Intrapartum transperineal ultrasound as a predictor of instrumentation difficulty with vacuum-assisted delivery in primiparous women.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the capability of different intrapartum transperineal ultrasound parameters to predict the difficulty of vacuum extraction. This is a prospective observational study performed between 04/2012 and 03/2013 on 72 primiparous-women, ≥37-weeks with singleton pregnancies at full dilatation that underwent transperineal ultrasound before vacuum placement for foetal extraction. Working in a transperineal longitudinal plane we evaluated: progression-angle, progression-distance and head direction; in a transverse plane: midline-angle and head-perineum distance. The vacuum extractions were classified as easy-group (EG) (≤3 vacuum pulls), difficult/impossible-group (DG)(≥4 pulls). Occiput-posterior presentations were not assessed. RESULTS: Fifty-two (52) patients were studied (26 patients per study group). No differences were observed in obstetric, neonatal or intrapartum characteristics between the study groups, with the following exceptions: new-born (NB) weight (3147 g versus 3540 g) and the number of vacuum pulls (1.4 EG versus 4.3 DG; p < 0.0005). The progression angle was 133.1° (123°-143°) in EG and 109.2° (97.2°-121.2°) in DG (p < 0.0005); up direction of foetal head was 88% versus 34.5% (p < 0.0005); progression distance was 37 mm (26.6-47.4) versus 29.9 mm (8.8-51; p = 0.003); midline angle was 35° (15.4°-54.6°) versus 59.7° (34.5°-84.9°; p = 0.0005); head-perineum distance was 41.9 mm (35.2-48.6) versus 48.9 mm (40.5-57.3; p = 0.017). The area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for the progression angle was 0.9 (95%CI, 0.82-0.99), and the midline angle was 0.8 (95%CI, 0.67-0.92). CONCLUSION: If previous to the placement of the vacuum cup the progression angle is ≤120°, the foetal head direction is horizontal or down, and the midline angle is ≥35°, there is an 85% chance that the delivery will require more than 4 vacuum pulls.

New contingent sequential screening model for Down syndrome based on the combined test associated with modified genetic sonography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of implementing a contingent sequential screening test for Down syndrome (DS) based on the combined test (CT) associated with modified genetic sonography (MGS). We evaluate sensitivity (Sen), false positive rate (FPR), and economic costs. METHOD: We compiled data from the results of a prospective screening programme for DS during a 5-year study period (July 2005-December 2011). Pregnancies were offered the CT as the first step in the contingent sequential test. We identified an intermediate risk group (1/101-1/1000) using CT results, and offered these individuals a MGS (major malformation and nuchal fold). RESULTS: A total of 19 440 pregnancies (103 chromosome abnormalities and 66 cases of DS) were administered the CT. We performed a MGS on 99.6% of individuals in the intermediate risk group (2188/2197); in this group, we observed 22 chromosome abnormalities (17 DS). The CT provided a Sen for DS of 80.30% (95%CI: 68.68-89.07) (53/66), and a Sen for all chromosome abnormalities of 76.70% (95%CI: 67.34-84.46) (79/103), with a FPR of 3.79% (95%CI: 3.52-4.05) (732/19 374). The contingent sequential strategy produced a Sen for DS of 81.82% (95%CI: 70.39-90.24) (54/66) and a Sen for all chromosome abnormalities of 79.61% (95%CI: 70.54-86.91) (82/103), with a FPR of 1.16% (95%CI: 1.02-1.33) (224/19 457). The economic costs of the CT and the contingent sequential model were 9 70 275 Euros and 9 41 716 Euros, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We present a new sequential contingent strategy for DS screening and demonstrate its usefulness for reducing FPR while maintaining a high level of Sen for DS, without requiring an increase in economic costs.

Conocimientos y adherencia a las nuevas recomendaciones de la SEGO para la prevención del cáncer de cuello de útero, por parte de los ginecólogos españoles en la práctica diaria / Knowledge and adherence to SEGO recommendations for the prevention of cervical cancer by Spanish gynecologists in daily practice

Objetivo. Valorar el grado de conocimiento y la aplicación en la práctica clínica de las nuevas recomendaciones auspiciadas por la Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia (SEGO), para la prevención del cáncer de cuello de útero y la vacunación frente al virus del papiloma humano (VPH), por parte de los ginecólogos españoles. Métodos. Estudio transversal (desde noviembre de 2010 a marzo de 2011) en el que a través de una plataforma on line los participantes cumplimentaron una encuesta de conocimientos y de práctica clínica real sobre la epidemiología de la infección por el VPH, cribado del cáncer de cuello uterino y la vacuna frente al VPH, desarrollada previamente por el Comité Científico Nacional. Resultados. Un total de 454 ginecólogos participaron en el estudio. Se observó un buen conocimiento sobre la transmisibilidad del VPH, volumen de enfermedad relacionado con VPH, mortalidad por cáncer de cuello de útero, demostración de memoria inmune, seguridad y eficiencia de las vacunas frente a VPH y espectro de protección de la vacuna tetravalente. Los conocimientos sobre la tasa de mujeres sexualmente activas positivas al VPH a los 5 años, diferencia entre eficacia y eficiencia del cribado citológico e intervalos de control seguros en mujeres con doble test negativo (citología y VPH) fueron deficientes. Asimismo, la actitud proactiva de la vacunación frente al VPH en el segmento de edad prioritario (<27 años) fue pobre, con una tasa de encuestados del 63% recomendando la vacunación. Sorprendentemente, un 4% recomendaba la vacuna en mujeres mayores de 45 años. El 15% manifestaba no disponer de tiempo para explicar que el control trienal citológico es seguro y el 27% lo consideraba inseguro. El 35% declaró no tener disponible el test de VPH en su medio. En un 12% de los casos, la colposcopia se usaba como complemento de la citología en la revisión inicial. Conclusiones. Aunque los conocimientos de la epidemiología y vacunas frente al VPH eran adecuados, la actitud proactiva de vacunación en el grupo etario preferente fue pobre. Solo un 38% de los participantes demostró un seguimiento completo de las recomendaciones de la SEGO. Es indispensable diseñar e implementar estrategias a nivel nacional para difundir y mejorar la aplicación clínica de dichas recomendaciones (AU)

Objective. To assess the degree of knowledge of the new recommendations of the Spanish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Sociedad Española de Ginecología y Obstetricia [SEGO]) for the prevention of cervical cancer and vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) among Spanish gynecologists and implementation of these recommendations in daily clinical practice. Methods. A cross-sectional survey (from November 2010 to March 2011) was carried out, in which participants used an online platform to complete a questionnaire previously developed by the National Scientific Committee on knowledge of the epidemiology of HPV infection, cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccines, and activities related to these issues in daily clinical practice. Results. A total of 454 gynecologists participated in the study. The gynecologists showed good knowledge of HPV transmission, HPV disease load, mortality due to cervical cancer, demonstration of immune memory, safety and efficiency of HPV vaccines, and the spectrum of protection by the tetravalent vaccine. Knowledge of the rate of sexually-active HPV-positive women at 5 years, differences between the efficacy and efficiency of cytological screening, and safe screening intervals in women with a double negative test (cytology and HPV) was deficient. Proactive attitudes to HPV vaccination in the priority age group (<27 years) was poor, with 63% of the surveyed physicians recommending vaccination. Surprisingly, 4% recommended vaccination in women older than 45 years. Fifteen percent reported they lacked time to explain that cytological testing every 3 years was safe, and 27% considered this practice unsafe. Thirty-five percent reported that the HPV test was unavailable in his/her environment. In 12% of cases, colposcopy was used to complement cytology at the initial visit. Conclusions. Although knowledge of HPV epidemiology and vaccines was adequate, proactive attitudes to HPV vaccination in the preferential age group were scarce. Complete adherence to SEGO recommendations was found in only 38% of participants. Nationwide strategies should be designed and introduced to spread and improve the implementation of these recommendations in daily clinical practice (AU)

Contribution of "modified genetic sonography" to the combined test as a screening method for chromosomal abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: We propose to assess the contribution of "modified genetic sonography" (MGS) to the combined test (CT) as a method of stepwise sequential screening (1st step: CT, 2nd step: MGS) for chromosome abnormalities in the general population of pregnant women. METHODS: Prospective study. During a 4 year study period (July 2005-June 2009) 16,548 pregnancies underwent a CT combined with MGS (major malformation and nuchal fold) as a screening method for chromosome abnormalities. We assessed sensitivity and false positive rate (FPR) (95% CI). RESULTS: We offered a chromosome abnormalities screening test to 96.6% of pregnancies (15,995 cases). 14,160 cases are analyzed (1st step: CT, 2nd step: MGS) including 49 chromosome abnormalities and 35 Down's syndrome (DS). The sensitivity of CT for DS was 77.1% [95% CI, 63.2-91] (27/35) and 77.5% for all chromosome abnormalities [95% CI, 65.8-89.2] (38/49) with a FPR of 4.4% [95% CI, 4.1-4.7]. If MGS was combined with CT, the sensitivity for DS was 91.4% [95% CI, 82.1-99] (32/35) and 93.8% for all chromosome abnormalities [95% CI, 87-99] (46/49) for a FPR of 5.1% [95% CI, 4.7-5.5]. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of an MGS to combined first-trimester screening test for aneuploidy improved sensitivity by 14.3% while only increasing the FPR by 0.7%.

Influencia de la visita puerperal temprana en la detección y evolución de la depresión posparto / Influence of early postpartum home visits on the detection and clinical course of postpartum depression

Objetivos. Nos proponemos determinar y valorar la influencia de la visita puerperal temprana (VPT) domiciliaria en la disminución de la incidencia de depresión posparto en nuestro medio. Material y métodos. Cuatrocientos treinta pacientes con embarazo y partos sin complicaciones que se aleatorizan en dos grupos homogéneos (grupo con VPT y grupo control). Se utilizó la hospital anxiety and depresión scale para valorar la depresión posparto a los 7 y 30 días. Resultados. Se observó un score positivo para depresión puerperal a los 7 días del parto en un 10,2%. En el grupo de VPT se observó una disminución de incidencia de la depresión puerperal (0,9%) frente al grupo control (3,7%). Conclusión. La incidencia de depresión posparto en nuestra área es similar a la esperada. La visita puerperal temprana parece ser útil en la detección de patología psiquiátrica y disminuye la evolución de los síntomas(AU)

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of early postpartum home visits in reducing the incidence of puerperal depression in our environment. Material and methods. A total of 430 patients with uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery were randomized to two homogeneous groups (one group receiving an early postpartum home visit and a control group). The hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to assess puerperal depression at 7 and 30 days. Results. At 7 days, 10.2% of the patients had a positive score for puerperal depression. At 30 days, the incidence of puerperal depression was lower in the group receiving an early home visit (0.9%) than in the control group (3.7%). Conclusion. The incidence of postpartum depression in our setting was similar to the expected incidence. Early postpartum home visits seem to be useful in detecting this disorder and in reducing symptoms(AU)

Prevención primaria y secundaria de los cánceres de cuello de útero y vulva: recomendaciones para la práctica clínica / Primary and secondary prevention of cancers of the cervix and vulva: recommendations for clinical practice

La demostración del papel etiológico del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) para todos los cánceres de cuello de útero y para una fracción alta de los de vulva permite establecer nuevas estrategias para su prevención primaria y secundaria. Esta revisión persigue adecuar la práctica clínica sobre la prevención primaria y secundaria de los cánceres de cuello de útero y vulva a las mejores evidencias científicas disponibles, a través de recomendaciones prácticas siguiendo la estrategia basada en la evidencia con metodología GRADE y el método de consenso. La vacunación frente al VPH cuenta con evidencias de alto nivel que confirman su seguridad y eficacia. Su aplicación preferencial a niñas preadolescentes y a mujeres hasta los 26 años es una recomendación firme. La metodología del cribado sufre cambios, a partir de la confirmación de la eficacia del control trienal citológico hasta los 30 años y la incorporación a partir de esta edad de la determinación del VPH. De la aplicación conjunta de una vacunación con alta cobertura y de un cribado rediseñado, con el test de VPH en primera línea, surge la mejor protección frente al cáncer de cuello de útero. Para el cáncer de vulva, la vacuna tetravalente ha demostrado ya una alta eficacia en la prevención de sus lesiones precursoras. Una cuidada valoración de los síntomas y signos vulvares, especialmente en mujeres mayores, es la mejor manera de prevenir secundariamente la aparición del cáncer de vulva (AU)

Proof of the etiological role of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for all cervical cancers and for a high percentage of cancers of the vulva allows us to establish new strategies for their primary and secondary prevention. Vaccination against the HPV shows level I evidence confirming its safety and efficacy. Its preferential application on pre-teenage girls and young women up to 26 years old is strongly recommended. Cervical cancer’s screening recommendations have reached a point of inflexion since the efficacy of cytological screening every 3 years for women under 30 years old was confirmed, and the very high efficacy of the HPV test on women over 30 years of age. As a result of the joint implementation of a high coverage vaccine and a redesigned screening programme, with front line HPV testing, we have better protection against cervical cancer. For cancer of the vulva, the tetravalent vaccine has already proved to be highly efficient in the prevention of its previous lesions. A careful valuation of vulvar symptoms, specially in older women, is the best way of secondarily preventing the apparition of a cancer of the vulva (AU)

Gonyautoxin: new treatment for healing acute and chronic anal fissures.

PURPOSE: The mayor symptoms of chronic anal fissure are permanent pain, intense pain during defecation that lasts for hours, blood in the stools, and sphincter cramps. It is subsequent to formation of fibrosis infiltrate that leads to an increased anal tone with poor healing tendency. This vicious circle leads to fissure recurrence and chronicity. This study was designed to show the efficacy of gonyautoxin infiltration in healing patients with anal fissures. METHODS: Gonyautoxin is a paralyzing phytotoxin produced by dinoflagellates. Fifty recruited patients received clinical examination, including proctoscopy and questionnaire to evaluate the symptoms. Anorectal manometries were performed before and after toxin injection. Doses of 100 units of gonyautoxin in a volume of 1 ml were infiltrated into both sides of the anal fissure in the internal anal sphincter. RESULTS: Total remission of acute and chronic anal fissures were achieved within 15 and 28 days respectively. Ninety-eight percent of the patients healed before 28 days with a mean time healing of 17.6 +/- 9 days. Only one relapsed during 14 months of follow-up. Neither fecal incontinence nor other side effects were observed. All patients showed immediate sphincter relaxation. The maximum anal resting pressures recorded after two minutes decreased to 56.2 +/- 12.5 percent of baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Gonyautoxin breaks the vicious circle of pain and spasm that leads to anal fissure. This study proposes gonyautoxin anal sphincter infiltration as safe and effective alternative therapeutic approach to conservative, surgical, and botulinum toxin therapies for anal fissures.

The gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers reduces anal tone when injected in the anal sphincter of healthy adults.

The primary clinical symptom of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is acute paralytic illness produced by paralyzing toxins. Paralytic shellfish poison is formed by a mixture of phycotoxins and their toxicity is due to its reversible binding to a receptor site on the voltage-gated sodium channel on excitable cells, thus blocking neuronal transmission. We studied the effect of the gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers by local infiltration in the anal internal sphincter of healthy voluntary adults in order to reduce anal tone. The toxin was injected after prior clinical evaluation, anoscopy and anorectal manometry. Post injection clinical examination, electromyography and anorectal manometry were performed. Resting and voluntary contraction pressures were measured and the anorectal inhibitory and anocortical reflexes were tested by manometry. Blood and urine samples were obtained from each participant, and hemogram, basic metabolic panel, and urinalysis were done both before and one week after the injection. This study shows, for the first time, that gonyautoxin 2/3 reduces the anal tone by relaxing the anal sphincters in 100 % of the participants. Manometric recordings showed a significant decrease in anal maximal voluntary contraction pressure after the toxin injection, dropping to 55.2+/-6.2 % and 47.0+/-6.8% (Mean Value+/-Std.Dev.) of the baseline values at 2 minutes and at 24 hours respectively after the injection. Post-injection electromyography showed that activity of the muscle was abolished. We conclude that local administration of gonyautoxin 2/3 to the anal sphincter produces immediate relaxation and a statistically significant decrease in the anal tone (p <0.001).

The Gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers reduces anal tone when injected in the anal sphincter of healthy adults

The primary clinical symptom of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning is acute paralytic illness produced by paralyzing toxins. Paralytic shellfish poison is formed by a mixture of phycotoxins and their toxicity is due to its reversible binding to a receptor site on the voltage-gated sodium channel on excitable cells, thus blocking neuronal transmission. We studied the effect of the gonyautoxin 2/3 epimers by local infiltration in the anal internal sphincter of healthy voluntary adults in order to reduce anal tone. The toxin was injected after prior clinical evaluation, anoscopy and anorectal manometry. Post injection clinical examination, electromyography and anorectal manometry were performed. Resting and voluntary contraction pressures were measured and the anorectal inhibitory and anocortical reflexes were tested by manometry. Blood and urine samples were obtained from each participant, and hemogram, basic metabolic panel, and urinalysis were done both before and one week after the injection. This study shows, for the first time, that gonyautoxin 2/3 reduces the anal tone by relaxing the anal sphincters in 100 % of the participants. Manometric recordings showed a significant decrease in anal maximal voluntary contraction pressure after the toxin injection, dropping to 55.2 ± 6.2 % and 47.0 ± 6.8 % (Mean Value ± Std.Dev.) of the baseline values at 2 minutes and at 24 hours respectively after the injection. Post-injection electromyography showed that activity of the muscle was abolished. We conclude that local administration of gonyautoxin 2/3 to the anal sphincter produces immediate relaxation and a statistically significant decrease in the anal tone (p <0.001)..

Manejo multidisciplinario del cáncer de ano : asociación radio-quimioterapia / Multi-disciplinary management of the anal cancer : radio-chemotherapy association

Se presentan 21 casos de cáncer anal, todos carcinomas epidermoides, tratados en forma prospectiva con asociación de quimioradioterapia desde abril de 1986 a septiembre de 1994. De ellos 18 son mujeres y 3 hombres, con una edad promedio de 65,7 años y con un rango de 51 a 82 años. Todos se trataron con un esquema de 5 FU, 1000 mg/m2/días 1-5 infusión continua y Myt. C, 10mg/m2/día 1 bolus y radioterapia externa (RT), 3000 cGy/16 fracc. El 71,4 por ciento dan a la anamnesis antecedentes de patología inflamatoria anorrectal previa y constipación. Hubo un 85,7 por ciento de control local completo; un caso de control parcial que requirió de la segunda parte del esquema de quimioterapia (QT) con recidiva local a los 2 años 7 meses en que se pesquisa HIV (+) y se rescata con resección abdóminoperineal (RAP) y 2 casos de no esterilizaciones durante la terapia que van a la RAP sin mayores complicaciones. Se presentaron complicaciones agudas de moderada intensidad en un 60 por ciento de la serie que cedieron rápidamente con manejo médico habitual. Hubo solo 2 casos de diarrea con deshidratación aguda que requirieron hospitalización. Las secuelas definitivas fueron mínimas y en relación con leve o moderado edema local. Ningún paciente, que preservó el aparato esfinteriano, quedó con incontinencia anal. El esquema se cumplió en todos los enfermos que fueron tratados por el mismo equipo médico y evaluados con las mismas pautas. El seguimiento es de 100 por ciento de los casos, con una mediana de 60 meses. Actualmente el 100 por ciento vivos sin evidencia de enfermedad y excelente calidad de vida. (AU)

Manejo multidisciplinario del cáncer de ano : asociación radio-quimioterapia / Multi-disciplinary management of the anal cancer : radio-chemotherapy association

Se presentan 21 casos de cáncer anal, todos carcinomas epidermoides, tratados en forma prospectiva con asociación de quimioradioterapia desde abril de 1986 a septiembre de 1994. De ellos 18 son mujeres y 3 hombres, con una edad promedio de 65,7 años y con un rango de 51 a 82 años. Todos se trataron con un esquema de 5 FU, 1000 mg/m2/días 1-5 infusión continua y Myt. C, 10mg/m2/día 1 bolus y radioterapia externa (RT), 3000 cGy/16 fracc. El 71,4 por ciento dan a la anamnesis antecedentes de patología inflamatoria anorrectal previa y constipación. Hubo un 85,7 por ciento de control local completo; un caso de control parcial que requirió de la segunda parte del esquema de quimioterapia (QT) con recidiva local a los 2 años 7 meses en que se pesquisa HIV (+) y se rescata con resección abdóminoperineal (RAP) y 2 casos de no esterilizaciones durante la terapia que van a la RAP sin mayores complicaciones. Se presentaron complicaciones agudas de moderada intensidad en un 60 por ciento de la serie que cedieron rápidamente con manejo médico habitual. Hubo solo 2 casos de diarrea con deshidratación aguda que requirieron hospitalización. Las secuelas definitivas fueron mínimas y en relación con leve o moderado edema local. Ningún paciente, que preservó el aparato esfinteriano, quedó con incontinencia anal. El esquema se cumplió en todos los enfermos que fueron tratados por el mismo equipo médico y evaluados con las mismas pautas. El seguimiento es de 100 por ciento de los casos, con una mediana de 60 meses. Actualmente el 100 por ciento vivos sin evidencia de enfermedad y excelente calidad de vida.

Ileostomías: 10 años de experiencia / Ileostomy: 10 years of experience

Se presenta la experiencia de los autores en 27 ileostomías realizadas entre los años 1978 y 1987. Se analizan sus indicaciones y tipo de ilestomía. En 21 casos se realizó ileostomía tipo Brooke y en 6 en asa, de las cuales 20 fueron de urgencia y 7 en forma electiva. La morbilidad de la serie fue de 5 complicaciones (18,5%) que correspondieron a la técnica de la ostomía. No hubo mortalidad derivada del procedimiento, pero sí la hubo como consecuencia de la enfermedad de base que motivó la ileostomía. Fallecen 5 pacientes (18,5%). Se concluye que la ileostomía tiene indicaciones precisas y su morbilidad está directamente relacionada con los defectos de la técnica y el procedimiento empleado. La mortalidad depende de la patología de base