Fertility-Sparing Surgery versus Radical Hysterectomy in Early Cervical Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis and Noninferiority Study.

OBJECTIVE: Fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) is the treatment of choice for patients with early cervical cancer (ECC) and fertility desire, but survival rates compared to radical hysterectomy (RH) have been scarcely reported. The aim of this study was to analyse the oncological outcomes of FSS compared to a balanced group of standard RH. METHODS: A retrospective multicentre study of ECC patients who underwent FSS or RH was carried out in 12 tertiary hospitals in Spain between January 2005 and January 2019. The experimental group included patients who underwent a simple and radical trachelectomy, and the control group included patients who underwent RH. Optimal 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching analysis was performed to balance the series. RESULTS: The study included 222 patients with ECC; 111 (50%) were treated with FSS, and 111 (50%) were treated with RH. After PS matching, a total of 38 patients in the FSS group and 38 patients in the RH group were analysed. In both groups, the overall survival (HR 2.5; CI 0.89, 7.41) and recurrence rates (28.9% in the FSS group vs. 13.2% in RH group) were similar. The rate of disease-free survival at 5 years was 68.99% in the FSS group and 88.01% in the RH group (difference of -19.02 percentage points; 95% CI -32.08 to -5.96 for noninferiority). In the univariate analysis, only tumour size reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: FSS offers excellent disease-free and overall survival in women with ECC with fertility desire and is not inferior compared to RH.

Tumor Size and Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Early Cervical Cancer Treated by Fertility Preservation Surgery: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of tumor size > 2 cm on oncological outcomes of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) in early cervical cancer in a Spanish cohort. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study of early cervical cancer (stage IA1 with lymphovascular space invasion -IB1 (FIGO 2009)) patients with gestational desire who underwent FSS at 12 tertiary departments of gynecology oncology between 01/2005 and 01/2019 throughout Spain. Results: A total of 111 patients were included, 82 (73.9%) with tumors < 2 cm and 29 (26.1%) with tumors 2−4 cm. Patients' characteristics were balanced except from lymphovascular space invasion. All were intraoperative lymph node-negative. Median follow-up was 55.7 and 30.7 months, respectively. Eleven recurrences were diagnosed (9.9%), five (6.0%) and six (21.4%) (p < 0.05). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 95.7% (95%CI 87.3−98.6) and 76.9% (95% CI 55.2−89.0) (p = 0.011). Only tumor size (<2 cm vs. 2−4 cm) was found to be significant for recurrence. After adjusting for the rest of the variables, tumor size 2−4 cm showed a Hazard Ratio of 5.99 (CI 95% 1.01−35.41, p = 0.036). Conclusions: Tumor size ≥ 2 cm is the most important negative prognostic factor in this multicenter cohort of patients with early cervical cancer and gestational desire who underwent FSS in Spain.

Colouterine Fistula Treated by a Double Endoscopic Approach.

Colouterine fistula associated with the use of an intrauterine device (IUD) is extremely rare. Clinical presentation may vary; however, to our knowledge, only 1 paper has previously reported menochezia as the main symptom of an utero-intestinal fistula as a complication of IUD use. Surgery is generally needed for definitive resolution of the fistula. Various surgical approaches have been proposed, mainly using open approaches owing to the presence of severe pelvic adhesions. Reports of laparoscopic treatment have been rarely described. We performed a successful conservative double endoscopic repair, with hysteroscopy followed by laparoscopy. Follow-up of IUD users is important, as complications may appear at any time. Unusual signs or symptoms warrant attention. Imaging tests aid in diagnosis and treatment selection, which in the majority of cases means planning for surgery. An endoscopic approached is preferred because of its lower risk of complications and shorter postoperative recovery period.

Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy and Body Mass Index: Is It Really a Limiting Factor for the Procedure?

Objective: To explore if obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 represents a limiting factor for para-aortic lymphadenectomy done with a transperitoneal laparoscopic approach. Materials and Methods: Retrospective observational study with 146 consecutive patients, diagnosed with a gynecological cancer submitted to para-aortic surgical staging between January 2010 and December 2018. The mean age was 52 years and the mean BMI was 27 kg/m2. 72.6% (106 patients) had BMI <30 kg/m2 and 27.4% (40 patients) had BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Half of the patients did not have prior abdominal surgeries. Results: The statistical analysis showed that there were no significant differences between two groups depending on their BMI in the lymph node count: BMI <30 kg/m2 14 nodes versus BMI ≥30 kg/m2 10 nodes (P = .122); rate of intraoperative complications: BMI <30: 6.3% versus BMI ≥30: 0% (P = .180), postoperative complications: BMI <30: 6.6% versus BMI ≥30: 5% (P = .723); feasibility rate: BMI <30: 97.1% versus BMI ≥30: 95.6% (P = .063) or the mean hospital stay BMI <30: 2.47 ± 2.05 days (standard deviation [SD]), BMI ≥30: 2.64 ± 0.93 days (SD) (P = .171). The only significant difference observed was due to the operating time: BMI <30: 103.1 ± 60.8 (SD) versus BMI ≥30: 146.9 ± 82.5 (SD) (P = .019), being longer in obese patients. Conclusions: Obesity, estimated by BMI, does not seem to represent a limiting factor for this surgical procedure in our series. We feel it is a feasible and justified approach in obese patients when other surgical procedures have to be carried out in the same surgical act. Probably, other factors and anthropometric measurements are more accurate to select patients in which this approach is feasible.

Microinvasive squamous carcinoma of neovagina created with peritoneal flap (Davidov): Case report and literature review.

Carcinoma of the vagina is a rare disease, and it is even more rare when it appears in a neovagina, having its incidence and optimum treatment constantly discussed. The aim of this article was to review the cases described in the currently available literature and describe the second documented case of carcinoma in a neovagina created with peritoneal flaps, and also list the possible pathways and risk factors for its development. The case we present is a 49-year-old female who after undergoing a laparoscopic colpectomy of the upper two-thirds of the vagina, with an immediate reconstruction with peritoneal flaps by laparoscopy, at a 4 months follow up presented a focal microinvasive squamous carcinoma in the vault of the neovagina. After reviewing the literature, we conclude that excisional treatment is the preferable option to avoid the progression to an invasive carcinoma. However, this case demonstrates the importance of the necessity to do regular cito-vulvovaginoscopic examinations after the complete surgical treatment because of the chance of persistent or recurrent lesions on the transplanted tissue.

[Influence of age on laparoscopic colposacropexy]. / Influencia de la edad en el rendimiento de la colposacropexia laparoscópica.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of age on laparoscopic colposacropexy (LCS) outcome and complications for pelvic organ prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective and comparative study of 105 patients who underwent standard LCS for Baden-Walker graded pelvic organ prolapse from February 2002 to March 2015. They were categorized into two groups according to age. Group 1 consisted in ≤ 50 years old patients and included 55 women. Group 2 included 50 women who were ≥ 60 years old. Outcomes and complications were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Previous history of abdominal surgery or surgery for pelvic floor disorders was significantly greater in group 2 (43.6 vs 70%). There was no significant difference regarding urinary stress incontinence, urge incontinence or severe organ prolapse between groups (47.2 vs 36%; 1.8 vs 8% and 90.9 vs 92% for Groups 1 and 2 respectively). Although a statistically significant greater proportion of vaginal vault prolapse was present in the elderly group (16.3 vs 38%), the same LCS surgical technique was used in both groups of patients. Despite operating time was significantly greater in the younger group (205.8 ± 53.4 minutes in Group 1 vs 182 ± 42.3 minutes in Group 2), hospital stay was similar in both groups (2.9 ± 1.1 days vs 3.0 ± 1.9 days in group 1 and group 2 respectively). Postoperative complications were not severe and there were no clinically significant differences between groups (20 vs 14%). We found no statistically differences between groups when comparing cure rates (87 vs 92%) in groups 1 and 2 respectively, patient satisfaction and postoperative anatomical findings. CONCLUSIONS: LCS has shown excellent cure rates in both young and elder female patients with pelvic organ prolapse.

Endometriosis: alternative methods of medical treatment.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory estrogen-dependent disease defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma at extrauterine sites. The main purpose of endometriosis management is alleviating pain associated to the disease. This can be achieved surgically or medically, although in most women a combination of both treatments is required. Long-term medical treatment is usually needed in most women. Unfortunately, in most cases, pain symptoms recur between 6 months and 12 months once treatment is stopped. The authors conducted a literature search for English original articles, related to new medical treatments of endometriosis in humans, including articles published in PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. Keywords included "endometriosis" matched with "medical treatment", "new treatment", "GnRH antagonists", "Aromatase inhibitors", "selective progesterone receptor modulators", "anti-TNF α", and "anti-angiogenic factors". Hormonal treatments currently available are effective in the relief of pain associated to endometriosis. Among new hormonal drugs, association to aromatase inhibitors could be effective in the treatment of women who do not respond to conventional therapies. GnRH antagonists are expected to be as effective as GnRH agonists, but with easier administration (oral). There is a need to find effective treatments that do not block the ovarian function. For this purpose, antiangiogenic factors could be important components of endometriosis therapy in the future. Upcoming researches and controlled clinical trials should focus on these drugs.

Sebaceous gland hyperplasia of the vulva.

BACKGROUND: Sebaceous gland hyperplasia is a common condition of the face in elderly patients. We report a case of sebaceous gland hyperplasia on the vulva. CASE: A 19-year-old woman presented with a polypoid tumor on her left labium majus of which the greatest diameter was 2.5 cm, covered by normal appearing skin. Histologic examination revealed a sebaceous gland hyperplasia. Immunohistochemical techniques showed high expression of androgen receptors on sebaceous cells. CONCLUSION: Clinical and gross features of the two documented cases of sebaceous gland hyperplasia on the vulva are different from those of typical lesions on the face. Histologic study of a vulvar biopsy is required to reach a specific diagnosis of this hamartomatous benign condition.