Fast protocol for the processing of split-thickness skin into decellularized human dermal matrix.

BACKGROUND: Dermal scaffolds for tissue regeneration are nowadays an effective alternative in not only wound healing surgeries but also breast reconstruction, abdominal wall reconstruction and tendon reinforcement. The present study describes the development of a decellularization protocol applied to human split-thickness skin from cadaveric donors to obtain dermal matrix using an easy and quick procedure. METHODS: Complete split-thickness donor was decellularized through the combination of hypertonic and enzymatic methods. To evaluate the absence of epidermis and dermal cells, and ensure the integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, histological analysis was performed. Residual genetic content and ECM biomolecules (collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan) were quantified and tensile strength was tested to measure the effect of the decellularization technique on the mechanical properties of the tissue. RESULTS: Biomolecules quantification, residual genetic content (below 50 ng/mg dry tissue) and histological structure assessment showed the efficacy of the decellularization process and the preservation of the ECM. The biomechanical tests confirmed the preservation of native properties in the acellular tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The acellular dermal matrix obtained from whole split-thickness skin donor with the newly developed decellualrization protocol, maintains the desired biomechanical and structural properties and represents a viable treatment option for patients.

Adherence to fesoterodine in women with overactive bladder in routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the short-term compliance with fesoterodine treatment and to identify the reasons for lack of adherence and discontinuation in routine clinical practice. The secondary aim was to estimate the patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: This was an observational retrospective, multicenter study conducted in a sample of women with overactive bladder on fesoterodine treatment for at least three months. Adherence to medication was assessed using the Morisky-Green test. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-qSF), and Treatment Benefit Scale (TBS). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty women with a mean age [standard deviation (SD)] of 62.2 (12.0) years with severe OAB [mean (SD) ICIQ-SF score 13.2 (4.0)] were included. 42.1% of the patients were considered compliant with fesoterodine treatment. The main causes for non-compliance/discontinuation stated by the remaining 57.9% of the patients were adverse events (62.2%) and lack of clinical benefits (20.0%). The illness status as well as the patient-perceived bother occasioned by the OAB symptoms and their impact on the quality of life improved significantly after three months on fesoterodine treatment (p<0.0001). Most of the patients stated that the current state of their urinary problems had greatly improved/ improved. CONCLUSION: In routine clinical practice, a high percentage of patients were adherent to fesoterodine and perceived the benefit that the treatment provided them three months after starting treatment. However, more than half of the study population failed to comply or discontinued the treatment mainly due to intolerance or lack of efficacy.

Management of obstetric perineal tears: do obstetrics and gynaecology residents receive adequate training? Results of an anonymous survey.

Background/Aim. To evaluate the obstetrics and gynaecology residents' perspective of their training and experience in the management of perineal tears that occur during assisted vaginal delivery. We hypothesised that residents would perceive room for improvement in their knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy and the training received in tears repair. Design. Descriptive cross-sectional study. Population/Setting. Seventy-two major residents from all teaching hospitals in Catalonia. Methods. A questionnaire was designed to evaluate experience, perception of the training and supervision provided. Results. The questionnaire was sent to all residents (n = 72), receiving 46 responses (64%). The participants represented 15 out of the 16 teaching hospitals included in the study (94% of the hospitals represented). Approximately, 52% of residents were in their third year while 48% were in their fourth. The majority of them thought that their knowledge of pelvic floor anatomy was poor (62%), although 98% felt confident that they would know when an episiotomy was correctly indicated. The survey found that they lacked experience in the repair of major degree tears (70% had repaired fewer than ten), and most did not carry out followup procedures. Conclusion. The majority of them indicated that more training in this specific area is necessary (98%).

Adherencia a fesoterodina en mujeres con vejiga hiperactiva en la práctica clínica diaria / Adherence to fesoterodine in women with overactive bladder in routine clinical practice

Objetivos: Valorar a corto plazo la adherencia al tratamiento con fesoterodina e identificar las causas de la falta de adherencia o abandono en la práctica clínica diaria. El objetivo secundario fue estimar los resultados desde el punto de vista del paciente. Métodos: Este fue un estudio observacional, retrospectivo, y multicéntrico, llevado a cabo en una muestra poblacional de mujeres con vejiga hiperactiva (VH), en tratamiento con fesoterodina durante al menos 3 meses. La adherencia a la medicación se valoró mediante el test Morisky-Green. Los resultados desde el punto de vista del paciente fueron valorados empleando los cuestionarios cortos de incontinencia (ICIQ-SF) y vejiga hiperactiva (OAB-qSF) y la escala del beneficio del tratamiento (TBS). Resultados: Se incluyeron 120 mujeres con una edad media (desviación estándar [DE]) de 62,2 (12,0) años con VH grave según la puntuación media (DE) del ICIQ-SF (13,2 [4,0]). El 42,1% de las pacientes fueron consideradas cumplidoras con el tratamiento de fesoterodina. Las principales causas de incumplimiento/abandono indicadas por el 57,9% restantes fueron los efectos adversos (62,2%) y la falta de beneficio clínico (20,0%). Tanto el grado de enfermedad como las molestias debidas a los síntomas de la VH percibidas por los pacientes y el impacto en su calidad de vida mejoraron significativamente después de 3 meses del tratamiento con fesoterodina (p < 0,0001). La mayoría de los pacientes indicaron que sus problemas urinarios habían sufrido una gran mejora o habían mejorado. Conclusión: En la práctica clínica diaria un elevado porcentaje de pacientes fueron considerados cumplidores con el tratamiento de fesoterodina y percibieron los beneficios que dicho tratamiento proporcionaba después de 3 meses de iniciarlo. Sin embargo, más de la mitad de la población de estudio no cumplió o abandonó el tratamiento debido principalmente a intolerancia o falta de eficacia

Objectives: To assess the short-term compliance with fesoterodine treatment and to identify the reasons for lack of adherence and discontinuation in routine clinical practice. The secondary aim was to estimate the patient-reported outcomes. Methods: This was an observational retrospective, multicenter study conducted in a sample of women with overactive bladder on fesoterodine treatment for at least three months. Adherence to medication was assessed using the Morisky-Green test. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form (ICIQ-SF), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OAB-qSF), and Treatment Benefit Scale (TBS). Results: One hundred and twenty women with a mean age [standard deviation (SD)] of 62.2 (12.0) years with severe OAB [mean (SD) ICIQ-SF score 13.2 (4.0)] were included. 42.1% of the patients were considered compliant with fesoterodine treatment. The main causes for non-compliance/discontinuation stated by the remaining 57.9% of the patients were adverse events (62.2%) and lack of clinical benefits (20.0%). The illness status as well as the patient-perceived bother occasioned by the OAB symptoms and their impact on the quality of life improved significantly after three months on fesoterodine treatment (p < 0.0001). Most of the patients stated that the current state of their urinary problems had greatly improved/ improved. Conclusion:In routine clinical practice, a high percentage of patients were adherent to fesoterodine and perceived the benefit that the treatment provided them three months after starting treatment. However, more than half of the study population failed to comply or discontinued the treatment mainly due to intolerance or lack of efficacy