Laparoscopy-Assisted Vaginal Versus Abdominal Hysterectomy in Endometrial Cancer

The incidence of postoperative symptomatic lymphocele after pelvic lymphadenectomy between abdominal and laparoscopic approach: a systemic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risks of symptomatic lymphocele after pelvic lymphadenectomy between the laparoscopic and abdominal approach in uterine cervical and endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We searched Ovid Medline, Ovid EMBASE, and the Cochrane library through April 2020. We selected the comparative studies contained information on symptomatic lymphoceles in postoperative complications. All articles searched were independently reviewed and selected by two researchers. A meta-analysis was performed using the Stata MP version 16.0 software package.

RESULTS

A total of 33 eligible clinical trials were ultimately enrolled in this meta-analysis. When all studies were pooled, the odds ratios (OR) of the laparoscopic approach for the risk of symptomatic lymphoceles compared to the abdominal approach was 0.58 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42-0.81, p = 0.022, I-squared = 0.0%]. The risk of postoperative symptomatic lymphoceles in the laparoscopic group tended to decrease over time in the cumulative meta-analysis. In the subgroup analysis, there was no evidence for an association between cancer type, quality of the study methodology, hysterectomy type, and postoperative symptomatic lymphoceles. However, in a recently published article, being overweight (body mass index ≥ 25) and studies conducted in oriental area were associated with a lower incidence of postoperative symptomatic lymphoceles.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy was associated with a significantly lower risk of postoperative symptomatic lymphoceles than abdominal lymphadenectomy (PROSPERO registration number: CRD 42,020,187,165).

Laparoendoscopic single-site radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer

Technical developments have made laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery increasingly more feasible for treating gynecological conditions, including cancer. However, complex surgeries such as radical hysterectomy have rarely been performed with single-port access because of technical difficulties. The majority of the difficulties are due to the inefficient retraction of tissue during dissection. Here, we report a detailed description of LESS radical hysterectomy plus pelvic lymph node dissection that was successfully performed in two patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer. We used our expertise with LESS to perform space development as much as possible before the ligaments were resected. The oncologic clearance was comparable to that of conventional laparoscopic radical hysterectomy.

Single-port laparoscopic debulking surgery of variant benign metastatic leiomyomatosis with simultaneous lymphatic spreading and intraperitoneal seeding

Benign metastatic leiomyomatosis (BML) is a rare disease characterized by smooth muscle cell proliferation in extrauterine sites including the lung, abdomen, pelvis, and retroperitoneum. Depending on location, BML is classified as intravenous leiomyomatosis and diffuse peritoneal leiomyomatosis. Pathogenesis of BML can be iatrogenic after previous myomectomy or hysterectomy, hormonal, or coelomic metaplasia. Treatment options are observation, hormonal suppression, and/or surgical debulking via laparotomy or laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery is gaining in popularity in the gynecologic field compared to laparotomic surgery and single-port laparoscopy has the benefits of cosmesis and early tissue extraction by transumbilical morcellation. We report a 39-year-old woman with BML who underwent single-port laparoscopy debulking surgery.

Laparoscopy Versus Laparotomy in the Treatment of High-Risk Endometrial Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

The aim of this study was to compare the long-term safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery and laparotomy for high-risk endometrial cancer (EC).A retrospective analysis based on our decade of clinical data of patients with high-risk EC who were comprehensively surgically staged by laparotomy or laparoscopy was performed. The surgical outcomes were compared between different approaches using propensity score matching (PSM).Eighty-one pairs of patients from the initial 220 enrolled ones were matched by PSM. The mean operative time is similar between laparotomy and laparoscopy groups (258 minutes vs. 253 minutes). The laparoscopy cohort has less blood loss (107 mL vs.414 mL, P < 0.01), shorter hospital stay (14.7 days vs. 17.7 days, P = 0.02) and significant fewer intraoperative complications (6.2% vs. 25.9%, P < 0.01). The pelvic lymph nodes dissected by laparoscopy (16.4) were significant less than that dissected by laparotomy (21.9). The 5- and 10-year survival rate for laparotomy were 89.2% and 75.8% compared with 85.3% and 85.3% for the laparoscopy. There was no significant difference in overall survival (P = 0.97).Laparoscopy is as effective as laparotomy in the long term and can be safely carried out in patients with high-risk EC for surgery treatment.

Staging lymphadenectomy in patients with localized high risk prostate cancer: comparison of the laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) technique with conventional multiport laparoscopy

BACKGROUND

In patients with localized high-risk prostate cancer awaiting radiation therapy, pelvic lymphadenectomy (PL) is a reliable minimally invasive staging procedure. We compared outcomes after laparoendoscopic single site PL (LESSPL) with those after conventional multiport laparoscopic PL (MLPL).

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study was carried out at the authors' center. For LESSPL the reusable X-Cone single port was combined with straight and prebent laparoscopic instruments and an additional 3 mm needlescopic grasper. MLPL was performed via four trocars of different sizes using standard laparoscopic instruments.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent either LESSPL (n = 20) or MLPL (n = 97) between January 2008 and July 2013, were included in the study. Demographic data were comparable between groups. Patients in the LESSPL group tended to be older and had a significantly higher ASA-score. The mean operating time was 172.4 ± 34.1 min for LESSPL and 116.6 ± 40.1 min for MLPL (P < .001). During LESSPL, no conversion to MLPL was necessary. An average of 12 lymph nodes per patient was retrieved, with no significant difference between study groups. Postoperative pain scores were similar between groups. The hospital stay was 2.3 ± 0.7 days after LESSPL and 3.1 ± 1.2 days after MLPL (P = .01). Two days postoperatively, significantly more patients after LESSPL than after MLPL recovered their normal physical activity (P < .001). Six months postoperatively, no complications were registered in the LESSPL group and cosmetic results were excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, shorter hospitalization and quicker postoperative recovery were major benefits of LESSPL over MLPL. In patients with localized prostate cancer, staging LESS pelvic lymphadenectomy may be a safe alternative to conventional multiport laparoscopy.

The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative deep myometrium assessment in endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect deep myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 66 cases of women with endometrial cancer, who underwent preoperative MRI assessment and surgical staging between January 2006 and October 2010. The MRI findings were then compared with the pathology results. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI in detecting deep myometrium invasion were evaluated.

RESULTS

The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV results of MRI for the detection of deep myometrium invasion were 92.52%, 74.35%, 81.81%,71.42%, and 93.54%, respectively, with a kappa of 0.64. In the postmenopausal group, the values were 100%, 55.5%, 74.19%, 61.9%, and 100%. In the premenopausal women, they improved to 85.7%, 90.47%, 88.57%, 88.71%, and 90.47%. The sensitivity (100%) was better than the specificity (55.56%) in the postmenopausal women. The predictive value was markedly higher in the premenopausal women than the postmenopausal women (85.7% vs. 61.9%).

CONCLUSION

In patients with endometrial cancer, a preoperative MRI contributes to accurate staging, allowing planning for the scale of surgery and preoperative counseling. In our study, the pretreatment identification of myometrium invasion provided the opportunity for small-scale surgery in the premenopausal women with early endometrial cancer. However, for the postmenopausal patients, the standard surgical procedure is indicated even if the degree of myometrium invasion is low.

Two-port access versus conventional staging laparoscopy for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare surgical outcomes of 2-port access (TPA) and conventional laparoscopy in staging operations for endometrial cancer. The ultimate goal of TPA system was to perform proper cancer operation with less invasive access and to complement technical limitations of minimally invasive surgery.

METHODS

The TPA system consisted of a single multi-channel port system at the umbilicus and an ancillary 5-mm trocar in the suprapubic area. Twenty-one consecutive patients who underwent TPA staging laparoscopy for endometrial cancers were enrolled in the study. Data coming from this group of patients were prospectively collected and compared with those coming from 42 consecutive patients who underwent conventional staging laparoscopy for the same period. The selected patients were matched (1:2 ratio) to control patients based on age (± 5 years), body mass index, and tumor stage.

RESULTS

Patient status was estimated in operative morbidity and surgical outcomes. All operations were completed laparoscopically, with no conversion to laparotomy. The TPA group had a significantly longer operating time (238 ± 51 minutes vs 188 ± 65 minutes; P = 0.001), more retrieved para-aortic lymph nodes (13 vs 5; P < 0.001), shorter postoperative hospital stay (5 vs 8 days; P = 0.001), and less postoperative pain (P = 0.045). There were no postoperative complications requiring further management.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-port access staging laparoscopy using a single multi-channel port system could be a feasible procedure in selected patients with endometrial cancer with only minimal skin incisions. Prospective randomized trials will permit the evaluation of potential benefits of this minimally invasive surgical technique.

Lymphoceles, lymphorrhea, and lymphedema after laparoscopic and open endometrial cancer staging

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence of lymphoceles, lymphorrhea, and lymphedema after systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients who underwent laparoscopic or open abdominal staging for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A total of 138 consecutive women who underwent systematic laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer staging were compared to 123 historical control subjects staged via an open approach. Postoperative screening for lymphadenectomy-related complications by ultrasound was consistently performed.

RESULTS

The incidence of perioperative complications was lower in cases than in control subjects. Overall, lymphoceles were diagnosed in 19 (15.4%) and 2 (1.4%) patients who had open and laparoscopic staging, respectively (odds ratio 12.42; 95% confidence interval 2.82-54.55; P < 0.0001). Symptomatic lymphoceles were more frequent after open staging than after laparoscopy (P = 0.028). Lymphorrhea occurred in 1 and 4 patients after laparoscopic and open surgery (P = 0.19). No difference in the incidence of lymphedema was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that laparoscopic endometrial cancer staging is associated with a lower occurrence of both asymptomatic and symptomatic lymphoceles compared to open surgery.

Single-Port Laparoscopy and Extraperitoneal Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy: 3 Consecutive Cases

Objective

We report the feasibility and the technique of single-port extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Methods

The same single port was used for the transperitoneal step (to discriminate intraperitoneal disease) and the extraperitoneal approach used thereafter (in the absence of peritoneal or ovarian spread) for the lymphadenectomy. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed via the left-sided extraperitoneal approach by a 2- to 3-cm incision, which was made 1 cm above the usual incision to the left of McBurney’s point. We used conventional instruments in all cases.

Results

Three consecutive patients with cervical cancer had undergone a pretherapeutic laparoscopic staging procedure (1 stage IB2 and 2 stage IIB). The histologic types were squamous carcinoma (n = 2) and adenocarcinoma (n = 1). No patients had pelvic or para-aortic uptakes on preoperative positron emission tomography computed tomography imaging. The mean operative time was 223 minutes (range, 210–250 minutes). The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 19 (range, 15–23). The definitive pathological analysis had revealed that one patient had metastatic disease. No failures occurred with the single-port procedure, and no conversion to conventional multiport laparoscopy was reported.

Conclusions

This preliminary series reports on the feasibility of the para-aortic lymphadenectomy technique via the extraperitoneal approach with a multichannel single port using conventional instruments. Nevertheless, the safety of this procedure (compared to conventional laparoscopic approach) needs to be explored in a further larger study.

Laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer: increasing body mass index does not impact postoperative complications

Objective

To determine the effect of body mass index on postoperative complications and the performance of lymph node dissection in women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy for endometrial cancer.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all patients undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer between 8/2004 and 12/2008. Complications graded and analyzed using Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events ver. 4.03 classification.

Results

168 women underwent surgery: laparoscopy n=65, laparotomy n=103. Overall median body mass index 36.2 (range, 18.1 to 72.7) with similar distributions for age, body mass index and performance of lymph node dissection between groups. Following laparoscopy vs. laparotomy the percent rate of overall complications 53.8:73.8 (p=0.01), grade ≥3 complications 9.2:34.0 (p<0.01), ≥3 wound complications 3.1:22.3 (p<0.01) and ≥3 wound infection 3.1:20.4 (p=0.01) were significantly lower after laparoscopy. In a logistic model there was no effect of body mass index (≥36 and<36) on complications after laparoscopy in contrast to laparotomy. Para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed by laparoscopy 19/65 (29%): by laparotomy 34/103 (33%) p=0.61 and pelvic lymph node dissection by laparoscopy 21/65 (32.3%): by laparotomy 46/103 (44.7%) p=0.11. Logistic regression analysis revealed that for patients undergoing laparoscopy for stage I disease there was an inverse relationship between the performance of both para-aortic lymph node dissection and pelvic lymph node dissection and increasing body mass index (p=0.03 and p<0.01 respectively) in contrast to the laparotomy group where there was a trend only (p=0.09 and 0.05).

Conclusion

For patients undergoing laparoscopy, increasing body mass index did not impact postoperative complications but did influence the decision to perform lymph node dissection.

Analgesic and antiemetic needs following minimally invasive vs open staging for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive vs open endometrial cancer staging procedures.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 181 consecutive patients underwent open or minimally invasive hysterectomy with or without lymphadenectomy. Perioperative outcomes, analgesic, and antiemetic use were compared.

RESULTS

In all, 97 and 84 women underwent open and minimally invasive staging procedures, respectively. In the open staging group, median anesthesia time was shorter (197 vs 288 minutes; P < .0001), but recovery room stay (168 vs 140 minutes; P = .01) and hospital stay (4 vs 1 day; P < .0001) were longer. Median narcotic (13 vs 43 mg morphine equivalents; P < .0001) and antiemetic (43% vs 25%; P = .01) use were lower for minimally invasive surgery in the first 24 hours postoperatively. Median estimated blood loss was lower for minimally invasive procedures (100 vs 300 mL; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive staging for endometrial cancer is associated with lower use of narcotics and antiemetics, and shorter hospital stay compared to open procedures.

Asian society of gynecologic oncology workshop 2010

This workshop was held on July 31-August 1, 2010 and was organized to promote the academic environment and to enhance the communication among Asian countries prior to the 2nd biennial meeting of Australian Society of Gynaecologic Oncologists (ASGO), which will be held on November 3-5, 2011. We summarized the whole contents presented at the workshop. Regarding cervical cancer screening in Asia, particularly in low resource settings, and an update on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was described for prevention and radical surgery overview, fertility sparing and less radical surgery, nerve sparing radical surgery and primary chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer, were discussed for management. As to surgical techniques, nerve sparing radical hysterectomy, optimal staging in early ovarian cancer, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, one-port surgery and robotic surgery were introduced. After three topics of endometrial cancer, laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery, role of lymphadenectomy and fertility sparing treatment, there was a special additional time for clinical trials in Asia. Finally, chemotherapy including neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, optimal surgical management, and the basis of targeted therapy in ovarian cancer were presented.

Current status in the management of uterine corpus cancer in Korea

Uterine corpus cancer has increased in prevalence in Korean women over the last decade. Recently, elegant studies have been reported from many institutes. To improve treatment strategies, a review of our own data is warranted. This work will discuss the risks and prognostic factors for uterine corpus cancer, and the radiologic evaluation, prediction of lymph node metastasis, systematic lymphadenectomy, minimally invasive surgery, ovarian-saving surgery, fertility-sparing treatment, and adjuvant treatment in women with uterine cancer.

Comparison of laparoscopic versus conventional open surgical staging procedure for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparotomy for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

A total of 104 consecutive patients were non-randomly assigned to either laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy. All patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging procedures including total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The safety, morbidity, and survival rates of the two groups were compared, and the data was retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients received laparoscopic surgery and 70 underwent laparotomy. Operation time for the laparoscopic procedure was 227.0+/-28.8 minutes, which showed significant difference from the 208.1+/-46.4 minutes (p=0.032) of the laparotomy group. The estimated blood loss of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery was 230.3+/-92.4 mL. This was significantly less than that of the laparotomy group (301.9+/-156.3 mL, p=0.015). The laparoscopic group had an average of 20.8 pelvic and 9.1 para-aortic nodes retrieved, as compared to 17.2 pelvic and 8.5 para-aortic nodes retrieved in the laparotomy group. There was no significant difference (p=0.062, p=0.554). The mean hospitalization duration was significantly greater in the laparotomy group than the laparoscopic group (23.3 and 16.4 days, p<0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was 15.7% and 11.8% in the laparotomy and laparoscopic groups respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in the survival rate.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgical staging operation is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for management of endometrial cancer with an acceptable morbidity compared to the laparotomic approach, and is characterized by far less blood loss and shorter postoperative hospitalization.