Does Obesity Forbid Robotic Gynecological Surgeries? An Urban Legend.

Introduction: Obesity is a worldwide problem that considered to be a challenge in optimal surgical management. A breakthrough in the technologies of minimal invasive surgery over the last ten years has turned robotic approach into the widespread method for surgical management of obese population. Aim: In this study we emphasize the benefits of the robotic assisted laparoscopy versus open laparotomy and conventional laparoscopy in obese women with gynecological disorders. Methods: We conducted a single center experience retrospective study of obese women (BMI 30 Kg/m2) that underwent robotic assisted gynecologic procedures from January 2020 till January 2023. "Iavazzo" score was used in order to predict preoperatively the feasibility of robotic approach as well as the overall operative time. The perioperative management a well as the postoperative course of obese patients were documented and analyzed. Results: 93 obese women underwent robotic surgical management for benign and malignant gynecological disorders. 62 of these women had BMI between 30 and 35 kg/m2 and 31 had BMI 35 kg/m2. None of them was converted into laparotomy. All of the patients had a smooth postoperative course without any complications and were discharged at the first postoperative day. Mean operative time was 150 min. Conclusions: Our 3-year experience in robotic-assisted gynecologic surgery in obese patients has revealed numerous benefits concerning perioperative management and postoperative rehabilitation.

Follow the River to the Lake: Sentinel Lymph Node Identification Using the Robotic Platform in Endometrial Cancer Patients.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for the management of endometrial cancer patients has been introduced into surgical staging of these patients. Several articles and guidelines have evaluated and found sentinel lymph node biopsy as an efficient and oncological safe procedure. The aim of this article is to highlight the most important tips and tricks in order to optimize sentinel lymph node identification and dissection based on our experience. Each step of sentinel lymph node identification technique is analyzed. Tips and tricks, such as site and time of indocyanine green dye injection are essential in optimal identification of sentinel lymph node in patients with endometrial cancer. The standardization of the technique and the recognition of anatomic landmarks are essential as they lead to an improved and effective identification of sentinel lymph node.

Robotic-assisted fertility sparing surgery in gynecological oncology.

While gynecological malignancies are more commonly diagnosed in elderly women, a substantial proportion of women will still be diagnosed with some type of gynecologic cancer during their reproductive age. Over 10% of newly diagnosed ovarian cancers and over one third of newly diagnosed cervical cancers involve women who are under the age of 45. This, coupled with the rising trend of women having their first child after the age of 35, has led to a concerning prevalence of complex fertility issues among women who have been diagnosed with cancer. Since the advent of robotic-assisted surgeries in gynecology, there has been a rise in the occurrence of these procedures. Fertility preserving gynecological surgeries require precise management in order to avoid fertility disorders. Therefore, we conducted a narrative review of robotic assisted fertility sparing surgery in gynecologic malignancies in order to highlight the role of this approach in preserving fertility.

Experience With J-Plasma Device in Achieving Complete Cytoreduction in Patients With Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies in women. Optimal surgical cytoreduction is the most important prognostic factor of survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The helium gas plasma device (J-Plasma) has recently been introduced into surgical treatment of these patients with some promising results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of J-Plasma in the debulking surgery of patients with ovarian cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single center retrospective analysis of the characteristics of patients with ovarian cancer who had cytoreductive surgery with the use of J-Plasma device from January of 2020 until July of 2022 was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were included in our study. Six patients were treated with primary debulking surgery, whereas seven underwent interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in nine patients (64%), and CC-1 in four patients. Most of the patients did not face any major complications; only 1 patient suffered from small bowel fistula that needed relaparotomy. CONCLUSION: J-Plasma can safely be used in ovarian cancer debulking surgeries performed by gynecologic oncologists in tertiary centres. This technology can safely increase the complete cytoreduction rates.

Endometrial Cancer in a Patient With Didelphys Uterus and a History of Renal Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) concurrent with endometrial cancer are exceptionally rare, with only a few documented cases. Here, we present a case of endometrial cancer in both horns of a didelphys uterus in a 54-year-old woman with a history of renal cancer, who underwent left radical nephrectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy. The patient sought medical evaluation due to postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. Hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage revealed the presence of two cervixes and two endometrial cavities, with pathology results indicating endometrioid adenocarcinoma (G1). Preoperative MRI staging confirmed the diagnosis of a double cervix and uterus. Subsequently, an open abdominal hysterectomy and a right salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, revealing a didelphys uterus (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 2018, stage IA). This manuscript aims to explore the potential correlation between renal and endometrial malignancies in the presence of MDAs.

"Iavazzo score", a preoperative score to predict duration of robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries.

BACKGROUND: Long operation time remains a disadvantage of robotic-assisted gynaecological procedures. A score that predicts the duration of such surgeries could be useful. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries in our institution were conducted. We assessed preoperative values such as body mass index, uterine size, previous abdominal surgeries, way of previous deliveries and pathology that led patients to the theatre and we created a preoperative predictive score, the 'Iavazzo score'. Thereafter, we correlated this score with duration of surgery. RESULTS: 57 patients were included. Mean 'Iavazzo' score was 7.96, while mean surgery and overall time were 140 and 208.8 min, respectively. Correlation between Iavazzo score and operation time was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Using median operation time, we found an area under curve of 0.86 and a cut-off value of 7.5 for Iavazzo score. CONCLUSIONS: 'Iavazzo' score can be a useful predictive score that evaluates duration of robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries.

Vaginal Evisceration After Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Case Report.

Vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) is an extremely rare complication after a hysterectomy, with possible life-threatening consequences. Multiple cases of pelvic organ evisceration through the vaginal cuff have been reported, most frequently precipitated by sexual intercourse. Surgeons should be suspicious of clinical signs of VCD postoperatively, as any intervention should be prompt. Patients at high-risk patients of developing vaginal cuff dehiscence should be advised to refrain from straining exercises for longer periods of time. Herein, we present the case of a 46-year-old with this complication.

Uterine angiolipoleiomyoma. A case report and systematic literature review.

Uterine angiolipoleiomyomas are rare, benign mixed mesenchymal lesions. A manifestation in the gynecological region is quite uncommon, with few cases described in the literature so far. We present an interesting case of a 59-year-old woman diagnosed with uterine angiolipoleiomyoma, and the results of the conducted systematic review of the literature. The patient presented with a pelvic mass masquerading as a leiomyoma on the ultrasound and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding. At laparotomy, a large uterus was noticed and the histopathology set the diagnosis of angiolipoleiomyoma. Immunohistochemistry revealed negativity for Melan-A and HMB-45 melanoma-specific antibodies and positivity for Van Gieson and orcein histochemical stains.

Crohn's Disease of the Vulva: a Case Report.

Crohn's disease is a multi-systemic chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various organs besides the gastrointestinal tract such as joints, uvea, and the skin. Vulvar Crohn's disease is a rare entity occurring with vulvar lesions that show typical Crohn's disease granulomatous inflammation but are not contiguous with the gastrointestinal involvement. Vulvar Crohn's disease can be easily confused with other granulomatous diseases and awareness that such involvement may precede gastrointestinal symptoms must be raised. Few cases of vulvar Crohn's disease have been reported in the literature to date. Here, we report a case of a 43-year-old woman with a 6-month history of a vulvar lesion; the patient was diagnosed with Crohn's disease of the large bowel just over a year ago.