Amyloidosis of the uterine cervix presenting as postmenopausal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Amyloidosis of the uterine cervix is rare. CASE: A postmenopausal woman with systemic amyloidosis related to multiple myeloma presented with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the variable presentation of amyloidosis.

Spontaneous regression of stage IV clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium in a patient with essential thrombocytosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document a case of advanced stage clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium which underwent spontaneous regression (SR) and comment on the possible contribution of the patient's thrombocytosis. CASE REPORT: A 73-year-old woman with essential thrombocytosis presented with vaginal bleeding. Imaging demonstrated a complex uterine mass, a 4-cm infrarenal mass, and a 5-cm subumbilical mass. Biopsy of the subumbilical mass revealed adenocarcinoma, and endometrial curettage revealed extensively necrotic clear cell endometrial carcinoma. At hysterectomy 5 weeks later, the infrarenal and subumbilical masses were not identified. The endometrial tumor was almost completely necrotic. She received no adjuvant therapy and remains disease-free 6 years later. Interestingly, her platelet-lowering agent (hydroxyurea) was discontinued shortly before, and her platelet count was significantly elevated at the time of her presentation with endometrial carcinoma. CONCLUSION: This report documents a rare case of SR of advanced endometrial carcinoma, and we speculate that increased circulating platelets were a major contributing factor.

[Gene therapy and ovarian cancer: update of clinical trials]. / Thérapie génique et cancer de l'ovaire: exposé des essais cliniques en cours.

Ovarian cancer is the first leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer. Advances in therapy are needed to obtain complete response after surgery and/or chemotherapy. Gene therapy is a new alternative therapeutic approach. 380 gene therapy clinical trials (3173 patients) are going to be assessed. 63% of these trials concern therapy of cancer. 16 gene therapy clinical trails are applied to ovarian cancer. These 16 clinical trials assess different treatment strategies: Mutation compensation by replacement of an altered tumor suppressor gene (p53, BRCA1); Molecular chemotherapy by transfer of a suicide gene (HSV-tk gene); Antitumoral immunotherapy by cytokine gene transfer (IL2, IL12); Oncogene inhibition (erb-B2 gene); Multi Drug Resistance gene transfer. A knowledge of basis concepts of gene transfer strategies, is needed to understand these different treatment strategies. Thus, the goals of this review are, first, to provide the basis concepts of gene transfer strategies to the obstetrician-gynecologist and second, to submit recent gene therapy clinical trials about ovarian cancer.

De novo adhesions with extraperitoneal endosurgical para-aortic lymphadenectomy versus transperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy: a randomized experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the risk of adhesion formation and the site of postoperative adhesions after transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study was conducted on 66 pigs, randomly allocated to 2 groups of 33 animals that underwent transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 techniques in terms of operating time, number of lymph nodes removed, and intraoperative and postoperative morbidity. More lymphoceles were observed in the extraperitoneal laparoscopy group (P =.0002). The overall adhesion rates were 76% in the transperitoneal group and 43.33% in the extraperitoneal group (P =.04). The adhesion score specific to the operative site was lower in the extraperitoneal group (P =.0005). A stereolocalization study showed that almost all adhesions after transperitoneal laparoscopy were situated in the para-aortic external irradiation field, whereas adhesions after extraperitoneal laparoscopy were predominantly situated outside this field. CONCLUSION: Extraperitoneal laparoscopy generates significantly fewer adhesions in the para-aortic irradiation field.

[Treatment of pelvic lymph node involvement in early stage cervical cancer]. / Le traitement de l'envahissement ganglionnaire pelvien dans les cancers du col utérin aux stades précoces.

OBJECTIVES: Results of a retrospective paired study comparing the outcome of patients irradiated for lymph node involvement according to the method of node assessment: laparotomy or laparoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with cervical cancer managed by postoperative radiation therapy for pelvic node involvement during the Wertheim-Meigs operation (historical group) were compared to 26 patients in whom lymph node involvement was discovered at the time of laparoscopy and managed by definitive radiation therapy without hysterectomy (laparoscopy group). The patients were matched according to age, stage, tumor histology and tumoral volume. RESULTS: No difference was observed in the five-year survivals. Although it was not significant there were more grade 3-4 radio-induced complications in the historical group. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of laparoscopy and the absence of hysterectomy did not impair the outcome of our patients. Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy reduces the risk of radio-induced adverse effects.

[Comparison of transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy: randomized experimental study]. / Comparaison des lymphadénectomies para-aortiques endoscopiques par voie transpéritonéale ou extrapéritonéale: étude expérimentale randomisée.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the risk of adhesion formation and the site of postoperative adhesions after transperitoneal versus extraperitoneal laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective randomized trial was conducted on 66 pigs, submitted to transperitoneal (n = 33) or extraperitoneal (n = 33) laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy. The efficacy and the intra and postoperative morbidity (adhesion score taking into account the number of adhesions and the surface area involved) of each approach were compared. The site of postoperative adhesions in relation to a simulated external irradiation field was determined by a stereo-localization system (Syslav) on 20 pigs. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the two techniques in terms of operating time, number of lymph nodes removed, and intra and postoperative morbidity except for lymphoceles and adhesions. No case of lymphocele was observed in the transperitoneal group versus 13 cases (43.33%) in the extraperitoneal group (P = 0.0002). Final total adhesion score was 76% (n = 22) in the transperitoneal group versus 63.33% (n = 19) in the extraperitoneal group. Adhesion score specific to the operative site was 76% (n = 21) in the transperitoneal group versus 43.33% (n = 13) in the extraperitoneal group (P = 0.04). A statistically significant difference was observed between the two approaches in terms of final total adhesion score (P = 0.008) or adhesion score specific to the operative site (P = 0.0005). The stereolocalization study showed that almost all adhesions were situated in the paraaortic external irradiation field after transperitoneal laparoscopy, while adhesions were predominantly situated outside this field after extraperitoneal laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Extraperitoneal laparoscopy generates significantly fewer adhesions in the paraaortic irradiation field and should have a risk of radiation enteritis less important than transperitoneal laparoscopy.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the uterine cervix. Clinicopathologic study of five patients.

Four main clinicopathologic features of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the cervix may be stressed: primary diagnosis at an advanced stage, early nodal metastasis even for low disease, early failure of appropriate local treatment (surgery and/or radiation therapy) and aggressive clinical treatment. Five patients with NET of the uterine cervix (small cell carcinoma type) are reported (one stage I, two stages II, one stage III and one stage IV). One patient was treated by surgery combined with radiation therapy, one by surgery combined with chemotherapy and one by surgery with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Two patients received radiation therapy alone. Three early stage patients are alive with no evidence of disease 8, 26 and 41 months after diagnosis. The two patients with advanced stage died of disease, 3 and 12 months respectively, after diagnosis. Combination chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide) is warranted in disseminated NETs. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy should be combined with radiation therapy and surgery even in early stages.

[New therapeutic plans for cancer of the cervix]. / Nouveaux schémas thérapeutiques concernant le cancer du col utérin.

New methods of staging (MRI, laparoscopic surgery) and therapy (concomitant radio-chemotherapy, debulking of diseased nodes), with a trend towards the reduction of the aggressivity of surgical procedures (minimal access surgery, ovarian preservation, reduction of the extent of radical hysterectomy, uterine conservation) may and should by integrated in new therapeutic protocols. As a consequence, the management of invasive cervical cancer becomes even more multidisciplinary and specialized.

[Endoscopic para-aortic dissection by the extraperitoneal approach: clinical study of 37 patients]. / Curage para-aortique endoscopique par voie extrapéritonéale: étude clinique à propos de 37 patientes.

OBJECTIVE: To give the preliminary results of a series of 37 operations for a para-aortic endoscopic curage by the extraperitoneal passage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients, with an average age of 45.8 +/- 12 years, were operated on for cervical cancer, with an average tumor diameter of 4.9 +/- 1 cm. The indications were: the tumor's diameter > or = 4 cm (N = 24), one FIGO stage > or = IIb distal (N = 10), N+ pelvic (N = 3). The irradiation was pelvic (if N-) or abdominopelvic (if N+). RESULTS: The operation lasted 125.3 +/- 36.8 min, and the average number of ganglions removed was 21.2 +/- 10.2. The upper limit of the curage was submesenteric for nine patients and subrenal for 28. The immediate postoperatory complications were: a retroperitoneal hematoma, an acute intestinal occlusion treated by laparotomy, and a ureteral wound on a fixed ganglion, treated by an endoprosthesis. The number of N+ was ten in all, of which three were macroscopic: 0/1 for stage Ib1; 2/12 (16.7%) for Ib2; 4/14 (28.6%) for IIb proximal; 4/10 (40%) for IIb distal or more. There were 6/26 (23.1%) N+ microscopic cases for subrenal curages, versus 1/8 (12.5%) for submesenteric. (Excluding 3 N+ microscopic cases). All were given postoperatory radiotherapy except for one, who had a widened hysterectomy (N-). After an average follow-up of 9.5 +/- 5.9 months, there were two pelvic recurrences and six at a distance (of which four died). We had a lymphocele superinfection at six weeks on the diverticular sigmoiditis. There was an enteritis in a patient who had an abdominal irradiation after a laparotomy for acute occlusion. CONCLUSION: Out of 36 patients having postoperatory radiotherapy, para-aortic extraperitoneal curage diagnosed seven N+ microscopic cases, allowing 26 uniquely pelvic irradiations.

Learning curves for transperitoneal laparoscopic and extraperitoneal endoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare learning curves for paraaortic lymphadenectomy by extraperitoneal endoscopic approach with those for transperitoneal laparoscopy. DESIGN: Randomized, long-term study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Animal laboratory. SUBJECTS: Sixty-six pigs. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic and endoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy, 33 pigs in each group, performed by two surgeons competent in laparoscopic surgery but without experience in endoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The duration of the procedure, number of lymph nodes removed, and number of residual nodes revealed learning curves that stabilized after the tenth procedure for each surgeon and for each approach. Vascular trauma depended on experience, occurring during the first 10 procedures for each surgeon. Efficacy and operative morbidity were comparable for the two procedures. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy has a steep learning curve similar to that for transperitoneal laparoscopy.

An objective experimental assessment of the learning curve for laparoscopic surgery: the example of pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To date the number of procedures required to become competent to perform new laparoscopic surgical techniques is not known. STUDY DESIGN: The pig model was chosen for assessment of the learning curve associated with an advanced laparoscopic procedure. A unilateral laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed by two residents and a laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed by a fellow on a series of 20 pigs. The quality of the dissection was checked by immediate laparotomy by an independent observer. RESULTS: The operative objectives were: (a) There should be less than 5% residual lymph nodes. (b) The operating time should be less than 30 min for pelvic and less than 100 min for para-aortic lymphadenectomy. (c) Avoiding conversion because of complications. This target was achieved after 7 and 9 pigs respectively for pelvic lymphadenectomy and after 14 pigs for para-aortic lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to assess the learning curve of trainee surgeons while performing laparoscopic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy on pigs. A training programme such as this should prevent complications due to inexperience and should satisfy ethical and medico-legal considerations.

[Is vaginal hysterectomy important for large uterus of more than 500 g? Comparison with laparotomy]. / L'hystérectomie vaginale a-t-elle un intérêt pour les gros utérus de plus de 500 g? Comparaison avec la laparotomie.

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal hysterectomy is an advantageous surgical technique as compared with abdominal hysterectomy: operating time is shorter, it is safer and hospitalization stay and recovery time are shorter. However in France, 2/3 of all hysterectomies are still performed by laparotomy. Would the vaginal approach be reasonable if a difficult hysterectomy is expected? The purpose of our study was to compare the per- and postoperative complications and the period following vaginal hysterectomy versus the abdominal route in patients with a large uterus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine vaginal hysterectomies were compared retrospectively with 22 abdominal hysterectomies for fibroma during the period from 01.01.91 to 31.12.95. Uterine weight in all cases was between 500 to 1,000 g. RESULTS: The average uterine weight was significantly different between the vaginal and the abdominal groups (644 g vs 747 g, p = 0.02). Operating time, pre- and postoperative complications and analgesic use were not significantly different between the two groups. Operative bleeding was significantly higher in the abdominal group than in the vaginal group (659 ml vs. 359 ml, p = 0.006), as well as hemoglobin loss (2.49 vs. 1.82, p = 0.04). There was also a statistical difference between the vaginal group and the abdominal groups in terms of hospital stay (4 d vs. 6 d respectively, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Vaginal hysterectomy with morcellation is advantageous in comparison with abdominal hysterectomy even when the uterine weight is over 500 g, since it offers better post-operative comfort than laparotomy without endangering the patients. The main contraindications for the vaginal route are uterus beyond the ombilicus and vaginal atresia. Excepting these cases, the indication for the vaginal approach depends on the patient's past surgical history, uterine mobility and vaginal access. In more difficult cases, these factors are assessed under anesthesia.

Comparison of open retropubic and laparoscopic colposuspension for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to compare the results of open retropubic (OC) and laparoscopic (LC) colposuspension to the Cooper's ligament (Burch operation). We matched retrospectively 72 LC and OC subjects according to their ages, the type of associated operations and the clinical stages of their urinary incontinence. We excluded associated prolapsus, previous surgical procedure for urinary incontinence, maximal urethral closure pressure lower than 30 cm of water, and instability of the detrusor. We estimated the comparability of our two series for other criteria which have an effect upon the postoperative results in the literature. The mean follow-up was 17 months for LC and 46 months for OC. LC operative time was longer than OC (mean: LC, 89 min; OC, 42 min), women considered LC less painful than OC. They needed less postoperative analgesia, mostly given only just the day of the procedure. LC length of hospitalization and return to normal activity was shorter than OC (mean: LC, 3 days; OC, 6.7 days; LC, 15 days; OC, 21 days). The graphs of the subjective cure and improvement rates made according to the Kaplan-Meier method could be compared with the log rank test (cure after 1 year: LC 79%; OC 69%; improvement after 1 year: LC 85%; OC 82%; cure after 2 years: LC 68%; OC 64%; improvement after 2 years: LC 80%; OC 75%).

[Breech presentation: management (304 cases)]. / Présentation du siège: conduite à tenir (à propos de 304 observations).

UNLABELLED: BUT: Try to precise the optimal management in 1997 face a breech presentation. METHOD: Between January 1991 and December 1995, 304 cases of breech presentations were listed at the maternity of Pavillon Victor Olivier (Lille). From these 304 breech presentations, all parities blended, the authors have analysed the mode of delivery of these patients, distinguishing the para one from the multiparous women and the preterm babies from the other babies. From this study and a review of the literature, were discussed the criterions which can help the practitioner to determine the mode of delivery of these fetus. RESULTS: The results show a cesarean section (cs) rate of 51% (41% of first intention cs and 10% of second intention cs were realized only for primiparity + breech presentation and 67% of the para one women benefited from a first intention cs 8.72% of vaginal deliveries were complicated, and 5 fetal injuries were noted without sequel. On 296 live new-borns, only 2 cases of fetal death were perhaps due to the vaginal delivery. Fetal mortality is principally reliable at the prematurity and the congenital malformations, but finally, not due to mode of delivery. CONCLUSION: The difficulty is to determine rigorous criterions of selection to authorize a vaginal delivery without spoil the fetal pronostic. The major criterions are a perfect radiopelvimetry, an estimated fetal weight < 3800 g for the para one women and < 4300 g for the multiparous woman, a well flexed fetal head, favorable obstetric conditions ond the absence of maternal or fetal complications. The primiparity is not an indication of systematic cesariean section.

[Security by using a micro-optic introduced by the Veress needle in laparoscopies]. / Sécurité procurée par l'utilisation d'une micro-optique introduite par l'aiguille de Veress lors de l'abord coelioscopique.

Blind introduction of the Veress needle or the umbilical trocar is the cause of 1 to 4 injuries per 1,000 laparoscopies, particularly in case of abdominal adhesions. The aim of this experimental randomized study was to determine whether the needlescope can improve safety compared with the routinely used syringe test. Adult female rabbits were randomized into two groups of 20. Abdominal adhesions were created surgically in all animals. Three weeks later, a pneumoperitoneum was provoked under general anesthesia and five trocars were introduced into each animal after the needlescope test or the syringe test. The needlescope yielded high sensitivity. Adhesion formations were localized in 95% of the cases. Inversely, the syringe test localized adherences in only 50% of the cases. The number of organ injuries was identical for the two tests: 6.06 versus 6.25%.

Accuracy and safety of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy: an experimental prospective randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to investigate the accuracy and safety of bilateral pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy performed via transperitoneal laparoscopy (LS) compared to laparotomy (LT) in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen adult, female hogs underwent LS and 15 underwent LT. A complete pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy was performed in each animal by an experienced surgeon. Lymph nodes were counted by a pathologist in each case. Operative times were reviewed and included all procedures performed. The intraoperative complications were noted. Four weeks after the lymphadenectomy, the animals underwent exploratory laparotomy, and intraperitoneal adhesions were quantified. RESULTS: Thirty animals were evaluable. The average total number of lymph nodes retrieved by LS was 16.9 +/- 3.8, which was not statistically (P = 0.77) different from 16.5 +/- 4.9 nodes in LT. The average operating time in LT was 60 +/- 16 min compared with 128 +/- 24 min in LS. Twenty-eight animals were evaluable for adhesion formation. The average adhesion scores observed in anterior abdominal wall (P = 0.0006), paraaortic (P = 0.0005), right (P = 0.015), and left (P = 0.0324) iliac areas after LS were uniformly lower than after LT. DISCUSSION: This study indicates that laparoscopic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy is a safe and effective procedure. The node yield is similar for both approaches. The transperitoneal laparoscopy pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy may not induce the degree of adhesion formation associated with laparotomy.

[Laparoscopic surgical repair of surgical complication of laparoscopy in gynecology. Experiences at the Paul Gellé de Roubaix Center from 1992 to 1995]. / Réparation coeliochirurgicale des complications opératoires de la coelioscopie en gynécologie. Expérience du pavillon Paul Gellé de Roubaix de 1992 à 1995.

UNLABELLED: From 1992 to 1995, 1565 laparoscopic operations were performed in Roubaix. We report on six complications. OBJECTIVE: To compare this figure with these of the French collaborative study done from 1987 to 1991 by seven departments known for their laparoscopic activity, including Roubaix. RESULTS: The trends are good. The rate of injuries was stable in spite of increasingly complex procedures. The largest portion of visceral and even vascular injuries were repaired by laparoscopy reducing by the same amount use of laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Strict adherence to safety guidelines and specific training of surgeons reduce the need of laparotomy for laparoscopic complication.

[The advantage of an umbilical micro-laparotomy, "open laparoscopy", for laparoscopic surgery. Experimental study]. / Le bénéfice de la micro-laparotomie ombilicale "open laparoscopy" pour l'abord coelioscopique. Etude expérimentale.

This study was carried out to evaluate the respective safety of standard introduction of the umbilical trocar after insuflation of the abdomen through a veress needle, direct trocar insertion, and the open laparoscopy approach. Abdominal adhesion were induced by standardized peritoneal trauma in 60 New Zeland white female rabbits. Three weeks later, the animals were randomly assigned to one of three techniques: group 1: standard approach; group 2: direct trocar insertion; group 3: open laparoscopy. Twenty-four bowel injuries occurred in group 1, thirty nine in group 2, and six in group 3. The differences between groups were statistically significant (group 1 vs group 2: p = 0.03; group 3 vs group 1: p = 0.004; group 3 vs group 2: p = 0.0001). These findings favor the use of the open laparoscopy approach when abdominal adhesions are suspected. The standard approach is safer than the technique without pneumoperitoneum, but would require an endoscopic visualization of the umbilical trocar insertion to reduce the complication rate.