Complete Laparoscopic Interval Debulking Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer Achieves Similar Survival Outcomes to Open Approach: A Propensity-Matched Study.

To assess the laparoscopic interval debulking surgery (IDS) outcomes compared to laparotomy, by analyzing the overall survival (OS) and the progression free survival (PFS), as well as the intra- and post-operative morbidity.In this retrospective propensity-score-matched cohort study, all patients with stage III or IV FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) serous ovarian cancer, undergoing complete IDS after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, from January 1st of 2009 to June 1st 2019, were included.Thirty-seven patients were included in the laparoscopy group and 40 in the laparotomy group. There was no significant difference in terms of median OS between laparoscopy and laparotomy (23.1 months [95% CI 15.7-29.7] versus 26.3 months [95% CI 21.7-31.7], respectively, p = 0.17) and median PFS (14.8 months [95% CI 10.6-21.5] versus 12 months [95% CI 11-15.1], p = 0.057). After applying the propensity score, 25 patients were included in each group. Laparoscopy was associated with significantly less early postoperative complications (6 versus 17, p = 0.01) and shorter hospital stay (7.6 days versus 12.1, p < 0.001) and a significantly better OS (HR 0.45 [95% CI 0.19-0.95], p = 0.04), but with no significant difference in terms of PFS (HR 0.71 [95% CI 0.27-1.88], p = 0.49).In carefully-selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer, complete laparoscopic interval debulking surgery achieves similar survival outcomes to open laparotomy. Therefore, laparoscopy appears as a safe alternative to laparotomy for IDS after NACT in selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer and a low burden of disease.

Surgical management of deep pelvic endometriosis in France: Do we need to be a pelvic surgeon to deal with DPE?

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a common disease in women, which requires a medical and surgical approach. Surgical societies recommend a multidisciplinary management in tertiary referral centers. The objective of our study is to assess the surgical management of endometriosis in France by studying the surgeons' attitude for bowel and urinary endometriosis. METHODS: We sent a survey to french endometriosis surgeons. We did a descriptive analysis and a comparative analysis between surgeons who believe endometriosis surgeons should be considered as "pelvic surgeons", able to treat bowel and urinary involvement. RESULTS: We included 90 answers, from gynaecologic surgeons from all over France. Gynaecologic surgeons perform minor bowel and urinary tract surgery, and more complex procedures are performed with digestive or urological surgeon (bowel resection 85% of cases, ureteric resection-anastomosis 84% of cases, ureteric reimplantation 91% of cases). Surgeons considering that gynaecologists should be able to deal with urinary and bowel endometriosis carry out more bowel and urinary procedures. They have an additional training in surgery and perform more endometriosis surgery every year. However, bowel and urinary endometriosis management by gynaecologic surgeons is contested amongst gynaecologists. CONCLUSION: To this day, there is no dedicated training in France to coach gynaecologist to perform such procedures. Multidisciplinary approach is essential for quality care, in expert centers. The basic education of gynaecologic surgeons does not allow them to perform complex pelvic surgeries, but qualifications can be gained for these interventions with a special training, and perform a greater number of surgeries.

Relevance of Laparoscopic Surgery for Ovarian Cancer in Well-selected Patients: A Propensity-matched Comparison With Laparotomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the relevance of laparoscopy in comparison with laparotomy in the management of ovarian cancer in well-selected patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of consecutive ovarian cancer patients treated by laparoscopy were matched 1:1 to a cohort of patients operated by laparotomy using a propensity score matching. The inclusion criteria included patients who underwent a complete staging procedure in the early stages and optimal upfront or interval debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. RESULTS: In total, 153 patients were included. Propensity score matching led to the analysis of 41 well-balanced pairs of patients. For a median follow-up of 34.0 [19.0-64.0] months and 38.0 [24.5-75.0] months, respectively, no difference was found between the two groups in regards to overall survival (p=0.28) and disease-free survival (p=0.89). CONCLUSION: In well-selected patients, laparoscopic surgery may be a safe and effective alternative to laparotomy.

Frozen Pelvis Surgical Strategy in 10 Steps.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a 10-step strategy to treat severe endometriosis with a frozen pelvis by laparoscopy. DESIGN: Educational video. SETTING: University Hospital of Strasbourg, France. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was a 33-year-old nulliparous woman suffering from endometriosis. Because of pain and a desire for pregnancy, she was scheduled for surgery. After setting the patient in gynecologic position, we used a uterine manipulator to facilitate exposure. We assessed the global situation and discovered a frozen pelvis. To treat the myoma, the surgeon should use traction and countertraction as much as possible. We started with the caecum and sigmoid detachment. Then we performed a bilateral ureterolysis. Once the ureters were identified, we could perform safely the adhesiolysis of the bowel from the uterus. The adnexas could be freed and suspended with a T-Lift device to facilitate exposure. After identifying the utero sacral ligament, we opened the para rectal fossa, leading to the opening of the recto vaginal space. The anatomy was then restored, and we could define the specific surgical strategies. CONCLUSION: Frozen pelvis is a situation where anatomy is distorted. The surgeon should find anatomic landmarks to restore anatomy and to establish specific strategies adapted to the patient.

Ovarian Cortex Transplantation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a laparoscopic technique for the transplantation of a cryopreserved ovarian cortex. DESIGN: Educational video. SETTING: University Hospital of Strasbourg, France. INTERVENTIONS: A 28-year-old nulliparous woman presented with anaplastic T lymphoma and was then treated with chemotherapy. Before the treatment, the ovarian cortex was collected by laparoscopy to preserve fertility. Remission was achieved, but the patient suffered from premature ovarian failure. At the age of 32 years, she wished to become pregnant. The patient was thus included in the research protocol Development of Ovarian Tissue Autograft in Order to Restore Ovarian Function, and the transplantation site was chosen accordingly. The cortex was stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C after slow congelation. To restore ovarian function and because of pregnancy desire, we transplanted the cryopreserved ovarian cortex in the right ovary and inside a pocket of the peritoneum of the left ovarian fossa. The first step included adhesiolysis to treat small adhesions developed after the first surgery. On the right, the ovarian cortex was opened by an antimesial incision with cold scissors. The cryopreserved ovarian cortex was placed through the cortex of the right ovary and fixed with stitches. On the left side, the peritoneum of the ovarian fossa was opened, and a subperitoneal pocket was dissected. The cortex was inserted. It was then closed with absorbable sutures or with a hemostatic pad. Six months after her surgery, the patient had natural cycles. We monitored an ovulation of both the sides. She underwent 3 in vitro fertilizations but with failures of embryo transfer. She conceived spontaneously a year after the surgery. She gave birth to a healthy child weighing 3300 g. CONCLUSION: For patients who have suffered from premature ovarian failure owing to chemotherapy, ovarian cortex transplantation can restore the ovulatory function, allow in vitro fertilization, and permit, as in our case, a spontaneous pregnancy.