Beyond the surface: Does stage I-II endometriosis impact fertility? Exploring the challenges of mild disease.

Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecologic conditions that women face throughout their lives. Despite advances in technology, diagnosis and treatment of this relapsing and remitting condition is still challenging for many women. This review focuses on literature pertaining to minimal/mild (stage I/II) endometriosis and its impact on fertility. The effectiveness of medical interventions to improve infertility and obstetric outcomes in both natural and assisted reproductive technologies cycles remains debated. The recent ESHRE guidelines suggests that operative laparoscopy could be considered for rASRM stage I/II endometriosis as it improves ongoing pregnancy rates.

The Impact of Conservative Surgical Treatment of Adenomyosis on Fertility and Perinatal Outcomes.

Adenomyosis is a benign condition commonly encountered in patients with infertility. While the definitive surgical management is hysterectomy, conservative surgical management is gaining attention in patients desiring future fertility. This review explores whether the surgical treatment of adenomyosis affects fertility outcomes for patients trying to conceive. The PubMed and Medline databases were searched using the keywords: "adenomyosis", "surgery", "radiofrequency", "infertility", "pregnancy", "sterility", "conception", "miscarriage", and "endometrial receptivity". Abstracts were screened, and relevant articles were selected for review. This review reveals that surgery appears to improve fertility outcomes with or without medical therapy; however, the risk of uterine rupture remains high and the best technique to reduce this risk is still not known. More studies are needed to formulate the best surgical approach for preserving fertility in treating adenomyosis and to establish standardized guidelines.

Hormonal Therapies before in vitro fertilization in women with endometriosis: The Minotaur's Labyrinth and the Ariadne's Thread.

Endometriosis-related infertility is one of the most debated topics in reproductive medicine. In recent years, prolonged pre-cycle hormonal regimens gained attention as a mean of improving the assisted reproduction technologies (ART) success rates in endometriosis patients. GnRH agonists, dienogest, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and aromatase inhibitors are the most studied medications. Conflicting results and a high risk of bias exist in almost all of the conducted studies in the field. However, current evidence suggests that pre-cycle treatment with GnRH agonists may be beneficial for patients with stage III/IV endometriosis. Dienogest and medroxyprogesterone acetate-based progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol was shown to be comparable to the prolonged GnRH agonists protocol. Finally, aromatase inhibitors seem to be of limited benefit to the assisted reproductive outcomes of endometriosis patients. Although it is challenging to draw any clinical conclusions, pre-cycle hormonal treatments seem to be best indicated in endometriosis patients who had previously failed ART treatment.

Robotic surgery for deep-infiltrating endometriosis: is it time to take a step forward?

Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating disease that affects nearly 10% of women of the reproductive age. Although the treatment modalities of endometriosis are numerous, surgical excision of the endometriotic implants and nodules remains the sole cytoreductive approach. Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis was proven to be beneficial in improving the postoperative pain and fertility. Moreover, it was also proved to be safe and efficient in treating the visceral localization of deep endometriosis, such as urinary and colorectal endometriosis. More recently, robotic-assisted surgery gained attention in the field of endometriosis surgery. Although the robotic technology provides a 3D vision of the surgical field and 7-degree of freedom motion, the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of this approach are yet to be determined. With this paper, we aim to review the available evidence regarding the role of robotic surgery in the management of endometriosis along with the current practices in the field.

The Feasibility of Practical Training in Minimally Invasive Surgery at Medical School-A Prospective Study on the Pelvitrainer.

Background and Objectives: The acquisition of practical skills at medical school is an important part of the multidimensional education program of future physicians. However, medical schools throughout the world have been slow in incorporating practical skills in their curriculum. Therefore, the aims of the present prospective study were (a) to demonstrate the feasibility of such surgical training, (b) to objectify its benefit in medical education, and (c) to investigate the impact of such training on subsequent career choices. Material and Methods: We introduced a two-day laparoscopy course on the pelvitrainer as part of the curriculum of the gynecological internship of fifth year medical students from 2019 to 2020. The results of the students' training were matched to those of surgeons who completed the same curriculum in a professional postgraduate laparoscopy course from 2017 to 2020 in a comparative study design. Additionally, we performed a questionnaire-based evaluation of the impact of the course on medical education and subsequent career choices directly before and after completing the course. Results: A total of 261 medical students and 206 physicians completed the training program. At baseline, the students performed significantly more poorly than physicians in a median of three of four exercises (p < 0.001). However, this evened out in the final runs, during which students performed more poorly than physicians only in one exercise and even better than physicians in one. The general integration of surgical training in medical school curricula was rated very low (12.4% on the VAS, IQR 3-16%) despite the high demand for such training. In the survey, the course was deemed very beneficial for medical education (median VAS 80.7%, IQR 73-98%), but did not appear to influence the students' subsequent career preferences. Conclusions: The acquisition of practical surgical skills during medical school is significantly under-represented in many medical faculties. The benefits of such training, as demonstrated in our study, would improve the education of future physicians.

The Present and the Future of Medical Therapies for Adenomyosis: A Narrative Review.

Uterine Adenomyosis is a benign condition characterized by the presence of endometrium-like epithelial and stromal tissue in the myometrium. Several medical treatments have been proposed, but still, no guidelines directing the management of adenomyosis are available. While a hysterectomy is typically regarded as the definitive treatment for adenomyosis, the scarcity of high-quality data leaves patients desiring fertility with limited conservative options. Based on the available data, the levonorgestrel-IUD appears to offer the most favorable outcomes. Other treatments, including GnRH antagonists, dienogest, prolactin, and oxytocin modulators, show promise; however, further data are required to establish their efficacy definitively. Furthermore, there are many emerging therapies that have been developed that seem worthy of consideration in the near future. The aim of this narrative review was to explore the current medical treatments available for adenomyosis and to provide a glimpse of future therapies under assessment. For this scope, we performed a literature search on PubMed and Medline from incept to September 2022 using the keywords: "medical treatment", "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory", "progesterone intrauterine device", "dienogest", "combined oral contraceptives", "gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist", "gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist", "danazol", "aromatase inhibitors", "ulipristal acetate", "anti-platelet therapy", "dopamine", "oxytocin antagonists", "STAT3", "KRAS", "MAPK", "micro-RNA", "mifepristone", "valproic acid", "levo-tetrahydropalamatine", and "andrographolide". The search was limited to articles in English, with subsequent screening of abstracts. Abstracts were screened to select relevant studies.

Strategies and factors to maximize cost-effectiveness of robotic surgery in benign gynecological disease.

Operating room procedures account for half of the gross hospital cost in the United States per annum. Hysterectomy is the eighth most common surgery nationally, with more than 300,000 cases every year. Since the introduction of robotic surgery in benign gynecology, concern has been raised regarding the increased cost without significant improvements in outcomes or practice. Surgeon volume, complication rates, length of hospital stay, and selected intraoperative instrumentation are all factors that have a direct effect on cost in robotic surgery. Cost is indirectly influenced by the OR team workflow, postoperative processes to expedite discharge, and converting surgery to the ambulatory setting. More research is needed to develop evidence-based practices for cost containment in robotic surgery.

Adenomyosis: An Updated Review on Diagnosis and Classification.

Adenomyosis is a commonly diagnosed benign condition characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial glands within the underlying myometrium. The most common presenting signs and symptoms are abnormal uterine bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The clinical relevance of this condition is evident in both medical and surgical care. Histopathology and imaging studies are used for the diagnosis and classification of adenomyosis, which are hallmarks of the advancement of our ability to diagnose adenomyosis. Importantly, the diagnosis and classification of adenomyosis lacks standardization due to the nature of imaging techniques, features of adenomyosis, and the clinical spectrum of adenomyosis. We reviewed the literature to summarize the available classification systems for adenomyosis and highlight the different imaging approaches and histologic criteria used in diagnosis. Despite the high prevalence of the disease, there is no clear consensus on one classification system. We provide a review of some of the classification systems available and discuss their strengths and limitations.

Three-dimensional imaging reconstruction and laparoscopic robotic surgery: a winning combination for a complex case of multiple myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the intraoperative use of three-dimensional (3D) imaging reconstruction for a complex case of multiple myomectomy assigned to robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Stepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: University tertiary care hospital. PATIENT(S): A 36-year-old nulliparous infertile woman with multiple uterine myomas (>20) presented with menorrhagia and pelvic discomfort for many months. Because of the huge number of fibroids present, the patient was considered eligible for laparoscopic robotic-assisted myomectomy. INTERVENTION(S): A robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy was performed with the use of intraoperative 3D imaging reconstruction. After opening the retroperitoneum through the adnexal triangle and identifying the ureters, to reduce intraoperative bleeding, bulldog clamps were used to temporarily reduce uterine vascularization. A multiple myomectomy was then performed with the use of tenaculum and Maryland bipolar forceps. During the intervention, the surgeon used the 3D uterine reconstruction to adapt its surgical strategy. Multilayer running closure was achieved using a bidirectional barbed suture ensuring introflexion of the serosa. Patients' consent was obtained for publication of the case; institutional review board approval was not required for this case report as per our institution's policy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Description of a robotic-assisted myomectomy with the intraoperative use of 3D imaging reconstruction. RESULT(S): The total operative time was 105 minutes. A total of 21 fibroids were removed with 150 mL of intraoperative blood loss. The patient was discharged the day after. CONCLUSION(S): The application of 3D imaging technology could overcome one of the limitations of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, the lack of haptic feedback, enabling the surgeon to rapidly locate myomas and guide the intraoperative plan to optimize the results. Additional studies evaluating the clinical impact of this technique and its improvement are required.

Diaphragmatic endometriosis: robotic approaches and techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To present different approaches used in the surgical management of diaphragmatic endometriosis using the Davinci Robotic system. DESIGN: A video article presenting patient positioning, port placement, and surgical techniques used in robotic excision of diaphragmatic endometriosis with concomitant pelvic disease. SETTING: Endometriosis center. PATIENT(S): Patients undergoing excision of diaphragmatic endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Systematic robotic approach to excise diaphragmatic lesions depending on the depth of invasion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES(S): The advantages and disadvantages of the lithotomy and the lateral decubitus approach were reviewed. Ports placements are illustrated according to the chosen approach. Diaphragmatic peritoneal stripping, diaphragmatic shaving, and diaphragmatic excision are different techniques used according to the depth of invasion. RESULTS(S): N/A. CONCLUSION(S): The choice of approach between the lithotomy position and the left lateral decubitus position depend on the extent of the diaphragmatic disease and the presence of concomitant pelvic lesions. Despite the lack of high-quality evidence, the advantages of the robotic system may improve the outcomes in such difficult cases in comparison with conventional laparoscopy.

Impact of lifestyle and diet on endometriosis: a fresh look to a busy corner.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder with a prevalence of six to ten percent in women of childbearing age. As long as the aetiology of endometriosis is not fully understood and the disease has no definitive treatment, an examination of the environmental factors or interventions that could modify or cure endometriosis would greatly benefit women suffering from this chronic condition. This literature review utilized the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE until February 2021. Studies indicate that fish oil may have a positive effect on reducing endometriosis-related pain due to the effects of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins derived from omega-3 fatty acids. The same effect was seen with the introduction of antioxidant vitamins C, D, and E. There is clinical viability of a low fermentable oligo-, di-, and mono-saccharides and polyols diet to successfully reduce the symptoms of patients who suffer from both endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. Despite the low level of evidence, there are frequent associations between endometriosis and gastrointestinal conditions in addition to the influence of various nutritional factors on the disease. The management of endometriosis requires a holistic approach focused on reducing overall inflammation, increasing detoxification, and attenuating troublesome symptoms. A dietician may provide great benefit in the management of these patients, especially at younger ages and in early stages. High-level evidence and well-designed randomized studies are lacking when it comes to studying the effect of lifestyle and dietary intake on endometriosis. Inarguably, further research with a more extensive focus is needed.

Improvement of Post-Operative Quality of Life in Patients 2 Years after Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pain and Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis.

This study addressed the improvement in the quality of life of patients 2 years after minimally invasive surgery for painful deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), evaluated with EHP-5 (Endometriosis Health Profile-5) scores and the intensity of dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. This was a retrospective study, performed in a referral centre for endometriosis, between January 2010 and January 2019. EHP-5 scores were complete for 54 patients, and two subgroups were analysed: classic laparoscopy (CL) vs. robotic laparoscopy (RL), and conservative surgery (ConservS) vs. total surgery (TS). There was an important decrease in 2-year post-operative EHP-5 scores in the global population (pre-op: 61.36 (42.18−68.75) and 2-year post-op: 20.45 (0−38.06); p < 0.001). The Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) was also lower for dysmenorrhea (pre-op: 8 (7−9.75) vs. 2-year post-op: 3 (2−5.25); p < 0.001) and dyspareunia (pre-op: 6 (3.1−8.9) vs. 2-year post-op: 3 (0−6); p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, EHP-5 scores were improved in the RL group (pre-op: 65.9 (59.09−71.02) vs. 2-year post-op: 11.4 (0−38.06); p < 0.001) and the CL group (pre-op: 50 (34.65−68.18) vs. 2-year post-op: 27.27 (14.20−40.90); p < 0.001), with a slight advantage for RL (p = 0.04), and the same improvements were found for ConservS (pre-op: 61.4 (38.06−71.59) vs. 2-year post-op: 22.7 (11.93−38.07); p < 0.001) and TS groups (pre-op: 61.59 (51.70−68.75) vs. 2-year post-op: 13.63 (0−44.30); p < 0.001). Minimally invasive surgery improved the quality of life for DIE patients 2 years after surgery, and conservative surgery showed comparable results to total surgery.

A stepwise approach to robotic diffuse adenomyosis resection with double flap and concomitant abdominal cerclage.

OBJECTIVE: To propose a stepwise approach to robotic diffuse adenomyosis resection with double flap and concomitant abdominal cerclage. DESIGN: A narrated video footage of the surgical approach of a clinical case with extensive adenomyosis and recurrent abortions. Institutional review board approval was obtained (No 3.725.458). SETTING: A university center. PATIENT(S): We present a case of a 37-year-old patient, gravida 4 para 0 with a history of 3 first trimester miscarriages after spontaneous pregnancies, and a 20-week spontaneous abortion after an in vitro fertilization pregnancy. She underwent 2 laparoscopic excisions of deeply infiltrative endometriosis and was treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone for 6 months and dienogest for a year with no improvement of her adenomyosis. Currently, she experiences moderate dysmenorrhea and desires future fertility. INTERVENTION(S): For 3 months, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues were used before performing the robotic surgery for adenomyosis resection and abdominal cerclage. (Step 1) Control the blood supply with a tourniquet placed lateral to the uterine arteries at the level of the internal cervical os, and a diluted solution of vasopressin 20% is administered at the area to be excised. (Step 2) Uterine incision: we use a vertical uterine incision with monopolar scissors, extended anteriorly and posteriorly. (Step 3) Resection of adenomyosis: carried with monopolar scissors using pure cut current. It is recommended that 0.5-1 cm of the myometrium is maintained around the uterine cavity as well as the serosa. (Step 4) Flap 1: interrupted sutures with vicryl 2.0 are used to approximate the inner myometrium close to the endometrial cavity, and a 2.0 barbed suture is used to approximate the inner myometrium of the contralateral side of the incision to the ipsilateral outer myometrium. (Step 5) Flap 2: another 2.0 barbed suture is used to approximate the outer myometrium of the contralateral side to the base of the repaired inner myometrial layer. (Step 6) Serosal closure: the serosa is approximated with a barbed suture in a baseball fashion before the tourniquet is released and hemostasis is ensured. (Step 7) Abdominal cerclage: a mersilene tape is placed medial to the uterine arteries at the level of the internal cervical os and a tape is tied anteriorly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Description of a stepwise approach to robotic diffuse adenomyosis resection with double flap and concomitant abdominal cerclage. RESULT(S): The operating time was 255 min with minimal estimated blood loss (250ml). She was discharged with no complaints. Three months postoperatively, dysmenorrhea significantly improved, and the magnetic resonance imaging showed a good anatomic result. An embryo transfer is planned at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION(S): A minimally invasive approach to fertility-sparing management of diffuse adenomyosis is safe and feasible with good anatomical results. However, it should be noted that after the removal of uterine adenomyosis, the patient should be advised on the high risk of uterine rupture during pregnancy. Robotic cerclage may also be performed concomitantly in cases of 2nd-trimester recurrent abortions.

Association of preoperative Enzian score with postoperative fertility in patients with deep pelvic endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with a negative impact on fertility. The Enzian classification provides a precise description of deep pelvic endometriotic lesions, especially in the retroperitoneal area, from preoperative pelvic MRI scans. However, it is not known if it is correlated with postoperative fertility. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is an association between the preoperative Enzian score and postoperative fertility after deep pelvic endometriosis surgery. DESIGN: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study using information from the ENDOREN database. SETTING: This was a retrospective study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rennes University Hospital (France) from January 2013 to May 2019 PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: We used information from the ENDOREN database that included all women who underwent surgery for deep endometriosis and wish to conceive. This surgery was intended in a view to achieve a complete removal of endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS: The Enzian score was calculated from preoperative MRI scans, and total, spontaneous, and after In Vitro fertilization (IVF) live births and pregnancies outcomes were collected from the patients'computerized medical records. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were included. The live-birth rate was 35% (24/68). According to the Enzian classification, 25 patients (35%) were classified in compartment A, 64 patients (94%) in compartment B, and 27 (40%) in compartment C. In multivariate analysis, positive predictor of live birth was single Enzian B score (OR=4.7[1.21; 18.81], p = 0.03), negative predictors were uterine adenomyosis and a history of endometriosis surgery. In multivariate analysis, positive predictor of spontaneous live birth was EFI score ≥7 (OR =22.434; CI [1.138; 442.190]). In multivariate analysis, positive predictor was Enzian A score (OR=15.9[2.2; 114.7], p = 0.006), and negative predictors was uterine adenomyosis and Enzian B score (OR=0.01[0; 0.495], p = 0.02) for live birth after IVF. CONCLUSION: The present retrospective study cannot strongly conclude about fertility and correlation with Enzian score because the groups are too small. However, it seems that when solely the compartment B is involved by endometriosis, complete full removal of endometriosis leads to better post-operative live births results. Other studies must be done to determine if Enzian classification based on preoperative pelvic MRI could be clinical value in the decision-making strategy for managing infertile patients with deep pelvic endometriosis.

Relationships between pelvic nerves and levator ani muscle for posterior sacrocolpopexy: an anatomic study.

BACKGROUND: The placement of posterior mesh during pelvic organ prolapse laparoscopic surgery has been incriminated as responsible for postoperative adverse outcomes such as digestive symptoms, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. These complications may be related to neural injuries that occur during the fixation of the posterior mesh on the levator ani muscle. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to describe the course of the autonomic nerves of the pararectal space and their anatomical relationship with the posterior mesh fixation zone on the levator ani muscle. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty hemi-pelvis specimens from 10 fresh female cadavers were dissected. We measured the distance between the posterior mesh fixation zone on the levator ani, and the nearest point of adjacent structures: the hypogastric nerve, inferior hypogastric plexus, uterosacral ligament, uterine artery, and ureter. Measurements were repeated starting from the inferior hypogastric plexus. RESULTS: Nerve fibers of the inferior hypogastric plexus spread out systematically above the superior aspect of the levator ani muscle. Median distance from the posterior mesh fixation zone and the inferior hypogastric plexus was around 2.8 (range 2.1-3.5) cm. CONCLUSIONS: The inferior hypogastric plexus lies above the superior aspect of the levator ani muscle. A short distance between the posterior mesh fixation zone on the levator ani muscle and inferior hypogastric plexus could explain in part postoperative digestive symptoms. These observations support the development of nerve-sparing procedures for posterior mesh placement in the context of pelvic organ prolapse repair and suggest that postoperative complications could be improved by changing the fixation zone.

Robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse: Insights for a challenging surgical setting.

BACKGROUND: No consensus exists regarding the management of recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The aim of this study was to evaluate robot-assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and to investigate postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study including 10 consecutive patients who underwent a robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy for symptomatic POP recurrence from February 2017 to December 2019. Recurrence rates and patient satisfaction, measured by the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7) were recorded. RESULTS: Median age was 57 years (IQR: 54-67). No intraoperative complications were reported. The median hospital stay after surgery was 2 nights (IQR: 1-4). Two patients (20%) experienced early recurrence: at 1 month for one and at 4.5 months for the other. The median follow-up for the remaining eight patients was 18 months (IQR: 12-23). Among the recurrence-free patients, the median PFIQ-7 score was 11.4 at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy is feasible and safe for the management of POP recurrence, with a high patient satisfaction.

Robot-Assisted Surgery for Endometriosis Current and Future Perspectives.

Successful resection of all visible lesions may effectively treat endometriosis-related infertility and pelvic pain. Minimally invasive surgery provides significant advantages, with lower rates of surgical complications such as surgical trauma, infection, postoperative pain, and hospital stay. Robotic surgery is shown to have similar perioperative outcomes to conventional laparoscopy; however, complex stage III and IV endometriosis, especially cases requiring significant resection such as deep infiltrating endometriosis, widespread peritoneal implants, and urologic and intestinal involvement, may benefit most from a robotic approach. There are certain aspects of endometriosis surgery where utilization of robotic technology might provide an additional benefit. These include (1) heterogeneity of lesions, and thus difficulty in identification; (2) difficulty in accurately predicting surgical complexity; and (3) prolonged operative time for complex cases. The objective of this review is to describe the current and future perspectives of robotic surgery as it pertains to endometriosis.

Adenomyosis and infertility.

PURPOSE: Adenomyosis is a poorly understood entity with no unified treatment protocol. It has been thought to only affect the quality of life of older women, but growing evidence is highlighting the increased frequency of adenomyosis in younger patients and its possible effects on fertility outcomes. This can have a great impact on how clinicians screen, diagnose, and treat this condition. The aim of this review is to explore the relationship between adenomyosis and infertility. METHODS: A literature search of the keywords "adenomyosis", "infertility", "pregnancy" and "fertility" was conducted using the PubMed and Medline search engines. The articles selected were observational, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials. The search was limited to English, abstracts were screened, and articles were selected. RESULTS: The literature reports lower clinical pregnancy rates, lower live birth rates, higher miscarriage rates, and higher odds of adverse obstetric outcomes in patients with adenomyosis. Treatment seems to be associated with higher pregnancy rates and live births rates. CONCLUSION: An association between adenomyosis and infertility seems to exist, and treatment could lead to improved fertility outcomes.