Should all urologists performing vasectomy reversals be able to perform vasoepididymostomies if required?

PURPOSE: While vasectomy reversal is a highly successful procedure 10% to 30% of reversals may fail. Despite the general consensus that an epididymal obstruction may occur following a vasectomy and that some men should undergo vasoepididymostomy (VE) rather than vasovasostomy (VV), the practice of many urologists in our region has been to offer only VV for vasectomy reversal. We examined the potential causes for vasectomy reversal failure in patients who had undergone VV without an attempt at VE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who had undergone redo vasectomy reversal from January 1999 to September 2001. A total of 22 patients underwent redo reversal with a minimum followup of 2 years. The medical records of all patients were then reviewed. Patients and partners seen postoperatively in the clinic were questioned regarding any pregnancy or deliveries. RESULTS: We examined 22 patients who had undergone redo vasectomy reversal. Of 22 patients 9 (40.9%) underwent repeat VV, 8 (36.3%) underwent bilateral VE for a presumed unrecognized epididymal obstruction and 5 (22.7%) had a combination of VE and VV. Of the 44 reproductive units studied 23 (52.3%) had a failed vasal anastomosis while 21 (47.7%) had an unrecognized epididymal obstruction. Based on semen analysis patency was observed in 75% of patients who had undergone vasovasostomy as a redo procedure. A patency rate of 60% was found in patients who underwent vasoepididymostomy and vasovasostomy unilaterally, and patency rates for bilateral VE were 63%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that a large proportion of men (48%) have an epididymal obstruction as the etiology for vasectomy reversal failure. We recommend that all surgeons offering vasectomy reversals be able to offer VE if required based on intraoperative findings to serve the patient adequately as well as his partner and their future fertility.     

An exploratory study of provocation testing with padded wedges: can prone blocking demonstrate a directional preference?

BACKGROUND: Currently, no traditional chiropractic examination method to determine a spinal listing offers demonstrated guidance in treatment decisions for low back pain (LBP) patients. Development of an examination that bypasses the difficulty of accurately and reliably identifying a listing, yet provides guidance on manipulative vectors, could be very valuable to clinicians and patients. OBJECTIVE: To explore 2 potential protocols for provocation testing and assessment of directional preference using padded wedges. METHODS: Two groups of 20 subjects were examined while lying prone on various positions of padded wedges. In the first group, pain pressure threshold (PPT) was measured at 4 anatomic points; in the second group, tenderness was measured at 1 anatomic point. We investigated whether either method could demonstrate a directional preference response. RESULTS: When tenderness was measured at 1 anatomic point, 70% of subjects demonstrated a directional response, and only 1 subject exhibited an increase in baseline tenderness at the end of the procedure. When PPT was measured at 4 anatomic points, 40% of subjects demonstrated a directional response, but 12 subjects exhibited decreased PPT at the end of the procedure. CONCLUSION: Measuring changes in tenderness at 1 anatomic point in response to various padded wedge patterns appears promising as an examination procedure to determine directional preference.     

Use of recombinant LH in a group of unselected IVF patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) supplementation in an unselected group of IVF patients undergoing follicular stimulation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) after pituitary down-regulation. Group A comprised 122 cycles administered rFSH and rLH while group B included 331 cycles using rFSH only during the same period of treatment. There was no significant difference in any of the endocrine, embryological and outcome parameters measured. The implantation rate of 14.2% for group A compared with 9.8% for group B showed a positive trend (P = 0.055), but for patients in whom LH concentration was <1.0 IU/l at down-regulation or required excessive FSH stimulation, there was an increased incidence of implantation if rLH was supplemented. It was concluded that the addition of exogenous rLH to an unselected group of 'down-regulated' patients stimulated with rFSH appears to offer little benefit, but in the event of profound LH down-regulation or requirement for excessive exogenous FSH (>2500 IU), the rate of implantation might be improved.     

Experience of epidemiological surveillance of reproductive health in women employed in the health field

Aim of this paper is to describe the methodology adopted to build up an epidemiological surveillance system on the reproductive health of women employed by the Regional Health System (Hospital Division). The implementation of this system required the set up of a relational database, with personal and health data collected from the 1st January 1998 to the 31st December 1998. The goals of research were: to describe the phenomenon of unfavorable reproductive events such as: death at birth, low weight at birth, birth defects, spontaneous abortions, voluntary abortions (for reasons linked to the child's and the pregnant woman's health), premature births and post term births; to provide the basis for further analytical studies on working activities with exposures of particular interest (antiblastic drugs, ionizing radiations and ergonomic factors); to contribute to evaluate the state of enforcement of the specific legislation. We computed raw, age-specific and standardized rates of the studied population as far as natality, spontaneous and voluntary abortivity and birth defects are concerned. The results showed an increased number of spontaneous abortions. Investigations are still in progress and an estimate of risks associated with chemical and physical exposures in this sector will be determined.     

The utilization of hippotherapy as auxiliary treatment in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy

The treatment of patients with cerebral palsy requires the coordination of orthopedic procedures and rehabilitation, using neurophysiological methods. One such method is hippotherapy, which involves the utilization of horseback riding to stimulate the patient's normal reactions. The goal of hippotherapy is to stimulate locomotion, improve the balance and coordination of movement, normalize muscle tension, and eliminate pathological reflexes. The starting position in hippotherapy is sitting astride on horseback. The changes taking place in the dynamics of the horse's movement during the ride evoke motor responses not dependent on the patient's will. Hippotherapy is indicated as therapy in disturbances of muscle tension and disturbances in the motor sphere. This method is not used when the symptoms of CNS damage intensify during therapy, or in cases of neoplastic disease, spinal instability, unstable spondylolisthesis, or inflammation of the bone and joint system. Due to its recreational and sporting aspects, hippotherapy is more easily accepted by patients than indoor exercises.     

T-lymphocyte cytokine profiles in compositae airborne dermatitis

Compositae airborne dermatitis is a well-recognized disorder characterized by erythematosquamous lesions and papules on light-exposed areas. The presence of positive patch test reactions and the absence of specific serum IgE suggest delayed-type hypersensitivity, the murine model of which is characterized by a Th1 cytokine production profile [high amounts of interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2; little or no IL-4 and IL-5]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytokine profile of T-cell lines and T-cell clones from peripheral blood in a 38-year-old non-atopic male woodcutter affected by seasonal airborne contact dermatitis. The patient showed positive patch test reactions to several Compositae extracts (Achillea millefolium, Chamomilla recutita, Tanacetum parthenium, T. vulgare) and sesquiterpene lactone mix. On prick testing with Compositae and other plants, serum-specific IgE levels and phototesting were negative or normal. Allergen-specific T-cell lines produced with Compositae extracts showed a good in vitro cell proliferation only to C. recutita extract. Serial cloning performed using the C. recutita-specific T-cell lines revealed an alphabeta+CD4+ phenotype with high amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in T-cell clones. Thus, these cells expressed a preferential Th0 phenotype. These data suggest that in addition to IFN-gamma, other T-cell derived cytokines, such as IL-4, may play a part in the immunopathogenesis of contact dermatitis.     

Three new active cisplatin-containing combinations in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced and locally recurrent breast carcinoma: a randomized phase II trial

We designed three new four-drug cisplatin-containing combinations and evaluated their activity in a randomized phase II study including patients with locally advanced (stage III) and locally recurrent breast carcinoma. All combinations included methotrexate (M) on day 1 and cisplatin (P) on day 2 (MVAC-like combinations) and differed from one another by the addition of Epirubicin (Epi), Vincristine (V), Etoposide (E), Mitomycin (Mi). Based on the administered agents, they were named MPEMi, MPEpiE, MPEpiV. The combinations were randomly assigned to 101 patients, 57 with locally advanced and 44 with locally recurrent breast carcinoma. Response was evaluated after 4 cycles. The complete response (CR) rates were 7% and 43% and the CR plus partial response (PR) rates were 84% and 89% in locally advanced and in locally recurrent disease, respectively. In locally advanced disease, a pathologic CR (pCR) was assessed in seven of 57 patients (12%). There were no significant differences among the three combinations. The toxicities were at times severe, but generally tolerable, as demonstrated by the high cumulative doses of the drugs received by the patients. In conclusion, these three innovative chemotherapy regimens induced high CR plus PR rates in the neoadjuvant treatment of stage III and of locally recurrent breast carcinoma, and a high rate of pCR in stage III disease. These regimens warrant testing in phase III trials.