Laparoscopic Double Discoid Colorectal Resection for the Treatment of Two Distinct Deep Endometriotic Nodules.

OBJECTIVE: To show the surgical steps used to perform a laparoscopic double discoid colorectal resection for the excision of 2 distinct deep endometriotic nodules (DENs). DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: To date there is agreement that discoid resection should be the first choice procedure in patients eligible for surgical treatment with rectal, unifocal DENs measuring ≤ 3 cm [1-3]. For surgical management of lesions of the sigmoid colon, current international guidelines suggest to perform segmental resections [3]. Data on surgical treatment of multiple colorectal DENs separated by a great distance from each other are very limited, mostly owing to the rarity of such a diagnosis. In particular, there is paucity of data concerning the efficacy and safety of a double discoid resection for surgical management of distinct DENs found in the sigmoid colon and rectum [4]. In a context of multiple colorectal DENs, the decision-making process with respect to a double discoid excision must take into consideration both the distance between the 2 nodules and the nodules' distance from anal verge. When technically feasible, such organ-sparing surgery allows preserving the healthy bowel interposed between the endometriotic lesions, seeming to offer advantages in terms of quicker return of bowel function and better rectal functional outcomes than segmental colorectal resection. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was a 36-year-old woman experiencing drug treatment failure and presenting with refractory constipation, dyschezia, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, cyclical abdominal bloating, and chronic pelvic pain. Preoperative ultrasonography revealed the presence of an endometriotic nodule of 19 × 6 × 16 mm deeply infiltrating the tunica muscularis of the sigmoid colon. A second DEN was found at the level of the rectum, the latter measuring 19 × 5 × 12 mm and having a distance of 9 cm from the anal verge. Both the intestinal lesions resulted to have a circumferential extent of 30%. The distance between the 2 nodules was 15 cm. A 3-dimensional laparoscopy was performed. Sigmoid colon and rectal mobilization were performed according to our standardized technique [5-7]. A 31-mm circular stapler was used to excise first the nodule of the sigmoid colon. The stapler, in its closed position, was gently introduced into the rectum via the anus and then progressively advanced inside the large bowel up to the level of the sigmoid nodule. After correct positioning, the stapler was completely opened and the nodule was imbricate between the anvil and staple housing of the stapler. Then, the stapler was closed and fired. The procedure was repeated using a second 31 mm circular stapler to resect the rectal endometriotic nodule. The overall operative time was 90 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 5 mL. Neither intra- nor postoperative complications occurred. The patient was discharged 3 days after surgery. The sigmoid colon and rectal endometriotic nodules measured, respectively, 20 × 6 × 15 mm and 20 × 5 × 12 mm on fresh unfixed specimens. Both nodules were found to have endometriosis-free surgical margins on definitive pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The operative technique displayed in this video may contribute to the standardization of a procedure, which could be included among the options available in the surgical armamentarium, to be used in selected cases of multiple colorectal DENs each having 3 cm or less in diameter. Surgeon experience and an adequate preoperative evaluation are of utmost importance to plan the operative strategy and have the best chance of surgical success.

Ultrasound Evaluation of Retrocervical and Parametrial Deep Endometriosis on the Basis of Surgical Anatomic Landmarks.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of combined transvaginal/transabdominal ultrasonographic evaluation performed by experienced examiners for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) lesions of the retrocervical (torus uterinus and uterosacral ligaments) and parametrial areas and summarize the features and anatomic criteria for identification of these lesions and their extent in the above-mentioned pelvic compartments. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A specialized endometriosis center in Avellino, Italy. PATIENTS: A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for clinically suspected DIE between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, with a dedicated ultrasound (US) evaluation performed no more than 1 month before the intervention. INTERVENTIONS: Preoperative US findings and surgical reports were reviewed. Using the findings of laparoscopic surgery as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative US evaluation for retrocervical and parametrial endometriotic lesions were calculated with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 4983 patients were included. US evaluation showed high diagnostic accuracy for DIE detection in the examined pelvic compartments, with sensitivity and specificity of 97% to 98% and 98% to 100%, respectively, for both retrocervical (torus uterinus and uterosacral ligaments insertion) and parametrial lesions. CONCLUSION: Parametrial extension of DIE indicates major surgical technical difficulties and risk of complications, and urologic and nerve-sparing procedures may be required in such cases. Preoperative evaluation of such scenarios will allow proper counseling of patients and facilitate adequate surgical planning in referral centers; moreover, when necessary, it can guide the constitution of a dedicated multidisciplinary surgical team as an alternative to treatment by a pelvic surgeon alone. Detailed imaging evaluation of DIE lesions and their extension is crucial for clinical management of affected patients. It can facilitate optimization of surgical timing and strategies, thereby potentially preventing ineffective, or even harmful, repeated procedures.

Totally Laparoscopic Resection with Transanal Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction for Deep Endometriosis Infiltrating the Rectum.

OBJECTIVE: To show the surgical steps used to perform a totally laparoscopic segmental rectal resection, with intracorporeal anastomosis and transanal natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE), in a context of deep endometriosis. DESIGN: Step-by-step video demonstration of the technique. SETTING: Even though the combined use of intracorporeal anastomosis and NOSE has increasingly been investigated during the last decade, there is still lack of defined consensus, both in terms of patient eligibility and operative technique. In particular, experience with intracorporeal anastomosis and NOSE for treatment of deep rectal endometriosis is very limited. Preliminary reports have documented that a totally laparoscopic rectal resection is equally effective and safe compared with the conventional approach using an abdominal minilaparotomy for extracorporeal anastomosis and specimen retrieval. In comparison to the latter, intracorporeal anastomosis with NOSE seems to offer advantages in terms of less postoperative pain, fewer wound-related complications, better cosmetic results, quicker return of bowel function and shorter hospital stay. PATIENT: A 31-year-old woman with a history of constipation, dyschezia, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain unresponsive to hormonal therapies. Preoperative ultrasonography showed partial obliteration of the Douglas' pouch due to a rectal endometriotic nodule of 42 × 12 × 18 mm in contiguity with a deeply infiltrating retrocervical lesion of 13 × 3 × 17 mm. The rectal nodule resulted in the infiltration of the tunica muscularis with a distance of 12 cm from the anal verge and a circumferential extent of 45%. INTERVENTIONS: A 3-dimensional laparoscopic system was used. Rectal mobilization was performed according to our standardized technique [1]. After determining the proximal and distal resection margins, the rectum was transected using a tissue sealing-device. The resected specimen was placed in a retrieval bag and pulled out through the anus. Proximal and distal resection lines were closed using a 60 mm linear endo-stapler, and a totally intracorporeal, side-to-end anastomosis was performed using a 29 mm circular stapler. MAIN RESULTS: The overall operative time was 85 minutes. The estimated blood loss was 10 mL. Neither intra- nor postoperative complications occurred. The patient was discharged 5 days after surgery. The bowel endometriotic nodule measured 41 × 12 × 18 mm on the fresh unfixed specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced surgical skills are needed to perform an effective and safe, totally laparoscopic rectal resection. The operative technique displayed in this video may contribute to the standardization of such surgical procedure. Accurate patient selection, including adequate preoperative evaluation, is of utmost importance for the best chance of surgical success.

Preoperative Ultrasound Indications Determine Excision Technique for Bowel Surgery for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Single, High-Volume Center.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify bowel nodule features of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) measured through preoperative ultrasound scanning that influence laparoscopic surgical strategy. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Malzoni Clinic-Endoscopica Malzoni Department, Center for Advanced Endoscopic Gynecological Surgery, Avellino, Italy. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, for clinically suspected DIE with previous ultrasound evaluation ≤1 month before intervention. INTERVENTION: Use of sonographic measurements to determine laparoscopic excision technique (segmental bowel resection, discoid resection, shaving) for DIE with bowel involvement.``` MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of 5051 DIE surgeries, 4983 were included; 1494 (29.9%) bowel resections (512 bowel segmental resections and 982 nodulectomies [967 shaving and 15 discoid resections]) were performed, accounting for 34.3% and 65.7% of all bowel procedures, respectively. Preoperative sonographic findings and surgical reports were collected. Sensitivity and specificity of preoperative ultrasound evaluation for all types of DIE lesions were calculated, and sonographic measurements of bowel nodules and different surgical techniques were compared. According to preoperative sonographic measurements, most nodules excised by segmental resection had a longitudinal diameter of 3 to 7 cm, none were <3 cm; all nodules excised by nodulectomy (shaving or discoid resection) had a longitudinal diameter <3 cm. Mean thickness (maximum depth of muscular layer infiltration) of identified bowel nodules estimated through ultrasound scanning was 13.4 mm ± 4.8 mm (mean ± standard deviation) and 5.8 mm ± 2.7 mm for lesions removed by segmental resection and nodulectomy, respectively, and there was a statistically significant difference between them (p <.05). Of the 512 segmental resected bowel nodules, 143 (28%) had a maximum depth ≥9 mm, 354 (69%) had 7 to 9 mm, and 15 (3%) had <7 mm (6 mm, with length >4 cm). All shaved nodules had thickness ≤7 mm. The 15 nodules excised by discoid resection (1.5% of nodulectomies) were <25 mm, but thickness ranged from 7 to 9 mm. CONCLUSION: The need for segmental resection in DIE with bowel-infiltrating nodules depends on the degree of muscular layer infiltration and corresponding thickness (muscularis rule) in addition to nodule length and can be accurately identified by preoperative ultrasound evaluation.

Surgical Principles of Segmental Rectosigmoid Resection and Reanastomosis for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the surgical steps involved in segmental rectosigmoid resection and reanastomosis in a deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) setting. DESIGN: Step-by-step video demonstration of the technique. SETTING: Despite efforts made to identify criteria able to reliably predict which patients would be more likely to benefit from segmental bowel resection, such predictability remains an area of controversy and ambiguity. Furthermore, a standardized surgical technique has not yet been defined. Based on our experience, patients with DIE and colorectal involvement should be considered for segmental resection followed by anastomosis if they present with lesions not suitable for shaving/nodulectomy (i.e., large, deeply infiltrating nodules with extensive circumferential involvement). In our practice, careful patient selection together with the adoption of a standardized surgical technique allowed us to minimize the potential complications associated with segmental bowel resection. INTERVENTION: The patient was a 27-year-old woman diagnosed by ultrasonography with a bowel endometriotic nodule of 33 × 8 × 14 mm infiltrating the inner layer of the muscularis propria at the rectosigmoid junction, with a distance from the anal verge of approximately 12 cm and an estimated stenosis of 50%. A 3-dimensional laparoscopic segmental rectosigmoid resection was performed, and indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescent angiography was used to assess perfusion of the bowel before completion of the anastomosis. The total operative time was 135 minutes, and no intraoperative complications occurred. Complete excision of endometriosis was achieved. The estimated blood loss was 30 mL. An intra-abdominal drain was not placed, and the urinary catheter was removed at the end of surgery. The patient was discharged at 6 days after surgery and did not experience any postoperative complications. The bowel endometriotic nodule measured 34 × 8 × 13 mm in a fresh specimen. CONCLUSION: Advanced laparoscopic surgical skills are needed to properly perform segmental rectosigmoid resection. Subspecialization and adequate pretreatment evaluation are crucial to ensure the correct decision making process within a complex algorithm for surgical management of bowel endometriosis.

Combined Transvaginal/Transabdominal Pelvic Ultrasonography Accurately Predicts the 3 Dimensions of Deep Infiltrating Bowel Endometriosis Measured after Surgery: A Prospective Study in a Specialized Center.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and accuracy of combined transvaginal/ transabdominal ultrasonography (TV/TA US) for evaluation of deep infiltrating bowel endometriosis nodules measured after surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II.1). SETTING: A center for advanced endoscopic gynecologic surgery. PATIENTS: All women undergoing laparoscopic surgery and scheduled for segmental resection for clinically suspected bowel endometriosis between January 2014 and December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: In all women with clinically suspected bowel endometriosis, a US scan was performed before surgery to detect and measure the 3 diameters of bowel endometriotic lesions: longitudinal, anteroposterior, and transverse. These diameters were compared with those obtained by direct measurement on a fresh specimen. The sensitivity and specificity values of US evaluation were calculated, with 95% confidence intervals. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of TV/TA US in the 328 patients of this study were 100% when rectal endometriotic lesions were investigated. The specificity was 100%, whereas the sensitivity decreased to 91.4% when sigmoid lesions were investigated. Bowel muscularis infiltration was histologically confirmed in all cases in which endometriotic lesions were detected by US (284 of 284; 100%). All missed sigmoid lesions (12 of 296) were located >25 cm from the anal verge. The mean diameters of endometriotic nodules calculated by US evaluation and by direct measurement on the fresh specimen were 43.19 × 19.87 × 10.79 mm and 42.76 × 19.64 × 10.62 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the 2 methods. CONCLUSION: We believe that US can be considered an accurate diagnostic technique for the evaluation of deep infiltrating bowel endometriosis when performed by a dedicated experienced sonographer in a specialized center.

Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic-Assisted Bowel Segmental Resection for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study With Description of Technique.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic segmental bowel resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: Endoscopica Malzoni-Center for Advanced Endoscopic Gynecological Surgery, Avellino, Italy. PATIENTS: A retrospective cohort of 248 patients who underwent laparoscopic segmental bowel resection between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic segmental bowel resection for DIE. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bowel endometriosis was histologically confirmed in all 248 of the 248 patients (100%). The mean length of the resected specimens was 11.83 ± 4.56 cm. In all cases, margins were free of disease. The muscular layer was infiltrated up to the submucosal layer in all 248 patients (100%), whereas the mucosal layer showed signs of infiltration in only 4 patients (1.6%). Two nodules were found in 36 patients (14.5%), and 3 nodules were found in only 8 patients (3.2%). None of the resected bowel segments had nodules shorter than 3 cm, and the majority of lesions had a longitudinal diameter of 3 to 7 cm. In the majority of cases, resected segments involved the mid to low rectum (distance from the lower margin of resected segment from the anal verge of 4 to 12 cm), whereas in 6% of cases, ultra-low resections (≤4 cm) were performed. No intraoperative complications occurred, and conversion to laparotomy was not required for any patient. Major perioperative and early and late postoperative complications occurred in 20 patients (8.06%). Significantly reduced pain associated with disease was observed up to the 1-year follow-up irrespective of postoperative hormonal treatment. Pelvic relapse was found in up to 50% of patients, especially in patients without hormonal suppression, but only in the form of endometriomas or adherences, with no recurrent deep lesions observed. CONCLUSION: This large single-center series demonstrates that laparoscopic bowel resection for DIE is a feasible technique, with low complication rates. In symptomatic patients, treating deep fibrotic endometriosis nodules by laparoscopic segmental resection is very effective in reducing pain and restoring bowel function. This surgical approach is safe but complex, requiring specific skills in laparoscopic urologic and colorectal procedures, and should be performed only in specialized high-volume centers by high-volume surgeons.

Laparoscopy versus minilaparotomy in women with symptomatic uterine myomas: short-term and fertility results.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare the feasibility, safety, morbidity, and pregnancy outcome of laparoscopy (LPS) and minilaparotomy (LPT) in the treatment of symptomatic uterine myomas. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized study. SETTING: Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy Center, Malzoni Medical Center, Avellino, Italy. PATIENT(S): 680 nonconsecutive patients with symptomatic uterine myomas. INTERVENTION(S): 350 women underwent LPS, and 330 underwent LPT myomectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, pregnancy rate, and spontaneous abortion rate. RESULT(S): The mean operative time was 63 +/- 21 minutes (95% CI, 48-143) in the LPS group and 57 +/- 23 minutes (95% CI, 38-121) in the LPT group. The mean length of hospital stay was statistically significantly greater in the LPT group (3.1 +/- 0.5; 95% CI, 1-5) than the LPS group (2.1 +/- 0.8; 95% CI, 1-4). The overall spontaneous pregnancy rate after myomectomy was 53%; the pregnancy rate after LPS myomectomy (56%) was not statistically significantly higher than the rate for LPT (50%). CONCLUSION(S): Laparoscopy showed a lower morbidity than reported for the open approach and was characterized by less blood loss and a shorter postoperative hospitalization with an higher pregnancy rate. The operating time was not much longer in the laparoscopic group, and the intraoperative and postoperative complications appeared acceptable and not more than what is traditionally expected with the open approach.

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy in patients with early cervical cancer: our instruments and technique.

The purpose of this study is to describe the technique of total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type III procedure) with lymphadenectomy as performed at the Advanced Gynecological Endoscopy Center of the Malzoni Medical Center, Avellino, Italy. Seventy-seven patients underwent total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (type II, III) with lymphadenectomy between January 2000 and March 2008. FIGO stage included five patients Ia1 with LVSI (lymph-vascular involvement), 24 patients Ia2, and 48 patients Ib1. 60 patients underwent a class III procedure and 17 patients a class II procedure according to the Piver classification. Histological types included squamous cell carcinoma in 65 patients, adenocarcinomas in 10 patients, and adenosquamous carcinoma in two. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed up to the level of the inferior mesenteric artery in eight cases with positive pelvic lymph nodes at frozen section evaluation. Total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy can be considered a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for the management of early stage cervical cancer with a low morbidity; moreover, the laparoscopic route may offer an alternative option for patients undergoing radical hysterectomy, although multicenter studies and long-term follow-up are required to evaluate the oncologic outcomes of this procedure.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy versus abdominal hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy for early-stage endometrial cancer: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare, in a series of 159 women the feasibility, safety and morbidity of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (LPS) and abdominal hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy (LPT) for early-stage endometrial cancer and to assess disease-free survival and recurrence rate. METHODS: 159 patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial and treated with LPS or LPT approach. The para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed in all cases with positive pelvic lymph nodes discovered at frozen section evaluation, in patients with poorly differentiated tumors with myometrial invasion greater than 50% (ICG3), and non-endometrioid carcinomas. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 136 min+/-31 (95% CI 118-181) in the LPS group and 123 min+/-29 (95% CI 111-198) in the LPT group (P<0.01). The mean blood loss was 50 ml+/-12 in the LPS group (95% CI 20-90) and 145 ml+/-35 in the LPT group (95% CI 60-255) (P<0.01). The mean length of hospital stay was 5.1+/-1.2 in the LPT group (95% CI 1-7) and 2.1+/-0.5 in the LPS group (95% CI 1-5) (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a suitable procedure for the treatment of patients with early endometrial cancer and may offer the potential benefits of decreased discomfort with decreased convalescence time without compromising the degree of oncological radicality required; however, it does not seem to modify the disease-free survival and the overall survival, although multicenter randomized trials and long-term follow-up are required to evaluate the overall oncologic outcomes of this procedure.

Two techniques of laparoscopic retropubic urethropexy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare two techniques of transperitoneal laparoscopic urethropexy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, open trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: University-affiliated department of gynecology and obstetrics. PATIENTS: Sixty women with genuine stress incontinence. INTERVENTIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic retropubic urethropexy using nonabsorbable sutures (group A) and polypropylene mesh fixed with tacks or staples (group B). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Failure was assessed subjectively and objectively. Subjective evaluation was performed asking patients if they had urine loss and having them describe symptomatology on a visual analog scale before surgery and at each follow-up visit. Objective evaluation was by clinical examination and/or multichannel urodynamic studies. No significant differences in intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed between groups. The subjective failure rate was not significantly different between groups 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. At 3 and 6 months the objective failure rate was not significantly different; however, at 12 months it was significantly lower in group A than in group B. CONCLUSION: Transperitoneal laparoscopic retropubic urethropexy is more effective with sutures than with mesh.