[Overactive bladder syndrome--a public health challenge]. / Syndrome de la vessie hyperactive chez la femme: un défi de santé publique.

Overactive bladder is a highly prevalent clinical syndrome affecting up to 17% of women. It is often associated with urodynamic detrusor overactivity, leads to embarrassment and is frequently under-diagnosed and insufficiently treated. Its pathophysiology is complex and the numerous treatment modalities, some of them of poor evidence, aim to improve quality of life. When physiotherapy fails, anticholinergics are recommended as first-line medical treatment. They can be combined with or replaced by beta3-adrenergic agonists whereas sacral neuromodulation or posterior tibia nerve stimulation are considered an efficient alternative. Addidtionally, cystoscopic injection of botulinum toxine in the bladder has recently been validated in Switzerland as a treatment option for idiopathic overactive bladder.

[Management of endometrioma, recto-vaginal and bladder endometriosis]. / Prise en charge des endométriomes et de l'endométriose recto-vaginate et vésicate.

Endometriosis is a frequent, benign, chronic disease associated with pain and/or infertility. Classically the lesions are found on the pelvic peritoneum, ovary (endometrioma), rectovaginal septum and bladder. Management of endometrioma has evolved over the last few years to individualised treatment. Indeed endometrioma cystectomy can decrease pain and the risk of recurrence but is also associated with a decrease in ovarian reserve. A multi-disciplinary team should manage recto-vaginal or bladder endometriosis. Surgical resection of these lesions must be as complete as possible and can be complex.

Patients with AIDS-defining cancers are not universally screened for HIV: a 10-year retrospective analysis of HIV-testing practices in a Swiss university hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have been listed as AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 1993. Despite this, HIV screening is not universally mentioned in ADC treatment guidelines. We examined screening practices at a tertiary centre serving a population where HIV seroprevalence is 0.4%. METHODS: Patients with KS, ICC, NHL and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), treated at Lausanne University Hospital between January 2002 and July 2012, were studied retrospectively. HIV testing was considered part of the oncology work-up if performed between 90 days before and 90 days after the cancer diagnosis date. RESULTS: A total of 880 patients were examined: 10 with KS, 58 with ICC, 672 with NHL and 140 with HL. HIV testing rates were 100, 11, 60 and 59%, and HIV seroprevalence was 60, 1.7, 3.4 and 5%, respectively. Thirty-seven patients (4.2%) were HIV-positive, of whom eight (22%) were diagnosed at oncology work-up. All newly diagnosed patients had CD4 counts < 200 cells/µL and six (75%) had presented to a physician 12-236 weeks previously with conditions warranting HIV testing. CONCLUSIONS: In our institution, only patients with KS were universally screened. Screening rates for other cancers ranged from 11 to 60%. HIV seroprevalence was at least fourfold higher than the population average. As HIV-positive status impacts on cancer patient medical management, HIV screening should be included in oncology guidelines. Further, we recommend that opt-out screening should be adopted in all patients with ADCs and HL.

Continuous recording intrarectal pressures during the second phase of labor.

UNLABELLED: Parameters of intrarectal pressure (surface area under pressure curve and peak pressure) recorded with a microsystem device during the second phase of labor showed no significant correlations with baby's weight or mode of delivery. AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to assess the biomechanical pressures delivered against pelvic floor structures during the second phase of labor in nulliparae women, and to correlate them with obstetrics parameters, i.e. baby's weight and mode of delivery. MATERIAL: Using a microsystem device placed into the rectum at the beginning of the second phase of labor, two parameters were assessed during the bearing efforts in 59 nulliparae women: the surface area under the pressure curve and the peak pressure. RESULTS: During 11.5±9 bearing efforts of 99.1±16 s duration, the mean value of surface area under the pressure curve was 32677±26058 cm/s and the mean value of the peak pressure was 60.7±24 cmH(2)O, exceeding 100 cmH(2)O in 10% of women. These two parameters were not correlated with baby's weight (R: 0.19, P: 0.15 and R: 0.05, P: 0.71). In the same way, these two parameters were not correlated with the mode of delivery (spontaneous or forceps/vacuum-assisted). Furthermore, the individual values of these two parameters showed great variation from one woman to another. CONCLUSION: This study has showed that parameters of biomechanical pressures recorded into the rectum during second phase of labor had no significant correlations with obstetricals parameters, explaining why these latter have poor predicitive value of further pelvic floor problems.

[Pelvic floor functions: from the beginning of the second phase of labor to the postpartum consultation]. / Fonctions du plancher pelvien: de la phase expulsive à la consultation du post-partum.

Vaginal delivery can cause lesions of the various pelvic structures responsible for the mechanisms of continence. These lesions may perhaps be prevented in the future by measuring pressure generated during childbirth. Tear of the anal sphincter during childbirth is a marker of a global impairment of the urinary, ano-rectal and sexual pelvic functions in the short and medium term. Persistence of a defect of the anal sphincter is frequent in spite of immediate suture. The correlation between these defects and ano-rectal incontinence are not established in our experience. The quality of the contraction of the sphincter complex and pubo-rectal sling seems to play a more important role in ano-rectal continence after a traumatic childbirth.

[Gynecology]. / Gynécologie.

Widespread use of the Pap test for cervical cancer screening has dramatically reduced cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates. The knowledge about optimal use of cervical cancer screening has evolved these last year and conducted to improve new cervical prevention. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommend that cervical cancer screening should not begin before the age 21 years and that screening tests should be performed at less frequent intervals. CA 125 is considered to be the best test to detect relapse among women previously treated for ovarian cancer. However, a recent randomized trial has reported that there is no benefice to initiate the therapy before presence of symptoms. In 2009, the FIGO published a revised staging for cervical, endometrial and vulvar cancer to improve prognostic disease and therapy decision.

The contractile properties of vaginal myofibroblasts: is the myofibroblasts contraction force test a valuable indication of future prolapse development?

Using a specific myofibroblast contraction test, we try to predict future utero-vaginal prolapse development in young primiparae women. We compare myofibroblast cultures of the vaginal wall in primiparae women (group 1), young multiparae women (group 2) and older multiparae women (group 3) who were operated on for severe utero-vaginal prolapse. A myofibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction assay determined a contraction factor that was compared in the three groups of women. The myofibroblasts contraction factor after 24 and 48 hours was significantly higher in group 1 women (2.4 +/- 0.6/4.4 +/- 1.9) compared to group 2 (1.6 +/- 0.3/ 1.8 +/- 0.1) andgroup 3 (1.6 +/- 0.3/1.8 +/- 0.3), but showed no differences in group 1 women without (2.1 +/- 0.5/3.5 +/- 1.9) and with (2.7 +/- 0.6/5.1 +/- 1.7) cystocoele. Vaginal myofibroblasts of young women show better contraction forces than young women with severe utero-vaginal prolapse. The latter have a myofibroblast contraction factor similar to those of older post-menopausal women operated for the same condition.

A prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial evaluating the effect of trans-sacral magnetic stimulation in women with overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent condition with 16% of adults having one or more symptoms that significantly affect quality of life. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and neuromodulators have had success in treating OAB but are expensive, invasive, and sometimes cumbersome. We developed an alternative neuromodulatory technique that involves electromagnetic stimulation of the sacral nerve roots with a portable electromagnetic device to produce trans-sacral stimulation of the S3 and S4 sacral nerve roots. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of this device on OAB symptoms in women with a prospectively randomised double-blind controlled study. Following a power analysis, women with symptoms of OAB were prospectively recruited with ethical approval for randomisation to an active treatment (n = 33) or placebo group (n = 30) in a double-blind trial. The patient, at home, used the belt device daily for 20 min over 12 weeks. Outcome measures included a 3-day voiding diary, 1 h pad test, visual analogue score (VAS) for symptom impact (0-100%), Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ) and Australian Quality of Life questionnaire (AQOL) at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Overall, no difference was found between groups for any of the research questions. Specifically, we were unable to demonstrate any difference between the active and sham device groups in frequency, nocturia, urinary leakage, or quality of life, nor was there any evidence of a placebo effect. The quality of the data was high with the number of missing observations (especially for disease specific KHQ and general AQOL) being few. This attempt to promote trans-sacral electromagnetic neuromodulation with a specially created device was ineffective on the symptoms of OAB.

[New options in the treatment of ano-rectal incontinence]. / Nouvelles options dans le traitement de l'incontinence ano-rectale.

Ano-rectal incontinence is known to affect about 2% of the population. Main risk factors are traumatic delivery and previous anal surgery. All patients should have a trial of conservative treatment. Patients with major external anal sphincter defect have a 70 to 80% improvement of their symptoms after an overlap sphincter repair Unfortunately, these results deteriorate over time. Sacral nerve modulation improves continence and quality of life in 75 to 100% of patients with various aetiologies. In case of idiopathic internal sphincter degeneration, sphincter augmentation with bulking agents seems to be the least expensive option.

Effects of epidural analgesia on pelvic floor function after spontaneous delivery: a longitudinal retrospective study.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of epidural analgesia on pelvic floor function. Eighty-two primiparous women (group 1, consisting of 41 given an epidural, and group 2 of 41 not given an epidural) were investigated during pregnancy and at 2 and 10 months after delivery by a questionnaire, clinical examination, and assessment of bladder neck behavior, urethral sphincter function and intravaginal/intra-anal pressures. The prevalence of stress urinary incontinence was similar in both groups at 2 months (24% vs. 17%, P = 0.6) and 10 months (22% vs. 7%, P = 0.1), as was the prevalence of decreased sexual vaginal response at 10 months (27% vs. 10%, P = 0.08). Bladder neck behavior, urethral sphincter function and intravaginal and intra-anal pressures showed no significant differences between the two groups. Ten months after spontaneous delivery, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence and decreased sexual vaginal response, or in bladder neck behavior, urethral sphincter function and pelvic floor muscle strength between women who had or had not had epidural analgesia.

Pelvic floor education after vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of pelvic floor education after vaginal delivery on pelvic floor characteristics in nulliparous women. METHODS: We examined 107 nulliparas during pregnancy and at 9 weeks and 10 months after vaginal delivery. Methods used included a questionnaire, clinical examination, perineosonography, urethral pressure profiles, and intravaginal and intra-anal pressure recordings during pelvic floor contraction. After the second examination, the women were assigned in alternating manner to either 12 sessions of pelvic floor exercises with biofeedback and electrostimulation (n = 51) or no training (n = 56). The two groups were compared at the third examination. RESULTS: Stress urinary incontinence incidence decreased in 2% of control subjects compared with 19% of women who underwent pelvic floor education (P =.002), whereas the incidence of fecal incontinence (5% versus 4%, P = 1) and the percentage of women who recovered predelivery pelvic floor contraction strength (33% versus 41%, P =.4) were no different. We observed no significant differences in bladder neck position and mobility, urethral functional length, maximal urethral closure pressure, pressure transmission ratio, residual area of continence at stress standing, or intravaginal or intra-anal pressures during pelvic floor contraction between groups at the third examination. CONCLUSION: Pelvic floor education, begun 2 months postpartum, significantly reduced the incidence of stress urinary incontinence, but not fecal incontinence or weak pelvic floor. Similarly, bladder neck behavior, urodynamic characteristics, intravaginal or intra-anal pressures during pelvic floor squeezing also were not modified.

Birth trauma: short and long term effects of forceps delivery compared with spontaneous delivery on various pelvic floor parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of forceps delivery and spontaneous delivery on pelvic floor functions in nulliparous women. DESIGN: A longitudinal prospective study with investigations during the first pregnancy, 10 weeks and 10 months after delivery. SETTING: Antenatal clinic in a teaching hospital. POPULATION: One hundred and seven patients aged 28 +/- 4 years, divided into those with forceps (n = 25) or spontaneous (n = 82) delivery. METHODS: Investigations with a questionnaire, clinical examination, assessment of bladder neck behaviour, urethral sphincter function, intra-vaginal/intra-anal pressures during pelvic floor contractions. RESULTS: The incidence of stress urinary incontinence was similar in both groups at 9 weeks (32% vs 21%, P = 0.3) and 10 months (20% vs 15%, P = 0.6) after delivery, as was the incidence of faecal incontinence (9 weeks: 8% vs 4%, P = 0.9; 10 months: 4% vs 5%, P = 1) and the decreased sexual response at 10 months (12% vs 18%, P = 0.6). Bladder neck behaviour, urethral sphincter function and intra-vaginal and intra-anal pressures were also similar in the two groups. However, 10 months after delivery, the incidence of a weak pelvic floor (20% vs 6%, P = 0.05) and the decrease in intra-anal pressure between the pre- and post-delivery values (-17 +/- 28 cm H2O vs 3 +/- 31 cm H2O, P = 0.04) were significantly greater in the forceps-delivered women. CONCLUSIONS: Forceps delivery is not responsible for a higher incidence of pelvic floor complaints or greater changes in bladder neck behaviour or urethral sphincter functions. However, patients with forceps delivery have a significantly greater decrease in intra-anal pressure and a greater incidence of a weak pelvic floor.

Cardiotoxic transplacental effect of idarubicin administered during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Polychemotherapy including idarubicin was administered during the second trimester to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The infant delivered at 28 weeks' gestation had acute cardiac failure attributed to the cardiotoxic effect of idarubicin. Cardiotoxicity may be caused by idarubicin's biophysical properties that facilitate its transplacental passage. Idarubicin should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy.

[Chemical peritonitis after iatrogenic rupture of a dermoid cyst of the ovary treated by coelioscopy. Apropos of a case and review of the literature]. / Péritonite chimique après rupture iatrogène d'un kyste dermoïde de l'ovaire traité par coelioscopie. A propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature.

Dermoid cyst is the most frequent benign ovarian tumor. Its intraperitoneal rupture may lead to a peritoneal reaction known as chemical peritonitis. It is a rare but a potentially dangerous issue. Its treatment may need one or more reoperations. We report here the case of a patient operated on in emergency for a torsion of an ovarian dermoid cyst, with peritoneal spillage of its content during coeliosurgery. The prolonged contact between the sebaceous material and the peritoneum has led to a chemical peritonitis. Two more laparoscopic interventions, associated with a systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, were necessary to relieve symptoms. We propose the following attitude to avoid this complication: (1) puncture and drainage of the cyst with a trocar; (2) extraction of the cyst in an endobag, and (3) abundant washout of the peritoneal cavity.

Biodistribution of anti-CEA F(ab')2 fragments after intra-arterial and intravenous injection in patients with liver metastases due to colorectal carcinoma.

The biodistribution of simultaneous intra-arterial and intravenous injections of a radiolabelled anti-CEA MAb F(ab')2 fragment was studied in three patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Identical MAb fragments, labelled with either 125I or 131I, were injected over a period of 30 min into the hepatic artery and into a peripheral vein. After 1 or 2 days, biodistribution was measured in the surgically removed metastases, normal tissue samples and blood. By tissue radioactivity counting, tumour uptake in the range 6.3-9.1% of injected dose per gram was found. Superimposable metastasis-to-blood and metastasis-to-normal liver ratios were obtained for both iodine isotopes in all three patients. The results indicate that the intra-arterial injection of MAb F(ab')2 fragments gives no measurable advantage over more convenient injections into a peripheral vein.

[Volvulus of the small intestine as a cause of primary acute abdomen]. / Volvulus de l'intestin grêle comme cause primaire d'abdomen aigu.

As a cause of small intestine occlusion, volvulus is often a consequence of a band or adhesions. Except in infants, it is rarely the primary cause of symptomatology. Between January 1976 and December 1992, 13 patients (7 women and 6 men, mean age of 56.8 years) were admitted in our department for an acute abdomen due to a spontaneous primary volvulus of the small bowel. Clinical examination and laboratory tests did not help in preoperative diagnosis. All patients underwent an explorative laparotomy. Six patients had had prior abdominal surgery but none of them presented adhesion or band. In 8 patients (62%), detorsion was sufficient. Resection of a segment of small bowel was necessary in 4 patients. Gangrenous of the entire bowel was observed in one patient who rapidly died. Two patients presented minor complications. One patient with Down syndrome died of bronchoaspiration. One patient has been reoperated on one year later for recurrence of the volvulus, and underwent a Noble procedure. We conclude that volvulus of the small bowel is a rare cause of acute abdomen that must be remembered. Early surgery is mandatory to reduce the risk of gangrene, which is known to double the mortality. Laparoscopy will be helpful in early diagnosis and therapy.