Therapy of isolated locoregional recurrent carcinoma of the breast.

PURPOSE: There is widespread consent that isolated locoregional recurrence (ILRR) in breast cancer should be treated surgically. On searching literature and guidelines most studies include ipsilateral recurrence in breast tissue or on thoracic wall post-mastectomy, recurrence in scar tissue as well as in ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. Some studies discuss metachronous contralateral breast cancer as ILRR. About 10-35% of women with primary breast cancer suffer from ILRR. The existing data concerning the role of systemic therapy in the treatment of ILRR are insufficient. We investigated the influence of chemotherapy on disease-free- (DFS) and overall-survival (OS). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients with ILRR and without distant metastasis was done, which were treated at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Saarland University between 2005 and 2013. Data collection used patients' database system and was followed via patient questionnaires. RESULTS: In total, we collected data of 93 patients with locally recurrent breast cancer and observed a 72.6% questionnaire response rate. Average timeline accounted for 99 months between primary diagnosis and local recurrence; average age of patients at diagnosis of local recurrence was 60.6 years. After a median follow-up of 63 months DFS reached 76% with and 73% without chemotherapy, and after 74 months overall survival amounted to 94% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Almost all patients with ILRR were operated. Especially patients with hormone receptor-negative recurrent breast cancer seemed to show a benefit having been treated with chemotherapy. Most patients were without recurrence after their particular therapies.

Two novel classification systems for uterine fibroids and subsequent uterine reconstruction after myomectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic approaches are the gold standard surgical treatment for intramural and subserous fibroids, whereas submucosal myomas can be treated via hysteroscopy. Removal of intramural myomas often requires a subsequent reconstruction of the uterine wall that ranges from single- to multiple-layer sutures to complex reconstructions. Several classification systems are currently used to characterize uterine fibroids, all of which focus on the assessment of submucosal fibroids during hysteroscopic myomectomy. There are no classification systems for the comprehensive localization of fibroids or for uterine reconstruction after myomectomy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate a new scoring system developed by our group to classify uterine leiomyoma as well as a standardized assessment scoring system for uterine reconstruction after surgical myomectomy. METHODS/PATIENTS: To validate the uterine fibroid and uterine reconstruction classification systems, a retrospective review of 136 patients undergoing surgical myomectomy and uterine reconstruction at a single tertiary institution was performed. The age of the patient, duration of surgery, number, size, and location of excised fibroids, number of uterine incisions, level of uterine reconstruction, desire for future pregnancies, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations, duration of postoperative hospitalization, and operating surgeon were obtained by medical chart review. For each patient, a specific fibroid score and the level of uterine reconstruction were determined according to the classification systems. Correlations between the uterine fibroid and reconstruction scores, as well as between the classification scores and perioperative parameters, were analyzed. RESULTS: The newly developed classification system for uterine fibroids incorporates the number, location, and size of myomas, as well as the number of uterine incisions required for myomectomy. The uterine reconstruction scoring system comprises four levels of reconstruction, ranging from no reconstruction to advanced reconstruction. Outcomes from 136 patients showed a correlation between uterine fibroid and uterine reconstructive scores. High fibroid scores were correlated with higher levels of reconstruction. Both scoring systems showed associations with the duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss, and days of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first scoring system for uterine fibroids that incorporates all possible fibroid locations and a standardized assessment of uterine reconstruction. Scoring systems were validated in a large cohort, and a correlation was identified between uterine fibroid and uterine reconstruction scores. In daily clinical practice, this scoring system allows a better planning of surgery, specifically of the estimated duration of surgery, blood loss, and time of hospitalization.

Minimally Invasive Cholecystectomy: Transvaginal or Transabdominal Approach-Which Technique Is Preferred by Female Hospital Employees?

Background: Evidence is lacking concerning a clear benefit of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and transvaginal cholecystectomy (TVC) over the classical laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). In this study, we investigated the preferences of the operation techniques among female employees in a tertiary university clinic. Materials and Methods: Study participants in the department of general surgery and gynecology were interviewed regarding their personal felt preferences for the mentioned procedures using a standardized illustrated questionnaire. Results: A total of 111 participants were included in the study. In 70.3% of cases, the transvaginal approach was unknown. The classical techniques were preferred in 95.2% of respondents. Participants with a wish for children showed a higher preference for nontransvaginal techniques (P = .011). The acceptance rate of transvaginal techniques among employees of the department of gynecology was higher than those of the department of general surgery (P = .028). Conclusions: The overall acceptance rate for TVC is low. Especially in case of a wish for children, SILC and CLC represent the preferred techniques. The lack of popularity of TVC could be an explanation for the refusal of this technique. Among employees of the gynecologic department, a transvaginal approach was significantly more often accepted. The cosmetic outcome and the knowledge about an operation technique certainly influence the decision making for the preferred surgical method.