Accurate identification and surgical correction of type IIb uterine malformation using synchronized hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce an effective approach for accurate identification and treatment of type IIb uterine malformation using synchronized hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. DESIGN: Step-by-step video explanation of the surgical procedure with still pictures and surgical video clips to demonstrate the detailed technique. The patient provided written informed consent for video and data collection for research purposes. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): A 32-year-old young woman diagnosed with a right unicornuate uterus with a left rudimentary horn, with a 2-year history of dysmenorrhea. INTERVENTION(S): First, the patient was diagnosed with a unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging before the surgery. During surgery, synchronized hysteroscopy and laparoscopy coupled with a light test was performed to make a definite identification of the type IIb uterine malformation. During treatment of the type IIb uterine malformation, there were two key steps: resected the rudimentary horn and reserved more myometrial tissue to reduce the risk of uterine rupture in a subsequent pregnancy; and corrected the uterus to prevent future uterine prolapse. For the suture technique, suturing during resection was performed instead of suturing after complete resection to reduce the intraoperative bleeding as much as possible. Furthermore, tubal catheterization and hydrotubation under hysteroscopy monitoring were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Value and feasibility of synchronized hysteroscopic and laparoscopic identification and treatment of the type IIb uterine malformation. RESULT(S): The total operation time was 89 minutes. The postoperative pathological findings revealed that the endometrium was found in the rudimentary horn. No dysmenorrhea was found during follow-up. At 26 months after the operation, the patient became pregnant naturally. Cesarean section was performed at 36 weeks + 2 days owing to premature rupture of the membranes. CONCLUSION(S): For the accurate identification and management of a type IIb uterine malformation, synchronized hysteroscopy and laparoscopy is an effective and feasible method.

An effective method using laparoscopy in treatment of upper vaginal leiomyoma.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce an effective approach using laparoscopy in the treatment of upper vaginal leiomyoma. DESIGN: Step-by-step video explanation of the surgical procedure with still pictures and surgical video clips to demonstrate the detailed technique, approved by the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. SETTING: Hospital. PATIENT(S): A 34-year-old woman diagnosed with 5-cm upper vaginal leiomyoma, who had sexual discomfort for 5 years. INTERVENTION(S): Using laparoscopy in the treatment of upper vaginal leiomyoma consists of five steps: first lysing the pelvic adhesion; exploring the pelvic cavity and locating the vaginal leiomyoma through gynecologic examination by the assistant; recognizing the position between leiomyoma and ureter and carefully dissociating ureter while avoiding injury; completely enucleating and resecting the vaginal leiomyoma using laparoscopy; and exploring the ureter, rectum, and uterine artery to make sure there was no injury. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Value and feasibility of using laparoscopy in treatment of upper vaginal leiomyoma. RESULT(S): The vaginal leiomyoma was removed successfully using laparoscopic operation and the operative time was 95 minutes. In the follow-up period, the patient did not report any symptoms, and she became pregnant at the time of the 20th month after operation and underwent a vaginal delivery at full-term. CONCLUSION(S): For upper vaginal leiomyoma treatment, laparoscopic operation could present a clear visual field to avoid injury of bladder, ureter, rectum, and uterine artery. Laparoscopic operation is safe and feasible in treatment of upper vaginal leiomyoma.

Laparoscopic myomectomy using self-made retrieval bag to contain tissue extraction.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce an effective approach using a self-made retrieval bag during laparoscopic myomectomy to contain tissue extraction. DESIGN: Step-by-step video explanation of the surgical procedure with still pictures and surgical video clips to demonstrate the detailed technique, approved by the Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): A 32-year-old woman diagnosed with a uterine myoma (diameter, 6 cm). She had endured 5 years of intermittent lower abdominal pain and 2 years of infertility. INTERVENTION(S): A self-made retrieval bag during laparoscopic myomectomy was used (consists of four steps) to contain tissue extraction. 1. Self-made retrieval bag using a sterile medical bag. 2. Inspect the pelvic cavity, evaluate and determine the location and number of myomas. 3. Resect the myoma. 4. Morcellate the myoma into pieces inside the retrieval bag using laparoscopic power morcellation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Value and feasibility of using a self-made retrieval bag in laparoscopic myomectomy. RESULT(S): The myoma was successfully and completely resected by laparoscopy using a self-made retrieval bag to contain tissue extraction. Operative time was 93 minutes. In the follow-up period, the patient did not report any symptom of iatrogenic parasitic myoma. The woman had a pregnancy at month 26 after operation and underwent a cesarean section. This resulted in a full-term baby. CONCLUSION(S): Our surgical approach demonstrated a number of noteworthy advantages. The use of retrieval bag to contain tissue extraction during laparoscopic morcellation can avoid the risk of iatrogenic parasitic myoma. The retrieval bag is self-made using a sterile packing bag, which is cost free and also reduces operative expenses.

Effect of the BRCA1-SIRT1-EGFR axis on cisplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer.

There is accumulating evidence that breast cancer 1 (BRCA1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) help to modulate cisplatin cytotoxicity. The role of dynamic crosstalk among BRCA1, SIRT1, and EGFR in cisplatin sensitivity remains largely unknown. We found that BRCA1, SIRT1, and EGFR levels were increased in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancers compared with those in cisplatin-sensitive ovarian cancers. Hypomethylation in the BRCA1 promoter was associated with BRCA1 activation, significantly elevated SIRT1 levels, decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-mediated SIRT1 activity, and decreased EGFR levels. Treatment with 5 and 10 µg/ml cisplatin induced a gradual increase in BRCA1 and SIRT1 levels and a gradual decrease in NAD levels and NAD-mediated SIRT1 activity, whereas EGFR levels were increased or decreased by treatment with 5 or 10 µg/ml cisplatin, respectively. The overexpression of SIRT1 or the enhancement of SIRT1 activity synergistically enhanced the BRCA1-mediated effects on EGFR transcription. In contrast, the knockdown of SIRT1 or the inhibition of SIRT1 activity inhibited the BRCA1-mediated effects on EGFR transcription. BRCA1 regulates EGFR through a BRCA1-mediated balance between SIRT1 expression and activity. Those results improve our understanding of the basic molecular mechanism underlying BRCA1-related cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.