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BACKGROUND: In order to decrease endometriosis recurrence after surgical therapy, it has been proposed to use a post-surgical oestrogen-lowering medical treatment. Results from previous trials on this topic are contradictory. METHODS: A total of 89 women were randomized, by computer-generated list, after laparoscopic conservative surgery for symptomatic endometriosis stage III–IV to receive monthly i.m. injections of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, leuprolide acetate depot (3.75 mg) for 3 months (n = 44) or to an expectant management (n = 45). All patients were followed up every 6 months for evaluation of pain symptoms, fertility and objective disease recurrence. RESULTS: During the follow-up, which ranged from 6–36 months, five (33%) of the 15 women who wanted children and who were allocated the GnRH analogue and six (40%) of the 15 given no treatment became pregnant (not significant). Moderate/severe pelvic pain recurred during the follow-up in 10 (23%) of the women allocated the GnRH analogue and 11 (24%) of those allocated no treatment; the cumulative pain recurrence rates at 18 months were 23 and 29% respectively (not significant). Four women (9%) treated with GnRH analogue and four women (9%) who received no treatment had objective disease recurrence as demonstrated by gynaecological examination and/or pelvic ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the routine post-operative use of a 3 month course of GnRH analogue in women with symptomatic endometriosis stage III–IV.

In order to decrease endometriosis recurrence after surgical therapy, it has been proposed to use a post-surgical oestrogen-lowering medical treatment. Results from previous trials on this topic are contradictory.

An experiment and analysis was performed on an inverted U-tube steam condenser (similar to a steam generator) to determine the modes of flow that can exist as the rate of steam flow into the condenser is reduced. The condenser consisted of four glass tubes connected to a common inlet plenum and a common exit plenum. Heat-transfer and flow-rate measurements, as well as visual observations were made. Four different modes of operation were identified. Noncondensables were found to substantially alter the plenum to plenum pressure difference and aid flow stability. Satisfactory analytical descriptions of the observations have been developed as well as application of the results to the condensing behavior of nuclear steam generators under abnormal operating conditions.

The effect of treatment with danazol was evaluated with respect to expectant management after laparoscopic conservative surgery. All patients conservatively operated at laparoscopy for stage III-IV endometriosis from July 1994 to October 1996 were requested to enter the study. Patients who underwent surgery for recurrent endometriosis were excluded from the study, as well as patients who had taken hormonal therapies before laparoscopy. Informed consent was obtained from 77 women who were randomized after surgery to treatment with danazol 600 mg daily for 3 months (n = 36) or to expectant management (n = 41). All patients were regularly followed up every 6 months for evaluation of fertility, recurrence of pain symptoms and disease. During the follow-up, six (55%) of the 11 infertile women allocated to danazol and eight (50%) of the 16 given no treatment became pregnant (not significant). Moderate/severe pelvic pain recurred during follow-up in seven (23%) of the 31 women with pelvic pain allocated to the danazol group and nine (31%) of the 29 allocated to no treatment; the respective cumulative pain recurrence rates at 12 months were 26 and 34% (log rank test, not significant). Three women (8.3%) treated with danazol and six (15%) who received no treatment had disease recurrence as demonstrated by gynaecological examination and/or pelvic ultrasonography (not significant). Our results do not demonstrate a significant advantage of 3 month danazol therapy after laparoscopic surgery for stage III-IV endometriosis with respect to postoperative expectant management.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Only the Strong Survive," in the June 18, 2007 issue, "More than 120,000 homeowners say Road Home leads back to Louisiana," in the June 20, 2007 issue, and on the ordinance to eliminate taco trucks in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana in an earlier issue.