Use of PlasmaJet for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Ovarian Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the role and complications of extensive cytoreduction with PlasmaJet (Plasma Surgical, Roswell, Ga) in ovarian cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis. MATERIALS: All patients undergoing primary, secondary, or interval debulking surgery for ovarian cancer and treated with PlasmaJet between October 2013 and February 2015 were analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were enrolled. The median operative time was 270 minutes, median blood loss was 700 mL, and median length of stay was 9 days. In all patients, complete resection of all macroscopic disease was achieved.We used PlasmaJet to remove peritoneal carcinomatosis on the abdominal peritoneum, intestinal mesentery, bowel serosa, and diaphragmatic region. Overall, we treated 66 organs with PlasmaJet in our series. No bowel or urological fistulas were observed. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, 13 adverse events were recorded at grade 2 or lesser. We observed only 1 grade 3 adverse event. No postoperative mortality was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, the PlasmaJet seems to be an efficient device for tumor ablation or dissection to obtain complete resection of all macroscopic disease in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Are gynecologists sufficiently trained and educated on electro surgery and basic laparoscopic setting?

BACKGROUND: Basic knowledge of electrosurgery and patient's safety during laparoscopic setup are fundamental, as laparoscopic surgical skills do. The aim of this prospective case-control study was to assess the improvement of such knowledge and skills among gynecologists. METHODS: Gynecologists attending a training course on laparoscopy at the Centre International de Chirurgie Endoscopique (CICE), Clermont Ferrand (France) (December 2013-March 2014) were asked to answer a questionnaire about their own clinical activity and basic surgical knowledge and skills at the beginning and end of the course. The questionnaire included multiple choice questions about technical (four questions) and safety (five questions) aspects of laparoscopic set up and electrosurgery (five questions). RESULTS: Sixty-two residents and 68 graduated gynecologists completed pre- and post-course questionnaires (PrQ and PoQ, respectively). Considering 9 as an arbitrary cut-off score indicating an adequate theoretical knowledge, a total of 70 (51.8 %) and 128 (94.8 %) participants had a sufficient score at the PrQ and PoQ, respectively. Only 9.6 % of participants were able to complete PoQ without making any mistakes, with a mean PrQ score of 9.5. At the beginning, the most difficult steps in laparoscopy in participants' opinion were intra-corporeal suture and insufflation of pneumoperitoneum (both 36.1 %). After the course and the practical training, only 20 % of participants still indicated intra-corporeal suture as the most difficult. CONCLUSION: Education on electro surgery and basic laparoscopic setting and laparoscopic practical training are necessary to improve and maintain laparoscopic surgical skills. The assessment of that knowledge is mandatory to define surgical competence.

Lower limb lymphedema and neurological complications after lymphadenectomy for gynecological cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphadenectomy is a frequent procedure for surgical staging of gynecological malignancies. Nevertheless, minor complications, such as lower limb lymphedema (LLL) and neurological complications (NCs), after pelvic and aorto-caval lymphadenectomy still remain underinvestigated. The present study considers short-term and long-term incidence and risk factors for LLL and NC in patients with gynecological cancer who underwent lymphadenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 2 different institutions, University of Turin and University of Lausanne, a total of 152 patients who received lymphadenectomy for endometrial, cervical, or ovarian cancer were retrospectively identified. During the follow-up, data about LLL and NC were collected by means of a questionnaire. Short-term and long-term incidence of LLL and NC was evaluated, and risk factors, such as age, body mass index, type of cancer, surgical approach, number and extension of the removed lymph nodes, presence of lymph node metastasis, and adjuvant treatments, were analyzed. RESULTS: Short-term incidence of LLL and NC after lymphadenectomy was high (36%) and predictive of long-term persistence. Between the analyzed risk factors, number of removed lymph nodes and adjuvant radiotherapy were significantly associated with an increased incidence of minor complications (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lower limb lymphedema and NC are more frequent than expected. They are related to the radicality of lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. They affect the quality of life of the patients treated for gynecological cancer and their perceptions of healing. Minor complications are commonly persistent and need a prompt diagnosis and a specialized management to improve their prognosis.

Low-dose vaginal estrogens or vaginal moisturizer in breast cancer survivors with urogenital atrophy: a preliminary study.

The study aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two low-dose vaginal estrogen treatments (ETs) and of a non-hormonal vaginal moisturizer in postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with urogenital atrophy. Eighteen patients receiving estriol cream 0.25 mg (n = 10) or estradiol tablets 12.5 microg (n = 8) twice/week for 12 weeks were evaluated and compared with eight patients treated with polycarbophil-based moisturizer 2.5 g twice/week. Severity of vaginal atrophy was assessed using subjective [Vaginal Symptoms Score (VSS), Profile of Female Sexual Function (PFSF)] and objective [Vaginal Health Index (VHI), Karyopycnotic Index (KI)] evaluations, while safety by measuring endometrial thickness and serum sex hormones levels. After 4 weeks, VSS and VHI were significantly improved by both vaginal ETs, with further improvement after 12 weeks. PFSF improved significantly only in estriol group (p = 0.02). Safety measurements did not significantly change. Vaginal moisturizer improved VSS at week 4 (p = 0.01), but score returned to pre-treatment values at week 12; no significant modification of VHI, KI, PFSF was recorded. Both low-dose vaginal ET are effective for relieving urogenital atrophy, while non-hormonal moisturizer only provides transient benefit. The increase of serum estrogens levels during treatment with vaginal estrogen at these dosages is minimal.

Laparoscopic bipolar coagulation of hypogastric artery in postpartum haemorrhage: a case report.

Background. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a significant contributor to worldwide maternal morbidity and mortality. When PPH continues despite aggressive medical treatment, early consideration should be given to surgical intervention. Various surgical interventions may be used but conservative interventions are recommended primarily. Case. This case report describes laparoscopic coagulation of hypogastric artery technique in a patient with PPH. Conclusions. Laparoscopic ligature of the hypogastric artery for PPH treatment can be a valid alternative to laparotomy in patients with vaginal delivery.