A Health Technology Assessment: laparoscopy versus colpoceliotomy.

Introduction: The objective of this paper is the comparison between two different technologies used for the removal of a uterine myoma, a frequent benign tumor: the standard technology currently used, laparoscopy, and an innovative one, colpoceliotomy. It was considered relevant to evaluate the real and the potential effects of the two technologies implementation and, in addition, the consequences that the introduction or exclusion of the innovative technology would have for both the National Health System (NHS) and the entire community.

Methods: The comparison between these two different technologies, the standard and the innovative one, was conducted using a Health Technology Assessment (HTA).

Prognostic value of change in amniotic fluid color during labor.

Objective: Evidence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (AF) during labor suggests implementation of close monitoring of fetal well-being. We have investigated whether the presence of meconium in the AF on admission for labor is as important a predictor of neonatal outcome as a change in AF color during labor.

Methods: AF characteristics on admission for labor at term (37-42 weeks) and their changes during labor were recorded in all singleton pregnancies during an 8-year period (1992-1999).

Allelic expression of p73 in human ovarian cancers.

Background: The p73 gene is structurally related to the tumor suppressor gene p53. The role of p73 in tumor development is still unclear and no data on ovarian cancer are so far available. For this reason we have analyzed, in a panel of ovarian cancers, the allelic distribution and expression of p73.