Cold Knife Versus Carbon Dioxide for the Treatment of Preinvasive Cervical Lesion.

Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer (CC) represents a significant health concern worldwide, particularly for younger women. Cold knife (CK) conization and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser conization are two techniques commonly used to remove pre-invasive lesions, offering a potential curative intent in cases of incidental diagnosis of CC. This study aimed to assess the clinical implications and pathological outcomes of CK vs. CO2 laser conization for pre-invasive lesions. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed women who underwent CO2 or CK conization for high-grade preinvasive lesions (CIN2/3, CIS and AIS) between 2010 and 2022. Patient demographics, surgical details and pathological outcomes were collected. Pregnancy outcomes, including composite adverse obstetric rates, and oncological follow-up data, were also obtained. Results: In all, 1270 women were included; of them, 1225 (96.5%) underwent CO2, and 45 (3.5%) underwent CK conization. Overall, the rate of positive endocervical or deep margins was lower with CO2 laser compared to CK (4.3% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.015). Incidental CC was diagnosed in 56 (4.4%) patients, with 35 (62.5%) squamous and 21 (46.6%) adenocarcinomas. In a multivariate regression model, the relative risk for positive endocervical or deep margins is significantly greater in cases of incidental diagnosis of CC (p < 0.01). In cases of incidental diagnosis of CC, we found that the probabilities of having either positive endocervical or deep margins after CO2 laser or CK conization are similar, with a higher risk in case of adenocarcinoma lesion. Among women with CC, 42 (75%) opted for radical treatment, while 14 (25%) underwent a follow-up. Only one woman (7.1%) in the follow-up group, who had undergone CK conization, experienced a composite adverse obstetric outcome. No recurrences were observed after a median follow-up of 53 months. Conclusions: CO2 laser conization achieved a lower positive margin rate overall. CK and CO2 conization appear to be equivalent oncological options for incidental CC.

Sentinel node mapping, sentinel node mapping plus back-up lymphadenectomy, and lymphadenectomy in Early-sTage cERvical caNcer scheduled for fertilItY-sparing approach: The ETERNITY project.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of sentinel node mapping for patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing cervical conization plus nodal evaluation. METHODS: The ETERNITY project is a retrospective, multi-institutional study collecting data of patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing fertility-sparing treatment. Here, we compared outcomes related to three methods of nodal assessment: sentinel node mapping (SNM), SNM plus backup lymphadenectomy (SNM + LND); pelvic lymphadenectomy (LND). RESULTS: Charts of 123 patients (with stage IA1-IB1 cervical cancer) were evaluated. Median patients' age was 34 (range, 22-44) years. SNM, SNM + LND, and LND were performed in 32 (26 %), 31 (25.2 %), and 60 (48.8 %) patients, respectively. Overall, eight (6.5 %) patients were diagnosed with positive nodes. Two (3.3 %), three (9.7 %), and three (9.4 %) patients were detected in patients who had LND, SNM + LND, and SNM respectively. Considering the 63 patients undergoing SNM (31 SNM + LND and 32 SNM alone), macrometastases, micrometastases, and isolated tumor cells were detected in four (3.2 %), three (2.4 %), and one (0.8 %) patients, respectively. All patients with positive nodes discontinued the fertility sparing treatment. Other two patients (one (1.7 %) in the LND group and one (3.1 %) in the SNM group) required hysterectomy even after negative nodal evaluation. After a median follow-up of 53.6 (range, 1.3, 158.0) months, nine (7.3 %) and two (1.6 %) patients developed cervical and pelvic nodes recurrences, respectively. Disease-free (p = 0.332, log-rank test) and overall survival (p = 0.769, log-rank test) were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective experience, SNM upholds long-term oncologic effectiveness of LND, reducing morbidity.

Uterine perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComa) and the accuracy of proposed classification systems in predicting the malignant versus non-malignant behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of available classification systems (Folpe, modified Folpe, Bennet, and Schoolmester) in predicting the behavior of uterine Perivascular Epithelioid Cell tumors (PEComas). METHODS: We reviewed the pathology registry to identify all uterine PEComas treated at our center. We conducted a systematic literature review searching electronic databases from inception to November 2023. We included all references reporting at least one case of uterine PEComa; cases associated with tuberous sclerosis complex were excluded. Patient-level data were extracted by identified records. Survival analysis was used to assess the accuracy of all proposed classification systems to classify uterine PEComas as malignant versus non-malignant. RESULTS: Six uterine PEComas were treated at our center. The literature search identified 101 uterine PEComas from 32 studies. Eighty-five out of 107 PEComas (28 studies and our series) reported enough follow-up data and details to apply all four classifications. The modified Folpe classification demonstrated the highest hazard ratio (HR) for relapse (HR:8.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.06-36.1) and death due to PEComa (HR:6.8, 95%CI:0.89-51.6) for malignant versus non-malignant PEComas. Changing the cut-off of PEComa size to ≥8 cm and mitotic figures per 50 high power fields to ≥5, the HR for recurrence lowered (HR:6.26; 95% CI 2.20-17.80), but HR for death increased (HR:10.3; 95% CI 1.35-77.80). CONCLUSIONS: The modified Folpe classification was the most accurate in predicting the PEComa behavior. Changing the cut-off of PEComa size and number of mitotic figures may improve the accuracy in predicting death due to disease.

Robotic surgery for deep-infiltrating endometriosis: is it time to take a step forward?

Endometriosis is a chronic debilitating disease that affects nearly 10% of women of the reproductive age. Although the treatment modalities of endometriosis are numerous, surgical excision of the endometriotic implants and nodules remains the sole cytoreductive approach. Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis was proven to be beneficial in improving the postoperative pain and fertility. Moreover, it was also proved to be safe and efficient in treating the visceral localization of deep endometriosis, such as urinary and colorectal endometriosis. More recently, robotic-assisted surgery gained attention in the field of endometriosis surgery. Although the robotic technology provides a 3D vision of the surgical field and 7-degree of freedom motion, the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of this approach are yet to be determined. With this paper, we aim to review the available evidence regarding the role of robotic surgery in the management of endometriosis along with the current practices in the field.

Advanced bipolar vessel sealing devices vs conventional bipolar energy in minimally invasive hysterectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare conventional bipolar electrosurgery with advanced bipolar vessel sealing (ABVS) devices for total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted by searching Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library from January 1989 to November 2021. We identified all studies comparing ABVS devices with conventional bipolar electrosurgery in TLH and reporting at least one of the following outcomes: total blood loss, total operative time, hospital stay, perioperative complications, or costs. Meta-analysis was conducted with a random effect model reporting pooled mean differences and odds ratios (ORs) with related 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials and two retrospective studies encompassing 314 patients were included out of 615 manuscripts. The pooled estimated total blood loss in the ABVS devices group was lower than conventional bipolar electrosurgery of 39 mL (95% CI - 65.8 to - 12.6 mL; p = .004). The use of ABVS devices significantly reduced the total operative time by 8 min (95% CI - 16.7 to - 0.8 min; p = .033). Hospital stay length did not differ between the two groups, and a comparable overall surgical complication rate was observed [OR of 0.9 (95% CI 0.256 - 3.200; p = .878]. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality evidence comparing ABVS devices with conventional bipolar electrosurgery for TLH is lacking. ABVS devices were associated with reduced total blood loss and operative time; however, observed differences seem clinically irrelevant. Further research is required to clarify the advantages of ABVS devices over conventional bipolar electrosurgery and to identify cases that may benefit more from their use.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis of Mesonephric Adenocarcinoma of the Vagina: A Literature Review and a Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Mesonephric adenocarcinoma (MA) of the vagina is a rare tumor that arises from mesonephric remnants (Wolffian) in the female genital tract. It is a neoplasm with no significant evidence about its diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and prognosis. METHODS: Systematic research of the literature was conducted in Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library, including observational prospective and retrospective studies, case series and case reports. We collected data regarding studies related to diagnosis and treatment options evaluating the following aspects: study design, population, treatment type, rate of surgical complications and fertility outcome. We further included a case report of laparoscopic management of MA with pictorial assays. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of MA of the vagina are available in the literature, including our case report. The median age at diagnosis was 52 years old; the majority of patients reported vaginal bleeding as a symptom (38%); and ultrasound, followed by a magnetic resonance and CT scan were the diagnostic tools most used. In 54% of the cases, a surgical biopsy was performed, and 92% of the patients underwent upfront surgery with an open access or vaginal resection except one case fully managed by minimally invasive surgery. Most of the patients (68%) received adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy or a combination of them. The mean follow-up period was 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the rarity of this cancer and bizarre location, a minimally invasive approach seems feasible after multidisciplinary evaluation. According to the rarity of this tumor, any future case and follow-up data must be reported in the literature in order to enlarge the knowledge about it.

The Role of Micronutrients in Human Papillomavirus Infection, Cervical Dysplasia, and Neoplasm.

There is evidence that diet and nutrition are modifiable risk factors for several cancers. In recent years, attention paid to micronutrients in gynecology has increased, especially regarding Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. We performed a review of the literature up until December 2022, aiming to clarify the effects of micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins on the history of HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer. We included studies having as their primary objective the evaluation of dietary supplements, in particular calcium; zinc; iron; selenium; carotenoids; and vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, and K. Different oligo-elements and micronutrients demonstrated a potential protective role against cervical cancer by intervening in different stages of the natural history of HPV infection, development of cervical dysplasia, and invasive disease. Healthcare providers should be aware of and incorporate the literature evidence in counseling, although the low quality of evidence provided by available studies recommends further well-designed investigations to give clear indications for clinical practice.

Effects of transdermal versus oral hormone replacement therapy in postmenopause: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To summarize available evidence comparing the transdermal and the oral administration routes of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature on multiple databases between January 1990 and December 2021. We included randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing the transdermal and oral administration routes of estrogens for HRT in postmenopausal women regarding at least one of the outcomes of interest: cardiovascular risk, venous thromboembolism (VTE), lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, bone mineral density (BMD), and risk of pre-malignant and malignant endometrial lesions, or breast cancer. RESULTS: The systematic literature search identified a total of 1369 manuscripts, of which 51 were included. Most studies were observational and of good quality, whereas the majority of randomized controlled trials presented a high or medium risk of bias. Oral and transdermal administration routes are similar regarding BMD, glucose metabolism, and lipid profile improvements, as well as do not appear different regarding breast cancer, endometrial disease, and cardiovascular risk. Identified literature provides clear evidence only for the VTE risk, which is higher with the oral administration route. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence comparing the transdermal and oral administration routes for HRT is limited and of low quality, recommending further investigations. VTE risk can be considered the clearest and strongest clinical difference between the two administration routes, supporting the transdermal HRT as safer than the oral administration route.

Holographic Reconstructions for Preoperative Planning before Partial Nephrectomy: A Head-to-Head Comparison with Standard CT Scan.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative surgical planning before partial nephrectomy (PN) is a time-consuming and fragmentary process. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the differences in the perception of renal anatomy between holographic reconstruction (HR) versus computed tomography (CT) in patients who are candidate to PN. METHODS: CT scans of 10 consecutive patients with intermediate/high complexity renal masses (R.E.N.A.L. score > 8) scheduled for robot-assisted PN were translated into HR. Seven raters independently described how they interpreted several anatomical details from CT and HR respectively. The exams were presented unpaired and randomly. Inter-observer agreement and evaluation time were assessed. A questionnaire inquired clinical utility of CT and HR. Inter-observer agreement was measured by the Cohen's kappa test. Evaluation time for CT and HR was compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test, overall and per rater. Examiners answered to the questionnaire following a Likert scale. RESULTS: HR showed a higher inter-observer agreement, reaching a good level (k > 0.6) for almost all the anatomical details considered. Conversely, CT generally provided a fair or poor agreement (k < 0.6). The evaluation time was shorter for HR (mean 1.7 vs. 3.4 min, p < 0.0001). All raters declared that HR could facilitate preoperative planning before PN. CONCLUSIONS: HR can be useful for preoperative surgical planning before PN to ease the understanding of anatomy.