[Multicenter study on lumbar puncture indication, clinical practice and feasibility]. / Indications, réalisation et faisabilité de la ponction lombaire dans 18 centres mémoires de ressources et de recherche.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers have been extensively studied as diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, results are variable probably due to lumbar puncture (LP) procedure, CSF collection and transport. This intercenter variability highlights the need for an efficient standardization of clinical and technical procedures. The aims of this study were firstly to compare the LP procedure and CSF transport process in all French Memory Centers and secondly to evaluate the incidence of LP side effects in 100 patients with cognitive disturbances. METHODS: LP practice and side effect prospective questionnaires were sent to all French Memory Centers in May 2010. Memory Centers were asked about their LP procedure. The prospective study over a three-week-period has evaluated the LP feasibility and side effects. All data were collected until the end of July 2010. RESULTS: The answers of 18 out of 26 Memory Centers were collected. Although, these centers did not have the same LP procedure and CSF transport, the majority of them proceeded according to Innogenetics's advices concerning the use of polypropylene tubes and transport duration but not sample conditioning. Polypropylene tubes were different from one center to the other. CSF volume, pharmacological premedication and prevention of post-LP syndrome were variable in all responding centers. The prospective study carried out in 100 patients revealed a very good LP acceptability (93/100 patients). LP feasibility was 97 % (90/93) and failed LP were consequently performed with success using radiological scopes. Three minor complications were observed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: All French Centers complied with Innogenetics' recommendations for pretechnical CSF procedures; however each Center put in place its own procedure that was different one center to the other. It will be very interesting to compare cut-off and result values for Aß, tau and phosphorylated tau protein on threonine 181 between several centers that used their own procedures. Acceptability and safety were very good in our short but significant prospective study. These results confirm the data of Zetterberg et al., 2010.

[Bowel injuries after port insertion in laparoscopy. Gynerisq's database analysis]. / Plaies digestives à l'insertion des trocarts en cœlioscopie. Analyse de la base de données de retour d'expérience de Gynerisq.

INTRODUCTION: Port insertion is a high-risk period during laparoscopy. The French Gynecologist and Obstetricians College (CNGOF) published recommendations in 2010 to minimize those risks. The aim of our analysis was to establish the accidents' circumstances and consequences and to determine if those incidents could have been depending on whether recommendations had been respected or not. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gynerisq is an approved organism by the Haute Autorité de santé (HAS). Its mission is to evaluate and improve practices by a risk management centered approach. We analysed incidents reported by Gynerisq's adherents in an experience report database. RESULTS: Above 114 incidents analysed in the Gynerisq's database, we reported 31 bowel injuries. Those injuries occurred for 77.4% (24/31) during planned interventions. For 32.3% of the cases (10/31), interventions were judged complex by the surgeons. A total of 54.8% (17/31) of the patients had a history of laparotomy. Above 27 injuries occurred during Veress needle or open laparoscopy, 17 could have been avoided regarding to the surgeon. The causes reported were in 10 cases that the recommendations had not been respected, in 2 cases another cause and in 5 cases no causes were given to explain the incident. CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows that bowel injuries after port insertion, in open laparoscopy or Veress needle use, do not seem to occur only in an emergency context or during complicated interventions. However, most of the incidents occurred for patients with risk factors.

Evolution of blood pressure in patients with Alzheimer's disease: a one year survey of a French Cohort (REAL.FR).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the evolution of blood pressure in patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease among a one year longitudinal survey and to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure and cognitive functions. METHODS: In 327 subjects selected from the French research program on Alzheimer's disease (REAL.FR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured at the time of inclusion (M0), after 6 months (M6) and after 12 months (M12). All subjects were assessed to determine both cognitive functions and capabilities in the activities of daily living using validated cognitive scales [Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale--Cognitive part (ADAS-Cog), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR)], at M0, M6, M12. RESULTS: In this population of patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease, mean age was 78 +/- 7 years and 242 subjects were females (74%). After adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and antihypertensive therapy, a significant decrease of blood pressure was observed between M0 and M12, for SBP (139.1 +/- 18 to 136.5 +/- 17 mmHg, p < 0.05) and DBP, (77.6 +/- 12 to 75.8 +/- 10 mmHg , p < 0.05). Demented subjects with the worst cognitive impairment at baseline (tertile1 MMSE, tertile 3 ADAS-Cog, ADL scores between 0 and 4, CDR scores between 10 to 18) showed a larger decrease in SBP and DBP after 12 months. The worst impairment in dementia at baseline was associated with the highest SBP decrease between M0 and M12 (delta SBP tertile 1 MMSE vs tertile 3 MMSE = -5.9 vs + 1.0 mmHg , p < 0.05; Delta SBP tertile 3 ADAS-Cog vs tertile 1 ADAS-Cog = - 5.98 vs + 2.98 mmHg, p < 0.05, Delta SBP ADL 0-4 vs ADL -6 = - 8.7 vs -1.5 mmHg, p < 0.05, delta SBP CDR 10-18 vs CDR 0.5-9.5 = - 6.9 vs -1.7 mmHg, p < 0.05). All these results persisted after adjustment for age, gender and the antihypertensive therapy. Baseline SBP [OR 95% CI = 1.05 (1.02-1.08), BMI [OR 95% CI = 0.88 (0.81-0.95)], ADL score [OR 95% CI = 0.42 (0.22-0.81)] and ADAS-Cog score [OR 95% CI = 1.07 (1.01-1.14)] were significantly associated with the decrease of blood pressure after one year of follow up, independently of age, gender and antihypertensive therapy. In contrast, patients with larger blood pressure decrease (over 10 mmHg reduction of SBP and/or 5 mmHg of DBP) did not demonstrate a more significant worsening of dementia at 12 months in the different scales used. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a significant decrease in blood pressure in patients with Alzheimer's disease after one year of follow up, independently of age, gender, BMI and antihypertensive therapy. The largest decrease in blood pressure was observed in patients with the most severe impairment in dementia at baseline, suggesting that blood pressure decrease seems to be mainly a secondary phenomenon in Alzheimer's disorders.

[Cognitive functions and hypertension]. / Fonctions cognitives et hypertension artérielle.

The prevention of cognitive disorders and dementia represents a major challenge in the coming years. Hypertension is one of the principal risk factors for cerebrovascular diseases and is also closely correlated with cognitive decline and dementia. Most longitudinal studies have shown that cognitive functioning is often inversely proportional to blood pressure values measured 15 or 20 years previously. The higher blood pressure was, the poorer cognitive function is. Data from recent therapeutic trials (SYST-EUR, PROGRESS) open the way toward the prevention of dementia (vascular or Alzheimer's type) by antihypertensive treatments. In this context, the effect of antihypertensive treatment on cognitive functions should represent one of the primary criteria of assessment in future morbidity and mortality studies in hypertensive patients.

Does vascular endothelial growth factor in the rheumatoid synovium predict joint destruction? A clinical, radiological, and pathological study in 12 patients monitored for 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: Synovial angiogenesis is at the epicenter of rheumatoid pannus development and is largely dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We sought to determine whether the VEGF level in rheumatoid synovial tissue is a marker for disease severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) underwent a clinical and radiological evaluation at the time of a synovial biopsy done during joint surgery required by RA progression (T1) and, on average, 10 years later (T2). Immunohistochemistry was used to detect and quantitate VEGF in the synovial biopsy taken at T1. RESULTS: VEGF labeling was seen on endothelial cells and macrophages in all 12 synovial biopsies. The amount of endothelial-cell VEGF labeling (assessed semi-quantitatively) was significantly correlated with Larsen score progression during the 10-year follow-up. The amounts of endothelial cell or macrophage VEGF labeling was not correlated with the joint count, radiological stage of the biopsied joint or progression of this stage, Larsen scores at T1 or T2, presence of rheumatoid factor, or presence of extra-articular manifestations. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the amount of VEGF in the rheumatoid synovium may be a marker for joint destruction in patients with RA.

[The heart and hyperkalemia]. / Coeur et hyperkaliémie.

Hyperkalaemia is a common and serious clinical condition in medical and surgical intensive care units. It is mainly encountered in patients with overt or latent cardiac and/or renal failure, and often aggravated by dietetic and therapeutic mismanagement. Hyperkalaemia depresses cardiac contractility, automaticity, conductivity and excitability, leading to ECG changes which must be recognized before clinical cardiovascular deterioration occurs if treatment is to be given to reverse an irremediably fatal evolution: ST-T changes and widening of the QRS with axial deviation shortly precede sinoatrial, intraatrial and atrioventricular block, the characteristic appearances of atrial standstill and ventricular and junctional hyperexcitability. The ECG changes faithfully follow the rise in serum potassium with few exceptions, such as associated electrolytic and acid-base disturbances (usually acidosis). Treatment must be administered as soon as a rise in potassium is observed. It may be administered intravenously (hypertonic glucose and insulin, calcium gluconate, furosemide, buffer solution and, above all, sodium bicarbonate or hypertonic saline) or orally (cation exchange resin). Renal dialysis may be required secondarily.

[Treatment of severe chronic cardiac insufficiency with dihydralazine. Short-and median-term results]. / Traitement de l'insuffisance cardiaque chronique sévère par la dihydralazine. Résultants à court et moyen termes.

17 patients with severe chronic heart failure (class III and IV) were prescribed hydralazine, an arterial vasodilatator, orally at doses of 150 mg to 400 mg/day. Considerable clinical improvement was observed in most patients. After 24 to 48 hours the cardiac index rose 79 p. 100, the systolic index by 67 p. 100 and left ventricular work by 73 p. 100, whilst systemic and pulmonary resistances fell by 51 p. 100 and 34 p. 100 respectively. There was no significant change in systemic blood pressure or in heart rate. These results were confirmed at 4 months. Mean pulmonary capillary pressure varied little at the start of treatment but decreased by 52 p. 100 at medium term (4 and 12 months) in this series. No cases of systemic lupus erythematosis were observed. The main, but not the only, indication of therapy with dihydralazine is low output heart failure with little elevation in the pulmonary capillary pressure, especially in primary cardiomyopathy and valvular regurgitation. At present, treatment should be based on the results of cardiac catheterisation and the dosage adjusted according to the rate of hepatic acetylation.

[Chronic idiopathic binodal block. Occurrence, course and pathogenesis]. / Le bloc binodal chronique idiopathique. Fréquence, aspects évolutifs et hypothèses pathogéniques.

The incidence of binodal, sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV), block was determined in a series of 362 patients, 90 of whom had chronic sinoatrial block (group I), 162 suprahisian, infrahisian or diffuse AV block (group II), 38 with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (group III), and 70 with slow atrial fibrillation, 54 of whom were studied in sinus rhythm (group IV). Electrophysiological investigation revealed: overt or latent AV block in 71% of group I, 48% of group III, and 100% of group IV; overt or latent SA block in 40 to 61% of group II, 87% of group III and 78% of group IV; paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in 61% of group I, 25% of group II and 50% of group IV; intra-atrial block in 26% of group I, 20% of group II, 16% of group III and 31% group IV. An ECG syndrome associating binodal block and disturbances or atrial conduction and excitability is suggested. The pathogenesis and anatomical basis are discussed, the prime lesion of which may be fibrosis of the atrial tissues which may ultimately result in partial or total atrial standstill.

[Adult familial idiopathic binodal block]. / Le bloc binodal idiopathique et familial de l'adulte.

Four brothers with a maximum age difference of 20 years, the eldest of whom has been re-examined after a 10 year interval, have sinoatrial block, a supra-hisian atrioventricular block and paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias which have led to partial atrial standstill in the eldest: left anterior hemiblock is also present in the two youngest brothers. The condition is very well tolerated. This family is compared to the other 12 reported cases of familial idiopathic binodal block in the adult, an autosomal dominant condition with variable penetration. The diagnosis is reserved and justifies endocavitary investigation of the sinus node function and atrioventricular conduction in the four brothers and the most exposed members of their family. The mechanism of the condition is unknown. It seems to arise from variable degrees of nonspecific of the nodal and atrial tissues.

[Paroxysmal sinoatrial tachycardia. Apropos of 44 cases]. / Les tachycardies sino-auriculaires paroxystiques. A propos de 44 cas.

44 cases of paroxysmal sinoatrial tachycardia (PAT) due to reentry within the sinus node or between the sinus node and the atrium are reported; these tachycardias are usually quite well tolerated clinically as the rhythm is rarely faster than 140/min and they are often degraded by functional AV block. They can be triggered and terminated by one (or two) atrial stimuli, and reduced by carotid sinus massage but relapse in the short term. They often alternate with a disturbance of atrial excitability in patients who also have binodal disease. Their diagnosis implies endocavitary investigation showing sinusal anterograde atrial activation and atrial and ventricular stimulation to differentiate them from other types of paroxysmal tachycardia, especially those due to reentry involving concealed right sided Kent bundles. Studies of sinus node function by atrial extrastimulus techniques in 38 patients usually showed an isolated and prolonged Zone I followed, without a transitional plateau, by a Zone IV of sinus echos during which the tachycardia could be triggered. This type of tachycardia, without doubt as common as junctional tachycardia, may respond to treatment with Quinidine, Amiodarone, Verapamil, or beta-blockers, associated with permanent pacing in cases of binodal block.

[Retrograde ventriculo-auricular heart conduction in 126 patients with or without supra-ventricular paroxysmal tachydardia, with or without ventricular preexcitation]. / Etude de la conduction rétrograde ventriculo-auriculaire chez 126 patients normaux ou souffrant de tachycardies supra-ventriculaires paroxystiques avec ou sans préexcitation ventriculaire.

Ventriculo-atrial (VA) conduction was studied by ventricular stimulation at increasing rate and atrial mapping in 126 patients either without ventricular preexcitation (WPW) and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (Group I: 60 cases) or with the WPW syndrome with or without SVT (Group II: 30 cases) or with SVT without WPW (Group III: 53 cases) or with short PR intervals (Group IV: 3 cases). In Group I, 22 patients had VA block, 10 had concealed accessory pathways and 28 had nodal VA conduction. In Group II, 2 patients had VA block, 6 had nodal VA conduction and 22 had preferential retrograde conduction through the Kent bundle. In Group III, 9 patients had concealed Kent bundles and 24 had nodal retrograde conduction. In Group IV, the results were varied. The characteristics of retrograde VA conduction are therefore often different from those of anterograde conduction. 52 attacks of SVT were recorded; in the 18 cases of Group II, 5 septal, 3 right lateral, 8 left lateral Kent bundles and 2 intranodal reentries were demonstrated. In the 33 cases of SVT without overt WPW (Group III) a concealed accessory pathway was demonstrated in 9 cases. In all, approximately a half (25 out of 52) of all SVT were due to reentry involving an accessory pathway which was concealed in about one third of cases (9 out of 25) and more often situated on the left border than on the right or in the septum.

[Surgical treatment of congenital aortic valve constriction with associated obstructive cardiomyopathy. Perioperative left intraventricular gradient treated with beta blockers. Apropos of a case]. / Traitement chirurgical d'un rétrécissement aortique valvulaire congénital avec myocardiopathie obstructive associée. Gradient intra-ventriculaire gauche peropératoire traité par bêta-bloquers. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report a case of congenital valvular aortic stenosis associated with echocardiographic and angiographic appearances of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. After valvular replacement and partial myotomy a high intraventricular pressure gradient (125 mmHg) with low intra aortic pressure was recorded. High dose intravenous propranolol (25 mg in 2 hours) reduced this gradient to 50 mmHg allowing cardiopulmonary bypass to be discontinued. This clinical combination is associated with a risk of aggravation of the intra-ventricular obstructive phenomenon when the obstacle to left ventricular ejection is relieved: surgical myotomy was performed in similar, previously published cases. High doses betablocker therapy can be performed in similar, previously published cases. High dose betablocker therapy can be useful in this association and it may also be instituted when right intraventricular pressure gradient increase after relief of pulmonary valvular stenosis.

[Auriculo-ventricular block in the Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Apropos of a case]. / Bloc auriculo-ventriculaire au cours d'un syndrome de Kearns et Sayre. A propos d'une observation.

A 21 year old patient was operated for bilateral ptosis and external ophthalmoplegia at 13 years of age. At this time there were no signs of retinitis pigmentosa or atrioventricular block, features of the Kearns and Sayre Syndrome (1958) which were detected five years later. His bundle recording showed an intrahisian block (1 degree proximal and a complete distal block) with a trifascicular block, the latter persisting alone during a brief return to sinus rhythm. This is one of the rare cases of the Kearns and Sayre Syndrome with documented His bundle recordings and the only reported case with intrahisian block. The patient also suffered from bilateral neural deafness. The patient's condition remains stable after implantation of an isotopic cardiac pacemaker and he now leads a normal life. A review of 52 previously published cases shows that this rare condition appears to be caused by a mitochondrial abnormality, which, for an unknown reason, affects only the neuromuscular and cardiac conduction systems. The prognosis is poor when swallowing and respiration are affected, but this does not occur in all cases. As cardiac conduction abnormalities are the other life-threatening complication, cardiac pacing has greatly improved the prognosis of these patients.

[Rotablator and endoprosthesis on the left main coronary trunk]. / Rotablator et endoprothèse sur tronc commun de la coronaire gauche.

A 78 year old woman with unstable angina due to significant stenosis of the left main coronary artery and occlusion of the right coronary artery was treated medically for 29 months because of a surgical contraindication. Resistance to drug therapy led to referral for complex angioplasty of the left main, left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, successively by rotablator and balloon angioplasty. An immediate elastic recoil on the left main coronary artery led to implantation of a Palma-Schatz stent. There were no complications and the patient is asymptomatic twenty months later.

[Cognitive decline and hypertension]. / Déclin cognitif et hypertension artérielle.

The prevalence and incidence of degenerative and vascular dementia increase exponentially with age. Several studies in recent years have implicated hypertension as a risk factor not only for vascular dementia but also for degenerative dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. This is an important finding because it suggests that the treatment of hypertension could reduce the incidence of dementia. In particular, the results of the Syst-Eur study, showing that a calcium inhibitor, nitrendipine, could reduce not only the incidence of stroke but also that of dementia, should be confirmed.

[Relationship between arterial pressure and cognitive functions. Data for the French Network on Alzheimer's disease (REAL.FR)]. / Relations entre la pression artérielle et les fonctions cognitives. Données du Réseau français sur la maladie d'Alzheimer (REAL.FR).

UNLABELLED: The relationships between arterial hypertension and cognitive decline are complex and studies indicate controversial results. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in a cross sectional study, the relationships between cognitive functions and blood pressure in a population of subjects with Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: In 520 subjects of a survey in a French population with Alzheimer's disease, relationships between the severity of cognitive decline and a history of hypertension or blood pressure level have been searched. Cognitive functioning was assessed with validated neuropsychological tests evaluating cognitive functions and the capacities in the activities of daily living (Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale--Cognitive part (ADAS-Cog), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) of Reisberg). In 456 subjects blood pressure was measured during the consultation. RESULTS: The results indicate that after adjustment on age, sex, education level, and the other cardiovascular risk factors, subjects with a history of hypertension have a more marked cognitive decline than subjects without history of hypertension. Indeed, in subjects with a history of hypertension, the cognitive impairment and its consequences on activities of daily living are more important than in subjects without history of hypertension (ADAS-cog 19.02 +/- 8.48 vs 17.49 +/- 8.53 p = 0.06, MMSE 19.55 +/- 4.41 vs 20.30 +/- 4.42, p = 0.08, score ADL 5.31 +/- 0.86 vs 5.51 +/- 0.87, p = 0.01, CDR 6.94 +/- 3.29 vs 6.19 +/- 3.26 p = 0.03; global CDR 1.18 +/- 0.62 vs 1.05 +/- 0.60, p = 0.03, GDS of Reisberg 4.41 +/- 0.74 vs 4.27 +/- 0.75, p = 0.05). In contrast, no relation between blood pressure measurements and cognitive function is observed, and moreover an inverse correlation between blood pressure and consequences on activities of daily living is found. CONCLUSIONS: This work indicates that relationships between blood pressure and cognitive functions are more complex than a simple linear relation. The present results show that a history of arterial hypertension is associated with a more marked cognitive decline in subjects with Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, when the Alzheimer's disease is already developed no relation between blood pressure and cognitive functions appears and moreover an inverse correlation with the consequences on activities of daily living is found.

[Spontaneous dissection of the distal anterior interventricular artery during intravenous thrombolysis]. / Dissection spontanée de l'artère interventriculaire antérieure distale observée au décours d'une thrombolyse intraveineuse.

A case is reported of spontaneous coronary dissection in a 55-year-old patient with an anterior myocardial infarction treated by intravenous thrombolysis. The angiographic appearance was highly characteristic with successive opacification of the true then the false channel involving the entire distal third of the anterior interventricular artery. The outcome was immediately favourable. Spontaneous dissection of coronary arteries is rare. The etiology is discussed and there is not standard management approach.

[Apical hypertrophic pseudocardiomyopathy: nosological problems]. / Pseudo-cardiomyopathie hypertrophique apicale: problèmes nosologiques.

The classification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies remains a thorny nosological problem. Within this extensive diagnostic group, it is felt that the very special sub-group of "Japanese" apical hypertrophic forms must be subject to the strictest possible criteria in order to avoid improper use. The case reported here of biventricular apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a 60-year-old woman with a family history of HCM, in whom the clinical, ECG and above all angiographic features were typically those of AHCM but where the existence of an intraventricular gradient was found during challenge manoeuvres emphasises this classification problem. Pseudo-AHCM in a context of OCM or pseudo-OCM in a context of AHCM? The discussion is not merely of nosological interest in view of the recently documented clear prognostic differences between these two conditions. Main series from the literature are reviewed.

[Thromboembolic disease in patients aged 80 and over. Diagnostic and therapeutic strategies]. / La maladie thromboembolique chez la personne âgée de 80 ans et plus. Stratégies diagnostiques et thérpeutiques.

The aim of this retrospective study of 50 deep vein thromboses (DVT) of the lower limbs in patients aged 80 and over (35 women, including 2 with bilateral DVT and 13 men), mean age 83.37 +/- 2.72, hospitalised in a department of cardiology, was to assess the diagnostic value of ultrasound investigations, clinical parameters and results of treatment of thrombo-embolic disease in this age group. High DVT were found in 76 per cent of cases and pulmonary embolism occurred in 52.1 per cent of cases, its incidence increasing with age. One third of DVT were asymptomatic and presented as pulmonary embolism, the predominant clinical feature being edema in the absence of other signs. The existence of atrial fibrillation was associated in 90 per cent of cases with a pulmonary embolism. Venous Echo-Doppler is also the key investigation in the diagnosis of thrombo-embolic disease. Cardiac Echo-Doppler seems particularly useful in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism when more than 40 per cent of the vascular bed is cut off. Thrombolytic treatment remains possible after the age of 80 in life-threatening situations. Overall hospital mortality remains high (10.4 per cent) and appears to be due chiefly to the onset of a pulmonary embolism which is not thrombolyzed since considered insufficiently serious or occurring in a situation in which fibrinolysis is theoretically contra-indicated.

[Treatment of urogenital prolapse with exertion-induced urinary incontinence using the Bologna technic. Apropos of 90 cases]. / Traitement des prolapsus uro-génitaux avec incontinence urinaire d'effort par l'intervention de Bologna. A propos de 90 cas.

The authors describe this operation, which is carried out as a single procedure which they have been doing since 1982. Then the results in 90 patients are studied. The post-operative controls carried out on the clinical state of the patient and on the urodynamic tests show that this operation is very successful, both in curing stress incontinence and in giving a good anatomical result for correcting prolapse of the anterior wall of the vagina. In over one-third of the cases the post-operative follow-up has been carried out for 2 years or more. This follow-up has shown that the relapse rate over a period of time, both for the stress incontinence and the prolapse, is nil. The principal snags that still remain are: post-operative infection in about a third of cases; the rare but possible development of an enterocele and of dyspareunia (2%).