Gynecology Instruments

NCI Issues Clinical Announcement for Preferred Method of Treatment for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

harry — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:37:57 +0000

The two ways of applying anticancer drugs subsequent to surgical operations of women suffering from progressive ovarian cancer have been announced by the National Cancer Institute or NCI, which is sector of the National Institutes of Health or NIH. The joint techniques that transmit drugs into a vein and straightly into the abdomen lengthen the total survival of women with progressive ovarian cancer by approximately one year.
The two treatment techniques are known as intravenou (IV) that is for chemotherapy transported into a vein and intraperitoneal (IP) that is for chemotherapy transported into the abdominal or peritoneal cavity. The testing included four hundred twenty nine women with stage III ovarian cancer who received chemotherapy after the successful removal of tumors by means of surgery. The study contrasted two treatment procedures such as IV paclitaxel followed by IV cisplatin and IV paclitaxel followed by IP cisplatin as well as the succeeding administration of IP paclitaxel. (more…)

Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

gynecologyinstruments — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 10:13:22 +0000

An estimated 75 percent of women will have at least one episode of VVC, and 40 percent to 45 percent will have two or more episodes. A small percentage of women experience recurrent VVC or RVVC. Typical symptoms of VVC include pruritus and vaginal discharge. Other symptoms may include vaginal soreness, vulvar burning, dyspareunia, and external dysuria. None of these symptoms is specific for VVC.
Candida vaginitis can be diagnosed with suggested clinically by pruritus and erythema in the vulvovaginal area and white discharge may occur. The diagnosis can be made in a woman, who has signs and symptoms of vaginitis, and when either a wet preparation or Gram stain of vaginal discharge demonstrates yeasts or pseudohyphae, a culture or other test yields a positive result for a yeast species. Candida vaginitis is associated with a normal vaginal pH or less than or equal to 4.5. Use of 10 percent KOH in wet preparations improves the visualization of yeast and mycelia by disrupting cellular material that might obscure the yeast or pseudohyphae. To identify Candida by culture in the absence of symptoms should not lead to treatment, because approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of women usually harbor Candida sp. and other yeasts in the vagina. VVC can arise concomitantly with STDs or frequently following antibacterial vaginal or systemic therapy.
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Trichomoniasis

gynecologyinstruments — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 10:10:22 +0000

Trichomoniasis is caused by the protozoan T. vaginalis, which could be simply identified under the microscope of smear of discharges. Most men who are infected with T. vaginalis do not have symptoms of infection, even though a minority of men has NGU. Many women, on the other hand, do have symptoms of infection. Of these women, T. vaginalis characteristically causes a diffuse, malodorous, yellow-green discharge with vulvar irritation and many women have fewer symptoms. Premature rupture of the membranes and preterm delivery might be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes of vaginal trichomoniasis.
Sex partners should be treated. Patients should be instructed to avoid sex until they and their sex partners are cured. In the absence of a microbiologic test of cure, this means when therapy has been completed and patient and partners are asymptomatic.
The only oral medication available in the United States for the treatment of trichomoniasis is the metronidazole. In randomized clinical trials, the recommended metronidazole regimens have resulted in cure rates of approximately 90 percent to 95 percent and ensuring treatment of sex partners might increase the cure rate. Treatment of patients and sex partners results in relief of symptoms, microbiologic cure, and reduction of transmission. Metronidazole gel is approved for treatment of BV, but, like other topically applied antimicrobials that are unlikely to achieve therapeutic levels in the urethra or perivaginal glands, it is considerably less efficacious for treatment of trichomoniasis than oral preparations of metronidazole and is not recommended for use. Several other topically applied antimicrobials have been used for treatment of trichomoniasis, but it is unlikely that these preparations will have greater effectiveness than metronidazole gel. (more…)

Ovarian Cancer

gynecologyinstruments — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 09:31:45 +0000

Ovarian epithelial cancer is a disease in which malignant or cancer cells, which can be examined under the microscope by a pathologist, form in the tissue covering the ovary. The ovaries are a pair of organs in the female reproductive system that are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus or the hollow, pear shaped organ where a fetus grows. The ovaries produce eggs and female hormones or chemicals that control the way certain cells or organs function.

Family histories of ovarian cancer among women are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women who have one first degree relative like mother, daughter, or sister, with ovarian cancer are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. This risk is higher in women who have one first degree relative and one-second degree relative like grandmother or aunt, with ovarian cancer. In women the risk is higher who have two or more first-degree relatives with ovarian cancer. (more…)

Endometrial Cancer General Information about Endometrial Cancer

gynecologyinstruments — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 09:46:39 +0000

Endometrial cancer is a disease in which malignant cancer cells form in the tissues of the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ in a womans pelvis where a fetus grows. Cancer of the endometrium is different from cancer of the muscle of the uterus, which is called sarcoma of the uterus. (more…)

The Vaginal Speculum

gynecologyinstruments — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:01:01 +0000

A complete gynecologic exam must include a thorough physical examination, a visualization of the vulva to look out for abnormal lesions. An internal examination to palpate for masses and the possibility of tenderness in the vaginal walls or cervix. This involves inserting two adequately lubricated fingers into the vaginal orifice and assessing the anatomy through palpation or feeling. A bimanual exam must also be performed to rule out masses in the vagina and the rectum. An adequately lubricated finger is inserted into the vagina (usually the forefinger) and another finger (usually the middle finger) is inserted into the rectum. The examiner’s other hand is then used to feel the reproductive organs through the abdomen. Most importantly, the visualization of the cervix and the vaginal walls to ensure the sexual health of the patient. This also allows the physician to obtain samples of the discharges from the cervix and vagina. (more…)

Retractors for Abdominal Surgery

gynecologyinstruments — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:00:36 +0000

Gynecology is essentially a study of women, their diseases, infections and illnesses. The specialization focuses on the woman’s reproductive organs namely the uterus, fallopian tube, ovaries, vagina and vulva. This specialization has come a long way in terms of the care of the female. While inspections were previously one of compromise–a procedure designed to preserve the chastity of the woman. The procedure consisted of the woman standing in front of the doctor, the doctor kneeled in front ofher and inspected her reproductive organs beneath her skirt. (more…)

Curettes and Curettage

gynecologyinstruments — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:00:06 +0000

Other conditions that use the dilatation and curettage procedure are Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome wherein the endometrial tissues lining the uterus build-up and become so thick because there is no ovulation hence no normal means to get rid of it. Dilatation and Curettage used to be the most preferred method of abortion, but the World Health Organization warrants its use only when manual vacuum aspiration is unavailable. However, in third world countries, the use of dilatation and curettage as a method of abortion is still employed, but not by doctors. The process involves the measurement of the depth of the intrauterine cavity using a uterine sound, only then is the curetting begun. The curette is inserted into the cervix after its proper dilatation and tissues are scraped out using the sharp edge of the instrument. The Sims curette is a sharp curette used to scrape the endocervical and endometrial linings. It is approximately 11 inches long and its blades range from sizes 1 to 6. The surgeon stops scraping once the uterus has a gritty or sandlike consistency. The procedure is performed slowly and firmly but not to roughly because this may result in perforation and may require an emergency laparotomy or hysterectomy to stop the bleeding. Formation of scar tissue could also result if the curettage is done roughly. This could seal the uterus shut rendering the woman infertile. This condition is called the Asherman syndrome. The blunt blades of Thomas curettes, also sized 1 to 6 are used to finish off the curetting process. For diagnostic processes the Kevorkian curette or the endometrial curette is used to obtain endometrial tissue samples. It is mainly for cutting the peduncle of the growth in contrast to the Sims and Thomas curette that scrape. Its blade is square shaped incontrast with the spoon shaped head of the other two curettes.

Obstetric Forceps

gynecologyinstruments — Mon, 14 May 2007 02:43:22 +0000

The secret forceps, today known as the Obstetric forceps or the Simpson delivery forceps because it was James Simpson who reinvented the instruments to fil the contours of the pelvis and fetal head. The forceps come in two parts and are handed to the obstetrician one at a time. They have four major components: The double curved, spoonlike articulated blades that are used in the expulsion of the fetal head. These blades graps the fetal head and have a cephalic curve. A shape fasioned to follow the contours of the fetal head. blades may be oval or elliptical and may have a hole in the middle or may just be plain solid. The pelvic curve of the blade are angled at 90 degrees and was designed to conform to the pelvic axis. The shanks connect the blades to the handles and provide the length of the device. They are either parallel or crossing. The lock is the connection between the shanks. Many different types have been designed. The handles are where the operator holds the device and applies traction to the fetal head. Use of the forceps are indicated during the second stage of labor when dystocia or difficulty in delivering the baby is encountered. It aids the mother who is too fatigued to push her baby out or who has been given epidural anesthesia. An epidural anesthesia numbs the pelvic floor muscles making it difficult for them to guide the head of the baby into a favourable position for birth. It is also indicated to help the mother who has an existing medical condition like a heart problem that limits her ability to exert force. The use of the forceps allows to remained relaxed, thus preventing cardiac decompensation and preserving her health. (108) It may also be used to rescue a baby who is in distress. A baby in distress has an abnormally high or abnormally low cardiac rate, and is in danger of dying. (more…)

Gynecologic Tools: An Overview

gynecologyinstruments — Mon, 14 May 2007 02:40:16 +0000

Gynecologic intstruments have been used since ancient Roman times. In an archaologic expedition from Pompeii, vaginal specula, curettes and dilators were discovered. The ancient vaginal specula were large and easily identifiable because they closely resemble the instruments dreaded and feared by most women having gynecologic check-ups today. They maintained the same duck-billed appearance necessary for dilating and exposing the vaginal vault. Another documented instrument was the vaginal dilator or the dioptra. It was made up of a priapiscus with two (2) to four (4) dovetailing valves. A handle and screw mechanism allow this device to be opened and closed, very similar to the mechanism of vaginal speculum today. Greco-Roman writers describe the dioptra as a device made especially for the vagina and recommended its use for the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal and uterine disorders. These instruments are said to be typical examples of gynecologic surgical tools for nearly a millenium since little or no innovations were made on their basic structure until the 20th century. However, very few of these devices can be seen today. The surviving instruments can only be found in museums. (more…)