Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation

Fertility preservation service for children and young adults at high risk of infertility; the hub and spoke model

PURPOSE

To evaluate the evolution of fertility preservation surgery in children and young adults at high risk of infertility from a single centre to a networked 'Hub and Spoke' service.

METHODS

A case note review of patients referred for ovarian or testicular cryopreservation between Jan 2013 and Dec 2023. Demographic data, procurement numbers, and site of procurement were collected. Specialist feedback was obtained to identify the challenges faced.

RESULTS

Over time, the number of referrals increased from 4 to 349 patients per year with the number of Spoke centres rising to 36 ovarian and 16 testicular. In 2013-2014; 100% of procurement was ovarian as compared to 2023; 51% ovarian, 49% testicular. Of the 395 referrals in 2021, 81% (n = 319) went on to have procurement and storage of tissue. Between 2013 and 2016, 96% of cases were performed at the Hub. In 2023, 53/349 (15%) cases were performed at the Hub with the remaining 296 (85%) procured at Spoke sites. Surgical issues such as access to theatre, variation and availability of surgical equipment, thermal injury to ovarian tissue and variation in the size of the testicular specimen were identified.

CONCLUSION

The Hub and Spoke model successfully delivers treatment to patients close to home as safely possible within their local treatment centre.

Laparoscopic medulla-sparing ovarian tissue biopsy for cryopreservation: step-by-step surgical technique

OBJECTIVE

To describe a laparoscopic technique for ovarian tissue biopsy (OTB) for fertility preservation. In the last years, the demand for fertility preservation has grown because of the increasing survival rates among patients with cancer and the rising awareness of the importance of quality of life after gonadotoxic therapy. Among fertility-sparing approaches, ovarian tissue cryopreservation is a valid strategy to preserve ovarian endocrine and reproductive function in prepubertal and postpubertal women who will undergo gonadotoxic cancer treatments. Currently, there is no universal consensus regarding ovarian tissue retrieval technique for fertility preservation.

DESIGN

Step-by-step description of the surgical technique with narrated video footage.

SETTING

Academic tertiary hospital.

PATIENT(S)

Patients with a high risk of premature ovarian insufficiency, usually due to gonadotoxic treatments, who undergo OTB for fertility preservation were included in the study. In this video, we present the clinical case of a 28-year-old patient affected by Hodgkin lymphoma who underwent laparoscopy for OTB before chemotherapy.

INTERVENTION(S)

After exposing the chosen ovary, an incision at the tubal pole of the ovary is made with scissors. Through section and dissection, a large cortical biopsy of the ovary is performed without removing and avoiding any damage to the medulla. At the end of the procedure, hemostasis was achieved with selective coagulation using bipolar coagulation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Step by step educational video.

RESULT(S)

The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharge 24 hours after surgery.

CONCLUSION(S)

Standardization of a step-by-step laparoscopic technique can provide an effective method to optimize ovarian tissue removal while minimizing tissue injury. Medulla-sparing ovarian biopsy allows retrieval of only the cortical part of the ovary, maximizing the number of primordial follicles obtained without damaging the vascular supply of the ovary contained within the medulla. Primordial follicles are resistant to cryoinjury owing to their relatively inactive metabolism, and they are usually found at approximately 0.8 mm below the surface of the cortex. This technique could also reduce the back-table processing time of the ovarian tissue before cryopreservation. One disadvantage could be the difficulty of the technique compared to an oophorectomy because it requires a skilled surgeon that can easily find the cleavage plane between the medulla and the cortex, even in patients submitted to previous chemoradiotherapy or during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue therapy.

FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 (FLI) supplementation during human in vitro maturation enhances markers of gamete competence

STUDY QUESTION

Does a chemically defined maturation medium supplemented with FGF2, LIF, and IGF1 (FLI) improve in vitro maturation (IVM) of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from children, adolescents, and young adults undergoing ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Although FLI supplementation did not increase the incidence of oocyte meiotic maturation during human IVM, it significantly improved quality outcomes, including increased cumulus cell expansion and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression as well as enhanced transzonal projection retraction.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

During OTC, COCs, and denuded oocytes from small antral follicles are released into the processing media. Recovery and IVM of these COCs is emerging as a complementary technique to maximize the fertility preservation potential of the tissue. However, the success of IVM is low, especially in the pediatric population. Supplementation of IVM medium with FLI quadruples the efficiency of pig production through improved oocyte maturation, but whether a similar benefit occurs in humans has not been investigated.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This study enrolled 75 participants between January 2018 and December 2021 undergoing clinical fertility preservation through the Fertility & Hormone Preservation & Restoration Program at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Participants donated OTC media, accumulated during tissue processing, for research.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Participants who underwent OTC and include a pediatric population that encompassed children, adolescents, and young adults ≤22 years old. All participant COCs and denuded oocytes were recovered from media following ovarian tissue processing. IVM was then performed in either a standard medium (oocyte maturation medium) or one supplemented with FLI (FGF2; 40 ng/ml, LIF; 20 ng/ml, and IGF1; 20 ng/ml). IVM outcomes included meiotic progression, cumulus cell expansion, transzonal projection retraction, and detection of MAPK protein expression.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The median age of participants was 6.3 years, with 65% of them classified as prepubertal by Tanner staging. Approximately 60% of participants had been exposed to chemotherapy and/or radiation prior to OTC. On average 4.7 ± 1 COCs and/or denuded oocytes per participant were recovered from the OTC media. COCs (N = 41) and denuded oocytes (N = 29) were used for IVM (42 h) in a standard or FLI-supplemented maturation medium. The incidence of meiotic maturation was similar between cohorts (COCs: 25.0% vs 28.6% metaphase II arrested eggs in Control vs FLI; denuded oocytes: 0% vs 5.3% in Control vs FLI). However, cumulus cell expansion was 1.9-fold greater in COCs matured in FLI-containing medium relative to Controls and transzonal projection retraction was more pronounced (2.45 ± 0.50 vs 1.16 ± 0.78 projections in Control vs FLIat 16 h). Additionally, MAPK expression was significantly higher in cumulus cells obtained from COCs matured in FLI medium for 16-18 h (chemiluminescence corrected area 621,678 vs 2,019,575 a.u., P = 0.03).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Our samples are from human participants who exhibited heterogeneity with respect to age, diagnosis, and previous treatment history. Future studies with larger sample sizes, including adult participants, are warranted to determine the mechanism by which FLI induces MAPK expression and activation. Moreover, studies that evaluate the developmental competence of eggs derived from FLI treatment, including assessment of embryos as outcome measures, will be required prior to clinical translation.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

FLI supplementation may have a conserved beneficial effect on IVM for children, adolescents, and young adults spanning the agricultural setting to clinical fertility preservation.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology startup funds (F.E.D.), Department of Surgery Faculty Practice Plan Grant and the Fertility & Hormone Preservation & Restoration Program at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (M.M.L. and E.E.R.). M.M.L. is a Gesualdo Foundation Research Scholar. Y.Y.'s research is supported by the internal research funds provided by Colorado Center of Reproductive Medicine. Y.Y., L.D.S., R.M.R., and R.S.P. have a patent pending for FLI. The remaining authors have no conflict of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Conventional 3-port vs. single-incision laparoscopic oophorectomy for ovarian cryopreservation in paediatric surgery: a retrospective case-note review

Objective

We aim to compare conventional 3-port with single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for oophorectomy in patients undergoing ovarian cryopreservation.

Background

Demand for cryopreservation of ovarian tissue prior to the initiation of gonadotoxic treatment has risen significantly since its introduction in England in 2013. Traditionally, laparoscopic oophorectomy is performed using a 3-port technique with an umbilical port and 2 smaller 5-mm working ports. Energy devices can be used to allow haemostatic dissection of the ovary and this is delivered through the umbilical port site. In an attempt to improve efficiency, post-operative outcomes, and enhance cosmesis; our department initiated the use of the Applied Medical GelPoint Mini Advanced Access Platform single port technique using a vertical trans-umbilical approach for ovarian cryopreservation.

Methods

All patients undergoing laparoscopic oophorectomy for cryopreservation between September 2013 and August 2017 were included. The patients were consented for SILS, 3-port and open oophorectomies. All patients received maximum local anaesthetic wound infiltration intra-operatively. Case notes and theatre electronic data were reviewed and data was collected on additional procedure, conversion rate, operative time, post-operative analgesia requirement, complications and length of hospital stay.

Results

A total of 106 patients underwent laparoscopic oophorectomy during the study period. Of these, 40 underwent conventional 3-port, 65 had SILS and 1 patient had open. No cases were converted from the intended method. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean operative time; with SILS being faster than the conventional 3-port method (SILS: 40.4 min; 3-port: 51.7 min; p = 0.017). There was no difference in length of stay or perioperative analgesics, and complication rates in both groups were low. Informal qualitative feedback included surgeons stating that the ovary was much easier to deliver using the SILS technique. Patients were also happy with a single cosmetically appeasing scar hidden within the umbilicus.

Conclusion

SILS is an acceptable technique in ovarian cryopreservation allowing a quicker operative time, easier delivery of the ovary, and better cosmesis. A learning curve is recognised due to the ergonomics of single port laparoscopy; however, the technique can be established easily in departments with existing laparoscopic capabilities. This is the first paper which establishes this within a Paediatric Surgical setting, and adult literature suggests that further prospective trials may prove some benefit in ovarian tissue volume or time to initiation of treatment due to enhanced recovery.

Splitting the imaging system from the laparoendoscopic single site surgery device in endoscopic uniportal surgery: ZEUS project

The use of a rigid tube endoscope (RTE) through a laparoendoscopic single site surgery device for intracavitary visualization during endoscopic uniportal surgery (EUS) is directly related to the fulcrum effect and physical competition (externally between surgeons and on instrumentation through the single port). These facts may have precluded a wider spread of EUS. In an attempt to separate the imaging system from the laparoendoscopic single site surgery device, a tiered project (3 models) that can help overcome these drawbacks is detailed. ZEUS1, a new non-RTE imaging system device for EUS was successfully tested in EUS surgery in a pig model. Still under investigation, ZEUS2 becomes a wired structure that serves as the basis for an endoscopic microcamera with intracavitary pan-tilt-zoom functions. ZEUS3 uses the inner ring of the surgical wound protector as a microchamber crown. Further studies are needed to materialize the ZEUS2 and ZEUS3 models and confirm their efficacy and safety.

A Systematic Review of Ovarian Tissue Transplantation Outcomes by Ovarian Tissue Processing Size for Cryopreservation

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is the only pre-treatment option currently available to preserve fertility for prepubescent girls and patients who cannot undergo ovarian stimulation. Currently, there is no standardized method of processing ovarian tissue for cryopreservation, despite evidence that fragmentation of ovaries may trigger primordial follicle activation. Because fragmentation may influence ovarian transplant function, the purpose of this systematic review was (1) to identify the processing sizes and dimensions of ovarian tissue within sites around the world, and (2) to examine the reported outcomes of ovarian tissue transplantation including, reported duration of hormone restoration, pregnancy, and live birth. A total of 2,252 abstracts were screened against the inclusion criteria. In this systematic review, 103 studies were included for analysis of tissue processing size and 21 studies were included for analysis of ovarian transplantation outcomes. Only studies where ovarian tissue was cryopreserved (via slow freezing or vitrification) and transplanted orthotopically were included in the review. The size of cryopreserved ovarian tissue was categorized based on dimensions into strips, squares, and fragments. Of the 103 studies, 58 fertility preservation sites were identified that processed ovarian tissue into strips (62%), squares (25.8%), or fragments (31%). Ovarian tissue transplantation was performed in 92 participants that had ovarian tissue cryopreserved into strips (n = 51), squares (n = 37), and fragments (n = 4). All participants had ovarian tissue cryopreserved by slow freezing. The pregnancy rate was 81.3%, 45.5%, 66.7% in the strips, squares, fragment groups, respectively. The live birth rate was 56.3%, 18.2%, 66.7% in the strips, squares, fragment groups, respectively. The mean time from ovarian tissue transplantation to ovarian hormone restoration was 3.88 months, 3.56 months, and 3 months in the strips, squares, and fragments groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the time of ovarian function' restoration and the size of ovarian tissue. Transplantation of ovarian tissue, regardless of its processing dimensions, restores ovarian hormone activity in the participants that were reported in the literature. More detailed information about the tissue processing size and outcomes post-transplant are required to identify a preferred or more successful processing method.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk], identifier [CRD42020189120].

Splitting the imaging system from the laparoendoscopic single site surgery device in endoscopic uniportal surgery: ZEUS project

The use of a rigid tube endoscope (RTE) through a laparoendoscopic single site surgery device for intracavitary visualization during endoscopic uniportal surgery (EUS) is directly related to the fulcrum effect and physical competition (externally between surgeons and on instrumentation through the single port). These facts may have precluded a wider spread of EUS. In an attempt to separate the imaging system from the laparoendoscopic single site surgery device, a tiered project (3 models) that can help overcome these drawbacks is detailed. ZEUS1, a new non-RTE imaging system device for EUS was successfully tested in EUS surgery in a pig model. Still under investigation, ZEUS2 becomes a wired structure that serves as the basis for an endoscopic microcamera with intracavitary pan-tilt-zoom functions. ZEUS3 uses the inner ring of the surgical wound protector as a microchamber crown. Further studies are needed to materialize the ZEUS2 and ZEUS3 models and confirm their efficacy and safety.

Current and Future Perspectives for Improving Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation and Transplantation Outcomes for Cancer Patients

Although advances in cancer treatment and early diagnosis have significantly improved cancer survival rates, cancer therapies can cause serious side effects, including ovarian failure and infertility, in women of reproductive age. Infertility following cancer treatment can have significant adverse effects on the quality of life. However, established methods for fertility preservation, including embryo or oocyte cryopreservation, are not always suitable for female cancer patients because of complicated individual conditions and treatment methods. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation is a promising option for fertility preservation in pre-pubertal girls and adult patients with cancer who require immediate treatment, or who are not eligible to undergo ovarian stimulation. This review introduces various methods and strategies to improve ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation outcomes, to help patients and clinicians choose the best option when considering the potential complexity of a patient's situation. Effective multidisciplinary oncofertility strategies, involving the inclusion of a highly skilled and experienced oncofertility team that considers cryopreservation methods, thawing processes and devices, surgical procedures for transplantation, and advances in technologies, are necessary to provide high-quality care to a cancer patient.

Learning curve of surgical novices using the single-port platform SymphonX: minimizing OR trauma to only one 15-mm incision

Background

Minimally invasive single-port surgery is always associated with large incisions up to 2–3 cm, complicated handling due to the lack of triangulation, and instrument crossing. The aim of this prospective study was to report how medical students without any laparoscopic experience perform several laparoscopic tasks (rope pass, paper cut, peg transfer, recapping, and needle threading) with the new SymphonX single-port platform and to examine the learning curves in comparison to the laparoscopic multi-port technique.

Methods

A set of 5 laparoscopic skill tests (Rope Pass, Paper cut, Peg Transfer, Recapping, Needle Thread) were performed with 3 repetitions. Medical students performed all tests with both standard laparoscopic instruments and the new platform. Time and errors were recorded.

Results

A total of 114 medical students (61 females) with a median age of 23 years completed the study. All subjects were able to perform the skill tests with both standard laparoscopic multi-port and the single-port laparoscopic system and were able to significantly improve their performance over the three trials for all five tasks—rope pass (p < 0.001), paper cut (p < 0.001), peg transfer (p < 0.001), needle threading (p < 0.001), and recapping (p < 0.001). In 3 out of 5 tasks, medical students performed the tasks faster using the standard multi-port system—rope pass (p < 0.001), paper cut (p < 0.001), and peg transfer (p < 0.001). In the task recapping, medical students performed the task faster using the new single-port system (p = 0.003). In the task needle threading, there was no significant difference between the standard multi-port system and the new single-port system (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This is the first study analyzing learning curves of the commercially available SymphonX platform for abdominal laparoscopic surgery when used by novices. The learning curve and the error rate are promising.

Fertility and hormone preservation and restoration for female children and adolescents receiving gonadotoxic cancer treatments: A systematic review

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review by the American Pediatric Surgical Cancer Committee was to summarize evidence from the current medical literature regarding fertility restoration and hormone replacement for female children and adolescents treated with gonadotoxic treatments.

METHODS

Using PRISMA guidelines, questions were addressed by searching Medline, Cochrane, Embase Central and National clearing house databases using relevant search terms. Eligible studies included those that addressed ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), oocyte harvest, ovarian transposition, and ovarian tissue auto-transplantation for females under the age of 20. Four reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Study outcomes were summarized in a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

Two thousand two hundred seventy-six studies were identified by database search and manual review and 2185 were eliminated based on defined exclusion criteria. Ninety-one studies served as the basis for the systematic review. There were 1019 patients who underwent OTC with ages ranging from 0.4 to 20.4 years old, with 298 under the age of 13. Twenty patients aged 13-20 years old underwent successful oocyte harvest. Thirty-seven children underwent ovarian transposition as a means of fertility preservation. Eighteen patients underwent auto-transplantation of thawed ovarian cortical tissue that was harvested before the age of 21 years resulting in 10 live births.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically accepted and experimental fertility preservation options such as OTC, oocyte cryopreservation, and ovarian transposition are available to females aged 20 years and younger who are at risk for premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility due to gonadotoxic treatments. There is a large cohort of pediatric-aged patients, with a wide variety of diagnoses and treatments, who have undergone fertility preservation. Currently, fertility and hormone restoration experience for patients who were 20- years of age or younger at the time of fertility preservation remains limited.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

True single-port cholecystectomy with ICG cholangiography through a single 15-mm trocar using the new surgical platform "symphonX": first human case study with a commercially available device

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive single-port surgery is often associated with large incisions up to 2-3 cm, complicated handling due to the lack of triangulation, and instrument crossing. Aim of this prospective study was to perform true single-port surgery (cholecystectomy) without the use of assisting trocars using a new surgical platform that allows for triangulation incorporating robotic features, and to measure the perioperative outcome and cosmetic results.

METHODS

As the first European site after FDA and CE-mark approval, the new device has been introduced to our academic center. In patients with cholecystitis and cholecystolithiasis, the operation was performed through only one 15-mm trocar. For patients safety, intraoperative cholangiography using intravenous ICG and a standard Stryker 1588 system was routinely performed.

RESULTS

Symphonx was used in n = 12 patients for abdominal surgery (6 females, mean age 42.5 [30-77], mean BMI 26.2 [19.3-38.9]. A total of 8 patients underwent surgery using no additional ports besides the 15-mm trocar; in the remaining patients, one assisting instrument (3-5 mm) was used. Mean OR time was 107 [72-221] minutes. The postoperative course was uneventful in 11 patients; in one patient, a seroma at the surgical site required interventional drainage 1 month postoperatively. No intraoperative complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

This is the first human case series using the commercially available symphonX platform for abdominal laparoscopic surgery and the first series using the system without assisting instruments. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cholecystitis and cholecystolithiasis using the symphonX platform through only one 15-mm trocar is feasible, safe, and more cost-efficient compared to robotic platforms.