Overexpression of VEGF165 is associated with poor prognosis of cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a major health hazard to Indian women. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an established risk factor for cervical carcinogenesis. However, understanding the cervical cancer biology beyond HPV infection is very crucial to predict aggressive behavior, prognosis, treatment response and survival. In the present study, we explored the role of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) isoforms, VEGFC and VEGFD in cervical cancer progression and its association with HPV 16 and 18 infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 cervical cancer tissues and 50 normal cervical tissues were collected for the study. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to analyze tissue VEGFA isoforms, VEGFC and VEGFD expression. RESULTS: VEGF165 was significantly higher, whereas VEGFC and VEGFD were significantly lower in malignant cervical carcinoma tissues as compared to normal cervix tissues. Expression levels of VEGF121 and VEGFC were significantly associated with type of tumor growth while VEGF165 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. VEGF165 transcript levels were significantly higher in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and developed recurrence. Most strikingly, higher VEGF165 expression was significantly associated with worst disease-free survival (DFS) specifically in patients with SCC. CONCLUSION: Association of VEGF165 with lymph node metastasis, disease recurrence and worst DFS indicated that VEGF165 is an important prognostic factor in cervical carcinogenesis.

Anterior bladder flap neo urethra as treatment for stress urinary incontinence due to developmental urogenital anomaly.

Congenital anomalies that involve the distal segment of urogenital sinus (giving rise to female urethra and vagina) may lead to abnormal urethral development ranging from absent to markedly deficient urethra. The abnormal division may also cause a short and patulous urethra. Sphincteric defects are likely to be associated and when combined with the short urethral length is a cause for severe urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence due to a congenital cause requiring repeated urethral reconstruction to relieve symptoms is presented. A 15 year old girl was referred for bothersome urinary incontinence due to a short, wide, patulous urethra with defective sphincteric mechanism as part of urogenital sinus developmental anomaly. She was initially managed by reconstruction of bladder neck and proximal urethra with sphincter augmentation using autologous pubovaginal sling. Persistent urinary incontinence demanded a second urethral reconstruction using tubularised anterior bladder flap (modified Tanagho). Surgical reconstruction of the urethra achieved socially acceptable continence.

Vesicouterine fistulae: our experience of 17 cases and literature review.

AIM: A retrospective study of vesicouterine fistulae managed from 1996 to 2011 analyzed the incidence, symptomatology, diagnosis, and surgical outcome. PATIENTS & METHODS: During the study period, 17 patients were managed, of whom 14 underwent abdominal repair and three underwent vaginal repair. Mean patient age was 31.1 years and mean follow-up 7.3 years. RESULTS: Vesicouterine fistulae resulted following cesarean section in 13 patients and vaginal delivery in four. Eleven patients presented with urinary leakage via the vagina and seven with menouria. All patients had successful outcomes irrespective of treatment approach. The uterus was conserved in ten patients, of whom seven had completed their childbearing. The remaining three conceived spontaneously and underwent elective cesarean section. CONCLUSION: The majority of vesicouterine fistulae occur following cesarean section, and it is feasible to achieve 100 % successful repair. Though the majority require abdominal repair, a few selected cases can be successfully repaired vaginally.

Vaginal mesh repair: is it appropriate for pelvic organ prolapse in a nulliparous female following pelvic ring fracture?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a nulliparous woman is a rare sequela of high-energy pelvic trauma. We report a case of a 26-year-old nulliparous woman who developed stage III pelvic organ prolapse two decades after pelvic ring disruption. Abdominal wall cervicopexy was performed as a primary procedure by her attending local gynecologist. Recurrence occurred in early postoperative period following which she was referred to our institute. Examination revealed 5-cm pubic symphysis widening and stage III pelvic organ prolapse with deficient perineal body. Widened levator hiatus with atrophic pelvic floor muscles were confirmed on MRI. The patient was successfully managed by sacrospinous hysteropexy using predesigned vaginal mesh kit along with anterior colporrhaphy and colpoperineorrhaphy. Mesh exposure detected at the 6th year of follow-up required partial excision of the exposed mesh.

Management of ureterovaginal fistulae: an audit.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: A retrospective study was done from January 2008 to January 2011 to analyze the outcome of ureterovaginal fistula management in relation to intervention mode. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients who developed ureterovaginal fistulae following gynecological and obstetric procedures were studied. Ureteroscopic stenting was attempted in 17 cases, and one patient electively underwent ureteral reimplantation. RESULTS: Ureteroscopic stenting was successfully accomplished in 13 of 17 patients; four patients underwent ureteral reimplantation, as stenting was not feasible. The success rate was 100 % at a mean follow-up of 24.6 months, irrespective of modality. CONCLUSION: The majority of iatrogenic ureterovaginal fistulae can be successfully managed by ureteroscopic stenting. Our study also suggests that ureteroscopic stenting should be considered as the primary mode of intervention in all cases. Ureteral reimplantation is required and remains practicable when stenting turns out to be impossible.

Trans-vaginal repair of gynecological supratrigonal vesicovaginal fistulae: A worthy option!

OBJECTIVE: To determine the appropriateness of vaginal approach for gynecological supratrigonal vesicovaginal fistulae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of consecutive women with gynecological supratrigonal Vesico Vaginal Fistulae (VVF) repaired at the fistula unit of Urogynecology department between 1996 and 2011 was done.Out of 48 cases of supratrigonal VVF of gynecological origin identified; 34 (70.8%) cases were repaired vaginally and 14 (36.8%) abdominally with a mean follow-up period of 52.8 (2-132) months. RESULTS: Overall 95.8% were successfully cured at first attempt. The success rate of vaginal repair (94.8%) at first attempt was comparable to that of abdominal repair (100%) (P value = 0.8946). Amongst two failed vaginal repairs, one was successfully cured by subsequent vaginal repair and other by abdominal repair. CONCLUSION: Three fourth gynecological supratrigonal VVF can be repaired vaginally in first attempt with success rate comparable to abdominal approach. On the basis of this study we postulate that vaginal approach should be preferred over abdominal approach for repair of all vaginally accessible supratrigonal VVF of gynecological origin.