Care Delivery for Patients with Leiomyomas: Failures, Real-Life Experiences, Analysis of Barriers, and Proposed Restorative Remedies.

In this narrative review, we describe historical and contemporary influences that prevent patients with fibroids from getting appropriate medical care. Using patient stories as examples, we highlight how misogyny on all levels hurts patients and prevents medical teams from doing their best. Importantly, inequity and disparities result in massive gaps in care delivery. We suggest that we, as gynecologists and surgeons, must join public discourse on this topic to highlight the inadequacies of care delivery and the reasons behind it, suggest potential solutions, and join patients and communities in formulating and implementing remedies.

Women physicians receive lower Press Ganey patient satisfaction scores in a multicenter study of outpatient gynecology care.

BACKGROUND: Emerging data suggest that patient satisfaction data are subject to inherent biases that negatively affect women physicians. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the association between the Press Ganey patient satisfaction survey and physician gender in a multi-institutional study of outpatient gynecologic care. STUDY DESIGN: This was a multisite, observational, population-based survey study using the results of Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys from 5 unrelated community-based and academic medical institutions with outpatient gynecology visits between January 2020 and April 2022. The primary outcome variable was the likelihood to recommend a physician, and individual survey responses served as the unit of analysis. Patient demographic data were collected through the survey, including self-reported age, gender, and race and ethnicity (categorized as White, Asian, or Underrepresented in Medicine, which groups together Black, Hispanic or LatinX, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Hawaiian or Pacific Islander). Bivariate comparisons between demographics (physician gender, patient and physician age quartile, patient and physician race) and likelihood to recommend were assessed using generalized estimating equation models clustered by physician. Odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values for these analyses are reported, and results were considered statistically significant at P<.05. Analysis was performed using SAS, version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). RESULTS: Data were obtained from 15,184 surveys for 130 physicians. Most physicians were women (n=95 [73%]) and White (n=98 [75%]), and patients were also predominantly White (n=10,495 [69%]). A little over half of all visits were race-concordant, meaning that both patient and physician reported the same race (57%). Women physicians were less likely to receive a topbox survey score (74% vs 77%) and in the multivariate model had 19% lower odds of receiving a topbox score (95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.95). Patient age had a statistically significant relationship with score, with patients aged ≥63 years having >3-fold increase in odds of providing a topbox score (odds ratio, 3.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.12-4.52) compared with the youngest patients. After adjustment, patient and physician race and ethnicity showed similar effects on the odds of a topbox likelihood-to-recommend score, with Asian physicians and Asian patients having lower odds of a topbox likelihood-to-recommend score when compared with White physicians and patients (odds ratio: 0.89 [95% confidence interval, 0.81-0.98] and 0.62 [95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.79], respectively). Underrepresented in medicine physicians and patients showed significantly increased odds of a topbox likelihood-to-recommend score (odds ratio: 1.27 [95% confidence interval, 1.21-1.33] and 1.03 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.06], respectively). The physician age quartile was not significantly associated with odds of a topbox likelihood-to-recommend score. CONCLUSION: Women gynecologists were 18% less likely to receive top patient satisfaction scores compared with men in this multisite, population-based survey study using the results of Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys. The results of these questionnaires should be adjusted for bias given that they provide data currently being used to understand patient-centered care.

Impact of the Recorded Audio and Video Feedback on Simulated Surgical Performance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation and coaching have become increasingly important in laparoscopic skills acquisition. This study was designed to evaluate if access to the recorded audio and video feedback after a single proctored session improves the acquisition of laparoscopic suturing skills in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residents. METHODS: Twenty OB/GYN residents received a single face-to-face coaching session on a laparoscopic vaginal cuff closure model. The session was recorded and residents were randomized to access either the video-only or the audio and video recording of the proctored session. The primary outcome measure was comparison of Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills plus Vaginal Cuff Metrics (GOALS+) scores of the vaginal cuff closure prior to and following the proctored session. RESULTS: Only 30% of residents accessed the recorded sessions with junior residents most likely to access the recording. Baseline GOALS+ scores were significantly higher in senior residents (mean 21.7, SD 3.9) as compared to junior residents (mean 14.7, SD 3.2) (p<.001). While all learners' GOALS+ scores significantly improved after proctoring the intervention (p<.001), the senior residents continued to have significantly higher GOALS+ scores at the final assessment (mean 28.3, SD 4.2, p=.01) when compared to their junior residents (mean 24.0, SD 3.1). CONCLUSION: Due to the low uptake of the review of recorded proctored sessions among OB/GYN residents across skill and year levels, we were unable to assess the effect of recorded audio and video feedback on resident performance. However, the intervention of a single proctored session of simulated laparoscopic vaginal cuff closure significantly improved resident performance as assessed with GOALS+ scores.

Endometriosis-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Support Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma through Iron Regulation.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a deadly and treatment-resistant cancer, which arises within the unique microenvironment of endometriosis. In this study, we identified a subset of endometriosis-derived mesenchymal stem cells (enMSC) characterized by loss of CD10 expression that specifically support OCCC growth. RNA sequencing identified alterations in iron export in CD10-negative enMSCs and reciprocal changes in metal transport in cocultured OCCC cells. CD10-negative enMSCs exhibited elevated expression of iron export proteins hephaestin and ferroportin and donate iron to associated OCCCs, functionally increasing the levels of labile intracellular iron. Iron is necessary for OCCC growth, and CD10-negative enMSCs prevented the growth inhibitory effects of iron chelation. In addition, enMSC-mediated increases in OCCC iron resulted in a unique sensitivity to ferroptosis. In vitro and in vivo, treatment with the ferroptosis inducer erastin resulted in significant death of cancer cells grown with CD10-negative enMSCs. Collectively, this work describes a novel mechanism of stromal-mediated tumor support via iron donation. This work also defines an important role of endometriosis-associated MSCs in supporting OCCC growth and identifies a critical therapeutic vulnerability of OCCC to ferroptosis based on stromal phenotype. SIGNIFICANCE: Endometriosis-derived mesenchymal stem cells support ovarian clear cell carcinoma via iron donation necessary for cancer growth, which also confers sensitivity to ferroptosis-inducing therapy.

Opioid Use After Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to quantify postoperative opioid use after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis or pelvic pain. The secondary objective was to identify patient characteristics associated with greater postoperative opioid requirements. DESIGN: Prospective, survey-based study in which subjects completed 1 preoperative and 7 postoperative surveys within 28 days of surgery regarding medication usage and pain control. SETTING: Tertiary care, academic center. PATIENTS: A total of 100 women with endometriosis or pelvic pain. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic same-day discharge surgery by fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologists. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were recruited and 8 excluded, for a final sample size of 92 patients. All patients completed the preoperative survey. Postoperative response rates ranged from 70.7% to 80%. The mean number of pills (5 mg oxycodone tablets) taken by day 28 was 6.8. The average number of pills prescribed was 10.2, with a minimum of 4 (n = 1) and maximum of 20 (n = 3). Previous laparoscopy for pelvic pain was associated with a significant increase in postoperative narcotic use (8.2 vs 5.6; p = .044). Hysterectomy was the only surgical procedure associated with a significant increase in postoperative narcotic use (9.7 vs 5.4; p = .013). There were no difference in number of pills taken by presence of deep endometriosis or pathology-confirmed endometriosis (all p >.36). There was a trend of greater opioid use in patients with diagnoses of self-reported chronic pelvic pain, anxiety, and depression (7.9 vs 5.7, p = .051; 7.7 vs 5.2, p = .155; 8.1 vs 5.6, p = .118). CONCLUSION: Most patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and pelvic pain had a lower postoperative opioid requirement than prescribed, suggesting surgeons can prescribe fewer postoperative narcotics in this population. Patients with a previous surgery for pelvic pain, self-reported chronic pelvic pain syndrome, anxiety, and depression may represent a subset of patients with increased postoperative opioid requirements.

Reliability and Discriminant Validity of a Checklist for Surgical Scrubbing, Gowning and Gloving.

Background: Surgical scrubbing, gowning, and gloving is challenging for medical trainees to learn in the operating room environment. Currently, there are few reliable or valid tools to evaluate a trainee's ability to scrub, gown and glove. The objective of this study is to test the reliability and validity of a checklist that evaluates the technique of surgical scrubbing, gowning and gloving (SGG). Methods: This Institutional Review Board-approved study recruited medical students, residents, and fellows from an academic, tertiary care institution. Trainees were stratified based upon prior surgical experience as novices, intermediates, or experts. Participants were instructed to scrub, gown and glove in a staged operating room while being video-recorded. Two blinded raters scored the videos according to the SGG checklist. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient for total scores and Cohen's kappa for item completion. The internal consistency and discriminant validity of the SGG checklist were assessed using Cronbach alpha and the Wilcoxon rank sum test, respectively. Results: 56 participants were recruited (18 novices, 19 intermediates, 19 experts). The intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability for the overall checklist (0.990), and the Cohen's kappa ranged from 0.598 to 1.00. The checklist also had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.950). A significant difference in scores was observed between all groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This checklist demonstrates a high inter-rater reliability, discriminant validity, and internal consistency. It has the potential to enhance medical education curricula.

Learning Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Manual Skills: An Institutional Experience With Remote Coaching and Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has altered the landscape of traditional surgical education. This is a pilot study of remote coaching and assessment of Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) manual skills in obstetrics and gynecology residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PGY-3 obstetrics and gynecology residents participated in remote assessment of FLS manual skills using a live streaming platform. Learners who showed deficiencies in proficiency participated in live-streamed coaching sessions. The coaching sessions continued until the learner and coach mutually agreed that the learner was prepared for the skills portion of the FLS certification exam. The primary outcome was learner performance on skills assessment with external validation through the FLS manual skills exam pass rate. RESULTS: One learner demonstrated proficiency at baseline and the remaining nine underwent remote coaching sessions. Learners received a mean of two coaching sessions to reach mutually agreed readiness for the FLS exam as per learner and coach. All residents performed significantly better at the conclusion of the remote coaching series (11.3 ± 0.82) as compared to their baseline scores (8.8 ± 2.82) (P < .03; 95% CI, 0.31-4.69). Proficiency was externally validated through the FLS exam taken by each resident 1-2 weeks following their final assessment, with all learners passing the manual portion. The average satisfaction of learners with remote coaching was 77/100 (range 50-100). 100% of learners felt prepared for their FLS certification exam and 100% would recommend this remote training program to a colleague. CONCLUSION: Remote coaching and assessment of FLS skills yields similar results to traditional face-to-face instruction.

Non-invasive epigenomic molecular phenotyping of the human brain via liquid biopsy of cerebrospinal fluid and next generation sequencing.

Our goal was to undertake a genome-wide epigenomic liquid biopsy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the comprehensive analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation signatures in the human central nervous system (CNS). Solution-phase hybridization and massively parallel sequencing of bisulfite converted human DNA was employed to compare methylation signatures of cfDNA obtained from CSF with plasma. Recovery of cfDNA from CSF was relatively low (68-840 pg/mL) compared to plasma (2720-8390 pg/mL) and cfDNA fragments from CSF were approximately 20 bp shorter than their plasma-derived counterparts. Distributions of CpG methylation signatures were significantly altered between CSF and plasma, both globally and at the level of functional elements including exons, introns, CpG islands, and shores. Sliding window analysis was used to identify differentially methylated regions. We found numerous gene/locus-specific differences in CpG methylation between cfDNA from CSF and plasma. These loci were more frequently hypomethylated in CSF compared to plasma. Differentially methylated CpGs in CSF were identified in genes related to branching of neurites and neuronal development. Using the GTEx RNA expression database, we found clear association between tissue-specific gene expression in the CNS and cfDNA methylation patterns in CSF. Ingenuity pathway analysis of differentially methylated regions identified an enrichment of functional pathways related to neurobiology. In conclusion, we present a genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in human CSF. Our methods and the resulting data demonstrate the potential of epigenomic liquid biopsy of the human CNS for molecular phenotyping of brain-derived DNA methylation signatures.

Pain and Quality of Life after Laparoscopic Excision of Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term impact of laparoscopic excision of endometriosis on quality of life through pain reduction as measured by the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) in uterine-sparing (preservation of the uterus and at least 1 ovary) and nonuterine-sparing (removal of the uterus) surgery. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: Sixty-one women who had undergone laparoscopic excision of endometriosis for pelvic pain were enrolled in a tissue-procurement study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients who had previously completed an EHP-30 preoperatively and at 4 weeks postoperatively were mailed a copy of the EHP-30 2.6 to 6.8 years after their index surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was quality of life as measured by changes in the EHP-30 scores before their index surgery and those measured weeks and years later. The secondary outcome was a comparison of the EHP-30 scores between patients who underwent excision of endometriosis alone and those who underwent excision of endometriosis with hysterectomy +/- oophorectomy. From 2011 to 2015, 61 women underwent laparoscopic excision of endometriosis for pelvic pain. Forty-six of the 61 patients completed the EHP-30 for a response rate of 75%. The patients demonstrated significant improvement in all 5 scales of the EHP-30 (pain, control and powerlessness, emotional well-being, social support, and self-image) at 4 weeks postoperatively (p <.001), which persisted for up to 6.8 years in follow-up (p <.001) when compared with their baseline scores. The improvement in EHP-30 scores did not differ by American Society for Reproductive Medicine staging or index surgery. Definitive surgery (total laparoscopic hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) was not associated with improved outcomes when compared with uterine-sparing surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis offers improvement in all quality-of-life domains as measured by the EHP-30, including a reduction in pain, an effect that may persist for up to 6.8 years. These findings suggest that laparoscopic excision of endometriosis with uterine preservation can be considered as an option for discussion during counseling for treatment of endometriosis.

Enhanced recovery after surgery outcomes in minimally invasive nonhysterectomy gynecologic procedures.

BACKGROUND: Improved patient outcomes and satisfaction associated with enhanced recovery after surgery protocols have increasingly replaced traditional perioperative anesthesia care. Fast-track surgery pathways have been extensively validated in patients undergoing hysterectomies, yet the impact on fertility-sparing laparoscopic gynecologic operations, particularly those addressing chronic pain conditions, has not been examined. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery pathway implementation compared with conventional perioperative care in women undergoing laparoscopic minimally invasive nonhysterectomy gynecologic procedures. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing uterine-sparing laparoscopic gynecologic procedures for benign conditions (tubal/adnexal pathology, endometriosis, or leiomyomas) during a 24 month period before and after enhanced recovery after surgery implementation at a tertiary care center. We compared immediate perioperative outcomes and 30 day complications. The primary outcome was same-day discharge rates. Factors influencing unplanned admissions, postoperative pain, sedation, nausea, and vomiting represented secondary analyses. RESULTS: A total of 410 women (enhanced recovery after surgery, n = 196; conventional perioperative care, n = 214) met inclusion criteria. Following enhanced recovery after surgery implementation, same-day discharge rates increased by 9.4% (P = .001). Reductions in postoperative pain and nausea/vomiting represented the primary driving factor behind lower unplanned admissions. Higher preoperative antiemetic medication administration in the enhanced recovery after surgery group resulted in a 57% reduction in postanesthesia care unit antiemetics (P < .001). Total perioperative narcotic medication use was also significantly reduced by 64% (P < .001), and the enhanced recovery after surgery cohort still demonstrated significantly lower postanesthesia unit care pain scores at hours 2 and 3 (P < .001). A 19 minute shorter postanesthesia care unit stay was noted in the enhanced recovery after surgery cohort (P = .036). Increased same-day discharge did not lead to higher postoperative complications or changes in 30 day emergency department visits or readmissions in patients with enhanced recovery after surgery. CONCLUSION: Enhanced recovery after surgery implementation resulted in increased same-day discharge rates and improved perioperative outcomes without affecting 30 day morbidity in women undergoing laparoscopic minimally invasive nonhysterectomy gynecologic procedures.

Tissue Extraction in Gynecologic Surgery: Past, Present, and Future.

Fibroid tissue extraction during hysterectomy and myomectomy has become increasingly controversial. A wave of research has tried to clarify difficult questions around the prevalence of occult malignancies, the effect of morcellation on cancer outcomes, proper informed consent, and surgical options for tissue extraction. This review examines the history of these controversies and discusses tissue extraction techniques and continued areas of debate in the field.

Use of Uterine Characteristics to Improve Fertility-Sparing Diagnosis of Adenomyosis.

Objective: To describe patient demographics, determine accuracy of clinical diagnosis, and evaluate reliability of laparoscopic uterine characteristics in the diagnosis of adenomyosis. Materials and Methods: Enrollment included 117 patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign indications. Intraoperatively, the attending surgeon predicted uterine weight; evaluated the presence of fibroids; and commented on the uterus' shape, color, and consistency while probing it with a blunt instrument. A prediction was also made about whether final pathology would reveal adenomyosis. Standardized video recordings were obtained at the start of the case. Each video was viewed retrospectively twice by three expert surgeons in a blinded fashion. Uterine characteristics were reported again with a prediction of whether or not there would be a pathologic diagnosis of adenomyosis. These data were used to calculate inter-and intrarater reliability of diagnosis. Results: Women with adenomyosis were more likely to complain of midline pain as opposed to lateral or diffuse pain (p = 0.048) with no difference in the timing of the pain (p = 0.404), compared to patients without adenomyosis. Uterine tenderness on examination was not an accurate predictor of adenomyosis (p = 0.566). Preoperative diagnosis of adenomyosis by clinicians was poor, with an accuracy rate of 51.7%. None of the intraoperative uterine characteristics were significant for predicting adenomyosis on final pathology, nor was any combination of the features (p = 0.546). Retrospective video reviews failed to reveal any uterine characteristics that generated consistent inter- or intrarater reliability (Krippendorff's α < 0.7) in making the diagnosis of adenomyosis. Conclusions: Clinical and video diagnosis of adenomyosis have low accuracy with no uterine characteristics consistently or reliably predicting adenomyosis on final pathology. (J GYNECOL SURG 34:183).

myTIPreport and Training for Independent Practice: A Tool for Real-Time Workplace Feedback for Milestones and Procedural Skills.

BACKGROUND: Few tools currently exist for effective, accessible delivery of real-time, workplace feedback in the clinical setting. OBJECTIVE: We developed and implemented a real-time, web-based tool for performance-based feedback in the clinical environment. METHODS: The tool (myTIPreport) was designed for performance-based feedback to learners on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Milestones and procedural skills. "TIP" stands for "Training for Independent Practice." We implemented myTIPreport in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) programs between November 2014 and May 2015. Residents, fellows, teachers, and program directors completed preimplementation and postimplementation surveys on their perceptions of feedback. RESULTS: Preimplementation surveys were completed by 656 participants of a total of 980 learners and teachers in 19 programs (12 Ob-Gyn and 7 FPMRS). This represented 72% (273 of 378) of learners and 64% (383 of 602) of teachers. Seventy percent of participants (381 of 546) reported having their own individual processes for real-time feedback; the majority (79%, 340 of 430) described these processes as informal discussions. Over 6 months, one-third of teachers and two-thirds of learners used the myTIPreport tool a total of 4311 times. Milestone feedback was recorded 944 times, and procedural feedback was recorded 3367 times. Feedback addressed all ACGME Milestones and procedures programmed into myTIPreport. Most program directors reported that tool implementation was successful. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of learners successfully received workplace feedback using myTIPreport. This web-based tool, incorporating procedures and ACGME Milestones, may be an important transition from other feedback formats.

Uterine-sparing Laparoscopic Resection of Accessory Cavitated Uterine Masses.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate surgical techniques utilized during uterine-sparing laparoscopic resections of accessory cavitated uterine masses (ACUMs). ACUMs represent a rare uterine entity observed in premenopausal women suffering from dysmenorrhea and recurrent pelvic pain. The diagnosis is made when an isolated extra-cavitated uterine mass is resected from an otherwise normal appearing uterus with unremarkable endometrial lumen and adnexal structures. Pathologic confirmation requires an accessory cavity lined with endometrial epithelium (and corresponding glands and stroma) filled with chocolate-brown fluid. Adenomyosis must be absent. Although the origin of ACUMs is currently unknown, the most common presentation is a 2-4 cm lateral uterine wall mass at the level of the insertion of the round ligament. Hence it has been hypothesized that gubernaculum dysfunction may be responsible for duplication or persistence of paramesonephric tissue leading to ACUM formation as a new Müllerian anomaly. DESIGN: A stepwise surgical tutorial describing 2 laparoscopic ACUM resections using a narrated video (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: An academic tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: In this video, we present 2 patients who underwent uterine-sparing laparoscopic resections of their ACUM in order to preserve fertility (Case 1) or avoid the complications and surgical recovery time of a total laparoscopic hysterectomy (Case 2). Case 1 is a 19-year-old, gravida 0, para 0 woman with dysmenorrhea and recurrent pelvic pain who presented for multiple emergency room and outpatient evaluations. Transvaginal ultrasonography was unremarkable except for a 28×30×26mm left lateral uterine mass with peripheral vascular flow that was initially felt to be a leiomyoma or rudimentary uterine horn. MRI imaging, however, demonstrated this mass to be more consistent with an ACUM. This was based on the lack of communication between the lesion and the main uterine cavity exhibited by high T2 signal (compatible with endometrial tissue) surrounding low T2/high T1 signal in the dependent aspects (representing blood products). After counseling regarding treatment options including medical management with hormonal contraception, the patient elected for definitive fertility preserving laparoscopic resection. In contrast, case 2 is a 39-year-old, gravida 3, para 3 woman with a 2 month history or left lower quadrant pain following her last vaginal delivery. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed a 23×18×19mm cystic structure within the left uterine wall, which was confirmed to represent an ACUM on MRI. Although she had no desire for fertility preservation, the patient elected for surgical resection of the mass as opposed to a hysterectomy in order to minimize complications and recovery time. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic resection of ACUMs in patients desiring uterine preservation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Laparoscopic resection of the ACUMs was performed utilizing 2 different techniques. In both cases, dilute vasopressin was injected with a modified butterfly or spinal needle along the uterine-ACUM serosal interphase to aid with hemostasis. In patients desiring to preserve fertility (case 1) monopolar energy is utilized to make an incision along the ACUM serosa to help facilitate dissection. ACUM enucleation is then commenced in a circumferential manner along the ACUM and uterine myometrial interphase utilizing bipolar energy. In contrast to leiomyomas where dissection advances along the pseudocapsule, ACUM have poorly delineated borders with disorganized muscular fibers making dissection particularly difficult. A variety of instruments can be utilized to help in the sequential circumferential dissection in addition to a bipolar device including a single-tooth tenaculum, myoma hook, suction device or fine-needle grasper. Ultimately, the ACUM is transected off its uterine-myometrial attachment and hemostasis is obtain before closing the uterine defect in at least 2 layers using a 2-0 barbed V-Loc (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). If fertility preservation is no longer desired, the dissection can greatly be expedited by performing a salpingectomy and skeletonizing the ACUM from the leaves of the broad ligament (case 2). A monopolar L-hook can then be used to transect the ACUM from the remaining uterine body. While difficult, these cases can be completed laparoscopically in approximately 2 hours with minimal blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: ACUMs are hypothesized to represent a previously under recognized Müllerian anomaly linked to gubernaculum dysfunction that occurs in premenopausal women with dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain. Uterine and fertility sparing laparoscopic resection is possible but challenging due to poorly defined planes.

Hysterectomy Pathway as the Global Engine of Practice Change: Implications for Value in Care.

INTRODUCTION: In 2012, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) introduced a hysterectomy clinical pathway to reduce the number of total abdominal hysterectomies performed for benign gynecological indications. This study focused on exploring physician and patient factors impacting the utilization of hysterectomy clinical pathways. METHODS: An online survey with 24 questions was implemented to explore physicians' attitudes and perceived barriers toward implementing the pathway. A survey consisting of 27 questions was developed for patients to determine the utility of a pathway-based educational tool for making surgery decisions and to measure satisfaction with the information provided. Descriptive statistics were used to describe survey results, while thematic analysis was performed on verbal feedback submitted by respondents. RESULTS: Physician respondents found the clinical pathway to be practical, beneficial to patients, and up-to-date with the latest evidence-based literature. Key barriers to the use of the pathway that were identified by physicians included perceived waste of time, inappropriateness for some of the patient groups, improper incentive structure, and excessive bureaucracy surrounding the process. Overall, patient respondents were satisfied with the tool and found it to be helpful with the decision-making process of choosing a hysterectomy route. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians and patients found the developed tools to be practical and beneficial. Findings of this study will help to use pathways as a unifying framework to shape future care of patients needing hysterectomy and add value to their care.

Surgical Skills Feedback and myTIPreport: Is There Construct Validity?

OBJECTIVE: To initiate construct validity testing of myTIPreport for procedural skill assessment in a prospective multicenter evaluation study. METHODS: Teachers and learners from a convenience-based site selection of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS) training programs performed procedural assessments in myTIPreport. The specifically defined 5-point Dreyfus rating scale describing ability levels from novice to expert was used. Defined as the degree to which a test or measure assesses what it was designed to measure, construct validity of myTIPreport was tested by comparing the medians of procedure-specific overall assessments, by both teachers and learners themselves, of senior learners with junior learners. To minimize type I error, comparisons were performed only when a threshold of 10 or greater feedback encounters per learner group was met. Correlation of teacher assessments and learner self-assessments was examined for myTIPreport. RESULTS: From November 2014 to May 2016, 12 OBGYN and 7 FPMRS training programs participated. There were 440 learners and 443 teachers. Feedback was recorded on 5,093 surgical procedures; 4,567 for OBGYN residents and 526 for FPMRS fellows. Each OBGYN procedure had two categories of teacher and learner assessments comparing postgraduate year (PGY)-4 with PGY-1 learner performance. This yielded 48 possible assessment comparisons for the included 24 OBGYN procedures. In all, 28 of these 48 (58%) met the threshold number of observations per learner group. In 28 of these 28 (100%) comparison categories, PGY-4s rated significantly higher than PGY-1s. Similarly, in 16 of 18 (89%) comparison categories meeting inclusion criteria, FPMRS PGY-7s rated significantly higher than FPMRS PGY-5s. Strong correlation was noted of teacher assessments and learner self-assessments in myTIPreport with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.89 (P<.001). CONCLUSION: As noted for the majority of compared teacher assessments and learner self-assessments, myTIPreport appeared to detect differences between senior and junior learners. These data support the emerging construct validity of myTIPreport for procedural skills assessment.

Pelvic denervation procedures for dysmenorrhea.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea are common conditions affecting reproductive-age women. Surgical pelvic denervation procedures may be a treatment option for women with midline dysmenorrhea, in which medical management is declined by the patient, ineffective at managing symptoms, or medically contraindicated. This review describes the surgical techniques and complications associated with pelvic denervation procedures as well as the current evidence for these procedures in women with primary dysmenorrhea and dysmenorrhea secondary to endometriosis. RECENT FINDINGS: Presacral neurectomy is the preferred pelvic denervation procedure in patients with primary dysmenorrhea and midline chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. In patients with endometriosis presacral neurectomy is a useful adjunct to excision or ablation of all endometrial lesions to improve postoperative pain relief. There is no additional patient benefit of performing combined presacral neurectomy and uterine nerve ablation procedures. SUMMARY: Pelvic denervation procedures can be performed safely and quickly with a low risk of complication if the surgeon is knowledgeable and skilled in operating in the presacral space. Patients should be adequately counseled on expected success rates and potential complications associated with pelvic denervation procedures.

Characterization and Preoperative Risk Analysis of Leiomyosarcomas at a High-Volume Tertiary Care Center.

INTRODUCTION: Uterine morcellation in minimally invasive surgery has recently come under scrutiny because of inadvertent dissemination of malignant tissue, including leiomyosarcomas commonly mistaken for fibroids. Identification of preoperative risk factors is crucial to ensure that oncologic care is delivered when suspicion for malignancy is high, while offering minimally invasive hysterectomies to the remaining patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize risk factors for uterine leiomyosarcomas by reviewing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data with an emphasis on the presence of concurrent fibroids. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study of women undergoing hysterectomy with pathologic diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma at a tertiary care center between January 2005 and April 2014. RESULTS: Thirty-one women were identified with leiomyosarcoma and matched to 124 controls. Cases with leiomyosarcoma were more likely to have undergone menopause and to present with larger uteri (19- vs 9-week sized), with the most common presenting complaint being a pelvic mass (35.5% vs 8.9%). Controls were ten times more likely to have undergone a tubal ligation (30.6% vs 3.2%). Endometrial sampling detected malignancy preoperatively in only 50% of cases. Leiomyosarcomas were more commonly present when pelvic masses were identified in addition to fibroids on preoperative imaging. Most leiomyosarcoma cases (77.4%) were performed by oncologists via an abdominal approach (83.9%), with only 2 of 31 leiomyosarcomas being morcellated. Comparative analysis of preoperative imaging and postoperative pathology showed that in patients with leiomyosarcoma, fibroids were misdiagnosed 58.1% of the time, and leiomyosarcomas arose directly from fibroids in only 6.5% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Leiomyosarcoma risk factors include older age/postmenopausal status, enlarged uteri of greater than 10 weeks, and lack of previous tubal ligation. Preoperative testing failed to definitively identify leiomyosarcomas, although the presence of synchronous pelvic masses in fibroid uteri should raise clinical suspicion. Given the difficulty of preoperative identification, future efforts should focus on the development of safer minimally invasive techniques for uterine morcellation.

Impact of Video Coaching on Gynecologic Resident Laparoscopic Suturing: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if the addition of video coaching to an obstetrics and gynecology resident laparoscopic simulation curriculum improves acquisition of suturing skills. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Academic teaching hospital with a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology. PATIENTS: Twenty obstetrics and gynecology residents undergoing a 4-week laparoscopic simulation curriculum were video recorded weekly performing a suturing task on a validated vaginal cuff model. INTERVENTIONS: Residents were randomized to standard simulation curriculum or standard curriculum plus weekly video coaching by an expert laparoscopic surgeon. Primary outcome measure was comparison of weekly Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills plus Vaginal Cuff Metrics (GOALS+) scores of the suturing task. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Baseline GOALS+ scores did not differ across training groups (p = .406), although "senior" (postgraduate years 3 and 4) residents initially had significantly higher GOALS+ scores than "junior" (postgraduate years 1 and 2) residents (p < .001). GOALS+ scores significantly improved from week 1 to week 2 in the intervention group compared with the control group (p < .05). Junior coached residents had significantly higher GOALS+ scores at week 2 (mean, 28.06; standard deviation, 3.10) compared with the junior control residents (mean, 20.75; standard deviation, 6.38; p < .04). Over the 4-week period all residents showed significant improvement (p = .005), with novice residents improving more than experienced residents (p = .001). The junior coached residents exhibited a significant difference between weeks 1 and 2 when compared with the junior residents undergoing the standard curriculum. CONCLUSION: Video coaching during laparoscopic simulation training has the greatest impact early in junior learners' skill acquisition, thus providing another tool for simulation training curricula.