Publications by authors named "Alessandra Saba"

This observational study was conducted in premenopausal women who presented themselves at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of the University Hospital of Cagliari (Italy), for heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) dependent on uterine myomas. After a screening visit, 19 women without contraindications to ulipristal acetate (UPA) treatment, were included in the study that envisaged 12 months of observation in which each subject was asked to assume UPA (tablet of 5 mg, ESMYA, one tablet a day for 3 months: first cycle) two menstrual cycles of interruption and a second ESMYA cycle, followed by 3 months of observation (third follow-up month, visit 4). The significant decrease of myoma volume, diagnosed after the first ESMYA cycle, persisted until the visit 4.

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The medical strategy to antagonize myoma size and related-symptoms is to reduce estrogen and progesterone activity on myomas. This can be obtained with the GnRH agonist (GnRHa) or with compounds that antagonize progesterone stimulatory activity on myomas. Selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) bind progesterone receptor (PR), leading to both agonist and antagonist effects.

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Article Synopsis
  • The vaginal immune system (VIS) acts as the primary defense against foreign agents, and activating it could help treat vulvo-vaginal infections (VVI) caused by imbalances in the vaginal ecosystem.
  • A product called Immunovag, which combines bacterial lysates from Propionibacterium acnes with hyaluronic acid and polycarbophil, was tested for its effectiveness in treating various types of VVI.
  • After a 5-day treatment with Immunovag, a significant number of women showed improvement and reduced symptoms of VVI compared to before treatment, making it a potential effective remedy for imbalances in the vaginal environment.
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Purpose: The aim of this randomized-controlled trial was to validate the results of a previous prospective single-cohort observational study conducted in the same surgical unit regarding the use of concomitant intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and serum calcium measurement in predicting hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

Methods: From January 2014 to January 2015, 150 patients underwent total thyroidectomy in our department and were randomized into two groups. The experimental group was submitted to iPTH assay 6 h after surgery while the control group was submitted to a daily assay of serum calcium and phosphorus.

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Background: There is currently a paucity of research comparing the clinical outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic colectomy (SILC) with those obtained with multiport laparoscopic colectomy (MLC). This meta-analysis aimed to examine whether SILC shows real benefits over MLC, especially in terms of feasibility, safety, and oncological adequacy.

Methods: A literature review of studies comparing SILC and MLC has been performed which looked at the following outcomes: mortality, morbidity, and oncological parameters of adequacy, as well as other potential benefits and drawbacks.

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A gastric diverticulum is a pouch protruding from the gastric wall. The vague long clinical history ranging between dyspepsia, postprandial fullness, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding makes this condition a diagnostic challenge. We present a case of large gastric diverticulum that has been diagnosed during clinical investigations for suspected cardiovascular issues in a patient admitted at the medical ward for syncope.

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Background: Evidence on the biological behavior and clinical courses of minimally invasive and widely invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma (MI-FTC, WI-FTC) is still debatable. The current study was conducted to identify differences between MI and WI tumors and those prognostic parameters influencing late outcome such as local recurrence and survival.

Methods: From January 1998 to October 2013, 71 patients were operated on in our department because of a FTC.

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Despite the majority of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) patients has benign clinical courses, some PTMCs have a clinical presentation similar to conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for lymph node metastasis at presentation and prognostic parameters influencing nodal recurrence in PTMC. From January 1998 to October 2013, 556 consecutive patients had a diagnosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in our surgical department.

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Background: There is no consensus that single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILS-A) is on a par with conventional multiport laparoscopic appendectomy (CMLA). The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess feasibility, safety, and potential benefits of SILS-A when compared with CMLA.

Methods: A literature search for studies comparing SILS-A and CMLA was performed.

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Backgrounds: Concomitant intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and serum calcium measurement is deemed to be useful in predicting hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. This study aimed to prospectively assess the diagnostic accuracy of combined iPTH and serum calcium measurement in predicting early postoperative hypocalcemia.

Methods: From January 2010 to January 2011, 112 patients underwent total thyroidectomy in our department.

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