Vaginal posterior isthmic sling: A report of 53 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Sacrospinofixation is used for fundic vaginal vault's prolapse or to prevent mid-level or posterior prolapse. It can lead to complications such as dyspareunia, chronic pain, and quality of life impairment. Anchoring a posterior isthmic sling to the two sacrospinous ligaments is an alternative to classic Richter's sacrospinofixation. Objective of this study is to report the first cases of vaginal posterior isthmic slings. METHODS: This study is retrospective and unicentric. It includes women who had posterior isthmic sling at the time of a surgery with a mesh for anterior prolapse by vaginal way between 2010 and 2016 in the gynecologic department of a teaching hospital. Report of efficacy and tolerance was performed. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2016, 53 women were included with a posterior isthmic sling and a mesh for an anterior prolapse. POP-Q evolution during the follow-up in the posterior isthmic sling group assess of a good efficacy of the sling. Four women (7.5%) required second surgery in 28 months following initial surgery (only 1 for excision). Four women (7.5%) had a prolapse recurrence in a mean time of 30 months without recurrent surgery. Women's satisfaction level was high (8.0/10 [7,1-8,8]). CONCLUSION: Efficacy and tolerance of the posterior isthmic sling seems good. It might then be an option for mid-level prolapses in case of vaginal surgery with mesh for anterior prolapse. A non-inferiority trial should be performed to be able to conclude on the place of this alternative to Richter's sacrospinofixation.

Emergency vaginal cervico-isthmic cerclage.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cerclage is the principal treatment for women with a cervical insufficiency, which is a predominant factor in second trimester loss and preterm birth. A cervico-isthmic cerclage is recommended in case of a previous failure of McDonald cerclage or in case of an absent portio vaginalis of the cervix. In women who have prolapsed membranes at or beyond a dilated external cervical os before 24 weeks of gestation, an emergency cerclage can sometimes be performed. The aim of this study is to report our experience with emergency transvaginal cervico-isthmic cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective, single-centre study conducted between 2009 and 2017 of women who received a transvaginal cervico-isthmic emergency cerclage. Emergency cerclage was defined as cerclage performed on women who had prolapsed membranes at or beyong a dilated external cervical os before 24 weeks of gestation. The exclusion criteria were twin pregnancy, preterm rupture of membranes, and clinical or biological signs of infection. RESULTS: Three women were included. One woman had a history of failure of emergency McDonald cerclage during her previous pregnancy. The two other women had a failure of McDonald cerclage during index pregnancy. All women presented prolapsed membranes at or beyond a dilated external cervical os as defined for an emergency cerclage. The emergency cerclage was performed at a mean gestational age of 21.5 weeks of gestation. The average gestational age of delivery was 38.5 weeks of gestation by caesarean section. CONCLUSION: Despite the small number of women, this study shows that this type of cerclage was effective in pregnancy prolongation for women at high risk of preterm birth in case of McDonald cerclage failure. Nevertheless, this technique requires a trained surgical team. A randomised trial should be performed to evaluate the need for emergency vaginal cervico-isthmic cerclage.

Patterns of recurrence and prognosis in locally advanced FIGO stage IB2 to IIB cervical cancer: Retrospective multicentre study from the FRANCOGYN group.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence-based data describing patterns of recurrence and prognosis in women with FIGO stage IB2 to IIB locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyse patterns of recurrence in LACC and their correlation with prognosis, depending on FIGO stage, lymph node (LN) status and treatment modalities. The endpoints of this study were the type of recurrence (locoregional or distant, and time to recurrence), the recurrence free survival, the overall survival and the cumulative incidence for both locoregional and distant recurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of women with FIGO stage IB2 to IIB CC treated between April 1996 and May 2016 were retrospectively abstracted from nine French institutions. RESULTS: The median follow-up for the 501 women included was 35.6 months. Recurrences were observed in 158 (31.5%), with a mean time to recurrence of 20.7 months. Women with IIB CC had poorer prognosis, lower 3-year RFS and higher 3-year cumulative incidence of both locoregional and distant recurrences. Women with positive or unknown LN status had poorer prognosis with higher 3-year cumulative incidence of distant recurrence. Women who underwent concomitant chemo-radiotherapy ±â€¯vaginal brachytherapy had poorer prognosis, with lower 3-year RFS and higher 3-year cumulative incidence of distant recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence location and time to recurrence differ widely depending on the FIGO stage, LN status and treatment modalities, with potential impact on follow-up modalities and therapeutic approaches.

Fertility and pregnancy outcomes after transvaginal cervico-isthmic cerclage.

INTRODUCTION: Prematurity is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Cervical insufficiency seems to be the main risk factor. Treatment is cervical cerclage. In case of failure, a cervico-isthmic cerclage by Fernandez' technique, with the placement of a polypropylene sling by vaginal approach during the first trimester of pregnancy, has proven its effectiveness. The aim of our study is to report effectiveness of Fernandez' cervico-isthmic cerclage in subsequent pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study, was conducted from March 2002 to April 2014 in the gynecologic department of two teaching hospitals. The inclusion criterion was history of cervico-isthmic cerclage using Fernandez's technique during the previous pregnancy. This study received IRB approval number CEROG 2016-GYN-0302. RESULTS: 125 women underwent a definitive cervico-isthmic cerclage. The total percentage of neonatal survival after 14 weeks was 91% and the total percentage of neonatal survival after 24 weeks of gestation was 98.2%. Out of 114 women, 33 desired a second pregnancy. Out of which 29 had a spontaneous pregnancy. The percentage of total neonatal survival rate after 14 weeks was 92.86% and the percentage of total neonatal survival after 24 weeks was 96.3%. Out of the 29 women with a second pregnancy, 5 women achieved a third pregnancy. The five births occurred after 37 weeks of gestation with a percentage of total neonatal survival of 100%. CONCLUSION: The cervico isthmic cerclage using the technique of Fernandez makes it possible to obtain subsequent pregnancies without further surgery with very satisfactory results regarding neonatal survival.

Standardizing hysteroscopy teaching: development of a curriculum using the Delphi method.

BACKGROUND: Hysteroscopy is performed often and in many indications but is challenging to learn. Hands-on training in live patients faces ethical, legal, and economic obstacles. Virtual reality simulation may hold promise as a hysteroscopy training tool. No validated curriculum specific in hysteroscopy exists. The aim of this study was to develop a hysteroscopy curriculum, using the Delphi method to identify skill requirements. METHODS: Based on a literature review using the key words "curriculum," "simulation," and "hysteroscopy," we identified five technical and non-technical areas in which skills were required. Twenty hysteroscopy experts from different French hospital departments participated in Delphi rounds to select items in these five areas. The rounds were to be continued until 80-100% agreement was obtained for at least 60% of items. A curriculum was built based on the selected items and was evaluated in residents. RESULTS: From November 2014 to April 2015, 18 of 20 invited experts participated in three Delphi rounds. Of the 51 items selected during the first round, only 25 (49%) had 80-100% agreement during the second round, and a third round was therefore conducted. During this last round, 80-100% agreement was achieved for 31 (61%) items, which were used to create the curriculum. All 14 residents tested felt that a simulator training session was acceptable and helped them to improve their skills. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a simulation-based hysteroscopy curriculum focusing on skill requirements identified by a Delphi procedure. Its development allows standardization of training programs offered to residents.