The use of blue dye alone for sentinel lymph node biopsy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with initially node-positive breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: False-negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) rates following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in initially node-positive (cN1/2) breast cancer patients are high, but decrease when lymph nodes are clipped, ≥3 sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) are removed or dual-tracer localization (radioisotope and blue dye) is used. Radiotracer, however, is often unavailable and outcomes with blue dye alone are unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially cT1-4, cN1/2 patients treated with NACT in 2013-2023 who underwent SLNB using blue dye alone were evaluated regarding SLN identification, axillary recurrence, disease-free and overall survival rates. RESULTS: Of 119 patients included, 19 remained cN1/2 after NACT. SLNB was performed using blue dye alone in 100 ycN0 cases (84%), with an identification rate of 96%. The SLN was negative in 70/119 cases (i.e. 59% avoided axillary dissection). The number of SLN detected was ≥3 in 55/70 cases (78%) (median 3.1; 1-6). Median age was 49 years (25-84). Most were T2 (n = 40, 57.1%), N1 (n = 64, 91.4%). Predominant subtypes were ERBB2 (52.9%) and triple-negative (20%). No axillary recurrence occurred over a median 36-month period. Five-year disease-free and overall survival were, respectively, 85.9% (95%CI: 74-99.8) and 96.3% (95%CI: 89.4-100). The ERBB2 subtype (1.99, 95%CI: 1.02-3.85, p = 0.04) and N1 lymph node status (2.58, 95%CI: 1.54-9.10, p = 0.03) were associated with a greater likelihood of undergoing SLNB alone without axillary dissection. CONCLUSIONS: SLNB with blue dye alone following NACT in initially cN1/2 patients avoided axillary dissection in almost 60% of cases, with no recurrences during the period evaluated. Longer follow-up studies are necessary.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: an evidence-based review and recommendations for current practice.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) at upfront surgery is the gold-standard surgical method for axillary lymph node staging in early stage breast cancer: the technique provides adequate information regarding axillary status, with similar oncological safety and lower morbidity compared to axillary dissection, despite the false negative rates. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), traditionally used for locally advanced breast cancer, plays an important role in the treatment of early stage breast cancer, making downstaging possible in axillary lymph node and breast cancer, thus minimizing the impact of surgery and reducing morbidity, as well as enabling patients with residual disease to be selected for adjuvant treatment. In this respect, the role of SLNB has proved controversial, particularly in view of the lack of data from randomized clinical trials on this subject. Currently, the de-escalation of axillary surgery after NACT is mainly based on retrospectives studies and false negative rates. This paper reviews current evidence on the management of axillary surgery following NACT under different circumstances, with suggested recommendations in each scenario: clinically negative nodes at diagnosis and SLNB after NACT, clinically positive nodes at diagnosis and SLNB after NACT, positive SLNB following NACT and finally the possibility of omitting axillary surgery in good responders.

Management of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer: recommendations of a panel of experts from the Brazilian Society of Mastology.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogenous subtype involving different patterns of behavior and clinical course, demanding a complex, individualized sequence of treatment. The knowledge and attitudes of the affiliated members of the Brazilian Society of Mastology regarding TNBC were evaluated and a consensus regarding management and treatment was reached. METHODS: Affiliates completed a survey involving 44 objective questions. In addition, a specialist meeting was held with 27 experts and 3 ad hoc consultants. The panelists completed the survey before and after brainstorming. Answers achieving 70% of agreement were considered consensual. The chi-square test was used to compare answers between panelists and affiliates and the Kappa coefficient to calculate agreement. RESULTS: Consensus among the panelists increased from 26 (59.1%) to 32 questions (72.7%) following brainstorming (p = 0.17), including 7/10 questions on systemic treatment. Among the affiliates, consensus was achieved for 24 questions (54.5%), resulting in moderate agreement (κ = 0.445). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be indicated for almost all cases (except cT1a-b N0) and should include platinum agents. When indicated, immunotherapy is part of the standard of care. The panel reaffirmed the concept of no ink on tumor as indicative of adequate margins and the possibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy for cN1 patients who become cN0 following neoadjuvant therapy. Controversies remain on combining immunotherapy with capecitabine/olaparib in pertinent cases. CONCLUSION: Expert consensus was achieved for > 70% of the questions, with moderate agreement between panelists and affiliates. Educational interventions on systemic breast cancer treatment affected decision-making in 60% of the questions.

Management of the positive sentinel lymph node following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: results of a survey conducted with breast surgeons.

Introduction: Despite the lack of randomised evidence, there is a current trend towards omitting axillary surgery in cases of positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). This study evaluated practice patterns of Brazilian breast surgeons when managing positive SLN following NACT. Methods: This was a nationwide electronic survey of breast surgeons affiliated with the Brazilian Society of Mastology. Management approaches for positive SLN after NACT (axillary dissection (AD), regional nodal irradiation (RNI) or no additional treatment) were evaluated as a function of residual disease volume in the SLN (macro-metastasis, micro-metastasis or isolated tumour cells (ITC)). Results: Survey response rate was 49%, with 799/1,627 questionnaires returned. Most respondents were <50 years old (61%), lived in south-eastern Brazil (50%), in a major city (67%), worked in an academic institute (80%) and were board-certified (80%). AD recommendation rate decreased according to residual nodal disease volume: 91% of respondents recommended AD for cases of macro-metastasis, 64% for micro-metastasis and 38% for ITC (p < 0.00001). Furthermore, 35% would recommend no additional surgery for micro-metastasis, while 27% would recommend no treatment at all for ITC (p < 0.00001). Not working in an academic institute was associated with RNI for micro-metastasis (p = 0.02), but not for macro-metastasis or ITC. Being board-certified did not affect axillary management. Conclusion: Most respondents would recommend AD and/or RNI in residual nodal disease following NACT irrespective of disease volume. Nevertheless, a trend towards surgical de-escalation was found with low-volume disease (micro-metastasis and ITC). Ongoing randomised trials will clarify the impact of this trend.

The Attitudes of Brazilian Breast Surgeons on Axillary Management in Early Breast Cancer-10 Years after the ACOSOG Z0011 Trial First Publication.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of the ACOSOG Z0011 trial on axillary breast cancer surgery management in Brazil following publication of that study (2010) and again in 2020. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey of members of the Brazilian Society of Mastology. RESULTS: Of 1627 breast surgeons, 799 (49.1%) completed and returned the questionnaire. For patients with the Z11 inclusion criteria, following detection of a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN), axillary dissection (AD) was recommended by 99.2% of respondents before publication of the study, 47.5% in 2010 and 18.5% in 2020 (p < 0.001). In breast-conserving surgery, if there were micro-metastases, 2.6% would perform AD, 30.3% axillary radiotherapy, and 67.1% no additional axillary treatment, while with macro-metastases, these proportions were 21.3%, 52.2%, and 26.5%, respectively. In cases of mastectomy and of nodal extracapsular extension, 43.4% and 36% of surgeons, respectively, recommended AD. For clinically negative axilla and suspicious findings at ultrasonography, 69% of the surgeons would apply the Z11 approach. Most applied the Z11 criteria in cases of younger patients (83.6%) and triple-negative and/or HER2 positive tumors (74%). AD was significantly more likely to be recommended by surgeons who did not work in academic institutes, who worked in locations other than capital cities, who were not board-certified, and who were ≥ 50 years old. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed substantial changes in axillary surgery management in cN0/pathologically positive SLN, particularly following publication of the updated Z11 results and other similar studies. A better education environment and long-term follow-up were factors associated with the incorporation of Z11-related changes in practice.

Management of early breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted early breast cancer (EBC) treatment worldwide. This study analyzed how Brazilian breast specialists are managing EBC. METHODS: An electronic survey was conducted with members of the Brazilian Society of Breast Cancer Specialists (SBM) between April 30 and May 11, 2020. Bivariate analysis was used to describe changes in how specialists managed EBC at the beginning and during the pandemic, according to breast cancer subtype and oncoplastic surgery. RESULTS: The response rate was 34.4% (503/1462 specialists). Most of the respondents (324; 64.4%) lived in a state capital city, were board-certified as breast specialists (395; 78.5%) and either worked in an academic institute or one associated with breast cancer treatment (390; 77.5%). The best response rate was from the southeast of the country (240; 47.7%) followed by the northeast (128; 25.4%). At the beginning of the pandemic, 43% changed their management approach. As the outbreak progressed, this proportion increased to 69.8% (p < 0.001). The southeast of the country (p = 0.005) and the state capital cities (p < 0.001) were associated with changes at the beginning of the pandemic, while being female (p = 0.001) was associated with changes during the pandemic. For hormone receptor-positive tumors with the best prognosis (Ki-67 < 20%), 47.9% and 17.7% of specialists would recommend neoadjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal and premenopausal women, respectively. For tumors with poorer prognosis (Ki-67 > 30%), 34% and 10.9% would recommend it for postmenopausal and premenopausal women, respectively. Menopausal status significantly affected whether the specialists changed their approach (p < 0.00001). For tumors ≥ 1.0 cm, 42.9% of respondents would recommend neoadjuvant systemic therapy for triple-negative tumors and 39.6% for HER2 + tumors. Overall, 63.4% would recommend immediate total breast reconstruction, while only 3.4% would recommend autologous reconstruction. In breast-conserving surgery, 75% would recommend partial breast reconstruction; however, 54.1% would contraindicate mammoplasty. Furthermore, 84.9% of respondents would not recommend prophylactic mastectomy in cases of BRCA mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Important changes occurred in EBC treatment, particularly for hormone receptor-positive tumors, as the outbreak progressed in each region. Systematic monitoring could assure appropriate breast cancer treatment, mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

Progress in Local Treatment of Breast Cancer: A Narrative Review.

The present paper reports on the local treatment of breast cancer from a historical perspective. A search for articles written in English was made in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and 40 papers were selected. Over the past 10 years, various randomized, controlled clinical trials on the local treatment of breast cancer indicated that patients with the same molecular subtype may receive different individualized surgical treatments aimed at optimizing systemic adjuvant therapy. With a view to retaining the gains made in disease-free and overall survival, surgical techniques have advanced from radical surgery to conservative mastectomies, thus reducing sequelae, while adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies have contributed toward controlling the disease, both distant metastases and local recurrence. Current studies evaluate whether future breast cancer therapy may even succeed in eliminating surgery to the breast and axilla altogether.

Este artigo discute o tratamento local do câncer de mama a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Uma busca de artigos publicados em inglês foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline e EMBASE, sendo selecionados 40 artigos. Nos últimos 10 anos, vários ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados sobre o tratamento local do câncer de mama indicaram que pacientes com o mesmo subtipo molecular podem receber diferentes tratamentos cirúrgicos individualizados com o objetivo de otimizar a terapia adjuvante sistêmica. Pretendendo reter os ganhos obtidos na sobrevida livre de doença e na sobrevida global, as técnicas cirúrgicas avançaram progressivamente da cirurgia radical para mastectomias conservadoras, reduzindo sequelas, enquanto as terapias adjuvantes e neoadjuvantes contribuíram para o controle da doença, tanto em relação às metástases distantes quanto à recorrência local. Estudos atuais avaliam se a terapia futura contra o câncer de mama poderá até mesmo eliminar a cirurgia da mama e da axila por completo.

Progress in local treatment of breast cancer: A narrative review / Evolução do tratamento local do câncer de mama: Revisão narrativa

Abstract The present paper reports on the local treatment of breast cancer from a historical perspective. A search for articles written in English was made in the Medline and EMBASE databases, and 40 papers were selected. Over the past 10 years, various randomized, controlled clinical trials on the local treatment of breast cancer indicated that patients with the samemolecular subtypemay receive different individualized surgical treatments aimed atoptimizing systemic adjuvant therapy. With a view to retaining the gainsmade in diseasefree and overall survival, surgical techniques have advanced from radical surgery to conservative mastectomies, thus reducing sequelae, while adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies have contributed toward controlling the disease, both distant metastases and local recurrence. Current studies evaluate whether future breast cancer therapy may even succeed in eliminating surgery to the breast and axilla altogether.

Resumo Este artigo discute o tratamento local do câncer de mama a partir de uma perspectiva histórica. Uma busca de artigos publicados em inglês foi realizada nas bases de dados Medline e EMBASE, sendo selecionados 40 artigos. Nos últimos 10 anos, vários ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados sobre o tratamento local do câncer de mama indicaram que pacientes com o mesmo subtipo molecular podem receber diferentes tratamentos cirúrgicos individualizados como objetivo de otimizar a terapia adjuvante sistêmica. Pretendendo reter os ganhos obtidos na sobrevida livre de doença e na sobrevida global, as técnicas cirúrgicas avançaram progressivamente da cirurgia radical para mastectomias conservadoras, reduzindo sequelas, enquanto as terapias adjuvantes e neoadjuvantes contribuíram para o controle da doença, tanto em relação às metástases distantes quanto à recorrência local. Estudos atuais avaliam se a terapia futura contra o câncer de mama poderá até mesmo eliminar a cirurgia da mama e da axila por completo.

Intraoperative imprint cytology versus histological diagnosis for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare imprint cytology and paraffin section histology for sentinel lymph node detection in women with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHOD: A cross-sectional study and report of the sentinel lymph node statuses of 64 patients with breast cancer who underwent intraoperative imprint cytology and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a referral cancer institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2014 and 2016. RESULTS: The mean age was 51 years. The most common histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma (93.75%), and the most common differentiation grade was 2 (62.5%). Overall, 153 lymph nodes were identified, with a mean of 2.39/case. Thirty-four lymph nodes tested positive for malignancy by imprint cytology, and 55 tested positive by histology. Of the 55 positive lymph nodes, 41 (74.5%) involved macrometastases, and 14 (25.5%) involved micrometastases. There were 21 false negatives with imprint cytology, namely, 7 for macrometastases and 14 for micrometastases, resulting in a rate of 17.6%. The sensitivity of imprint cytology was 61.8%, with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 82.4% and an accuracy of 86.3%. The method presented null sensitivity for the identification of micrometastases. CONCLUSIONS: The false-negative rate with imprint cytology was associated with the number of sentinel lymph nodes obtained. The rate found for complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was comparable to the rates reported in the literature. The accuracy of imprint cytology was good, and its specificity was excellent for sentinel lymph node detection; however, the method was unable to detect lymph node micrometastases.

Abordagem Fisioterapêutica de uma Paciente com Linfedema de Membro Superior Prévio à Cirurgia para Câncer de Mama: Relato de Caso / Physiotherapeutic Approach of a Patient with Upper Limb Lymphedema Prior to Surgery for Breast Cancer: Case Report / Enfoque Fisioterapéutico de um Paciente con Linfedema de Miembro Superior Previo a la Cirugía para Cáncer de Mama: Relato de Caso

Introdução: O linfedema é a complicação mais comum após o tratamento do câncer de mama. Quando se manifesta antes do tratamento cirúrgico, como condição clínica por si só, é visto como um critério de inoperabilidade, representando um fator de mau prognóstico. Relato do caso: Este artigo visa a descrever a evolução clínica de uma paciente com linfedema de membro superior prévio à cirurgia para o câncer de mama, à condução do tratamento fisioterapêutico e à viabilidade do procedimento cirúrgico. Conclusão: Por meio deste relato de caso, foi possível descrever o tratamento fisioterapêutico de uma paciente com linfedema prévio à cirurgia para o câncer de mama. A equipe de fisioterapia pôde atuar em parceria com a equipe médica, controlando a descompensação linfática e auxiliando no caminho até a realização do procedimento cirúrgico. O cuidado fisioterapêutico se mostra fundamental desde o início do tratamento oncológico, de forma a detectar precocemente sintomas e distúrbios, intervindo de maneira eficaz e resolutiva e buscando proporcionar qualidade de vida e os melhores resultados possíveis para as pacientes.

Introduction: Lymphedema is the most common complication after breast cancer treatment. When it manifests itself before surgical treatment, as a clinical condition alone, it is seen as a criterion of inoperability, representing a factor of poor prognosis. Case report: This article aims to describe the clinical evolution of a patient with upper limb lymphedema prior to surgery for breast cancer, the conduct of the physiotherapeutic treatment and the feasibility of the surgical procedure. Conclusion: Through this case report it was possible to describe the physiotherapeutic treatment of a patient with lymphedema prior to surgery for breast cancer. The physiotherapy team can work in partnership with the medical team, controlling the lymphatic decompensation and assisting in the way until the surgical procedure is performed. Physiotherapeutic care has been fundamental since the beginning of cancer treatment, in order to detect early symptoms and disorders, intervening effectively and resolutely and seeking to provide quality of life and the best possible outcomes for patients.

Introducción: El linfedema es la complicación más común después del tratamiento del cáncer de mama. Cuando se manifiesta antes del tratamiento quirúrgico, como condición clínica por sí solo, es visto como un criterio de inoperabilidad, representando un factor de mal pronóstico. Relato del caso: En este artículo se pretende describir la evolución clínica de una paciente con linfedema de miembro superior previo a la cirugía para el cáncer de mama, la conducción del tratamiento fisioterapéutico y la viabilidad del procedimiento quirúrgico. Conclusión: A través de este relato de caso fue posible describir el tratamiento fisioterapéutico de una paciente con linfedema previo a la cirugía para el cáncer de mama. El equipo de fisioterapia puede actuar en asociación con el equipo médico, controlando la descompensación linfática y auxiliando en el camino hasta la realización del procedimiento quirúrgico. El cuidado fisioterapéutico se muestra fundamental desde el inicio del tratamiento oncológico, para detectar precozmente síntomas y disturbios, interviniendo de manera eficaz y resolutiva y buscando proporcionar calidad de vida y los mejores resultados posibles para las pacientes.

Intraoperative imprint cytology versus histological diagnosis for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES: To compare imprint cytology and paraffin section histology for sentinel lymph node detection in women with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHOD: A cross-sectional study and report of the sentinel lymph node statuses of 64 patients with breast cancer who underwent intraoperative imprint cytology and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in a referral cancer institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2014 and 2016. RESULTS: The mean age was 51 years. The most common histological type was invasive ductal carcinoma (93.75%), and the most common differentiation grade was 2 (62.5%). Overall, 153 lymph nodes were identified, with a mean of 2.39/case. Thirty-four lymph nodes tested positive for malignancy by imprint cytology, and 55 tested positive by histology. Of the 55 positive lymph nodes, 41 (74.5%) involved macrometastases, and 14 (25.5%) involved micrometastases. There were 21 false negatives with imprint cytology, namely, 7 for macrometastases and 14 for micrometastases, resulting in a rate of 17.6%. The sensitivity of imprint cytology was 61.8%, with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 82.4% and an accuracy of 86.3%. The method presented null sensitivity for the identification of micrometastases. CONCLUSIONS: The false-negative rate with imprint cytology was associated with the number of sentinel lymph nodes obtained. The rate found for complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was comparable to the rates reported in the literature. The accuracy of imprint cytology was good, and its specificity was excellent for sentinel lymph node detection; however, the method was unable to detect lymph node micrometastases.

Estado atual da biópsia do linfonodo sentinela / Sentinel lymph biopsy in breast cancer

A biópsia do linfonodo sentinela (LS) tornou-se procedimento padrão para a avaliação do status axilar nos casos de câncer de mama inicial. Esse procedimento foi validado por vários estudos, com uma acurácia média de 95%. O objetivo deste artigo de atualização foi analisar os resultados mais recentes e as dúvidas que ainda são reportadas na literatura a respeito do uso da biópsia LS no tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de mama.

The sentinel Lymph node biopsy has become the standard procedure to the axiLLary status evaluation in early breast cancer. This procedure has been vaLidated by severaL studies with an accuracy of 95%. The aim of this update article was to analyze the most recently resuLts and open probLems reported inLiterature about the use of sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer surgical treatment.

Coexistência de linfadenite axilar tuberculosa e metástase ganglionar de carcinoma lobular de mama: relato de um caso / Coexistence of axillary tuberculous lymphadenitis and ganglionic metastasis in mammary lobular carcinoma: a case report

Relato do caso de uma mulher com 83 anos apresentando nódulo e retração de pele na mama direita com oito meses de evolução. Ao exame físico verificou-se nódulo sólido de 5 cm, localizado no quadrante súpero-lateral de mama direita, associado a presença de retração de pele correspondente e linfonodos axilares não coalescentes ipsilaterais. O resultado da mamografia evidenciou nódulo de 4 cm de diâmetro irregular no quadrante súpero-lateral da mama direita (bi-rads V). Estádio clínico: T2N1M0 (IIB). O tratamento cirúrgico incluiu mastectomia radical modificada (à Maden) com dissecção axilar níveis I, II e III. Avaliação histopatológica demonstrou a presença de carcinoma lobular infiltrativo que mediu 2,5 cm (T2), presença de linfadenite granulomatosa causada por tuberculose em linfonodos dos níveis I, II e III, associados a metástase de carcinoma lobular em um único nível linfático, nível I. Estádio patológico: pT2pN1aM0. A paciente recebeu tratamento para tuberculose ganglionar com rifampicina, isoniazida e pirazinamida por um ano. Foram solicitados receptores hormonais, os quais mostraram-se positivos, sendo feito terapia adjuvante com tamoxifeno. Durante o primeiro ano de seguimento a paciente evoluiu bem, sem sinais de recidiva local ou metástases a distância

Ressecção histeroscópica do endométrio: resultados e fatores de risco para insucesso / Hysteroscopic endometrial resection: results and risks factors for failures

Objetivo: estudar o resultado da ablação endometrial histeroscópica, com o uso de ressectoscópio, em pacientes com sangramento uterino anormal de etiologia benigna e refratária ao tratamento clínico, e relatar os fatores associados aos insucessos. Métodos: foram avaliados retrospectivamente informações sobre 64 pacientes com sangramento uterino anormal de causa benigna, submetidas à intervenção entre abril de 1994 e fevereiro de 2000. A média de idade foi de 42,9 anos e a paridade média, de 2,6 partos. Foi realizada histeroscopia diagnóstica com biópsia endometrial pré-operatoriamente. Duas pacientes receberam previamente gestrinona, seis danazol e 44 análogo do GnRH. No ato cirúrgico realizou-se a cauterização elétrica do fundo uterino e das regiões cornuais. Depois, com o ressectoscópio, foi removido o endométrio até 1cm cranialmente ao orifício interno e na profundidade de 2 a 3mm na musculatura. A distensão uterina se fazia com glicina a 1,5 por cento até há dois anos, quando se passou a usar o manitol a 3 por cento. O seguimento foi de 11,5 meses em média. Resultados: estabeleceu-se amenorréia em 31,2 por cento das pacientes e hipomenorréia em 45,3 por cento. Houve persistência do sangramento anormal em 23,5 por cento. Houve uma perfuração uterina na cérvico-dilatação (1,5 por cento). Os resultados foram melhores nas pacientes com mais de 40 anos de idade, nas multíparas e nas que usaram análogos do GnRH. Nos casos de falhas houve freqüência estatisticamente significante (p=0,04) de miomas submucosos de 46,6 por cento contra 20,6 por cento no grupo com hipomenorréia e 20 por cento no grupo com amenorréia. O uso de análogo do GnRH fez decrescer de modo significante (p=0,03) os insucessos. No grupo de pacientes nos quais se considerou haver falha da cirurgia, 46 por cento tiveram, ao exame anatomopatológico, endométrio secretor; no grupo com hipomenorréia, 10,3 por cento tiveram este resultado histológico e no grupo com amenorréia, 10 por cento, o que não apresentou significância estatística (p=0,12). Conclusão: o método mostrou-se útil para tratar o sangramento uterino anormal de etiologia benigna. Recomenda-se o uso de análogos do GnRH previamente à intervenção. Sugere-se que as pacientes mais jovens, com menor paridade e com diagnóstico pré-operatório de mioma submucoso recebam atenção especial, pois entre elas ocorrem falhas com maior freqüência.