Pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer: extraperitoneal versus laparoscopic approach.

Objective: To compare the extraperitoneal versus the laparoscopic technique in performing pelvic lymphadenectomy in a series of patients undergoing a radical vaginal hysterectomy for locally advanced cervical cancer.

Study Design: Retrospective study with 42 patients undergoing a radical vaginal hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Patients from group A (20 patients) had a laparoscopic lymph node dissection and patients belonging to group B (22 patients) had an extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy.

Left ventricular concentric geometry as a risk factor in gestational hypertension.

In the past, an adverse prognostic significance of an altered left ventricular geometry in essential hypertension has been demonstrated. There are no data on the prognostic significance of an altered cardiac structure during pregnancy. The present study was designed to evaluate the prognostic impact on the outcome of pregnancy of an altered geometry of the left ventricle in mild gestational hypertension.

Subcutaneous drainage versus no drainage after minilaparotomy in gynecologic benign conditions: a randomized study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of subcutaneous drainage in patients who are affected by benign gynecologic diseases that are treated by a Kustner's minilaparotomy incision.

Study Design: We performed a randomized controlled study with 72 patients who underwent operation for benign gynecologic disease. Patients were assigned intraoperatively to two groups: group A (36 patients) had a closed drainage system and group B (36 patients) had no drainage.

Mutations of the D310 mitochondrial mononucleotide repeat in primary tumors and cytological specimens.

A mononucleotide repeat (D310) in mitochondrial DNA has been recently identified as a mutational hot spot in primary tumors. We analyzed 56 tumors for insertion/deletion mutations in the D310 repeat. A total of 13 mutations were detected.