenze podle Burche.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transobturatory tape (TOT) procedure in the treatment of female recurrent stress urinary incontinence after the Burch colposuspension failure. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical trial. SETTING: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Charles University, 2nd Medical School and Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague. METHODS: The group of fifteen women was treated for recurrent stress urinary incontinence with TOT procedure. Preoperative evaluation consisted of complete urogynecological examination. The cure rate and complications were determined in postoperative follow up 6 weeks and 12 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 58.7 (46-64) years. Burch colposuspension was performed 6.4 (1-13) years before current TOT procedure. The cure rate in 12 month follow-up was 86.6% (13 of 15 patients), one patient was improved (6.7%). Postoperative complications occurred in 2 (13.4%) cases--one lower urinary tract infection and one overactive bladder symptomatology cured by anticholinergic therapy. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the TOT procedure is a safe and effective minimally invasive method in the treatment of recurrent stress urinary incontinence after Burch colposuspension.

[Uterine rupture in pregnancy--case study]. / Ruptury delohy v tehotenství--kazuistiky.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of two cases uterine rupture following caesarian section. SUBJECT: Two case studies. SETTING: Gynecological obstetrics clinic, First Medical Faculty and Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Prague. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The authors in their article describe two cases of rupture of the uterus in pregnancy prior to delivery. In both cases there was a history of cervicocorporal caesarian section. CONCLUSION: In the first case the patient was admitted from her home with bleeding, and signed a nonconsent form. The second case concerned a hospitalized patient, in which the first signs of uterine rupture were indicated by fetal heart rate. Both women underwent hysterectomy, paradoxically, in the first case the child was saved and discharged home in good health.

[Czech version of EORTC QLQ-CX24 questionnaire for patients with cervical cancer]. / Ceská verze dotazníku EORTC QLQ-CX24 pro pacientky s karcinomem delozního hrdla.

OBJECTIVE: Translation and validation of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 questionnaire on quality of life into the Czech language and literature. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective study. SETTING: Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2nd Medical Faculty, Charles University and Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague. METHODS: In concordance with the EORTC guidelines a questionaire for patients with cervical cancer was translated and validated. A group of 14 women who underwent the treatment for cervical cancer filled in the questionaire. T-test was used for the evaluation of the patient's characteristics and the differences in quality of life. RESULTS: We present a Czech version of the questionaire EORTC QLQ-CX24 and the description how to evaulate it. In comparison of the two treatment groups no statistically significant differences have been found. CONCLUSION: EORTC QLQ-CX24 is an internationally accepted questionnaire focused on patients with cervical cancer which should be incorporated into the projects dealing with women undergoing treatment for this disease.