Quality of life of patients with bilateral oophorectomy before the age of 45 for the treatment of endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and associated factors among women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy (BO) before the age of 45 for the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 52 women who were treated from January 2014 to December 2019 in 2 public and private DIE surgical centers in Toulouse. All women answered the Menopausal Quality of Life questionnaire (MenQOL). Mean MenQOL scores were compared according to age at BO, smoking, BMI, level of education, delay between BO and the survey and post-BO hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using Mann-Whitney and Anova tests. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlations between all the MEnQOL domain scores and clinical variables. The variables associated with the outcomes in univariate analyses with p < 0.2 were jointly evaluated using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of the survey was 43.4 ± 3.4 years while the mean age at BO was 40.5 ± 3.4 years. The mean MenQOL score was 3.96 (± 1.45), with the highest scores in the sexual (4.77) and vasomotor (4.01) domains. BMI and smoking were independently and significantly associated with the mean total MenQOL score, all domain scores being significantly higher in overweight/obese women. A trend towards worse MenQOL scores was found in patients who had BO before the age of 41. We did not find any difference according to whether or not they were taking HRT. CONCLUSION: This is a first study evaluating quality of life in a specific population of oophorectomized women under the age of 45 using MenQOL for DIE. While BO is effective in relieving pain in women with severe DIE, the induced premature menopause is associated with a poor quality of life, which deserves further attention.

[Assessment of trainee urologists' knowledge in urogenital anatomy]. / Évaluation des connaissances en anatomie uro-génitale des urologues en formation.

The purpose of this study was to assess trainee urologists' [interns and assistant heads of university hospitals (CHU)] knowledge of the anatomy of the urogenital system. An examination consisting of 10 timed (16minutes) multiple-choice questions (MCQ) based on urogenital anatomy assessments for students in third year of the general medical science diploma program (DFGSM3) was sent to members of the French Association of Trainee Urologists (AFUF) in May 2018 in order to compare the average scores of these two populations. In addition, a questionnaire consisting of epidemiological data, their opinion on the quality of education in anatomy and the willingness to have more courses on this subject was included in the examination. The same scale based on a score out of 20 was applied to both populations. Of the 501 AFUF members solicited, 144 answered all the questions (28.7%). The mean score for urologists was lower than that of DFGSM3 students (10.56±1.82 vs. 11.4±2.37 respectively) (P=0.0013). Moreover, the desire for further education in anatomy was widespread among urologists (87%). According to our study, urologists have less knowledge of urogenital anatomy than third year medical students. Many means are being implemented or are available to rectify this failing, especially since the majority of trainee urologists consider that there are insufficient anatomy lessons in the curriculum and would like to receive further education in anatomy. LEVEL IF EVIDENCE: 3.

Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to assess two procedures of vaginal native tissue repair for pelvic organ prolapse at the time of the questioning on vaginal prosthesis: the TAPP trial.

BACKGROUND: Native tissue cystocele repair has been the cornerstone of prolapse surgery, especially since the learned societies warned clinicians and patients about serious mesh-related complications. Surgical techniques mainly consist in anterior colporraphy and vaginal patch plastron. However, success rates of native tissue cystocele repair are heterogeneous, depending on the design of studies and definition of outcomes. To date, high-quality data comparing vaginal native tissue procedures are still lacking. METHODS: Herein we aimed to describe the design of the first randomized controlled trial (TAPP) comparing anterior colporraphy (plication of the muscularis and adventitial layers of the vaginal wall) and vaginal patch plastron (bladder support anchored on the tendinous arch of the pelvic fascia by lateral sutures) techniques. Our aim is to assess the effectiveness of vaginal native tissue repair at 1 year for cystocele with a combined definition of success-anatomic and functional. The primary endpoint will be the success rate 1 year after surgery with a composite of objective and subjective measures (Aa and Ba points < 0 from POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System) and a negative answer to question 3 of Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and no need for additional treatment). DISCUSSION: A prospective study has found a success rate at 35% for anterior colporraphy based on a combined definition, both anatomic and functional, as recently recommended. However, the definition of anatomic was strict (POP-Q< 2), while it seems that the best definition of anatomic success is "no prolapse among the hymen", that is to say Aa and Ba points from the POP-Q classification < 0. We hypothesize that vaginal patch plastron will have a better anatomic and functional success comparatively to anterior colporraphy because native tissue is added, as it corrects both median and lateral cystoceles thanks to bilateral paravaginal suspension. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CHU LIMOGES is the sponsor of this research (n°87RI18_0013). This research is supported by the French Department of Health (PHRC 2018-A03476-49) and will be conducted with the support of DGOS (PHRC interregional - GIRCI SOHO). The study protocol was approved by the Human Subjects Protection Review Board (Comité de Protection des Personnes) on May 16, 2019. The trial is registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov registry ( NCT03875989 ).

Identification of a group with high risk of postoperative complications after deep bowel endometriosis surgery: a retrospective study on 164 patients.

PURPOSE: Identify a group with a high risk of postoperative complications after deep bowel endometriosis surgery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on patients treated from 2012 to 2018 in two departments of gynecological surgery at the Toulouse University Hospital, France. The postoperative complications were evaluated in relation to the surgical management, associated with or without non-digestive surgical procedures, initial disease and patient's characteristics. RESULTS: 164 patients were included. A postoperative complication occurred in 37.8% (n = 62) of the cases and required a secondary surgery in 18.3% (n = 30) of the cases. In the univariate analysis, the risk of postoperative complications increased significantly in the presence of segmental resection, disease progression, and associated urinary tract procedure or vaginal incision. In the multivariate analysis, the risk of overall postoperative complications was associated with the surgical management (p = 0.013 and 0.017) and particularly in the presence of segmental resection [Odds Ratio (OR): 20.87; CI 95% (1.96-221.79)]. The risk of rectovaginal fistula increased in the presence of segmental resection [OR: 22.71; CI 95% (2.74-188.01)] as well as in vaginal incision [OR: 19.67; CI 95% (2.43-159.18); p = 0.005]. CONCLUSION: The risk of overall postoperative complications and rectovaginal fistula in particular increases significantly in the presence of vaginal incision, segmental resection and urinary tract procedures after deep bowel endometriosis surgery.

Tumour and pelvic lymph node metabolic activity on FDG-PET/CT to stratify patients for para-aortic surgical staging in locally advanced cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to comprehensively evaluate the most valuable metabolic parameters of cervical tumours and pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) by FDG-PET/CT to predict para-aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis and stratify patients for surgical staging. METHODS: The study included patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, negative PALN uptake on preoperative FDG-PET/CT, and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Two senior nuclear medicine physicians expert in gynaecologic oncology reviewed all PET/CT exams, and extracted tumour SUVmax, MTV, and TLG, as well as PLN. Prognostic parameters of PALN involvement were identified using ROC curves and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five consecutive locally advanced cervical cancer patients were included. The FDG-PET/CT false-negative rate was, respectively, 27.7% (13/47) and 5.1% (4/78) in patients with and without FDG-PET/CT PLN uptake. The AUC of cervical tumour size, SUVmax, MTV, and TLG was, respectively, 0.75 (0.62-0.87), 0.59 (0.44-0.76), 0.75 (0.60-0.90), and 0.71 (0.56-0.86). The AUC of PLN size, SUVmax, SUVmean, PLN SUVmax/Tumour SUVmax ratio, MTV, and TLG was, respectively, 0.57 (0.37-0.78), 0.82 (0.68-0.95), 0.77 (0.61-0.94), 0.85 (0.72-0.98), 0.69 (0.51-0.87), and 0.74 (0.57-0.91). The metabolic parameter showing the best trade-off between sensitivity and specificity to predict PALN involvement was the ratio between PLN and tumour SUVmax. CONCLUSION: The risk of PALN metastasis in FDG-PET/CT negative PLN patients is very low, so para-aortic lymphadenectomy does not seem justified. In patients with preoperative PLN uptake on FDG-PET/CT, surgical staging led to treatment modification in more than 25% of cases and should therefore be performed. Patients with more than one positive PLN and high PLN metabolic activity are at high risk of para-aortic extension and recurrence. Further prospective evaluation is required to consider intensified treatment modalities without prior PALN dissection.

Variability in facial-muscle innervation: A comparative study based on electrostimulation and anatomical dissection.

Facial-nerve palsy is the most common complication during facial surgery. However, there are few detailed reports on the distribution of the terminal branches of the facial nerve to the mimetic muscles. This also applies to the communicating branches. The aim of our study was to assess the variability of communicant and terminal branches of the facial nerve in humans. This prospective study involved anatomical dissections and intraoperative electric stimulation of facial nerves. We first performed 30 dissections to define the branching patterns of the extracranial facial nerve, with particular focus on the penetrating points into the mimetic muscles. We then studied and compared these preliminary data with 14 operative facial stimulations conducted during parotidectomies. Each trunk and branch received systematic electrostimulation. The electrostimulation and facial-and-neck movements were analyzed by two independent reviewers. The peripheral branching and intercommunication of the facial branches were highly variable. Combining electrostimulation and dissections, the frontalis muscle, the depressor labii inferioris and the platysma showed little nerve recuperation whereas the sphincter muscles (orbicularis ori and oculi) were anatomically protected. Facial-muscle innervation differed among individuals. We found complex variations in the facial branching mode. Our study highlights the branches and corresponding areas that could be considered anatomically risky. Clin. Anat. 32:169-175, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Evolution of clinical practices in the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse in a "vaginalist" team over the period 2010-2015: A paradigm shift towards pluripotency]. / Évolution des pratiques dans la chirurgie du prolapsus au sein d'une école vaginaliste sur la période 2010­2015.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the 2011 FDA alert and French Guidelines have impacted the routine surgical practice in the management of pelvic organ prolapse in a "vaginalist" team over the period 2010-2015. METHODS: Retrospective study involving all patients undergoing surgical management of anterior and/or apical symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse during the civil years 2010 and 2015. Both naive and relapsed prolapses were eligible. RESULTS: Overall, 338 patients were included: 187 in 2010 and 151 in 2015. Among patients with naive prolapse, we observed a significant increase in the number of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies (11.1% in 2010 versus 34.4% in 2015, P=0.001) and a significant decline in the use of native tissue repair (67.6% in 2010 versus 39% in 2015, P=0.001). While the number of transvaginal meshes did not decline over the study period, their indications displayed a significant evolution towards a restricted use to advanced stages. We did not observe any difference regarding the treatment of recurred pelvic organ prolapse. Vaginal route remained the preferred approach in this indication. CONCLUSION: In our "vaginalist" team, routine practice has significantly evolved over the period 2010-2015, resulting in a diversification of the healthcare offer. This paradigm shift towards pluripotency is mandatory, since patients' preference should also drive the choice of both surgical route and technique.

Anatomical description of the umbilical arteries and impact of their ligation on pelvic and perineal vascular supply after cystectomy in women.

OBJECTIVE: In radical cystectomy, the surgeon generally ligates the umbilical artery at its origin. This artery may give rise to several arteries that supply the sexual organs. Our aim was to evaluate pelvic and perineal devascularisation in women after total cystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a prospective anatomical and radiological study. We performed bilateral pelvic dissections of fresh adult female cadavers to identify the dividing branches of the umbilical artery. In parallel, we examined and compared the pre- and postoperative imaging investigations [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography] in patients undergoing cystectomy for benign disease to quantify the loss of pelvic vascularisation on the postoperative images by identifying the occluded arteries. RESULTS: The anatomical study together with the radiological study visualised 35 umbilical arteries (n = 70) with their branching patterns and collateral arteries. The uterine artery originated from the umbilical artery in more than 75% of cases (n = 54) of the internal pudendal artery in 34% (n = 24) and the vaginal artery in 43% (n = 30). The postoperative MRI angiograms showed pelvic devascularisation in four patients. Devascularisation was dependent on the level of surgical ligation. In the four patients with loss of pelvic vascular supply, the umbilical artery had been ligated at its origin. CONCLUSION: The umbilical artery gives rise to various branches that supply the pelvis and perineum. If the surgeon ligates the umbilical artery at its origin during total cystectomy, there is a significant risk of pelvic and perineal devascularisation.

Prospective study feasibility: Screening of antenatal total abnormal pulmonary venous return.

INTRODUCTION: Total abnormal pulmonary venous return is a heart defect often missed prenatally, yet at birth, it is a surgical emergency. Antenatal detection could be improved by sonographic visualization of the anastomosis of 2 pulmonary veins in a sinus into the left atrium. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of this screening method. METHOD: Prospective observational study. Five operators selected one representative image taken during morphological ultrasound screening. Anonymized images were later assessed for quality by an expert. Both the operator and the expert were asked to rate the picture and collect clinical data. Feasibility corresponded to the percentage of images judged satisfactory by the expert; reliability corresponded to the percentage judged satisfactory by both the expert and the sonographer. RESULTS: A total of 192 patients were included. Feasibility was 73% (95% confidence interval, 67.1%-79.7%) and reliability was 81.4% (95% confidence interval, 75.9%-86.9%). There was no learning curve. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that visualization of the 2 pulmonary veins in a sinus into the left atrium at midtrimester screening is simple and reproducible. The next stage is to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity as a screening test of total abnormal pulmonary venous return and whether that would improve morbidity and mortality.

Description and ultrasound targeting of the origin of the suprascapular nerve.

Anatomical variations in the suprascapular nerve (SSN) and its depth in the suprascapular notch can make it difficult to target with ultrasonography (US). One alternative could be a proximal approach to the SSN, if US provides a reliable description of its origin (orSSN). The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate that US can reliably locate the orSSN. The secondary objective was to describe the features of the proximal SSN. Seventy brachial plexuses (BPs) from 30 healthy volunteers (60 BPs) and 5 cadavers (10 BPs) were included. There were two parts to this study: (1) description of the proximal SSN in healthy volunteers using US to determine the diameter, depth and location of the orSSN; (2) targeting of the orSSN with US in cadaver limbs to determine its distance from the needle, ink marking and locating the orSSN. In Part I, the diameter of the orSSN averaged 1.33 mm (1-9 mm) and its depth averaged 5.12 mm (2.7-10.6 mm). The orSSN was located in the upper trunk of the BP (53) or its posterior division (7). In Part II, the orSSN was successfully targeted in nine of the 10 specimens by US; the needle/orSSN distance averaged 3.8 mm (0-8 mm). The implanted needle was at the orSSN in two cases, proximal to it in seven and distal to it in one. US is a valid modality for describing and pinpointing the orSSN, irrespective of patient morphology. Clin. Anat. 30:747-752, 2017. © 2017Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Uncommon dermatologic disorders triggered by radiation therapy of breast cancer: A case-series]. / Dermatoses réactionnelles rares après radiothérapie : une série de cas avec cancer du sein.

Radiotherapy's main skin toxicities are now well-separated, acute (acute radiation dermatitis) or chronic complications (chronic radiation dermatitis, induced cutaneous carcinoma, aesthetic sequelae). Exceptionally, radiotherapy may induce, by isomorphic reaction or Koebner's phenomenon, some specific dermatosis. In this article, we report five new observations of these unusual complications of radiation therapy, occurring in very variable time after breast irradiation and remaining strictly localized in the irradiated field (cutaneous mastocytosis, Sweet syndrome, lichen planus, vitiligo). These cases emphasize the need to realize a systematic histological exam if any atypical skin lesion appears after radiotherapy, even long after.

Intractable epistaxis: which arteries are responsible? An angiographic study.

PURPOSE: Epistaxis constitutes a significant proportion of the Otolaryngologist's emergency workload. Optimal management differs in relation to the anatomic origin of the bleeding. The outcome of our study was to determine which artery(ies) could be considered as the cause of severe bleeding in the context of severe epistaxis. METHODS: Fifty-five procedures of embolization preceded by angiography were reviewed. Medical records of interventionally treated patients were analysed for demographics, medical history, risk factors and clinical data. Angiographic findings were also assessed for active contrast extravasation (blush), vascular abnormality and embolised artery. RESULTS: Previous angiography showed an active contrast extravasation in only 20 procedures. The most common bleeding source was the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) followed by anterior ethmoïdal artery (AEA) and facial artery. Majority of multiple or bilateral extravasations occured in patients with systemic factors. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the potential bleeding source might help and limit the risk of treatment failures. Our study confirms that the SPA is the most common cause of severe bleeding. We also emphasise the role of the AEA not only in traumatic context. Others arteries are rarely involved except in patients with comorbidities or frequent recurrences.

Anatomical study of the inferior vesical artery: is it specific to the male sex?

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to clarify the origin of the inferior vesical artery and determine its existence in women. METHODS: This descriptive study is based on 25 dissections (6 male and 19 female cadavers). We dissected the internal iliac artery and its branches from the iliac bifurcation, bilaterally and comparatively. Each arterial branch supplying the bladder was identified and dissected as far as the bladder. RESULTS: In total, 50 topographies of the bladder vascularization were visualised. The inferior vesical artery was observed in 92% of the male subjects and in 47.4% of the female subjects. In the male cadavers, it arose from the internal iliac artery in 72.7% of cases and from the umbilical artery in 27.3% of cases. In the female cadavers, it arose from a common trunk with the umbilical artery and the uterine artery in 33.3% of cases and directly from the umbilical artery in 33.3% with one terminal branch supplying the upper part of the vagina. In two female subjects, the inferior vesical artery arose from the first segment of the uterine artery (22.2%), and in one subject from the obturator artery (11.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The inferior vesical artery is not specific to the male sex. The contradictions found in the literature of this artery are due to the variations observed in pelvic vascularization and to the close connections between vaginal and bladder vascularisation in women. However, surgeons should consider these variations, to prevent bladder devascularization by non-selective ligation.

Radiological anatomical study of the origin of the uterine artery.

PURPOSE: To clarify the origin of the uterine artery and quantify its anatomical variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study based on dissections, intraoperative findings and retrospective analysis of arteriograms. Thirty female cadavers were dissected and bilaterally observed, with a total of 60 origins visualised. Fifty laparotomies were carried out during the treatment for pelvic neoplasms (100 origins observed) and 34 arteriograms performed for uterine fibroid embolisation were studied (58 origins visualised). RESULTS: In total, 218 origins of the uterine artery were visualised. The uterine artery originated from a common trunk with the umbilical artery in 80.7% of cases. It arose separately from the internal iliac artery in 13.16% of cases and directly from the superior gluteal artery in 3.51% of cases. It branched from a common trunk with the internal pudendal artery in 1.75% of cases, whereas arose separately from the obturator artery in 0.88% of cases. CONCLUSION: The uterine artery arose from a common trunk with the umbilical artery in the majority of the Caucasian population. Surgeons and radiologists should be aware of this mode of branching to facilitate surgery and interventional radiology and improve the safety of these procedures.