Chronic endometritis - a constantly discussed issue in infertile women.

OBJECTIVE: A review of current knowledge on the pathophysiology, diagnostic and treatment options for chronic endometritis in infertile women. METHODS AND RESULTS: One of the major causes of failed in vitro fertilization (IVF) is undiagnosed intrauterine pathologies, including chronic inflammation of the uterine mucosa - chronic endometritis. However, some authors relativize the negative impact of chronic endometritis on reproductive outcomes. The etiopathogenesis of chronic endometritis is due to qualitative and quantitative changes in the endometrial microbiome with abnormal multiplication of microorganisms naturally occurring in the uterine cavity or vagina. There is no uniform consensus on the most common pathogen causing chronic endometritis. It is characterized by infiltration of plasma cells into the endometrial stroma outside the menstrual cycle, accompanied by hyperaemia and endometrial oedema. Clinical symptoms are very mild or absent. The diagnosis of chronic endometritis is often difficult because there is no specific clinical or laboratory diagnostic method. The following investigative options are commonly used for the diagnosis of chronic endometritis: diagnostic hysteroscopy, histopathological examination of the endometrium including CD 138 immunohistochemistry and culture from the uterine cavity. However, standardised international hysteroscopic and histopathological criteria for accurate diagnosis of chronic endometritis are still lacking. Empirically administered antibiotic therapy improves the success rate of pregnancy and delivery of a viable foetus in infertile patients with proven chronic endometritis. In addition to reviewing the current knowledge of chronic endometritis, this article discusses the importance of hysteroscopy in the diagnostic process. CONCLUSION: Chronic endometritis is often a clinically silent disease with negative impact on reproduction in infertile women. Although there are still many unresolved issues, the introduction of hysteroscopy into the diagnostic process is important for clinical practice; however, hysteroscopy even in combination with histological examination of the endometrium, often does not allow an unequivocal diagnosis of chronic endometritis. Further prospective randomised studies in a selected group of women with proven chronic endometritis and repeated failure to implant proven euploid embryos should refine this knowledge.

Complete tubal abortion which didn't require salpingectomy.

Tubal abortion is characterized by the extrusion of the foetus into the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. It can either be a complete extrusion or incomplete with residual tissue remaining in the fallopian tube. It is a type of ectopic pregnancy that is difficult to determine the exact incidence of tubal pregnancies. Identifying cases of tubal abortions is crucial for individualized care since it can lead to a more conservative treatment approach. The diagnosis should be based on ultrasound imaging, b-hCG levels and visual conformation during exploratory surgery, either open or laparoscopic. The article describes the case of a 30-year old patient who presented with lower abdominal pain and was admitted for a suspected ectopic pregnancy. Ultrasound imaging showed a mass resembling a tubal pregnancy next to the uterus with b-hCG levels of 111.8 U/L. During laparoscopic surgery, a tubal abortion was detected in the pouch of Douglas (Rectouterine pouch). This finding led us to preserve both fallopian tubes. Histopathology confirmed our clinical findings. A conservative approach can be sufficient in case of tubal abortions, which can lead to preserved fertility and tubal functions.

Lower Limb Lymphedema Awareness among Gynecological Cancer Patients: An International Survey Supported by the European Network of Gynecological Cancer Advocacy Groups (ENGAGe) Group.

INTRODUCTION: Patient awareness of postoperative lymphedema in the field of gynecologic oncology has been poorly documented in the international literature. We wished to capture and document the awareness among gynecological cancer survivors about postoperative lymphedema, including aspects such as the adequacy of perioperative counseling, management, and quality of life. METHODS: A web-based survey comprising 25 multiple-choice questions was distributed to gynecological cancer advocacy groups within the European Network of Gynecological Cancer Advocacy Groups (ENGAGe) group. The survey was validated in a pilot group of gynecological patients prior to distribution. RESULTS: Overall, 386 women from 20 countries completed the questionnaire. Only half of the patients (n = 211) knew what lymphedema is, whereas 52% of the respondents stated that they were never informed at their pre-operative assessment about the potential risk of developing lymphedema. Fifty-three percent of those women who were informed about the risk and management of lymphedema received information through self-initiative, connecting mainly with patient groups or online. Approximately 84% of patients with lymphedema reported that they informed their doctor about their symptoms. Ninety-four patients (55.3%, which is not 55% of the 386) were treated for lymphedema. Forty-five women out of 136 reported that lymphedema significantly affected their everyday lives. DISCUSSION: We report a large lack of awareness and a significant gap of knowledge about the risks and treatment options related to postoperative lymphedema among gynecological cancer survivors. Institutional practice routines and awareness among professionals need to be urgently recalled and adapted to adequately inform and support gynecological cancer patients.

Adsorption of Phosphate and Ammonium on Waste Building Sludge.

Two selected waste building sludges (WBS) were used in this study: (i) sludge from the production and processing of prestressed concrete pillars (B) and (ii) sludge from the production of technical stone (TS). The materials were used in their original and Fe-modified forms (BFe/TSFe) for the adsorption of NH4+ and PO43- from contaminated waters. The experiments were performed on a model solution simulating real wastewater with a concentration of 1.7 mmol·L-1 (NH4+) and 0.2 mmol·L-1 (PO43-). The adsorption of PO43- had a high efficiency (>99%) on B, BFe and TSFe, while for TS, the adsorption of PO43- was futile due to the high content of available P in the raw TS. The adsorption of NH4+ on all sorbents (B/BFe, TS/TSFe) had a lower efficiency (<60%), while TS proved to be the most effective. Leaching tests were performed according to the CSN EN 12457 standard for B/BFe and TS/TSFe before and after NH4+ and PO43- sorption when the contents of these ions in the leachates were affected by adsorption experiments in the cases of B and TS. For BFe and TSFe, the ion content in the leachates before and after the adsorption experiments was similar.

[The current staging for uterine body malignancies and its importance for clinical practice]. / Soucasný staging zhoubných nádoru delozního tela a jeho význam pro klinickou praxi.

Reliable staging system should facilitate prognosis assessment, decision on treatments, and evaluation of their outcomes. A good staging system must meet three basic characteristics: validity, reliability, and practicality. The purpose of such system is to offer classification of the extent and progress of gynaecological cancer that will allow the comparison of different treatment methods and the choice of optimal treatment for individual patients. The previously developed staging of gynaecological cancers has become outdated because it has not considered results of current medical research that allow refinement of prognostic subgroupings. Changes based on new findings were proposed for staging of uterine malignancies by the FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) Committee on Gynecologic Oncology and approved by the FIGO Executive Board in 2008, and were published in 2009. Stage 0 was deleted, since it did not represent any stage of invasive tumor. Four fundamental changes were made in the staging system of endometrium carcinoma. The revised staging system for endometrium carcinoma divides patients to groups with similar prognosis; carcinosarcoma is staged identically. The novel system will facilitate exchange of relevant information between diverse oncological centers and thereby promote knowledge dissemination and stimulate research around the globe. A different staging system was proposed for adenosarcomas, leiomyosarcomas and endometrial stromal sarcomas. It is based on features used for the sarcomas of other soft tissues. The purpose of the text is to review current knowledge in this area.

A multicenter, randomized, prospective, controlled study comparing sacrospinous fixation and transvaginal mesh in the treatment of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare recurrence and complication rates for sacrospinous fixation (SSF) and prolene mesh techniques for the primary treatment of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing surgery for vault prolapse were included in a multicenter, randomized, controlled study comparing SSF or total mesh (Prolift; Gynecare/Ethicon, Somerville, NJ). The examination included pelvic organ prolapse quantification, urodynamics, ultrasound, and quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires before and 3 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Of 168 randomized patients, 83 underwent SSF and 85 mesh repair. Prolapse recurrence after 12 months occurred in 39.4% of the SSF group and in 16.9% of the mesh group (P = .003). The mesh exposure rate was 20.8%. No difference in QoL improvement as well as of de novo stress urinary incontinence and overactive bladder onset was found. CONCLUSION: Mesh exposure occurrence was balanced against a lower prolapse recurrence rate in the patients undergoing mesh surgery compared with those undergoing SSF.