Pelvic Exenterative Surgery for Palliation of Malignant Disease in the Robotic Era

Robotic Pelvic Exenteration for Gynecologic Malignancies, Anatomic Landmarks, and Surgical Steps: A Systematic Review

Pelvic exenteration represents the last resort procedure for patients with advanced primary or recurrent gynecological malignancy. Pelvic exenteration can be divided into different subgroup based on anatomical extension of the procedures. The growing application of the minimally invasive surgical approach unlocked new perspectives for gynecologic oncology surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may offer significant advantages in terms of perioperative outcomes. Since 2009, several Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Pelvic Exenteration experiences have been described in literature. The advent of robotic surgery resulted in a new spur to the worldwide spread of minimally invasive pelvic exenteration. We present a review of the literature on robotic-assisted pelvic exenteration. The search was conducted using electronic databases from inception of each database through June 2021. 13 articles including 53 patients were included in this review. Anterior exenteration was pursued in 42 patients (79.2%), 2 patients underwent posterior exenteration (3.8%), while 9 patients (17%) were subjected to total exenteration. The most common urinary reconstruction was non-continent urinary diversion (90.2%). Among the 11 women who underwent to total or posterior exenteration, 8 (72.7%) received a terminal colostomy. Conversion to laparotomy was required in two cases due to intraoperative vascular injury. Complications' report was available for 51 patients. Fifteen Dindo Grade 2 complications occurred in 11 patients (21.6%), and 14 grade 3 complications were registered in 13 patients (25.5%). Only grade 4 complications were reported (2%). In 88% of women, the resection margins were negative. Pelvic exenteration represents a salvage procedure in patients with recurrent or persistent gynecological cancers often after radiotherapy. A careful patient selection remains the milestone of such a mutilating surgery. The introduction of the minimally invasive approach has led to advantages in terms of perioperative outcomes compared to classic open surgery. This review shows the feasibility of robotic pelvic exenteration. An important step forward should be to investigate the potential equivalence between robotic approaches and the laparotomic one, in terms of long-term oncological outcomes.

The Role of Exenterative Surgery in Advanced Urological Neoplasms

Pelvic exenterative surgery is both complex and challenging, especially in the setting of locally recurrent disease. In recent decades, improved surgical techniques have facilitated more extensive resection of both locally advanced and recurrent pelvic malignancies, but its role in urological cancer surgery is highly selective. However, it remains an important part of the armamentarium for the management of bladder and prostate cancer cases where there is local invasion into adjacent organs or localized recurrence. Better diagnostics, reconstructive options and centralized care have reduced associated morbidity considerably, and it is still used rarely in palliative settings. Despite this, there is sparse prospective evidence reporting on long-term oncological or quality of life outcomes.

Palliative pelvic exenteration: A systematic review of patient-centered outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Palliative pelvic exenteration (PPE) is a technically complex operation with high morbidity and mortality rates, considered in patients with limited life expectancy. There is little evidence to guide practice. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the impact of PPE on symptom relief and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASe, and PubMed databases for studies reporting on outcomes of PPE for symptom relief or QoL. Descriptive statistics were used on pooled patient cohorts.

RESULTS

Twenty-three historical cohorts and case series were included, comprising 509 patients. No comparative studies were found. Most malignancies were of colorectal, gynaecological and urological origin. Common indications for PPE were pain, symptomatic fistula, bleeding, malodour, obstruction and pelvic sepsis. The pooled median postoperative morbidity rate was 53.6% (13-100%), the median in-hospital mortality was 6.3% (0-66.7%), and median OS was 14 months (4-40 months). Some symptom relief was reported in a median of 79% (50-100%) of the patients, although the magnitude of effect was poorly measured. Data for QoL measures were inconclusive. Five studies discouraged performing PPE in any patient, while 18 studies concluded that the procedure can be considered in highly selected patients.

CONCLUSION

Available evidence on PPE is of low-quality. Morbidity and mortality rates are high with a short median OS interval. While some symptom relief may be afforded by this procedure, evidence for improvement in QoL is limited. A highly selective individualised approach is required to optimise the risk:benefit equation.

Our Experience of Laparoscopic Anterior Exenteration in Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To show the feasibility, technique, and results of laparoscopic anterior exenteration in selected patients.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Galaxy Care Laparoscopy Institute, Pune, India.

PATIENTS

Seventy-four of 85 patients who underwent laparoscopic anterior exenteration for stage IVA carcinoma of the cervix from January 2005 to January 2015 were analyzed; the median follow-up was 30 months. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic imaging of the abdomen and pelvis was performed for all patients.

INTERVENTIONS

The same surgeon and team performed all the operations for uniformity in 10 operative steps.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The mean operative time was 180 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 160 mL. The mean hospital stay was 6 days. The average number of lymph nodes removed was 21.4. Surgical margins were negative in all patients. Forty-two patients had positive lymph nodes. Chemoradiation was given to those with positive lymph nodes. Perioperative complications occurred in 15 (20.27%) patients including deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infection, ureterosigmoid leak (n = 2/74), and so on. Positron emission tomographic imaging and computed tomographic scanning were performed at 6 months after surgery and 6 months after adjuvant therapy in those with positive lymph nodes. There was no immediate postoperative mortality. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 25%.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic anterior exenteration is feasible in cases of advanced carcinoma of the cervix. Results have shown that in selected patients this procedure is associated with good long-term survival.

Robotic total pelvic exenteration with laparoscopic rectus flap: initial experience

Total pelvic exenteration is a highly morbid procedure performed for locally advanced pelvic malignancies. We describe our experience with three patients who underwent robotic total pelvic exenteration with laparoscopic rectus flap and compare perioperative characteristics to our open experience. Demographic, tumor, operative, and perioperative factors were examined with descriptive statistics reported. Mean operative times were similar between the two groups. When compared to open total pelvic exenteration cases (n = 9), median estimated blood loss, ICU stay, and hospital stay were all decreased. These data show robotic pelvic exenteration with laparoscopic rectus flap is technically feasible. The surgery was well tolerated with low blood loss and comparable operative times to the open surgery. Further study is needed to confirm the oncologic efficacy and the suggested improvement in surgical morbidity.

Robotic technology for pelvic exenteration in cases of cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer represents one of the most common types of neoplasia among women; the use of minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of cervical cancer is a challenge.

OBJECTIVES

To present evidence regarding robotic technology in the performance of pelvic exenteration in cases of cervical cancer.

SEARCH STRATEGY

PubMed and Scopus databases were searched.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Articles examining the use of robotic technology for pelvic exenteration in cases of cervical cancer were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Four studies were included.

MAIN RESULTS

Most cancers treated with robotic-assisted pelvic exenteration were squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix. The stage of primary cancer ranged from IB2 to IVA. In 7 of the 8 patients, anterior pelvic exenteration was performed; the other patient underwent total pelvic exenteration. Procedure duration ranged from 375 to 600 minutes; blood loss was 200-550 mL. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 of the 8 patients and included perineal abscess, Miami pouch fistula, and ureteral stenosis. Postoperative hospital stay ranged from 3 to 53 days, and postoperative follow-up ranged from 2 to 31 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The gold standard for pelvic exenteration remains the open surgical approach; however, the application of robotic technology could be an alternate choice associated with excellent results.

Long-term experience on laparoscopic incontinent urinary diversion unrelated to cystectomy in radiated or recurrent pelvic malignancies

BACKGROUND:

There are few reports describing series of cases about development on laparoscopic urinary diversions no related to cystectomy. The aim of this paper is to show the experience of our reference institutions for treatment of pelvic malignancies when laparoscopic techniques were applied to perform only urinary diversion without cystectomy or pelvic exenteration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We included retrospectively 12 cases of cutaneous ureterostomy and 21 cases with a reservoir (16 ileal conduits, 2 colonic conduits and 3 wet colostomies) treated in our institute from 2004 to 2010. It was evaluated operative time, blood loss, intraoperative complications, conversion rate, length of large incision, post operative complications, analgesic consumption, time to food intake, hospital stay, time to recovery to normal activities. Mean time to follow-up was 3(2-7) years.

RESULTS:

All procedures were completed without conversions. In the cutaneous ureterostomy group the mean surgical time.

Total pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancies

Total pelvic exenteration (PE) is a radical operation, involving en bloc resection of pelvic organs, including reproductive structures, bladder, and rectosigmoid. In gynecologic oncology, it is most commonly indicated for the treatment of advanced primary or locally recurrent cancer. Careful patient selection and counseling are of paramount importance when considering someone for PE. Part of the evaluation process includes comprehensive assessment to exclude unresectable or metastatic disease. PE can be curative for carefully selected patients with gynecologic cancers. Major complications can be seen in as many as 50% of patients undergoing PE, underscoring the need to carefully discuss risks and benefits of this procedure with patients considering exenterative surgery.