Morbidity following robot-assisted surgery in a gynecological oncology setting: A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to provide a comprehensive description of perioperative morbidity associated with robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in a gynecological oncology setting in order to improve the preoperative counseling of women and support shared decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All women scheduled for intended RAS between January 2015 and December 2022 were prospectively included in an electronic morbidity database for the analyses of perioperative complications. RESULTS: In total, 2225 women were included. Sixty-four patients (2.9%) experienced an intraoperative complication. Intraoperative complications were associated with a higher rate of conversion to laparotomy (15.6% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), a higher rate of major postoperative morbidity (9.3% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001), and a higher rate of reoperation (9.3% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001), compared to cases without intraoperative complications. Thirty-day postoperative morbidity was evaluated according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Surgical Secondary Events Grading System. Grade 3-5 events were considered major. A total of 57 patients (2.6%) experienced a major event after surgery, postoperative rupture of the vaginal vault being the most common complication requiring surgical intervention. Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 49 cases (2.2%) and was associated with higher intraoperative blood loss (300 mL vs. 25 mL, p < 0.001), a higher rate of postoperative major events (20.4% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001), and a higher rate of reoperation (11.8% vs. 1.6%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates low rates of major perioperative morbidity and conversion to laparotomy after RAS performed by trained high-volume surgeons in a gynecological oncology setting.

Identifying safe diagnostic algorithms for sentinel lymph node mapping in high-risk endometrial cancer: The SENTIREC-endo study.

INTRODUCTION: It is unclear if sentinel node (SLN) mapping can replace pelvic- (PLD) and paraaortic lymphadenectomy (PALD) for high-risk endometrial cancer (EC). A diagnostically safe surgical algorithm, taking failed mapping cases into account, is not defined. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of SLN mapping algorithms in women with exclusively high-risk EC. METHODS: We undertook a prospective national diagnostic cohort study of SLN mapping in women with high-risk EC from March 2017 to January 2023. The power calculation was based on the negative predictive value (NPV). Women underwent SLN mapping, PLD and PALD besides removal of suspicious and any FDG/PET-positive lymph nodes. Accuracy analyses were performed for five algorithms. RESULTS: 170/216 included women underwent SLN mapping, PLD and PALD and were included in accuracy analyses. 42/170 (24.7%) had nodal metastasis. The algorithm SLN and PLD in case of failed mapping, demonstrated a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI 74-100) and an NPV of 96% (95% CI 91-100). The sensitivity increased to 93% (95% CI 83-100) and the NPV to 98% (95% CI 94-100) if PLD was combined with removal of any PET-positive lymph nodes. Equivalent results were obtained if PLD and PALD were performed in non-mapping cases; sensitivity 93% (95% CI 83-100) and NPV 98% (95% CI 95-100). CONCLUSION: SLN-mapping is a safe staging procedure in women with high-risk EC if strictly adhering to a surgical algorithm including removal of any PET-positive lymph nodes independent of location and PLD or PLD and PALD in case of failed mapping.

The SENTIREC-endo study - Risks and benefits of a national adoption of sentinel node mapping in low and intermediate risk endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The SENTIREC-endo study aims to investigate risks and benefits of a national protocolled adoption of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in women with early-stage low-grade endometrial cancer (EC) with low- (LR) and intermediate-risk (IR) of lymph node metastases. METHODS: We performed a national multicenter prospective study of SLN-mapping in women with LR and IR EC from March 2017-February 2022. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo. Lymphedema was assessed as a change score and as incidence of swelling and heaviness evaluated by validated patient-reported outcome measures at baseline and three months postoperatively. RESULTS: 627 women were included in the analyses; 458 with LR- and 169 with IR EC. The SLN detection rate was 94.3% (591/627). The overall incidence of lymph node metastases was 9.3% (58/627); 4.4% (20/458) in the LR- and 22.5% (38/169) in the IR group. Ultrastaging identified 62% (36/58) of metastases. The incidence of postoperative complications was 8% (50/627) but only 0.3% (2/627) experienced an intraoperative complication associated with the SLN procedure. The lymphedema change score was below the threshold for clinical importance 4.5/100 CI: (2.9-6.0), and the incidence of swelling and heaviness was low; 5.2% and 5.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SLN mapping in women with LR and IR EC carries a very low risk of early lymphedema and peri- and postoperative complications. The national change in clinical practice contributed to a more correct treatment allocation for both risk groups and thus supports further international implementation of the SLN technique in early stage, low grade EC.

[Endometrioid adenocarcinoma with a co-existing non-gestational choriocarcinoma in uterus].

This is a case report of a 56-year-old woman with a history of postmenopausal bleeding, who presented with an endometrioid adenocarcinoma and a co-existing non-gestational choriocarcinoma. We performed robotic assisted hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadectomy, and histopathologic examination revealed a malignant tumour showing an endometrioid adenocarcinoma grade 2 with a minor component of choriocarcinoma incorporated into the adenocarcinoma. We compared data from exome sequencing of DNA from tumour and blood to show, that the choriocarcinoma component was most likely non-gestational.

Linked Hexokinase and Glucose-6-Phosphatase Activities Reflect Grade of Ovarian Malignancy.

PURPOSE: Malignant cells exhibit increased rates of aerobic glycolysis. Here, we tested whether the accumulation of fluoro-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate (FDG6P) in ovarian cancers of differential malignancy reflects inversely correlated elevations of hexokinase (HK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activities. PROCEDURES: Twenty-nine women with suspected ovarian cancer had positron emission tomography (PET) prior to surgery. From fresh-frozen tissue, we determined the activities of HK and G6Pase, and from the PET images, we determined the tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose. RESULTS: The SUVmax of malignant lesions significantly exceeded the SUVmax of benign (p < 0.005) and borderline lesions (p < 0.0005) that did not differ significantly. We found no significant correlation between measured HK or G6Pase activities and histological tumor type or SUVmax except that G6Pase activities were higher in malignant than borderline lesions (p < 0.05). Measured HK and G6Pase activities correlated inversely (p < 0.05). The slopes from the regression lines of the three correlations yielded positively correlated abscissa and ordinate intercepts, designated HKmax and G6Pasemax, respectively (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001). The positive correlations between the abscissa and ordinate intercepts with SUVmax had regression coefficients of r = 0.44, p < 0.05; and r = 0.39, p < 0.05, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results distinguished two ovarian cancer phenotypes, one with elevated HK activity and low G6Pase activity, and another with the opposite characteristics.

Less extensive surgery compared to extensive surgery: survival seems similar in young women with adult ovarian granulosa cell tumor.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcome of adult granulosa cell tumor (AGCT) with respect to initial clinical findings, methods of surgery, and perioperative treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective follow-up study. SETTING: All hospitals in Jutland. SAMPLE: 163 women diagnosed with AGCT. METHODS: Follow-up by hospital data files, general practitioner, death certificate, and autopsy report. Revision of histopathology by a single pathologist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and relapse by clinical data, stage, and type of surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of AGCT was 1.37 per year per 100,000 women (95% CI: 1.08, 1.68). The median follow-up time was 15 years and for the 79 surviving women 22 years. Stage I was found in 94% of cases. Relapse occurred in 24% of women in stage I and 100% of the other stages. Survival in stage I was 95%, 89% and 84% after 5, 10 and 20 years respectively. Increased survival of stage I in postmenopausal women was associated with surgery including hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (p<0.001). In women younger than 40 years no difference in survival was found due to type of surgery. Endometrial carcinoma was found 138 times (95% CI: 48, 275) more prevalent than the expected rate. CONCLUSION: The survival of women was better in AGCT than in epithelial ovarian tumor. Age and type of surgery, besides stage, influenced survival. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the recommended treatment with advancing age. At younger age less extensive surgery was associated with similar survival compared to extensive surgery, but with advancing age conservative surgery increased the risk of relapse and death.

[Peritoneal tuberculosis in a patient with suspected disseminated ovarian cancer]. / Peritoneal tuberkulose hos patient med formodet dissemineret ovariecancer.

We present a case study of a 43 year-old female immigrant from Turkey with abdominal pain, ascites and elevated cancer antigen 125. The symptoms were similar to those of ovarian cancer, and imaging (computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) supported this suspicion. Peritoneal biopsy from laparoscopy showed granulomas with central necrosis. Microscopy, culture and polymerase chain reaction from biopsy samples were negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Follow-up with a CT scan after six months of full tuberculosis treatment showed normal conditions. Peritoneal tuberculosis is a diagnostic challenge, but should be considered in case of immigrants from high-risk areas.

Cervical adenosquamous carcinoma: tumor implantation in an episiotomy scar.

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of a cervical adenosquamous carcinoma, initially diagnosed during delivery, with subsequent implantation in the episiotomy scar 5 weeks postpartum. CASE: A 35-year-old woman with cervical adenosquamous carcinoma diagnosed during delivery was treated with radical abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. Five weeks later the metastatic tumor at the episiotomy site was excised, and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Relapse occurred rapidly, and surgical exenteration was initiated but abandoned intraoperatively due to the presence of intra-abdominal carcinomatosis. The patient was declared terminal 6 months postpartum and died 2 months later. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of inspection of the perineal area during delivery in patients diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Incidence and remission of urinary incontinence after hysterectomy--a 3-year follow-up study.

The aim of the study is to investigate the changes in continence status in a population of women hysterectomized in 1998-2000. Four hundred fifteen hysterectomized women who participated in a questionnaire study on continence status in September 2001 were retested with the same questionnaire on actual continence status in January 2005. As controls we used 97 women who had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1999-2000 and were tested and retested similarly. Urinary incontinence was defined as involuntary urinary leakage at least once a week. Stress incontinence was defined as leakage when coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy weights. Urge incontinence was defined as an uncontrollable desire to void with leakage before reaching the toilet. Stress incontinence was reported by 30% of the hysterectomized women in 2005 vs 28% in 2001. The similar prevalences of urge incontinence were 15 and 13%, respectively. Women who had a subtotal hysterectomy significantly more often had stress incontinence compared to controls in 2005 and 2001. No other significant differences were found. However, the similar prevalences of incontinence reflected that 16% of the hysterectomized women changed from continent in 2001 to stress incontinent in 2005, while 32% changed from stress incontinent to continent. For urge incontinence the similar changes were 8 and 35%, respectively. A large proportion of women change from continent to incontinent or from incontinent to continent during the 3 years of investigation, which should be born in mind when prevalence studies on urinary incontinence are evaluated. Previous hysterectomy does not seem to be of great importance for the development of de novo incontinence or remission.

Hysterectomy is associated with stress incontinence in women who previously had a transcervical endometrial resection.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of urological symptoms in a population of women, who had a transcervical endometrial resection (TCER) only, and a population of women, who had a TCER and a subsequent hysterectomy. The superior goal was to evaluate the possible association between hysterectomy and urinary incontinence. DESIGN: All women, who had a TCER at our department during the period of 1990-1996 received a questionnaire with focus on urological symptoms. The answers from women, who later had a hysterectomy were compared to the answers from women, who were sufficiently treated with TCER only. RESULTS: Of 356 women, who were alive, 16 were lost to follow-up, leaving 340 women to receive the questionnaire, which was returned by 310 women (85%). Ninety-three (31%) had a subsequent hysterectomy mainly indicated by metrorrhagia or dysmenorrhea. Of the hysterectomized women 24% reported bothersome stress incontinence against 14% in the group of women, who had TCER only (p = 0.03). No significant difference was seen with respect to urge incontinence, urgency, pollakisuria or nocturia. Significantly more women with a normal sized uterus reported bothersome stress incontinence after the hysterectomy compared to women with a slightly enlarged uterus. CONCLUSION: Hysterectomy is significantly associated with stress urinary incontinence in women, who previously had a TCER.

The short-term prevalence of de novo urinary symptoms after different modes of hysterectomy.

The aim of this study was to determine the short-term prevalence of de novo urinary symptoms after hysterectomy indicated by meno/metrorrhagia or dysmenorrhea/dyspareunia. The study group consisted of 451 women who had had a hysterectomy for reasons of meno/metrorrhagia or dysmenorrhea/dyspareunia. Fifty-three (12%) had a supracervical, 151 (33%) a total abdominal and 247 (55%) a vaginal hysterectomy. As a non-gynecologic background population we enrolled 110 women who had had their gallbladder removed laparoscopically. All women received a postal questionnaire 9-45 months after their operation. Specific questions were asked about their voiding habits, comprising significant stress incontinence, bothersome stress incontinence, significant urge incontinence, bothersome urge incontinence, pollakisuria, nocturia, use of pads, and the feeling of having a hygiene problem. To evaluate de novo symptoms or de novo cure, the women assessed the symptoms before as well as after the operation. Results showed that abdominal hysterectomy lasted longer, had heavier blood loss and required longer hospitalization than did vaginal or supracervical hysterectomy. Women scheduled for a supracervical hysterectomy had preoperatively more significant and bothersome urge incontinence, and postoperatively more significant urge, urgency, and feeling of having a hygienic problem than did women having a vaginal hysterectomy, a total abdominal hysterectomy or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When assessing de novo symptoms, supracervical hysterectomy was associated with more urgency and the feeling of having a hygienic problem. Some women experienced de novo cure, but these were almost exclusively in the study group and rarely in the control group. It was concluded that supracervical hysterectomy is related to more urinary symptoms than vaginal or total abdominal hysterectomy. De novo symptoms as well as de novo cure are common, which is why urinary symptoms after hysterectomy must be evaluated over time.

The influence of body mass index on the prevalence of complications after vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy.

AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the association between obesity and peri- or postoperative complications after hysterectomy for nonmalignant bleeding disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 444 vaginal hysterectomies and 503 abdominal hysterectomies indicated by benign bleeding disorders were drawn from a regional database. Data on peri- or postoperative complications and postoperative stay were related to preoperative body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Obesity was related to longer operation time for vaginal as well as abdominal hysterectomy and to large perioperative blood loss for vaginal hysterectomy only. No association was found between BMI and serious complications such as ileus, infection or hematomas except for a higher prevalence of wound hematoma after abdominal hysterectomy in underweight and normal weight patients. Neither was any association found between BMI and use of blood transfusion, reoperation or prolonged postoperative stay. CONCLUSION: Vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy have a significant risk of complications, but obese patients did not experience an increased risk of serious morbidity compared to normal weight women. Obesity per se is not a contraindication of vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy in otherwise healthy women.

Premenopausal metrorrhagia as a symptom of sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis rarely affects the female genitalia. We report a 36-year-old woman who had a hysterectomy for metrorrhagia. Histologic examination showed sarcoid granulomas in the endometrium and myometrium. Subsequent examinations revealed pulmonary sarcoidosis as well.