Post-partum evaluation of maternal cardiac function after severe preeclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate the post-partum maternal cardiac function in patients with history of severe preeclampsia.

Methods: A series of women with previous singleton pregnancy complicated by severe preeclampsia underwent transthoracic echocardiography at 6-12 months from delivery. A group of women with previous uncomplicated pregnancy was selected as controls.

Significance of uteroplacental Doppler at midtrimester in patients with favourable obstetric history.

Objective: To reassess the usefulness of midtrimester uterine Doppler in low-risk multiparous women.

Methods: We prospectively recruited low-risk pregnant women at 20-22 weeks attending our clinic. Among those, women with a favourable obstetric history (group A) were distinguished from nulliparous (group B) and of each group we measured uterine artery Doppler (pulsatility index (PI)).

The pregnancy outcome in women with incidental diagnosis of septate uterus at first trimester scan.

Background: Septate uterus seems to be strongly associated with an adverse pregnancy outcome. However, the possible relationship between septate uterus and miscarriage has only been retrospectively ascertained. The aim of our study was to describe the reproductive outcome in women with incidental diagnosis of malformed uterus at first trimester scan.

Normal morphometry of fetal posterior fossa at midtrimester: brainstem-tentorium angle and brainstem-vermis angle.

Objective: To standardize the evaluation of normal tentorium insertion and normal rotation of the cerebellar vermis over the brainstem, using two novel measurements: the brainstem-tentorium angle (BT angle) and the brainstem-vermis angle (BV angle). We also aimed to test the reproducibility of these measurements.

Methods: Prospective observational study including normal fetuses at routine anomaly scan with confirmed normal follow-up.

The impairment of sexual function is less distressing for menopausal than for premenopausal women.

Introduction: Menopause requires psychological and physical adjustments because of the occurring significant hormonal changes. Sexuality is one of the aspects that undergoes the most profound modifications. Preliminary data suggest that sometimes women do not regard sexual changes as problematic and often readjust their life and relationship according to their new physical status.

Is renal warm ischemia over 30 minutes during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy possible? One-year results of a prospective study.

Objective: To evaluate renal damage and impairment of renal function 1 yr after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) with warm ischemia >30 min.

Methods: From July 2004 to June 2005, 18 patients underwent LPN with warm ischemia time >30 min. Kidney damage markers (daily proteinuria and tubular enzymes) and renal function (serum creatinine, cystatin C, and creatinine clearances) were assessed on postoperative days 1 and 5 and at 12 mo.

Transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: experience of a single center.

Objectives: To analyze, in a consecutive study, the perioperative, postoperative, and functional results of the transperitoneal and extraperitoneal approaches for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Methods: A total of 160 patients underwent radical prostatectomy and were subdivided into two groups. Group 1 underwent the transperitoneal approach and group 2, the extraperitoneal approach.

Transcapsular adenomectomy(Millin): a comparative study, extraperitoneal laparoscopy versus open surgery.

Objective: To demonstrate the safety of the Millin extraperitoneal laparoscopic adenomectomy by comparing the laparoscopic and open approaches.

Methods: From January 2003 to April 2005, patients, with indication of prostatic adenomectomy, were offered the chance to choose between 2 types of procedure: Millin adenomectomy with open or extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach. Forty patients were included in this prospective non-randomised study.

Early ligature of renal artery during radical laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy: description of standard technique and direct access.

Purpose: We compared two techniques of early ligature of the renal artery during transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a standard technique and a direct approach to the artery.

Patients And Methods: Of 100 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy at our institution, in the last 70, we used early renal-artery ligature. Of these, the standard technique after exposure of the vascular pedicle was used in 45 patients (group A), and ligature with a direct access to the renal artery was attempted in 25 patients (group B).

Direct access to the renal artery at the level of treitz ligament during left radical laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy.

Purpose: To describe and demonstrate the feasibility of early ligature of the renal artery using a direct access to the renal pedicle at the level of the Treitz ligament during left transperitoneal radical laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Materials And Methods: A total of 42 patient underwent left transperitoneal radical laparoscopic nephrectomies from February 2001 to July 2004. In the first consecutive 27 patients (Group A) we performed early ligature with the standard technique; in the last consecutive 15 patients (Group B) we attempted the early ligature with direct access to the renal artery at the level of the Treitz ligament.

Is laparoscopic unilateral sural nerve grafting during radical prostatectomy effective in retaining sexual potency?

Objectives: To present a pilot study of laparoscopic unilateral sural nerve grafting during radical prostatectomy, with the aim of preserving sexual potency.

Patients And Methods: Because they had localized prostate cancer, 29 men had a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with deliberate wide unilateral neurovascular bundle resection and preservation of the contralateral bundle. Fifteen men (group A) had an interposition sural nerve graft on the sectioned bundle, and 14 (group B) had laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with preservation of the unilateral bundle only.