Symmetrical periumbilical extension of a midline incision: a simple technique

BACKGROUND

Periumbilical extension of midline incision often results in an irregular, unaesthetic scar with beveled edges.

TECHNIQUE

An Allis clamp is placed at the lateral margin of the umbilicus with subsequent medial traction. This straightens the proposed periumbilical incision, resulting in a symmetrical scar.

EXPERIENCE

We have used this technique extensively over the past several years with excellent results and no adverse sequelae.

CONCLUSION

This simple technique results in the symmetrically curvilinear, nonbeveled periumbilical extension of a midline incision.

Endocervical curettage, cone margins, and residual adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate endocervical curettage (ECC) and cone margin involvement in the management of adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix.

METHODS

Forty-two women with adenocarcinoma in situ without any associated invasive component underwent 49 cervical conizations. The ECC, cone margin involvement, and residual endocervical glandular disease were evaluated in a retrospective descriptive study.

RESULTS

The patients ranged from 18 to 65 years old, with a median of 34 years and a mean of 37 years. Nineteen of 42 (45%) of the women presented with initial cervicovaginal cytology suggesting endocervical glandular abnormality. Twenty-seven patients (64%) had mixed lesions of adenocarcinoma in situ and squamous dysplasia noted in their cervical biopsy, conization, or hysterectomy specimens. Forty ECCs were performed at colposcopy or immediately after conization; 28 patients with ECCs subsequently underwent conization, and 12 underwent hysterectomy. Residual adenocarcinoma in situ was found in 18 (67%) of the 27 patients with negative ECCs and in ten of 13 women with positive ECCs. Residual adenocarcinoma in situ was found in two of seven patients with negative cone margins and seven of ten patients with positive margins.

CONCLUSION

We found that negative ECCs and uninvolved cone margins in patients with cervical adenocarcinoma in situ were not reassuring of the absence of residual endocervical glandular disease in subsequent surgical specimens. Conservative management and subsequent surveillance of adenocarcinoma in situ should be undertaken with caution.

Bolus mitomycin C and 5-FU with sequential radiation for poor-prognosis locally advanced cervical cancer

Forty patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma were entered into a protocol utilizing the bolus administration of both mitomycin C (10 or 15 mg) on Day 1 and 5-fluorouracil (400 mg) on Day 1-5 followed by sequential pelvic irradiation on Day 6 between September 1980 and October 1985. All patients had poor-prognosis FIGO stage IB, IIB, IIIB, or IVA disease. Only patients with poor prognosis factors such as bulky tumor masses of 5 cm or greater noted on the initial physical exam (37 patients) or poorly differentiated histology (3 patients) were eligible for this study. There were three severe side effects seen in the 24 patients receiving 15 mg mitomycin C. One patient developed thrombocytopenia, one patient developed acute radiation enteritis, and the third patient developed radiation proctitis requiring laser therapy. Only 1 of 16 patients receiving 10 mg mitomycin C developed a complication (thrombocytopenia). Neutropenia was mild in all patients. No infections were seen. Thrombocytopenia never warranted platelet transfusion. No patients developed therapy-related bowel obstruction or fistulae. Median follow-up was 11.3 years with a range of 6.2-14.2 years. A complete response rate of 63%, a local control rate of 58%, and a 5-year survival rate of 44% were obtained. This does not appear to offer any benefit over radiation alone. This present study supports the superiority of higher dose concurrent infusional chemotherapy and radiation over low-dose sequential bolus chemotherapy and radiation.

Wilms' tumor of the uterus. A case report

Extrarenal Wilms' tumors (nephroblastomas) are considered rare, with only 36 cases reported to date. A primary Wilms' tumor of the uterus has been reported on two previous occasions. A third case is presented and the histologic features and histogenesis of the tumor discussed.

Mitral valve prolapse and thromboembolic disease in pregnancy: a case report

Mitral valve prolapse is usually a benign condition, however, serious complications have been reported to be associated with it. A report of retinal artery occlusion associated with mitral valve prolapse and pregnancy is presented.

Placenta accreta, increta, and percreta. A survey of 40 cases

Forty patients with placenta accreta, increta, or percreta are presented. Clinical features revealed an average age of 29.5 years and an average parity of 3-2-1. Twenty-five had no antepartum complications. Nine were admitted with silent hemorrhage, of which 6 had a total placenta previa and 1 a low-lying previa. Postpartum hemorrhage occurred in 39% with an associated perinatal mortality of 25% and 1 maternal death. Histopathologic evaluations revealed the predominant factor to be an absent decidua. Etiologic in decidual deficiency was a previous cesarean section (12 patients). Therapy consisted of total abdominal hysterectomy in 38 patients.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma in the neonate

Three cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma of the neonate occurred during a two-year period in which approximately 6,000 live births occurred in our hospital. Two infants were delivered vaginally and one by cesarean section. One infant underwent immediate surgery and survived, whereas the other two were in too poor condition to warrant surgery. Early excision is the treatment of choice; radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not effective in the malignant variety of sacrococcygeal lesion.

Basal cell carcinoma of the vulva

A clinical and histopathologic study of material from a series of 17 patients with basal cell carcinoma of the vulva are reviewed. The tumors occurred primarily in elderly patients (average age, 59 years), the majority of whom were Causasian. Presenting symptomatology consisted primarily of pruritus vulvae and/or the presence of a vulvar mass (79%) of long duration (average, 6 years, 7 months). The lesions were described grossly as ulcerations or masses located on the anterior labium majus. Etiologies were indeterminate although 2 patients had previously received vulvar irradiation. Therapy consisted primarily of wide local excision and was effective in that follow-up studies in 16 patients revealed no deaths attributable to basal cell carcinoma. These data indicate that basal cell carcinoma is a locally invasive nonmetastasizing tumor best treated by wide local excision providing the tumor edge does not extend to the margin of excision.