The Relationship Between Vulnerable Attachment Style,Psychopathology, Drug Abuse,and Retention in Treatment Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients

The relationship between vulnerable attachment style, psychopathology, drug abuse, and retention in treatment among patients in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) was examined by the Vulnerable Attachment Style Questionnaire (VASQ), the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and drug abuse urine tests. After six years, retention in treatment and repeated urine test results were studied. Patients with vulnerable attachment style (a high VASQ score) had higher rates of drug abuse and higher psychopathology levels compared to patients with secure attachment style, especially on the interpersonal sensitivity, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation scales. Drug abstinence at baseline was related to retention in treatment and to higher rates of drug abstinence after six years in MMT, whereas a vulnerable attachment style could not predict drug abstinence and retention in treatment. Clinical Implications concerning treatment of drug abusing populations and methodological issues concerning the VASQ’s subscales are also discussed.     

Selective operative cholangiography

This is a study of 505 patients who underwent surgical treatment of the gallbladder. Of this group, 343 were operated upon without operative cholangiography with an incidence of retained stones of 0.03 per cent. One hundred and ten underwent operative cholangiography according to five indications. These are: stones in the common duct on ultrasound or roentgenography; obstructive jaundice; dilation of the common duct greater than 1.2 centimeters; previous cholangitis, and preoperative pancreatitis. The advantages of selective operative cholangiography versus routine cholangiography are discussed in detail. We concluded that the selective operative cholangiography should be the preferred procedure.     

Surgical treatment of primary hyperhidrosis. A report of 42 cases

Forty-two patients suffering from primary hyperhidrosis underwent upper dorsal sympathectomy using the supraclavicular approach. The postoperative course and results were devoid of complications. All the patients except one were satisfied with the results of surgery, which greatly improved the quality of their lives.     

Diffuse carcinomatöse Lymphangoitis des Bauchfells

Ohne ZusammenfassungMit 10 Textabbildungen.     

Carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of high anal fistula

Three high anal fistulas were treated with a carbon dioxide laser beam. The laser vaporizes the tissue and, because of the accurate focus of the apparatus, causes no damage around the path of the beam. This method was used to core out the fistula tract, and resulted in good healing.     

A National Network to Advance the Field of Cancer and Female Sexuality

Introduction.Understanding sexual health issues in cancer patients is integral to care for the continuously growing cancer survivor population.Aim.To create a national network of active clinicians and researchers focusing on the prevention and treatment of sexual problems in women and girls with cancer.Methods.Interdisciplinary teams from the University of Chicago and Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center jointly developed the mission for a national conference to convene clinicians and researchers in the field of cancer and female sexuality. The invitee list was developed by both institutions and further iterated through suggestions from invitees. The conference agenda focused on three high‐priority topics under the guidance of a professional facilitator. Breakout groups were led by attendees recognized by collaborators as experts in those topics. Conference costs were shared by both institutions.Main Outcome Measure.Development of Scientific Working Groups (SWGs).Results.One hundred two clinicians and researchers were invited to attend the 1st National Conference on Cancer and Female Sexuality. Forty‐three individuals from 20 different institutions across 14 states attended, including representation from eight National Cancer Institute (NCI)‐funded cancer centers. Attendees included PhD researchers (N = 19), physicians (N = 16), and other healthcare professionals (N = 8). Breakout groups included (i) Defining key life course sexuality issues; (ii) Building a registry; and (iii) Implementing sexual health assessment. Breakout group summaries incorporated group consensus on key points and priorities. These generated six SWGs with volunteer leaders to accelerate future research and discovery: (i) Technology‐based interventions; (ii) Basic science; (iii) Clinical trials; (iv) Registries; (v) Measurement; and (vi) Secondary data analysis. Most attendees volunteered for at least one SWG (N = 35), and many volunteered for two (N = 21).Conclusion.This 1st National Conference demonstrated high motivation and broad participation to address research on cancer and female sexuality. Areas of need were identified, and SWGs established to help promote research in this field.