Laterally extended parametrectomy

History and Perspectives of Hyperradical, Laterally Extended Parametrectomy (LEP)

Cervical cancer has been and still is a major global health problem and a major treatment challenge for which surgical interventions have played a key role throughout the past century. In early stages (I/A2-II/B), where high-risk factors are not present, the efficacy of surgical and radiotherapy treatment has been considered equivalent with different (treatment modality specific) complications and quality of life consequences. Negative prognostic factors in early stages of the disease (pelvic lymph-node positivity) and in more advanced stages (parametrial and/or surgical margins' tumor involvement) forecast the deterioration of outlooks for good life expectancy. In these high-risk cases, when radio- or chemoradiotherapy is contraindicated, we investigated the potential role of a more radical surgical approach than the traditional radical hysterectomy. Twenty-five years ago, a hyperradical surgical procedure for the treatment of high-risk cervical cancer patients was introduced in Budapest. The procedure was named as laterally extended parametrectomy (LEP) in Budapest Hungary. The surgical intention was the complete removal of the fibro-fatty tissue content of the pelvis, which contains the lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and tumor-affected pelvic side wall structures. We initiated observational studies on the primary treatment in parametrium and/or lymph-node tumor-positive early-stage cases and on second-line surgical therapy of pelvic side wall recurrent tumors following radiotherapy. Promising results of our observational studies propose that prospective randomized trials are worth to be initiated to clarify the potential of this treatment modality in this poor prognosis cohort of patients.

A new membrane anatomy-oriented classification of radical surgery for rectal cancer

For patients with different clinical stages of rectal cancer, tailored surgery is urgently needed. Over the past 10 years, our team has conducted numerous anatomical studies and proposed the "four fasciae and three spaces" theory to guide rectal cancer surgery. Enlightened by the anatomical basis of the radical hysterectomy classification system of Querleu and Morrow, we proposed a new classification system of radical surgery for rectal cancer based on membrane anatomy. This system categorizes the surgery into four types (A-D) and incorporates corresponding subtypes based on the preservation of the autonomic nerve. Our surgical classification unifies the pelvic membrane anatomical terminology, validates the feasibility of classifying rectal cancer surgery using the theory of "four fasciae and three spaces," and lays the theoretical groundwork for the future development of unified and standardized classification of radical pelvic tumor surgery.

Pelvic Sidewall Anatomy in Gynecologic Oncology—New Insights into a Potential Avascular Space

The surgical treatment of gynecological malignancies is, except for tumors diagnosed at the earliest stages and patients’ desire for fertility preservation, not limited to only the affected organ. In cases of metastatic iliac lymph nodes, gynecological tumors or recurrences located near the pelvic sidewall, oncogynecologists should dissect tissues in that region. Moreover, surgery of deep infiltrating endometriosis, e.g., within the sacral plexus, or oncological procedures, such as a laterally extended endoplevic resection or a laterally extended parametrectomy, often require a dissection of the pelvic sidewall. Dissection should be meticulous, and detailed knowledge of anatomy is mandatory. There are many controversies among authors regarding the terminology in the pelvic sidewall. In particular, several imprecise or confusing definitions exist in regard to the region located medially to the psoas major muscle. Therefore, after discussing the anatomy of the pelvic sidewall and the commonly used terminology, we define a new term and boundaries of a potential avascular space, the medial psoas space. Contrary to the variety of earlier definitions, the proposed boundaries relate to a truly avascular space and could help surgeons to avoid complications resulting from misleading anatomical descriptions. Additionally, describing the clear boundaries of and possible anatomical variations in the medial psoas space may urge oncogynecologists to consider different approaches during surgery. The purpose of the present study is to describe the anatomy of the pelvic sidewall and the applications of the medial psoas space in gynecologic oncology.