Sentinel lymph node pathological ultrastaging: Final outcome of the Sentix prospective international study in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcome of SLN staging in the SENTIX international prospective trial of SLN biopsy in patients with cervical cancer with an intensive ultrastaging protocol and central quality control and to evaluate how the intensity of pathological assessment correlates with metastatic detection rate in SLNs. METHODS: Eligible were patients with stages T1a1/LVSI+ to T1b2 (<4 cm, ≤2 cm for fertility sparing), common tumor types, no suspicious lymph nodes on imaging, and bilateral SLN detection. SLNs were examined intraoperatively and processed by an intensive protocol for ultrastaging (paraffin blocks sectioned completely in 150-µm intervals/levels). SLNs from each site were submitted for central quality control. RESULTS: In the SENTIX SLN study, 647 out of 733 enrolled patients underwent SLN ultrastaging, identifying 12.5% (81/647) with node positive, N1 cases. Intraoperative detection revealed metastases in 56.8% (46/81) of these cases, categorized into macrometastases (83.7%), micrometastases (26.3%), and isolated tumor cells (9.1%). Ultrastaging identified additional metastatic involvement in 43.2% (35/81) of patients, with detailed sectioning revealing metastases (MAC/MIC) at first level in 20 cases (24.7%), at levels 2-4 in 9 cases (11.1%), and at level ≥5 in 6 cases (7.4%). CONCLUSION: SLN ultrastaging detects additional 43% of N1 (MAC/MIC) in patients with negative LNs by imaging and intraoperative pathological assessment. The detection rate of positive SLN correlates with the intensity (number of levels) of ultrastaging. Examination of four levels from paraffin blocks, which detects >90% of patients with N1, is a reasonable compromise for an international standard for ultrastaging. STUDY REGISTRATION: NCT02494063 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Chronic endometritis - a constantly discussed issue in infertile women.

OBJECTIVE: A review of current knowledge on the pathophysiology, diagnostic and treatment options for chronic endometritis in infertile women. METHODS AND RESULTS: One of the major causes of failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) is undiagnosed intrauterine pathologies, including chronic inflammation of the uterine mucosa - chronic endometritis. However, some authors relativize the negative impact of chronic endometritis on reproductive outcomes. The etiopathogenesis of chronic endometritis is due to qualitative and quantitative changes in the endometrial microbiome with abnormal multiplication of microorganisms naturally occurring in the uterine cavity or vagina. There is no uniform consensus on the most common pathogen causing chronic endometritis. It is characterized by infiltration of plasma cells into the endometrial stroma outside the menstrual cycle, accompanied by hyperaemia and endometrial oedema. Clinical symptoms are very mild or absent. The diagnosis of chronic endometritis is often difficult because there is no specific clinical or laboratory diagnostic method. The following investigative options are commonly used for the diagnosis of chronic endometritis: diagnostic hysteroscopy, histopathological examination of the endometrium including CD 138 immunohistochemistry and culture from the uterine cavity. However, standardised international hysteroscopic and histopathological criteria for accurate diagnosis of chronic endometritis are still lacking. Empirically administered antibiotic therapy improves the success rate of pregnancy and delivery of a viable foetus in infertile patients with proven chronic endometritis. In addition to reviewing the current knowledge of chronic endometritis, this article discusses the importance of hysteroscopy in the diagnostic process. CONCLUSION: Chronic endometritis is often a clinically silent disease with negative impact on reproduction in infertile women. Although there are still many unresolved issues, the introduction of hysteroscopy into the diagnostic process is important for clinical practice; however, hysteroscopy even in combination with histological examination of the endometrium, often does not allow an unequivocal diagnosis of chronic endometritis. Further prospective randomised studies in a selected group of women with proven chronic endometritis and repeated failure to implant proven euploid embryos should refine this knowledge.

New staging of endometrial carcinoma - FIGO 2023.

AIM: To review the changes in the new version of the FIGO 2023 staging system for endometrial cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: The new FIGO 2023 endometrial cancer staging system provides key updates for the diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer. An important step in diagnosis is molecular classification, which allows more accurate risk stratification for recurrence and the identification of targeted therapies. The new staging system, based on the recommendations of the international societies ESGO, ESTRO and ESP, incorporates not only the description of the pathological and anatomical extent of the disease, but also the histopathological characteristics of the tumour, including the histological type and the presence of lymphovascular space invasion. In addition, the staging system uses molecular testing to classify endometrial cancers into four prognostic groups: POLEmut, MMRd, NSMP and p53abn. Each group has its own specific characteristics and prognosis. The most significant changes have occurred in stages I and II, in which the sub-staging better reflects the biological behaviour of the tumour. This update increases the accuracy of prognosis and improves individualized treatment options for patients with endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION: The updated FIGO staging of endometrial cancer for 2023 incorporates different histologic types, tumour features, and molecular classifications to better reflect the current improved understanding of the complex nature of several endometrial cancer types and their underlying bio logic behaviour. The aim of the new endometrial cancer staging system is to better define stages with similar prognosis, allowing for more precise indication of individualised adjuvant radiation or systemic treatment, including the use of immunotherapy.

The fertility sparing therapy in ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: A review of current knowledge on the possibilities of fertility sparing therapy in case of ectopic pregnancy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ectopic pregnancy is defined as implantation of an embryo outside the endometrial cavity, most often in the fallopian tube. This dia-gnosis is very common among young women. Ectopic pregnancies can be treated using the following three approaches, which can be combined: expectantly, pharmacologically or surgically. Fertility-sparing salpingostomy may be performed during surgical treatment. Medical (pharmacological) treatment consists in the application of methotrexate with a success rate of 75-96%, depending on the initial level of the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG). This is a safe treatment with minimal side effects. There is no standardization of the blood b-hCG level limits or of the size of the ectopic pregnancy mass for choosing expectant, surgical or medical treatment. A considerable increase in the rate of Cesarean sections over the last decades has led to an increase in the occurrence of the implantation of the gestational sac in the hysterotomy scar. There are several options to address this dia-gnosis, but none is clearly preferred. This issue is also discussed in the article. CONCLUSION: The goal of ectopic pregnancy treatment is to choose a safe and effective therapy with a low incidence of side effects and maintaining the maximum fertility of women. Properly set indication criteria are most important when choosing the right option.

The efficacy of human papillomavirus vaccination in the prevention of recurrence of severe cervical lesions.

OBJECTIVE: A review of current knowledge on the efficacy of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in preventing recurrent severe cervical lesions after excisional surgical treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: HPV infection is necessary for the development of most cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancers. Currently, three prophylactic vaccines against HPV infection are available on the market: bivalent Cervarix, quadrivalent Gardasil (formerly Silgard) and nonavalent Gardasil9. All three prophylactic vaccines show high effect in preventing the development of precancerous lesions. The highest efficacy is achieved in the HPV naive population. The surgical excision of severe cervical precancers is the standard approach. However, guidelines regarding HPV vaccination at the time of conisation are not clearly determined. Women diagnosed with severe cervical lesions have mostly not been vaccinated against HPV so far. Therefore, it is beneficial to understand the importance and efficacy of HPV vaccination at the time of conisation in preventing recurrent precancerous lesions. The exact value of HPV vaccination in the context of surgical excision of precancerous lesions remains unclear, but vaccination is definitely valuable in reducing the risk of recurrence. Vaccination timing seems to be more favorable before surgery. However, the ideal timing of vaccination is not established. Some of these questions are likely to be answered by the results of ongoing randomized controlled trials. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant HPV vaccination in the setting of surgical treatment for cervical precancerous lesion is significantly associated with a reduced risk of recurrence. HPV vaccination should be strongly considered as adjuvant therapy, especially in young patients undergoing conisation for a severe cervical lesion.

Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR detection in women treated for ectopic pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis (ChT) and Neisseria gonorrhoae (NG) in the genital tract of women with ectopic pregnancy and to compare the positive results with patients' self-reported history of PID. Overall 40 women were eligible for the study. The samples for the ChT and NG Polymerase Chain-reaction (PCR) detection were obtained from the cervix, endometrium and fallopian tube. The results of testing for NG at all sites were negative as were the results from cervical testing for ChT. The prevalence of ChT in the upper genital tract was 12.5%. No statistically significant correlation was found between the positive cases and the previous signs of PID and laparoscopic findings. We found statistically significant relationship between signs of pelvic inflammation in a pacients' history and histopathological findings of tubal inflammation. 12.5% prevalence of ChT confirms the ascending genital infection. There was no association between the positive PCR result and clinical history of pelvic inflammation.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Pelvic inflammatory disease, Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoae infections are the main risks for ectopic pregnancy. Clinical history of PID and perioperative adhesions may suggest prior upper genital infection.What do the results of this study add? Chlamydia trachomatis positive PCR result can be found in the upper genital tract without the positivity of cervical smear in women with ectopic pregnancy. Our study is unique in assessing the endometrial biopsy for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoae.What are the implications of these findings for future clinical practice and/or future clinical research? There is no statistically significant association between positive PCR result and clinical history of PID or pelvic adhesions found during laparoscopy for tubal pregnancy. Therefore there is no need for the preventive antibiotic treatment in patients with these findings.

Uterine perforation during intrauterine procedures and its management.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine perforation is a potential, not rare complication of all intrauterine procedures and may be associated with injury of surrounding organs and structures. The incidence, risk factors, possible prevention, dia-gnosis, management and impact on future reproduction is reviewed here. METHODS: Systematic review of available sources on the topic was carried out using the PubMed database and textbooks of Czech authors. CONCLUSION: Some risk factors that make access to the uterine cavity difficult may be prevented, however, others remain unpreventable. For patients in whom the perforation occurred during sondage, dilatation or insertion of blunt and cold instrument, without significant bleeding and who are hemodynamically stable, observation is recommended rather than immediate abdominal exploration. The exception are young women planning pregnancy in whom endoscopic suture is indicated. Abdominal exploration is required in patients who have been injured by electrosurgical or sharp device, laser, vacuum curette, who are hemodynamically unstable or show signs of severe bleeding or visceral injury.

Psoriasis vulvae.

OBJECTIVE: Case presentation, differential dia-gnostic, possible therapeutic procedure and a brief literature report. CASE REPORT: An 84-year-old woman was repeatedly examined for chronic extended dermatologic lesion on lower abdomen, external genitals, perianal region, groin and adjacent inner thighs. CONCLUSION: Neither colposcopy with dermatovenerologic consultation, nor histopathological examination led to a precise conclusion. Only a special dermatopathologic expertise showed a dia-gnosis of inverse psoriasis with suggested therapy.

Current data on the efficacy of prophylactic HPV vaccination in the primary prevention of cervical lesions.

OBJECTIVE: A review of current knowledge on the efficacy of HPV (human papillomavirus) HPV vaccination against pre-cancers and cervical cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: HPV infection is probably the most common sexually transmitted disease and the cause of approximately 5% of all human cancers. Currently, three prophylactic vaccines against HPV infection are on the market: bivalent Cervarix, quadrivalent Gardasil (formerly Silgard) and nonavalent Gardasil9. The Czech Republic is one of the countries with a national vaccination program where HPV vaccination is covered by health insurance for girls and boys aged 13-14 years. Extensive scientific data on the efficacy of the vaccines clearly demonstrate significant efficacy against the development of cervical pre-cancers for all three vaccines. According to a high-certainty evidence of the Cochrane database, the efficacy of HPV vaccines against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or 3 associated with HPV 16, 18 compared with placebo in girls and women aged 15-26 is 99%. There is also moderate-certainty evidence that HPV vaccines reduce the risk of adenocarcinoma in situ for approximately 90% for the same population. Initial data also demonstrate a direct impact on reducing the incidence of invasive cervical cancer in vaccinated individuals. In addition, quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines are highly effective in preventing genital warts. CONCLUSION: All three available prophylactic vaccines show high efficacy in preventing the development of cervical lesions. Efficacy is highest against lesions caused by vaccine genotypes and the highest efficacy is achieved in the HPV naive population.

Current possibilities in the prevention and therapy of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To present current possibilities of the prevention and therapy of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). METHODS: Literature and guidelines were researched. RESULTS: From the view of safety and prevention of OHSS, antagonistic protocol is suitable. Patients with syndrome of polycystic ovaries benefit from the use of metformin or letrozole that can be sufficient to induce ovulation. As a treatment of imminent OHSS, it is recommended to administer 0.5 mg of cabergoline per os daily as well as low molecular weight heparin subcutaneously in prophylactic dose and to maintain sufficient fluid intake. Diuretics are strongly discouraged to use. To maintain intravascular volume, drained ascites can be reintroduced. CONCLUSION: We present a review of current literature and recommendations.

Comparison of the quality of life between women undergoing medical and surgical terminations of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the relation between the quality of life, level of depression and some other psychological characteristics of women and the method (pharmacological or instrumental) they chose to terminate their pregnancy up to 49 days of amenorrhoea. METHODS: From Jan 1st, 2019 to Aug 31st, 2020 we prospectively analyzed data obtained by evaluating questionnaires from 106 women with a choice of pharmacological (faUUT) and 105 women with a choice of surgical (iUUT) termination of pregnancy. The questionnaires focused on their quality of life and other characteristics. RESULTS: Women undergoing faUUT have a statistically significantly higher quality of life (P = 0.001), they are physically (P = 0.003) and mentally (P = 0.027) healthier, they have a higher socioeconomic status, and they are more satisfied with their environment (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Women with a differently chosen method of termination of pregnancy had a statistically significantly different quality of life as a whole. This difference is statistically significant in the sub-areas of the quality of life: feeling of physical health and mental well-being, satisfaction with the environment, and subjective perception of the quality of life. The result doesnt confirm a statistically significant difference between both groups on the level of depression and their cohabitation.

The role of a pathologist in surgical staging for carcinoma of the cervix uteri.

The incidence of cervical cancer is high in the Czech Republic. Altogether 822 new cases were found in this country during 2016 which means the incidence 15,3 new diseases / 100,000 women. FIGO (Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d´Obstétrique) staging of carcinoma for the cervix was changed as follows. Lateral extension measurement is removed in the stage IA, the only criterion is the measured deepest invasion.

Oncological outcome of surgical management in patients with recurrent uterine cancer-a multicenter retrospective cohort study-CEEGOG EX01 Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the survival of patients who have received an operation for recurrent cervical and endometrial cancer and to determine prognostic variables for improved oncologic outcome. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter analysis of the medical records of 518 patients with cervical (N = 288) or endometrial cancer (N = 230) who underwent surgery for disease recurrence and who had completed at least 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: The median survival reached 57 months for patients with cervical cancer and 113 months for patients with endometrial cancer after surgical treatment of recurrence (p = 0.036). Histological sub-type had a significant impact on overall survival, with the best outcome in endometrial endometrioid cancer (121 months), followed by cervical squamous cell carcinoma, cervical adenocarcinoma, or other types of endometrial cancer (81 vs 35 vs 35 months; p <0.001). The site of recurrence did not significantly influence survival in cervical or in endometrial cancer. Cancer stage at first diagnosis, tumor grade, lymph node status at recurrence, progression-free interval after first diagnosis, and free resection margins were associated with improved overall survival on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, the stage at first diagnosis and resection margins were significant independent predictive parameters of an improved oncologic outcome. CONCLUSION: Long-term survival can be achieved via secondary cytoreductive surgery in selected patients with recurrent cervical and endometrial cancer. An excellent outcome is possible even if the recurrence site is located in the lymph nodes. The possibility of achieving complete resection should be the main criterion for patient selection.

[Anogenital HPV Infection as the Potential Risk Factor for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma]. / Anogenitální HPV infekce jako potenciální rizikový faktor orofaryngeálního karcinomu.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cervical, other genital, anal, head, and neck cancers. The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the head and neck cancer most commonly caused by HPV infection, is increasing. The prevalence of oral HPV infections is considerably lower than that of genital HPV infections; however, infection of both sites is strongly associated with sexual behavior. Although the natural histories of cervical and oral HPV infections do not markedly differ, the virus seems to rarely infect oral and genital sites simultaneously. On the other hand, the standardized incidence ratio of OSCC is higher in cervical cancer patients than in other populations. Furthermore, women with OSCC have a significantly increased risk of developing HPV-related genital cancers. Administration of the HPV vaccine to both genders will undoubtedly dramatically change the epidemiology of HPV-related cancers. AIM: This work provides an overview of the literature and estimates the risk of OSCC in women with anogenital HPV infections. CONCLUSION: The biological relationship between different HPV-infected sites might be complex; however, the increased prevalence of HPV in oral samples of women positive for anogenital HPV indicates that such infections are unlikely to be independent of one another. Sexual activity likely affects the risk of concurrent anogenital and oral coinfections. However, it is also possible that one infection site provides a reservoir that can increase the risk of autoinoculation at anatomically distant locations or that coinfections develop as a result of other factors, such as immunodeficiency. Nevertheless, women with HPV-associated malignancy undoubtedly have a higher risk of developing OSCC.Key words: human papillomavirus - HPV - genital HPV infection - oral HPV infection - oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma - standardized incidence ratio - head and neck cancer This article was supported by by the project UNCE 204065 of Charles University. The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.Submitted: 26. 8. 2017Accepted: 4. 1. 2018.

[The importance of HPV vaccination in men]. / Význam HPV vakcinace muzu.

The important goal of immunization programs in many countries is the reduction of the incidence of cervical cancer using either the quadrivalent (Silgard/Gardasil) or the bivalent (Cervarix) HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine. Nevertheless, HPV infection is associated with the development of cancers of anus, vagina, vulva and penis, and cancers of the head and neck and genital warts, too. Large trials for both vaccines find efficacy against HPV-related infection and different HPV associated diseases.Infection with HPV and diseases caused by HPV are common in boys and men, too. Approximately 5.2 % of all cancers are HPV associated and the burden of HPV associated disease in men is now comparable to that in women in economically developed countries. Randomized control trials demonstrate robust antibody responses and high efficacy also in men. Several countries recommend gender-neutral vaccination.Detailed cost effective modeling has preceded these decisions showing that when the burden of disease in men is included in the models then, depending upon vaccine price, coverage of a vaccinated population, and other factors male vaccination can become cost effective. Vaccine price had a decisive impact on results. However, increasing coverage in girls is substantially more effective and cost-effective than expanding vaccination coverage to boys and should be considered a priority. Since 2012, vaccination of girls at the age of 13-14 years has been covered from the health insurance in the Czech Republic.

[The current staging for uterine body malignancies and its importance for clinical practice]. / Soucasný staging zhoubných nádoru delozního tela a jeho význam pro klinickou praxi.

Reliable staging system should facilitate prognosis assessment, decision on treatments, and evaluation of their outcomes. A good staging system must meet three basic characteristics: validity, reliability, and practicality. The purpose of such system is to offer classification of the extent and progress of gynaecological cancer that will allow the comparison of different treatment methods and the choice of optimal treatment for individual patients. The previously developed staging of gynaecological cancers has become outdated because it has not considered results of current medical research that allow refinement of prognostic subgroupings. Changes based on new findings were proposed for staging of uterine malignancies by the FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) Committee on Gynecologic Oncology and approved by the FIGO Executive Board in 2008, and were published in 2009. Stage 0 was deleted, since it did not represent any stage of invasive tumor. Four fundamental changes were made in the staging system of endometrium carcinoma. The revised staging system for endometrium carcinoma divides patients to groups with similar prognosis; carcinosarcoma is staged identically. The novel system will facilitate exchange of relevant information between diverse oncological centers and thereby promote knowledge dissemination and stimulate research around the globe. A different staging system was proposed for adenosarcomas, leiomyosarcomas and endometrial stromal sarcomas. It is based on features used for the sarcomas of other soft tissues. The purpose of the text is to review current knowledge in this area.

[Significance of human papillomavirus infections]. / Význam infekcí zpusobených lidskými papilomaviry.

Human papillomavirus is one of the most frequent sexually transmitted diseases; more than three quarters of sexually active population are infected during their lifetime. Most of papillomavirus infections clear spontaneously, however persistent high-risk human papillomavirus 16 and 18 are responsible for over 70% of all cases of cervical cancer and related to a major part of cancers in the vulva, vagina, penis, anal region, and oropharynx. It is estimated that approximately 5.2% of all cancers are associated with oncogenic human papillomavirus infection.

BRCA mutation carriers suffering from ovarian cancer as a model for treatment decision in higher lines - Place for platinum reinduction.

Context: Ovarian carcinoma is a malignancy with the highest mortality among gynecological cancers. Mutations in BRCA1/2 genes are believed to be a favorable prognostic factor and that, in general, the biological behavior of ovarian cancer in BRCA-positive individuals differs from others. However, some clinically relevant issues (i.e., prediction of response to chemotherapy and treatment of platinum-resistant BRCA-positive patients) remain unclear. Aims: (1) The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of germline BRCA mutations in unselected recurrent ovarian cancer patient population, (2) analyze whether biological behavior of BRCA-positive tumors differs from others, and (3) analyze the effect of platinum reinduction in platinum-resistant BRCA-positive patients. Settings and Design: This was a single-institution retrospective analysis. Subjects and Methods: Consecutive recurrent ovarian cancer patients from years 2012 to 2020 were included; their BRCA1/2 mutational status was analyzed and correlated with progression-free survival (PFS), type of treatment, and response to treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical significance of differences between and among patients was tested for continuous variables by the Mann-Whitney U-test or the Kruskal-Wallis test; a maximum likelihood Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. Results: Two hundred and forty-three recurrent ovarian cancer patients were included. The median follow-up was 37 months. Pathogenic mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene was found in 18.1% of patients. There was no difference in PFS comparing BRCA-positive to BRCA-negative patients (median PFS: 10.2 vs. 10.1 months, P = 0.874); there was a difference in PFS comparing BRCA-negative versus BRCA-positive platinum-sensitive patients (9.4 vs. 14.3 months, P = 0.002). BRCA-positive platinum-resistant patients reinduced with platinum achieved a median PFS of 8 months (compared to those receiving nonplatinum treatment, median PFS: 4 months, P = 0.062). Conclusions: Germline BRCA mutations are not exclusive to platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients; even in platinum-resistant patients, mutation can be detected. We found no difference in PFS for platinum-sensitive BRCA-positive and BRCA-negative patients. Platinum reinduction may be considered for BRCA-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients to prolong PFS. Even these data describe only a small population, it supports the clinical practice of platinum-based chemotherapy use in platinum-resistant BRCA-positive patients.

Risk Factors for the Anal and Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections among Women with Severe Cervical Lesions: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

The carcinogenicity of HPV infection in the anogenital and oropharyngeal regions is broadly accepted. The aim of the study was to define risk factors for anal and oral HPV infections in high-risk patients with biopsy-proven severe cervical lesions (CIN2+). Altogether immunocompetent 473 females with CIN2+ were categorized into the study group and another 245 women into the control group. The strongest risk factor for anal HPV infection was the presence of cervical HPV infection (p < 0.001). Furthermore, ten or more lifetime sexual partners (p = 0.013), a sexual non-coital contact with the anal area (p < 0.001), and actively practicing anal-penetrative intercourse (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with anal HPV. A history of genital warts in the woman (p = 0.010) and the presence of genital warts in the male partner (p = 0.029) were found statistically significant for the risk of oral HPV infection. Our data suggest that the presence of HPV infection, especially high-risk genotypes, in one anatomical site poses the greatest risk for HPV infection in another anatomical site. The cervix is the main reservoir of infection, but the risk factors for anal and oral HPV infections are dissimilar according to different anatomical distances and more complex routes of transmission.

Comparison of complications in very obese women undergoing hysterectomy - Abdominal vs laparoscopic approach with short- and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of obese female patients represents a real challenge. Over the last decade, minimally invasive techniques for hysterectomy have emerged. These approaches reduce the invasiveness of standard surgical procedures while maintaining efficacy and feasibility. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rates of perioperative, early, mid-term and late postoperative complications in very obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 and < 40 kg/m2] and severely obese (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) women who underwent total (non-radical) hysterectomy. DESIGN: A prospective comparative multi-centre non-randomized study. METHODS: In total, 328 consecutive total (non-radical) hysterectomies were performed at seven teaching gynaecological centres. Of these, 153 (46.6%) were performed using an open laparotomy (LT) approach and 175 (53.4%) were performed laparoscopically (LS). All data were collected by medical specialists at the pre-operative examination prior to surgery, during surgery and three times postoperatively (during hospital stay, at 6-week follow-up and 6 months following surgery). Another analysis considered a total of 206 women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy. The subjects were divided according to BMI into 120 very obese women (BMI ≥ 35 and < 40 kg/m2) and 86 severely obese women (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). RESULTS: The total number of composite perioperative complications was significantly lower in the LS group (p = 0.006). Composite complications occurred significantly more often in patients in the LT group compared with the LS group in the early (p < 0.001) and mid-term (p < 0.001) postoperative periods. In the late postoperative period, the total number of composite postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the groups (p < 0.396). Among 206 patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, the number of complications was generally low; the rates of composite perioperative (p = 0.393), early (p = 0.642), mid-term (p = 0.738) and late (p = 1) postoperative complications were generally low; and frequency did not differ significantly with BMI. CONCLUSION: The LS approach does not increase intra-operative morbidity associated with surgery, and has significantly better outcomes in terms of the postoperative complication rate.