[Systematic proposal of fertility preservation by mature oocyte cryopreservation for recurrent benign ovarian tumors]. / Proposition systématique de préservation de la fertilité par congélation d'ovocytes en cas de tumeur ovarienne bénigne.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate prospectively the pattern of the follicular growth and to characterize the COH outcome in terms of oocyte number and maturity in patients with voluminous recurrent benign ovarian tumors with a high surgical risk of significant reduction of the ovarian follicular content. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were: age between 18 and 36, presence of at least one benign ovarian tumor (≥ 5cm) with high risk of recurrence. The fertility preservation cycle was performed at least 3 months after the cyst surgery. The controlled ovarian stimulation was performed after the ovarian reserve was assessed (AMH measurement and sonographic antral follicle count). Triggering was performed by hCG when at least 3 follicles reached 18mm of diameter. Metaphase II oocytes were cryopreserved by the vitrification technique. RESULTS: Twenty-four women with dermoid, endometrioma or seromucinous cysts were included from January 2015 to July 2016. All of them had previous ovarian surgery. Mean AMH levels were 15.3pmol/L. The mean number of total oocytes retrieved was 7±5. The mean number of metaphase II oocytes was 4.4±4. The incidence of low ovarian response was 38%. Among the patients, 86% had less than 8 metaphase II oocytes vitrified. Seven patients asked for a second cycle in order to have more oocytes. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of the systematic proposal of fertility preservation by oocyte cryopreservation in this group of young patients with recurrent ovarian benign tumors. Taking into account history of previous surgery and high incidence of low ovarian reserve, the ovarian response under stimulation was frequently poor with, as consequence, low retrieved oocyte number per cycle. An oocyte accumulation strategy is then proposed to enhance further pregnancy chances.

Double J stent with antireflux device in the prevention of short-term urological complications after cadaveric kidney transplantation: single-center prospective randomized study.

The placement of a double J stent to protect a uretero-vesical anastomosis in a kidney transplant is a widespread procedure performed to reduce the incidence of fistula and stenosis at the anastomosis. However, the presence of a double J stent may cause vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), predisposing one to urinary tract infections (UTIs), which may be a significant source of morbidity for the graft. We evaluated whether a ureteral stent incorporating an antireflux device can reduce the incidence of ureteral reflux and UTIs. From January to December 2003, 44 kidney transplant recipients were randomized to receive a 14-cm 4.8-F double J stent with (group A) or without an anti-reflux device (group B). Primary end points were the reduction of the incidence of VUR and of UTIs. The secondary end point was the graft function, on the basis of mean serum creatinine level at 3, 6, and 12 months. We failed to observe statistically significant differences in terms of either the incidence of VUR and UTIs, or the short-term outcomes of the grafts. We concluded that the anti-reflux device does not have an impact on the incidence of stent-related side effects.

Kidney transplants from infected donors: our experience.

Organ procurement from infected donors may transmit a disease to the recipient that could cause a graft loss and/or recipient morbidity. Retrospectively, all kidney transplants from infected donors at our center in the last 4 years were reviewed. A donor was considered infected in the presence of at least one positive culture before procurement. From January 1999 to 2003, 23 of 160 donors (14.5%) were infected: in 10 donors a positive blood culture; in 3, a urine culture; and in 13, a bronchial culture. In a further 12 (7%) donors, only the preservation solution was contaminated. Organisms isolated were: Staphylococcus coagulase.neg. (n = 7); Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 3); Staphylococcus aureus (n = 6); Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 3); Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 4); Acinetobacter (n = 1); Candida albicans (n = 13); Aspergillus (n = 1); and Escherichia coli (n = 1). All except 2 kidneys were transplanted with positivity in all cultures. All recipients received general, nonspecific, antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis until the antibiotic and antifungal spectrum was ready. Patient and graft survival rates at 6 months were 94% and 93%, respectively. Two deaths occurred due to bacterial arteritis (P aeruginosa), and 2 acute graft losses due to fungal arteritis. Kidneys from infected donors seem suitable for transplants. Only grafts infected by vasculotropic agents (S aureus, P aeruginosa, and C albicans) should be discarded.

Has arteriography gotten a bad name? Current accuracy and morbidity of diagnostic contrast arteriography for aortoiliac and lower extremity arterial disease.

Recently, contrast arteriography has been challenged as the diagnostic test of choice for lower extremity arterial disease because of its associated morbidity and questionable accuracy in identifying suitable distal outflow arteries. The purpose of this report was to analyze our experience to determine if these concerns were justified. We reviewed 500 consecutive contrast arteriograms performed at our hospital for aortoiliac and lower extremity arterial disease between November 1994 and November 1998. Arteriograms performed in conjunction with therapeutic procedures such as balloon angioplasty, stent placement, and thrombolysis were excluded, leaving 244 diagnostic cases for analysis. Forty-six percent (112) of patients had diabetes mellitus, 14% (34) had an elevated baseline serum creatinine (> or =1.5 mg/dL), and an additional 7% (17) were dialysis dependent. Radiologists limited contrast volume by imaging only the symptomatic extremity when appropriate and using digital subtraction techniques as indicated. Our results showed that diagnostic contrast arteriography is associated with an acceptably low morbidity, has an accuracy that is unlikely to be surpassed by other modalities, and remains the diagnostic test of choice for lower extremity arterial disease.

Thrombolytic and endovascular treatment of peripartum iliac vein thrombosis: a case report.

This case report details the multidisciplinary treatment of peripartum left iliac vein thrombosis using percutaneous catheter-directed urokinase thrombolysis and balloon thromboplasty. Enhanced chances for long-term patency and the normalization of venous function make these minimally invasive procedures accepted options for the treatment of iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis in selected peripartum patients.

[Diltiazem helps perfusion of the kidney after transplantation: intraoperative assessment using echo-color Doppler]. / Il diltiazem favorisce la perfusione del rene dopo il trapianto: valutazione intraoperatoria mediante eco-color-Doppler.

Diltiazem is a dihydropyridinic calcium-antagonist which acts an arterial muscle, producing an increase in vascular capacity. We administered it intraoperatively in 2 patients subjected to kidney transplantation, to asses the maximal vascular reserve of the transplanted organ. After 2' and 10' from administration of Diltiazem, Color Doppler Ultrasound showed a 30% increase in mean flow in the renal artery and 13% reduction in the intraparenchymal resistance rates with respect to the basal parameters. Systemic arterious pressure remained unchanged. This result was associated with an improvement in the perfusion of the transplanted organ.

Simplified outpatient lower extremity venography.

Improved lower extremity venography has been achieved by a distally directed superficial foot venipuncture. Supine position and short procedure time afford excellent patient acceptance. Dilute contrast is believed responsible for eliminating venospasm and postvenography phlebitis; the low sodium concentration permits safe evaluation of cardiac patients. Sequential imaging (and the use of anteroposterior and lateral projections) eliminates false positive and negative interpretations. Skip areas are avoided by the use of 90-cm (36-inch) cassettes.