BackgroundVulvar cancer is a rare gynaecological cancer. In Burkina Faso, the diagnosis of vulvar cancers is delayed and the prognosis is poor. However, no specific study on vulvar cancers has been conducted at the moment. This work aimed to study the characteristics of these cancers.MethodsThis is a prospective study on histologically confirmed primary cancers of the vulva diagnosed between 1st January 2013 and 30th June 2015. The demographic and clinical aspects were studied at the Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital of Ouagadougou (CHU-YO).ResultsWe noticed 21 cases of vulvar cancers within 30 months, ranking it as the 4th most common gynaecological cancer. The average age of the patients was 55 years (standard deviation +/− 6.3) and the median age was 57 years. Scars resulting from female circumcision, menopause (n = 20) and HIV infection were noticed in 19 cases and 6 cases respectively. The average time from first symptoms to first consultation was 29 months. Pain and ulceration were the main reasons for consultation. The clinical picture was chiefly an ulcero-granulating tumour. There was squamous cell carcinoma in 20 cases and basal carcinoma in 1 case. Fifteen patients were at stage III or IV, where of three patients had metastatic disease. We noticed vitiligo in 9 vulvar cancer cases.ConclusionThe cancer of the vulva is rare. Women are of menopausal age, are mostly circumcised and HIV-infection is common. A majority of patients sought consultation at advanced stage of disease, and diagnosis was belatedly made. Pain and ulceration were the main reasons for consultation. The sensitization of the population, education for self- examination would allow earlier diagnosis.

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality in emerging countries. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) using suture fragment (FairEmbo concept) in a swine model. Methods: Seven female swine uteri were embolized. The left uterine artery was embolized with 1 cm fragments of absorbable suture (Optime® 0), and with gelatin sponge torpedoes for the contralateral side for comparison. The embolization effectiveness and the time for arterial recanalization with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) controls at D0, D7, and M1, were evaluated. Follow-up protocol also included clinical monitoring and macroscopical analyses at M1. A Mann–Whitney test (significance at P 0.05) was used for statistics. Results: A technical success was obtained for the seven arteries on each side, with no off-target embolization. The procedure time (10 min versus 3.7 min) and number of fragments (13.8 versus 5.7) required for complete occlusion were significantly greater in the FairEmbo group. All arteries were repermeabilized at M1. No necrosis was macroscopically visible at harvest at M1. Conclusion: This experimental study suggests that UAE with SBM FairEmbo method is feasible, safe, and effective in comparison with gelatin sponge procedure.