Vaginal cuff closure with absorbable bidirectional barbed suture during total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Objective: Hysterectomy represents one of the most performed procedures in gynecological surgery. The minimally invasive approach increases patients' benefits and reduces hospitalization costs. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of double barbed suture in vaginal cuff closure during total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Pretreatment serum hemoglobin level as a predictive factor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cervical carcinoma: a preliminary report.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of pretreatment serum hemoglobin level (Hb) together with a series of clinical and pathological variables available before neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced squamous cervical cancer.

Methods: The influence on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy of a series of pretreatment clinico-pathological features: hemoglobin level at diagnosis, age, parity, menopausal status, body mass index, clinical stage, tumor diameter, and nuclear grading were analyzed on 73 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer treated with platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. The relationships between pretreatment variables and response to chemotherapy were assessed in univariate and multivariate settings.

Laparoscopic treatment of endometrial cancer: feasibility and results.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and abdominal approach in the treatment of endometrial cancer in our department.

Study Design: From January 1999 to November 2002, 77 patients underwent surgery for stages I-III endometrial cancer. The first group of 36 patients had abdominal hysterectomy as well as salpingo-oophorectomy, with or without lymphadenectomy.

Attitudes of Italian gynaecologists towards prophylactic oophorectomy at hysterectomy for non-malignant conditions.

Objective: To compare the attitudes of Italian oncologic gynaecologists towards prophylactic oophorectomy at hysterectomy for a non-neoplastic reason.

Study Design: A four-item two-part questionnaire was submitted to 170 gynaecologists attending a national conference on gynaecologic oncology.

Results: About 92% of gynaecologists reported they would perform prophylactic oophorectomy in women over 50 years, but only 14% said they would in patients aged 45-50; a family history of cancer emerged as a major decision-making criterion for performing oophorectomy in the younger set of patients.

Pretreatment serum hemoglobin level and a preliminary investigation of intratumoral microvessel density in advanced ovarian cancer.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic and predictive value of pretreatment serum hemoglobin level (Hb) in advanced ovarian cancer; second aim was to perform a preliminary investigation of intratumoral microvessel density (IMD).

Methods: The influence on survival and response to treatment of several clinico-pathological features, including Hb, was analyzed in 72 patients with advanced ovarian cancer. IMD was assessed in tumor specimens of 25 of the 72 patients to compare three different endothelial markers: anti-FactorVIII, anti-CD31 and anti-CD34.