Obstetric care after radical abdominal trachelectomy in a patient with stage IB1 cervical cancer: A case report and a review of medical literature

Management of pregnancy after radical trachelectomy

Radical trachelectomy (RT) is a surgery for early-stage cervical cancer treatment that preserves the childbearing ability, and its use has become increasingly common worldwide. Thus, the rate of conception in women who have undergone RT is increasing. However, pregnancy after RT is associated with a higher risk of several obstetric complications such as preterm delivery, preterm premature membrane rupture, and abnormal bleeding from varices at the site of uterovaginal anastomosis. Furthermore, since RT have a residual prophylactic cerclage, it is difficult to manage first- and second-trimester miscarriages. There is little previous data on the management of pregnancy after RT. In this review article, we summarize various management methods and experiences to provide a guide to clinicians for perinatal management after RT.

Risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery

BACKGROUND

There is a substantial variation in rates of preterm delivery between different parts of the world. The understanding of these variations, as well as the biological mechanisms behind spontaneous preterm delivery, is limited. Although the benefit of antenatal interventions has been shown to be limited, using well-known risk factors for spontaneous preterm delivery to select the correct pregnant women for targeted interventions is important from both a medical and caregiving perspective.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an introduction to a substantial research area dealing with risk factors of spontaneous preterm delivery.

METHODS

Risk factors in this review were classified as demographical, obstetrical, and gynecological and those related to the current pregnancy according to high-quality evidence of recent literature.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

An introduction to a substantial research area in maternal and fetal medicine was provided that might help clinicians to better understand the risk factors related to preterm delivery and select the correct pregnant women for targeted interventions.

Obstetric complications as a challenge after radical trachelectomy: a review of the literature

Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide and the ninth cause of death in women between 30 and 49 years of age. Increase in early detection and diagnosis has allowed the implementation of more conservative management strategies. The radical trachelectomy (RT) is considered the treatment of choice for patients with early stage cervical cancer that desire fertility preservation, without compromising oncologic outcomes. The published data regarding reproductive and obstetric outcomes after RT reports decreased fertility, and increased abortion rates, prematurity and obstetric complications. On the other hand, data on oncologic outcomes has not shown higher rates of residual disease compared to radical hysterectomy. Data on obstetric outcomes following RT is scarce, generating controversy. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with stage IB1 cervical cancer managed with a vaginal radical trachelectomy (VRT), who subsequently had two successful gestations that resulted in premature deliveries with associated neonatal morbidity.

Type B Laparoscopic Radical Trachelectomy with Uterine Artery Preservation for Stage IB1 Cervical Cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Radical trachelectomy has emerged as a valuable fertility-preserving treatment option for young women with early-stage cervical cancer [1]. Laparoscopic radical trachelectomy performed by trained surgeons can be a feasible and safe therapeutic option as a fertility-sparing surgical technique [2,3]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time the total laparoscopic approach of radical trachelectomy is being published. In this video, rather than the description of the technique step by step, we show how to conserve uterine arteries even if the importance of such conservation is questionable.

DESIGN

A case report.

SETTING

A tertiary referral center in Strasbourg, France.

PATIENT

A 37-year-old patient with no medical history who presented with stage IB1 invasive epidermoid cervical cancer.

INTERVENTION

In this video, we describe the fertility-sparing surgical procedure consisting of type B total laparoscopic radical trachelectomy with uterine artery preservation. The procedure consists of the following 10 steps: step 1, bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and opening of the para vesical fossa; step 2, opening of the pararectal fossa in between the ureter and the internal iliac artery on each side; step 3, ureteric dissection up to the ureteric canal; step 4, opening of the vesicouterine space and section of the vesicouterine ligament; step 5, posterior dissection with division of the uterosacral ligament approximately 20 mm from the uterine insertion; step 6, section of the descending branch of the uterine artery and skeletonization of the ascending branch up to the uterine isthmus level; step 7, trachelectomy with a monopolar hook; step 8, laparoscopic isthmovaginal stitches; step 9, laparoscopic cerclage; and step 10, peritoneal closure.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The operative time was 420 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was <200 mL. The operation was performed successfully with no intraoperative complications. The resection margins were safe. The patient was discharged on day 4. After 2 months, no late complications or recurrence were detected, and the patient had normal menstruation.

CONCLUSION

Type B laparoscopic radical trachelectomy with uterine artery preservation appears to be a safe option for women who intend to maintain their desire for a future pregnancy.