menopause and mental well being timing of symptoms and timing of hormone treatment

In the aftermath of the Women's Health Initiative studies, both the clinical and basic science communities had to sort out divergent results among experimental findings, observational data and randomized controlled trials in order to establish a shared analysis. The scientific community formally debates the role of different HRT formulations, hormone doses, time of treatment initiation since the menopause and the age of treated women. Basic scientists demonstrated that the multiple neuroprotective effects of estrogen on brain cells may induce a differential biological response according to the time of treatment. Progesterone (but not all synthetic progestins) also has pivotal neuroactive functions in animal models of reproductive aging. Additionally, epidemiological surveys provide information regarding the detrimental role of hypogonadism on mental well-being. The present article briefly summarizes current evidence supporting the neuroactive role of estrogen, with reference to the clinical finding sustai..

New technologies in the surgical management of endometriosis

Introduction: Endometriosis is a very common disease that affects up to 10% of the female population. Although medical therapy represents the first-line treatment for endometriosis, it does not always manage to control symptoms. Laparoscopy represents the standard surgical treatment in endometriosis. Robotic-assisted laparoscopy is an innovative mini-invasive surgical technique. Its application in gynecological surgery and in endometriosis has increased in the last decade. Our purpose is to offer an overview of the role of robotic-assisted laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of endometriosis. Methods: We evaluated studies dealing with the new technique in surgery for endometriosis with a focus on robotic surgery. We performed a compressive literature research on PubMed and the Cochrane Library in December 2022. Expert opinion: Robotic-assisted surgery is a feasible and safe approach to endometriosis surgery and is superimposable to laparoscopy in terms of complication rate, blood loss, hospitalization, and long-term improvement of symptoms. The effect of robotic-assisted surgery on operative time is still contradictory and needs to be further investigated. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery can provide particular benefit in the management of women with severe endometriosis secondary to its advantage in surgical precision and ergonomics. Indocyanine green fluorescence angiography could be useful to assist in the vascularization of ureters and bowel anastomosis, to prevent postoperative complication and leakage

Endometritis in infertile couples: the role of hysteroscopy and bacterial endotoxin

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Robotic Approach to Ureteral Endometriosis: Surgical Features and Perioperative Outcomes

Introduction: Surgical treatment of ureteral endometriosis is necessary to relieve urinary symptoms of obstruction and to preserve renal function. Which surgical approach to ureteral endometriosis should be considered the most appropriate is debated, due to the lack of scientific evidence. The aim of the present study is to assess the feasibility and to describe the perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive treatment of deep ureteral endometriosis using robotic assistance, highlighting the technical benefits and the limits of this approach. Method: A case-series including 31 consecutive patients affected by high-stage endometriosis including ureteral endometriosis using robotic assistance in our Department between November 2011 and September 2017. Results: All procedures were successfully completed by robotic technique, resulting in full excision of the parametrial nodules involving the ureter. Mean operating time was 184.8 ± 81min. Mean hospital stay was 4.02 ± 3 days. Perioperative complications occurred in five patients and 4 out of 5 involved the urinary tract. Conclusions: Robotic surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis of the ureter was feasible and allowed complete resection of ureteral nodules in all cases. No intraoperative complications arose, but a non-negligible rate of urinary tract complications was detected. This calls for a careful assessment of the benefits and specific risks associated with the use of robotic surgery for the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the ureter

A prospective, single-arm study on the use of the da Vinci® Table Motion with the Trumpf TS7000dV operating table

BACKGROUND: The da Vinci® Table Motion (dVTM) comprises a combination of a unique operating table (Trumpf Medical™ TruSystem® 7000dV) capable of isocenter motion connected wirelessly with the da Vinci Xi® robotic platform, thereby enabling patients to be repositioned without removal of instruments and or undocking the robot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2015 to October 2015, the first human use of dVTM was carried out in this prospective, single-arm, post-market study in the EU, for which 40 patients from general surgery (GS), urology (U), or gynecology (G) were enrolled prospectively. Primary endpoints of the study were dVTM feasibility, efficacy, and safety. RESULTS:Surgeons from the three specialties obtained targeting success and the required table positioning in all cases. Table movement/repositioning was necessary to gain exposure of the operating field in 106/116 table moves (91.3%), change target in 2/116 table moves (1.7%), achieve hemodynamic relief in 4/116 table moves (3.5%), and improve external access for tumor removal in 4/116 table moves (3.5%). There was a significantly higher use of tilt and tilt plus Trendelenburg in GS group (GS vs. U p = 0.055 and GS vs. G p = 0.054). There were no dVTM safety-related or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: The dVTM with TruSystem 7000dV operating table in wireless communication with the da Vinci Xi is a perfectly safe and effective synergistic combination, which allows repositioning of the patient whenever needed without imposing any delay in the execution of the operation. Moreover, it is helpful in avoiding extreme positions and enables the anesthesiologist to provide immediate and effective hemodynamic relief to the patient when needed

Robot-assisted surgery for the radical treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis with colorectal involvement: short- and mid-term surgical and functional outcomes.

Sexual and urinary dysfunctions are complications in radical treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) with colorectal involvement. The aim of this article is to report the preliminary results of our single-institution experience with robotic treatment of DIE, evaluating intraoperative and postoperative surgical outcomes and focusing on the impact of this surgical approach on autonomic functions such as urogenital preservation and sexual well-being. METHODS: From January 2011 through December 2013, a case series of 10 patients underwent robotic radical treatment of DIE with colorectal resection using the da Vinci System. Surgical data were evaluated, together with perioperative urinary and sexual function as assessed by means of self-administered validated questionnaires. RESULTS: None of the patients reported significant postoperative complications. Questionnaires concerning sexual well-being, urinary function, and impact of symptoms on quality of life demonstrated a slight worsening of all parameters 1 month after surgery, while data were comparable to the preoperative period 1 year after surgery. Dyspareunia was the only exception, as it was significantly improved 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted surgery seems to be advantageous in highly complicated procedures where extensive dissection and proper anatomy re-establishment is required, as in DIE with colorectal involvement. Our preliminary results show that robot-assisted surgery could be associated with a low risk of complications and provide good preservation of urinary function and sexual well-being

Robotic surgery in reproductive endocrinology

Abstract In the last years, the practice of surgery is evolved thanks to the introduction of videolaparoscopic and robotic techniques. Laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the concept of minimally invasive surgery in the last decades but it presents limitations due to the normal mechanism of the human hand. The robotic-assisted surgery is designed to overcome these limitations. In comparison with laparoscopic surgery, the robotic technique presents many advantages such as 3-dimensional vision, a decrease of surgeon's fatigue and tremors, and an increase of wrist motion improved dexterity and greater surgical precision. Many procedures have already been performed with this technique in urology, cardiac surgery and general surgery. Nowadays the use of the robotic technique is becoming more frequent also in gynaecological surgery and it is preferred to conventional laparoscopy for the treatment of gynaecological malignancies and most of the benign disease of certain complexity, such as hysterectomy or myomectomy

PCOS and Assisted Reproduction Technique: Role and Relevance of Inositols

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder often characterized by insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, especially in overweight/obese women. Among insulin sensitizers, the positive role of inositols has been increasingly established in recent years. The action of inositols not only concerns the metabolic parameters of these patients, but also the hormonal profile, resulting in beneficial effects on ovarian function. For this reason, many studies have tried to recognize their role in PCOS infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures

Dalla diagnosi di sterilità/infertilità ai protocolli di procreazione assistita: vissuti psicologici delle coppie sterili

La scelta di iniziare un percorso di procreazione assistita si inserisce all?interno di un più generale "processo psicologico della sterilità", caratterizzato da varie fasi: lo "shock iniziale" per la diagnosi, accompagnato da un forte sentimento di perdita, dalla negazione del problema e dal rifiuto dei sentimenti ad esso legati; la fase di "immutabilità della realtà", in cui si osserva, nella coppia, una differenziazione in base al genere delle reazioni alla diagnosi; la "crisi d'identità", sia individuale che di coppia; infine, la "risoluzione", ovvero un profondo senso di accettazione, segno evidente di un cambiamento di atteggiamento della coppia nei confronti della realtà. La scelta e l'attuazione di un percorso di procreazione assistita fanno emergere alcuni importanti aspetti di rilevanza psicologica. L'esito negativo del trattamento è spesso accompagnato da depressione, ansia e diminuzione dell'autostima; la relazione tra stress ed esito del trattamento, invece, appare ancora oggi poco chiara. Durante il trattamento stesso, tuttavia, nelle coppie si osservano stress emotivo, accentuazione delle componenti somatiche dei protocolli e difese psicologiche che mettono in secondo piano l'investimento affettivo: è quindi evidente come il sostegno psicologico alle coppie sterili debba essere offerto in tutte le fasi del percorso terapeutico e non solo quando l'esito è negativo

Surgical navigator safeguarding soft tissue during minimally invasive surgery: Feasibility test on electromagnetic guidance

We propose a solution to avoid unwanted piercing and cutting of tubular structures, in particular ureters, in robotic surgery. We propose a surgical navigator that allows surgeons to understand in real time the path of tubular structures in respect to surgical instruments during the intervention. In humans, the ureters are ducts made of smooth muscle fibers that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Since they are embedded in the surrounding structures, their identification during surgery is difficult. Particularly, for surgeries whose area of interest is very close to ureters, as for hysterectomy, the risk of piercing the ureter is high because the surgeon doesn’t have information about its exact path. We can embedded coils in urologic catheters, in order to insert them in ureters during surgery, and to determine ureters path (in 3D space) by means of a commercially available electromagnetic tracking system. The catheters contain a chain of sensors that will remain in the ureters as a beacon to address the effect of tissue motion and deformation. By tracking the surgical instruments tips, we can develop a system equipped with graphic interface and alarms, avoiding the cutting of ureters, safeguarding patients and preventing related disorders. In this feasibility study we evaluated the compatibility of electromagnetic tracking with a robotic device frequently employed for this kind of interventions