Flat square knots: are 3 throws enough?

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the integrity of flat square knots.

Study Design: Three sutures were used in both 0 and 2-0 suture gauges: poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl), polyglactin 910 (Vicryl), and silk. For each, flat square knots were tied with either 3 or 5 throws.

Tying a loop-to-strand suture: is it safe?

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the integrity of the loop-to-strand knot when tied with square and nonidentical sliding knots.

Study Design: The synthetic absorbable monofilament suture poliglecaprone 25 in 0 and 2-0 suture gauges was used in this experiment. For each suture gauge, 3 groups of knots were tested: (1) single strand-to-single strand, flat square knot, (2) loop-to-single strand, flat square knot, and (3) loop-to-single strand, nonidentical sliding knot.

Malignant mixed mullerian sarcomas of the uterus--the LSUHSC Shreveport experience.

Objective: To evaluate our experience with malignant mixed mullerian sarcomas of the uterus (MMMT) and the clinical factors affecting survival.

Study Design: The records of 18 women with MMMT who received treatment at our hospital between 1989-2002 were reviewed. We analyzed factors influencing survival such as stage, presence of heterologous components, and post-operative radiation.

The effect of number of throws on knot security with nonidentical sliding knots.

Objective: The study was undertaken to test the integrity of nonidentical sliding knots made with 3 throws compared with those made with 6 throws with monofilament and braided absorbable suture.

Study Design: The 3 throw nonidentical sliding knot was compared with the 6 throw nonidentical sliding knot in 4 different suture groups. The groups were 0-0 polydioxanone, 2-0 polydioxanone, 0-0 polyglactin 910, and 2-0 polyglactin 910.

Detection of recurrent cervical cancer by whole-body FDG PET scan in asymptomatic and symptomatic women.

Objective: To determine the ability of whole-body [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan to detect recurrent cervical carcinoma in both symptomatic and asymptomatic women.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 44 women previously treated for cervical cancer who underwent 47 posttreatment whole-body FDG PET scans in an attempt to detect recurrent disease. Twenty-six scans were performed in asymptomatic women, whereas 21 scans were performed in women with symptoms suggestive of recurrence.

Human papillomavirus typing of rare cervical carcinomas.

Context: Most cervical tumors are classified as squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma, both of which are associated with persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although other (rare) types represent less than 5% of all cervical carcinomas, it is necessary that these more unusual tumors be studied in the current era of papillomavirus vaccine development, especially in regions with high incidence of cervical cancer.

Objective: To compare papillomavirus types found in histologically rare cervical carcinomas (n = 29) with those types found in common cervical carcinomas (n = 14) archived at the Institute of Cancer in Mexico City, Mexico.

Knot integrity with nonidentical and parallel sliding knots.

Objective: The study was performed to test the knot integrity of parallel and nonidentical sliding knots with the use of monofilament suture.

Study Design: We investigated the proportion of parallel sliding knots that become untied compared with nonidentical sliding knots in four different monofilament suture configurations: group A, 6 throws, 0-0 gauge; group B, 10 throws, 0-0 gauge; group C, 6 throws, 2-0 gauge; group D, 10 throws, 2-0 gauge. Each combination was tested 20 times, for a total of 160 knots.

Ovarian cancer in women with prior hysterectomy.

Objective: To determine the proportion of women with ovarian cancer treated at our institution who may have had their disease prevented if oophorectomy had been performed during prior hysterectomy.

Materials And Methods: One hundred twelve women with ovarian cancer treated at our institution were identified through records in our Gynecologic Oncology office. We identified 19 women (17%) who had undergone prior hysterectomy without bilateral oophorectomy (Group 1).

Satisfaction with hysterectomy: low-income underinsured teaching hospital patients versus insured patients at a private hospital.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure patient health-related quality of life/satisfaction with the results of hysterectomy in 2 distinct groups of women.

Study Design: A health-related outcomes questionnaire was completed 3 months after hysterectomy by 50 low-income women who underwent operation at a state-supported teaching hospital and by 50 women who underwent operation at a private hospital.

Results: The women at the teaching hospital had a significantly worse outcome satisfaction score than the women at a private hospital.

Mechanical performance of knots using braided and monofilament absorbable sutures.

Objective: The study was undertaken to test the integrity of various flat and sliding knots with the use of braided and monofilament absorbable sutures.

Study Design: There were four study groups, each of which consisted of a single suture type and size, with five different knots. Each combination was tested 10 times for a total of 200 experiments.

Hysterectomy for the massive leiomyomatous uterus.

Objective: To determine if the complication rate of abdominal hysterectomy is increased in women with greatly enlarged myomatous uteri.

Methods: Three groups of women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were analyzed according to uterine size: group 1, 208 women with uteri less than 500 g; group 2, 63 women with uterine weights of 500-999 g; and group 3, 47 women with leiomyomata whose uteri weighed at least 1000 g. Logistic regression was used to compare the groups on the risks of having at least one major complication.