Laparotomy vs. minimally invasive surgery for ovarian cancer recurrence: a systematic review

Successful Management of a Giant Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma of the Ovary Through Laparotomy: A Case Report

Giant mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary is rarely described. Huge ovarian masses are mostly benign, but malignancy should be ruled out by investigations and clinical assessment. Here, we present a case of a large mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary in a 48-year-old postmenopausal woman. Imaging examinations revealed a large cystic tumor that filled the whole abdominal cavity. Despite the difficulties presented by the size of the tumor and its malignant potential, laparotomy was carried out, which included bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, exploration of other intra-abdominal organs, and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Histopathology indicated the presence of mucinous cystadenocarcinomas. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given post-operatively, and the patient maintained remission during follow-up. This case emphasizes the need for early detection by simple imaging modalities such as ultrasonography in cases of ovarian masses. Most adnexal masses, if detected early, are amenable to surgical management with a good prognosis. Large masses underline the need for a multidisciplinary approach to improve patient outcomes.

Outcomes of minimal access cytoreductive surgery (M-CRS) and HIPEC/EPIC vs. open cytoreductive surgery (O-CRS) and HIPEC/EPIC in patients with peritoneal surface malignancies: a meta-analysis

Introduction

Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) has shown better peri-operative outcomes with equivalent oncological outcomes in gastrointestinal and thoracic oncology. Open CRS (O-CRS) procedure accompanies inevitable and significant surgical morbidity in patients. The aim of the review article is to compare outcomes of M-CRS and HIPEC/EPIC with open procedure in peritoneal surface malignancies.

Content

Comprehensive search of databases was done and total 2,807 articles were found (2793-PubMed and 14-Cochrane review). PRISMA flow chart was prepared and 14 articles were selected. Meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines using random-effects model (DerSimonian Laird) and fixed effect model. Publication bias was tested with Funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Quality of studies was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

Summary and Outlook

Patients in both groups [total (732), M-CRS(319), O-CRS(413)] were similar in demographic characteristics. Peri-operative outcomes were significantly better in M-CRS group in terms of blood loss SMD=-2.379, p<0.001 (95 % CI -2.952 to -1.805), blood transfusion RR=0.598, p=0.011 (95 % CI 0.402 to 0.889), bowel recovery SMD=-0.843, p=0.01 (95 % CI -1.487 to -0.2), hospital stay SMD=-2.348, p<0.001 (95 % CI -3.178 to -1.519) and total morbidity RR=0.538, p<0.001 (95 % CI 0.395 to 0.731). Duration of surgery SMD=-0.0643 (95 % CI -0.993 to 0.865, p=0.892) and CC0 score RR=1.064 (95 % CI 0.992 to 1.140, p=0.083) had no significant difference. Limited studies which evaluated survival showed similar outcomes. This meta-analysis shows that M-CRS and HIPEC/EPIC is feasible and has better peri-operative outcomes compared to open procedure in patients with limited peritoneal carcinoma index (PCI) peritoneal surface malignancies. Survival outcomes were not calculated. Further studies are warranted in this regard.

Case report: Minimally invasive primary debulking surgery for advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer

The surgical management of advanced ovarian cancer has historically emphasized an open technique, but advances in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) have led to its increasing use in ovarian cancer. Most research has focused on the utility of MIS in the interval debulking setting. Here, we present a case of a 38-year-old patient with incidentally diagnosed advanced stage ovarian cancer. We describe the robotic surgery techniques used to achieve complete primary cytoreduction, including resection of disease on the diaphragm. The patient has completed standard adjuvant chemotherapy and maintenance treatment and remains without evidence of disease for more than 2 years. This case details the techniques utilized to achieve complete cytoreduction including trocar placement, robotic instrument preference, and rotation of the robotic boom. This patient has had successful perioperative and oncologic outcomes, and her case highlights the role for minimally invasive primary debulking surgery for select patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Personalized Predictive Hemodynamic Management for Gynecologic Oncologic Surgery: Feasibility of Cost-Benefit Derivatives of Digital Medical Devices

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative hypotension is associated with increased perioperative complications, hospital length of stay (LOS) and healthcare expenditure in gynecologic surgery. We tested the hypothesis that the adoption of a machine learning-based warning algorithm (hypotension prediction index-HPI) might yield an economic advantage, with a reduction in adverse outcomes that outweighs the costs for its implementation as a medical device.

METHODS

A retrospective-matched cohort cost-benefit Italian study in gynecologic surgery was conducted. Sixty-six female patients treated with standard goal-directed therapy (GDT) were matched in a 2:1 ratio with thirty-three patients treated with HPI based on ASA status, diagnosis, procedure, surgical duration and age.

RESULTS

The most relevant contributor to medical costs was operating room occupation (46%), followed by hospital stay (30%) and medical devices (15%). Patients in the HPI group had EURO 300 greater outlay for medical devices without major differences in total costs (GDT 5425 (3505, 8127), HPI 5227 (4201, 7023) p = 0.697). A pre-specified subgroup analysis of 50% of patients undergoing laparotomic surgery showed similar medical device costs and total costs, with a non-significant saving of EUR 1000 in the HPI group (GDT 8005 (5961, 9679), HPI 7023 (5227, 11,438), p = 0.945). The hospital LOS and intensive care unit stay were similar in the cohorts and subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of HPI is associated with a scenario of cost neutrality, with possible economic advantage in high-risk settings.

"Things Have Changed"-Laparoscopic Cytoreduction for Advanced and Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: The Experience of a Referral Center on 108 Patients

OBJECTIVE

To report the feasibility of laparoscopic cytoreduction surgery for primary and recurrent ovarian cancer in a select group of patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of patients with FIGO stage IIIA-IV advanced ovarian cancer who underwent laparoscopic primary debulking surgery (PDS), interval debulking surgery (IDS), or secondary debulking surgery (SDS) between June 2008 and January 2020. The primary endpoint was achieving optimal cytoreduction, defined as residual tumor less than 1 cm. Secondary endpoints included evaluating surgical complications and long-term survival, assessed at three-month intervals during the initial two years and then every six months.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 108 patients, among whom, 40 underwent PDS, 44 underwent IDS, and 24 underwent SDS. Optimal cytoreduction rates were found to be 95.0%, 97.7%, and 95.8% for the PDS, ISD, and SDS groups, respectively. Early postoperative complications (<30 days from surgery) occurred in 19.2% of cases, with 7.4% of these cases requiring reintervention. One patient died following postoperative respiratory failure. Late postoperative complications (<30 days from surgery) occurred in 9.3% of cases, and they required surgical reintervention only in one case. After laparoscopic optimal cytoreduction with a median follow-up time of 25 months, the overall recurrence rates were 45.7%, 38.5%, and 39.3% for PDS, ISD, and SDS, respectively. The three-year overall survival rates were 84%, 66%, and 63%, respectively, while the three-year disease-free survival rates were 48%, 51%, and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cytoreduction surgery is feasible for advanced ovarian cancer in carefully selected patients, resulting in high rates of optimal cytoreduction, satisfactory peri-operative morbidity, and encouraging survival outcomes. Future studies should focus on establishing standardized selection criteria and conducting well-designed investigations to further refine patient selection and evaluate long-term outcomes.

Radioguided Occult Lesion Localization for Gynecologic Tumor Relapses: Development of a Technique

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

Excision of peritoneal or nodal isolated recurrences frequently involves performing a surgery on a previously operated area, which is more difficult to achieve with minimally invasive approaches. Our aim was to describe the technical aspects, feasibility, and complications derived from the application of the radioguided occult lesions localization (ROLL) in gynecologic oncology recurrence excision.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All consecutive patients bearing localized relapses of a gynecologic tumor that were considered candidates for surgical excision were assessed to undergo a ROLL procedure. Radiotracer (99mTc-albumin macroaggregate) injection of the lesions was performed by ultrasonography or CT guidance. Relapses were localized using a gamma probe by minimally invasive surgery when located in the abdomen, or percutaneously when located in the groin. Intraoperative and early (up to postoperative day 30) complications were prospectively recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 8 patients underwent the procedure. The median age was 59 years (range, 35-87 years). Four patients had abdominal relapses, whereas 4 patients presented groin relapses. The mean operative time was 120 minutes (range, 30-190 minutes), whereas the median estimated blood loss was 5 mL (range, 0-150 mL). All the targeted lesions were successfully removed. No intraoperative complications were reported. One postoperative complication (inguinal lymphocele) was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

ROLL surgery constitutes a new approach for isolated recurrences in gynecological tumors.

Post Treatment Sexual Function and Quality of Life of Patients Affected by Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The aim of this study is to analyze the available scientific evidence regarding the quality of life (QoL) and sexual function (SF) in patients affected by cervical cancer (CC) after surgical and adjuvant treatments. Materials and Methods: Preliminary research was conducted via electronic database (MEDLINE, PubMed and Cochrane Library) with the use of a combination of the following keywords: SF, QoL, and CC. The principal findings considered in the present review were the study design, the number of patients included in each study, the information about the malignancy (histology and stage of disease), the questionnaires administered, and the principal findings concerning SF and QoL. Results: All studies were published between 2003–2022. The studies selected consisted of one randomized control study, seven observational studies (three prospective series), and nine case control studies. The scores used were focused on SF, QOL, fatigue, and psychological aspects. All studies reported a decreased SF and QOL. The most developed questionnaires were the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS), and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS). Discussion: All studies reported a decreased SF and QOL. In addition to the perception of body image, several factors coexist in influencing the outcomes such as the physical, hormonal, psychological. Conclusions: Sexual dysfunction after CC treatment has a multifactorial aetiology which negatively affects the quality of life. For these reasons, it is important to follow and support patients with a multidisciplinary team (doctors, nurses, psychologists, dieticians) before and after therapy. This type of tailored therapeutic approach should become a standard. Women should be informed about possible vaginal changes and menopausal symptoms after surgery and on the positive effects of psychological therapy.

Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer to the Descending Colon

Colonic metastasis from ovarian cancer is extremely rare, with only seven reported cases. A 77-year-old woman who had previously undergone surgery for ovarian cancer was admitted to a local hospital with anal bleeding. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma. Colonoscopy revealed a descending colon tumor. The patient was diagnosed with Union for International Cancer Control T3N0M0 descending colon cancer or colon metastasis of the ovarian cancer. Laparoscopic left colectomy was performed; intraoperative frozen section diagnosis confirmed metastasis from ovarian cancer, and the absence of invasion to the serosal surface suggested hematogenous metastasis. This is the first case of colonic metastasis from ovarian cancer that was diagnosed using an intraoperative frozen section and laparoscopically treated.

Upper-Abdominal Cytoreduction for Advanced Ovarian Cancer—Therapeutic Rationale, Surgical Anatomy and Techniques of Cytoreduction

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is the cornerstone of treating advanced ovarian cancer. Approximately 60–70% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer will have involvement in the upper abdomen or the supracolic compartment of the abdominal cavity. Though the involvement of this region results in poorer survival compared, complete cytoreduction benefits overall survival, making upper-abdominal cytoreduction an essential component of CRS for advanced ovarian cancer. The upper abdomen constitutes several vital organs and large blood vessels draped with the parietal or visceral peritoneum, common sites of disease in ovarian cancer. A surgeon treating advanced ovarian cancer should be well versed in upper-abdominal cytoreduction techniques, including diaphragmatic peritonectomy and diaphragm resection, lesser omentectomy, splenectomy with or without distal pancreatectomy, liver resection, cholecystectomy, and suprarenal retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Other procedures such as clearance of the periportal region, Glisson’s capsulectomy, clearance of the superior recess of the lesser sac, and Morrison’s pouch are essential as these regions are often involved in ovarian cancer. This manuscript covers the surgical anatomy of the upper abdomen, the techniques and therapeutic rationale of upper-abdominal cytoreduction, and specific measures for perioperative management of these patients. The main focus is the description of various peritonectomies and regional lymphadenectomies.

Surgical Management for Transposed Ovarian Recurrence of Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review with Our Experience

In early-stage cervical cancer, ovarian metastasis is relatively rare, and ovarian transposition is often performed during surgery. Although rare, the diagnosis and surgical approach for recurrence at transposed ovaries are challenging. This study focused on the diagnosis and surgical management of transposed ovarian recurrence in cervical cancer patients. A 45-year-old premenopausal woman underwent radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and pelvic lymphadenectomy following postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage IB1 cervical cancer. During the initial surgery, the ovary was transposed to the paracolic gutter, and no postoperative complications were observed. Ovarian recurrence was diagnosed using positron emission tomography-computed tomography, and a laparoscopic bilateral oophorectomy was performed. A systematic review identified nine women with transposed ovarian recurrence with no other metastases of cervical cancer, and no studies have discussed the optimal surveillance of transposed ovaries. Of those (n = 9), four women had died of the disease within 2 years of the second surgery, and the prognosis of transposed ovarian cervical cancer seemed poor. Nevertheless, three women underwent laparoscopic oophorectomies, none of whom experienced recurrence after the second surgery. Few studies have examined the surgical management of transposed ovarian recurrence. The optimal surgical approach for transposed ovarian recurrence of cervical cancer requires further investigation.

Use of Laparoscopic and Laparotomic J-Plasma Handpiece in Gynecological Malignancies: Results From A Pilot Study in A Tertiary Care Center

Introduction

The J-Plasma has recently been introduced into the surgical community with different intrinsic characteristics aimed to further reduce the thermal effect and enhance precision when compared to standard radiofrequency. This study aimed to investigate the role of this new technology in different conditions of gynecological carcinomatosis characterized by the indication for regional peritonectomy and/or ablation, either in laparotomy (LPT) or in laparoscopy (LPS), in the context of a modern personalized approach to the surgical management of gynecological malignancies.

Material and Methods

From January 2019 to April 2019, 12 patients were selected for this prospective pilot study at the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS in Rome. In this single surgeon experience, the inclusion criteria were: histologically proven advanced ovarian/endometrial cancer, primary or interval debulking surgery, and intraoperative indication for regional peritonectomy. Six patients were treated by LPS (Group 1) and 6 by LPT (Group 2).

Results

In Group 1 the indication for debulking surgery was in 4 cases an interval debulking surgery and 2 advanced endometrial cancer. All patients in Group 2 underwent primary debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. The whole cohort achieved a complete tumor excision after surgery. The median OT and median EBL were 195 min and 100 ml in Group 1, and 420 min and 500 ml in Group 2. The median hospital stay was 4 days in Group 1 and 13 days in Group 2, respectively. No intra and postoperative complications were registered within 60 days after surgery.

Conclusions

J-Plasma allows to approach delicate maneuvers on viscera, mesentery, and blood vessels with a high degree of safety and precision thanks to its limited vertical and lateral thermal spread, favoring the surgeon to push ever higher the cytoreduction/morbidity tradeoff. The use of J-Plasma in cytoreductive surgery could also increase the range of possible minimally invasive procedures, narrowing the technical distance with the open technique and thus contributing to designing a personalized surgical strategy for each patient in different scenarios of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Ultra-minimally invasive surgery in gynecological patients: a review of the literature

In the last decade, Ultra-minimally invasive surgery (UMIS) including both minilaparoscopic (MH) and percutaneous (PH) endoscopic surgery achieved widespread use around the world. Despite UMIS has been reported as safe and feasible surgical procedure, most of the available data are drawn from retrospective studies, with a limited number of cases and heterogeneous surgical procedures included in the analysis. This literature review aimed to analyze the most methodologically valid studies concerning major gynecological surgeries performed in UMIS. A literature review was performed double blind from January to April 2021. The keywords ‘minilaparoscopy’; ‘ultra minimally invasive surgery’; ‘3 mm’; ‘percutaneous’; and ‘Hysterectomy’ were selected in Pubmed, Medscape, Scopus, and Google scholar search engines. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed for the drafting of the systematic review. The systematic literature research provided 298 studies, of which 9 fell within the inclusion criteria. Two hundred ninety-six total patients were included, 148 for both PH and MH groups. Median age (48 years), BMI (24 kg/m²), OT (90 min), EBL (50 ml), time to discharge (1 day), self scar evaluation (10/10), and VAS (3/10) were reported. The most frequent intraoperative complication in both the PH and MH groups was surgical bleeding. The UMIS approaches were feasible and safe even for complex gynecological procedures. Operative times and complications were superimposable to the “classical” minimally invasive approaches reported in the literature. The reported results apply only to experienced surgeons.

Impact of Lymphadenectomy on Outcomes of Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: The study aimed to assess if additional lymphadenectomy with primary staging surgery improves overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of early-stage ovarian cancer (ESOC).

Methods: PubMed and Embase databases were searched for any type of study comparing OS or DFS between lymphadenectomy and control groups for any type of ESOC. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were pooled in a random-effects model.

Results: Twelve studies were included. Meta-analysis indicated that lymphadenectomy is associated with significantly improved OS only for epithelial tumors (HR 0.75 95% CI 0.68, 0.82 I² = 0% p < 0.00001) but not for malignant germ cell tumors (HR 1.31 95% CI 0.88, 1.94 I² = 0% p = 0.18). Single studies indicated a tendency of improved OS with lymphadenectomy which was significant for ovarian carcinosarcoma but not for sex cord-stromal tumors. On meta-regression of all histological types, the percentage of patients with lymph node metastasis in the lymphadenectomy group was not found to influence the effect size. Meta-analysis also indicated that lymphadenectomy is associated with significantly improved DFS for epithelial tumors (HR 0.59 95% CI 0.45, 0.77 I² = 0% p < 0.0001). Single studies on malignant germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors failed to demonstrate any significant beneficial effect of lymphadenectomy on DFS.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of the review, lymphadenectomy may improve OS and DFS for epithelial ESOC. Scarce data suggest that lymphadenectomy is not associated with improved outcomes for malignant germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors but may benefit ovarian carcinosarcoma. Large-scale RCTs and robust observational studies shall improve current evidence.