Aims:Describe the impact of surgery, radiotherapy and chemoradiation in the pelvic floor functions in cervical cancer patients.Materials and Methods:A prospective study with women submitted to radical hysterectomy (RH) (n = 20), exclusive radiotherapy (RT) (n = 20) or chemoradiation (CT/RT) (n = 20) for invasive cervical cancer. Urinary, intestinal and sexual function, as well as vaginal length and pelvic floor muscle contraction were evaluated. Comparisons between groups were performed by Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests (p < 0.05).Results:The groups were similar in stress urinary incontinence incidence (p = 0.56), urinary urgency (p = 0.44), urge incontinence (p = 0.54), nocturia (p = 0.53), incomplete bowel emptying (p = 0.76), bowel urgency (p = 0.12) and soilage (p = 0.43). The CT/RT group presented a higher urinary frequency (p < 0.001) and diarrhea (p = 0.025). Patients in the RH group were more sexually active (p = 0.01) and experienced less dyspareunia (p = 0.021). Vaginal length was shorter in RT group (5.5 ± 1.9cm) and CT/RT(5.3 ± 1.5 cm) than in the RH group (7.4 ± 1.1 cm) (p < 0.001). Pelvic floor muscle contraction was similar (p = 0.302).Conclusions:RT and CT/RT treatment for cervical carcinoma are more associated to sexual and intestinal dysfunctions.

A incontinência urinária (IU) é um problema de saúde pública, devendo ser abordada em centros de saúde (CS). A educação dos profissionais é necessária para que saibam prestar assistência às usuárias. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar a experiência do projeto "Cuidar de Quem Cuida", desenvolvido em CS para educar funcionárias acerca da IU. O programa foi realizado na forma de uma dinâmica teórico-prática com duração de 2 horas, sendo que as 28 participantes foram divididas em 2 grupos. Cada grupo participou do programa em dias diferentes de forma que as atividades usuais do CS puderam ser mantidas. Foram discutidos os tipos de IU, fatores de risco, possibilidades terapêuticas e medidas preventivas, destacando-se o cuidado com os hábitos urinários e intestinais e o treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (MAP). Após sua realização, as participantes relataram que passaram a desenvolver hábitos urinários saudáveis e realizar exercícios para os MAP. Observou-se aumento do número de usuárias referenciadas para a Fisioterapia. Assim, o programa instrumentalizou as funcionárias a desenvolver o autocuidado e identificar necessidade de assistência às usuárias. Esta abordagem poderá ser efetiva em outros serviços como um primeiro passo na implantação de assistência fisioterapêutica a mulheres com IU nos CS.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is considered a public health problem that should be firstly approached in the primary care units (PCU). Educational programs target to professionals who work in these units are a key component in the management of this condition. The aim of this study was to report the experience of the "Caring for Who Cares", a project developed in a PCU aimed at educating employees about UI. The educational program was carried out as a dynamic, with theoretical and practical character, lasting 2 hours. The 28 participants were divided into 2 groups. Each group participated in the program on different days so that the usual activities of the PCU could be maintained. Issues such as types of UI, risk factors, preventive and therapeutic measures, especially urinary and bowel habits and pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training, were discussed. The participants reported being more attentive to their urinary habits after the educational program; some of them had incorporated exercises for the PFM. There were also an increasing number of users referred to the physiotherapy care service. Therefore, the project successfully educated the employees of the PCU for their own care and allowed the implementation of UI preventative and treatment programs in this unit. This experience may be helpful to other professionals when implementing the physical therapy assistance for women with UI in PCU.

OBJETIVOS: determinar a prevalência de fatores obstétricos associados à posição de parto vaginal (PPV) - vertical ou horizontal; investigar correlações entre PPV e fatores obstétricos, bem como sua influência sobre as características neonatais. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo de corte transversal. A amostra foi composta por 176 mulheres primíparas que realizaram parto vaginal, entre julho/2006 e fevereiro/2007. Foi investigada a correlação entre PPV e as seguintes variáveis obstétricas: ocorrência e grau de laceração perineal espontânea, episiotomia, sutura perineal, uso de ocitocina e instrumentação cirúrgica. Os neonatos foram classificados quanto à idade gestacional, peso, estatura, perímetro cefálico e Apgar 1º e 5º minutos. Teste qui quadrado foi aplicado para investigar correlação entre PPV e variáveis obstétricas e o teste t-student para investigar a influência da PPV nas características neonatais. RESULTADOS: não foi observada correlação entre PPV e sutura perineal, laceração perineal, uso de ocitocina, episiotomia e utilização de instrumentação cirúrgica (uso de fórceps ou vácuo-extrator). Houve correlação entre PPV e episiotomia e maior prevalência de episiotomia na posição horizontal. Não houve influência da PPV nas características neonatais. CONCLUSÕES: houve maior ocorrência de episiotomia na posição de parto horizontal, embora ambas as posições de parto tenham sido satisfatórias para os neonatos.

OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of obstetric factors associated with vaginal birth posi tion (VBP)-vertical or horizontal; to investigate correlations between VBP and obstetric factors and neonatal characteristics. METHODS: a cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample comprised 176 primiparous women who had given birth vaginally, between july 2006 and february 2007. The correlation was investigated between VBP and the following obstetric variables: occurrence and severity of spontaneous perineal lacerations, episiotomy, perineal suture, the use of oxytocin and surgical instruments. The newborns were characterized according to gestational age, weight, height, head circumference and one-and five-minute Apgar. The chi-squared test was used to inves tigate the correlation between VBP and obstetric vari ables and Student's t-test to investigate differences in neonatal characteristics according to VBP. RESULTS: no association was found between VBP and perineal suture, perineal laceration, the use of oxytocin, episiotomy or the use of surgical instru ments (forceps or vacuum-extractor). There was a correlation between VBP and episiotomy and a greater prevalence of episiotomy for the horizontal position. VBP had no influence on the characteristics of the newborn. CONCLUSIONS: episiotomy was more prevalent in cases of horizontal birth position, although both birth positions are satisfactory as far as the newborn is concerned.