Robotic-assisted uterine transposition followed by anatomic pelvic repositioning for a patient with intramural fibroids and rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To report the first described case of robotic-assisted utero-ovarian transposition followed by anatomic repositioning in the pelvis and cervicovaginal anastomosis in a woman with uterine fibroids, which was performed for fertility preservation in the context of pelvic radiation for rectal cancer. DESIGN: Description of technique and live-action narrated surgical footage showing uterine transposition and repositioning. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A 36-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of cT3N2M0 rectal adenocarcinoma planned for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pelvic radiation and desired fertility preservation permissive of future pregnancy. A transvaginal ultrasound revealed a 5-cm posterior leiomyoma and a normal endometrial cavity. The patient elected for utero-ovarian transposition before chemoradiation. The patient included in this video gave consent for publication and posting of the video online, including on social media, the journal website, scientific literature websites, and other applicable sites. Per institutional guidelines, an Institutional Review Board review was not required. INTERVENTIONS: Robotic-assisted utero-ovarian transposition was performed in an inpatient setting 2 weeks after ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval. She was given a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist for menstrual suppression after oocyte retrieval. The uterus and adnexa were transposed en bloc to the upper abdomen, with perfusion via retroflected infundibulopelvic ligaments. Intravenous indocyanine green was administered intraoperatively to visualize uterine perfusion. Three weeks postoperatively, the patient underwent surgical management of small bowel obstruction, which was successfully managed with laparoscopic adhesiolysis. The patient subsequently completed chemoradiation and had a complete response to the rectal tumor. She therefore elected for surveillance. Seven months after transposition and 2 months after completion of treatment, the patient underwent uncomplicated robotic-assisted utero-ovarian anatomic repositioning in the pelvis with cervicovaginal anastomosis. Chromopertubation confirmed tubal patency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Restoration of normal pelvic anatomy and resumption of reproductive physiology. RESULTS: At her 4-month postoperative visit, the cervix and vagina were normal in appearance. The patient reported the return of spontaneous menses and sexual activity without complications. CONCLUSION: This case is unique because of the presence of bulky intramural uterine fibroids. The described technique may be useful for selected cancer patients who desire to carry a pregnancy after pelvic radiation for cancer treatment, and demonstrates that patients considering utero-ovarian transposition need not be excluded solely on the basis of the presence of uterine fibroids.

The Impact of Uterine Fibroids on Fertility: How the Uncertainty Widens the Gap in Reproductive Outcomes in Black Women.

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most common pelvic tumor in women. While the decreased quality of life and significant morbidity has been implicated with UFs, several important questions regarding the effect of UFs on reproductive outcomes remain unanswered. Furthermore, there is a disproportionate impact of UFs in Black women, in whom these tumors are known to be more common and more severe. The racial difference in UF burden is heightened during prime reproductive years, during which Black women undergo surgical intervention at an astoundingly increased rate compared to other races. Despite this, Black women are underrepresented in UF and treatment outcome research, and thus the uncertainty of the impact of UFs and UF treatment on fertility and pregnancy outcomes in this population is less defined. The purpose of this review article is to discuss recent findings in the literature regarding the impact of uterine UFs on reproductive outcomes with a primary focus on the implications for Black women. Additionally, we briefly discuss the importance of increased UF research funding and investigation and propose actionable items to help increase the representation of Black women in UF research.

Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome as Referred Pain From Injured T12/L1 Nerves: Symptomatic Improvement With Resection of Ilioinguinal and Iliohypogastric Nerves.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the specific contribution of ilioinguinal (II) and iliohypogastric (IH) nerve injury and referred pain to interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and patient-reported chronic pelvic pain, and to enumerate the effects of II and IH nerve resection on the pain and voiding symptoms in patients with IC/BPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 8 patients with ICS/BPS who had prior abdominal surgery. All patients received diagnostic image guided T12/L1 nerve blocks, followed by II and IH nerve resections. Validated O'Leary-Sant ICS symptom indices (OSPI) and pelvic pain and urgency/frequency patient symptoms scale (PUF) scores were collected at specified intervals pre- and post-operatively. RESULTS: Median scores at pre-operative (OSPI 13.9, PUF 20.4) and 1 week time points (OSPI 5.9, PUF 11), as well as differences between pre-operative and 10 month time points (OSPI 3.7, PUF 6) were all statistically significant (P = .008 and .009 at 1 week, and .007 and .008 at 10 months, for OSPI and PUF respectively). The mean difference in score from pre-operative to longest follow-up as measured by the OSPI was -14.4 (P < .001) and by PUF -10.3 (P < .001). All time points registered demonstrated improvement in pain scores. There were no surgical complications or adverse events. CONCLUSION: II and IH nerve resection may be an effective and durable treatment option for those with prior abdominal surgery who have referred interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome pain from these injured nerves.

Conservatively treated endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia/cancer: Risk of intrauterine synechiae.

INTRODUCTION: To determine whether progestin type or number of dilation and curettage procedures (D&Cs) were associated with intrauterine synechiae (IS) or pregnancy outcomes in patients conservatively treated for endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) or endometrial cancer (EC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated patients conservatively treated for EIN or EC from 2000 to 2017 at an academic center. IS were identified hysteroscopically. We calculated proportions for categorical variables and tested associations between D&C number, progestin, and pregnancy outcomes using Pearson chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. A post-hoc power analysis indicated sufficient power to detect livebirth. RESULTS: We analyzed 54 patients, 15 with EIN (28 %) and 39 with EC (72 %), with a mean age of 34 ± 1.2 years. Progestin treatment types included megestrol acetate (MA) (n = 24), MA with levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LngIUD) (n = 10), MA followed by LngIUD (n = 3), and LngIUD alone (n = 6). Mean number of D&Cs was 3.9 ± 0.9. Overall, 53 subjects underwent hysteroscopy; 10 (19 %) had IS. When D&Cs were grouped into 0-2, 3-4 and ≥5, each increase in D&C group had a 2.9 higher odds of IS (OR: 2.91, p = 0.04, CI: 1.05-10.02). LngIUD was associated with a nonsignificant 46 % decrease in the odds of IS (OR: 0.54, p = 0.66, CI: 0.08-2.87). Twenty-two women attempted pregnancy; 14 women achieved a total of 20 pregnancies and 9 women had total of 15 livebirths (41 % livebirth rate). The number of D&Cs and progestin treatment type were not associated with pregnancy outcomes. DISCUSSION: Among 54 patients conservatively treated for EC/EIN, nearly 20 % developed IS. However, hysteroscopic and/or fertility treatments may improve pregnancy outcomes.

Fractures of the axis: a review of pediatric, adult, and geriatric injuries.

Fractures of the second cervical vertebra (C2, axis) are common in adult spine surgery. Those fractures occurring in younger adult patients are often associated with high-energy mechanism trauma, resulting in a "Hangman's Fracture." Management of these fractures is often successful with nonoperative means, though surgery may be needed in those fractures with greater displacement and injury to the C2-C3 disc. Older patients are more likely to sustain fractures of the odontoid process. The evidence supporting surgical management of these fractures is evolving, as there may be a mortality benefit to surgery. Regardless of treatment, longer-term mortality rates are high in this patient population, which should be discussed with the patient and family at the time of injury. Pediatric patients may suffer fractures of the axis, though differentiation of normal and pathologic findings is necessary and more difficult with the skeletally immature spine.