Evaluation of cervical cytological abnormalities in Turkish population.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common female malignancy with high mortality rates in developing countries. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of cervical cytologic abnormalities in population (strict Islamic religious area) and the detection rate of epithelial abnormalities by cervical cytology (CC). Materials and Methods: A total of 32,026 conventional pap smear tests collected between January 2006 and January 2010 from three hospitals are retrospectively analyzed. Results: Total of 900 (2.8%) cases had epithelial abnormalities. The numbers and rates of epithelial abnormalities were as the followings: Atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS; n=615 [1.9%]); atypical squamous cell suspicious for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H; n=27 [0.1%]); atypical glandular cell of undetermined significance (AGUS; n=73 [0.2%]); low- grade squamous intraepitelial lesion (LSIL; n=147 [0.5%]); high- grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL; n=35 [0.1%]); and squamous cell carinoma (SCC; n=3 [0.0%]). Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical cytological abnormality in our study was 2.8%. Recently, some conflicting results from the same population were published. More prospective studies with larger numbers are needed.

Abdominal Blockage of Iliohypogastric and Ilio-inguinal Nerves for Management of Post-Caesarean Pain: A Novel Method

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare pain relief after caesarean section achieved by an intra-abdominal iliohypogastric and ilio-inguinal (IHII) nerve block with levobupivacaine with that in patients given a placebo. Study design. A total of 60 healthy women scheduled for caesarean delivery under general anaesthesia were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomised to an abdominal IHII nerve block with levobupivacaine (levobupivacaine group) or administration of saline (placebo group). Instead of the classic percutaneous method; the block was administered intra-operatively from the peritoneal aspect. Scores on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 2; 6; 12 and 24 hours; adverse effects; morphine consumption and success of blockage by a pinprick test were recorded.Results. In the levobupivacaine group; the pinprick test showed there to be successful bilateral block in 22 patients and unilateral block in 5; while the block failed in 3. No block was recorded in the placebo group. When morphine consumption at 12 and 24 hours were compared; consumption was found to be significantly low for both time points in the levobupivacaine group. VAS scores 2; 6 and 12 hours after the operation were also significantly lower in the levobupivacaine group.Conclusion. A block of the IHII nerves from inside the abdomen just before abdominal closure appears to be an effective and safe way of relieving pain after caesarean section