Duration of hospital stay after gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery: preferences of patients

Purpose

To investigate patients preferences concerning the duration of hospital stay after gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery due to benign conditions.

Methods

This study included women who underwent gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery due to benign conditions between November 2010 and November 2011 at the University Medical Centre Mannheim, Germany. Only women undergoing laparoscopy with four incisions were included. Demographic parameters, type and duration of surgery, perioperative complications and duration of hospital stay were analysed. Women were contacted using a standardized telephone survey. The patients were interviewed regarding the duration of hospital stay and their preferences concerning this matter.

Results

A total of 141 patients fitted the inclusion criteria. Eighty-seven of them (61.7 %) were willing to take part in the study; 63 of the women (72.4 %) did not correctly remember the duration of hospital stay in detail; 40 patients (46.0 %) thought it was longer; and 23 of the patients (26.4 %) remembered a shorter stay. For 4 of the 87 women (4.6 %), the duration was too long, and for 14 (16.1 %), the duration of hospital stay after laparoscopy was too short. Women who considered the duration of hospital stay as too long underwent prior abdominal surgery significantly more often.

Conclusion

The majority of the patients did not remember the duration of hospital stay correctly. Additionally, more women considered inpatient treatment as too short compered to patients who rated inpatient treatment as too long.     

Spontaneous uterine rupture at the 21st week of gestation caused by placenta percreta

Purpose  

To describe the management of a ruptured uterus caused by placenta percreta in the 21st week of gestation.     

Role of fetal abdominal circumference as a prognostic parameter of perinatal complications

Objective  

To evaluate the potential of fetal abdominal circumference (AC) measurement as predictor of perinatal complications in term newborns.     

Does acetic acid influence the non-dysplastic Pap smear?

Objective  

Acetic acid tests are commonly performed for colposcopic evaluation of the cervix. However, it is unclear whether the acetic acid influences normal Papanicolaou (Pap) smear results.     

Topical inflammasome inhibition with disulfiram prevents irritant contact dermatitis

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of contact dermatitis, a common inflammatory skin disease with limited treatment options, is held to be driven by inflammasome activation induced by allergens and irritants. We here aim to identify inflammasome‐targeting treatment strategies for irritant contact dermatitis.MethodsA high content screen with 41,184 small molecules was performed using fluorescent Apoptosis associated speck‐like protein containing a CARD (ASC) speck formation as a readout for inflammasome activation. Hit compounds were validated for inhibition of interleukin (IL)‐1β secretion. Of these, the approved thiuramdisulfide derivative disulfiram was selected and tested in a patch test model of irritant contact dermatitis in 25 healthy volunteers. Topical application of disulfiram, mometasone or vehicle was followed by application of sodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS) for 24 h each. Eczema induction was quantified by mexameter and laser speckle imaging. Corneocyte sampling of lesional skin was performed to assess inflammasome‐mediated cytokines IL‐1β and IL‐18.ResultsDisulfiram induced a dose‐dependent inhibition of ASC speck formation and IL‐1β release in cellular assays in vitro. In vivo, treatment with disulfiram, but not with vehicle and less mometasone, inhibited SDS‐induced eczema. This was demonstrated by significantly lower erythema and total perfusion values assessed by mexameter and laser speckle imaging for disulfiram compared to vehicle (p < 0.001) and/or mometasone (p < 0.001). Also, corneocyte IL‐18 levels were significantly reduced after application of disulfiram compared to vehicle (p < 0.001).ConclusionWe show that disulfiram is a dose‐dependent inhibitor of inflammasome pathway activation in vitro and inhibitor of SDS‐induced eczema in vivo. Topical application of disulfiram represents a potential treatment option for irritant contact dermatitis.