Laparoscopic, robotic and open method of radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: A systematic review

Feasibility and early oncologic outcomes of Total Intracorporeal Robotic Radical Hysterectomy with Vaginal Cerclage (TIRRHVC) for the treatment of clinical stage IB cervical cancer: A tumor containment technique

Introduction

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (MIRH) has been reported to have a four-fold increase in recurrence compared to open radical hysterectomy (ORH) for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer. The cause for the inferior outcomes with MIRH is unclear. However, the use of a uterine manipulator and the lack of tumor containment strategies may contribute to tumor seeding in previous MIRH approaches.

Objective

Determine the feasibility and early oncologic outcomes of a novel robotic-assisted surgical technique for the treatment of early-stage cervical cancer, Total Intracorporeal Robotic Radical Hysterectomy with Vaginal Cerclage (TIRRHVC).

Methods

Retrospective cohort study.

Results

Twenty-six patients between 2018 and 2022 underwent the TIRRHVC procedure after being counseled on the risks and benefits of ORH and TIRRHVC; these 26 patients' demographics, clinical, surgical, and oncologic outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients (65.4 %) had clinical stage IB1 and 9 (34.6 %) were IB2 cervical cancer according to FIGO 2018 guidelines. Following hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy, 4 patients were upstaged. The average pathologic tumor size was 2.66 cm (0 cm - 5.6 cm); 65 % of tumors were > 2 cm. There were no intraoperative complications. There were 13 postoperative complications, including 10 urinary tract infections. Eleven patients (42.3 %) received adjuvant therapy. The average follow-up period was 2.8 years (IQR 2.3-3.6). Only one patient has recurred at 3.6 years. One patient expired from causes unrelated to gynecologic cancer. The 3-year disease free survival is 95.5 %.

Conclusion

These promising early oncologic outcomes are encouraging that TIRRHVC may be a treatment option that offers the benefits of minimally invasive surgery without compromising oncologic outcomes.

Effects of tumor spillage prevention in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy has a worse prognosis than open surgery, but the reasons for the poor prognosis remain unclear. Tumor spillage occurs when the tumor is exposed to the surgical field and has been suggested to be related to a poor prognosis. This study aimed to compare the prognostic value of tumor spillage in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and evaluate whether tumor spillage prevention improves oncological safety.

METHODS

We compared the prognosis of patients who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy between December 2014 and November 2021 with or without tumor spillage prevention, including surgeries without prevention and those with failed prevention. Prevention consisted of vaginal cuff formation or closure of the vaginal canal with clips to prevent tumor exposure at the time of colpotomy. The primary endpoint was disease-free survival, which was adjusted using propensity scores to compare patients.

RESULTS

In total, 165 patients received tumor spillage prevention, and 61 did not or failed to receive such prevention. The median follow-up was 4.4 years. Patients who did not undergo prevention or failed prevention had significantly shorter disease-free survival than those who did (hazard ratio [HR]=3.54; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.23-10.23). The same trend was observed after adjusting for propensity score matching. Patients who did not or failed to receive prevention were more likely to experience local recurrence (HR=4.01; 95% CI=1.13-14.24).

CONCLUSION

Tumor spillage prevention was associated with longer disease-free survival in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy.

Current analysis of the survival implications for minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of early-stage cervix cancer

Early-stage cervical cancer (ESCC) is managed with radical hysterectomy, a procedure that can be performed either via open surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the latter of which is accomplished via traditional laparoscopy or robotic-assisted surgery. Previously, MIS was routinely incorporated into the management of ESCC due to the approach's reduced operative morbidity and truncated hospital stay duration, but more recent clinical evidence has since impugned the efficacy of MIS because of the reportedly inferior disease-free survival and overall survival outcomes compared to open surgery. However, additional studies have documented equivalent outcomes among the various surgical modalities, suggesting further exploration of clinical factors as we endeavor to conclusively determine the standard of care for patients diagnosed with ESCC.

Surgical Outcomes in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer Following Radical Hysterectomy in a Resource-Limited Setting: The Experience of the National Cancer Institute (Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama), Sri Lanka

Introduction Cervical carcinoma is the commonest gynecological malignancy in Sri Lanka, and this incidence is rising. Radical hysterectomy is the preferred treatment for stages IB1, IB2, and selected cases of stages IIA1. Although surgery is feasible unless the parametrium is involved, careful patient selection is crucial in order to prevent the patient from receiving a dual mode of radical treatment (surgery and radiotherapy). Pre-operative imaging with MRI and PET-CT can accurately determine the tumor size and the lymph node metastasis. In a resource-limited setting, management is challenging as access to MRI and PET-CT is limited. This study was carried out to evaluate the surgical outcomes, five-year survival, and disease-free survival following radical hysterectomies at the National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka, which performs the largest number of radical hysterectomies annually in the country. Methods Seventy-four patients who underwent radical hysterectomy, along with pelvic lymphadenectomy, between July 2015 to January 2017 at the National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka (Apeksha Hospital Maharagama), were reviewed retrospectively, analyzing their clinical data and histopathological findings. Univariate analysis was performed to identify associated factors and mean survival. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results With a median follow-up of 63.5 months, five-year disease-free survival was 94.5%, and the five-year overall survival was 95.9%. There is a statistically significant association between mean survival and the cell type, presence of LVSI, and residual tumor on the hysterectomy specimen. Only four patients developed recurrences and four patients died during the follow-up. Eighteen (24.3%) patients needed blood transfusion postoperatively and no cases of bladder or bowel dysfunction in the one year post-operatively. Thirty patients (40.5%) required postoperative adjuvant treatment. Conclusions This analysis shows excellent surgical and oncological outcomes following radical hysterectomy as a primary treatment and comparable five-year disease-free survival with available global figures, despite the multiple scarcity of resources. Further studies are needed to assess the national-level status, and limited access to imaging during surgical planning poses a risk for patients receiving dual modes of radical treatment.

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy and the importance of avoiding cancer cell spillage for early-stage cervical cancer: a narrative review

Radical hysterectomy is a standard surgery to treat early-stage uterine cervical cancer. The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial has shown that patients receiving minimally invasive radical hysterectomy have a poorer prognosis than those receiving open radical hysterectomy; however, the reason for this remains unclear. The LACC trial had 2 concerns: the learning curve and the procedural effects. Appropriate management of the learning curve effect, including surgeons' skills, is required to correctly interpret the result of surgical randomized controlled trials. Whether the LACC trial managed the learning curve effect remains controversial, based on the surgeons' inclusion criteria and the distribution of institutions with recurrent cases. An appropriate surgical procedure is also needed, and avoiding intraoperative cancer cell spillage plays an important role during cancer surgery. Cancer cell spillage during minimally invasive surgery to treat cervical cancer is caused by several factors, including 1) exposure of tumor, 2) the use of a uterine manipulator, and 3) direct handling of the uterine cervix. Unfortunately, these issues were not addressed by the LACC trial. We evaluated the results of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy while avoiding cancer cell spillage for early-stage cervical cancer. Our findings show that avoiding cancer cell spillage during minimally invasive radical hysterectomy may ensure an equivalent oncologic outcome, comparable to that of open radical hysterectomy. Therefore, evaluating the importance of avoiding cancer cell spillage during minimally invasive surgery with a better control of the learning curve and procedural effects is needed.

Overview of laparoscopic surgery for cervical cancer in Japan: Updates after the laparoscopic approach to cervical cancer trial

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) for cervical cancer has been reported to be similar oncologic outcome compared to abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH) in many retrospective studies. In Japan, LRH has been covered by insurance since April 2018. In 2018, the same year that LRH became covered by insurance, Ramirez et al. at MD Anderson Cancer Center reported the results of a large phase III laparoscopic approach to cervical cancer trial (LACC trial) on the prognosis of open versus laparoscopic/robot-assisted minimally invasive radical hysterectomy. The results showed that minimally invasive approaches were associated with a higher rate of recurrence and death. At this point, it is not clear what is wrong with LRH and why it has a poorer prognosis compared to ARH. In this report, after the LACC report, we would like to review the current status of minimally invasive surgery for cervical cancer and future directions.

Survival Impact of Residual Cancer Cells in Intraoperative Peritoneal Washes following Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Cancer

Objective: Residual cancer cells (RCCs) contribute to cancer recurrence either because of tumor spillage or undetectable pre-existing micrometastatic tumor clones. We hypothesized that the pathologic evaluation of intraoperative peritoneal washes may reveal RCCs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival impact of RCCs identified in intraoperative peritoneal washes and their correlation with clinicopathologic parameters following radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Methods: A total of 229 patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic and/or paraaortic lymphadenectomy were included. The intraoperative peritoneal washes after surgery were filtered through a strainer and the presence of tumor cells in the residual aspirate was determined. Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinicopathological parameters were performed to identify predictors of recurrence. Results: RCCs in intraoperative peritoneal washes were identified in 19 patients (8.3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that deep stromal invasion (hazard ratio [HR], 13.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81–98.27; p = 0.0111), lymph node metastasis (HR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.01–3.99; p = 0.0482), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.89–4.61; p = 0.0139) were associated with tumor recurrence. However, the presence of RCCs was not associated with tumor recurrence (HR, 2.60; 95% CI, 0.74–9.11; p = 0.1352). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that RCCs were associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR], 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05–0.99; p = 0.0488) and large tumor size (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 0.77–22.48; p = 0.0981). Conclusions: Although the presence of RCCs in intraoperative peritoneal washes do not significantly impact survival outcomes, there was a tendency of inferior survival outcomes in patients with RCCs. RCCs were associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and large tumor size.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cervical Cancer in Light of the LACC Trial: What Have We Learned?

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy and the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Over the last two decades, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) emerged as the mainstay in the surgical management of cervical cancer, bringing advantages such as lower operative morbidity and shorter hospital stay compared to open surgery while maintaining comparable oncologic outcomes in numerous retrospective studies. However, in 2018, a prospective phase III randomized controlled trial, “Laparoscopic Approach to Carcinoma of the Cervix (LACC)”, unexpectedly reported that MIS was associated with a statistically significant poorer overall survival and disease-free survival compared to open surgery in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Various hypotheses have been raised by the authors to try to explain these results, but the LACC trial was not powered to answer those questions. In this study, through an exhaustive literature review, we wish to explore some of the potential causes that may explain the poorer oncologic outcomes associated with MIS, including the type of MIS surgery, the size of the lesion, the impact of CO2 pneumoperitoneum, prior conization, the use of uterine manipulator, the use of protective measures, and the effect of surgical expertise/learning curve.

Sentinel Lymph Nodes and Precision Surgery in Gynecologic Cancer

Besides histologic features, the presence of nodal metastasis is the most crucial prognostic factor for recurrence and survival for patients with gynecologic cancer. Conventionally, lymphadenectomy has been performed routinely to assess lymphatic metastasis. However, lymphadenectomy may be unnecessary in early-stage gynecologic cancer, because the percentage of patients with lymph node involvement is very low. The recent use of sentinel lymph node mapping has provided high feasibility, safety, and accuracy in the assessment of nodal metastasis. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines have incorporated the sentinel lymph node for nodal evaluation in vulvar, endometrial, and cervical cancers.

Analysis of abdominal vs. robotic radical hysterectomies for patients with cervical cancer: a Bulgarian experience

To assess and compare the peri-operative, oncologic, and survival outcomes for women with cervical cancer (CC) treated with abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH) versus robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) approaches in Bulgaria. We retrospectively analyzed patients with histologically diagnosed CC operated via ARH or RRH methods during January-2008 to April-2019. The data analyzed include patients and tumor characteristics, peri-operative outcomes, and disease status. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were performed to determine disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). There were consecutive 1347 patients (ARH = 1006, RRH = 341), which formed the basis of study analyses. Women in the RRH group had significantly shorter median hospital length-of-stay than ARH cases (7 vs. 11 days, p < 0.001), higher post-operative hemoglobin (116 vs. 108 g/L, p < 0.001), and fewer blood transfusions (7.3% vs. 21.5%, p < 0.001), respectively. The overall incidence of post-operative complications was also lower in the RRH vs. ARH group (2.1% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001). Median follow-up time for ARH vs. RRH groups was 4.32 vs. 5.24 years, respectively (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the RRH cohort had a significantly higher survival rate compared to the ARH group (CC-specific death 8.5% vs. 16.5% respectively). Mean time to recurrence did not differ significantly in either surgical approach (p = 0.495). Cox multivariate regression showed no significant impact of surgical approach on DFS or OS. No significant difference in DFS or OS between ARH vs. RRH for CC was observed. RRH approach does not lead to inferior oncologic outcomes and is associated with better peri-operative outcomes. In regard to "all stages" of CC, we found robotic surgery safer compared to laparotomy, and thus consider RRH a better surgical treatment option for patients with CC.

British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) cervical cancer guidelines: Recommendations for practice

Cervix cancer in many countries is declining and screening programmes and immunisation will reduce the incidence in the next few decades. This guideline attempts to cover management of invasive disease reflecting diagnosis and imaging including new imaging and sentinel lymph node biopsies. Smaller volume disease is usually managed surgically whereas advanced disease is treated with (chemo)- radiation. It also includes discussion of fertility sparing procedures. Practices are changing frequently for all aspects of care usually in attempts to reduce complications and improve quality of life. The management of advanced disease is treated by chemotherapy and the use of newer agents is also discussed. Other sections discuss specialist situations such as cancer in pregnancy, rare cervical tumours, late effects and supportive measures and fertility preserving approaches.

Minimally Invasive Liver Resection for Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Inconsistent Outcomes from Matched or Weighted Cohorts

BACKGROUND

The aim of the current study was to re-evaluate the role of minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) among patients with early-stage (stage I or II) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing partial hepatectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) was conducted to identify patients with early-stage HCC who underwent partial hepatectomy in the USA from 2010 to 2013. Overall survival (OS) was compared in three cohorts: crude; stabilized inverse probability of treatment propensity score weighting (IPTW); and propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Among 4027 patients included in the study, only 11.7%, (n = 473) underwent MILR. In the stabilized IPTW cohort, patients who underwent MILR versus open resection were more likely to have tumors greater than 3 cm (63.9%, n = 285 vs. 51.4%, n = 228, p < 0.001) and poorly/undifferentiated tumors (21.5%, n = 96 vs. 12.9%, n = 57, p < 0.001). Within the crude cohort, a 5-year OS was superior among patients in the open surgical group (67.8%) compared with patients who underwent MILR (56.6%) (p < 0.001). After classic PSM analysis, the 5-year OS of patients undergoing MILR and open surgery were noted to be comparable (57.3% vs 63.8%, p = 0.17; HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.92-1.45). In contrast, after applying IPTW, the 5-year OS of patients who underwent MILR (55.5%) was worse compared with patients who had an open resection (67.5%) (HR 1.46, 95% CI 1.15-1.84; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term outcomes of patients undergoing MILR were comparable with patients who had open surgery when assessed by standard PSM. The use of IPTW resulted in more unbalanced groups leading to residual confounding and bias.

Impact of surgical approach on oncologic outcomes in women undergoing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

Recent studies demonstrating shorter survival among cervical cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive versus open radical hysterectomy could not account for surgeon volume and require confirmation in other jurisdictions with larger sample sizes, longer follow-up, and data on disease recurrence.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if surgical approach is associated with oncologic outcomes in cervical cancer patients undergoing minimally invasive or open radical hysterectomy, while accounting for mechanistic factors including surgeon volume.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study of cervical cancer patients undergoing primary radical hysterectomy by a gynecologic oncologist from 2006 to 2017 in Ontario, Canada. A multivariable marginal Cox proportional hazards model and cause-specific hazards model were used to evaluate the association of surgical approach with all-cause death and recurrence respectively, clustering at the surgeon level. We tested for interactions between surgical approach and either pathologic stage or surgeon volume.

RESULTS

We identified 958 patients (minimally invasive 475; open 483) with mean age 45.9 and a median follow-up of 6 years. Of minimally invasive procedures, 89.6% were performed laparoscopically and 10.4% robotically. The unadjusted 5-year cumulative incidences of all-cause death (minimally invasive 12.5%; open 5.4%), cervical cancer death (minimally invasive 9.3%; open 3.3%), and recurrence (minimally invasive 16.2%; open 8.4%) were significantly increased for minimally invasive radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB disease, but not the cohort overall. After adjusting for patient factors and surgeon volume, minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was associated with increased rates of death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.19) and recurrence (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.10-3.50) compared to open radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB disease (n = 534), but not IA disease (n = 244; HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.13-4.01; HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.10-1.10).

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive radical hysterectomy is associated with increased rates of death and recurrence in patients with stage IB cervical cancer even after controlling for surgeon volume; open radical hysterectomy should be the recommended approach in this population. Although there may be a subset of patients with microscopic early-stage disease for whom minimally invasive radical hysterectomy remains safe, additional studies are required.

Laterally Extended Endopelvic Resection of Recurrent Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumor by Laparoscopy

We report the resection of a recurrent epithelioid trophoblastic tumor by laparoscopic laterally extended endopelvic resection (LEER). The LEER technique was developed to resect en bloc multiple visceral compartments involving the lateral pelvic wall with negative margins for local control of advanced and recurrent malignancies. Described by Höckel, this procedure is usually performed by a midline laparotomy. Our patient had undergone prior laparotomic surgery including hysterectomy, partial bladder resection, and a right ureteral reimplantation for an epithelioid trophoblastic tumor without adjuvant treatment. She presented a recurrent tumor infiltrating the bladder, the ureter, and the right pelvic wall as well as the internal and external iliac vessels. A vascular surgeon first performed a femorofemoral bypass by bilateral groin incisions with a subcutaneous tunnel. The surgery was then exclusively performed by laparoscopy using the LEER technique including resection of both external and internal iliac vessels and the pelvic wall through the lateral pelvic muscles and iterative bladder resection associated with a ureteral reimplantation using the psoas hitch bladder technique. The patient experienced Clavien-Dindo classification grade II postoperative complications. Histology showed a margin-free resection (R0).

Hidden blood loss and its risk factors in patients undergoing laparoscopy and laparotomy for cervical cancer management

PURPOSE

Laparoscopy and laparotomy are the two most common surgical options used to treat women with early-stage cervical cancer. This study aimed to examine the volume of hidden blood loss (HBL) between laparoscopy and laparotomy for cervical cancer and to identify its risk factors.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients treated with laparotomy and 50 patients treated with laparoscopy were enrolled in this study. Their medical data were collected to calculate the HBL according to the Nadler and Gross formula, and its risk factors were identified by multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The visible blood loss was 574.9 ± 271.6 mL in the laparotomy surgery; however, the HBL was 345.2 ± 258.6 mL, accounting for 38.3 ± 21.4% of true TBL. The visible blood loss in the laparoscopy group was 168.9 ± 121.9 mL, and the HBL was 185.1 ± 130.5 mL (52.3 ± 28.1% of true TBL). The HBL blood loss in laparotomy was more than laparoscopy (p < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that patient age (p = 0.012), surgical time (p = 0.037) and pathological tumour type (p = 0.014) were independent risk factors contributing to HBL in laparotomy. Meanwhile, the following risk factors were positively correlated with HBL in laparoscopy: pre-operative value of Hb (p = 0.002), pre-operative value of Hct (p = 0.003), surgical time (p = 0.035), pathological tumour type (p = 0.036) and diabetes mellitus (p = 0.022). Ten and eight patients had pre-operative anaemia in the laparotomy group and the laparoscopy group, respectively, and 54 and 29 post-operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

HBL is seriously underestimated, and accounts for a large percentage of total blood loss both in laparotomy and laparoscopy for cervical cancer. Additionally, age, pathological tumour type, pre-operative value of Hb and Hct, surgical time and diabetes mellitus have the potential to increase HBL. A correct understanding of HBL can ensure patient safety and improve post-operative rehabilitation.

Survival after Minimally Invasive Radical Hysterectomy for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery was adopted as an alternative to laparotomy (open surgery) for radical hysterectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer before high-quality evidence regarding its effect on survival was available. We sought to determine the effect of minimally invasive surgery on all-cause mortality among women undergoing radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.

METHODS

We performed a cohort study involving women who underwent radical hysterectomy for stage IA2 or IB1 cervical cancer during the 2010-2013 period at Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals in the United States. The study used inverse probability of treatment propensity-score weighting. We also conducted an interrupted time-series analysis involving women who underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer during the 2000-2010 period, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database.

RESULTS

In the primary analysis, 1225 of 2461 women (49.8%) underwent minimally invasive surgery. Women treated with minimally invasive surgery were more often white, privately insured, and from ZIP Codes with higher socioeconomic status, had smaller, lower-grade tumors, and were more likely to have received a diagnosis later in the study period than women who underwent open surgery. Over a median follow-up of 45 months, the 4-year mortality was 9.1% among women who underwent minimally invasive surgery and 5.3% among those who underwent open surgery (hazard ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22 to 2.22; P=0.002 by the log-rank test). Before the adoption of minimally invasive radical hysterectomy (i.e., in the 2000-2006 period), the 4-year relative survival rate among women who underwent radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer remained stable (annual percentage change, 0.3%; 95% CI, -0.1 to 0.6). The adoption of minimally invasive surgery coincided with a decline in the 4-year relative survival rate of 0.8% (95% CI, 0.3 to 1.4) per year after 2006 (P=0.01 for change of trend).

CONCLUSIONS

In an epidemiologic study, minimally invasive radical hysterectomy was associated with shorter overall survival than open surgery among women with stage IA2 or IB1 cervical carcinoma. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others.).

Radical Hysterectomy: Efficacy and Safety in the Dawn of Minimally Invasive Techniques

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect that the introduction of minimally invasive procedures has had on surgical and oncologic outcomes when compared with conventional open radical hysterectomy (ORH) in a national reference cancer after 17 years of experience in radical hysterectomy.

DESIGN

A prospective controlled study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

A university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent radical hysterectomy as primary treatment for cervical cancer in our institution between May 1999 and June 2016, with a total of 188 patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients underwent ORH or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (i.e., laparoscopic or robotically assisted radical hysterectomy).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Seventy-six patients underwent ORH, 90 laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, and 22 robotically assisted radical hysterectomy. Blood loss and hospital stay were inferior in the MIS group (p <.0001). The laparotomic group presented shorter operation times (p = .0001). With a median follow-up of 112.4 months, a total of 156 patients (83%) were alive and free of disease at the time of the data analysis. Overall survival was higher in the MIS group when compared with the ORH group (91 vs 78.9, p = .026). There were no differences regarding recurrence rates between the surgical approaches.

CONCLUSION

With 1 of the largest follow-up periods in the literature, this study provides added evidence that MIS could become the preferable surgical approach for early-stage cervical cancer since it appears to reduce morbidity without affecting oncologic results.

First experience of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute using the robot-assisted laparoscopic approach in radical hysterectomies for cervical cancer

AIM OF WORK

Robotics in surgery led to an improvement of visualization, a better handling of tissues and better suturing. This study aimed to document the first experience of the Egyptian National Cancer Institute (NCI) using the robot-assisted laparoscopic approach in radical hysterectomies for cervical cancer and to highlight observed advantages, disadvantages, morbidity and oncological outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of cases that had either early cervical cancer (stage IB-IIA1 with a tumor ≥2 cm) or locally advanced cervical cancer (Stage IIA2-IIB after chemo-radiotherapy) were collected prospectively. Study patients underwent robotic radical hysterectomies for their cervical cancers at the NCI, Cairo University, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016. For each patient, duration of surgery, amount of blood loss, and intra-operative complications were recorded. Similarly, the duration of postoperative hospital-stay, analgesia used and post-operative gastrointestinal recovery were documented. Pathological assessment of safety margins and the lymph nodes number yield were also assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty patients underwent robotic radical hysterectomy during the study period. Twelve cases had early cervical cancer while 8 suffered locally advanced disease. The mean procedure time was 319 (range 240-560) minutes; the mean blood loss was 309 (range 150-600) ml. Three cases had bladder injuries during their procedures. The median hospital stay was 6 (range 4-10) days. One case had a positive margin. The median of lymph nodes yield number was 15 (range 10-25). Follow-up ranged 9-31 months, with only one case developing local recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Robotic radical hysterectomy is a feasible approach with a tolerable rate of complications.

Robotic radical hysterectomy is superior to laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and open radical hysterectomy in the treatment of cervical cancer

Objective

Cervical cancer (CC) continues to be a global burden for women, with higher incidence and mortality rates reported annually. Many countries have witnessed a dramatic reduction in the prevalence of CC due to widely accessed robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH). This network meta-analysis aims to compare intraoperative and postoperative outcomes in way of RRH, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LTH) and open radical hysterectomy (ORH) in the treatment of early-stage CC.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases was performed from inception to June 2016. Clinical controlled trials (CCTs) of above three hysterectomies in the treatment of early-stage CC were included in this study. Direct and indirect evidence were incorporated for calculating values of weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR), and drawing the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).

Results

Seventeen 17 CCTs were ultimately enrolled in this network meta-analysis. The network meta-analysis showed that patients treated by RRH and LRH had lower estimated blood loss compared to patients treated by ORH (WMD = -399.52, 95% CI = -600.64~-204.78; WMD = -277.86, 95%CI = -430.84 ~ -126.07, respectively). Patients treated by RRH and LRH had less hospital stay (days) than those by ORH (WMD = -3.49, 95% CI = -5.79~-1.24; WMD = -3.26, 95% CI = -5.04~-1.44, respectively). Compared with ORH, patients treated with RRH had lower postoperative complications (OR = 0.21, 95%CI = 0.08~0.65). Furthermore, the SUCRA value of three radical hysterectomies showed that patients receiving RRH illustrated better conditions on intraoperative blood loss, operation time, the number of resected lymph nodes, length of hospital stay and intraoperative and postoperative complications, while patients receiving ORH demonstrated relatively poorer conditions.

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis confirmed that early-stage CC patients treated by RRH were superior to patients treated by LRH and ORH in intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay and intraoperative and postoperative complications, and RRH might be regarded as a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for the management of CC.

Initial experience with single-port robotic hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

This article presents the first series of robotic single-port hysterectomy cases performed at a hospital in Brazil.

METHODS

From November 2014 to October 2016, 11 patients were indicated to undergo, and nine of them were submitted to single-port hysterectomy using da Vinci Single-Site® platform. However, in two patients, due to multiple previous abdominal surgeries, large uterine volume, and/or a uterus with no mobility, a pneumoperitoneum was performed with a Verres needle, and the pelvic cavity was assessed using a 5mm optics endoscope. In these cases, single-port surgery was not recommended; therefore, multiportal robotic access was chosen, and no intercurrent events were reported. Nine single-port cases were operated on by the same surgeon at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. Patient data analyzed included age, body mass index, previous surgeries, and clinical diagnosis. Surgical data included operative time, skin incision, report of intraoperative complications, need for conversion to laparotomy, need for transfer to intensive care unit, need for blood transfusion, inadvertent injury to other organs, length of hospital stay, and death.

RESULTS

All cases were completed with da Vinci Single-Site® system, with no intercurrent events. Four patients presented with adenomyosis as the surgical indication, two had uterine myoma, one endometrial cancer, one endometrial polyp, and one desquamative inflammatory vaginitis. The mean age of patients was 44 years (range, 40 to 54 years), and body mass index varied between 23.4 and 33.2kg/m2 (mean 26.4). No complications occurred in any of the cases, such as intestinal or bladder injury, bleeding, or the need for a second surgery. All nine procedures were completed with the robotic single-port access, and no patient required a blood transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Although this study merely presented an initial series of patients submitted to robotic single-port surgery, it demonstrated that the method is feasible and safe, suggesting the possible use of this technique in elective hysterectomy and other gynecological procedures in the future, as described in large reference centers of advanced surgery worldwide. Specifically, in gynecological practice, existing evidence on the use of robot-assisted, single-port surgery seems promising, and although it is not indicated in all cases, it should be considered as a surgical option. Nonetheless, further randomized and controlled clinical studies are necessary to establish the preeminence of robot-assisted, single-port surgery versus single-incision and conventional laparoscopy.

Perioperative Nurses' Work Experience With Robotic Surgery: A Focus Group Study

The aim of this study was to explore the work experience of perioperative nurses involved in robotic surgery. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Participants were 15 nurses who had been on a robotic surgery team at one of five major university hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. Participants were one male and 14 female nurses (mean age, 31.33 [SD, 4.19] years; range, 25-41 years). Their experience as robotic surgery nurses ranged from 8 months to 6 years. Nurses' experiences with robotic surgery were categorized within four main themes: (1) constant checking on patients' safety and the robot's functions; (2) unexpected robotic machine errors or malfunctions; (3) feelings of burden in a robotic surgical team; and (4) need and desire for more information and education. This study showed that there are common concerns about patient safety and the possibility of emergencies related to robot system failure among nurses. Offering more support for nurses involved in robotic surgery should be a priority to empower them to play an extended role in robotic surgery.

Current concepts and practical techniques of nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy

Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy has been widely performed for patients with early-stage cervical cancer. The operative techniques for nerve-sparing to avoid bladder dysfunction have been established during the past three decades in abdominal radical hysterectomy, but how these techniques can be applied to laparoscopic surgery has not been fully discussed. Prolonged operation time or decreased radicality due to less accessibility via a limited number of trocars may be a disadvantage of the laparoscopic approach, but the magnified visual field in laparoscopy may enable fine manipulation, especially for preserving autonomic nerve tracts. The present review article introduces the practical techniques for sparing bladder branches of pelvic nerves in laparoscopic radical hysterectomy based on understanding of the pelvic anatomy, clearly focusing on the differences from the techniques in abdominal hysterectomy.

Surgical and clinical safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy compared to conventional laparoscopy and laparotomy for cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the surgical safety and clinical effectiveness of RH versus LH and laparotomy for cervical cancer.

METHODS

We searched Ovid-Medline, Ovid-EMBASE, and the Cochrane library through May 2015, and checked references of relevant studies. We selected the comparative studies reported the surgical safety (overall; peri-operative; and post-operative complications; death within 30 days; and specific morbidities), and clinical effectiveness (survival; recurrence; length of stay [LOS]; estimated blood loss [EBL]; operative time [OT]) and patient-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies comparing RH with OH and 11 comparing RH with LH were identified. No significant differences were found in survival outcomes. The LOS was shorter and transfusion rate was lower with RH compared to OH or LH. EBL was significantly reduced with RH compared to OH. Compared to OH, overall complications, urinary infection, wound infection, and fever were significantly less frequent with RH. The overall, peri-operative, and post-operative complications were similar in other comparisons. Several patient-reported outcomes were improved with RH, though each outcome was reported in only one study.

CONCLUSIONS

RH appears to have a positive effect in reducing overall complications, individual adverse events including wound infection, fever, urinary tract infection, transfusion, LOS, EBL, and time to diet than OH for cervical cancer patients. Compared to LH, the current evidence is not enough to clearly determine its clinical safety and effectiveness. Further rigorous prospective studies with long-term follow-up that overcome the many limitations of the current evidence are needed.

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of early stage cervical cancer

Background

The possible advantages of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) versus open radical hysterectomy (RH) have not been well reviewed systematically. The aim of this study was to systematically review the comparative effectiveness between LRH and RH in the treatment of cervical cancer based on the evaluation of the Perioperative outcomes, oncological clearance, complications and long-term outcomes.

Methods

The systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and BIOSIS databases. All original studies that compared LRH with RH were included for critical appraisal. Data were pooled and analyzed.

Results

A total of twelve original studies that compared LRH (n = 754) with RH (n = 785) in patients with cervical cancer fulfilled quality criteria were selected for review and meta-analysis. LRH compared with RH was associated with a significant reduction of intraoperative blood loss (weighted mean difference = −268.4 mL (95 % CI −361.6, −175.1; p < 0.01), a reduced risk of postoperative complications (OR = 0.46; 95 % CI 0.34–0.63) and shorter hospital stay (weighted mean difference = −3.22 days; 95 % CI–4.21, −2.23 days; p < 0.01). These benefits were at the cost of longer operative time (weighted mean difference = 26.9 min (95 % CI 8.08–45.82). The rate of intraoperative complications was similar in the two groups. Lymph nodes yield and positive resection margins were similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences in 5-year overall survival (HR 0.91, 95 % CI 0.48–1.71; p = 0.76) and 5-year disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.97, 95 % CI 0.56–1.68; p = 0.91).

Conclusions

LRH shows better short term outcomes compared with RH in patients with cervical cancer. The oncologic outcome and 5-year survival were similar between the two groups.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-015-1818-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Robotic surgery is ready for prime time in India: Against the motion

The use of Robotic Surgery as a purported adjunct and aid to Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) is growing in several areas. The acknowledged advantages as also the obvious and hidden disadvantages of Robotic Surgery are highlighted. Survey of literature shows that while Robotic Surgery is “feasible” and the results are “comparable” there is no convincing evidence that it is any better than MAS or even open surgery in most areas. To move “Robotic Surgery is ready for prime time in India” with no less than two dozen robots, many sub-optimally utilized for a population of 1.2 billion seems untenable.

Current and Future Status of Laparoscopy in Gynecologic Oncology

Laparoscopy is playing an increasingly important role in gynecologic oncology. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery for oncology patients and the quality of this treatment are well documented. Outcomes and quality of minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat cervical cancer were evaluated based on retrospective and case-control studies; outcomes and quality after minimally invasive treatment für early-stage low-risk endometrial cancer were also assessed in prospective randomized studies. If indicated, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy is both technically feasible and oncologically safe. Adipose patients in particular benefit from minimally invasive procedures, where feasible. The potential role of laparoscopy in neoadjuvant therapy for ovarian cancer and in surgery for early-stage ovarian carcinoma is still controversially discussed and is currently being assessed in further studies. Using a minimally invasive approach in gynecologic oncology procedures demands strict adherence to oncological principles and requires considerable surgical skill.

Comparing Robotic Surgery With Conventional Laparoscopy and Laparotomy for Cervical Cancer Management

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of robotic surgery, laparoscopy, and laparotomy for the surgical treatment of stage IA to IIB cervical cancer.

Methods

This retrospective study was carried out in a university-affiliated teaching hospital. A total of 100 women with an initial diagnosis of stage IA to IIB cervical cancer, without preoperative brachytherapy or chemotherapy, were included in this study. With selection of the cases, 44 patients received laparotomy surgery, 32 patients received laparoscopic surgery, and 24 patients received robotic surgery. The perioperative parameters measured included operation time, blood loss, transfusion rate, lymph node yield, adhesion score, laparotomy conversion rate, postoperative and 24-hour pain scores, time to full diet resumption, and hospital stay. The perioperative complication and disease-free survival were also evaluated.

Results

The robotic group showed a shorter operation time, less blood loss, lower transfusion rate, and lower laparotomy conversion rate than the laparoscopic or laparotomy group. As for the postoperative parameters, the robotic group showed reduced postoperative and 24-hour pain scores, shortened length of hospital stay, and decreased time to full diet resumption compared with the other 2 surgical groups. No significant differences were found between the groups in perioperative complication rate or disease-free survival.

Conclusions

The data suggested that robotic surgery is a feasible and potentially optimal option for the treatment of stage IA to IIB cervical cancer with favorable short-term surgical outcomes.

Vaginal-assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (VALRH) versus laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH) in the treatment of cervical cancer: surgical results and oncologic outcome

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the morbidity and survival rates of patients with early-stage cervical cancer treated by vaginal-assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (VALRH) with pair-matched laparoscopic-assisted vaginal radical hysterectomy (LARVH) controls.

METHODS

One hundred nine patients who underwent VALRH for cervical cancer stage FIGO Ia1, L1 to IIb between 2007 and 2009 and 200 patients who underwent LARVH between 1994 and 2002 were analysed in their entirety and in a group of matched pairs.

RESULTS

In both groups, there was no conversion to laparotomy due to an intraoperative complication. Prevalence of blood transfusions was significantly lower in the VALRH group (2 vs. 39 patients; P < 0.001). Bladder function resumed sooner (P < 0.001), and patients were discharged earlier after VALRH (P < 0.001). There were no intraoperative injuries in the VALRH group. In the LARVH group, the most common intraoperative injury occurred to the bladder (7.0 %). Postoperatively, the most common complication in the VALRH group was ureterovaginal fistula (2.7 %) and fever (2.7 %) and in the LARVH ureterostenosis (3.5 %), uretero/bladder fistula (1 %), and fever (7 %). For patients with tumour stage Ib1 the 5-year recurrence-free survival was 92.8 % and 5-year overall survival 95.2 % following VALRH and 88.2 and 90.5 %, respectively, following LARVH. No significant difference in the survival rate was found (log rank, P = 0.740).

CONCLUSION

VALRH is a feasible and oncologically safe surgical option for patients with early-stage cervical cancer. We believe the complication rate is lowered in VALRH by the combination of the laparoscopic and vaginal approach.

Minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology

Minimally invasive surgery has been utilized in the field of obstetrics and gynecology as far back as the 1940s when culdoscopy was first introduced as a visualization tool. Gynecologists then began to employ minimally invasive surgery for adhesiolysis and obtaining biopsies but then expanded its use to include procedures such as tubal sterilization (Clyman (1963), L. E. Smale and M. L. Smale (1973), Thompson and Wheeless (1971), Peterson and Behrman (1971)). With advances in instrumentation, the first laparoscopic hysterectomy was successfully performed in 1989 by Reich et al. At the same time, minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology was being developed alongside its benign counterpart. In the 1975s, Rosenoff et al. reported using peritoneoscopy for pretreatment evaluation in ovarian cancer, and Spinelli et al. reported on using laparoscopy for the staging of ovarian cancer. In 1993, Nichols used operative laparoscopy to perform pelvic lymphadenectomy in cervical cancer patients. The initial goals of minimally invasive surgery, not dissimilar to those of modern medicine, were to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery and therefore improve patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. This review will summarize the history and use of minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology and also highlight new minimally invasive surgical approaches currently in development.

Aspects of Therapy for Cervical Cancer in Germany 2012 - Results from a Survey of German Gynaecological Hospitals

Introduction: In spite of the existence of guidelines and international recommendations, many aspects in the diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of patients with cervical cancer are not based on validated data. A broad spectrum of different opinions and procedures concerning the therapy for patients with cervical cancer is under controversial discussion by the responsible gynaecologists in German hospitals. Methods: The present study is intended to picture the current treatment situation for cervical cancer in Germany. For this purpose a specially developed questionnaire with questions divided into 19 subsections was sent to all 688 gynaecological hospitals in Germany. Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 34 %. 91 % of the hospitals treated between 0 and 25 patients with cervical cancer per year. 7.5 % treated between 26 and 50 and 1.4 % of the hospitals more than 50 patients per year. The bimanual examination was the most frequently used staging method (98 %); PET-CT was the least used staging method (2.3 %). Interestingly 48 % of the hospitals used surgical staging. The great majority of the hospitals (71 %) used abdominal radical hysterectomy (Wertheim-Meigs operation) to treat their patients. TMMR via laparotomy was used by 13 %. 16 % of the hospitals performed laparoscopic or robot-assisted radical hysterectomies. The sentinel concept was hardly used even in the early stages. It must be emphasised that in 74 % of the hospitals radical hysterectomies were performed even in cases with positive pelvic lymph nodes and in 43 % also in cases with positive paraaortic lymph nodes. The therapy of choice for FIGO IIB cancers is primary radiochemotherapy (RCTX) in 21 % of the hospitals; operative staging followed by radiochemotherapy in 24 % and treatment by radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant RCTX was employed in this situation by 46 % of the hospitals. In 15-97 % of the hospitals for node-negative and in sano resected patients in stage pT1B1/1B2 after radical hysterectomy, an adjuvant RCTX is recommended when further risk factors exist (LVSI, tumour > 4 cm, age < 40 years, adenocarcinoma, S3). Conclusion: A broad spectrum of differing staging and therapy concepts is in use for patients with cervical cancer in Germany. A standardisation of therapy is needed. An update of national guidelines could help to achieve more transparency and a standardisation of treatment for patients with cervical cancer.