[Living birth after partial hysterectomy for chemorefractory gestational choriocarcinoma]. / Naissance vivante après hystérectomie partielle pour choriocarcinome gestationnel chimiorésistant.

Chemotherapy is the reference treatment for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. In case of chemoresistance, hysterectomy has to be considered even in women wishing to conceive. A 31-year-old nulliparous patient presented a recurrent invasive mole, despite two regimens of chemotherapy. She underwent a partial uterine resection of an intramyometrial choriocarcinoma followed by a third-line regimen. Two years later she gave birth by cesarean section at 32 weeks of amenorrhea to a healthy child after a spontaneous pregnancy. In order to preserve patient's fertility, conservative uterine surgery is an alternative to hysterectomy for selected chemoresistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for pelvic and lumbar-aortic lymphadenectomy. A 11-year experience.

UNLABELLED: This study is a retrospective comparison of laparoscopy and laparotomy lymphadenectomy (pelvic and lumbar-aortic) in cervical cancer stage IA1 and more, in a gynaecological service in Lyon, France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During 11 years, there were 126 cases of cervical cancer patients in which lymphadenectomy was performed, either by laparoscopy or laparotomy. We analysed if there were significant differences regarding the 2 accesses in terms of stage, tumour size, surgical interventions associated, number of lymph nodes extracted, and outcome. RESULTS: Regarding the stage of our cases, 3 of them were IB1, IB2 and IIB; the more advanced the stage, the fewer lymphadenectomies were performed by laparoscopy. As for the tumour size, the smaller tumour was statistical significantly associated with pelvic laparoscopic lymphadenectomy (p = 0.01) while the tumours larger than 4 cm mean lumbar-aortic lymphadenectomy by laparotomy (p = 0.006). Regarding the associated surgical interventions, the laparoscopic lymphadenectomies were associated to low-stage operations: conisation/trachelectomy, vaginal or abdominal simple hysterectomy, or extra-fascial hysterectomy (type 1 or 2). There was no significant difference between laparoscopy and laparotomy ways regarding the number of lymph nodes extracted (median 13.5 vs 11, p = 0.45 for pelvic nodes, and 8 vs 4 for lomb-aortic nodes, p = 0.43, for laparoscopy vs laparotomy). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy is as effective as the laparotomy procedures, and the training of young gynaecologic oncologists should not ignore laparoscopy as an alternative technique for nodes sampling.

Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage as an alternative to the transabdominal technique.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the foetal outcome after transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage, to determine whether it is a valid alternative to the reference transabdominal technique. STUDY DESIGN: Description of the vaginal operative technique, retrospective review of 20 cervicoisthmic cerclage patients from 1990 to 2000. RESULTS: In the curative group of women with a history of late pregnancy losses or premature deliveries and usually previous failed classical cervical cerclage, the foetal survival rate improved from 18% before cerclage to 79% after cerclage. No operative complications were reported. In the prophylactic group, typically characterised by the absence of the cervix as a consequence of surgery for invasive cervical cancers, the foetal survival rate was 83% after cerclage. CONCLUSIONS: The transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage allows a high foetal survival rate without complications in highly selected patients with poor obstetrical history. Because of its simplicity, this technique should replace the transabdominal route for surgeons experienced in vaginal surgery.

Planned vaginal delivery versus elective caesarean section in singleton term breech presentation: a study of 1116 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality between planned vaginal delivery and elective cesarean section for singleton term breech presentation. STUDY DESIGN: We studied retrospectively all deliveries of singleton breech presentations at term in the public Hospitals of Lyon between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1995. To take only the effect of delivery on the fetus into account, we eliminated high risk pregnancies and fetal malformations. Fetal parameters were corrected perinatal mortality, Apgar score<7 at 1 and 5 min, umbilical cord arterial pH<7.15, neurological disorders, trauma and need for neonatal intensive care. Maternal parameters were mild, moderate and severe complications. RESULTS: Of the 1116 breech presentations, 702 (62.9%) underwent an elective caesarean section and 414 (37.1%) a planned vaginal delivery. In the latter group, 342 (30.6%) had a vaginal delivery and 72 (6.5%) a non-elective caesarean section. Infants for whom the vaginal route was planned were at higher risk of mortality and morbidity. There were 2 deaths in this group and none in the elective caesarean section group and all fetal parameters were poorer: more Apgar<7 at 5 min (RR: relative risk=3.05; 1.03-9.05), arterial pH<7.15 (RR=1.64; 1.11-2.43), intubations (RR=7.35; 2.10-25.6), neurological disorders, trauma (RR=4.24; 1.66-10.8), transfer to intensive care units (RR=3.23; 1.57-6.64). The overall maternal morbidity was lower in the planned vaginal delivery group (RR=0.65; 0.44-0.94) but this was only because of less mild complications. The moderate and severe complications were the same in the two groups (RR=0.97; 0.59-1.57). CONCLUSIONS: Planned vaginal delivery in singleton term breech presentation increases the risk of death and of neonatal complications. Elective caesarean section increases the risk of only mild maternal complications. For these reasons, elective caesarean section should be preferred for singleton term breech presentations.

[Operative technique for assumed benign ovarian cysts]. / Technique opératoire des kystes ovariens supposés bénins.

Assumed benign ovarian cysts are best treated by laparoscopy rather than laparotomy (NP1). A peritoneal sampling for cytology should always be performed first (NP5). Frozen section diagnosis for suspicion of malignancy requires specific conditions (NP5). Laparoscopic treatment of macroscopically functional cysts can not be limited to needle aspiration (NP5). There is not enough evidence to privilege cystectomy after needle aspiration over attempt to achieve enucleation of the cyst; however, uncontrolled rupture of the cyst is the risk associated with the latter procedure (NP5). Authors usually recommend extraction of the cyst through a bag (NP5). There is not enough evidence for or against ovarian suture. Benefits of adhesion barriers after ovarian cystectomy has to be proved. The majority of the authors perform a bilateral oophorectomy in case of unilateral postmenopausal cyst (NP5). As much parenchyma as possible should be preserved in case of large ovarian cysts. For women with small controlateral dermoid cysts, the validity of surgical abstention is not established. Conservative surgery is the rule in case of premenopausal mucinous cysts.

Restoration of ovarian steroid secretion and histologic assessment after freezing, thawing, and autograft of a hemi-ovary in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of freezing, thawing, and autograft of a hemi-ovary on steroid secretion, endometrial maturation, and ovarian histology in ewes. DESIGN: Experimental animal study. SETTING: Laboratoire de Zootechnie, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire, Marcy l'Etoile, France. ANIMAL(S): Six lambs aged 6 months to 1 year old. INTERVENTION(S): Hemi-ovaries were prepared and frozen from the right ovary of six lambs and autografted 4 weeks later to the contralateral ovarian hilus. The autografts and the uterus were recovered 1 year later. Blood tests were performed each week to measure P concentration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of primordial follicles; levels of plasma P. RESULT(S): Histologic examination of ovarian slices after freezing showed no destruction of primordial, primary, secondary, or cavitary follicles. The frozen ovarian autograft showed good recovery of the macroscopic and microscopic ovarian structure. After autografting, histologic examination revealed primordial to cavitary follicles. Secretion of P started to rise 4 weeks after the autograft. Histologic analysis of the endometrium showed numerous glands, vessels, and mucous secretion. CONCLUSION(S): Frozen ovarian autografts achieved P secretion and endometrial maturity.