Total laparoscopic vs. conventional open abdominal nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy: clinical, surgical, oncological and functional outcomes in 301 patients with cervical cancer / 부인종양

Objective@#Total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (TL-NSRH) has been considered a promising approach, however, surgical, clinical, oncological and functional outcomes have not been systematically addressed. We present a large retrospective multicenter experience comparing TL-NSRH vs. open abdominal NSRH (OA-NSRH) for early and locally-advanced cervical cancer, with particular emphasis on post-surgical pelvic function. @*Methods@#All consecutive patients who underwent class C1-NSRH plus bilateral pelvic + paraaortic lymphadenectomy for stage IA2–IIB cervical cancer at 4 Italian gynecologic oncologic centers (Negrar, Varese, Bologna, Avellino) were enrolled. Patients were divided into TLNSRH and OA-NSRH groups and were investigated with preoperative questionnaires on urinary, rectal and sexual function. Postoperatively, patients filled a questionnaire assessing quality of life, taking into account sexual function and psychological status. Oncological outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meyer method. @*Results@#301 consecutive patients were included in this study: 170 in the TL-NSRH group and 131 in the OA-NSRH group. Patients in the OA-NSRH group were more likely to experience urinary incontinence and (after 12-months follow-up) urinary retention. No patient in the TL-NSRH group vs. 5 (5.5%) in the OA-NSRH group had complete urinary retention (at the >24-month follow-up [p=0.02]). A total of 20 (11.8%) in the TL-NSRH and 11 (8.4%) patients in the OA-NSRH had recurrence of disease (p=0.44) and 14 (8.2%) and 9 (6.9%) died of disease during follow-up, respectively (p=0.83). @*Conclusion@#Our study shows that TL-NSRH is feasible, safe and effective and conjugates adequate radicality and improvement in post-operative functional outcomes. Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic procedures deserve further investigation.

Conservative hysteroscopic treatment of stage I well differentiated endometrial cancer in patients with high surgical risk: a pilot study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To report hysteroscopic treatment combined with levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) to treat women with early well differentiated endometrial cancer (EC) at high surgical risk. METHODS: Nine women diagnosed with stage IA, grade 1 endometrioid EC which was contraindicated or refused standard treatment with external beam radiation therapy with or without brachytherapy were enrolled in our prospective study. Endo-myometrial hysteroscopic resection of the whole uterine cavity and the placement of LNG-IUD for 5 years was performed. Response rate, perioperative complications, and recurrence of disease were evaluated. RESULTS: None had intra or post-operative complications and all were discharged no later than the third day of hospitalization. After 6 months from surgery, all the women showed a complete regression of the lesion. All the women completed the 5 years follow-up and in no case was detected sign of recurrence. Two women died for causes unrelated to the tumor or the ongoing therapy. CONCLUSION: The alternative treatment with endo-myometrial hysteroscopic resection and LNG-IUD in women with stage IA, grade 1 endometrioid EC showed initial encouraging outcomes in terms of effectiveness and safety.

Performance of circulating placental growth factor as a screening marker for diagnosis of Ovarian Endometriosis: a pilot study

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the circulating placental growth factor [PlGF] concentration in women with and without endometrioma to verify the performance of this marker to diagnose the disease

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, thirteen women with histological diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis were compared with women without endometriosis disease. PlGF plasma levels of endometriotic patients and controls were investigated using a fluorescence immunoassay technique

Results: PlGF showed a direct correlation with body mass index [BMI] only in the control group [P=0.013]. After adjustment for BMI values, PlGF median value in endometriosis group [14.7 pg/mL] resulted higher than in control group [13.8 pg/ mL, P=0.004]

Conclusion: PlGF is a promising peripheral blood marker that can discriminate between patients with and without ovarian endometriosis

Laparoscopic fertility sparing management of cervical cancer

Fertility can be preserved after conservative cervical surgery. We report on a 29-year-old woman who was obese, para 0, and diagnosed with cervical insufficiency at the first trimester of current pregnancy due to a previous trachelectomy. She underwent laparoscopic transabdominal cervical cerclage [LTCC] for cervical cancer. The surgery was successful and she was discharged two days later. The patient underwent a caesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive approach associated with less pain and faster recovery, feasible even in obese women