[An introduction of the treatment of uterine prolapse and urinary fistula from 1966 to 1976].

During the period 1966 to 1976, a large number of retained patients of uterine prolapse and urinary fistula became a problem around the maternal and child health aspects not to be ignored. All traditional Chinese and Western medical practitioners under difficult condition had been trying their best to continue to carry out the treatment. For uterine prolapse, Chinese medicine therapy included decoction therapy, acupuncture therapy, comprehensive therapy, para-uterine injection of traditional Chinese medicine preparations; whereas Western medicine treatment included hysterophore and surgery. Guangxi and other places treated urinary fistula in an organized scale, and summed up the treatment experience continuously.

[History of pelvic prolapse]. / L'histoire de prolapsus pelviens.

The history of pelvic prolapse back to the era of the pharaohs, about 1500 years before Christ. Hippocrates practiced succussion. Grenades, pieces of soaked linen were used as pessaries.Over the centuries, the eolution in understanding of this female pathology led to different treatment modalities, some of which we can currently seem strange.

A 13th-century description of uterine prolapse: causes, symptoms and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and discuss Gilbertus Anglicus' contribution to the diagnosis and management of uterine prolapse in the Middle Ages. STUDY DESIGN: Anglicus'Compendium medicinae (ca. 1240) is generally considered a well-documented, systematic epitome of classical and early medieval medical knowledge. The British Library's Sloane manuscript 3486 contains a 15th-century English translation of Anglicus' work, and devotes folios 140(v)-147(v) to a small treatise on gynecology and obstetrics (the so-called 'sekenesse of wymmen'). RESULTS: Chapter six, in particular, deals with uterine prolapse by first approaching disease etiology, female physiology and symptom complex, and ending with a proposal of different therapeutic options to effectively treat or prevent the disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The 13th-century English physician Gilbertus Anglicus identified three different types of uterine prolapse, taking into account the obstetrical and gynecological writings of classical and early medieval authors. Anglicus systematically compiled some of the relevant information available to provide an accurate description of the etiology, symptom complex and treatment of this female disorder.

A história da classificação do prolapso genital / The history of genital prolapse classification

A avaliação do prolapso genital constitui uma etapa importante do exame ginecológico, devendo, sempre que possível, ser classificados os graus de prolapso por meio de métodos padronizados. Embora a afecção não possa ser considerada fatal, ela pode determinar sequelas importantes para a saúde da mulher, comprometendo a sua qualidade de vida. Como o prolapso genital só se torna sintomático quando o segmento prolapsado ultrapassa o introito vaginal, torna-se necessário o diagnóstico precoce com o objetivo de prevenir o estágio final da doença. A história da classificação do prolapso genital nos mostra o esforço dos pesquisadores para adquirir uma linguagem comum que permita a comunicação mais precisa da posição anatômica dos órgãos pélvicos.

The assessment of genital prolapse is a major phase of the gynecological exam and, whenever is possible, the degree of prolapse should be identified by means of standard methods. Although the disease should is not considered fatal, it can bring significant sequelae to women's health and determine negative impacts on quality of life. As the genital prolapse only becomes symptomatic when the segment exceeds the vaginal introitus, it is necessary to perform the early diagnosis in order to prevent the final stage of the disease. The history of classification of genital prolapse shows us the effort of researchers to acquire a common language that allows more precise communication on the anatomical position of the pelvic organs.

Surgical diseases of the womb according to Aetius of Amida (6th century A.D.).

BACKGROUND: In the interest of presenting historical background for modern-day medicine and surgery, the authors comment on the concepts of the eminent Byzantine physician Aetius of Amida (sixth century A.D.) in surgical treatment of diseases of the womb. STUDY DESIGN: The 16th book of Aetius' work Tetrabiblus, in the original Greek language, a treatise on gynecology and obstetrics of his era, was investigated. Comparison was then made of the relative knowledge among ancient and Byzantine physicians. DISCUSSION: Aetius analytically describes many surgical diseases of the womb (prolapse, abscesses, phimosis, atresia, hemorrhoids, stones, thymos, chaps) and gives a detailed symptomatology and conservative and surgical treatment. His work followed Hippocratic, Roman, and early Byzantine physicians, especially Soranus, the "Father of ancient gynecology and obstetrics" and influenced later physicians of his era and beyond. CONCLUSIONS: Aetius of Amida gives significant information about surgical approaches to diseases of the womb, the most detailed of any medical writer of his epoch. His descriptions, following the Hippocratic and mainly the Hellenistic and Roman traditions, influenced Islamic and European medicine, and through them the rest of the world, constituting the roots of the specialty of gynecology.

[Robert Ziegenspeck (1856-1918), 'Don Quixote' of out-patient gynaecology. Amendment to my essay about Thure Brandt in this Journal, Vol 26]. / Robert Ziegenspeck (1856-1918)--der 'Don Quixote' der ambulanten Gynäkologie. Nachtrag zum Aufsatz uber Thure Brandt in Band 26 von "Medizin, Gesellschaft und Geschichte".

In 2007 I described a massage method that was developed by the Swedish officer Thure Brandt (1819-1895) and promoted by German physicians, especially Robert Ziegenspeck. But all files about Ziegenspeck seemed to be lost until two of them were rediscovered by chance in 2009. They offer insight into the desperate situation of German gynaecological hospitals in the late 19th century and the consequences for the young reformer Ziegenspeck who wanted to protect women's health against his colleagues' arbitrariness.

The history and evolution of pessaries for pelvic organ prolapse.

The use of pessaries for the treatment of genital prolapse dates back prior to the days of Hippocrates and their use has been documented in early Egyptian papyruses. Throughout the centuries remedies such as honey, hot oil, wine and fumes have been used as treatment. Mechanical methods included succussion and leg binding. Pomegranates were also common remedies. In the middle ages, linen and cotton wool soaked in many different potions were used. As new materials were discovered, pessaries evolved and began to resemble those used today. Cork and brass were soon replaced with rubber. Modern day pessaries are made of non-reactive silicone and come in various designs and sizes to suit each individual. Pessaries can be used as an interim measure for women who wish to complete childbearing or women awaiting surgery. It can also be used as a permanent measure for women who are unsuitable for surgery. It remains to be established whether the use of modern pessaries over prolonged periods of time can prevent progression of or even cure, prolapse.

[Prolapse of the uterus and cataract: a comparison of veterinary and human medicine in Greco-Roman antiquity]. / Gebärmuttervorfall und Katarakt: Antike Human- und Veterinärmedizin im Vergleich.

A number of surgical interventions in ancient veterinary medicine were modelled on the same procedures in human medicine. This is discussed in some detail for the prolapse of the uterus and the couching of the cataract in horses. In the introductory section, the importance of Switzerland and neighbouring areas for the transmission of ancient veterinary medicine is highlighted.

Management of neonatal genital prolapse: case reports and historic review.

Neonatal genital prolapse is a rare condition. It usually occurs during the first few days of life and presents as a tumor mass protruding from the vulva. Most cases occur in association with meningomyelocele or other anomalies of the central nervous system. Two cases are presented to illustrate the usefulness of conservative management of this unusual problem. A historical review of the literature is presented to acquaint the reader with the variety of treatments that have been used in the past.

The anatomy of genital prolapse.

The history of genital prolapse in women is given briefly. The normal anatomy of genital support is described and the histological and electron microscopic features of these suspensory tissues are briefly outlined. The causes of failure of the supportive system are reviewed and prophylaxis to avoid this failure is discussed. Certain anatomical characteristics are suggested to explain why genital prolapse is relatively common in the White, Indian and Coloured populations in the RSA, yet so uncommon in the Black population.