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. 2024 Jul 11;15(2):e3309.
doi: 10.15649/cuidarte.3309. eCollection 2024 May-Aug.

Vaginal stenosis and dilator use after pelvic brachytherapy

Luciana Martins da Rosa  1 , Maria Eduarda Hames  2 , Mirella Dias  3 , Luciana Puchalski Kalinke  4 , Claudia Manuela Siqueira de Oliveira  5 , María Angélica Arzuaga-Salazar  6
Affiliations

Vaginal stenosis and dilator use after pelvic brachytherapy

Luciana Martins da Rosa et al. Rev Cuid. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Portuguese

Introduction: To prevent vaginal stenosis, the use of a vaginal dilator is recommended.

Objective: To analyze sociodemographic data, gynecological conditions and the use of vaginal dilator after pelvic brachytherapy.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study, period 2016-2020, collected between October/2020 and February/2021, from records of women with gynecological cancer treated with brachytherapy at the Centro de Pesquisa Oncológicas (Brazil). The variables included sociodemographic data and gynecological conditions in following the treatment. In the analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-squaretest, Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test were applied.

Results: 519 patients records were included in the investigation; the analyzes showed significant associations between the topography and staging (p<0.001), education (p=0.004) and age (p<0.001); the comparison between the distribution of the ionizing radiation dose showed a difference with the continued sexual relationship category (p=0.006); the comparison between the proportions ofcontinued sexual relationship and using a vaginal dilator was significant (p<0.001); 49.10% (131) adhered to the use of vaginal dilator; 24.50% (127) are not sexually active and do not adhere to the use ofthe dilator.

Discussion: It is evident that social and gynecological conditions interfere with the presence of vaginal stenosis and the use of a vaginal dilator after pelvic brachytherapy.

Conclusions: The adherence found in the use of dilator affirms the contributions and the need for health education by nurses and physicaltherapists during and following the treatment.

Introducción: Para prevenir la estenosis vaginal se recomienda el uso de un dilatador vaginal.

Objetivo: Analizar datos sociodemográficos, condiciones ginecológicas y el uso de dilatadores vaginales después de la braquiterapia pélvica.

Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal, retrospectivo, período 2016-2020, recolectado entre octubre/2020 y febrero/2021, en historias clínicas de mujeres con cáncer ginecológico tratadas con braquiterapia en el Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas (Brasil). Las variables cubrieron datos sociodemográficos y condiciones ginecológicas posteriores al tratamiento. En el análisis se aplicó estadística descriptiva, prueba de chi-cuadrado, prueba exacta de Fisher y prueba de Mann-Whitney.

Resultados: Se incluyeron en la investigación 519 historias clínicas; los análisis mostraron asociaciones significativas entre topografía y puesta en escena (p<0,001), educación (p=0,004) y edad (p<0,001); la comparación entre la distribución de la dosis de radiación ionizante mostró diferencia con la categoría que mantenía relaciones sexuales (p=0,006); la comparación entre las proporciones de mantener relaciones sexuales y utilizar dilatador vaginal fue significativa (p<0,001); el 49,10% (131) adhirieron al uso del dilatador vaginal; El 24,50% (127) no mantuvo relaciones sexuales y no adhirió al uso del dilatador.

Discusión: Es claro que las condiciones sociales y ginecológicas afectan la presencia de estenosis vaginal y el uso del dilatador vaginal después de la braquiterapia pélvica.

Conclusiones: La adherencia encontrada en el uso del dilatador confirma los aportes y la necesidad de educación en salud por parte de enfermeros y fisioterapeutas durante y después del tratamiento.

Introdujo: Para prevenir a estenose vaginal é recomendado o uso de dilatador vaginal.

Objetivo: Analisar dados sociodemográficos, condigóes ginecológicas e o uso do dilatador vaginal após a braquiterapia pélvica.

Materiais e métodos: Estudo transversal, retrospectivo, período 2016 2020, coletado entre outubro/2020 e fevereiro/2021, em prontuários de mulheres com cáncer ginecológico tratadas com braquiterapia no Centro de Pesquisas Oncológicas (Brasil). As variáveis abrangeram dados sociodemográficos e condigóes ginecológicas no seguimento do tratamento. Na análise aplicou-se estatística descritiva, teste de qui-quadrado, Exato de Fisher e de Mann-Whitney.

Resultados: 519 prontuários foram incluidos na investigado; as análises mostraram associagóes significativas entre topografia e estadiamento (p<0,001), escolaridade (p=0,004) e idade (p<0,001); a comparado entre a distribuigao da dose de radiado ionizante mostrou diferenga com a categoria manutengao da relagao sexual (p=0,006); a comparagao entre as proporgóes da manutengao da relagao sexual e uso do dilatador vaginal foi significativa (p<0,001); 49,10% (131) aderiram ao uso do dilatador vaginal; 24,50% (127) nao mantiveram a relagao sexual e nao aderiram ao uso do dilatador.

Discussao: Evidencia-se que as condigóes sociais e ginecológicas interferem na presenga da estenose vaginal e no uso do dilatador vaginal após a braquiterapia pélvica.

Conclusóes: A adesao encontrada no uso do dilatador afirma as contribuigóes e a necessidade de educagao em saúde por enfermeiros e fisioterapeutas durante e no seguimento do tratamento.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; Constriction, Pathologic; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Nursing; Physical Therapy Department, Hospital.

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