Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of solifenacin succinate with or without previous use of trospium chloride.

Overactive bladder syndrome (OBS) is described as urinary urgency with or without incontinence, usually with increased daytime frequency and nocturia in the absence of another identifiable pathological process. Nowadays and despite other alternative therapies, the mainstay of OBS is still the pharmacological approach, mainly with anti-muscarinic drugs. To compare the efficacy of a 30-day solifenacin succinate (5 mg OD) treatment with or without previous medication with trospium chloride, a prostective open, two-arm, parallel group study was conducted for 5 weeks in 40 patients with OBS. The primary endpoint was patient self-assessment of improvement after 30 days of medication. Secondary endpoints included the reduction of the daily number of voids and urgency or involuntary leakage episodes. Adverse reactions and therapeutic stoppage were also evaluated. To be included in the trospium chloride treatment group, patients were required to have been treated with such drug for 1 to 6 months before the present study. Evaluation and efficacy assessment were accomplished using a 3-day bladder diary and an urgency severity scale (USS). Safety assessment was done by recording all the patients' complaints after starting medication. A total of 40 patients were enrolled for this study, 19 without previous medication and 21 who had already tried trospium chloride. Two patients from the non-previous medication group were excluded. Globally, there was a statistically significant reduction for the USS (2.73-->1.73), the daily number of voids (9.5-->7.0), of urgency episodes (9.1-->4.0) and of involuntary leakage episodes (3.6-->1.0) over the 24 h. Six patients had no improvement, four from the previous trospium chloride group and two from the non-previous medication group. Three patients reported side effects, two cases of dry mouth and one case of constipation. One patient dropped out of the treatment due to an unspecified intolerance. Solifenacin succinate 5 mg seems to be effective concerning patients' self-assessment of improvement and decrease in the mean number of daily voids, urgency episodes and incontinence episodes. This was reported both in patients who have already been medicated with trospium chloride and those who have never taken any kind of medication. Regarding side effects, solifenacin is quite well-tolerated in both groups.

Safyre. Un nuevo concepto de cabestrillo ajustable mínimamente invasivo para la incontinencia urinaria por estrés femenina / Safyre. A new concept for adjustable minimally invasive sling for female urinary stress incontinence

INTRODUCCIÓN: SAFYRE es un nuevo cabestrillo (dispositivo de suspensión) reajustable y mínimamente invasivo para el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria por estrés (IUE). En los últimos años se ha intentado restaurar el lecho suburetral normal utilizando una técnica anatómica. Los autores comunican su experiencia con este dispositivo, que además de poseer la eficacia de los cabestrillos tiene capacidad de reajustación. MATERIALES y MÉTODOS: Un total de 100 pacientes consecutivas con diagnóstico de IUE desde el punto de vista clínico y urodinámico se sometieron al procedimiento de implantación del cabestrillo SAFYRE. Su rango de edad era de 40 a 71 años, con una edad media de 63 años. Previamente, 75 pacientes (75%) se habían sometido a procedimientos para la incontinencia que habían fracasado. Antes de la cirugía se realizaron una exploración física clínica, una prueba de estrés, un estudio urodinámico y un estudio sobre el uso de almohadillas. Todas las pacientes presentaban síntomas de IUE y el 30% también tenían tenesmo leve. RESULTADOS: El periodo de seguimiento medio fue de 14 meses (12 – 30 meses). El tiempo medio de la operación fue de 25 minutos. Durante el mismo procedimiento se reparó la distopia cuando se consideró necesario. La estancia hospitalaria media fue de 24 horas. En el 3% de los implantes se produjo perforación de la vejiga. Durante el periodo posoperatorio 26 pacientes presentaron síntomas de tenesmo. Durante ese periodo de seguimiento, el 92% presentaron continencia urinaria, el 3% mejoraron y el 5% no estuvieron satisfechas con el procedimiento. CONCLUSIÓN: SAFYRE es un procedimiento seguro y rápido que permite el reajuste posoperatorio. Esta técnica puede ser una alternativa atractiva si se demuestra que los buenos resultados obtenidos hasta ahora son de larga duración

INTRODUCTION: SAFYRE is a new readjustable and minimally invasive sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Attempts to restore the normal suburethral hammock using an anatomical approach have been made in recent years. The authors report their experience with this device, which associates the efficacy of slings with readjustability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI underwent SAFYRE sling procedure. The age range was from 40 to 71, mean age 63 years. Seventy-five patients (75%) presented previous failed anti-incontinence procedures. Physical clinical examination, stress test, pad use and a urodynamic study were performed before the surgery. All the patients presented symptoms of SUI and 30 % also reported mild urgency. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 14 months (12 – 30 months). The mean operative time was of 25 minutes. Dystopia repair was performed whenever necessary, during the same procedure. The average hospital stay was 24 hours. In 3% of the implants, bladder perforation occurred. During the postoperative period, 26 patients developed urgency symptoms. During that follow up period, 92% were found to be continent, 3% reported an improvement and 5% were dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: SAFYRE is a safe and quick procedure that allows for postoperative readjustment. This technique may be an attractive alternative if the good result obtained so far proves to be long lasting

[SAFYRE. A new concept for adjustable minimally invasive sling for female urinary stress incontinence]. / SAFYRE. Un nuevo concepto de cabestrillo ajustable mínimamente invasivo para la incontinencia urinaria por estrés femenina.

INTRODUCTION: SAFYRE is a new readjustable and minimally invasive sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Attempts to restore the normal suburethral hammock using an anatomical approach have been made in recent years. The authors report their experience with this device, which associates the efficacy of slings with readjustability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with clinical and urodynamic diagnosis of SUI underwent SAFYRE sling procedure. The age range was from 40 to 71, mean age 63 years. Seventy-five patients (75%) presented previous failed anti-incontinence procedures. Physical clinical examination, stress test, pad use and a urodynamic study were performed before the surgery. All the patients presented symptoms of SUI and 30% also reported mild urgency. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 14 months (12-30 months). The mean operative time was of 25 minutes. Dystopia repair was performed whenever necessary, during the same procedure. The average hospital stay was 24 hours. In 3% of the implants, bladder perforation occurred. During the postoperative period, 26 patients developed urgency symptoms. During that follow up period, 92% were found to be continent, 3% reported an improvement and 5% were dissatisfied. CONCLUSION: SAFYRE is a safe and quick procedure that allows for postoperative readjustment. This technique may be an attractive alternative if the good result obtained so far proves to be long lasting.

[Burch colposuspension]. / Colpopexia de burch.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the subjective success rates, and complications, of Burch colposuspension. DESIGN: A retrospective review. SAMPLE: Fortynine women undergoing surgery - Burch colposuspension - for genuine stress incontinence, between 1994 and 2000, were reviewed. METHODS: Choice of surgical procedure was made on the basis of clinical and urodynamic findings and physician preference. The subjective cure rate was determined by means of historical report and defined as no or occasional stress or urge incontinence (< one episode per week). Clinical follow-up started six weeks after the surgical procedure and continued for one to seven years. RESULTS: Thirty-six (73.5%) of the 49 women submitted to Burch colposuspension were subjectively cured of the stress urinary incontinence and three (6,1%) had improvement with mainly urge incontinence, while ten (19.2%) operations failed (n= 52). CONCLUSION: Burch colposuspension is an effective and safe procedure for women with urinary stress incontinence (even after retropubic continence surgery).

[Meta analysis of diagnostic methods in urinary stress incontinence]. / Metanálise dos métodos diagnósticos da incontinência urinária de esforço.

The analysis of existing diagnostic methods of urinary stress incontinence suggest that it is almost always clinical. Urodynamic evaluation has a place in special situations, as atypical symptom; neurologic disease; recurrent USI after surgery or when it is necessary to confirm the clinical diagnose.

[Primary malignant neoplasms of the female genitalia]. / Neoplasias malignas primitivas do aparelho genital feminino.

A patient with synchronous multiple malignant neoplasms of the female genital tract, involving the ovary, the cervix and the endometrium is described. A 49-year-old patient, presenting pelvic pain and menometrorrhagia over the last six months. An abdominal and speculum examination revealed an abnormal mass occupying the entire left lower quadrant and a vegetating tumor of the cervix, respectively. Microscopic examination of the uterus and ovary revealed a cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary and an adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix and an endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium. The data suggests this is a multiple mullerian tumor. Due to treatment and prognostic implications, in the presence of a patient with a tumor involving different organs, we must not overlook differential diagnosis between primary and metastatic tumor.

Laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Intraoperative laparoscopy was used to evaluate pelvic pathology in 46 patients who had been anesthetized for abdominal hysterectomy. Because traditional indicators--clinical history, pelvic examination, and ultrasound studies--suggested the presence of more serious pelvic pathology, these patients were considered poor candidates for vaginal hysterectomy. Laparoscopic findings, however, revealed that 42 of the 46 (91%) could undergo uncomplicated vaginal surgery (which they did). Laparoscopy-assisted hysterectomy is recommended as an additional method of investigation in order to improve diagnostic accuracy and minimize surgical risk while allowing more frequent selection of the vaginal approach to hysterectomy.

The use of Doppler waveform analysis in the evaluation of the high-risk fetus.

The development of Doppler ultrasound evaluation of the uteroplacental and fetoplacental circulations is one of the most important achievements of modern obstetrics. For the first time, the obstetrician has the ability to evaluate, in a noninvasive way, circulatory systems critical to fetal development and the outcome of pregnancy and to obtain information of great value for the management of complicated pregnancies. At this time, Doppler examination of the umbilical artery has become a fundamental part of the evaluation of pregnancies complicated by retarded fetal growth. Doppler examination of the umbilical and uterine arteries has become the most accurate test to establish a fetal prognosis in patients with hypertension in pregnancy. Other indications for the use of this methodology (twins, diabetes, Rh isoimmunization, etc.) are being studied, and the role of Doppler ultrasound probably will extend significantly beyond the now well-established indications for its use.

Success following vaginal creation for Müllerian agenesis.

Eighty-eight women with Müllerian agenesis underwent vaginal dilatation (n = 21) and/or vaginal creation using a modified McIndoe technique (n = 79). Patient and family counseling was considered an essential component of the therapy regimen. An initial trial of vaginal dilatation was successful in 9 of 21 patients (43%). Failure was associated with a prior vaginal exploration in eight women. All of the 79 women experienced satisfactory sexual activity and were satisfied with vaginal depth following vaginal creation using a split thickness graft technique. However, anatomic success, as judged by the surgeon, was noted in 72 patients (91%). Our experience suggests an initial trial of vaginal dilatation coupled with careful instruction and family counseling is appropriate in the motivated patient. However, vaginoplasty using a split thickness graft technique is highly successful and should be offered to those patients unwilling or unable to obtain an adequate neovagina with dilatation.