[What haemostatic technique should we use for opportunistic salpingectomy during benign laparoscopic hysterectomy?] / Quelle technique d'hémostase faut-il utiliser lors des salpingectomies prophylactiques ?

OBJECTIVE: To compare ovarian function before and after laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy for benign lesions with two different systems of haemostasis. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study comparing two types of energy used for coagulation in bilateral salpingectomy (group A: bipolar electric energy, versus group B: ultrasonic advanced energy [Harmonic®]), forty consecutive non-menopausal patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign lesions were included. Values of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), LH and FSH, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian vascularization on bilateral Doppler ultrasound, quality of life (questionnaire) were assessed preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preliminary analysis showed shorter salpingectomy operating time (P<0.0001) and less bleeding (P<0.005) in group B. In group A, there was no statistical difference except a decrease in AFC at 1 and 3 months on the right ovary (P=0.04). In group B, AMH levels were significantly lower postoperatively at 3 months and LH levels were increased at 3 months (respectively P=0.02 et P=0.04). There was no statistical difference in the ultrasonographic data. Quality of life did not significantly differ in both groups. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings showed reduced AMH levels at 3months postoperatively in ultrasonic energy group whereas there was no significative menopausal symptoms. It seems important to continue this study in order to know the real effects of both energy systems on the ovarian function.

N-3 fatty acid enriched eggs and production of egg yolk powders: an increased risk of lipid oxidation?

Lipid oxidation is generally favoured by thermal processing and long-term storage. Oxidised lipids can alter nutritional and sensorial properties of foods. As eggs are widely used in food industries in dried powder form, our aim was to determine whether compositional or processing parameters have an impact on lipid oxidation from the shell eggs up to the dried powders and subsequent storage. Two batches of shell eggs were processed: one issued from hens fed with a standard diet and another receiving a diet enriched in extruded linseed, rich in linolenic acid. The extent of lipid oxidation was evaluated by quantification of conjugated dienes (CD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), but also by assessment of tocopherols, lutein and zeaxanthin losses. Results highlighted the remarkable oxidative stability of control and enriched yolk powders as revealed by a moderate increase of the quantities of CD and MDA, the lack of oxidised cholesterol and small loss of α-tocopherol.

Epidemiologic comparison of human T-lymphotropic virus type I-infected blood donors from endemic and nonendemic regions over a 3-year period.

BACKGROUND: Screening for human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection became systematic in 1989 in the French West Indies for blood from all donors and in France for blood from natives of endemic areas; in 1990, it was extended to blood from donors with at-risk sex partners and in July 1991 to blood from all donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The epidemiologic characteristics of individuals found through the screening of donated blood to be HTLV-I infected were compared for an endemic region (Guadeloupe, French West Indies) and a nonendemic region (Paris area) over a 3-year period (1989 through 1991). RESULTS: In Guadeloupe, 131 HTLV-I-infected individuals were detected in the screening of 28,801 units; in the Paris area, 38 HTLV-I-infected donors were detected in the screening of 109,824 units. All Guadeloupean HTLV-I-infected donors were natives of endemic areas. Among the 38 Parisian HTLV-I-infected donors, 21 were natives of endemic areas, 10 were natives of endemic areas and had received transfusions, 2 were whites who had received transfusions, and 5 were whites who had had heterosexual contact with natives of endemic areas. The percentage of HTLV-I-infected individuals whose blood would have been excluded because of positivity for one or more markers for other viruses did not significantly change over the study period and did not significantly differ between regions (41%). Among the eight Parisian HTLV-I-infected blood donors detected after July 1991, six would not have been detected without the biologic screening. CONCLUSION: The generalization of biologic screening of HTLV-I-infected donated blood in France was useful for the prevention of HTLV-I and HTLV type II infections through transfusion.