Sonographic monitoring of systemic and local methotrexate (MTX) therapy in patients with intact interstitial pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: After the confirmation of an intact interstitial pregnancy through sonographic diagnosis and laparoscopy, systemic and local methotrexate therapy is a well established conservative treatment to preserve the uterus. The parameters of successful treatment are the course of serum hCG value and sonographic changes. In this case series we describe sonographic monitoring under methotrexate (MTX) application and the residual sonographic findings after completing therapy. METHODS: Three consecutive patients (two singleton and one twin pregnancy) with intact interstitial pregnancies were diagnosed and treated with MTX between 2000 and 2004. During the treatment we recorded the hCG values, maximum size of the interstitial lesion, vitality of the pregnancy, and vascularization. RESULTS: In all patients the sonographic diagnosis of an interstitial pregnancy was confirmed by laparoscopy. Following systemic MTX therapy, the hCG values normalised within 8 weeks in the singleton pregnancies and in 10 weeks in the twin pregnancy. During conservative therapy vascularization in the lesion withered continuously. The size of the primary myometrial lesion decreased at a slow rate and part of the lesion persisted in all three patients. CONCLUSION: Despite decreasing hCG levels, residual sonographic patterns of an interstitial ectopic pregnancy persist in the uterine wall.

Laparoscopic and vaginal repair of uterine scar dehiscence following cesarean section as detected by ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Cesarean section (CS) is the most common operation in obstetrics, with rising incidence in most countries. As a result of this operation late scar dehiscence may occur, which may lead to uterine rupture in a subsequent pregnancy. In this case series we have described sonographic detection of scar dehiscence after CS and feasibility of vaginal or combined laparoscopic and vaginal scar excision and uterine repair. METHODS: Five consecutive patients underwent vaginal or laparoscopic assisted vaginal approach for repair of suspected scar dehiscence following CS, during a 5 year period. In all cases, transvaginal sonography detected suspicious features of scar dehiscence over the anterior uterine wall. Except of one, all patients had reported recurrent pelvic pain and/or irregular menstrual bleedings. Furthermore all patients planned for a further pregnancy. RESULTS: Resection of the uterine defect and re-constitution of the uterine wall was successfully achieved in all five patients. There were no intra-operative complications and none of the patients required blood transfusion. The mean operation time was 117 min (27-192). Presence of scar tissue was confirmed on histology in all specimens. Four patients remained free of symptoms with no evidence of recurrent scar dehiscence on sonography over a median follow up of 30 months (3-46). One patient had an uneventful pregnancy 24 months after scar removal and was delivered by repeat CS at 39 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of CS should undergo transvaginal sonography of the scar region in order to detect latent scar dehiscence in combination with uterine wall thinning prior to planning further pregnancy. In suspected cases, a combined laparoscopic - vaginal or vaginal approach can be employed to repair the defect.

Clinical implication of laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with vulvar cancer and positive groin nodes.

OBJECTIVE: At present, no clear guidelines for the treatment of patients with vulvar cancer and positive groin nodes exist. In general, the decision for additional pelvic radiation is based on findings by imaging techniques and/or the number of groin nodes involved. The aim of this case series was to demonstrate that histologic result of laparoscopic removed pelvic lymph nodes can be used to select patients who should not undergo pelvic irradiation. METHODS: From July 1997 to October 2004, 12 consecutive patients with primary or recurrent vulvar cancer underwent laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy following primary or secondary surgical treatment. RESULTS: There were 8 patients with primary cancer of the vulva and 4 patients with recurrent disease in the inguinal and/or pelvic lymph nodes. The mean age was 61 (26-83) years and the mean body-mass-index was 27.1 (20.8-36.6). Positive groin nodes were found in five patients on the right side and in five patients on the left side; in one patient, positive groin nodes were present in both sides. In another patient with a history of vulvar cancer and positive groin nodes the CT-scan indicated the presence of positive iliac and paraaortic lymph nodes. Only in two patients tumor involved lymph nodes were diagnosed by laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy (one left-sided, one right-sided). The number of harvested pelvic lymph nodes was 13.7 (5-20) in unilateral and 27.8 (16-37) in bilateral lymphadenectomy. The histologic examination of removed pelvic lymph nodes confirmed pelvic radiation in only 2 out of 12 patients, whereas 10 patients were spared from whole pelvis irradiation. CONCLUSION: With respect to small sample size, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy seems to be a good tool to avoid unnecessary pelvic radiation in patients with vulvar cancer and confirmed positive groin nodes.

Vascular anomalies in the paraaortic region diagnosed by laparoscopy in patients with gynaecologic malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Paraaortic infrarenal lymphadenectomy is indicated in patients with gynecologic tumors of high metastasising potential and can be done successfully by laparoscopic approach. Vascular anomalies in this region are incidental findings during these approaches and may increase the surgical complication rate. In this study, we have documented the frequency and pattern of the vascular anomalies in paraaortic region intraoperatively and on cadavers in an attempt to increase surgical safety. METHODS: A total of 86 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy by a standardised technique between 1st of January 2002 and 1st of March 2004. Of the 86, 52 were primary cervical, 5 recurrent cervical, 14 endometrial, 14 early ovarian and 1 vulvar tumor with positive groin and pelvic lymph nodes. In the same time, anatomical dissections of the paraaortic region on 18 cadavers were performed at the Institute of Anatomy. RESULTS: Arterial or venous abnormalities were identified in 30.2% (26/86) of patients by laparoscopy. The most frequent anomalies were related to atypical renal arteries (pole arteries-9 patients) and an abnormal course of lumbar veins directly draining in the left renal vein (15 patients). In one of the patients, the complete left renal vein went retroaortic to the inferior vena cava. In cadaveric dissections, vascular anomalies were noted in 44.4% (8/18) which included variations in renal and lumbar vessels and ovarian vessels. Duplicated inferior vena cava was the least common anomaly and was detected in only one case. CONCLUSION: During laparoscopic paraaortic inframesenteric and infrarenal lymphadenectomy, care must be taken because of possible abnormalities in arterially and venous system to avoid massive hemorrhage, transfusion and conversion to laparotomy.

Does radical trachelectomy influence uterine blood supply?

OBJECTIVE: Radical trachelectomy in combination with pelvic and parametric lymphadenectomy is indicated in young patients with early cervical cancer and planned pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, premature delivery is a known problem in these patients. We evaluated if uterine blood supply is decreased after radical trachelectomy as one of various possible causes of preterm birth. METHODS: Between October 2003 and April 2004, 14 consecutive patients with early cervical cancer underwent radical trachelectomy with pelvic and parametric lymphadenectomy. The uterine blood supply was measured as resistance index (RI) by Doppler sonography pre- and postoperatively. Doppler sonography of the uterine artery was also performed in 14 healthy students as a control cohort. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma or squamous carcinoma of the cervix uteri stage Ia1 L1 to 1b1 underwent radical trachelectomy. Mean age of patients was 33.4 years (31-37). On average, 11.5 mm (5-23) of cervical length and 24.6 (14-35) tumor-free lymph nodes were removed. Decrease of RI of the uterine artery was 0.06 on the right side (0.76-0.70) and 0.07 (0.75-0.68) on the left side. The absolute RI values after radical trachelectomy were not different compared to the values in the control group (0.76 versus 0.70 right side, 0.74 versus 0.68 left side). CONCLUSION: Uterine perfusion after radical trachelectomy with pelvic and parametric lymphadenectomy remains unchanged.

Introduction of transperitoneal lymphadenectomy in a gynecologic oncology center: analysis of 650 laparoscopic pelvic and/or paraaortic transperitoneal lymphadenectomies.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphadenectomy is an integral part of staging and treatment of gynecologic malignancies. We evaluated the feasibility and oncologic value of laparoscopic transperitoneal pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in correlation to complication rate and body mass index. METHODS: Between August 1994 and September 2003, pelvic and/or paraaortic transperitoneal laparoscopic lymphadenectomy was performed in 650 patients at the Department of Gynecology of the Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena. Retrospective and prospective data collection and evaluation of videotapes were possible in 606 patients. Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy was part of the following surgical procedures: staging laparoscopy in patients with advanced cervical cancer (n = 133) or early ovarian cancer (n = 44), trachelectomy in patients with early cervical cancer (n = 42), laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy in patients with cervical cancer (n = 221), laparoscopy before exenteration in patients with pelvic recurrence (n = 20), laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy or laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy in patients with endometrial cancer (n = 112), and operative procedures for other indications (n = 34). RESULTS: After a learning period of approximately 20 procedures, a constant number of pelvic lymph nodes (16.9-21.9) was removed over the years. Pelvic lymphadenectomy took 28 min, and parametric lymphadenectomy took 18 min for each side. The number of removed paraaortic lymph nodes increased continuously over the years from 5.5 to 18.5. Right-sided paraaortic, left-sided inframesenteric and left-sided infrarenal lymphadenectomy took an average of 36, 28, and 62 min, respectively. The number of removed lymph nodes was independent from the body mass index of the patient. Duration of pelvic lymphadenectomy was independent of body mass index, but right-sided paraaortic lymphadenectomy lasted significantly longer in obese women (35 vs. 41 min, P = 0,011). The overall complication rate was 8.7% with 2.9% intraoperative (vessel or bowel injury) and 5.8% postoperative complications. No major intraoperative complication was encountered during the last 5 years of the study. CONCLUSION: By transperitoneal laparoscopic lymphadenectomy, an adequate number of lymph nodes can be removed in an adequate time and independent from body mass index. The complication rate is low and can be minimized by standardization of the procedure.

"Schauta sine utero": technique and results of laparoscopic-vaginal radical parametrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Radical parametrectomy or radical cervical stump exstirpation is indicated in selected oncologic situations. We evaluated whether radical parametrectomy without or with cervical stump exstirpation can be performed by a combined laparoscopic-vaginal approach. METHODS: Between November 2001 and Dezember 2002 six patients with unexpected cervical cancer (n = 3) after simple hysterectomy, histologically confirmed vaginal recurrence of endometrial cancer (n = 1), or cervical stump recurrence of endometrial cancer after supracervical hysterectomy (n = 2) underwent radical parametrectomy. After cystoscopic placement of bilateral ureteral stents laparoscopic paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed. The vascular part of the cardinal ligament and the bladder pillar were transsected laparoscopically. According to a LARVH type III procedure vaginal vault or cervical stump with parametrial and paravaginal structures was removed transvaginally. RESULTS: In all patients R0 resection could be achieved (n = 4) or no residual tumor was detected (n = 2). There were no intraoperative complications. One patient developed acute kidney failure on postoperative day 1, with spontaneous recovery after 12 days. The median drop of hemoglobin on postoperative day 5 was 2.15 mmol/L (1.3-3.2) and no patient needed transfusion. Restitution of bladder function took 4.3 days on average. The mean operation time was 424 min (385-452). CONCLUSIONS: Radical parametrectomy can be performed by a combined laparoscopic-vaginal technique without complications. Together with laparoscopic paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy, it is a valid alternative to open surgery in selected oncologic patients.

Laparoscopic paraaortic left-sided transperitoneal infrarenal lymphadenectomy in patients with gynecologic malignancies: technique and results.

OBJECTIVE: Left-sided paraaortic infrarenal lymphadenectomy is indicated in patients with gynecologic tumors of high metastasing potential. We evaluated whether left-sided paraaortic inframesenteric lymphadenectomy can be extended up to the left renal vein by laparoscopy. METHODS: Between January 2002 and August 2002, 46 consecutive patients with cervical (n = 26), or endometrial (n = 16), or early ovarian cancer (n = 4) underwent right-sided paraaortic lymphadenectomy up to the level of the right ovarian vein and left-sided inframesenteric paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Lymphadenectomy was extended up to the level of the left renal vein in 20 patients with high risk for lymph node metastasis: following elevation of the duodenum and the pancreas infrarenal lymph nodes in the area limited by the vena cava, left renal vein, left ovarian vein, inframesenteric artery, and aorta were laparoscopically removed under preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery. RESULTS: Patients with infrarenal lymphadenectomy (group 1) and without infrarenal lymphadenectomy (group 2) were comparable in body mass index: the age of patients in group 2 was higher (P = 0.023). Duration of lymphadenectomy was 31.3 min (11-57 min) longer in group 1. There was no intraoperative complication. Number of paraaortic lymph nodes was on average 19.6 (range 5-35) in group 1 compared to a mean of 9 lymph nodes (range 2-19) in group 2 (P = 0,0001). Postoperatively 2 patients (10%) in group 1 developed chylascos. CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided paraaortic infrarenal lymphadenectomy can be performed safely in adequate duration transperitoneally by laparoscopy. Compared to inframesenteric lymphadenectomy the number of removed lymph nodes can be doubled.