Superficial Peritoneal Endometriosis Vaporization Using a CO2 Laser: A Long-Term Single-Center Experience.

Background: The validation of laser usage during laparoscopic procedures, notably by Camran Nezhat in the late 1980s, has been significant. Lasers offer precision and depth control in tissue vaporization without bleeding. Surgical intervention remains central in managing endometriosis-associated pain and infertility, especially for patients unresponsive to hormonal therapy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 200 patients with superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SPE) who underwent laparoscopic laser vaporization. Surgery was performed using a CO2 laser, and histological confirmation of endometriosis was obtained for all cases. Pain scores and SF-36 questionnaire domains were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Fertility outcomes were evaluated among patients desiring pregnancy. Results: Significant improvements in pain score and SF-36 questionnaire domains were observed postoperatively (p-value < 0.01), indicating enhanced quality of life. Among infertile patients with an active desire for pregnancy, surgical treatment showed an overall pregnancy rate after surgery of 93.7% (p-value < 0.01), including 75.7% natural pregnancies and 24.3% IVF. Laser vaporization enabled precise lesion removal with minimal tissue damage, short operative time, and minimal blood loss. Conclusions: Laparoscopic laser vaporization is an effective treatment for SPE, offering pain relief, improved quality of life, and favorable fertility outcomes. Further research is needed to validate these results in terms of pain control and fertility.

Correlation between primary headaches and learning disabilities in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Primary headaches (H) and learning disabilities (LD) are frequent in childhood and can coexist in the same subject, but their correlation is not always clear. The aim of our study was to evaluate this relationship considering also any psychopathologies and their influence on the quality of life by considering an aspect such as school absences. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-three children (8-18y) with H and LD assessed consecutively at the Headache Center of L'Aquila, from 2013 to 2018 are the sample. School problems were evaluated by Italian batteries for LD; psychopathology screening by clinical interview and SAFA test. The sample was divided into 3 groups (group 1: patients with H [N.=122], group 2: patients with LD [N.=37], group 3: patients with H+LD [N.=34]) in order to compare subjects with H and LD vs. subjects having only one disorder. RESULTS: The most prevalent headache diagnosis was migraine without aura, but chronic tension headache (CTH) showed a stronger impact on quality of life. LD have a higher prevalence in our sample (9.44%) than in general Italian population (3.2%). In group 3 was higher prevalence of anxiety disorders (P=0.050) and 50% of patients with CTH was absent from school due to headache. CONCLUSIONS: LD can be related to headache chronicization and to a higher prevalence of psychopathologies and school absences, so an early diagnosis of LD in patients with H is crucial to prevent the worsening of the headache itself and of quality of life.