Current status of robot-assisted total pelvic exenteration focusing on the field of urology: a clinical practice review

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is a highly invasive surgery associated with high rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality and is commonly performed for several types of locally advanced or recurrent pelvic cancers. It involves multivisceral resection, including the rectum, sigmoid colon, bladder, prostate, uterus, vagina, or ovaries, and urologists normally perform radical cystectomy or radical prostatectomy and urinary diversion in collaboration with colorectal surgeons and gynecologists. In the urological field, robot-assisted surgeries have been widely performed as one of the main minimally invasive procedures because of their superior perioperative or oncological outcomes compared to open or laparoscopic surgeries. In pelvic exenteration (PE) surgery, laparoscopic surgeries have shown superior rates of mortality, morbidity, and R0 resection compared to open surgeries. Robot-assisted TPE for the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer was first reported in 2014, and reports of its safety and usefulness have gradually increased. Robot-assisted PE, in which multivisceral resection in a narrow pelvic space is easier, will eventually be a standard minimally invasive procedure, although evidence has been limited to date. This clinical practice review summarizes the indications for surgery, perioperative complications, and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted TPE and highlights the current status of robot-assisted TPE for patients with urological malignancies and its surgical technique, focusing on the manipulation of urological organs.

Multimodality treatment for multiple recurrences of cervical cancer after radiotherapy: a case report

Background

Despite the availability of multiple treatments, the prognosis of recurrent cervical cancer (RCC) remains poor. There are no reports of the entire treatment of cases with multiple recurrences, and clinicians have no guidelines in such cases. We share our experience and consider this complex case of multiple recurrences of cervical cancer.

Case Description

We report our encounter with a challenging case of locally advanced cervical cancer with multiple recurrences after primary chemoradiotherapy. The first recurrence was a bulky lesion invading the posterior bladder wall and pelvic wall accompanied by severe haematuria and moderate anaemia. The patient was treated with various treatments during the course of the disease, including pelvic exenteration (PE), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), radioactive seed implantation, and targeted therapy. These salvage treatments led to an overall survival (OS) of 47 months, a progression-free survival (PFS) after the last chemotherapy of 34 months, and a post-relapse survival of 13.5 months. However, the patient died from severe infection due to an intestinal fistula.

Conclusions

This study reports on the experience of treatment after multiple relapses to provide a reference for clinicians. It suggests that PE should be considered for cervical cancer patients with central recurrence within the primary irradiated field when positive margins can be guaranteed, but it can be palliative even if the pelvic wall is invaded when no other treatments are available. Appropriate extension of resection or additional treatments such as intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be considered for patients at high risk of re-recurrence.

Indocyanine Green to Assess Vascularity of Ileal Conduit Anastomosis During Pelvic Exenteration for Recurrent/Persistent Gynecological Cancer: A Pilot Study

Introduction

Pelvic exenteration performed for recurrent/persistent gynecological malignancies has been associated with urological short- and long-term morbidity due to altered vascularization of tissues for previous radiotherapy. The aims of the present study were to describe the use of intravenous indocyanine green (ICG) to assess vascularity of urinary diversion (UD) after pelvic exenteration for gynecologic cancers, to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this technique, and to assess the postoperative complications.

Methods

Prospective, observational, single-center, pilot study including consecutive patients undergoing anterior or total pelvic exenteration due to persistent/recurrent gynecologic cancers between August 2020 and March 2021 at Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy. All patients underwent intravenous injection of 3–6 ml of ICG (1.25 mg/ml) once the UD was completed. A near-infrared camera was used to evaluate ICG perfusion of anastomoses (ileum–ileum, right and left ureter with small bowel, and colostomy or colorectal sides of anastomosis) a few seconds after ICG injection.

Results

Fifteen patients were included in the study. No patient reported adverse reactions to ICG injection. Only 3/15 patients (20.0%) had an optimal ICG perfusion in all anastomoses. The remaining 12 (80.0%) patients had at least one ICG deficit; the most common ICG deficit was on the left ureter: 3 (20.0%) vs. 1 (6.7%) patient had no ICG perfusion on the left vs. right ureter, respectively (p = 0.598). 8/15 (53.3%) and 6/15 (40.0%) patients experienced grade ≥3 30-day early and late postoperative complications, respectively. Of these, two patients had early and one had late postoperative complications directly related to poor perfusion of anastomosis (UD leak, ileum–ileum leak, and benign ureteric stricture); all these cases had a suboptimal intraoperative ICG perfusion.

Conclusion

The use of ICG to intraoperatively assess the anastomosis perfusion at time of pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy is a feasible and safe technique. The different vascularization of anastomotic stumps may be related to anatomical sites and to previous radiation treatment. This approach could be in support of selecting patients at higher risk of complications who may need personalized follow-up.