En Bloc Resection of Sentinel Lymph Nodes with the Hysterectomy Specimen in Endometrial Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We demonstrate the surgical technique of removing the sentinel lymph nodes with its afferent lymphatic vessels attached to the hysterectomy specimen. DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: Sentinel lymph node sampling has been established as an acceptable staging method in endometrial cancer cases.1 Lymphatic anatomy has been described according to three consistent channels for endometrial cancer dissemination: (1) an upper paracervical pathway draining external or obturator lymph nodes; (2) a lower pathway draining internal iliac lymph nodes; and (3) the infundibulo-pelvic pathway with a course along the broad ligament.2 A study in patients with cervical cancer identified tumor cells in the afferent lymphatic vessels of the upper pathway, even when the corresponding sentinel node was negative (3/20 patients).3 This could be an important prognostic factor in patients with cervical cancer. Since the typical position of sentinel nodes is the same in both endometrial and cervical cancers, we aimed to assess the feasibility of removing 'en bloc' the sentinel node with its afferent lymphatic vessels, and the uterus.4 INTERVENTIONS: The Da Vinci Xi surgical system was used. Indocyanine green was injected cervically, the pelvic surgical spaces were developed, and the sentinel lymph nodes, along with the afferent lymphatic vessels, were identified using the Firefly infrared camera. The lymphovascular tissue was mobilized and separated from the uterine artery, which was skeletonized and ligated. Colpotomy was performed and the specimen was retrieved vaginally. DISCUSSION: Emerging evidence regarding diagnosis, characterization, and treatment of endometrial cancer has introduced a new era, based on minimally invasive techniques for staging through sentinel lymph node biopsy, molecular classification, and personalized treatment algorithms that include immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies.5 Lymph node staging is one of the most significant prognostic factors in endometrial cancer patients and is a guide for adjuvant treatment. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is not inferior to conventional lymphadenectomy and is in fact a better way of identifying low-volume cancer through the use of ultrastaging, as part of the sentinel node algorithm.6 The dissection technique described in this video could offer an improvement in the staging of endometrial cancer, ensuring that the true sentinel lymph node is identified and that potential cancer cells inside the afferent lymphatic vessels are also excised. Therefore, it could be utilized as a more accurate way of planning adjuvant treatment and consequently improving recurrence and survival; however more studies are needed to further evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of identifying disease in the afferent lymphatic vessels. CONCLUSION: This novel surgical technique emphasizes the importance of anatomical knowledge and offers inspiration for studies with potential clinical benefit that should follow.

Robotic and laparoscopic gynaecological surgery: a prospective multicentre observational cohort study and economic evaluation in England.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) versus conventional 'straight stick' laparoscopic surgery (CLS) in women undergoing hysterectomy as part of their treatment for either suspected or proven gynaecological malignancy. DESIGN: Multicentre prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Patients aged 16+ undergoing hysterectomy as part of their treatment for gynaecological malignancy at 12 National Health Service (NHS) cancer units and centres in England between August 2017 and February 2020. PARTICIPANTS: 275 patients recruited with 159 RALS, 73 CLS eligible for analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life measure (EORTC). Secondary outcomes included EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) utility, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), NHS costs using pounds sterling (£) 2018-2019 prices and cost-effectiveness. The cost-effectiveness evaluation compared EQ-5D-5L quality adjusted life years and costs between RALS and CLS. RESULTS: No difference identified between RALS and CLS for EORTC, EQ-5D-5L utility and 6MWT. RALS had unadjusted mean cost difference of £556 (95% CI -£314 to £1315) versus CLS and mean quality adjusted life year (QALY) difference of 0.0024 (95% CI -0.00051 to 0.0057), non-parametric incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £231 667per QALY. For the adjusted cost-effectiveness analysis, RALS dominated CLS with a mean cost difference of -£188 (95% CI -£1321 to £827) and QALY difference of 0.0024 (95% CI -0.0008 to 0.0057). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that RALS versus CLS in women undergoing hysterectomy (after adjusting for differences in morbidity) is cost-effective with lower costs and QALYs. Results are highly sensitive to the usage of robotic hardware with higher usage increasing the probability of cost-effectiveness. Non-inferiority randomised controlled trial would be of benefit to decision-makers to provide further evidence on the cost-effectiveness of RALS versus CLS but may not be practical due to surgical preferences of surgeons and the extensive roll out of RALS.

Differences in Patterns of Recurrence Between Primary and Interval Debulking Surgery for Advanced Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to identify differences in the pattern and timing of recurrence in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing primary (PDS) or interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were prospectively collected on 105 patients from June 2016 to March 2020. RESULTS: There were 30 (50%) recurrences in the PDS group compared to 32 (72.7%) in the NACT group (p=0.020). An intra-abdominal relapse was more common in NACT compared to PDS patients (64.4% vs. 38.3%, p=0.008) and a recurrence in two or more sites (NACT: 44.4% vs. PDS: 23.3%, p=0.010). Among completely cytoreduced patients, a pelvic recurrence was more frequent in NACT patients (NACT: 50% vs. 22.4% in PDS, p=0.011). Progression-free survival (PFS) was longer in PDS compared to NACT (27 vs. 16 months, p=0.039). CONCLUSION: NACT patients experienced an unfavorable distribution and timing of recurrent disease compared to patient who underwent PDS.

Radical Surgical Procedures in Advanced Ovarian Cancer and Differences Between Primary and Interval Debulking Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to identify differences in cytoreduction rates and procedures performed in patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing primary (PDS) or interval debulking surgery (IDS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 110 consecutive patients from June 2016 to Mar 2020. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (44.5%) underwent diaphragmatic peritonectomy (34 in PDS and 15 in IDS, p=0.005), while 38 (34.5%) underwent large bowel resection (29 in PDS and 9 in IDS, p<0.001). Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 39 patients in PDS and 29 in IDS (65% vs. 58%, p=0.22). Longer operations with more blood loss and extended hospital stay were performed in the PDS group. Ten patients (9.1%) experienced severe complications and in eight patients (7.2%) chemotherapy was delayed. CONCLUSION: More bowel resections and diaphragmatic stripping were performed in the PDS group. End surgical results were similar between groups, with a trend for more complete cytoreduction in PDS.

Interval debulking surgery following neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IVB ovarian cancer using neutral argon plasma (PlasmaJet™).

OBJECTIVE: We present a novel surgical approach to ovarian cancer debulking using neutral argon plasma (PlasmaJet™). CASE HISTORY: A 48 year-old woman diagnosed with FIGO stage IVB grade 3 serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma received three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: Dissection and radical debulking surgery were performed using PlasmaJet™ as previously described [1,2]. This included diaphragmatic and abdominal peritoneal stripping, supra-colic omentectomy, tumour ablation on the small and large intestines and mesentery, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: The only post-operative complication was a superficial wound breakdown, which healed by secondary intention. She remains well two years after surgery, with no sign of recurrence. CONCLUSION: In this case, PlasmaJet™ facilitated diaphragmatic peritoneal stripping as well as dissection of tissue close to bowel and major vessels. Further study is required to assess whether this device can reduce the need for bowel resection while achieving complete cytoreduction.