A rare case of rectovaginal squamous cell carcinoma in a postmenopausal woman.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectovaginal septum is rare, with only a few previous cases being reported. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectovaginal septum, which was discovered after 2 months of postmenopausal bleeding. Her imaging, surgical course, pathology and treatment course are presented here. To our knowledge, this is only the third such reported case in the literature and management underscores the need for multidisciplinary involvement.

Effective timing of hyaluronate gel injection in image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer: a proposal of the 'adjusted dose score'.

Hyaluronate gel injection (HGI) in the rectovaginal septum and vesicovaginal septum is effective in the setting of high-dose-rate image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for cervical cancer. We aimed to retrospectively investigate optimal conditions for HGI to achieve optimal dose distribution with a minimum number of HGI. We classified 50 IGABT plans of 13 patients with cervical cancer who received IGABT both with and without HGI in the rectovaginal septum and vesicovaginal septum into the following two groups: plan with (number of plans = 32) and plan without (number of plans = 18) HGI. The irradiation dose parameters of high-risk clinical target volume (CTVHR) and organs at risk per fraction were compared between these groups. We also developed the adjusted dose score (ADS), reflecting the overall irradiation dose status for four organs at risk and CTVHR in one IGABT plan and investigated its utility in determining the application of HGI. HGI reduced the maximum dose to the most exposed 2.0 cm3 (D2.0 cm3) of the bladder while increasing the minimum dose covering 90% of CTVHR and the percentage of CTVHR receiving 100% of the prescription dose in one IGABT plan without causing any associated complications. An ADS of ≥2.60 was the optimum cut-off value to decide whether to perform HGI. In conclusion, HGI is a useful procedure for improving target dose distribution while reducing D2.0 cm3 in the bladder in a single IGABT plan. The ADS can serve as a useful indicator for the implementation of HGI.

Técnica laparoscópica reversa en el manejo quirúrgico de la endometriosis profunda del tabique rectovaginal: experiencia preliminar / Reverse laparoscopic technique in the surgical management of deep endometriosis of the rectovaginal septum: preliminary experience

ANTECEDENTES: El tratamiento quirúrgico de la endometriosis profunda es un procedimiento complejo, asociado a un alto riesgo de complicaciones. Recientemente, el uso de la técnica laparoscópica reversa aparece como una variante técnica interesante con el fin de disminuir las complicaciones. OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra experiencia preliminar y demostrar la factibilidad de la técnica laparoscópica reversa en el tratamiento de la endometriosis profunda del tabique rectovaginal. MÉTODO: Reporte de 5 casos a partir de base de datos prospectiva. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio de las pacientes fue 34,2 años (rango: 32-37 años). Todas las pacientes presentaban dismenorrea y dispareunia profunda de larga evolución y en 3 de ellas existía el antecedente de cirugías previas por endometriosis. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue 313 minutos (rango: 180-450 minutos). Todas las cirugías se completaron por laparoscopía y no se registraron complicaciones. La anatomía patológica confirmó endometriosis en todos los casos. El seguimiento promedio fue de 4 meses (rango: 2-8 meses). CONCLUSIÓN: La técnica laparoscópica reversa es una alternativa factible en el manejo quirúrgico de la endometriosis profunda, sin embargo es una técnica compleja y debe ser realizada por equipos experimentados en cirugía laparoscópica.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is complex and it is associated with a high risk of complications. Recently, the so-called reverse technique seems to be associated with lower a complication rate when compared to standard technique. AIMS: To report our preliminary experience and the feasibility of reverse technique in the management of DIE. METHOD: Report of 5 cases from a prospective database. RESULTS: Mean age was 34.2 years (range: 32-37 years). All patients had chronic pelvic pain and severe dyspareunia and 3 women had previous surgeries for endometriosis. Mean operative time was 313 minutes (range: 180-450 minutes). All surgeries were completed by laparoscopy and no complications were noted. Histological analysis confirmed endometriosis in all cases. Mean follow-up was 4 months (range: 2-8 month). CONCLUSION: Reverse laparoscopic technique is feasible and reproductible, however, it should be reserved to teams experienced in advanced laparoscopic surgery.

Surgical treatment of traumatic cloaca / Tratamento cirúrgico da cloaca pós-trauma

PURPOSE: To assess the functional results of surgical treatment of traumatic cloaca by a technique including reconstructive plastic surgery of the perineal body and of the rectovaginal septum using the puborectal and external sphincter muscles. METHODS: Six female patients were submitted to surgical treatment for correction of the cloaca over a period of 5 years (2002 to 2007). Loop sigmoidostomy was parformed in two patients. The mean duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was 97.5 months (4 months to 36 years), mean patient age was 36 years (17 to 58 years) and the follow-up period was 14.6 months (6 months to 2 years). RESULTS: Five patients (83.3 percent) regained fecal and flatus continence and one patient had flatus incontinence. DISCUSSION: Surgical treatment yields good results, is safe and involves low rates of complications.

INTRODUÇÃO: A causa mais comum da cloaca é o trauma obstétrico. O objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico empregando-se plástica reconstrutiva do corpo perineal e do septo reto vaginal. MÉTODOS: Foram operadas seis mulheres, num período de 5 anos (2002-2007). Sigmoidostomia em alça foi realizada em duas pacientes. O tempo médio de duração dos sintomas no pré-operatório foi de 97,5 meses (4 meses a 36 anos), a faixa etária média foi de 36 anos (17-58) e o período de seguimento foi de 14,6 meses (6 meses - 2 anos). RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes (83,3 por cento) recuperaram a continência anal para fezes e flatos e uma paciente permaneceu com incontinência para gases. DISCUSSÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico da cloaca pós-trauma apresentou bons resultados, sendo considerado um procedimento seguro, com baixo índice de complicação.