Impact of surgery and chemotherapy in ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors from the multicentric Salomé study including 469 patients. A TMRG and GINECO group study.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying prognostic factors and evaluating the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with sex cord stromal tumors (SCST) is crucial. In this study, we aimed to address these challenges. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 13 centers of the French Rare malignant gynecological tumors (TMRG) network. We enrolled 469 adult patients with malignant SCST who received upfront surgery since 2011 to July 2015. RESULTS: 75% were diagnosed with adult Granulosa cell tumors, and 23% had another subtype. With a median follow-up of 6.4 years, 154 patients (33%) developed a first recurrence, 82 (17%) two recurrences, and 49 (10%) three recurrences. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 14.7% of patients at initial diagnosis. In relapse, perioperative chemotherapy was administered in 58.5%, 28.2%, and 23.8% of patients, respectively, in the first, second, and third relapse. In the first-line therapy, age under 70 years, FIGO stage, and complete surgery were associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS). Chemotherapy had no impact on PFS in early-stage disease (FIGO I-II). The PFS was similar using BEP or other chemotherapy regimens (HR 0.88 [0.43; 1.81]) in the first-line therapy. In case of recurrence, PFS was statistically prolonged by complete surgery, but perioperative chemotherapy use did not impact PFS. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy use did not impact survival in the first-line or relapse setting in SCST. Only surgery and its quality demonstrated benefit for PFS in ovarian SCST in any lines of treatment.

Primary or Interval Debulking Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: a Personalized Decision-a Literature Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Summarize the writings published in the last 5 years on the management of surgery in the first line of treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. RECENT FINDINGS: For patients with a significant tumor burden, the neoadjuvant chemotherapy therapy (NACT) with interval debulking surgery (IDS) strategy shows comparable efficacy than primary debulking surgery (PDS) in terms of survival in randomized studies with less morbidity. Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer generates more than half cases a recurrence. First-line treatment is based on a chemotherapy regimen combining a platinum-based and a taxane-based, associated with surgery. This review considers papers of last 5 years of timing, thinking tools, and innovation in the management. The choice of strategy, PDS or IDS, would be a personalized recommendation. The challenge is to adapt the timing of the surgery to the patient's characteristics and that of her disease.

Radical Hysterectomy After the LACC Trial: Back to Radical Vaginal Surgery.

OPINION STATEMENT: Classical radical vaginal hysterectomy first performed by Anton Pawlik in Prague in 1888 and popularized by Frederic Schauta is now a historical technique virtually abandoned due to painful perineal incision, a high rate of urinary dysfunction, and the inability to perform lymph node assessment. However, the heritage of this approach has been still used and taught in a few centers outside their Austrian birthplace. A combined vaginal and laparoscopic approach was developed in the 1990s by French and German surgeons who designed diverse surgical techniques for which a novel classification is proposed. All these techniques are different from the so-called laparoscopically assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy (LARVH), a term widely used for laparoscopic radical hysterectomies with vaginal extraction of the specimen. Interestingly, after the publication of the LACC trial (Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer), the radical vaginal approach has found a very timely application. The creation of a vaginal cuff before performing radical laparoscopic hysterectomy described in 2007 by Leblanc as "Schautheim" operation can be used as a protective maneuver to avoid tumor spillage and potentially overturn the negative outcome of minimally invasive surgery in early-stage cervical cancer. As a result, the combination of radical vaginal and laparoscopic steps of surgery is one possible evolution after the LACC trial that needs further investigation. The forgotten vaginal surgical technique needs a specific learning curve. The creation of a vaginal cuff should be mastered by every gynecological oncologist.

Laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation applying the modified psoas hitch and Lich-Gregoir onlay technique: a 10-step surgical video.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Describe the surgical technique of laparoscopic ureterovesical reimplantation applying the modified psoas hitch with Lich-Gregoire onlay technique to manage a distal ureteral fistula after a hysterectomy for a gynecologic malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This video illustrates the surgical technique of laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation applying the modified psoas hitch with Lich-Gregoire onlay technique in a ten-step surgical video. RESULTS: Step 1: closure of the caudal ureter.Step 2: Ureter mobilization. Step 3: Ureter spatulation. Step 4: Bladder mobilization. Step 5: Detrusor muscle incision. Step 6: Bladder suspension. Step 7: Mucosal incision. Step 8: Ureterovesical anastomosis. Step 9: JJ stent insertion. Step 10: Detrusor muscle closure. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative identification of ureteral injury and prompt repair are recommended. Ureteral repair technique depends on the ureteral injury site. Distal ureteral injuries (UIs) might require either uretero-ureterostomy or ureteral reimplant with or without a psoas hitch. The Lich-Gregoir is one of the two most frequently used anti-vesicoureteral reflux techniques and has acceptable complication rates.

Protected Laparoscopic Large Ovarian Cyst Aspiration: A 5-Step Alternative to Laparotomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In this video, we describe a 5-step surgical technique that allows us to safely incise and aspirate the content of large ovarian cysts through a single-port laparoscopic incision. This allows performing laparoscopic oophorectomies instead of large xipho-pubic laparotomies. DESIGN: A stepwise demonstration of the technique with narrated video footage. SETTING: Ovarian masses, especially cysts, are common gynecologic conditions [1]. However, depending on their size, large adnexal cysts are usually managed with transverse or midline laparotomies [2]. This is to prevent cyst ruptures and abdominal contamination and ensure oncological safety of the procedure [3-5]. Different leak-proof aspiration techniques have been described in the literature allowing for safe large cyst aspiration and adnexectomy through a mini-laparotomy incision or via laparoscopy [2,3,6-10]. We describe a 5-step surgical technique allowing for closed aspiration of ovarian intracystic fluid and adnexectomy while respecting oncological safety. INTERVENTIONS: Step 1: Perform diagnostic laparoscopy to rule out peritoneal carcinomatosis contraindicating this procedure and then after cyst exposition, thoroughly dry the cyst wall. Step 1 Bis: Cut the cuff of a sterile glove to prepare a square piece of membrane. Step 2: Place a protective gauze and then apply the surgical glue to the ovarian cyst wall followed by the glove/membrane application. Perform a purse suture through the glove/membrane and the ovarian wall superficially to ensure further adhesion and prevent ovarian fluid spillage. Step 3: Incise the ovarian wall, introduce the aspiration cannula and tighten the purse suture to aspirate the cystic fluid. Step 4: After aspiration is complete, tighten the suture and close the glove to guarantee a closed space and prevent abdominal contamination. Step 5: Perform laparoscopic oophorectomy or cystectomy. Safely remove the specimen in an endoscopic retrieval bag through the trocar incision. CONCLUSION: This technique allows safe laparoscopic large ovarian cysts resections while respecting oncologic safety and preventing intra-abdominal spillage and contamination.

Subspecialty training in Europe: a report by the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists.

BACKGROUND: ESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology) and partners are continually improving the developmental opportunities for gynaecological oncology fellows. The objectives of this survey were to evaluate the progress in the infrastructure of the training systems in Europe over the past decade. We also evaluated training and assessment techniques, the perceived relevance of ENYGO (European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists) initiatives, and unmet needs of trainees. METHODOLOGY: National representatives of ENYGO from 39 countries were contacted with an electronic survey. A graduation in well/moderately/loosely-structured training systems was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis and frequency tables, as well as two-sided Fisher's exact test, were used. RESULTS: National representatives from 33 countries answered our survey questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 85%. A national fellowship is offered in 22 countries (66.7%). A logbook to document progress during training is mandatory in 24 (72.7%) countries. A logbook of experience is only utilized in a minority of nations (18%) for assessment purposes. In 42.4% of countries, objective assessments are recognized. Trainees in most countries (22 (66.7%)) requested additional training in advanced laparoscopic surgery. 13 (39.4%) countries have a loosely-structured training system, 11 (33.3%) a moderately-structured training system, and 9 (27.3%) a well-structured training system. CONCLUSION: Since the last publication in 2011, ENYGO was able to implement new activities, workshops, and online education to support training of gynaecological oncology fellows, which were all rated by the respondents as highly useful. This survey also reveals the limitations in establishing more accredited centers, centralized cancer care, and the lack of laparoscopic training.

Lymph node positivity in different early breast carcinoma phenotypes: a predictive model.

BACKGROUND: A strong correlation between breast cancer (BC) molecular subtypes and axillary status has been shown. It would be useful to predict the probability of lymph node (LN) positivity. OBJECTIVE: To develop the performance of multivariable models to predict LN metastases, including nomograms derived from logistic regression with clinical, pathologic variables provided by tumor surgical results or only by biopsy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was randomly divided into two separate patient sets: a training set and a validation set. In the training set, we used multivariable logistic regression techniques to build different predictive nomograms for the risk of developing LN metastases. The discrimination ability and calibration accuracy of the resulting nomograms were evaluated on the training and validation set. RESULTS: Consecutive sample of 12,572 early BC patients with sentinel node biopsies and no neoadjuvant therapy. In our predictive macro metastases LN model, the areas under curve (AUC) values were 0.780 and 0.717 respectively for pathologic and pre-operative model, with a good calibration, and results with validation data set were similar: AUC respectively of 0.796 and 0.725. Among the list of candidate's regression variables, on the training set we identified age, tumor size, LVI, and molecular subtype as statistically significant factors for predicting the risk of LN metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Several nomograms were reported to predict risk of SLN involvement and NSN involvement. We propose a new calculation model to assess this risk of positive LN with similar performance which could be useful to choose management strategies, to avoid axillary LN staging or to propose ALND for patients with high level probability of major axillary LN involvement but also to propose immediate breast reconstruction when post mastectomy radiotherapy is not required for patients without LN macro metastasis.

Extraperitoneal Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy by Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy. DESIGN: A retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: An academic institution. PATIENTS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with gynecologic cancer who presented for para-aortic lymphadenectomy between March 2016 and May 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. INTERVENTIONS: Extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy was performed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 23 patients reviewed retrospectively, 10 had cervical cancer, 7 had endometrial cancer, 5 had adnexal cancer, and 1 had vaginal cancer. Data regarding patient characteristics, indication for para-aortic lymphadenectomy, type of surgery (infrarenal or inframesenteric), operative time, surgical complications, number of nodes retrieved, and postoperative hospital length of stay were collected. Two patients were excluded because of early perforation of the peritoneum. In total, 21 para-aortic lymphadenectomies were performed (16 infrarenal and 5 inframesenteric). The median skin-to-skin operating time of infrarenal extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy was 170 minutes (range, 90-225 minutes), the median lymph node count was 18 (range, 11-38), and the median estimated blood loss was 50 mL (range, 10-600 mL). The median skin-to-skin operating time of inframesenteric extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy was 120 minutes (range, 90-220 minutes), the median lymph node count was 10 (range, 7-19), and the median estimated blood loss was 30 mL (range, 10-100). Intraoperative complications included 1 thermal lesion of the left genitofemoral nerve, 1 thermal lesion of the left mesoureter (a ureteral stent was placed to avoid ureteric necrosis and fistula without after effect), and 1 lesion of the inferior vena cava that was sutured by robot-assisted laparoscopy. There were 2 additional cases of perforation of the peritoneum that occurred in the infrarenal group. The median hospital length of stay was 1 day (range, 0-7 days). Three patients were readmitted for symptomatic lymphocysts. CONCLUSION: Extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy provides good visualization of the operative field without arm conflict. Still, perforation of the peritoneum and symptomatic lymphocysts are a postoperative concern.

Tumor Size, an Additional Prognostic Factor to Include in Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer: Results of a French Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Additional tools are needed to improve the selection of women with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) at increased risk of nodal metastases and/or recurrence to adapt surgical staging and adjuvant therapies. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of EC tumor size on nodal status and recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to European risk groups for recurrence. METHODS: Data of 633 women with early-stage EC who received primary surgical treatment between 2001 and 2012 were abstracted from a multicenter database. Optimal tumor size cut-offs were determined by a minimal p value approach according to final nodal status. Logistic regression was used to determine the impact of defined tumor size on nodal involvement, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival distribution. RESULTS: The number of women with final low-, intermediate-, and high-risk EC was 302, 204, and 127, respectively. Tumor size was correlated with nodal status and RFS in women with low-risk EC, while no correlation was found for women with intermediate/high-risk EC. Tumor size ≥35 mm emerged as the optimal threshold for a higher rate of nodal involvement (odds ratio 4.318, 95 % CI 1.13-16.51, p = 0.03) and a lower RFS (p = 0.005) in women with low-risk EC. CONCLUSION: Tumor size is an independent prognostic factor of lymph node involvement in women with low-risk EC and could be a valuable additional histological criterion for selecting women at increased risk of lymph node metastases to better adapt surgical staging.

Fluorescence-assisted sentinel (SND) and pelvic node dissections by single-port transvaginal laparoscopic surgery, for the management of an endometrial carcinoma (EC) in an elderly obese patient.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of an oncologically acceptable management for an intermediate-risk endometrial cancer (EC) in an elderly, using the combination of transvaginal single-port laparoscopy and sentinel node policy. METHODS: For this 85-years old patient, BMI 32kg/m2, with IB grade 2 endometrioid EC, a single vaginal approach was attempted [1] to perform a total hysterectomy, bilateral salpinago-oophorectomy and pelvic node assessment guided by SND [2]. Injections of indocyanine green (ICG) were performed at 3 and 9 o'clock and 2 depths [3] into the uterine cervix A simple vaginal hysterectomy was first performed using a 5mm vessel sealer (LigaSure®-Medtronics) to limit ICG leakage. As poorly accessible, adnexas were divided close to cornuas; uterine corpus was delivered vaginally. Then, a single port device (Gelpoint®-Applied), equipped with 3 trocars for optique and instruments, was installed through vagina. After transvaginal pneumoperitoneum insufflation, bowel loops were cleared from the pelvis. Latero-pelvic peritoneum was incised between external iliac pedicles and ureters. Following the algorithm, node dissection was limited to sentinel node clearly identified on the right side under color-segmented fluorescence (Pinpoint®-Novadaq), but a full pelvic dissection completed an unsatisfactory SND on the left side. Procedure was terminated with salpingo-oophorectomies. After protected vaginal specimen delivery, the single-port device was removed and vagina was closed as usual. RESULTS: Patient was discharged on the 1st post-operative day. Final pathology confirmed the FIGO stageIB grade2 EC. CONCLUSIONS: A transvaginal laparoscopic pelvic SND after vaginal hysterectomy is feasible. This single-port "NOTES" strategy bridges the previous gaps of a pure vaginal approach and seems interesting in fragile EC patients.

Exclusive intraoperative radiotherapy for invasive breast cancer in elderly patients (>70 years): proportion of eligible patients and local recurrence-free survival.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the proportion of elderly patients (>70 years) with breast cancer eligible for an Exclusive IntraOperative RadioTherapy (E-IORT) and to evaluate their local recurrence-free survival rate. METHODS: This retrospective study examining two cohorts focuses on patients over 70 years old: a multi-centric cohort of 1411 elderly patients and a mono-centric cohort of 592 elderly patients. All patients underwent conservative surgery followed by external radiotherapy for T0-T3 N0-N1 invasive breast cancer, between 1980 and 2008. RESULTS: Within each cohort two groups were identified according to the inclusion criteria of the RIOP trial (R group) and TARGIT E study (T group). Each group was divided into two sub-groups, patients eligible (E) or non-eligible (nE) for IORT. The population of patients that were eligible in the TARGIT E study but not in the RIOP trial were also studied in both cohorts. The proportion of patients eligible for IORT was calculated, according to the eligibility criteria of each study. A comparison of the 5-year local or locoregional recurrence-free survival rate between eligible vs non-eligible patients was made. In both cohorts, the proportion of patients eligible according to the RIOP trial's eligibility criteria was 35.4 and 19.3%, and according to the TARGIT E study criteria was 60.9 and 45.3%. The 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rate was not significantly different between RE and RnE groups, TE and TnE groups. In both cohorts RE and (TE-RE) groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Our results encourage further necessary studies to define and to extend the eligibility criteria for per operative exclusive radiotherapy.

French Multicenter Study Evaluating the Risk of Lymph Node Metastases in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: Contribution of a Risk Scoring System.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to develop a risk scoring system (RSS) for predicting lymph node (LN) metastases in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: Data of 457 patients with early-stage EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from a prospective, multicentre database (training set). A risk model based on factors impacting LN metastases was developed. To assess the discrimination of the RSS, both internal by the bootstrap approach and external validation (validation set) were adopted. RESULTS: Overall the LN metastasis rate was 11.8 % (54/457). LN metastases were associated with five variables: age ≥60 years, histological grade 3 and/or type 2, primary tumor diameter ≥1.5 cm, depth of myometrial invasion ≥50 %, and the positive lymphovascular space involvement status. These variables were included in the RSS and assigned scores ranging from 0 to 9. The discrimination of the RSS was 0.81 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.84] in the training set. The area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristics for predicting LN metastases after internal and external validation was 0.80 (95 % CI 0.77-0.83) and 0.85 (95 % CI 0.81-0.89), respectively. A total score of 6 points corresponded to the optimal threshold of the RSS with a rate of LN metastases of 7.5 % (29/385) and 34.7 % (25/72) for low-risk (≤6 points) and high-risk patients (>6 points), respectively. At this threshold, the diagnostic accuracy was 83 %. CONCLUSIONS: This RSS could be useful in clinical practice to determine which patients with early-stage EC should benefit from secondary surgical staging including complete lymphadenectomy.

Severe Obesity Impacts Recurrence-Free Survival of Women with High-Risk Endometrial Cancer: Results of a French Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Studies focusing on the impact of obesity on survival in endometrial cancer (EC) have reported controversial results and few data exist on the impact of obesity on recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of obesity on surgical staging and RFS in EC according to the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) risk groups. METHODS: Data of 729 women with EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2000 and December 2012 were abstracted from a multicenter database. RFS distributions according to body mass index (BMI) in each ESMO risk group were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival was evaluated using the log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine influence of multiple variables. RESULTS: Distribution of the 729 women with EC according to BMI was BMI < 30 (n = 442; 60.6 %), 30 ≤ BMI < 35 (n = 146; 20 %) and BMI ≥ 35 (n = 141; 19.4 %). Nodal staging was less likely to be performed in women with a BMI ≥ 35 (72 %) than for those with a BMI < 30 (90 %) (p < 0.0001). With a median follow-up of 27 months (interquartile range 13-52), the 3-year RFS was 84.5 %. BMI had no impact on RFS in obese women in the low-/intermediate-risk groups, but a BMI ≥ 35 was independently correlated to a poorer RFS (hazard ratio 12.5; 95 % confidence interval 3.1-51.3) for women in the high-risk group. CONCLUSION: Severe obesity negatively impacts RFS in women with high-risk EC, underlining the importance of complete surgical staging and adapted adjuvant therapies in this subgroup of women.

A Predictive Model Using Histopathologic Characteristics of Early-Stage Type 1 Endometrial Cancer to Identify Patients at High Risk for Lymph Node Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to develop a predictive model using histopathologic characteristics of early-stage type 1 endometrial cancer (EC) to identify patients at high risk for lymph node (LN) metastases. METHODS: The data of 523 patients who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from a prospective multicenter database (training set). A multivariate logistic regression analysis of selected prognostic features was performed to develop a nomogram predicting LN metastases. To assess its accuracy, an internal validation technique with a bootstrap approach was adopted. The optimal threshold in terms of clinical utility, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive values (NPVs), and positive predictive values (PPVs) was evaluated by the receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve area and the Youden Index. RESULTS: Overall, the LN metastasis rate was 12.4 % (65/523). Lymph node metastases were associated with histologic grade, tumor diameter, depth of myometrial invasion, and lymphovascular space involvement status. These variables were included in the nomogram. Discrimination of the model was 0.83 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.80-0.85] in the training set. The area under the curve ROC for predicting LN metastases after internal validation was 0.82 (95 % CI 0.80-0.84). The Youden Index provided a value of 0.2, corresponding to a cutoff of 140 points (total score in the algorithm). At this threshold, the model had a sensitivity of 0.73 (95 % CI 0.62-0.83), a specificity of 0.84 (95 % CI 0.82-0.85), a PPV of 0.40 (95 % CI 0.34-0.45), and an NPV of 0.95 (95 % CI 0.94-0.97). CONCLUSION: The results show that the risk of LN metastases can be predicted correctly so that patients at high risk can benefit from adapted surgical treatment.

External validation of nomograms designed to predict lymphatic dissemination in patients with early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to externally validate and assess the robustness of 2 nomograms designed to predict the probability of lymphatic dissemination (LD) for patients with early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Using a prospective multicenter database, we assessed the discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of 2 nomograms in patients with surgically treated early-stage endometrioid endometrial cancer. RESULTS: Among the 322 eligible patients identified, the overall LD rate was 9.9% (32 of 322). Predictive accuracy according to discrimination was 0.65 (95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.69) for the full nomogram and 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.68-0.74) for the alternative nomogram. The correspondence between observed recurrence rate and the nomogram predictions suggests a moderate calibration of the nomograms in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: The nomograms were externally validated and shown to be partly generalizable to a new and independent patient population. Although these tools provide a more individualized estimation of LD, additional parameters are needed to allow higher accuracy for counseling patients in clinical practice.

Extraperitoneal Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy by Robot-Assisted Laparoscopy in Gynecologic Oncology: Preliminary Experience and Advantages and Limitations.

BACKGROUND: We are reporting the preliminary multicentric experience in extraperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy (EPLRL) in gynecologic oncology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two teams from the cancer centers performed EPLRL in 37 patients with gynecologic cancer. RESULTS: There were 30 patients with cervical cancer, 6 with endometrial cancer, and 1 with adnexal cancer. The skin-to-skin operative time, mean lymph node count, and estimated blood loss were 221 (±61) minutes, 18.7 (±11), and 105 (±134) mL.There was no conversion to laparotomy, one laparoscopic conversion for hemorrhage lateral to the inferior mesenteric artery, and one use of hemostatic matrix for an injury to the left gonadal artery (2 nontransfused patients). The proportion of patients who reported postoperative complications was 32.5% (12/37): 7 with lymphocysts with computed tomographic scan drainage (19%), 3 with leg dysesthesia (left genitofemoral nerve), 1 with leg lymphedema, and 1 with lateral aortic hematoma not requiring a transfusion or return to the operating room. CONCLUSION: The EPLRL technique is feasible and efficient but with a high rate of symptomatic lymphocyst. A marsupialization could be useful to decrease the risk of lymphocyst.

Robotically assisted para-aortic lymphadenectomy: surgical results: a cohort study of 487 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate perioperative outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopic para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PAL) in patients with gynecologic cancers during the learning phases of robotic surgery programs and to compare results of extraperitoneal versus transperitoneal approaches of PAL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective multicentric study of patients who underwent robotically assisted laparoscopic PAL (N = 487). Eleven European centers and 1 US center participated in the study. Abstracted data included age, body mass index, indication, type of surgical approach (transperitoneal or extraperitoneal), associated surgical procedures, operative time, estimated blood loss, lymph node count, hospital length of stay (LOS), and complications. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was performed by an extraperitoneal approach in 58 cases (12%) and transperitoneal in 429 cases (88%). RESULTS: The mean (SD) para-aortic lymph node count was 12.6 (8.1), operative time was 217 (85) minutes, estimated blood loss was 105 (110) mL, and LOS was 2.8 (3.2) days. Four (0.8%) conversions to open and 2 (0.4%) conversions to laparoscopy were described. There were 32 lymphocysts (6.6%), 3 deep venous thromboses (0.6%), and 10 transfusions (2.1%). For transperitoneal approach, the average number of lymph nodes removed was higher in isolated PAL group than the hysterectomy combined group (report node counts 95% confidence interval, -7.29 to -3.52, P = 1.5 × 10⁻6). For isolated PAL, the LOS was shorter in the extraperitoneal group than in the transperitoneal group (report data 95% CI, -1.35 to -0.35, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted PAL seems safe and feasible. More lymph nodes were removed during an isolated transperitoneal PAL dissection compared with a combined procedure with hysterectomy. Extraperitoneal approach seems attractive relative to transperitoneal dissection, but the superiority of one or the other way is not demonstrated by our study.

A risk scoring system to determine recurrence in early-stage type 1 endometrial cancer: a French multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: To develop a risk scoring system (RSS) to determine recurrence in women with early-stage type 1 endometrial cancer (EC). METHODS: Data of 396 women with early-stage type 1 EC who received primary surgical treatment between January 2001 and December 2012 were abstracted from multicentre database (training set). A risk model for predicting recurrence was developed and internally validated with the bootstrap technique. The RSS was externally validated using data from an independent population. RESULTS: Overall, the recurrence rate was 12.1 %. The median follow-up and initial time to recurrence were 34 (range 1-152) and 26 (range 1-151) months, respectively. Recurrence was associated with five variables: age ≥60 years, histological grade III, primary tumor diameter >2 cm, depth of myometrial invasion ≥50 %, and the positive lymphovascular space involvement status. These variables were included in the RSS and assigned scores. A total score of 6.5 points corresponded to the optimal threshold of the RSS. For women with a score <6.5 or ≥6.5, the recurrence rates were 8.4 % (30/357) and 48.7 % (19/39) in the training set, respectively. At this threshold, the diagnostic accuracy of the RSS was 87 %. Areas under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristics for predicting recurrence at internal and external validation were 0.74 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.71-0.77] and 0.82 (95 % CI 79-85), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This RSS identified two subsets of women with low and high risk of recurrence among women with early-stage type 1 EC. It could be helpful to better define indications for nodal staging and adjuvant therapy.