Feasibility and Safety of Intraoperative Radiotherapy with Low Energy X-ray Photon Therapy for Recurrent Gynecological Cancer: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of low energy X-ray photon intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) as an adjuvant therapy for recurrent gynecological cancer. METHODS: Medical records of all recurrence gynecological cancer patients who underwent IORT were reviewed. RESULTS: Between January 2018 and December 2021, five women (including cervical cancer (n = 2), endometrial cancer (n = 2), and uterine leiomyosarcoma (n = 1)), who underwent IORT and surgical resection for recurrent gynecologic cancer were reviewed. A median dose of 15.62 Gy (range, 12 to 20 Gy) was used for IORT. Repeated IORT and surgical resection was performed in two women. Three women experienced local recurrence, and three women died during follow-up. The 1-year local control rate was 60%. The 2-year overall survival rate was 30%. There was no Clavien-Dindo classification grade III-V complication. CONCLUSION: IORT using low energy X-ray photon therapy seems to be feasible and safe as an adjuvant therapy in women who underwent salvage surgery for recurrent gynecologic cancer. However, large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings and evaluate its efficacy.

Predictors for the Recurrence of Clinically Uterine-Confined Endometrial Cancer and the Role of Cytokeratin Immunohistochemistry Stain in the Era of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the predictors for cancer recurrence in women with clinically uterine-confined endometrial cancer in the era of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping. METHODS: All consecutive women with clinically determined uterine-confined endometrial cancer who had lymph node assessment by either SLN mapping or traditional pelvic lymphadenectomy were reviewed. RESULTS: Women in the SLN mapping group had lower total dissected pelvic nodes, lower incidence of para-aortic lymph node dissection, less intraoperative blood loss and lower complication rates, but a longer operation time compared to the traditional lymphadenectomy group. Para-aortic lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio = 7.60, p = 0.03) was the sole independent predictor for recurrence-free survival. In addition, the utilization of cytokeratin immunohistochemistry stain detected more lymph node metastases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.04, p = 0.03). Recurrence-free survival did not differ between SLN mapping and traditional lymphadenectomy groups (p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Para-aortic lymph node metastasis is an important predictor of cancer recurrence. Women with negative hematoxylin and eosin stain should undergo cytokeratin immunohistochemistry stain to increase the detection rate of positive lymph node metastasis. Besides, the probabilities of recurrence seem to be similar between SLN mapping and traditional lymphadenectomy groups in women with clinically uterine-confined endometrial cancer.

Factors affecting clinical outcomes in women with non-gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical presentation of non-gastric GISTs might mimic adnexal cancer, and non-gastric GIST might be managed and treated by gynecologists. Knowledge of the clinical outcomes of women with non-gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is important. Our aim is to elucidate the factors affecting the clinical outcomes of women with non-gastric GISTs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and October 2019, all consecutive women with non-gastric GISTs who underwent surgery in a tertiary referral center were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-six women were reviewed. Eight (31%) women experienced recurrence. The probabilities of recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 60 and 120 months were 65.2% and 55.9%, respectively. The probabilities of overall survival (OS) at 60 and 120 months were 71.1% and 63.9%, respectively. Cancer stage was the only independent predictor of RFS (hazard ratio = 6.00, p = 0.007) and OS (hazard ratio = 3.88, p = 0.04). However, excluding cancer stage, metastasis (hazard ratio = 8.74) was the only independent predictor of RFS, and tumor size (hazard ratio = 1.20) and metastasis (hazard ratio = 6.03) were independent predictors of OS. Tumor size ≥13.9 cm was the optimum cut-off value to predict death and had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75 (95% confidence interval = 0.53 to 0.98). Among the above 5 women with non-gastric GISTs admitted to the Gynecology Department, optimal debulking surgery was performed in two women, and small bowel resection was performed in three women; and all five women remained alive without disease. CONCLUSION: Non-gastric GISTs may mimic gynecologic tumors. Metastasis was an independent predictor of PFS. In addition, metastasis and large tumor size (especially ≥13.9 cm) were independent predictors of OS in women with non-gastric GISTs.

Robotic or laparoscopic treatment of cesarean scar defects or cesarean scar pregnancies with a uterine sound guidance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of robotic/laparoscopic repair of cesarean scar defects or cesarean scar pregnancies with a uterine sound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive women with cesarean scar defects or cesarean scar pregnancies who underwent robotic/laparoscopic repair with a bent uterine sound guidance were reviewed. Subjective changes in symptoms and objective changes in the depth and width of cesarean scar defects after surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 20 women underwent robotic (n = 3) or conventional laparoscopic (n = 17) repair of cesarean scar defects, which included postmenstrual vaginal bleeding associated with cesarean scar defects (n = 15), cesarean scar pregnancies (n = 3), accumulated pus in the cesarean scar defect (n = 1) and an incomplete abortion incarcerated in the cesarean scar defect (n = 1). Bladder perforation occurred in one woman during robotic adhesiolysis. All women with cesarean scar defects (n = 15) reported an improvement in postmenstrual vaginal bleeding after surgery. Follow-up sonography showed a decrease in the depth and width of the cesarean scar defect and an increase in the residual myometrial thickness. CONCLUSION: Robotic or laparoscopic repair with a uterine sound guidance seems to be a feasible and effective method in the treatment of cesarean scar defect or cesarean scar pregnancy.

Predictors of Survival in Women with High-Risk Endometrial Cancer and Comparisons of Sandwich versus Concurrent Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy.

Background: to elucidate the predictors of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in high-risk endometrial cancer patients. Methods: the medical records of all consecutivewomen with high-risk endometrial cancer were reviewed. Results: among 92 high-risk endometrial cancer patients, 30 women experienced recurrence, and 21 women died. The 5-year PFS and OS probabilities were 65.3% and 75.9%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression revealed that body mass index (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.11), paraaortic lymph node metastasis (HR = 11.11), lymphovascular space invasion (HR = 5.61), and sandwich chemoradiotherapy (HR = 0.15) were independently predictors of PFS. Body mass index (HR = 1.31), paraaortic lymph node metastasis (HR = 32.74), non-endometrioid cell type (HR = 11.31), and sandwich chemoradiotherapy (HR = 0.07) were independently predictors of OS. Among 51 women who underwent sandwich (n = 35) or concurrent (n = 16) chemoradiotherapy, the use of sandwich chemoradiotherapy were associated with better PFS (adjusted HR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08-0.87, p = 0.03) and OS (adjusted HR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.02-0.71, p = 0.02) compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Conclusion: compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy, sandwich chemoradiotherapy was associated with better PFS and OS in high-risk endometrial cancer patients. In addition, high body mass index, paraaortic lymph node metastasis, and non-endometrioid cell type were also predictors of poor OS in high-risk endometrial cancer patients.

Comparisons of Clinical Outcomes in Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer Treated with Frontline Intraperitoneal versus Dose-Dense Platinum/Paclitaxel Chemotherapy without Bevacizumab.

Background: We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between intraperitoneal chemotherapy and dose-dense chemotherapy for the frontline treatment of advanced ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer in women not receiving bevacizumab. Methods: All consecutive women with stage II~IV cancer treated with either frontline intraperitoneal or dose-dense platinum/paclitaxel chemotherapy and not receiving bevacizumab between March 2006 and June 2019 were reviewed. Results: A total of 50 women (intraperitoneal group, n = 22; dose-dense group, n = 28) were reviewed. Median progression-free survival (32.6 months versus 14.2 months; adjusted hazard ratio = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16 to 0.90, p = 0.03) and overall survival (not reached versus 30.7 months; adjusted hazard ratio = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.79, p = 0.02) were significantly higher in the intraperitoneal group than in the dose-dense group. A multivariable Cox proportional-hazards model also indicated that the number of frontline chemotherapy cycles (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.66, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.94, p = 0.02) was a predictor of better overall survival. Nausea/vomiting and nephrotoxicity occurred more frequently in the intraperitoneal group (p = 0.02 and <0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy seems to be superior in progression free survival and overall survival to dose-dense chemotherapy in the frontline treatment of women with optimally resected advanced ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer and not receiving bevacizumab.

Clinical and Urodynamic Predictors of the Q-Tip Test in Women With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

PURPOSE: The Q-tip test is used to measure urethral hypermobility and can predict surgical outcomes. However, certain factors may affect the reliability of this test. Our aim was to identify independent clinical and urodynamic predictors of the results of the Q-tip test. METHODS: Between January 2014 and June 2019, 176 consecutive women with lower urinary tract symptoms who underwent the Q-tip test and urodynamic studies were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Multivariable regression analysis revealed that age (regression coefficient, -0.55), point Ba (regression coefficient, 4.1), urodynamic stress incontinence (regression coefficient, 9.9), maximum flow rate (Qmax) (regression coefficient, 0.13), pressure transmission ratio (PTR) at maximum urethral pressure (MUP) (regression coefficient, -0.14), and the score on the fifth question of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQQ5; "Has urine leakage affected your participation in social activities outside your home?"; regression coefficient, -4.1) were independent predictors of the Q-tip angle, with a constant of 87.0. The following Spearman rank correlation coefficients were found between the Q-tip angle and the following variables: age, -0.38; point Ba, 0.34; urodynamic stress incontinence, 0.32; Qmax, 0.28; PTR at MUP, -0.28; and IIQQ5, -0.23. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis for the prediction of urodynamic stress incontinence found that the optimum cutoff for PTR at MUP was <81%, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.70. CONCLUSION: Age, point Ba, urodynamic stress incontinence, Qmax, PTR at MUP, and IIQQ5 were independent predictors of the Q-tip angle. However, none of these could be used as effective surrogates for the Q-tip test due to their lack of a sufficient correlation.

Manual versus Pump Infusion of Distending Media for Hysteroscopic Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Fluid overload is a potential complication of hysteroscopic procedures with the possibility of dangerous electrolyte changes. This prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to compare perioperative outcomes and changes in electrolytes after hysteroscopic procedures between the manual infusion (MI) and the pump infusion (PI) methods for distending media infusion. One hundred consecutive women who had hysteroscopic procedures between December 2013 and February 2017 were recruited and randomly allocated to either the MI or PI group. The PI group was associated with an increased volume of infused fluid and collected fluid compared with the volumes of the MI group. Almost all serum electrolyte levels differed significantly between the baseline and postoperative values in both groups; however, no significant differences were noted between the groups. The change in potassium level was positively correlated with the volume of fluid deficit (Spearman's rho = 0.24, P = 0.03), whereas the change in calcium level was negatively correlated with the volume of fluid deficit (Spearman's rho = -0.26, P = 0.046). With no between-group differences in the changes in the other perioperative parameters and electrolytes, the MI method can be a good alternative for delivering distending media for hysteroscopic procedures.

Predictors of Lymphoceles in Women Who Underwent Laparotomic Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Early Gynecologic Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Lymphoceles could represent a detrimental complication after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Our aim was to elucidate predictors of lymphoceles. Methods: Between 2011 and 2017, medical records of consecutive women who underwent laparotomic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for FIGO stage I or II gynecologic cancer were reviewed. Results: A total of 204 women, including those with lymphoceles (n = 31) and symptomatic lymphoceles (n = 7), were reviewed. According to multivariable analysis, parity (odds ratio = 0.59, p = 0.003), adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy (odds ratio = 2.60, p = 0.039), and peritoneal nonclosure without pelvic drainage (odds ratio = 2.31, p = 0.048) were predictors of lymphoceles. In addition, parity (odds ratio = 0.73, p = 0.03), hypertension (odds ratio = 2.62, p = 0.02), and peritoneal partial closure with pelvic drainage (odds ratio = 0.27, p = 0.02) were predictors of complications. Conclusion: Low parity, adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy, and peritoneal nonclosure without pelvic drainage were associated with increased lymphocele formation. In addition, a lower complication rate was found in the peritoneal partial closure with pelvic drainage group; thus, peritoneal partial closure with pelvic drainage might be suggested for women who undergo laparotomic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Factors Predicting Persistent Ectopic Pregnancy After Laparoscopic Salpingostomy or Salpingotomy for Tubal Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predictive of persistent ectopic pregnancy (PEP) in women who have undergone laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingotomy for tubal pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Ninety-nine women who underwent laparoscopic tubal preservation surgery for ectopic pregnancy. INTERVENTIONS: Seventy women underwent laparoscopic salpingostomy, and the remaining 29 women underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Factors predicting PEP were evaluated. The change in serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) levels from baseline observed between postoperative days 5 and 10 (ChCGD5-10) was a predictor of PEP (odds ratio [OR], 0.80; p = .01). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a cutoff value of 93.1% was determined, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.95 (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 100%). Nonetheless, when considering perioperative variables only, body mass index (BMI) was identified as a predictor of PEP (OR, 0.71; p = .03). Based on the ROC analysis, a BMI cutoff value of ≤22 kg/m2 was determined, with an ROC area of 0.73 (sensitivity, 43.2%; specificity, 100%). In addition, a higher baseline ß-hCG level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.0002; p = .009) and left tubal pregnancy (HR, 6.46; p = .03) were predictive of recurrent ectopic pregnancy. There were no differences in the perioperative outcomes, PEP rates, or subsequent intrauterine pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and salpingotomy groups. In addition, surgical method was not a predictor of recurrent ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: ChCGD5-10 was identified as a predictor for PEP, suggesting that it might be more clinically useful for the follow-up of PEP. When considering perioperative variables only, BMI was a predictor for PEP. In addition, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the salpingostomy and salpingotomy groups.

Optimizing Laparoscopically Extracorporeal Knot Tying Using a Novel Pusher Device.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a novel pusher device for performing extracorporeal knot tying. Each of the 3 laparoscopists randomly performed 10 device-assisted double sheet bends (the device group), ten 4s modified Roeder sliding knots (the sliding group), and 10 laparoscopic traditional extracorporeal static surgeon's knots (the static group). All knots and 5 unknotted threads were measured for strength. The device group had higher knot strength, lower knotting failure rate, and shorter knotting time compared with the sliding group. The knot strengths of the successful knots in the device group were consistent with those obtained in the static group, and higher than the sliding group. Our laparoscopic novel pusher device should be an effective device in assisting knot tying with the advantages of steady and strong knot strength, lower failure rate, and shorter knotting time.

The impact of situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) on safety attitudes in the obstetrics department.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies evaluating the situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) have been shown to increase effective nurse-physician communication and collaboration. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the SBAR technique on safety attitudes in the obstetrics department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study implemented the SBAR Collaborative Communication Education course and was conducted in a medical center from February 2012 to March 2015, which included an educational session on fetal heart rate monitoring, a case-based discussion, and a video demonstration on traditional and SBAR communication. The nurses in the obstetrics department were requested to report their clinical findings and recommendations using a novel SBAR list when abnormal fetal heart beat tracings occurred. All obstetric nurses were requested to complete the Chinese-version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire before and after the SBAR educational course. The primary outcome was to evaluate the effect of the SBAR technique on the safety attitudes of the obstetrics department. The secondary outcome was to evaluate the effect of the SBAR technique on the 5-minute Apgar score for neonates. RESULTS: Most values, including teamwork climate, safety climate, job satisfaction, and working conditions, significantly improved at both postintervention surveys compared with the preintervention survey. There were no significant differences in the number of the neonates with less than seven 5-minute Apgar scores between the pre- and postintervention periods. CONCLUSION: The SBAR technique, which uses a novel structured handover list, is a feasible tool for nurse-obstetrician communication, and it may improve most dimensions of safety attitudes in the obstetrics department.

Factors influencing the abortion interval of second trimester pregnancy termination using misoprostol.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors influencing the abortion interval (AI) for medical termination of second-trimester pregnancy using misoprostol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who were admitted for second-trimester pregnancy termination between January 2008 and August 2013 were reviewed. Those who received either 200 µg or 400 µg of priming vaginal misoprostol, followed by 200 µg of misoprostol orally at 6-hour intervals were enrolled. RESULTS: In a total of 101 patients, delivery occurred within 24 hours of commencement in 62 patients (61%) and within 48 hours in 84 patients (83%), and the median AI was 16.5 hours. One patient (1%) failed to deliver. The remaining 100 fetuses were delivered successfully, and the median AI was 16.3 hours. Higher parity [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.28, p = 0.04], the presence of intrauterine fetal demise (HR = 2.66, p = 0.003), and the presence of premature preterm rupture of membranes (HR = 4.51, p = 0.003) were associated with shorter AI. Additionally, all women with premature preterm rupture of membranes delivered successfully within 12 hours; higher parity (odds ratio = 2.12, p = 0.01) and lower fetal birth body weight (odds ratio = 0.992, p = 0.01) were associated with successful delivery within 12 hours. There was no significant difference in AI in the groups that received different doses of priming vaginal misoprostol (200 µg vs. 400 µg). CONCLUSION: Higher parity, intrauterine fetal demise, and preterm premature rupture of membranes were associated with shorter AI. The regimen of 200 µg oral misoprostol at 6-hour intervals following a 200 µg or 400 µg priming vaginal dose is feasible and efficacious for second trimester pregnancy termination.

Safety and efficacy of manual syringe infusion of distending media for hysteroscopic procedures: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Adverse events associated with large volumes of distending media in hysteroscopic procedures can be life-threatening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of manual syringe infusion (MI) of distending media for hysteroscopic procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Between January 2011 and December 2013, the medical records of all women who underwent hysteroscopic procedures using MI or the conventional pump-infusion method (PI, the control group) were reviewed. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test, the Chi-square test and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The MI group (n=82) had a significantly lower average volume of infused fluid (1117 ± 712 mL vs. 2216 ± 1502 mL, respectively; p<0.001), less operative time (22.2 ± 9.7 vs. 30.4 ± 9.8 min, respectively; p<0.001) and lower postoperative abdominal pain scores (0.6 ± 0.7 vs. 0.8 ± 0.7, respectively; p=0.04) than the PI group (n=58). Subgroup analysis of women who underwent hysteroscopic myomectomy revealed a significantly lower amount of infused fluid for the MI group than for the PI group (1737 ± 905 mL vs. 3441 ± 1952 mL, respectively; p=0.001). Infused fluid amount (coefficient=0.08, p<0.001) was the only significant independent factor affecting fluid deficit, with a constant of 76.1. CONCLUSION: The MI method appears to be a safe and feasible method for delivering distending media during hysteroscopic procedures.

Modified novel technique for improving the success rate of applying seprafilm by using laparoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified surgical procedure for applying the adhesion barrier Seprafilm laparoscopically. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis with videos and illustrations showing laparoscopic application of Seprafilm. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Women undergoing fertility-sparing laparoscopic surgery (myomectomy, endometriotic ovarian cyst or dermoid cyst enucleation, and tuboplasty) via a modified technique. INTERVENTION: Two layers of Seprafilm with plastic covering were rolled together and delivered through a 10-mm trocar, and an irrigation tube was used to moisten the Seprafilm and cover the irregular postoperative rough surface of the organ. After application of Seprafilm, the patient was placed in a reverse Trendelenburg position to check whether the Seprafilm remained in situ on the target surgical surface to act as a physical barrier to adhesion development. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After changing the patient's position, illustrations and videos showed that the Seprafilm remained on the postoperative surgical surface, creating a site-specific physical barrier. On day 4 after myomectomy, second-look laparoscopy in 2 patients showed that the Seprafilm had become gel-like and remained between the intestine and posterior rough surface of the uterus. There were no systemic second-look laparoscopic data. CONCLUSION: It is feasible and easier to apply Seprafilm adhesion barrier laparoscopically using the modified technique. Further studies are warranted to prove its efficacy after such use.