Developing a Nomogram for Prioritizing Hysteroscopy in Endometrial Cancer Diagnosis: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: The pandemic led to significant healthcare disruptions, resulting in postponed surgeries and extended waiting times for non-urgent treatments, including hysteroscopies essential for diagnosing endometrial cancer. This study aims to formulate a risk stratification model to enhance the prioritization of hysteroscopy procedures in Brazil; (2) Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Vila Santa Catarina Hospital in São Paulo, analyzing the medical records of 2103 women who underwent hysteroscopy between March 2019 and March 2022. We used bivariate analysis and multivariate linear regression to identify risk factors associated with endometrial cancer and formulate a nomogram; (3) Results: The findings revealed a 5.5% incidence of pre-invasive and invasive endometrial disease in the study population, with an average waiting time of 120 days for hysteroscopy procedures. The main risk factors identified were hypertension, diabetes, postmenopausal bleeding, and obesity; (4) Conclusions: This research highlights the urgent need for efficient prioritization of hysteroscopy procedures in the wake of the pandemic. The developed nomogram is an innovative tool for identifying patients at higher risk of endometrial cancer, thus facilitating timely diagnosis and treatment and improving overall patient outcomes in a strained healthcare system.

Surgeon experience, robotic perioperative outcomes, and complications in gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: Robotic surgery is currently on the rise and has been widely applied all over the world. Gynecology offers great opportunities for the development of innovative techniques due to the magnitude of surgical needs. The aim of this study was to correlate perioperative complications, surgical time, and length of hospital stay with surgical diagnosis, procedure performed, and surgeon experience in robot-assisted gynecological surgeries in a 10-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective, transversal, cross-sectional study involving 632 patients who underwent robotic gynecological surgery from January 2008 to December 2017 in a community hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Medical records of robot-assisted gynecological operations were searched for perioperative complications, operative time, and length of hospital stay, correlating these outcomes with surgical diagnosis, procedure performed, and surgeon experience, considering those with 20 or less robotic procedures and surgeons with more than 20 cases in their career as in-training or qualified surgeons, respectively. RESULTS: Endometriosis (381 cases) was the most common surgical indication, followed by uterine myoma (171 patients). Qualified surgeons had 64% less complications than in-training surgeons (p=0.03) and achieved 20% lower surgical time and 15% shorter length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: In this study, qualified surgeons with more than 20 robotic procedures had better perioperative outcomes and less complications than in-training surgeons during their first 20 robotic surgeries.

Differential diagnoses of endometrial thickness: A case report.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease defined by the World Health Organization as a global priority. Extrapulmonary forms include lymph nodal, pleural and urogenital disease (FGTB), which generally affect patients between 20 and 40 years of age, and is rare in postmenopausal women. Its presentation can mimic carcinomatosis due to advanced ovarian and/or endometrial cancer. Non-diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment, notably surgical procedures, instead of the standard medical anti-TB chemotherapy.

Safety model for the introduction of robotic surgery in gynecology / Modelo de segurança para a introdução da cirurgia robótica em ginecologia

Abstract Objective To analyze the perioperative results and safety of performing gynecological surgeries using robot-assisted laparoscopy during implementation of the technique in a community hospital over a 6-year period. Methods This was a retrospective observational study in which the medical records of 274 patients who underwent robotic surgery from September 2008 to December 2014 were analyzed. We evaluated age, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis, procedures performed, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, the presence of a proctor (experienced surgeon with at least 20 robotic cases), operative time, transfusion rate, perioperative complications, conversion rate, length of stay, referral to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality. We compared transfusion rate, perioperative complications and conversion rate between procedures performed by experienced and beginner robotic surgeons assisted by an experienced proctor. Results During the observed period, 3 experienced robotic surgeons performed 187 surgeries,while 87 surgeries were performedby 20 less experienced teams, always with the assistance of a proctor. The median patient age was 38 years, and the median BMI was 23.3 kg/m2. The most frequent diagnosis was endometriosis (57%) and the great majority of the patients were classified as ASA I or ASA II (99.6%). The median operative time was 225 minutes, and the median length of stay was 2 days. We observed a 5.8% transfusion rate, 0.8% rate of perioperative complications, 1.1% conversion rate to laparoscopy or laparotomy, no patients referred to ICU, and no deaths. There were no differences in transfusion, complications and conversion rates between experienced robotic surgeons and beginner robotic surgeons assisted by an experienced proctor. Conclusion In our casuistic, robot-assisted laparoscopy demonstrated to be a safe technique for gynecological surgeries, and the presence of an experienced proctor was considered a highlight in the safety model adopted for the introduction of the robotic gynecological surgery in a high-volume hospital and, mainly, for its extension among several surgical teams, assuring patient safety.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar os resultados perioperatórios e a segurança da realização de cirurgias ginecológicas por laparoscopia robô-assistida durante a implementação da técnica num hospital comunitário ao longo de 6 anos. Métodos Este foi umestudo retrospectivo observacional, comanálise dos prontuários de 274 pacientes que se submeteramà cirurgia robótica de setembro de 2008 a dezembro de 2014. Avaliamos idade, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), diagnóstico, procedimentos realizados, classificação da Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologia (ASA), presença de um preceptor (cirurgião experiente, compelomenos 20casos robóticos), tempocirúrgico, taxa de transfusão, complicações perioperatórias, taxa de conversão, tempo de internação, encaminhamento para Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e mortalidade. Comparamos taxa de transfusão, complicações perioperatórias e taxa de conversão entre procedimentos realizados por cirurgiões experientes com a técnica e cirurgiões iniciantes na robótica, sempre assistidos por um preceptor experiente. Resultados Durante o período observado, 3 cirurgiões experientes realizaram 187 cirurgias, enquanto que 87 cirurgias foram realizadas por 20 equipes menos experientes, sempre com a presença de um preceptor. A mediana da idade foi 38 anos, e a mediana do IMC foi 23,3 kg/m2. O diagnósticomais frequente foi endometriose (57%) e a grande maioria das pacientes foi classificada como ASA I ou ASA II (99,6%). O tempo de cirurgia teve uma mediana de 225 minutos, e o tempo de permanência hospitalar teve uma mediana de 2 dias. Observamos 5,8% de taxa de transfusão, 0,8% de taxa de complicações perioperatórias, 1,1% de taxa de conversão para laparoscopia ou laparotomia e não houve pacientes encaminhadas à UTI, nem óbitos. Não houve diferença nos índices de transfusão, complicações e conversão entre cirurgiões experientes e cirurgiões iniciantes na robótica, assistidos por umpreceptor experiente. Conclusão Em nossa casuística, a laparoscopia robô-assistida demonstrou ser uma técnica segura para cirurgias ginecológicas, e a presença de um preceptor experiente foi considerada um ponto de destaque no modelo de segurança adotado para a introdução da cirurgia robótica em ginecologia num hospital de grande volume e, principalmente, na sua expansão entre diversas equipes cirúrgicas, mantendo a segurança das pacientes.

Safety Model for the Introduction of Robotic Surgery in Gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the perioperative results and safety of performing gynecological surgeries using robot-assisted laparoscopy during implementation of the technique in a community hospital over a 6-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study in which the medical records of 274 patients who underwent robotic surgery from September 2008 to December 2014 were analyzed. We evaluated age, body mass index (BMI), diagnosis, procedures performed, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, the presence of a proctor (experienced surgeon with at least 20 robotic cases), operative time, transfusion rate, perioperative complications, conversion rate, length of stay, referral to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality. We compared transfusion rate, perioperative complications and conversion rate between procedures performed by experienced and beginner robotic surgeons assisted by an experienced proctor. RESULTS: During the observed period, 3 experienced robotic surgeons performed 187 surgeries, while 87 surgeries were performed by 20 less experienced teams, always with the assistance of a proctor. The median patient age was 38 years, and the median BMI was 23.3 kg/m2. The most frequent diagnosis was endometriosis (57%) and the great majority of the patients were classified as ASA I or ASA II (99.6%). The median operative time was 225 minutes, and the median length of stay was 2 days. We observed a 5.8% transfusion rate, 0.8% rate of perioperative complications, 1.1% conversion rate to laparoscopy or laparotomy, no patients referred to ICU, and no deaths. There were no differences in transfusion, complications and conversion rates between experienced robotic surgeons and beginner robotic surgeons assisted by an experienced proctor. CONCLUSION: In our casuistic, robot-assisted laparoscopy demonstrated to be a safe technique for gynecological surgeries, and the presence of an experienced proctor was considered a highlight in the safety model adopted for the introduction of the robotic gynecological surgery in a high-volume hospital and, mainly, for its extension among several surgical teams, assuring patient safety.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados perioperatórios e a segurança da realização de cirurgias ginecológicas por laparoscopia robô-assistida durante a implementação da técnica num hospital comunitário ao longo de 6 anos. MéTODOS: Este foi um estudo retrospectivo observacional, com análise dos prontuários de 274 pacientes que se submeteram à cirurgia robótica de setembro de 2008 a dezembro de 2014. Avaliamos idade, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), diagnóstico, procedimentos realizados, classificação da Sociedade Americana de Anestesiologia (ASA), presença de um preceptor (cirurgião experiente, com pelo menos 20 casos robóticos), tempo cirúrgico, taxa de transfusão, complicações perioperatórias, taxa de conversão, tempo de internação, encaminhamento para Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e mortalidade. Comparamos taxa de transfusão, complicações perioperatórias e taxa de conversão entre procedimentos realizados por cirurgiões experientes com a técnica e cirurgiões iniciantes na robótica, sempre assistidos por um preceptor experiente. RESULTADOS: Durante o período observado, 3 cirurgiões experientes realizaram 187 cirurgias, enquanto que 87 cirurgias foram realizadas por 20 equipes menos experientes, sempre com a presença de um preceptor. A mediana da idade foi 38 anos, e a mediana do IMC foi 23,3 kg/m2. O diagnóstico mais frequente foi endometriose (57%) e a grande maioria das pacientes foi classificada como ASA I ou ASA II (99,6%). O tempo de cirurgia teve uma mediana de 225 minutos, e o tempo de permanência hospitalar teve uma mediana de 2 dias. Observamos 5,8% de taxa de transfusão, 0,8% de taxa de complicações perioperatórias, 1,1% de taxa de conversão para laparoscopia ou laparotomia e não houve pacientes encaminhadas à UTI, nem óbitos. Não houve diferença nos índices de transfusão, complicações e conversão entre cirurgiões experientes e cirurgiões iniciantes na robótica, assistidos por um preceptor experiente. CONCLUSãO: Em nossa casuística, a laparoscopia robô-assistida demonstrou ser uma técnica segura para cirurgias ginecológicas, e a presença de um preceptor experiente foi considerada um ponto de destaque no modelo de segurança adotado para a introdução da cirurgia robótica em ginecologia num hospital de grande volume e, principalmente, na sua expansão entre diversas equipes cirúrgicas, mantendo a segurança das pacientes.

Comparison of two strategies for the administration of injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: among women who returned to a family planning clinic at three- or six-month intervals.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) in women who received injections every 3 months at the Family Planning Clinic, and those who received every other injection at a health care facility near their place of residence, only returning to the clinic every 6 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical charts of DMPA users from 2 January 1980 through 31 December 2012 were evaluated for this study. Two cohorts of women were created and compared: those who regularly received DMPA injections every 3 months (3-month group) at the clinic and those who received alternating 3-month injections at a health care facility near their residence house, returning to the clinic every 6 months for an injection (6-month group). In addition, effectiveness rates, reasons for discontinuation, and continuation rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 2637 women received all injections at 3-month intervals at the clinic, and 1190 women received every other injection at a health care facility near their residence. The women in the 3-month group had higher pregnancy rates and higher discontinuation rates (with the exception of discontinuation due to the loss of libido). CONCLUSION: The women who received alternating injections near their homes were more likely to continue using DMPA as a contraception method and presented lower pregnancy and discontinuation rates (for the majority of reasons), when compared to those women who returned to the clinic every 3 months.

Estimated disability-adjusted life years averted by long-term provision of long acting contraceptive methods in a Brazilian clinic.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the contribution of the provision, at no cost for users, of long acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARC; copper intrauterine device [IUD], the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [LNG-IUS], contraceptive implants and depot-medroxyprogesterone [DMPA] injection) towards the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) averted through a Brazilian university-based clinic established over 30 years ago. SUMMARY ANSWER: Over the last 10 years of evaluation, provision of LARC methods and DMPA by the clinic are estimated to have contributed to DALY averted by between 37 and 60 maternal deaths, 315-424 child mortalities, 634-853 combined maternal morbidity and mortality and child mortality, and 1056-1412 unsafe abortions averted. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: LARC methods are associated with a high contraceptive effectiveness when compared with contraceptive methods which need frequent attention; perhaps because LARC methods are independent of individual or couple compliance. However, in general previous studies have evaluated contraceptive methods during clinical studies over a short period of time, or not more than 10 years. Furthermore, information regarding the estimation of the DALY averted is scarce. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE AND DURATION: We reviewed 50 004 medical charts from women who consulted for the first time looking for a contraceptive method over the period from 2 January 1980 through 31 December 2012. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Women who consulted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Campinas, Brazil were new users and users switching contraceptive, including the copper IUD (n = 13 826), the LNG-IUS (n = 1525), implants (n = 277) and DMPA (n = 9387). Estimation of the DALY averted included maternal morbidity and mortality, child mortality and unsafe abortions averted. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We obtained 29 416 contraceptive segments of use including 25 009 contraceptive segments of use from 20 821 new users or switchers to any LARC method or DMPA with at least 1 year of follow-up. The mean (± SD) age of the women at first consultation ranged from 25.3 ± 5.7 (range 12-47) years in the 1980s, to 31.9 ± 7.4 (range 16-50) years in 2010-2011. The most common contraceptive chosen at the first consultation was copper IUD (48.3, 74.5 and 64.7% in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, respectively). For an evaluation over 20 years, the cumulative pregnancy rates (SEM) were 0.4 (0.2), 2.8 (2.1), 4.0 (0.4) and 1.3 (0.4) for the LNG-IUS, the implants, copper IUD and DMPA, respectively and cumulative continuation rates (SEM) were 15.1 (3.7), 3.9 (1.4), 14.1 (0.6) and 7.3 (1.7) for the LNG-IUS, implants, copper IUD and DMPA, respectively (P < 0.001). Over the last 10 years of evaluation, the estimation of the contribution of the clinic through the provision of LARC methods and DMPA to DALY averted was 37-60 maternal deaths; between 315 and 424 child mortalities; combined maternal morbidity and mortality and child mortality of between 634 and 853, and 1056-1412 unsafe abortions averted. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The main limitations are the number of women who never returned to the clinic (overall 14% among the four methods under evaluation); consequently the pregnancy rate could be different. Other limitations include the analysis of two kinds of copper IUD and two kinds of contraceptive implants as the same IUD or implant, and the low number of users of implants. In addition, the DALY calculation relies on a number of estimates, which may vary in different parts of the world. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: LARC methods and DMPA are highly effective and women who were well-counselled used these methods for a long time. The benefit of averting maternal morbidity and mortality, child mortality, and unsafe abortions is an example to health policy makers to implement more family planning programmes and to offer contraceptive methods, mainly LARC and DMPA, at no cost or at affordable cost for the underprivileged population. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This study received partial financial support from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), grant # 2012/12810-4 and from the National Research Council (CNPq), grant #573747/2008-3. B.F.B., M.P.G., and V.M.C. were fellows from the scientific initiation programme from FAPESP. Since the year 2001, all the TCu380A IUD were donated by Injeflex, São Paulo, Brazil, and from the year 2006 all the LNG-IUS were donated by the International Contraceptive Access Foundation (ICA), Turku, Finland. Both donations are as unrestricted grants. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest associated with this study.

Body weight and body composition of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users.

OBJECTIVES: Weight gain is a concern with the contraceptive depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA); however, this issue remains controversial. The objective of this study was to compare body weight (BW) and body composition (BC) in DMPA and copper intrauterine device (IUD) users at baseline and after one year of use. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled new DMPA users and age and weight matched new IUD users into this prospective study. Weight and height were measured, BC (fat and lean mass) was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and physical activity was assessed at baseline and at 12 months. Student's paired t test and the Wilcoxon paired test for matched samples were used. RESULTS: Ninety-seven women were enrolled for the study; 26 matched pairs continued using the initial method for at least one year, and completed the baseline and 12 month assessments. An increase of 1.9 kg occurred in BW (p=.02) in DMPA users at 12 months of use, resulting from an increase in fat mass of 1.6 kg (p=.03). Weight remained stable in IUD users; however, there was an increase in lean mass at 12 months of use (p=.001). The number of women practicing physical activity increased in this group. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding the variation in the percentage of central fat (p=.04). CONCLUSION: Weight gain in the DMPA group after the first year of use resulted from an increase in fat mass. Weight remained stable in the IUD group; however, an increase in lean mass and a reduction in localized abdominal fat mass occurred, possibly because more users were practicing physical activity. IMPLICATIONS STATEMENT: There was a greater increase in body weight in DMPA users compared to TCu380A IUD users in the first year of use of the contraceptive method. Furthermore, the weight increase in users of DMPA occurred principally as the result of an increase in fat mass. Physical activity probably could increase the lean mass in the users of TCu380A IUD.