Repetitive suicide attempts by poisoning in Vojvodina, Serbia - Psychotropic drugs as main causes.

OBJECTIVE: Repetitive acute self-poisoning takes great part of all admissions at the Emergency Department including self-harm as one of the main reasons. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of the patients treated for repetitive self-poisoning with suicidal intent (RSP-SI) in Vojvodina (Serbia), in order to propose preventative strategy and better management of the issue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included data regarding patients treated for RSP-SI during a 5-year period in Vojvodina, Serbia. RESULTS: Repetitive self-poisoning was determined in 485 patients, of whom 35.05% reported suicidal intention. Mean number of RSP-SI per patient was 3.61±3.08. The mean period between two RSP-SI in group of females and males was 9.69±13.60 and 6.95±11.02 months, respectively. Almost two thirds (65.29%) of them were unemployed. Most of the patients had mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (ICD F10-19; 51.18%) and anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatoform and other nonpsychotic mental disorders (ICD F40-48; 33.53%). The sole etiological agent was identified in 39.15% attempts. In 58.08% of the attempts more than one substance was detected (2.50±0.73 per attempt). The co-ingestion of alcohol and benzodiazepines was the most common combination (19.41%). Psychiatry intervention was needed in 70.31% of the patients. Five of all patients with RSP-SI (2.94%) committed suicide. CONCLUSIONS: The recognition and the treatment of mental disorders as well as the control of psychiatric medications prescribing could represent one of the most important preventive strategies for repetitive suicidal behavior.

Surgical treatment of ovarian cancer and early detection of venous thromboembolism.

INTRODUCTION: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is present in 10.6% patients after operative treatment for ovarian malignancy. We undertook the present study to find the risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) after surgical treatment for ovarian cancer and to clarify the prognostic value of D-dimer and a positive PTP test (Wells score) in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 31 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed ovarian cancer after surgery, clinically suspicious for DVT were followed from January 2006 to December 2008. All patients were operatively treated at the Clinical Center of Serbia. Study variables included age, cardiovascular disease, FIGO stage, histology, BMI, presence of massive ascites and tumor size, D-dimer level and Wells score. All patients were postoperatively administered anticoagulant therapy. RESULTS: DVT was found in nine of 31 patients (29.0%). High BMI and presence of massive ascites were significantly associated with DVT. D-dimer (DD) levels were high in 27 of out 31 patients (87.1%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 100, 18.2, 33.3 and 100%. Results of the PTP test (according to Wells score) was positive in 20 out of 31 patients (64.5%). PTP score was not significantly different in patients with or without VTE (p = 0.606). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 66.7, 36.4, 30.0 and 72.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Incidence of VTE after gynecological operations for ovarian cancer in our study was similar to other investigators. Obesity and the massive ascites are statistically significant risk factors. Measurement of DD level and ultrasonography could become the standard in predicting VTE in ovarian cancer surgery. The use of Wells score is not satisfying in these patients. Prediction of VTE after gynecological surgery needs further confirmation in randomized controlled trials.

Intestinal surgery in treatment of advanced ovarian cancer--review of our experience.

INTRODUCTION: In cases of advanced ovarian cancer bowel surgery is necessary during the primary surgical procedure, in the course of the disease for recurrence or palliation of the symptoms. Treatment with maximal cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy in women with advanced ovarian cancer is well established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectivly evaluated 56 women who were surgically treated for ovarian cancer over five years (from 2004 to 2008) at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia. In 56 patients, 82 intestine operations were performed, which means that in some patients more than one intestine operation was performed. We analyzed patient characteristics, tumor features, intraoperative findings, pelvic node involvement, surgical procedure performed, indications for bowel surgery, and early postoperative complications. RESULTS: In our study the majority of patients had Stage III (82%) or IV (10%) carcinoma with poor differentiation. Epithelial ovarian cancer was the most common histopathological finding (78%) in our group of patients. There were 30 cases (53%) with serous, nine (16%) with mucinous and five (9%) with endometriod tumors. Bowel surgery was indicated in 12.2% of our patients with ovarian cancer which was mostly performed to reduce the volume of the tumor (68%), while it was indicated in recurrence of the disease in 18% of women. In addition to the standard surgery procedure, which includes removal of internal genital organs, omentum minus/majus, peritoneal tumor masses, large and small bowel resection were performed. Of 56 patients most underwent small bowel surgery--43 of a total of 82 intestinal operations (52.4%). Of these we performed small bowel resection in 34 (41.5% of all intestinal operations), while ileostomy and jejunostomy were performed in nine cases (11%). There were 39 colon operations (47.6%) and most of the cases underwent rectosygmoid resection with the Hartman procedure (33 or 40.2% of all intestinal operations). Other colon operations included hemicolectomy (3 cases--3.7%), transverse colon resection (2 cases--2.4%) and pancolectomy (1 case--1.2%). According to our experience, wound infection and febrile morbidity were the most common early postoperative complications. Mortality rates in the literature vary between 0% and 8%, and anastomotic complications between 0 and 4%, which is in agreement with our results. CONCLUSION: Radical surgical procedures in treatment of ovarian cancer including multi-organ resection are necesery to achieve a minimal residual disease state prior to initiating adjuvant chemotherapy. Bowel preparation and CT/MR imaging should be performed in patients with possible malignant ovarian masses.

Vulvar neoplasm and reconstruction of a lesion with a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap: case report.

A 41-year-old nulliparous woman was admitted to the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics in 2007 with a painless tumor mass invading the whole vulvoperineal and gluteal region. Pathohistological biopsy revealed FIGO Stage II squamocellular invasive carcinoma, but clinically it was Stage IVa verucal vulvar carcinoma because of malignant infiltration to the distal part of the vagina and bilateral gluteal region. The patient underwent radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy and partial vaginectomy. Reconstruction was performed after three weeks using a distally based vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (VRAM). A new entrance of the vagina was created. The patient was further treated with radiation therapy.

Radical abdominal trachelectomy in managing early cervical invasion.

The purpose of the study was to determine if radical abdominal trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy could be a method for treatment of early cervical cancer to preserve fertility. We examined 12 patients who were surgically treated from 2002 to 2006. The diagnostic method to determine cervical cancer was histologic examination by cone or biopsy. The histologic condition was well differented planocellular carcinoma. Two of the patients had Stage Ia1, seven had Ia2, and three had Ib1. We performed radical abdominal trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Resection edges were pathohistologically analyzed extemporaneously, as well as selective lymph nodes. According to the extempore analysis we determined if radical trachelectomy should be done. In one patient resection edges were positive, so she underwent radical hysterectomy. Postoperatively we found a positive lymph node in one patient, so radiation therapy was continued. In the two-year follow-up period we did not find any signs of residual cancer. We concluded that radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy could be an appropriate method for treatment of early-stage cervical cancer.

Renal cell carcinoma in pregnancy: a case report.

Renal cell carcinoma is seen most frequently after childbearing years, but occasionally is diagnosed in pregnancy. The pregnancy demands special considerations in terms of the diagnostic evaluation and management. A case of a patient with renal cell carcinoma diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy, which suddenly enlarged at the end of the second trimester, is presented. She underwent radical nephrectomy after delivery. Since the mother's welfare is the primary concern, surgical management should not be delayed.

Radicality of surgical treatment for cervical cancer.

Analyses were carried out on 545 Wertheim-Meigs radical hysterectomies performed at the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Clinical Center of Serbia during a four-year period from 2002 to 2006. More than ten lymphatic glands in 84.4% of patients were removed. The apical part of the vagina was removed in 77.8% of cases, and 77.6% of patients had the right part of the vagina removed. Distribution of surgical radicality according to FIGO stage of disease has been demonstrated. Comparison of research results in the period from 1996 to 2000 shows a significantly more radical approach concerning the number of lymphatic glands removed during this period.

[The role of myomectomy in female infertility].

The aim was to examine which is the role of myoma in women infertility. We analyzed 100 patients with infertility that underwent classic abdominal myomesctomy from 2000. to 2003. year. Frequency of conception was 46%. Most patients were over 30-years-old. Conception happened in 80% patients aged 30-39 years. In 69,6% patients with secundar infertility happened conception. Pregnancies occured more often in infertility shorter than 36 months, in front wall myoma and in intramural-subserose or subserose type. In 11 patients with intramural-submucose myomas, uteral cave was opened and only two of them got pregnant. Recidives of myoma happened in 18%, and postoperative adhesions in 29% of pacients. Age, duration of pre-operative infertility and characteristics of myoma did not have statistically significant influence on the conception. Miomectomy is the important method in treatment of infertility, especially if the other possible causes were excluded.

[Radical treachelectomy in treatment of early stages of cervical cancer].

The aim of the study was to determine if radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphonodectomy could be a method for treatment of early cervical cancer to preserve fertility. We examined 12 patients who were operatively treated from 1996. to 2006. year. Diagnostic method for cervical cancer was histologic examination, cone or biopsy. Histologic condition was planocelular carcinoma well differented. Two of the patients had Ia1 stage, seven had Ia2, and three of them had Ib1. We performed abdominal radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphonodectomy. Resectional edges were patohistologically analyzed ex tempore, as well as lymphonodi, selectively. According to ex tempore analysis we determined if the radical trachelectomy should be done. In one patient resectional edges were positive, so she underwent radical hysterectomy. Postoperatively we found a positive lymphonodus in one patient, so we continued radiation therapy. In two-year follow-up period we did not find any sign of residual cancer. We concluded that radical trachelectomy with pelvic lymphonodectomy could be appropriate method for treatment of early stage cervical cancer.

Survival rate and prognostic factors for patients who underwent surgical procedures for invasive carcinoma of the vulva in Serbia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine five-year survival rate and prognostic factors for patients who underwent radical surgery for carcinoma of the vulva. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 94 women were operated on from 1989 to 1996 at the Clinical Centre of Serbia. RESULTS: Five-year survival was 78.56% for Stage I, 73.5% for Stage II, for Stage III--14.28%, and for Stage IV--7.14%. Five-year survival rate for tumor size between 2 cm and 5 cm was 57.14%, and for tumors larger than 5 cm, 28.57%. Five-year survival rate was 64.28% if no lymph nodes were involved, 21.43% if there were unilateral metastatic lymph nodes and 14.28% if bilateral lymph nodes had metastatic disease. Histologic grades of the tumor showed that for grade 1, five-year survival was 64.28%, for grade 2, 35.71% and there were no survivors five years after surgery among patients with grade 3 tumor. CONCLUSION: FIGO stage, size of tumor, lymph node involvement and grade of tumor are significant prognostic factors for survival of patients after surgery.

Treatment for infertility and risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer--a case report.

A 30-year-old women was admitted to the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia in April 2004 with the following diagnosis: adnexal mass soon after in vitro fertilization. Her history revealed salpingo-oophorectomy for mucinous cystadenofibroma of the left ovary eight years before and cystectomy of the right ovary three years before. At admission, the most remarkable findings were high temperature and elevated white blood cells with erythrocyte sedimentation rate. After the antibiotic treatment, laparatomy was performed and a multilocular right adnexal tumor was found. The right salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and pathological diagnosis was mucinous ovarian adenocarcinoma. Two weeks later, radical surgery was carried out and chemotherapy was applied. There is an urgent need for clear interpretation of the link between ovarian stimulation and ovarian cancer. An association between ovarian stimulation treatment and ovarian cancer has still not been completely proven.

Paget's disease of the vulva--a review of our experience.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to review our experience with Paget's disease of the vulvar relative to initial examination, treatment and oncological outcome. METHODS: Ten women with extramammary Paget's diseases of the vulva were treated during the 10-year period. The charts of these patients were reviewed and data were collected regarding patient demographics, symptoms, previous Paget's disease, surgical treatments and time to recurrence. RESULTS: Eight women (80%) were treated with wide local excision or partial vulvectomy, and two patients (20%) required radical resection for invasive adenocarcinoma. The group of women who had invasive diseases also underwent inquinofemoral lymphadenectomy and no lymphatic metastases were noted. Three women (30%) experienced recurrence. The mean time to relapse was 30 months (range 3-88 months). CONCLUSION: Recurrence is very common and long-term monitoring is recommended with careful examination of any abnormal vulvar lesion.

New approach of the treatment of von Willebrand's disease during pregnancy.

AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of the application of DDAVP (desmopressin) and Hemate P with cryoprecipitate pre- and postpartum in patients with von Willebrand disease. METHODS: We monitored 32 patients with von Willebrand disease during the study period 1993-2003. DDAVP was applied in the 36th/37th week of gestation and cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma were applied 1 day before and 3 days after delivery. DDAVP treatment continued for 4 weeks. Factor VIII (Hemate P) at the day of delivery RESULTS: No complications occurred in the studied population. CONCLUSION: Precipitation of DDAVP, Hemate P, and cryoprecipitate may help in the treatment of pregnant women with von Willebrand disease.

The significance of C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of fetal tachycardia and therapy of chorioamnionitis.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Pregnant woman with fetal tachycardia have a risk of chorioamnionitis as cause of tachycardia. Different studies have supported or refuted the use of C-reactive protein (CRP) to diagnose chorioamnionitis. The goal of this study was to evaluate serial serum CRP levels for diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. METHODS: The study included 60 woman with chorioamnionitis confirmed after measuring the levels of CRP. Patients were monitored by CRP determination, white blood cell (WBC) count, maternal temperature, maternal and fetal heart rate. RESULTS: Elevated CRP level was present in 93.33% of cases. Fetal tachycardia was present in 91,67 cases, all associated with elevated CRP level. Increased WBC count was present in 63.33%. A statistically significant difference was found in the level of CRP in pregnant women with increased WBC count compared with those without (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Elevated C-reactive protein levels were more sensitive than other standard laboratory or clinical tests in predicting chorioamnionitis. Also, recent reports indicate that serial CRP levels during this interval may be useful for monitoring antibiotic treatment.

Epidural anesthesia from an obstetrics point of view.

With the acceptance of new ideas in medicine and modernization of life styles, it is necessary to conduct delivery as a beautiful act of giving life with the least amount of pain possible using epidural anesthesia. Thus, not only is the physical aspect of delivery improved but also benefits from anesthesia are seen in obstetrics. To conduct epidural anesthesia successfully during delivery, certain conditions are necessary regarding the fetus and mother. Such conditions include an adequate Bishop score, fetal head presentation, the presence of amnion, adequate term of delivery and Doppler flows that do not compromise vaginal delivery. Primiparas in term pregnancies without pathological conditions related to mother or fetus were examined. The duration of delivery was observed in a group of primiparas that did not receive epidural anesthesia (group A) and a group of primiparas that received epidural anesthesia (group B). The study lasted one year.

The significance of Doppler flow in early detection of uterine sarcoma in older primigravida pregnancies.

During a four-year period we analyzed the significance, sensitivity and sensibility of myoma Doppler flow during pregnancy in relation to the course and outcome of the pregnancy and to later histopathological findings. By following 36 older primigravidas with determined myomas, we observed the course of the pregnancies in all trimesters and analyzed myoma Doppler flow. In conditions where the resistance index showed the possibility of uterine sarcoma, the pregnancy was ended by surgery; not only was myomectomy performed but also complete uterine hysterectomy with the previous consent of the patient. Doppler flow was accepted as the authoritative parameter for non-invasive detection of a malignant process. Considering the obstetrical findings, other patients were delivered vaginally or operatively, but after puerperium they were subjected to control examinations and myomectomy because Doppler flow findings did not show any indications of sarcoma. By histopathological analysis, we received benign results in 31 cases, while in four cases where we decided on hysterectomy and surgical delivery, we received malignant results, i.e. leiomyosarcoma. In four cases of performed hysterectomy immediately after cesarean section, the resistance index (RI) of revascularization within the myoma was in the range between RI 0.30 +/- 0.02. Flows within the uterine artery were 0.54 +/- 0.03.

The significance of Doppler flow and anamnesis in the diagnosis of fallopian tube cancer.

By following Doppler flow of the small pelvis with laboratory parameters and anamnesis data, we obtained more precise diagnostic possibilities for timely discovering of malignant processes in adnexal region and fallopian tube. By following patients who had come for routine check ups, prompted by a positive family history for malignant processes, resistant indexes of blood vessels in the adnexal region and vascularisation pattern were determined. Out of 78 women observed in the postmenopausal period with diagnosed adnexal masses, we found two cases of fallopian tube cancer. Resistance indexes ranged between 0.20 and 0.30 during a one-month period. Hystopathological analysis pointed to fallopian tube cancer. Besides Doppler flow, only patient history of amber extract use was significant. By CA 125 marker analysis, we found an increased value but not signifiant enough. Both patients had a positive family history according to the female hereditary line.

Pancreatic tumor in a pregnant woman: a rare case report.

We have analyzed a case of pancreatic carcinoma in a pregnant woman, 37 years old, in the second trimester of the pregnancy. She had a positive family history of digestive tract carcinoma. The delivery ended surgically and hysterectomy was performed at the same time.

Acceleration of fetal maturation by oxytocin-produced uterine contraction in pregnancies complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of the permanent sequelae of fetal hyperinsulinemia, namely hypertension and obesity, in infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has remained unresolved. Efforts to reduce fetal macrosomia by attempting to maintain blood sugar within a certain range have certainly failed. We have tried to eliminate fetal macrosomia by accelerating fetal maturation and delivery before the 36th week. METHODS: Acceleration of fetal maturation was achieved by endogenous release of thyrotropin-releasing hormone brought about by periodic fluctuations in fetal oxygenation resulting from oxytocin-produced uterine contractions. Fifteen patients with GDM at 33-35 weeks, six of whom had previously given birth to a macrosomic fetus, agreed to participate in the study. Oxytocin was given for 6 h per day to produce regular contractions. In 13 patients it was given for 5 days, and in two patients for 7 days to reach a lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio indicative of fetal maturity. RESULTS: Eleven patients delivered vaginally after induction of labor and four delivered by Cesarean section. The mean Apgar score at 5 min was 9.13, and the mean birth weight was 2917 g (range 2100-3400 g). No newborn had respiratory difficulties, although four had short episodes of tachypnea. All were cared for in the regular nursery and all were discharged home with their mothers. CONCLUSION: Acceleration of fetal maturation, and delivery between 34 and 36 weeks, appears to be a promising means to reduce or even eliminate the permanent sequelae of fetal hyperinsulinemia in pregnancies complicated by GDM.

Indication of myomectomy during pregnancy from Doppler ultrasonography.

Myomas during pregnancy must be evaluated carefully, especially in relation to possible premature delivery or spontaneous miscarriage. We wanted to find out whether the addition of Doppler assessment could help in the management of these cases. We found that from all cases of myomas during pregnancy, the most common association with impairment of the fetoplacental unit flow was found in the cases with submucous myomas and the subgroup of those with intramural myomes which show etc. growth during pregnancy. However myomectomy is generally not considered to be indicated to prevent pregnancy complications except for women with a history of myoma-related complications. In pregnancies with myomas, preserving the pregnancy is one goal but different risk factors have to be taken into account at the same time.