Pre-OPerative accelerated radiotherapy for early stage breast cancer patients (POPART): A feasibility study.

Pre-operative 5-fraction breast radiotherapy followed by immediate breast-sparing surgery and sentinel node procedure was feasible in 14 patients with 15 clinical early-stage breast cancers. However wound problems occurred frequently and was documented in 5 of the 14 patients: 2 patients with a mastitis needing antibiotics, 2 patients developed a fistula with exudate needing antibiotics and local disinfection and 1 patient developed a fistula needing surgical reintervention. Other acute and late iatrogenic events were rather limited. Two patients had a pathological lymph node involvement, which underlines the importance to perform the sentinel node procedure before pre-operative radiotherapy.

Abdominal wall endometriosis following cesarean section: a study of the growth rate of parietal endometriosis implants.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to estimate the growth rate of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) following cesarean section (CS), in order to potentially identify a growth model of endometriosis in vivo. METHODS: This monocentric, retrospective study included 23 patients presenting 26 nodules of post-CS AWE treated by surgical excision. Nodule surface and volume, time-lapse between surgery and AWE as well as the contraception used were noted. A comparison between nodules' features was performed depending on hormonal vs. non-hormonal contraception. RESULTS: The time-lapse between CS and AWE surgery had a mean value of 48 months. The mean surface of an AWE nodule was of 3.83 cm2, and the mean volume was of 5.32 cm3. Comparison between the main surface and volume in patients receiving hormonal vs. non-hormonal contraception was statistically non-significant. No statistically significant correlation between AWE dimension and time was revealed. In patients presenting more than one lesion, nodules appeared to grow following variable patterns. CONCLUSIONS: AWE natural history was characterized by inter- and intra-individual variability, independently of the method of contraception used.

Long-term functional outcomes following colorectal resection versus shaving for rectal endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: Two surgical approaches usually are used in the surgical management of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum: the radical approach that mainly is based on colorectal resection and the conservative or symptom-guided approach that prioritizes conservation of the rectum. There are no data available that compare long-term functional digestive outcomes of 1 approach to the other. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare long-term digestive outcomes in women who were treated by either rectal shaving or colorectal resection for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective comparative study was performed. All women who were treated with surgery for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum by either shaving or colorectal resection at the University Hospital of Rouen from January 2005 to January 2010 were enrolled. Follow-up evaluation was carried out for a minimum of 5 years. Postoperative evaluation of digestive symptoms was performed by 4 standardized gastrointestinal questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom score for constipation, the Wexner score for anal continence, and the Bristol Stool Score. Symptoms that were related to endometriosis, fertility, and disease recurrence were obtained from a specific questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 77 women were included. Three women were lost to follow up (3.9%), and 3 were treated by disc excision (3.9%). The mean follow-up time was 80±19 months. Forty-six women underwent conservative rectal shaving, and 25 women underwent colorectal resection. Patient characteristics and the severity of the disease were comparable in both groups. Patients who were treated by rectal shaving had significantly better Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index values, lower Knowles-Eccersley-Scott-Symptom scores for postoperative constipation, and better anal continence. No statistically significant differences were revealed for postoperative pelvic pain. Rectal recurrence occurred in 8.7% of patients who were treated by conservative surgery: 4.3% underwent secondary colorectal resection and 4.3% were treated secondarily by rectal shaving. Consequently, avoiding a recurrence for merely 1 patient would have required 11 patients to undergo colorectal resection instead of shaving. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that, in patients who are treated for rectal endometriosis, colorectal resection does not improve long-term postoperative functional outcomes when compared with rectal shaving.

Persistent urinary retention after surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis: a multi-center series of 16 cases.

PURPOSE: Persistent urinary retention (UR) is a complication of 3.5-14.3% of patients having undergone deep pelvic endometriosis (DPE) surgery of posterior compartment, and it is prone to persist. The purpose of this study is to identify surgical procedures and clinical circumstances associated with persistent UR, and consider its treatment. METHODS: We undertook a multi-center retrospective study studying medical records of patients who had surgery for DPE between January 2005 and December 2012. Patients who suffered from UR defined as a post-void residual (PVR) volume >100 mL needing intermittent self-catheterizations more than 30 days after surgery were included. Preoperative data (functional complaints, clinical examination, imaging, medical treatment) were recorded. Types of surgery and detailed postoperative urinary symptoms were noted. RESULTS: 881 patients had surgery for DPE and 16 patients were included (1.8%). In 93.8% of cases, a lesion of posterior compartment was clinically significant. Mean lesion size was 28.8 ± 7.3 mm. Colorectal resection and colpectomy were necessary in 93.8 and 87.5% of cases, respectively. Loss of bladder sensation and straining during urination were the two most common post-operative symptoms. 11 patients still required self-catheterization up to 1 year after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with increased risks of UR present with a symptomatic and clinically palpable deep pelvic endometriotic lesion of the posterior compartment. Treatment implies surgery with colorectal resection. Bilateral resection of utero-sacral ligaments and posterior colpectomy tend to increase that risk. Complications due to PVR volume and straining during urination may be prevented by self-catheterization.

Postoperative digestive function after radical versus conservative surgical philosophy for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum.

OBJECTIVE: To compare delayed digestive outcomes in women managed by two different surgical philosophies: a radical approach mainly related to colorectal resection, and a conservative approach involving rectal shaving and rectal nodule excision. DESIGN: "Before and after" comparative retrospective study. SETTING: University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): Seventy-five patients managed by surgery for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum. INTERVENTION(S): Twenty-four women were managed during a period when surgeons pursued a radical philosophy toward treatment, and 51 women were managed during a period when a conservative philosophy was adopted. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE(S): Standardized gastrointestinal questionnaires: the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom Questionnaire, the Bristol Stool Score, and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score. RESULT(S): Preoperative patient characteristics, rectal nodule features, and associated localizations of the disease were comparable between the two groups. During the radical period, colorectal resection was carried out in 67% of patients, whereas during the second period only 20% of women underwent colorectal resection. Women managed according to the conservative philosophy had significantly improved results on the Knowles-Eccersley-Scott Symptom Questionnaire, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index, and depression/self-perception Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score, and significantly improved values for various items related to postoperative constipation: unsuccessful evacuatory attempts, feeling incomplete evacuation, abdominal pain, time taken to evacuate, difficulty evacuating causing a painful effort, and stool consistency. CONCLUSION(S): It seems that reducing the rate of colorectal resection leads to better functional outcomes in women presenting with rectal endometriosis, lending support to the conservative surgical philosophy over mandatory colorectal resection.

Combined transanal and laparoscopic approach for the treatment of deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum.

BACKGROUND: Two surgical approaches are employed in the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum (DIER): colorectal resection and nodule excision. In 2009, we introduced a new technique for transanal full thickness disc excision of endometriotic nodules infiltrating the low and middle rectum, using the Contour® Transtar™ stapler (Ethicon Endo-Surgery inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA). The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the technique and to present data on the feasibility of this technique. METHODS: From April 2009 to October 2010, all patients presenting with DIER and undergoing full thickness excision using the Contour® Transtar™ stapler were enrolled in the study. Pre-, intra- and post-operative data were collected and reported. RESULTS: Six nulliparous women were managed using this technique during the study period. The rectal wall discs removed measured from 40 × 45 to 60 × 50 mm. In two cases, microscopic foci were noted on one of the margins but in four cases the limits were clear. Operating time varied from 180 to 450 min. Four women were completely free of post-operative digestive complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small numbers in this series, our data suggest that the new technique of transanal rectal disc excision using the contour stapler may be applied in patients with infiltrating endometrial nodules of the rectum up to 10 cm from the anal margin and up to 5 cm in diameter. This new procedure promises to be a useful addition to the surgeon's armamentarium in a multidisciplinary approach to deep pelvic endometriosis.

Pathophysiological approach to bowel dysfunction after segmental colorectal resection for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal segmental resection is performed worldwide in a majority of women presenting with symptomatic deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in post-operative digestive dysfunction. METHODS: We selected patients managed by colorectal resection for rectal endometriosis, who had developed post-operative severe constipation and whose follow up was superior to 24 months. To assess the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this complaint, we performed a step-by-step work up including: low digestive tract endoscopy, colonic transit time measurement and when appropriate anorectal manometry, electromyography and defecographic evaluation. RESULTS: Five out of 25 (20%) patients, whose age ranged from 27 to 41 years, were investigated for severe post-operative terminal constipation. Four different mechanisms responsible for terminal constipation were identified: tight stenosis of the colorectal anastomosis, post-operative neurological sequelae, colonic intussusception through the colorectal anastomosis and transit constipation that developed post surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Post-operative constipation is a frequent complaint in women managed by colorectal resection for rectal endometriosis. A multidisciplinary approach is mandatory as pathophysiologic mechanisms may vary and prove difficult to understand. The risk of post-operative bowel dysfunction following colorectal endometriosis must be taken into account whenever this technique is proposed in young women presenting with a benign disease such as deep endometriosis.

Surgical management of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum: pleading for a symptom-guided approach.

Two surgical approaches are usually employed in the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis of the rectum (DIER): colorectal resection removing the rectal segment affected by the disease, and nodule excision either without opening the rectum (shaving) or by removing the nodule along with the surrounding rectal wall (full thickness or disc excision). Although the present available data are from retrospective series reported by surgeons who generally perform only one technique, there is no evidence to support the risk of recurrences as a valid argument in favour of colorectal resection over rectal nodule excision. The advantage of a lower morbidity associated with nodule excision is not necessarily at the cost of an increased rate of pain recurrences, especially in women benefiting from post-operative medical treatment. The symptom-guided surgical approach in DIER primarily focuses on the relief of digestive symptoms and pelvic pains, rather than on mandatory 'carcinologic' resection of lesions. In addition, the risk of new post-operative unpleasant symptoms as a result of a compulsory and systematic excision of all endometriotic foci may be avoided. In a majority of cases, pelvic anatomy and digestive function can be restored by shaving or disc excision, as well as by colorectal resection; thus digestive complaints can be resolved even when the rectum is conserved. The most accurate evaluation of the results of DIER surgery should be provided by post-operative evolution in digestive function. Even though quality of life is improved for the majority of patients managed by colorectal resection, the question is whether or not a greater health improvement can be achieved by performing nodule excision, which avoids various post-operative and functional digestive complications. In addition, continuous medical treatment leads to a decrease in endometriotic nodules and prevents post-operative pain recurrences. Instead of choosing between medical and surgical management in the treatment of DIER, it is most likely that the two therapies should be associated.