The ovarian endometrioma: why is it so poorly managed? Laparoscopic treatment of large ovarian endometrioma: why such a long learning curve?

The laparoscopic management of ovarian endometrioma was reported more than 15 years ago. An anonymous survey conducted among gynaecologists in the UK showed that 50% of ovarian endometrioma are still managed by laparotomy. This surprising result is discussed emphasizing the difficulties of the learning curve, pitfalls in surgical training and mistakes of the pioneers. Endoscopic surgery will become the standard technique when all practising gynaecologic surgeons have been trained during their residency. The goal of the endoscopic surgeon should be to achieve adequate surgical treatment. Endoscopic surgery is not a technical gimmick used to avoid laparotomy and to attract patients.

The learning curve of total laparoscopic hysterectomy: comparative analysis of 1647 cases.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of complications of total laparoscopic hysterectomy performed in the first and more recent years of our experience, and based on that, offer ways to prevent them. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University tertiary referral center for endoscopic surgery. PATIENTS: During 1989-1995 and 1996-1999, 695 and 952 women, respectively, with benign pathology. INTERVENTION: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: No differences in patient characteristics were found between 1989-1995 and 1996-1999. Substantial decreases in major complication rates were noted, 5.6% and 1.3%, respectively. No major vessel injury occurred. Excessive hemorrhage (1.9%) and need for blood transfusion (2.2%) during the first period were statistically higher than in the second period (both 0.1%, p <0.005). Urinary complications (2.2%) including 10 bladder lacerations, 4 ureter injuries, and 1 vesicovaginal fistula occurred more frequently in the first period than in the second period (0.9%), when 6 bladder and 2 ureter lacerations and 1 vesicovaginal fistula occurred (p <0.005). One bowel injury and one bowel obstruction occurred in the first period, but no bowel complications in the second. Between periods, 33 (4.7%) and 8 (1.4%) conversions to laparotomy were necessary. During the first period there were nine reoperations; of six laparotomies, four were due to urinary injuries, one due to heavy vaginal bleeding, and one due to a vesicovaginal fistula; three diagnostic laparoscopies were required due to postoperative abdominal pain. Three reoperations during the second period were two laparoscopies due to heavy vaginal bleeding and one laparotomy due to a vesicovaginal fistula (p <0.005). Statistically significant differences in median (range) uterine weight 179.5 g (22-904 g) and 292.0 g (40-980 g) and operating times 115 minutes (40-270 min) and 90 minutes (40-180 min), respectively, were recorded (p <0.005). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic hysterectomy was safe, effective, and reproducible after training, and with current technique, had a low rate of complications.

[Compliance with hormone replacement therapy in menopause: effect of an original education program. The COMET study]. / Observance du traitement hormonal substitutif de la ménopause: effet d'un programme d'éducation original. L'étude COMET.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of an original education program on compliance to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in post-menopausal women. METHODS: Data were obtained from 1,192 post-menopausal women (age: 53 +/- 5 years) included in the study with an onset less than six months: E2 gel (n = 791) or patch (n = 401) + progestins, and randomized in either educational program (Ep = 600) or regular verbal counselling (VC = 592). A patient is considered bad compliant with HRT when she prematurely stopped the study, whatever the reason of the cessation. The groups EP and VC are homogeneous for the age distribution, the HRT regimen, the date of onset and the climateric symptoms scores. RESULTS: There is a significant difference between EP and VC groups in compliance, respectively 86 and 81% (p < 0.027). This difference is partially explained by the significant improvement in the patch subgroups (EP: 86% versus VC: 77%, p = 0.028). The trend observed in the gel group is not significant (EP: 85% and VC: 82%) due to the high level of compliance usually noticed in women treated with the gel and the verbal counselling. The significative difference in the compliance observed during the verbal counselling between the continuous (76%) and the sequential (86%, p = 0.001) HRT regimen disappears with the educational program (continuous: 84% and sequential: 87%, NS). CONCLUSION: This first large study on the HRT compliance in France, using a patient educational material, validates its efficacy to reach a better compliance than with regular verbal counselling. Even though in the daily practice, about 40% of the patients discontinue the treatment during the first year, 81% of the women followed in this study continue to receive the HRT after nine months of use. The original educational program of the COMET study improves significatively this high compliance (+ 5% from the verbal counselling). Thus, the combination of the doctor verbal counselling and an educational material is desirable to obtain a good compliance with HRT.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy for very enlarged uteri.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short-term outcome of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) performed in women with very enlarged uteri. DESIGN: Case control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Hospital gynecologic service. PATIENTS: Thirty-four consecutive women with very enlarged uteri. INTERVENTION: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign pathology. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Women with uterine enlargement (group 1) were compared with 68 women with uteri weighing 300 g or less (group 2) who underwent TLH during the same period. Matching was based on patient age +/- 2 years, surgeon (experienced senior, fellow), whether or not Burch operation was performed, and whether or not adnexectomy was performed. The groups were compared for complication rates, operating time, hospital stay, change in perioperative hemoglobin concentration, and vaginal and laparoscopic uterine morcellation. They did not differ statistically significantly in terms of indications for surgery, parity, postmenopausal status, and preoperative hemoglobin levels. No difference was seen in complication rates between groups. Operating time was significantly shorter (p <0.001) in women with smaller uteri than in those with very enlarged uteri, 108 +/- 35 and 156 +/- 50 minutes, respectively. The groups did not differ significantly in day 1 hemoglobin level drop, analgesia requirement (oral, intravenous opioid), time to passing gas and stool, or hospital stay. No conversion to laparotomy was required in either group. CONCLUSION: A very enlarged uterus should not be considered a contraindication for TLH. However, it may be necessary to undertake certain surgical steps to ensure optimal exposure of the operative field and more effective and safer excision of the uterine vascular pedicle.

Ovarian response during IVF-embryo transfer cycles after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for endometriotic cysts of >3 cm in diameter.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian response during IVF cycles after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for endometriotic cysts >3 cm is controversial. A retrospective study was designed to study this problem. METHODS: At laparoscopy, endometriomas >3 cm were treated by ovarian cystectomy, whilst adhesions and peritoneal endometriosis were treated using conventional techniques. Ovarian stimulation was achieved with clomiphene and gonadotrophins or with gonadotrophins after a desensitization with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists. Three groups of patients were retrospectively selected from an IVF-embryo transfer database: patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for an endometrioma >3 cm (Group A, n = 41), patients with endometriosis without ovarian endometrioma (Group B, n = 139) and patients with tubal infertility (Group C, n = 59). RESULTS: The groups did not differ in age. In the first IVF cycle, the mean (+/- SD) numbers of oocytes and of embryos were 9.4 +/- 6.2 and 4.7 +/- 3.6 respectively in group A and 11.6 +/- 7.5 and 5.1 +/- 4.9 in group B (not significant). The results did not differ in cycles 2 and 3 or when compared according to age. No difference was found when comparing patients with endometriosis and patients with tubal infertility. CONCLUSION: The number of oocytes and embryos obtained was not significantly decreased by laparoscopic cystectomy, suggesting that in experienced hands this procedure may be a valuable surgical tool for the treatment of large ovarian endometriomas. However, great care must be taken to avoid ovarian damage.

5-aminolevulinic acid-induced (ALA) fluorescence for the laparoscopic diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis. AST An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: We performed a randomized experimental study in a rat model to evaluate the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced (ALA) fluorescence in the laparoscopic diagnosis of peritoneal metastases of ovarian cancer. METHODS: We injected 103 ovarian adenocarcinoma cells in the peritoneum of 31 rats. One week later, 5-aminolevulinic acid was injected in the peritoneum (100 mg/kg). After 3 h, we examined the rats using a 10-mm endoscope with a mono CCD camera and a light source developed for photodynamic diagnosis. Metastases on the parietal peritoneum were evaluated independently by two surgeons randomly assigned to use either a conventional light mode or the fluorescence mode. RESULTS: The mean number of metastases detected was 2.84 with conventional laparoscopic light and 5.74 with ALA-induced fluorescence (p < 0.0008). Metastases diagnosed by fluorescence were confirmed by pathologic examination. Random peritoneal biopsy specimens taken from nonfluorescent areas were negative. CONCLUSION: In this experiment, ALA-induced fluorescence improved the detection of peritoneal metastases of ovarian cancer.

Immunohistochemical analysis of the role of angiogenic status in the vasculature of peritoneal endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the angiogenic status of the vasculature in peritoneal endometriosis based on macroscopic appearance. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Patients with peritoneal endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): During laparoscopy, 25 samples of predominantly red peritoneal lesions and 27 samples of predominantly black peritoneal lesions were collected from a total of 31 patients with endometriosis. Eutopic endometrium from 25 patients with endometriosis was collected by curettage during laparoscopy or just after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): A proliferating endothelial cell index (PCI) was determined by calculating the percentage of microvessels that contained proliferating endothelial cells. A vessel maturation index (VMI) was determined by calculating the percentage of microvessels showing colocalization of CD34- and alpha-SMA-positive staining. RESULT(S): Peritoneal endometriotic tissues had extremely low or null PCI. The VMI of red peritoneal lesions was significantly lower than that of black ones. Vessel maturation index of red lesions was higher that that of proliferative eutopic endometrium and similar to that of secretory eutopic endometrium. CONCLUSION(S): Compared with the case of black peritoneal lesions, red lesions had a much higher fraction of immature vessels.

[Prevention of peritoneal adhesions]. / Prévention des adhérences péritonéales.

Peritoneal adhesions are a major problem for health and economy. An adequate and atraumatic surgical technique is essential in the prevention of peritoneal adhesions. Laparoscopic microsurgery should be developed and promoted. The following conclusions can be proposed about the treatments available Adequately designed clinical studies are too rare. Future studies are necessary to obtain information on pregnancy and pain as primary outcomes. Cost implications of adhesion prevention treatments also have to be addressed.

Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 in eutopic endometrium and peritoneal endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1 and proliferation marker Ki67 in peritoneal endometriosis and eutopic endometrium. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): Thirty-one patients with peritoneal endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): During laparoscopy, 25 samples of predominantly red peritoneal lesions and 27 samples of predominantly black peritoneal lesions were collected from 31 patients with endometriosis. Eutopic endometrium from 25 patients with endometriosis was collected by curettage during laparoscopy or just after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The percentage of glandular and stromal cells exhibiting positive staining for p27Kip1 and Ki67 (labeling index, LI) was determined. RESULT(S): The LI of stromal cells in red peritoneal lesions for both p27Kip1 and Ki67 was similar to that of proliferative eutopic endometrium. Although the LI of glandular epithelial cells for Ki67 in red lesions was comparable to that of proliferative eutopic endometrium, the LI for p27Kip1 was significantly higher. Furthermore, we detected a significantly higher LI of glandular epithelial and stromal cells for p27Kip1 in black lesions compared with red lesions. CONCLUSION(S): Our results suggest that expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 is involved in the natural history and progression of peritoneal endometriosis.

[Management of adnexal tumors: role and risks of laparoscopy]. / Prise en charge des tumeurs annexielles: place et risques de la coelioscopie.

The laparoscopic management of adnexal tumeurs remains controversial because of the potentials risks of cancer dissemination suggested by many case reports and national surveys. From experimental data, the laparoscopic treatment of gynecologic cancer has potential advantages and disadvantages. The risk of dissemination appears high when a large number of malignant cells are present so that adnexal tumors with external vegetations, and bulky lymph nodes may be considered as contra-indications to CO2 laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery has become the gold standard in the treatment of benign adnexal tumeurs, whereas laparotomy remains the standard for the treatment of malignant tumors. The surgical diagnosis is the key to adequate management of adnexal tumeurs. In our experience, after a careful preoperative evaluation, the laparoscopic diagnosis of malignancy is reliable. Moreover in national surveys, many malignant tumeurs were considered as benign despite suspicious laparoscopic findings. Using strict guidelines, laparoscopic diagnosis can be proposed for both non suspicious and complex tumeurs, thus avoiding many unnecessary laparotomies for benign tumeurs suspicious at ultrasound. The more controversial limits of laparoscopic treatment are discussed. If a laparotomy was performed for all tumeurs suspicious at surgery, 80% of the cases would be treated by laparoscopy. The role of laparoscopy for restaging and second look operations for ovarian cancer requires further evaluation.

Promontofixation for the treatment of prolapse.

Genital prolapse is a common problem in women. The wide variety of surgical techniques used to treat this problem demonstrate how difficult it is to manage. Laparoscopic surgery offers a new approach. It allows a good view of the anterior and posterior compartments so that a global approach for the prolapse is possible by the same surgical route. Traditional promontofixation can be combined with a new approach to the posterior compartment. Laparoscopic promontofixation through installation of an intervesicouterine prosthesis for the treatment of hysterocele and cystocele is associated with paravaginal repair of lateral defects and a Burch anterior colposuspension for urinary stress incontinence. When combined with laparoscopic treatment of rectocele by myorrhaphy and reinforcement of the fascia by means of a prosthesis, it provides a complete range of treatment for all types of feminine prolapse. After 20 years of experience through laparotomy, promontofixation using a triangle has been carried out by laparoscopy at the authors' center since 1991 in an attempt to eliminate the cystocele by solidly anchoring the uterus and bladder floor to the promontory. This laparoscopic technique follows the usual steps for pelvic prolapse repair: 1. Total or subtotal hysterectomy or suspension of the uterus is performed in such a way that it returns to normal physiologic position, and a solid subvesical floor is created. 2. The physiologic axis of the vagina is restored by creating a strong, low posterior point of support and by performing culdoplasty. 3. Evident or latent stress incontinence is treated. It would be pointless to treat the hysterocele on its own because, once the prolapse has been cured, the subvesical mass will disappear and allow urinary incontinence to appear. 4. Reconstruction of the posterior rectovaginal support structures seems to be mandatory and is carried out in almost all cases. The first phase of the laparoscopic approach to pelvic prolapse allowed the authors to explore the technical aspects. Several approaches are possible by laparoscopy. Herein, the authors report 8 years of technical research and assessment. This experience confirms the tremendous potential of laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of all aspects of this pathology by the same route. Stress incontinence, cystocele, hysterocele, rectocele, or enterocele can be treated. The operative time is longer than with the open route, and the surgeon must be highly experienced. Based on their experience, the authors are discovering new concepts. More data are required before a conclusion can be drawn concerning this promising new approach.

Risk of spread of ovarian cancer after laparoscopic surgery.

The incidence of the spread of ovarian cancer after laparoscopic surgery is difficult to establish from the current literature. The prognosis incidence of a trocar site metastasis without peritoneal dissemination is not known. Data from general surgeons in prospective studies from a single institution suggested that in colon cancer the risk is low, whereas it seems to be much higher in multicentric studies of undiagnosed gallbladder cancer. Experimental studies suggested that laparoscopy has advantages and disadvantages. However, the risk of dissemination is high when a large number of malignant cells and a carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum are present, a situation encountered when managing adnexal tumours with large vegetations. Animal studies will allow the development of a peritoneal environment adapted to the treatment of cancer. The ovary is an intraperitoneal organ and ovarian cancer a peritoneal disease, so the risk of peritoneal spread may be higher in ovarian cancer than in other gynecological cancers. A careful preoperative evaluation appears to be the best way to prevent these risks. It should also be used to choose which patient should be operated by which surgical team. The second step is a careful and cautious laparoscopic diagnosis, so that more than 98% of ovarian cancers encountered can be treated immediately and effectively. The laparoscopic management of ovarian cancer remains controversial; it should be performed only in prospective clinical trials. Until the results of such studies become available, an immediate vertical midline laparotomy remains the gold standard if a cancer is encountered.

[Laparoscopy and gynecologic cancer: is it still necessary to debate or only convince the incredulous?]. / Coelioscopie et cancer en gynécologie? Faut-il encore débattre ou seulement convaincre les incrédules?

Many papers suggested that laparoscopic treatment of cancer could be achieved and taught safely. Although cases reports about trocar site metastasis and national survey about inadequate management of early ovarian cancer suggested that laparoscopic management of cancer may be dangerous. The current literature may be summarized as follows. An inadequate surgical management performed by laparoscopy as well as by laparotomy may worsen the prognosis of an early ovarian cancer. If the abdominal wall is protected with a bag and the tumour is not morcellated, the incidence of trocar site site metastasis is about 1%. Animal studies demonstrated that the laparoscopic management of cancer has both advantages and disadvantages. Preliminary results from prospective randomised trials in the treatment of colon cancer suggested that the survival rate is similar after laparoscopy and after laparotomy. The risk of dissemination appears high when a large number of malignant cells are present in patients operated using an increased abdominal pressure and a CO2 pneumoperitoneum. These data suggest that laparoscopic treatment of gynaecologic cancer is not dangerous if an adequate surgical technique is used. However morcellation of suspicious solid tumours, treatment of adnexal tumours with external vegetations but without peritoneal dissemination and of bulky lymph nodes should be considered as contra-indications to CO2 laparoscopy, puncture of an ovarian tumour with intracystic vegetations is a high risk situation which should be avoided whenever possible.

Successful transfer of frozen-thawed embryos obtained immediately before radical surgery for stage IIIa serous borderline ovarian tumour: case report.

A stage IIIA borderline serous ovarian tumour was treated conservatively by laparoscopy to preserve the fertility of a 21 year old nulligravid woman. Six months later, recurrent lesions were resected. An 'urgent' IVF was performed to obtain frozen embryos. Oncological treatment was then completed by radical surgery with uterine conservation. Fifteen months later, two thawed embryos were successfully transferred and the patient delivered one baby. From this observation, the authors discuss an alternative to oocyte donation in cases of bilateral ovariectomy for stage IIIA borderline serous ovarian tumour.

Management of adnexal masses: role and risk of laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic surgery has become the gold standard in the treatment of benign adnexal masses, whereas laparotomy remains the standard for the treatment of malignant tumors. The laparoscopic management of adnexal masses remains controversial because of the potential risks of cancer dissemination suggested by many case reports and national surveys. Experimental data show potential advantages and disadvantages for the laparoscopic treatment of gynecologic cancer. Since the risk of dissemination appears high when a large number of malignant cells are present, adnexal tumors with external growths and bulky lymph nodes may be considered contra-indications to CO(2) laparoscopy. Surgical diagnosis is the key to adequate management of adnexal masses. In our experience, laparoscopic diagnosis of malignancy is reliable after a careful pre-operative evaluation has been performed. Moreover, national surveys have revealed that despite suspicious laparoscopic findings, many malignant masses were considered benign at the outset. Using strict guidelines, laparoscopic diagnosis can be proposed for both non-suspicious and complex masses, thus avoiding many unnecessary laparotomies for benign masses suspicious at ultrasound. The more controversial limits of laparoscopic treatment are discussed. If a laparotomy was performed for all masses suspicious at surgery, 80% of the cases would be treated by laparoscopy. The role of laparoscopy for restaging and second-look operations for ovarian cancer requires further evaluation.

Cancer and laparoscopy, experimental studies: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the experimental studies on laparoscopy and cancer and to propose guidelines for the clinical management of gynecologic cancer. METHODS: The literature in MEDLINE was searched from January 1992 to December 1998 using the terms 'cancer', 'laparoscopy' and 'experimental or animal study'. Cross-referencing identified additional publications. Abstracts and letters to the editor were excluded. All the relevant papers were reviewed. RESULTS: Depending on the model used, controversial results have been reported on the incidence of trocar site metastasis when comparing CO(2) laparoscopy and laparotomy. In contrast, the following conclusions can be proposed: (i) tumour growth after laparotomy is greater than after endoscopy; (ii) tumour dissemination is worse after CO(2) laparoscopy than after laparotomy; (iii) some of the disadvantages of CO(2) laparoscopy may be treated using local or intravenous treatments or avoided using other endoscopic exposure methods, such as gasless laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic treatment of gynecologic cancer has potential advantages and disadvantages, and may only be performed in prospective clinical trials. The risk of dissemination appears high when a large number of malignant cells are present. Adnexal tumours with external vegetations, and bulky lymph nodes should be considered as contra-indications to CO(2) laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic surgery in the Cameroon.

A new surgical section of operative laparoscopy was installed in General Hospital of Yaoundé, Cameroon, in April 1992 after many years of collaboration between the University of Clermont-Ferrand and the University of Yaoundé. A total of 735 laparoscopic operations were conducted in the first 5 years. Conditions facilitating such a project are discussed.

Possible involvement of arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2, glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 genes in the development of endometriosis.

Wide inter-individual variation of expression of compound metabolic enzymes is determined by polymorphism and may predispose the development of diseases provoked by environmental factors. The combined analysis of phase II detoxification system genes: arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2), and glutathione S-transferases (GST) M1 and T1 was carried out in patients with minimal/mild (group I; n = 36) and moderate/severe endometriosis (group II; n = 29) and controls (n = 72) of French origin, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The results show a significant difference between patients and controls with regard to NAT2 gene polymorphism (P < 0.05). This is mainly due to the high percentage of slow acetylator genotypes (SA) in patients compared with controls (60.0 versus 38.9%; P < 0.02) with a distinct preponderance in subjects with minimal/mild endometriosis (69.4%, P < 0.005) where there is a significantly elevated frequency of slow allele S1 (NAT2*5) (P = 0.05). Significantly increased proportions of GSTM1-deficient genotypes were found in both groups of patients, in comparison with the controls (75.0 and 79.3% versus 45.8%; P < 0. 0001). A preponderance of GSTT1-negative subjects among patients was also detected, but did not appear significant. We suggest the involvement of both NAT2 and GSTM1 detoxification system genes in the pathogenesis of endometriosis and the possible impact of NAT2 gene polymorphism in the development of different forms of this disease.