A randomized prospective study of the use of endometrial ablation for prevention of recurrent endometrial polyps in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen.

Objective: To assess the roles of endometrial ablation in prevention of recurrence of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps in breast cancer patients.Design: A randomized prospective study of tamoxifen-treated patients who underwent hysteroscopic removal of endometrial polyps with or without simultaneous resection of the endometrium.Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive women (aged 43-61 years) undergoing hysteroscopic removal of tamoxifen-associated endometrial polyps were randomized via a computer-generated random table to undergo or not to undergo concomitant endometrial ablation. All patients had undergone endometrial sampling prior to the procedure. The patients were followed for at least 18 months (range 18-24 months). The follow-up included transvaginal ultrasonography every 6 months and hysteroscopy when endometrial irregularity was noted. The main outcome variable was recurrence of endometrial polyps while the occurrence of uterine bleeding was noted.Results: In the 10 study group women, who underwent endometrial ablation, only 1 patient had a 1 x 1 cm endometrial polyp diagnosed and removed during the follow-up period. Seven of the study women remained amenorrheic, and 3 experienced spotting a few days every month. In the control group, a recurrent endometrial polyp, necessitating hysteroscopic removal, was diagnosed postoperatively in 6 women (two-tailed Fisher's Exact test; P <.06).Conclusion: Recurrence of endometrial polyps, one of the most common problems in breast cancer patients receiving long-term treatment with tamoxifen, can be significantly reduced by performing endometrial ablation at the time of hysteroscopic removal of the polyp. The possible risk of occult endometrial cancer is yet to be determined.

Are the long-term adverse effects of laparoscopic presacral neurectomy for the management of central pain associated with endometriosis acceptable?

Objective: To assess the long-term genitourinary and gastrointestinal complaints following presacral neurectomy.Design: A prospective postoperative follow-up of patients who underwent laparoscopic presacral neurectomy and treatment of endometriosis.Materials and Methods: The mean follow-up of the 67 women (mean age 27.5 years, range 16-58 years) was an average of 36.8 months with a range of 6-69 years. Main outcome variables include diarrhea, constipation, bladder and urinary complaints, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and orgasm. The degree of pain and dysmenorrhea after surgery was also elevated.Results: Diarrhea was reported to have improved after surgery in 39.1% of the patients and none reported any worsening. Constipation improved in 28.6% and worsened in 12.5%. Only one patient suffered from debilitating constipation. Bladder and urinary problems were improved on 25.0% and worsened in 19.2%. A similar proportion of women (19.6%) reported improvement and worsening vaginal dryness. Pain during intercourse improved in 58.9% and worsened in 8.9%. The ability to achieve orgasm improved in 21.6% and worsened in 2.7%. Postoperatively, pain was improved by 80-100% in 46.6% of the women, by 50-80% in 36.5%, by less than 50% in 6.4%, and did not improve in 9.5%. Dysmenorrhea was improved by 80-100% in 35.2% of the women, by 50-80% in 38.8%, by less than 50% in 14.9%, and did not improve in 11.1%. Twelve of 16 patients trying to become pregnant were successful following surgery, two with the aid of in vitro fertilization.Conclusion: After laparoscopic presacral neurectomy, constipation and bladder and urinary problems were reported to have worsened in only a minority of patients. However, diarrhea and dyspareunia improved in a large proportion of patients. Since pelvic pain was relieved by more than 50% in 83.1%, the procedure seems to be associated with an acceptable rate of long-term side effects.

Incisional Hernias after Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery

A retrospective case review was performed to determine the risk factors and frequency of incisional hernias after advanced operative laparoscopy. Ten incisional hernias occurred in nine women over 13 years, a frequency of about 0.1%. Omentum herniated in six women and bowel herniated in four. In one patient the bowel fat herniated through the peritoneum and not the fascia. The hernia occurred through a 5-mm cannula incision site in six patients. Since they all occurred on the left lower entry point, they were most likely related to the extensive manipulation of the suction-irrigation probe inserted through this cannula. Seven women required laparoscopic surgery to retract the entrapped omentum or bowel. In one, laparoscopic-assisted bowel resection was necessary. The underlying fascia and peritoneum should be closed not only when using cannulas of 10 mm and larger, but also when extensive manipulation is performed through a 5-mm cannula port.

Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning a Risk During Prolonged Laparoscopic Surgery?

We evaluated whether prolonged laparoscopic procedures performed with high-flow carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation, intensive evacuation of intraabdominal smoke, and controlled hyperventilation with 50% to 90% oxygen results in significant elevation in blood carboxyhemoglobin levels. Twenty-seven healthy, nonsmoking women (mean ± SD age 39.1 ± 8.0 yrs, range 22-56 yrs) undergoing laparoscopic procedures in which smoke was generated participated. In all cases both the CO2 laser and bipolar electrosurgery were used extensively. The mean ± SD duration of surgery was 141 ± 72 minutes (range 45-300 min). Blood samples were drawn before and after surgery. Carboxyhemoglobin concentrations were measured using a highly accurate gas chromatography method. The mean ± SD carboxyhemoglobin levels were 0.70% ± 0.15% (range 0.44-1.20%) before and 0.58% ± 0.20% (range 0.30-1.33%) after surgery. The concentrations decreased significantly during surgery (mean ± SD 20% ± 11%, range 3-46%, p <0.001). In only one woman the level increased at the end of surgery. This also occurred when levels exceeded 1% (1.33%). The correlation coefficient (r) between carboxyhemoglobin concentrations and duration of surgery was 0.324. We concluded that carbon monoxide poisoning is not associated with prolonged laparoscopic surgical procedures. This may be attributed to aggressive smoke evacuation that minimized exposure and to elimination of CO2 through hyperventilation.

Is Operative Laparoscopy Contraindicated in Women with Ectopic Pregnancy and Hypovolemic Shock?

We evaluated the safety of operative laparoscopy for the management of ectopic pregnancy in 119 women with hypovolemic shock. In 19 (16.0%) of these women hypovolemic shock was based on a combination of signs and symptoms including hypotension, tachycardia, anxiety, thirst, tachypnea, and slow capillary refill. The table below presents the results (mean ± SEM; ap <0.01). One case in each group was converted to laparotomy, and all patients made full recovery. Laparoscopy allows rapid diagnosis and control of the source of bleeding, making it highly suitable for the surgical management of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The availability of appropriate anesthesia and advanced cardiovascular monitoring, and ability to convert rapidly to a laparotomy if necessary, allow safe performance of operative laparoscopic surgery in women with hypovolemic shock.