Feasibility of laparoscopic/robot-assisted surgery for Borrmann type 4 gastric cancer: a comparison study with conventional open surgery

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer is regarded as a standard of care because of robust evidences obtained by several phase-III trials. Furthermore, the efficacy of laparoscopic radical surgery for advanced gastric cancer has been also reported. Meanwhile, the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for Bormann type 4 gastric cancer, special type with unfavorable prognosis, remains unclear since excluded from eligibility of these trials.

METHODS

This study included 100 patients with type 4 gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic/robot-assisted (minimally invasive surgery (MIS) group; n = 32) or open (Open group; n = 68) curative surgery between 2008 and 2021. After propensity score matching, 30 patients in each group were extracted for analysis. Clinical data, including surgical and midterm survival outcomes, were retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Incidences of postoperative complication (≥ Clavien-Dindo grade III) were recorded in 23.3% in the MIS group and 13.3% in the Open group, but no statistical significance was demonstrated (P = 0.50). The 3-year overall survival rate in the MIS group was better than that in the Open group (80.2% vs. 53.5%, log-rank, P = 0.03). The trend of recurrence site was similar. Multivariate analysis showed that adjuvant chemotherapy was an independent favorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.93) for overall survival. MIS was indicated as a favorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.39-1.07), but without statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

While multidisciplinary treatment is mainstay of treatment because of the poor prognosis of this disease, minimally invasive surgery may play an important role in treatment if appropriate patient selection is done. Further analyses with larger sample size are necessary to reach a final conclusion regarding oncological efficacy.

Comparison of survival outcome of open, total laparoscopic, and laparoscopy-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy for stage IB2 cervical cancer patients: A multicenter retrospective study

The aim of this study was to compare survival outcomes of 3 different radical hysterectomy (RH) types, namely total abdominal radical hysterectomy (TARH), total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH), and laparoscopy-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH), in patients with FIGO stage IB2 cervical cancer. We retrospectively identified a cohort of patients who underwent RH for cervical cancer between 2010 and 2017. Patients with stage IB2 cervical cancer were included and were classified into TARH, TLRH, and LARVH treatment groups. Survival outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to estimate the independent association of RH technique with outcome. 194 patients were included in this study: 79 patients in the TARH group, 55 in the TLRH group, and 60 in the LARVH group. No significant differences were found in clinicopathological characteristics between the 3 RH groups. On comparing survival outcomes with TARH, both TLRH and LARVH showed no significant difference in terms of 5-year overall survival (TARH vs TLRH, P = .121 and TARH vs LARVH, P = .436). Conversely, compared to the TARH group, 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly worse in the TLRH group (P = .034) but not in the LARVH group (P = .288). Multivariate analysis showed that TLRH surgical approach (hazard ratio, 3.232; 95% confidence interval, 1.238-8.438; P = .017) was an independent prognostic factor for PFS in patients with IB2 cervical cancer. Our study suggests that in patients with FIGO stage IB2 cervical cancer, among the minimally invasive RH approaches, TLRH and LARVH, only TLRH approach was associated with worse PFS when compared with the TARH approach.

Laparoscopic versus laparotomic surgical treatment in apparent stage I ovarian cancer: a multi-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic treatment shows non-inferior survival outcomes and better surgical outcomes in apparent stage I ovarian cancer (OC) in some studies but has not been well defined.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with apparent stage I OC treated in two hospitals between 2012 and 2022. The surgical and oncologic outcomes were evaluated between patients receiving laparoscopic and laparotomic surgery.

RESULTS

We identified 37 patients with apparent stage I OC, including 15 (40.5%) serous carcinomas, 9 (24.3%) mucinous cancers, 3 (8.1%) endometroid cancers, 2 clear cell carcinomas, and 8 (21.6%) non-epithelial cancers. Sixteen patients received laparoscopic surgery and the other 21 patients underwent laparotomic surgery. The median age (44.5 vs. 49.0 years), mean mass size (10.5 vs. 11.3 cm), and median follow-up time (43.5 vs. 75.0 months) showed no statistically significant differences between patients in laparoscopic and laparotomic groups (all P > 0.05). All the patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging surgery, and the mean surgical time (213.5 vs. 203.3 min, P = 0.507), number of lymph nodes sampling (18.6 vs. 17.5, P = 0.359), proportion of upstaging (12.5% vs. 19.0%, P = 0.680), and postoperative complications (no Accordion Severity Grading System grade ≥ 3) were comparable between two surgical groups. Moreover, patients in the laparoscopic group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss (231.3 vs. 352.4 mL, P = 0.018), shorter interval between surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (7.4 vs. 9.5 days, P = 0.004), shorter length of hospital stay (9.9 vs. 13.8 days, P < 0.001) than those treated with laparotomic surgery. During a median follow-up of 54.0 months, 9 (24.3%) relapsed and 1 (2.7%) died, with a 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rate of 70.6% and 100%, respectively. However, the 5-year RFS (93.3% vs. 58.8%, P = 0.084) and DSS (100% vs. 100%, P = 0.637) rates did not significantly differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgical treatment had less intraoperative blood loss, earlier postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy administration, shorter hospitalization time, and non-inferior survival outcomes in apparent stage I OC when compared with laparotomic surgery.

Comparison of Minimally Invasive Surgery with Open Surgery for Type II Endometrial Cancer: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database

OBJECTIVE

Prior studies comparing minimally invasive surgery with open surgery among patients with endometrial cancer have reported similar survival outcomes and improved perioperative outcomes with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, patients with Type II endometrial cancer were underrepresented in these studies. We sought to compare the overall survival and surgical outcomes between open surgery and MIS in a large cohort of women with Type II endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Using data from the National Cancer Database, we identified a cohort of women who underwent hysterectomy for type II endometrial cancer (serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma) between January 2010 and December 2014. The primary outcome was a comparison of the overall survival for MIS with that for the open approach. The secondary outcomes included a comparison of the length of hospital stay, readmission within 30 days of discharge, and 30- and 90-day mortality. Outcomes were compared between the cohorts using the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson's chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test. Multivariable logistic regression with inverse propensity weighting was used to determine clinical characteristics that were statistically significant predictors of outcomes. p values < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

We identified 12,905 patients with Type II, Stage I-III endometrial cancer that underwent a hysterectomy. In total, 7123 of these women (55.2%) underwent MIS. The rate of MIS increased from 39% to 64% over four years. Women who underwent MIS were more often White, privately insured, older, and had a higher income. The laparotomy group had a higher rate of carcinosarcoma histology (30.9% vs. 23.6%, p < 0.001), stage III disease (38.4% vs. 27.4%, p < 0.001), and larger primary tumors (59 vs. 45 mm, p < 0.001). Lymph node dissection was more commonly performed in the MIS group (89.6% vs. 85.4%, p < 0.001). With regard to adjuvant therapy, subjection to postoperative radiation was more common in the MIS group (37% vs. 40.1%, p < 0.001), while chemotherapy was more common in the laparotomy group (37.6% vs. 33.9%, p < 0.001). The time interval between surgery and the initiation of chemotherapy was shorter in the MIS group (39 vs. 42 days, p < 0.001). According to the results of propensity-score-weighted analysis, MIS was associated with superior overall survival (101.7 vs. 86.7 months, p = 0.0003 determined using the long-rank test), which corresponded to a 10% decreased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 0.9; CI 0.857-0.954, p = 0.0002). The survival benefit was uniform across all three histology types and stages. MIS was associated with superior perioperative outcomes, including shorter length of stay (1 vs. 4 days, p < 0.001), lower 30-day readmission rates (2.5% vs. 5%), and lower 30- and 90-day postoperative mortality (0.5% vs. 1.3% and 1.5% vs. 3.6%, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). The increased adoption of MIS from 2010 to 2014 corresponds to a decrease in 90-day postoperative mortality (2.8% to 2.2%, r = -0.89; p = 0.04) and overall mortality (51% to 38%, r = -0.95; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large cohort of patients from the National Cancer Database, MIS was associated with improved overall survival and superior perioperative outcomes compared to open surgery among women with Type II endometrial cancer. A decrease in postoperative mortality and a shorter interval between surgery and the initiation of chemotherapy may contribute to the survival benefit of MIS. A racial and economic disparity in the surgical management of Type II endometrial cancer was identified, and further investigation is warranted to narrow this gap and improve patient outcomes.

Comparison of the survival outcomes of laparoscopic, abdominal and gasless laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer: trial protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (LAGCC trial)

Background

Radical hysterectomy (RH) is considered a cornerstone in the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. However, the debate surrounding the optimal surgical approach, whether minimally invasive or open surgery, remains controversial. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the survival outcomes of cervical cancer patients who undergo different surgical approaches.

Methods

This study is designed as a prospective, multicenter, open, parallel, and randomized controlled trial. A total of 500 patients diagnosed with stage IA1 with LVSI, IA2, IB1, or IB2 (2018 FIGO) will be recruited. Recruitment of participants started in November 2020. The participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: conventional laparoscopic RH, gasless laparoscopic RH, or abdominal RH. The primary endpoint of this trial is the 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate. The secondary endpoints will include the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate, 5-year DFS/OS, recurrence rates, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, surgery-related complications, and impact on quality of life (QoL).

Discussion

We expect this trial to provide compelling and high-quality evidence to guide the selection of the most appropriate surgical approach for early-stage cervical cancer.

Clinical trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Register, identifier ChiCTR2000035515.

Pneumovaginoscopy-assisted radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer: a novel bidirectional approach for tumor spillage prevention and R0 resection

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of pneumovaginoscopy-assisted radical hysterectomy (PVRH) for cervical cancer up to stage IIA using a bidirectional fascia-oriented and nerve-sparing surgical approach.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study examined the operative outcomes and prognoses of patients who underwent PVRH (n=59) for up to stage IIA cervical cancer. The basic procedure was Kyoto B2 (Viper Type II nerve-sparing) radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy through simultaneous vaginal and abdominal (open or laparoscopic) approaches. In all cases, pneumovaginoscopy (PV) was used to create a vaginal cuff and dissect the paracolpium and paracervical endopelvic fascia to minimize nerve damage.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight (64.4%) patients had stage IB1 cancer. Seven (11.9%) had vaginal invasion (stage IIA1, n=4; IIA2, n=3). The abdominal approach was open in 38 cases and laparoscopic in 21. Adjuvant therapy was administered to 24 patients (41%); one patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy for gastric-type adenocarcinoma. There were three (6.1%) intraoperative complications (CO2 gas embolism [n=1], sigmoid colon musculosa injury [n=1], and ureteral injury [n=1]) and 8 (14%) postoperative complications (lymphedema with cellulitis [n=4], vaginal cuff dehiscence [n=1], sub-ileus [n=1], symptomatic lymphocyst [n=l], and ureterovaginal fistula [n=1]). The median urination recovery period was 3 days. Microscopic R0 was achieved in all cases. The median follow-up was 44.5 (2-122) months, and no recurrence occurred.

CONCLUSION

PVRH is a new fascia-oriented and nerve-sparing surgery for early-stage cervical cancer. Further, it has favorable operative outcomes and good prognoses, similar to those of adjacent pelvic surgery such as trans-anal total mesorectal excision and radical prostatectomy.

Evaluating the Frequency and Characteristics of Unexpected Ovarian Malignancy in Postmenopausal Women Who Have Undergone Laparoscopic Surgery for Adnexal Masses - A Review of Five Years

Aim The aim of this study was to estimate the frequent existence of unexpected ovarian malignant lesions after laparoscopic surgery for an apparent benign adnexal mass and assess its clinical and ultrasound characteristics in postmenopausal women. Methods We re-examined the hospital records of 96 cases of postmenopausal women who underwent laparoscopic surgery for benign adnexal mass over five years. The age of the patient, parity, ultrasound findings, tumor markers level, intraoperative findings, and histopathological report were collected. Pearson's Chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis, and a p-value of <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results Of a total of 96, benign adnexal mass was in 93 (96.83%), an unexpected ovarian malignancy was observed in two (2.08%) cases, and one (1.04%) had a borderline ovarian tumor. Tumor marker CA-125 was done for all those cases of adnexal mass in postmenopausal women, and not a single case was found to have above 35 IU/ml, defined as the cut-off value for CA-125. Statistically significant differences were observed between the benign and malignant groups in relation to symptoms (p<0.05), ultrasound score (p=0.001), and bilaterality (p=0.013) of the tumor mass. Conclusion In postmenopausal women, the critical concern for laparoscopic surgery of benign adnexal mass is unexpected malignancy. So it is essential to select patients carefully for laparoscopic surgery. If a benign-looking adnexal mass turned out to be malignant on the histopathological report, we should try to post the patient for subsequent staging laparotomy as soon as possible.

Minimally Invasive Staging of Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer versus Open Surgery in Terms of Feasibility and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Epithelial ovarian cancer is women's fourth most common oncological cause of death. One of the main prognostic factors in ovarian cancer is the tumor stage. For instance, surgical staging of the disease is focal when choosing the best therapeutic option for each case. Although open surgery is the prevalent approach for staging and treating ovarian cancer, the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has found recent application in staging or restaging cases of early disease. Our work compares oncological outcomes after MIS staging for FIGO I epithelial ovarian cancer with the laparotomic approach. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement recommendations, we systematically searched the Pub Med and Scopus databases in February 2023. No temporal nor geographical limitation was made. We included the articles containing data about Disease-Free Survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS), Recurrence Rates (RR), and Upstaging Rates (UpR). We used comparative studies for the meta-analysis. After the database search and article selection, 19 works matched the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Eleven of these were comparative studies between MIS and Open Surgical Staging (OSS) approaches for ovarian cancer staging and were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis did not show a statistically significant difference between the MIS and the OSS group concerning DFS, OS, and RR. Only Upstaging Rate ≥ FIGO Stage II was statistically significative higher in the OSS group. Likewise, MIS is confirmed to be an approach with a lower profile of surgical complications. In conclusion, our study did not show one approach to be safer than the other. However, the lack of dedicated studies limits the evidence of our study. For instance, we recommend adequately selecting the specimen, minimizing the risk of spillage, and optimizing surgical staging.

Results of a 20 Year Retrospective Analysis of Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: Should 3 cm Be Considered the New Ariadne's Thread in Early Cervical Cancer Treatment?

(1) This study aims to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survivals (RFS) and assess disease recurrence of early-stage cervical cancer (ESCC) patients treated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). (2) This single-center retrospective analysis was performed between January 1999 and December 2018, including all patients managed with MIS for ESCC. (3) All 239 patients included in the study underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by radical hysterectomy without the use of an intrauterine manipulator. Preoperative brachytherapy was performed in 125 patients with tumors measuring 2 to 4 cm. The 5-year OS and RFS rates were 92% and 86.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis found two significant factors associated with recurrence: previous conization with HR = 0.21, p = 0.01, and tumor size > 3 cm with HR = 2.26, p = 0.031. Out of the 33 cases of disease recurrence, we witnessed 22 disease-related deaths. Recurrence rates were 7.5%, 12.9%, and 24.1% for tumors measuring ≤ 2 cm, 2 to 3 cm, and > 3 cm, respectively. Tumors ≤ 2 cm were mostly associated with local recurrences. Tumors > 2 cm were frequently associated with common iliac or presacral lymph node recurrences. (4) MIS may still be considered for tumors ≤ 2 cm subject to first conization followed by surgery with the Schautheim procedure and extended pelvic lymphadenectomy. Due to the increased rate of recurrence, a more aggressive approach might be considered for tumors > 3 cm.

Robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: a systematic review of perioperative outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) and to compare the perioperative outcomes of R-RPLND with open RPLND (O-RPLND), as RPLND forms an integral part of the management of testis cancer and R-RPLND is a minimally invasive treatment option for this disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PubMed^® , Scopus^® , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science™ databases were searched for studies reporting perioperative outcomes of primary and post-chemotherapy R-RPLND and studies comparing R-RPLND with O-RPLND.

RESULTS

The search yielded 42 articles describing R-RPLND, including five comparative studies. The systematic review included 4222 patients (single-arm studies, n = 459; comparative studies, n = 3763). Of 459 patients in the single-arm studies, 271 underwent primary R-RPLND and 188 underwent post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. For primary R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 175 to 540 min and the major complication rate was 4.1%. For post-chemotherapy R-RPLND, the operative time ranged from 134 to 550 min and the major complication rate was 8.5%. The conversion rate to open surgery was 2.2% in primary R-RPLND and 9.0% in post-chemotherapy R-RPLND. In comparison with O-RPLND, R-RPLND was associated with a lower transfusion rate (14.5% vs 0.9%, P < 0.001) and a lower complication rate (18.5% vs 7.8%, P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted RPLND has acceptable perioperative outcomes in both the primary and post-chemotherapy settings but a notable rate of conversion to open surgery in the post-chemotherapy setting. Compared with O-RPLND, R-RPLND is associated with a lower transfusion rate and fewer overall complications. Given the potential impact of selection bias, the optimal patient selection criteria for R-RPLND remain to be elucidated.

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy and the importance of avoiding cancer cell spillage for early-stage cervical cancer: a narrative review

Radical hysterectomy is a standard surgery to treat early-stage uterine cervical cancer. The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial has shown that patients receiving minimally invasive radical hysterectomy have a poorer prognosis than those receiving open radical hysterectomy; however, the reason for this remains unclear. The LACC trial had 2 concerns: the learning curve and the procedural effects. Appropriate management of the learning curve effect, including surgeons' skills, is required to correctly interpret the result of surgical randomized controlled trials. Whether the LACC trial managed the learning curve effect remains controversial, based on the surgeons' inclusion criteria and the distribution of institutions with recurrent cases. An appropriate surgical procedure is also needed, and avoiding intraoperative cancer cell spillage plays an important role during cancer surgery. Cancer cell spillage during minimally invasive surgery to treat cervical cancer is caused by several factors, including 1) exposure of tumor, 2) the use of a uterine manipulator, and 3) direct handling of the uterine cervix. Unfortunately, these issues were not addressed by the LACC trial. We evaluated the results of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy while avoiding cancer cell spillage for early-stage cervical cancer. Our findings show that avoiding cancer cell spillage during minimally invasive radical hysterectomy may ensure an equivalent oncologic outcome, comparable to that of open radical hysterectomy. Therefore, evaluating the importance of avoiding cancer cell spillage during minimally invasive surgery with a better control of the learning curve and procedural effects is needed.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis after minimally invasive surgery versus open radical hysterectomy: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis in patients undergoing minimally invasive or open radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

METHODS

The MEDLINE (accessed through Ovid), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Clinical Trials, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published from inception up to April 2022. Articles published in English were considered. The included studies reported on patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IA-IIA squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and/or adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix who underwent primary surgery. Studies had to report at least one case of peritoneal carcinomatosis as a recurrence pattern, and only studies comparing recurrence after minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery were considered. Variables of interest were manually extracted into a standardized electronic database. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022325068).

RESULTS

The initial search identified 518 articles. After the removal of the duplicate entries from the initial search, two authors independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of the remaining 453 articles. Finally, 78 articles were selected for full-text evaluation; 22 articles (a total of 7626 patients) were included in the analysis-one randomized controlled trial and 21 observational retrospective studies. The most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma in 60.9%, and the tumor size was <4 cm in 92.8% of patients. Peritoneal carcinomatosis pattern represented 22.2% of recurrences in the minimally invasive surgery approach versus 8.8% in open surgery, accounting for 15.5% of all recurrences. The meta-analysis of observational studies revealed a statistically significant higher risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis after minimally invasive surgery (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.74, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive surgery is associated with a statistically significant higher risk of peritoneal carcinomatosis after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer compared with open surgery.

Evaluation of Surgical Approaches and Use of Adjuvant Radiotherapy with Respect to Oncologic Outcomes in the Management of Clinically Early-Stage Cervical Carcinoma

The standard of care for early-stage cervix cancer is radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy may be administered to reduce the risk of recurrence in patients considered to be at elevated risk based on a combination of pathologic factors. We performed a retrospective review to determine oncologic outcomes in patients treated for early-stage cervix cancer and to determine if surgical approach impacted oncologic outcomes or the decision to use adjuvant therapy. In total, 174 women underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy over the 15-year period. Most of these women (146) had open surgery and 28 had minimally invasive surgery (MIS). In total, 81 had adjuvant pelvic RT; 76 in the open surgery group (52%) and 5 in the MIS group (18%). Five-year PFS and OS, respectively, were 84% and 91%. Five-year PFS was significantly lower in patients who had MIS vs. open surgery, without a difference in 5-year OS, suggesting MIS should be avoided. Five-year PFS was the same with RT or with its omission, despite those treated with RT having higher risk disease. We have demonstrated excellent outcomes in patients with early-stage cervix cancer after primary surgery and selective use of RT, with few recurrences and excellent survival.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Ovarian Neoplasms - What is Possible, What is Useful?

The use of minimally invasive surgical techniques is becoming increasingly important in gynecologic oncology due to technical advances and the increasing level of surgical expertise. In addition to laparoscopic approaches for the treatment of benign neoplasms, minimally invasive surgical methods have also become established in some areas for treating gynecologic malignancies. For tumor entities such as endometrial and cervical carcinoma, there are conclusive studies emphasizing the role of laparoscopy in surgical therapy. By contrast, due to a lack of prospective data with survival analyses, no clear conclusions can be drawn on the significance of laparoscopy in the surgical treatment of ovarian carcinoma. However, some smaller, mostly retrospective case-control studies and cohort studies open the way for a discussion, positing the possibility that laparoscopic surgical procedures, particularly for early ovarian carcinoma, are technically feasible and of a quality equivalent to that of conventional longitudinal laparotomy, and may also be associated with lower perioperative morbidity. In this article we discuss the most important aspects of using minimally invasive surgical techniques for ovarian carcinoma based on the current literature. In particular we look at the relevance of laparoscopy as a primary approach for surgical staging of early ovarian carcinoma, and we evaluate the role of diagnostic laparoscopy in assessing the operability of advanced ovarian carcinoma.

Outcome and prognostic factors of unexpected ovarian carcinomas

BACKGROUND

We investigated risk factors influencing the outcome of unexpected ovarian carcinomas.

METHODS

We reviewed the ovarian carcinoma patients treated at atertiary medical institution between 2000 and 2017 and analyze the clinico-pathological characteristics, treatment strategies, recurrence status, and outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 112 women (65 primary laparoscopic surgery [LSC] and 47 laparotomic surgery [LAPA]) were included in the analysis. The LSC group had smaller ovarian tumors (10.5 ± 7.3 cm vs. 16.6 ± 8.7 cm, p = 0.031) and higher incidence of subsequent staging surgery (56.9% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.0001) compared to the LAPA group. There were 98/112 (86.6%) of early stages (I/II) diseases. The difference between the recurrent rate (27.7% vs. 31.9%), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were not significant among surgical groups. In the multivariate analysis, FIGO stage (stage II hazard ratio [HR] 6.61, p = 0.007; stage III HR 8.40, p = 0.002) was the only prognostic factor for DFS. FIGO stage (stage II HR 20.78, p = 0.0001; stage III HR 7.99, p = 0.017), histological type (mucinous HR 12.49, p = 0.036), and tumor grade (grade 3 HR 35.01, p = 0.003) were independent prognostic factors for OS, while women with latency >28 days from primary to staging surgery had significantly poorer OS (p = 0.008). Women with latency >28 days between primary surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy had similar DFS (p = 0.31) and a trend of poorer OS (p = 0.064).

CONCLUSIONS

The prognosis of unexpected ovarian cancer is independent from the primary surgical procedure and comprehensive staging surgery should be performed at close proximity after the diagnosis of unexpected ovarian malignancy.

Laparo-assisted vaginal radical hysterectomy as a safe option for minimal invasive surgery in early stage cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy are considered the standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer (ECC). Minimal Invasive approach to this surgery has been debated after the publication of a recent prospective randomized trial (Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer, LACC trial). It demonstrated poorer oncological outcomes for Minimal Invasive Surgery in ECC. However, the reasons are still an open debate. Laparo-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVRH) seems to be a logical option to Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy (ARH). This meta-analysis has the aim to prove it.

METHODS

Following the recommendations in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, the Pubmed database and Scopus database were systematically searched in January 2022 since early first publications. No limitation of the country was made. Only English article were considered. The studies containing data about Disease-free Survival (DFS) and/or Overall Survival (OS) and/or Recurrence Rate (RcR) were included.

RESULTS

18 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. 8 comparative studies were enrolled in meta-analysis. Patients were analyzed concerning surgical approach (Laparo-Assisted Vaginal Radical Hysterectomy) and compared with ARH Oncological outcomes such as DFS and OS were considered. 3033 patiets were included. Meta-analysis highlighted a non-statistic significant difference between LARVH and ARH (RR 0.82 [95% CI 0.55-1.23] p = 0.34; I2 = 0%; p = 0.96). OS was feasible only for 3 studies (RR 1.14 [95% CI 0.28-4.67] p = 0.43; I2 = 0 p = 0.86). Data about the type of recurrences (loco-regional vs distant) were collected.

CONCLUSION

LARVH does not appear to affect DFS and OS in ECC patients. The proposed results seem to be comparable with the open approach group of the LACC trial, which today represents the reference standard for the treatment of this pathology. More studies will be needed to test the safety and efficacy of LARVH in the ECC.

Effect of Surgical Humidification on Inflammation and Peritoneal Trauma in Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Pre-clinical studies indicate that dry-cold-carbon-dioxide (DC-CO2) insufflation leads to more peritoneal damage, inflammation and hypothermia compared with humidified-warm-CO₂ (HW-CO2). Peritoneum and core temperature in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery were compared.

METHODS

Sixty-six patients were randomized into laparoscopic groups; those insufflated with DC-CO2 or HW-CO2. A separate group of nineteen patients undergoing laparotomy were randomised to conventional surgery or with the insertion of a device delivering HW-CO2. Temperatures were monitored and peritoneal biopsies and bloods were taken at the start of surgery, at 1 and 3 h. Further bloods were taken depending upon hospital length-of-stay (LOS). Peritoneal samples were subjected to scanning electron microscopy to evaluate mesothelial damage.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic cases experienced a temperature drop despite Bair-Hugger^TM use. HW-CO2 restored normothermia (≥ 36.5 °C) by 3 h, DC-CO2 did not. LOS was shorter for colon compared with rectal cancer cases and if insufflated with HW-CO2 compared with DC-CO2; 5.0 vs 7.2 days, colon and 11.6 vs 15.4 days rectum, respectively. Unexpectedly, one third of patients had pre-existing damage. Damage increased at 1 and 3 h to a greater extent in the DC-CO2 compared with the HW-CO2 laparoscopic cohort. C-reactive protein levels were higher in open than laparoscopic cases and lower in both matched HW-CO2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective RCT is in accord with animal studies while highlighting pre-existing damage in some patients. Peritoneal mesothelium protection, reduced inflammation and restoration of core-body temperature data suggest benefit with the use of HW-CO2 in patients undergoing CRC surgery.

Protective effect of pre-operative conization in patients undergoing surgical treatment for early-stage cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pre-operative conization on disease-free survival (DFS) in early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS

In this population-based cohort study we analysed from clinical cancer registries to determine DFS of women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IA1-IB1 cervical cancer with respect to conization preceding radical hysterectomy performed between January 2010 and December 2015.

RESULTS

Out of 993 datasets available for the analysis, 235 patients met the inclusion criteria of the current study. The median follow-up was 5.4 years. During the study period, 28 (11.9%) recurrences were observed. All of these occurred in patients with FIGO stage IB1. For further evaluation, patients with FIGO IB1 tumors <2 cm were further analysed and divided into two groups, based on pre-operative conization. Pre-operative conization was associated with a reduced rate of recurrence (p = 0.007), with only three (5.2%) recurrences in this group (CO) compared to 25 recurrences (21.0%) in the group without conization (NCO) preceding radical hysterectomy. DFS was estimated at 79.0% and 94.8% in NCO and CO, respectively (p = 0.008). After adjustment for other prognostic covariates, conization remained a favourable prognostic factor for DFS (HR 0.27; 95% CI 0.08-0.93, p = 0.037). Lymph node involvement was the only unfavourable factor (HR 4.38; 95% CI 1.36-14.14, p = 0.014) in the multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-operative conization is associated with improved DFS in early-stage cervical cancer independently of the surgical approach.

Laparo-assisted vaginal radical hysterectomy as a safe option for Minimal Invasive Surgery in early stage cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy are considered the standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer (ECC). Minimal Invasive approach to this surgery has been debated after the publication of a recent prospective randomized trial (Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer, LACC trial). It demonstrated poorer oncological outcomes for Minimal Invasive Surgery in ECC. However, the reasons are still an open debate. Laparo-Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVRH) seems to be a logical option to Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy (ARH). This meta-analysis has the aim to prove it.

METHODS

Following the recommendations in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, the Pubmed database and Scopus database were systematically searched in January 2022 since early first publications. No limitation of the country was made. Only English article were considered. The studies containing data about Disease-free Survival (DFS) and/or Overall Survival (OS) and/or Recurrence Rate (RcR) were included.

RESULTS

19 studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. 9 comparative studies were enrolled in meta-analysis. Patients were analyzed concerning surgical approach (Laparo-Assisted Vaginal Radical Hysterectomy) and compared with ARH Oncological outcomes such as DFS and OS were considered. 3196 patiets were included for the review. Meta-analysis of 1988 0f them highlighted a non-statistic significant difference between LARVH and ARH (RR 0.8 [95% CI 0.55-1.16] p = 0.24; I² = 0%; p = 0.98). OS was feasible only for 4 studies (RR 0.84 [95% CI 0.23-3.02] p = 0.79; I² = 0 p = 0.44). Sub-analysis for tumor with a maximum diameter greater than 2 cm was performed. Data about the type of recurrences (loco-regional vs distant) were collected.

CONCLUSION

LARVH does not appear to affect DFS and OS in ECC patients. The proposed results seem to be comparable with the open approach group of the LACC trial, which today represents the reference standard for the treatment of this pathology. More studies will be needed to test the safety and efficacy of LARVH in the ECC.

Minimally invasive versus open surgery for women with stage 1A1 and stage 1A2 cervical cancer: A retrospective database cohort study

Background

Recent studies comparing minimally invasive versus open radical hysterectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer have reported a worse overall survival with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, in the patients with microscopic disease, there was no survival difference and the optimal surgical approach for microscopic cervical cancer remains unclear.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Database, we identified a cohort of women who underwent hysterectomy as the primary treatment for stage IA1/IA2 cervical cancer between January 2010 and December 2016. Using multivariable logistic regression, our primary outcome was to compare overall survival between the open and MIS groups. The data was stratified for simple and radical hysterectomies. Secondary endpoint was comparison of readmission rates and length of stay (LOS).

Results

We identified 6230 patients with stage IA1 and IA2 cervical cancer that underwent hysterectomy as primary treatment. 4054 of these women (65%) underwent MIS. There was no difference in age, lympho-vascular invasion, number of lymph nodes retrieved and histology between the two groups. In the overall cohort, there was no difference in survival between the open and the MIS group (Hazard ratio for the open group 1.23; CI 0.92–1.63). Post-operative radiation therapy was more common in the open group (5.24% vs 4.09%, p value < 0.02). The mean LOS (1.35 days vs 3.08 days) was shorter in MIS group (p value < 0.0001). No difference was found in the readmission rates (60% for the MIS group vs 55% for the open group; p value 0.14).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that MIS is associated with similar overall survival and shorter length of hospital stay compared to the open hysterectomy in women with stage IA cervical cancer. Based on this large data set, MIS appears to be a safe and effective surgical approach for women with stage IA1/IA2 cervical cancer.

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Our study is the largest analysis to date on the use of MIS in stage-IA cervical cancer.

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There was no difference in overall survival between MIS and open surgery for stage IA cervical cancer.

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MIS was associated with a shorter length of stay. No difference was found in readmission rates.

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The two groups were similar for lympho-vascular invasion, number of lymph nodes retrieved, histology, and age.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cervical Cancer in Light of the LACC Trial: What Have We Learned?

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy and the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Over the last two decades, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) emerged as the mainstay in the surgical management of cervical cancer, bringing advantages such as lower operative morbidity and shorter hospital stay compared to open surgery while maintaining comparable oncologic outcomes in numerous retrospective studies. However, in 2018, a prospective phase III randomized controlled trial, “Laparoscopic Approach to Carcinoma of the Cervix (LACC)”, unexpectedly reported that MIS was associated with a statistically significant poorer overall survival and disease-free survival compared to open surgery in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Various hypotheses have been raised by the authors to try to explain these results, but the LACC trial was not powered to answer those questions. In this study, through an exhaustive literature review, we wish to explore some of the potential causes that may explain the poorer oncologic outcomes associated with MIS, including the type of MIS surgery, the size of the lesion, the impact of CO2 pneumoperitoneum, prior conization, the use of uterine manipulator, the use of protective measures, and the effect of surgical expertise/learning curve.

Effect of modified no-touch laparoscopic radical hysterectomy on outcomes of early stage cervical cancer: A retrospective cohort study

Objectives

We aimed to compare the prognosis of modified no‐touch laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (MLRH) and laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) on survival in patients with early stage cervical cancer.

Materials and Methods

The clinicopathological data of patients with stage IB1 and IIA1 cervical cancer, who underwent radical surgery between 2014 and 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the MLRH and LRH groups using the Kaplan–Meier method. Independent prognostic factors for 5‐year DFS and OS were identified using multivariate, forward, stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

A total of 223 patients with stage IB1 and IIA1 cervical cancer were included. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that the 5‐year DFS and OS rates in the MLRH (n = 81) group were significantly higher than those in the LRH group (n = 142) (DFS, 94.5% vs. 78.8%, p = 0.007; OS, 96.7% vs. 87.6%, p = 0.033). No significant differences were identified between the two groups in terms of operative time, blood loss, transfusion requirement, and intraoperative or postoperative complications. MLRH was an independent prognostic factor associated with increased 5‐year DFS (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.202; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.069–0.594; p = 0.004) and 5‐year OS (adjusted HR, 0.163; 95% CI, 0.035–0.748; p = 0.020).

Conclusion

The oncologic outcomes were superior with MLRH than with LRH in patients with stage IB1 and IIA1 cervical cancer. Contact of cervical tumor cells with the pelvic cavity likely explains the worse prognosis associated with LRH.

Oncologic Outcomes of Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy Using the No-Look No-Touch Technique for Early Stage Cervical Cancer: A Propensity Score-Adjusted Analysis

Simple Summary

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy is contraindicated in early stage cervical cancer cases because of poor prognosis. The no-look no-touch technique (NLNT) eliminates intraoperative tumor spillage and may improve survival outcomes. We evaluated oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy performed using NLNT. We compared the outcomes of abdominal radical hysterectomy and NLNT using inverse probability of treatment weighting. We found no significant differences in disease-free survival between the groups, even in patients with tumor sizes ≥ 2 cm. We also studied NLNT’s non-inferiority to abdominal radical hysterectomy by evaluating heterogeneity between the results of the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial and those of our study. We did not observe significant heterogeneity, although there was a trend toward a lower hazard ratio in our study compared with the non-inferiority margin in the LACC trial. Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy using NLNT is a plausible alternative surgical treatment for early stage cervical cancer.

Abstract

We evaluated oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy using the no-look no-touch technique (NLNT). We analyzed patients with early stage (IA2, IB1, and IIA1, FIGO2008) cervical cancer treated between December 2014 and December 2019. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS). We compared the outcomes of the abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH) and NLNT groups using a Cox model with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), according to propensity scores. We also evaluated NLNT’s non-inferiority to ARH using an evaluation of heterogeneity between the results of the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial and our study. ARH and NLNT were performed in 118 and 113 patients, respectively. The median follow-up duration was 3.2 years. After IPTW adjustment, the 3-year DFS rates (NLNT 92.4%; ARH 94.0%) and overall survival rates did not differ significantly between the groups. Furthermore, the 3-year DFS rates for patients with tumor sizes ≥ 2 cm in the NLNT (85.0%) and ARH (90.3%) groups did not differ significantly. No significant heterogeneity was observed between the LACC trial and our study (I² = 60.5%, p = 0.111), although there was a trend toward a lower hazard ratio in our study. Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy using NLNT provides a favorable prognosis for early stage cervical cancer.

Proteomic analysis of the influence of CO2 pneumoperitoneum in cervical cancer cells

Objective

The effect of CO₂ pneumoperitoneum (CDP) on the oncology outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of CDP on the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and examined the molecular mechanism.

Materials and Methods

We established an in vitro CDP model to study the effects of CDP on the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, xenografted tumor assay. Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics were used to study the proteomic changes in HeLa cells after CDP treatment. Western blot assay was used to detect the expressions of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway proteins.

Results

CDP increased cell proliferation after a short period of inhibition in vitro and promoted tumorigenesis in vivo. Proteomic analysis showed that the expression levels of 177 and 309 proteins were changed significantly 24 and 48 h after CDP treatment, respectively. The acidification caused by CO₂ inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt.

Conclusions

CDP promoted the proliferation of human cervical cancer cells after a short time of inhibition. The mechanism of which is related to the inhibition of phosphorylation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Total Laparoscopic Nerve-Sparing Radical Hysterectomy Using the No-look No-touch Technique

Radical hysterectomy is a standard operation for patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Over the recent decades, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy has been considered an alternative treatment. In 2018, the results of the laparoscopic approach to cervical cancer trial suggested that women with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent minimally invasive surgery for radical hysterectomy had poorer prognosis than those who underwent open surgery. This finding was unexpected, and direct evidence supporting poor prognosis related to minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was not available because the trial was not designed to evaluate the cause of the inferior outcomes. Tumor spillage caused by surgeon-related factors, including squeezing of the uterine cervix and tumor exposure to circulating CO ₂ gas, is considered to be associated with the poor prognosis of patients who underwent minimally invasive radical hysterectomy. We believe that protective maneuver to avoid tumor spillage is the key to improve oncologic outcomes of cervical cancer. Here, we present a procedure of total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer in which techniques, such as the “no-look no-touch technique,” were used to prevent tumor spillage.

Survival Outcomes in Patients With 2018 FIGO Stage IA2-IIA2 Cervical Cancer Treated With Laparoscopic Versus Open Radical Hysterectomy: A Propensity Score-Weighting Analysis

Objective

To compare the survival and recurrence outcomes between open and laparoscopic radically hysterectomy (RH) for stage IA2-IIA2 cervical cancer based on Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018.

Methods

Data of 1,373 early cervical cancer patients undergoing open or laparoscopic radically hysterectomy at ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting (PS-IPTW) was used to balance the covariates between the two groups.

Results

A total of 705 cervical cancer patients of FIGO 2009 stage IA2-IIA2 were finally enrolled in this study. After IPTW adjustment, the OS (HR = 2.095, 95% CI: 1.233-3.562, P = 0.006) and PFS (HR = 1.950, 95%CI: 1.194-3.184, P = 0.008) rates were significantly higher in the open RH (ORH) group compared with the laparoscopic RH (LRH) group. Then after re-staging according to the FIGO 2018 staging system, 561 patients still belonged to stage IA2-IIA2, 144 patients were upgraded to stage IIIC1p-IIIC2p. The ORH group had a significantly superior OS (HR = 1.977, 95%CI: 1.077-3.626, P = 0.028) and PFS (HR = 1.811, 95%CI: 1.046-3.134, P = 0.034) compared with the LRH group after PS-IPTW analysis. Furthermore, in patients with no high and intermediate risks, difference of the OS (HR = 1.386, 95%CI: 0.287-6.69, P = 0.684) and PFS (HR = 1.524, 95%CI: 0.363-6.396, P = 0.565) rates between the two groups were with no statistical meaning.

Conclusions

Outcomes of this retrospective cohort study were in compliance with indications for ORH recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines Version 1, 2021. However, LRH showed non-inferiority for patients with no prognostic risk factors compared with ORH.

Long-term oncological outcomes and recurrence patterns in early-stage cervical cancer treated with minimally invasive versus abdominal radical hysterectomy: The Norwegian Radium Hospital experience

OBJECTIVE

To compare long-term oncological outcomes in early-stage cervical cancer (CC) patients treated with minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (MIRH) versus abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH), with a focus on recurrence patterns, tumor sizes, and conization.

METHODS

This single-institution, retrospective study consisted of stage IA1-IB1 (FIGO 2009) squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix, who underwent radical hysterectomy between 2000 and 2017.

RESULTS

Of the 582 patients included, 353 (60.7%) underwent ARH, and 229 (39.3%) MIRH. The median follow-up was 14.4 years in the ARH group and 6.1 years in the MIRH group (p < 0.0001). Among the 96 stage IA patients, only 3 (3.1%) experienced recurrence. Among stage IB1 patients, the risk of recurrence, after adjusting for standard prognostic variables, was twofold higher in the MIRH group versus the ARH group (HR 2.73, 95% CI: 1.56-4.80), and the relative difference was similar in terms of risk of cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR 3.04, 95% CI: 1.28-7.20) and overall survival (OS) (HR 2.35, 95% CI: 1.21-4.59). In stage IB1 ≤ 2 cm patients without conization MIRH was associated with reduced time to recurrence (TTR) (HR 4.00, 95% CI: 1.67-9.57), CSS (HR 3.71, 95% CI: 1.19-11.58) and OS (HR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.24-7.34). Intraperitoneal combined recurrences accounted for 12 of 30 (40.0%) recurrences in the MIRH group but were not identified after ARH (p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

MIRH was associated with reduced TTR, CSS and OS versus ARH in stage IB1 CC patients. The risk of peritoneal recurrence was high, even for tumors ≤2 cm without conization.

Standardization and experience may influence the survival of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy has been shown to be associated with poorer outcome in an influential prospective, randomized trial. However, many centers worldwide performing minimally invasive radical hysterectomy have data and experience that prove otherwise. We aim to review surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients operated by Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy in a tertiary hospital, by experienced surgeons and standardization in radicality, for cervical carcinoma Stage 1A1-1B1 from January 2009 to May 2014.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Standardised surgical technique with Parametrium & Paracolpium resection approach was adopted by qualified and experienced Gynecologic/Gyne-Oncologic Endoscopic & Minimally Invasive Surgeons in performing Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer stage 1A1-1B1 from January 2009-May 2014, involving 53 patients. Electronic Medical Record system (EMR) Of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital(Tertiary Referral Centre), Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology was accessed for surgical and oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty-Three patients operated from January 2009 to May 2014 were followed up for an average of 96.7 months with longest follow-up at 127 months. There were no cases of recurrence or death reported. 5 Year - Survival Rate and 5 Year Disease-Free Survival Rate were 100%. Two patients received post-operative pelvic radiation concurrent with chemotherapy using Cisplatin due to greater than 1/3 cervical stromal invasion.

CONCLUSION

It is vital to standardize minimally invasive surgical techniques for early stage cervical cancer, with focus on adequate radicality and resection which may contribute to excellent survival outcomes. Further international multi-center randomized trial (Minimally Invasive Therapy Versus Open Radical Hysterectomy In Cervical Cancer) will provide justification for continued practice of MIS in early stage cervical cancer.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy is as effective as open surgery in terms of long-term survival: a single-institution study on gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has been widely accepted to treat early-stage gastric cancer. However, it is still controversial to perform laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer. We performed the present study to compare the long-term outcomes of patients after laparoscopic or open gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy.

METHODS

The clinicopathological data of 182 gastric cancer patients receiving gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy between January 2011 and December 2015 at Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were retrospectively retrieved. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of these 182 patients were compared. Then, the prognostic significance of positive lymph node ratio (LNR) was assessed.

RESULTS

As a whole, OS (P = 0.789) and DFS (P = 0.672) of patients receiving laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy were not significantly different from those of patients receiving open surgery. For stage I patients, laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy was not significantly different from open surgery in terms of OS (P = 0.573) and DFS (P = 0.157). Similarly, for stage II patients, laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy was not significantly different from open surgery in terms of OS (P = 0.567) and DFS (P = 0.830). For stage III patients, laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy was not significantly different from open surgery in terms of OS (P = 0.773) and DFS (P = 0.404). Laparoscopic or open gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy was not proven by Cox regression analysis to be an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS. High LNR was significantly associated with worse OS (P < 0.001) and DFS (P < 0.001). Surgical type did not significantly affect prognosis of patients with low LNR or survival of patients with high LNR.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with gastric cancer, laparoscopic gastrectomy plus D2 lymphadenectomy was not inferior to open surgery in terms of long-term outcomes. LNR is a useful prognostic marker for GC patients.

Laparoscopic versus open radical cystectomy in 607 patients with bladder cancer: Comparative survival analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare perioperative and oncologic survival outcomes between laparoscopic radical cystectomy and open radical cystectomy.

METHODS

A total of 607 patients underwent open radical cystectomy (n = 412) or laparoscopic radical cystectomy (n = 195) at a single academic institution from January 2006 to April 2017. Their medical records were retrospectively analyzed. One-to-one propensity score matching was carried out to reduce selection bias. Estimated blood loss and complications were compared. Overall survival, cancer-specific survival and progression-free survival estimates for all patients and patients with locally advanced bladder cancer were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Either before or after matching, the laparoscopic radical cystectomy group had less estimated blood loss (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001) and fewer complications (P < 0.001 and P = 0.008). There was no difference in the overall survival (P = 0.216 and P = 0.961) and progression-free survival (P = 0.826 and P = 0.462) for all the patients having either laparoscopic radical cystectomy or open radical cystectomy. However, the 5-year progression-free survival of open radical cystectomy was higher than that of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (P = 0.019 and P = 0.021) for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is superior to open radical cystectomy in terms of perioperative outcomes, and similar to open radical cystectomy in terms of oncologic outcomes for patients with early stage bladder cancer. However, for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer, laparoscopic radical cystectomy seems to be associated with shorter progression-free survival than open radical cystectomy.

Lymph-Vascular Space Invasion in Patients with Stages IA2-IIA2 Cervical Cancer Treated with Laparoscopic versus Open Radical Hysterectomy

Objective

To explore the relationship between laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) and cervical cancer lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) by comparing the prevalence of LVSI in cervical cancer patients who underwent LRH versus open radical hysterectomy (ORH).

Methods

The study participants were 1087 cervical cancer patients (FIGO 2009 stages IA2-IIA2) with pathologically confirmed with or without LVSI who underwent radical hysterectomy at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from 2013 through 2018. The patients were divided according to the type of surgical procedure into an LRH group (n=148) and an ORH group (n=939).

Results

In the LRH group, 31.76% of patients (47/148) had LVSI-positive tumors compared to 33.23% of patients (312/939) in the ORH group; the difference was not significant (p=0.724). No between-group differences in LVSI prevalence according to lymph node metastasis, interstitial infiltration depth, differentiation degree, and parametrial infiltration were found. However, the number of LVSI-positive patients whose cervical cancer lesions >4 cm (stage I B2 and II A2) was significantly higher in the LRH group than in the ORH group (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.333, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.157–0.706, p=0.005). The 3-Year disease-free survival (DFS) in the LRH group is lower than that in the ORH group (94.75% vs 97.27%), but there was no significance (P=0.187). Furthermore, the percentage of LVSI-positive tumors in patients with lymph node metastases was significantly higher than those without lymph node metastases (OR 2.897, 95% CI 2.129–3.942, p=0.000). The 3-Year DFS were 98.22% in the LVSI negative patients and 93.78% in the LVSI positive patients, the difference was significant (P=0.002).

Conclusion

A higher risk of lymph node metastasis and a lower 3-Year DFS was found in the LVSI-positive patients. In case of LVSI, it would be dangerous to treat patient in laparoscopy, especially in case of cervical cancer lesions >4cm.

The impact of modern preoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy in early-stage cervical cancer

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical outcomes and the safety of preoperative high-dose-rate (HDR) image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) followed by minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the multidisciplinary management of early-stage cervical cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Medical records of all consecutive patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated at our institution between 2012 and 2018 with preoperative IGABT in a multidisciplinary approach were reviewed. Treatment schedule was pelvic node dissection, preoperative IGABT followed 6-8 week later by MIS hysterectomy.

RESULTS

Seventy patients with cervical cancer FIGO stages (IB1 18.6%, IB2 75.7% and IIA1 5.7%) were treated by preoperative HDR brachytherapy. With a median follow-up of 37.4 months [95% confidence interval, 32.1-39.7 months] isolated vaginal vault recurrence was not observed, 3 pelvic relapses were reported (4.3%). None of patients received postoperative radiotherapy (EBRT) or radiochemotherapy. The estimated 3-year local and pelvis relapse free survival for the entire population were respectively 98% [95% confidence interval, 89%-100%] and 90% [80%-96%]. The estimated 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) for the entire population was 88% [77-94%]. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 97% [88%-99%]. Microscopic vaginal resection margin (R1) was observed in one patient ([1].4%). Lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI) was found found in 6 (8.6%) patients. Forty-eight late complications in 36 patients (51.4%) were observed. Five (7.1%) grade 3 vaginal wound dehiscence toxicities were observed. Urinary and gastrointestinal toxicities were grade 1-2. No grade 4-5 complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative image-guided adaptive brachytherapy followed by minimally invasive surgery allows high local control, reduces positive surgical margins and rates of lymph-vascular space invasion avoiding adjuvants treatments. Surgical approaches must be discussed with patients including preoperative brachytherapy as a down-staging treatment.

Surgical Approach and Use of Uterine Manipulator Are Not Associated with LVSI in Surgery for Early-stage Cervical Cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVE

In 2018, the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer trial reported that patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery for cervical cancer (CC) had poorer outcomes than patients undergoing open surgery. Several hypotheses have been made to explain the results. We aimed to investigate whether laparoscopic procedures and use of a uterine manipulator increase the risk of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) in early-stage CC.

DESIGN

A retrospective study.

SETTING

A Chinese women's and children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients with early-stage CC who underwent radical hysterectomy in West China Second University Hospital between April 2019 and May 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic surgery (with uterine manipulator and uterine manipulator-free) and open surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 979 patients diagnosed with CC were registered in West China Second University Hospital for surgical treatment. Of these, 525 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and 454 patients underwent open surgery. In total, 735 patients with early-stage cancer underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, including 357 by laparoscopic surgery and 378 by open surgery. For those who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, the incidence of LVSI was 48.41% and 47.34% in laparoscopic and open groups, respectively (p = .771). After 1:1 propensity score matching with age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, pathology, and tumor size, the incidence of LVSI was 45.54% and 51.79% in laparoscopic and open groups, respectively (p = .186). Subdividing the laparoscopic group into uterine manipulator and uterine manipulator-free groups, the incidence of LVSI was 45.22% and 48.35%, respectively (p = .580). After propensity score matching with age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, pathology, and tumor size, the incidence of LVSI was 45.78% and 55.42% in these 2 groups, respectively (p = .214). Multiple factor analysis revealed that lymph node metastasis and deep stromal invasion were associated with LVSI (p value <.05 in both groups).

CONCLUSION

The surgical approach and use of a uterine manipulator are not associated with LVSI in surgery for early-stage CC. Lymph node metastasis and deep stromal invasion are associated with LVSI.

Laparoscopic approach for T4 colon cancer can be associated with poor prognosis in right-sided T4b tumours

INTRODUCTION

Although recent studies have demonstrated the safety of laparoscopic surgery in T4 colon cancer, some patients could have poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to analyse the risk factors affecting oncologic outcome of laparoscopic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among the 1033 T4 colon cancer patients collected from a multicentre database (2004-2017), 584 patients (458 T4a and 126 T4b) underwent laparoscopic approach for radical surgery. Risk factors associated with 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated through multivariate analysis. In addition, subgroups were classified using a combination of risk factors, and the survival rate was evaluated.

RESULTS

During this period, 188 (32.2%) had recurrence, and 151 (25.9%) died. In the multivariate analysis for oncologic outcome, elevated carcinoembryonic antigen level (hazard ratio [HR] 1.37) and absence of adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 1.60) were associated with poor DFS. T4b (HR 1.56, 1.46), right-sided location (HR 1.52, 1.42), and open conversion (HR 2.70, 2.12) were independently associated with both poor DFS and OS. When four subgroups were analysed through the combination of tumour location and T stage, the DFS and OS rates were significantly lower in patients with right-sided T4b cancer than in other groups (log-rank p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Right-sided T4b colon cancer for laparoscopic surgery may lead to poor oncologic outcome. This approach could be a caution in suspected cases preoperatively.

Minimally invasive surgery vs laparotomy for early stage cervical cancer: A propensity score-matched cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the long-term oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) vs laparotomy for patients with stage IB (2018 FIGO) cervical cancer.

METHODS

A matched retrospective study of cervical cancer patients who underwent MIS or laparotomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2012 to December 2015 was carried out. Patients were restaged according to the 2018 FIGO staging system for cervical cancer, 700 cases with stage IB cervical cancer were enrolled. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed by software SPSS version 22.0, and a total of 426 patients were enrolled and analyzed. Oncologic outcomes were compared between patients undergoing MIS vs laparotomy.

RESULTS

After PSM, there were no statistical differences in other baseline characteristics between MIS and laparotomy, except for age (p = 0.008). In all stage IB patients, MIS group had significantly lower disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate compared with laparotomy group (5-year DFS rate, 87.5% vs 94.1%, hazard ratio for disease recurrence, 2.403; 95% CI, 1.216-4.744; 5-year OS rate, 92.3% vs 98.1%, hazard ratio for death, 3.719; 95% CI, 1.370-10.093). In stage IB1 patients population, MIS was still associated with worse DFS and OS compared to laparotomy (5-year DFS rate: 89.5% vs 100%, p = 0.012; 5-year OS rate: 93.4% vs 100%, p = 0.043). Even in stage IB1 patients without lymph vascular space invasion, worse oncologic outcome could be observed in MIS group (DFS: p = 0.021; OS: p = 0.076).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that laparotomy resulted in better OS and DFS compared with MIS among patients with stage IB cervical cancer. Even in stage IB1 patients without lymph vascular space invasion (2018 FIGO), laparotomy might be still an oncologically safer approach.

Treatment of Early Stage High-Risk Endometrioid-Type Endometrial Cancer and Patterns of Disease Relapse: A Retrospective Analysis

Purpose

A recently published randomized controlled trial has demonstrated that in patients with endometrial cancer with high-risk features, the addition of chemotherapy to radiation therapy, compared with radiation therapy alone, resulted in a significant improvement in failure-free survival. However, in the study, the effect of chemotherapy was limited to stage III patients, and the benefit was less pronounced in stage I and II patients. Our study aims to investigate the current practice of treatment and clinical outcomes in stage I high-risk endometrioid-type endometrial cancer.

Methods and Materials

A single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients with stage I high-risk endometrioid-type endometrial cancer without serous or clear cell features who have undergone hysterectomy between 1998 and 2015. Data on patients, tumor, and treatments were collected and correlated with clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 1,572 patients with stage I disease were identified and 46 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for final analysis. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years (range, 49-86 years) and median follow-up was 5.9 years. Among the entire cohort, 40 (87.0%) patients underwent adjuvant radiation therapy, of which 36 (78.2%) patients underwent external beam radiation therapy and 4 (8.7%) patients underwent vaginal brachytherapy. Two of the 40 patients who received adjuvant radiation therapy also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Six (13.0%) patients received no adjuvant treatment. Of the 46 patients, the cumulative risk of distant recurrence was 19.6%, and only 1 patient (2.2%) recurred within pelvis (perirectal lymph node). Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 73.1% and 80.1%, respectively.

Conclusions

Adjuvant radiation therapy in stage I endometrioid-type endometrial cancer patients with high-risk features resulted in high rates of locoregional disease control, and most recurrences occurred at distant sites. Effective systemic therapy may be indicated in this patient population to further reduce the risk of distant relapses and improve survival.

Laparoscopic Regional Radical Hysterectomy Showed Promising Clinical Outcomes in Early-stage Cervical Cancer

Objectives:

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of standardized and region-specific excision in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) for early-stage cervical cancer (ECC).

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective case–controlled study from 2011 to December 2016. A total of 328 women with ECC (IA1, IA2, IB1, or IIA1) underwent primary surgery by laparoscopy or laparotomy in our institute. Women diagnosed as stage IB1 or IIA1 were treated with radical hysterectomy (RH) by open or laparoscopic route. The total parametrium excision in the process of RH was measured and highlighted in the study.

Results:

A total of 186 patients underwent open surgery and 142 ones were treated with laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with less blood loss (194.43 ± 84.40 ml vs. 362.68 ± 253.36 ml, P < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (11 vs. 14 days, P < 0.01), and lower risk of blood transfusion (2.8% vs. 18.8%, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the postoperative complications between two groups (18/142, 12.7% vs. 21/186, 11.3%; P > 0.05). The rate of 5-year overall survival (OS) was 92.8% in laparoscopy group, similar to that of 94.4% in the open group (P = 0.762). Disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 3 years in laparoscopy group was decreased when compared to open group (91.8% vs. 95.0%, P = 0.030), but there was no significant difference in 3-year DFS among the women with tumor size <2 cm (100% vs. 97.0%, P = 0.818).

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic surgery was associated with better surgical outcomes compared to open surgery in ECC. 5-Year OS was comparable between the groups and cases with tumor size <2 cm showed no difference in 3-year DFS. LRH may be a better fit for women with tumor size <2 cm. Standardized region-specific RH helps to optimize the clinical outcomes of LRH in ECC.

Multiple metastases after laparoscopic surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer: A case report

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Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive but leads to a peculiar recurrence pattern.

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Aspiration biopsy provides limited diagnostic accuracy in some cases.

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Preoperative histological diagnosis should always be confirmed with D&C.

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Preoperative recurrence risk might be underestimated.

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TLH associated with poor oncologic outcomes in moderate to high recurrence risk.

Introduction

Laparoscopic surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer is associated with lower morbidity compared to open surgery and has comparable oncologic outcomes. We observed unexpected multiple metastases after laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer, the recurrence risk of which has previously been estimated to be low. Herein, we present this case and discuss the optimal management of endometrial cancer.

Presentation of case

A 58-year-old woman complaining of atypical genital bleeding lasting for 5 months was diagnosed with stage IA endometrioid carcinoma grade 1. According to our primary strategy, she underwent a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The post-operative diagnosis was consistent with the pre-operative diagnosis. Since the recurrence risk was post-operatively revised to an intermediate level, she was administered adjuvant chemotherapy. However, multiple metastases were observed 4 months post-operatively, and despite treatment for recurrent disease, she died 2 months later. The uterine specimen was re-examined after the diagnosis of recurrence, and the post-operative diagnosis was revised to endometrioid carcinoma grade 3, indicating that her recurrence risk might have been underestimated.

Discussion

The multiple metastases observed in this case, including those in the subcutaneous tissue, were presumably caused by pneumoperitoneum. Aspiration biopsy was used to confirm the histological diagnosis pre-operatively. However, dilation and curettage would have been preferable, considering aspiration biopsy provides limited diagnostic accuracy in some cases. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive; however, it leads to a peculiar recurrence pattern, which is sometimes difficult to assess pre-operatively.

Conclusion

Physicians should carefully consider indications for laparoscopic surgery for malignant diseases.

Investigating the possible impact of peritoneal tumor exposure amongst women with early stage cervical cancer treated with minimally invasive approach

INTRODUCTION

Recent findings show a detrimental impact of the minimally invasive approach on patients with early stage cervical cancer (ECC). Reasons beyond these results are unclear. The aim of the present article is to investigate the possible role of peritoneal contamination during intracorporeal colpotomy.

METHODS

patients with early stage cervical cancer were divided into 2 groups: no intraperitoneal exposure (N-IPE) intraperitoneal exposure (IPE) during minimally invasive surgery. Patients of the 2 groups were propensity-matched according to the major risk factors.

RESULTS

226 cases of the IPE group had a significant worst prognosis than the 142 cases of the N-IPE group (4.5-years disease free survival: 86.6% vs 95.9% respectively, p = 0.005), while N-IPE had similar survival to open surgery (4.5-years disease free survival: 95.0% vs 90.5% respectively, p = 0.164). Distant recurrence was more frequent among IPE patients with a borderline significance (3.5% vs 0.4% among IPE and N-IPE respectively, p = 0.083). On multivariate analysis, intraperitoneal tumor exposure was an independent prognostic factors for worse survival; patients belonging to the N-IPE group had a risk of recurrence of about 3-fold lower compared to patients of the IPE group (hazard ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval: 0.15-0.88, p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

it would be advisable that further prospective studies investigating the efficacy of different surgical approach in ECC take into consideration of this issue. Moreover, all other measures that could potentially prevent peritoneal exposure of tumor should be adopted during minimally invasive surgery for early stage cervical cancer to provide higher survival outcomes.

Modes of carbon dioxide delivery during laparoscopy generate distinct differences in peritoneal damage and hypoxia in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

Insufflation with CO₂ can employ continuous flow, recirculated gas and/or additional warming and humidification. The ability to compare these modes of delivery depends upon the assays employed and opportunities to minimize subject variation. The use of pigs to train colorectal surgeons provided an opportunity to compare three modes of CO₂ delivery under controlled circumstances.

METHODS

Sixteen pigs were subjected to rectal resection, insufflated with dry-cold CO₂ (DC-CO₂) (n = 5), recirculated CO₂ by an AirSeal device (n = 5) and humidification and warming (HW-CO2) by a HumiGard device (n = 6). Peritoneal biopsies were harvested from the same region of the peritoneum for fixation for immunohistochemistry for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to evaluate hypoxia induction or tissue/cellular damage, respectively.

RESULTS

DC-CO₂ insufflation by both modes leads to significant damage to mesothelial cells as measured by cellular bulging and retraction as well as microvillus shortening compared with HW-CO₂ at 1 to 1.5 h. DC-CO₂ also leads to a rapid and significant induction of HIF-1α compared with HW-CO₂.

CONCLUSIONS

DC-CO₂ insufflation induces substantive cellular damage and hypoxia responses within the first hour of application. The use of HW-CO₂ insufflation ameliorates these processes for the first one to one and half hours in a large mammal used to replicate surgery in humans.

Massive intra-abdominal recurrence after robotic-assisted radical cystectomy: A case report and critical appraisal of literature

INTRODUCTION

Over the years, the robotic surgery is gaining increasing importance in the treatment of bladder cancer. Some doubts remain about the oncological safety of robotic approach and alerts have been raised about the occurrence of atypical recurrences, including peritoneal carcinomatosis and port-site metastasis.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient referred to our Emergency Department because of acute confusional state probably due to severe anemia and sepsis. A left nephroureterectomy, left hemicolectomy with end colostomy and the surgical excision of the huge mass was performed through a xipho-pubic incision associated to another left peri-stomal incision. The histological specimen analysis showed a high-grade sarcoma, not otherwise specified (sarcoma, NOS-type), measuring 29 cm × 8 cm × 5 cm in diameters. The left kidney and ureter were not infiltrated by the neoplasm while serosa membranes and muscular layers of left colon were infiltrated by the mass. The patient died because of a cardiac arrest 4 days after surgery.

DISCUSSION

RARC is a safe and feasible alternative to open radical cystectomy (ORC) with satisfactory operative time, little blood loss, and low transfusion rates. Despite this, RARC is associated with a low, but not neglectable, risk of atypical metastases like peritoneal implants and port-site metastasis. Although a small amount (7%) of RARC were performed in non-urothelial variants of bladder cancer, the sarcomatoid one can be related to a greater risk of atypical recurrence and special precaution should be taken to reduce potential causes of tumor seeding.

Evaluating the Oncological Outcomes of Pure Laparoscopic Radical Nephroureterectomy Performed for Upper-Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study Adjusted by Propensity Score Matching

PURPOSE

To evaluate the oncological feasibility of pure laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (p-LRNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) compared with conventional LRNU (c-LRNU) using a propensity-adjusted multi-institutional collaboration dataset.

METHODS

Among the 503 UTUC patients who underwent RNU, we identified 219 who underwent c-LRNU (laparoscopic nephrectomy with open bladder cuff resection) and 72 who underwent p-LRNU (dissecting the kidney, ureter, and bladder cuff under complete laparoscopy). We adopted a propensity score (PS) matching method to achieve homogeneity with respect to patient backgrounds. PS matching-adjusted Cox-regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors that influenced oncological outcomes.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight p-LRNU and 68 c-LRNU patients were matched. Overall, 51 (37.0%) developed intravesical recurrence (IVR), 21 (15.4%) had disease recurrence, and 20 (14.7%) died. Patients who underwent p-LRNU had a significantly shorter operation time and less blood loss than those who underwent c-LRNU. Although no significant differences in 3-year recurrence-free survival were found between the two methods, atypical recurrence sites were observed in the p-LRNU group, including the brain, sigmoid colon, vagina, and peritoneum. Regarding IVR, the 3-year IVR-free survival rate was 41.8% in the p-LRNU group, which was significantly lower than that in the c-LRNU group (66.6%, p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a history of bladder cancer, ureteral cancer, and p-LRNU were independent risk factors for subsequent IVR.

CONCLUSION

Although p-LRNU is less invasive, the current technique may increase the incidence of atypical disease recurrence and subsequent IVR due to extravesical and intravesical tumor dissemination.

Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: The KLASS-02-RCT Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

It is unclear whether laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer is oncologically equivalent to open distal gastrectomy. The noninferiority of laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer compared with open surgery in terms of 3-year relapse-free survival rate was evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A phase III, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted for patients with histologically proven locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma suitable for distal subtotal gastrectomy. The primary end point was the 3-year relapse-free survival rate; the upper limit of the hazard ratio (HR) for noninferiority was 1.43 between the laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy groups.

RESULTS

From November 2011 to April 2015, 1,050 patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopy (n = 524) or open surgery (n = 526). After exclusions, 492 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and 482 underwent open surgery and were included in the analysis. The laparoscopy group, compared with the open surgery group, suffered fewer early complications (15.7% v 23.4%, respectively; P = .0027) and late complications (4.7% v 9.5%, respectively; P = .0038), particularly intestinal obstruction (2.0% v 4.4%, respectively; P = .0447). The 3-year relapse-free survival rate was 80.3% (95% CI, 76.0% to 85.0%) for the laparoscopy group and 81.3% (95% CI, 77.0% to 85.0%; log-rank P = .726) for the open group. Cox regression analysis after stratification by the surgeon revealed an HR of 1.035 (95% CI, 0.762 to 1.406; log-rank P = .827; P for noninferiority = .039). When stratified by pathologic stage, the HR was 1.020 (95% CI, 0.751 to 1.385; log-rank P = .900; P for noninferiority = .030).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy was comparable to open surgery in terms of relapse-free survival for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy could be a potential standard treatment option for locally advanced gastric cancer.

Trends and survival outcomes of robotic, laparoscopic, and open surgery for stage II uterine cancer

INTRODUCTION

A recent randomized clinical trial showed that minimally invasive surgery led to poorer survival compared with open surgery in early stage cervical cancer. We determined the trends in adoption of minimally invasive surgery and 5-year overall survival outcomes after open, laparoscopic-assisted, and robotic-assisted hysterectomy for stage II uterine cancer with cervical stromal involvement.

METHODS

Data for patients with stage II uterine cancer were acquired from the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2015. χ² testing, Kaplan-Meier methods, and Cox models were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Of 2949 patients, 44.3% underwent open hysterectomy, 13.9% underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 41.8% underwent robotic hysterectomy. The proportion of robotic cases increased from 26.8% in 2010 to 48.3% in 2015 (annual percent change 10.1%), with a decrease in open hysterectomy from 63.3% to 34.3% (annual percent change -12.5%). The overall 5-year survival was 77.6% in robotic, 76.8% in laparoscopic, and 72.5% in open hysterectomy (p=0.045); however, after adjusting for known prognostic factors, robotic (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.21; p=0.97) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.44; p=0.54) did not portend for improved survival compared with open hysterectomy. Black women (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.02; p<0.001) and individuals with co-morbidities (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.75, p<0.001) had worse adjusted survival and the highest rates of open hysterectomy.

CONCLUSION

The use of minimally invasive surgery for stage II uterine cancer has increased over time, with comparable adjusted 5-year survival after robotic or laparoscopic hysterectomy compared with open hysterectomy. Black women and those with co-morbidities had lowest rates of minimally invasive surgery and the poorest adjusted survival.

Survival After Minimally Invasive vs. Open Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The comparison of survival outcomes between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery for cervical cancer patients remains controversial. We evaluated the survival outcomes of cervical cancer patients who underwent different surgical approaches.

Methods: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to February 2020, using the MESH terms “minimally invasive surgical procedures” and “Uterine Cervical Neoplasms.” Included were all original comparative studies and trials both published and unpublished in English that were related to minimally invasive surgery and open surgery for cervical cancer patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage < IIB. Begg's and Egger's regressions were used to evaluate publication bias.

Results: This meta-analysis included 28 studies enrolling 18,961 patients with cervical cancer. The overall analyses indicated that cervical cancer patients with FIGO 2009 stage < IIB who underwent minimally invasive surgery had a lower rate of OS (HR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.06–1.92, P = 0.019) and DFS (HR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.21–1.85, P < 0.001) than those who underwent open surgery. Moreover, minimally invasive surgery could lower OS (HR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.50–3.52, P < 0.001) and DFS (HR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.36–2.76, P < 0.001) of cervical cancer patients with FIGO 2009 stage ≤ IB1 compared to open surgery. However, there were no significant differences in OS (HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.65–1.76, P = 0.801) and DFS (HR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.65–2.19, P = 0.559) in patients with tumors < 2 cm between the two groups.

Conclusions: Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was associated with poor survival outcomes compared to open surgery. Patients with FIGO 2009 stage ≤ IB1 cervical cancer who underwent minimally invasive surgery have lower OS and DFS rates than those who underwent open surgery. Therefore, open surgery should be performed for cervical cancer patients. However, patients with tumors < 2 cm might take the most advantage of minimally invasive surgery without increasing poor prognosis. There are some limitations in the meta-analysis, which needs further high-quality multicenter studies to confirm and update our findings.

Laparoscopic surgery for T4 colon cancer: a risk factor for peritoneal recurrences?

BACKGROUND

Although some preclinical studies have inferred that laparoscopic surgery for advanced cancer may increase the risk of peritoneal metastasis, this potential hazard has not been fully evaluated in the clinical setting. This study aimed to clarify whether laparoscopic surgery is associated with an increased risk of postoperative peritoneal recurrence after resection of T4 colon cancer.

METHODS

This study included 272 patients who underwent curative resection for pathological T4a colon cancer without distant metastases at the University of Tokyo Hospital between 1997 and 2017. Multivariable Fine-Gray analysis was performed to evaluate whether the use of laparoscopy was an independent risk factor for postoperative peritoneal recurrence. Thereafter, oncological outcomes (overall and relapse-free survival, and organ-specific recurrence) were compared between laparoscopic colectomy and open colectomy using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Multivariable analysis found that laparoscopic surgery was a significant risk factor for postoperative peritoneal recurrence (hazard ratio: 1.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-3.65; P = .046). Comparison after propensity score matching revealed that the incidence of peritoneal recurrence was significantly higher after laparoscopic colectomy than after open colectomy (5-year cumulative incidence: 28.1% vs 12.1%; P = .003).

CONCLUSION

This study suggested that laparoscopic surgery may be related to an increased risk of peritoneal recurrence in patients with pathological T4a colon cancer. Clinicians should be fully aware of this potential risk and seek an optimal treatment plan for the prevention and early detection of peritoneal metastasis.