Inequities at the Transition to Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency.

OBJECTIVE: Although approximately one-fifth of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residents matriculate from osteopathic or international medical schools, most literature regarding the transition to residency focuses on allopathic medical school graduates. To create comprehensive interventions for this educational transition, we must understand the needs of all incoming residents. Our objective was to examine OBGYN residents' perceptions of their transition to residency, and to understand how residents' background and medical school environment influence their perceived sense of readiness. DESIGN: A 16-item survey asked questions about demographics, the transition to residency, resident well-being, burnout, and the transition to fellowship. Perception of preparedness was assessed with the question "I felt that I was well-prepared for the first year of residency" (1=strongly agree, 5=strongly disagree). Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression explored association of perceived preparedness with residents' backgrounds. SETTING: Survey administered at time of the in-training examination in 2022. PARTICIPANTS: All OBGYN residents. RESULTS: Of 5761 eligible participants, 3741 (64.9%) provided consent and completed the survey. Of the 3687 participants who answered the question, 2441 (66.2%) either agreed or strongly agreed that they felt well-prepared. Fewer osteopathic graduates reported feeling prepared compared to allopathic graduates (379/610, 62.1% vs 1,924/2,766, 69.6%) (OR 0.72, 95%CI 0.60-0.86, p < 0.01). International medical school graduates were seven times less likely to report feeling prepared compared to those from allopathic institutions (137/304, 45.1% vs 1924/2776, 69.6%) (OR 0.60, 95%CI 0.53-0.68, p < 0.01). Respondents from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds were less likely to report feeling prepared compared to White respondents (276/535, 51.6% vs 1738/2387, 72.8%) (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.33-0.48, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in residents' perceptions of their transition to residency highlight the need to begin offsetting pervasive inequities with comprehensive and accessible resources.

Carboplatin desensitization - simplified 4-step 2-bag method.

INTRODUCTION: Our cancer program adopted a method for carboplatin desensitization (4-step 2-bag method) that administers the same intensity of drug exposure with a simplified approach to product management in comparison to a published protocol (4-step 4-bag method). METHODS: The intensity of carboplatin administration for 1:1,000, 1:100, 1:10, and 1:1 dilutions and concomitant fluid administration were compared for the 4-step 2-bag (bags A, B) and 4-step 4-bag (bags 1, 2, 3, 4) methods. Pharmacy preparation of bags A and B is described. A succinct overview of the desensitization procedure is provided. Important considerations germane to pharmacy practice are presented. Chart review of patients who underwent carboplatin desensitization with the 4-step 2-bag method between 7/13/2021 and 11/22/2023 was performed to demonstrate institutional use. RESULTS: The 4-step 2-bag method delivers similar rates of drug intensity from start of desensitization to completion of the planned dose as the previously published 4-step 4-bag method. Accuracy of regimen-based dose administration is assured by infusion of bag B contents irrespective of infusion interruptions or rate changes necessitated by patient tolerance. Bag A provides the 1:1000 dilution in a pharmaceutically elegant manner using administration rates and volumes compatible with clinical practice. CONCLUSION: The 4-step 2-bag method for carboplatin desensitization administers controlled drug titration corresponding to 1:1000, 1:100, 1:10, and 1:1 dilutions for dose administration using two compounded admixture bags. Inaugural clinical use of the 4-step 2-bag method for carboplatin desensitization at our healthcare facility has proceeded with expected patient tolerance.

Reduced healthcare access contributes to delay of care in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize delays to care in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and the role healthcare access plays in these delays. METHODS: A chart review was performed of patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer who presented with postmenopausal bleeding at a diverse, urban medical center between 2006 and 2018. The time from symptom onset to treatment was abstracted from the medical record. This interval was subdivided to assess for delay to presentation, delay to diagnosis, and delay to treatment. RESULTS: We identified 484 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median time from symptom onset to treatment was 4 months with an interquartile range of 2 to 8 months. Most patients had stage I disease at diagnosis (88.6%). There was no significant difference in race/ethnicity or disease stage at time of diagnosis between different groups. Patients who had not seen a primary care physician or general obstetrician-gynecologist in the year before symptom onset were more likely to have significantly delayed care (27.7% vs 14.3%, p = 0.02) and extrauterine disease (20.2% vs 4.9%, p < 0.01) compared to those with established care. Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to experience significant delays from initial biopsy to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Delays exist in the evaluation of endometrial cancer. This delay is most pronounced in patients without an established outpatient primary care provider or obstetrician-gynecologist.

Delaying the Fellowship Start Date in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate residents planning fellowship, their preferences for fellowship start date, and the acceptability of resultant gaps in pay and insurance coverage. METHODS: A survey was conducted during the 2022 in-service training examination querying obstetrics and gynecology residents about their desire to pursue fellowship, their preferred fellowship start date (understanding the salary gap), and the acceptability of a medical insurance gap. RESULTS: Survey analysis of respondents planning to pursue fellowship demonstrated that, acknowledging the pay gap that would occur, 93.9% preferred a fellowship start date after July 1, with the majority (65.1%, 593/911) preferring an August 1 fellowship start date. Most respondents (87.7%, 798/910) found the potential resultant gap in medical insurance coverage acceptable. Survey data showed that racial and ethnic identity was not a determining factor in either of these issues. CONCLUSION: The majority of current residents planning to pursue fellowship prefer a delayed fellowship start date, even if it means a gap in salary and insurance coverage. The results of this study, requested by a specialty-wide, consensus-building workgroup, informed a statement signed by the majority (88.9%) of workgroup constituents supporting an August 1 clinical fellowship start date.

Direct oral anticoagulant (DOACs) prescribing practices of members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology.

BACKGROUND: Cancer associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as alternatives to injectable medications for both thromboprophylaxis and treatment of VTE. Several recent clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy of DOACs in high risk patients receiving systemic chemotherapy as well as postoperative prophylaxis after surgery for gynecologic cancer. Major consensus guidelines from multiple organizations support the use of DOACs for these indications but prescription practices are not well characterized. METHODS: A survey study was sent concurrently to members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Research Survey Pool between May and June of 2021. The study was designed to assess DOAC prescription practices amongst members of these societies who routinely prescribe chemotherapy. Bivariate analyses comparing responses from ASCO participants and SGO participants were compared using chi-squared and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: A total of 103 physicians were included in the ASCO group and 139 in the SGO group. A majority of participants in both groups reported familiarity with prescribing DOACs (99% of ASCO and 96% of SGO respondents). ASCO respondents were more likely to consider DOACs as first line therapy for treatment of cancer-associated VTE than SGO members (82% vs 63%, p < 0.01) and SGO members were more likely to consider low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) the standard of care treatment (66% vs 25% p < 0.01). Most respondents in both groups (75%) felt DOACs were equally safe and effective compared to LMWH but more ASCO members felt DOACs were cost effective (70% vs 49%, p < 0.01). More SGO respondents reported having prescribed prophylactic anticoagulation during chemotherapy than ASCO members (53% vs 35%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ASCO respondents were more likely to prescribe DOACs for both treatment and prophylaxis of cancer-associated VTE than SGO members. However, SGO members were more likely to prescribe prophylactic anticoagulation to high risk patients initiating chemotherapy compared to ASCO members.

Resident and program director confidence in resident preparedness for operative vaginal deliveries in Obstetrics and Gynecology Training Programs in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Operative vaginal delivery is used to expedite a safe vaginal delivery in the second stage of labor and is considered an essential part of residency training in obstetrics and gynecology. OBJECTIVE: To assess the self-reported readiness of obstetrics and gynecology residents in the United States to perform vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery and forceps-assisted vaginal delivery compared with the perceptions of program directors. STUDY DESIGN: The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology surveyed the residents in all US training programs about their readiness to perform forceps-assisted and vacuum-assisted deliveries. The program directors were simultaneously surveyed about the readiness of their cohort to perform operative deliveries with and without attending oversight. The primary outcome of the survey was the residents' self-reported confidence in their ability to autonomously and independently perform operative deliveries. RESULTS: Α total of 5084 out of 5514 (92.9%) resident physicians and 241 out of the 292 (83%) residency program directors completed the survey. Eighty-seven percent (95% confidence interval, 84.9-88.9) of the graduating residents reported feeling that they could autonomously perform a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, compared with 49.5% (95% confidence interval, 46.6-52.4) for forceps-assisted vaginal delivery (P<.01). Similarly, whereas 95.9% (95% confidence interval, 94.6-97.0) of the residents felt that they could confidently perform an emergency vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, only 42.3% (95% confidence interval, 39.4-45.2) felt confident performing an emergency forceps-assisted vaginal delivery (P<.01). The residency program directors significantly overestimated their residents' confidence in independently performing an emergency forceps-assisted vaginal delivery or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery than the residents themselves (54% [95% confidence interval, 47.1-60.5] vs 24% [95% confidence interval, 22.5-24.9] and 98.6% [95% confidence interval, 97.0-100] vs 71.9 [95% confidence interval, 70.6-73.2] respectively P<.01). Trainees in military-based residency programs and those interested in pursuing a career as generalists or maternal-fetal medicine specialists reported significantly higher preparedness to perform a forceps-assisted vaginal delivery. CONCLUSION: Graduating obstetrics and gynecology residents report feeling less prepared to independently perform a forceps-assisted vaginal delivery than a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery. The program directors had more confidence in the ability of their residents to perform an operative vaginal delivery than the residents themselves.

Characterization of the endometrial, cervicovaginal and anorectal microbiota in post-menopausal women with endometrioid and serous endometrial cancers.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the microbiota of postmenopausal women undergoing hysterectomy for endometrioid (EAC) or uterine serous cancers (USC) compared to controls with non-malignant conditions. METHODS: Endometrial, cervicovaginal and anorectal microbial swabs were obtained from 35 postmenopausal women (10 controls, 14 EAC and 11 USC) undergoing hysterectomy. Extracted DNA was PCR amplified using barcoded 16S rRNA gene V4 primers. Sequenced libraries were processed using QIIME2. Phyloseq was used to calculate α- and ß- diversity measures. Biomarkers associated with case status were identified using ANCOM after adjustment for patient age, race and BMI. PICRUSt was used to identify microbial pathways associated with case status. RESULTS: Beta-diversity of microbial communities across each niche was significantly different (R2 = 0.25, p < 0.001). Alpha-diversity of the uterine microbiome was reduced in USC (Chao1, p = 0.004 and Fisher, p = 0.007) compared to EAC. Biomarkers from the three anatomical sites allowed samples to be clustered into two distinct clades that distinguished controls from USC cases (p = 0.042). The USC group was defined by 13 bacterial taxa across the three sites (W-stat>10, FDR<0.05) including depletion of cervicovaginal Lactobacillus and elevation of uterine Pseudomonas. PICRUSTt analysis revealed highly significant differences between the USC-associated clades within the cervicovaginal and uterine microbiota. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial diversity of anatomic niches in postmenopausal women with EAC and USC is different compared to controls. Multiple bacteria are associated with USC case status including elevated levels of cervicovaginal Lactobacillus, depletion of uterine Pseudomonas, and substantially different functional potentials identified within cervicovaginal and uterine niches.

Residents' Confidence in Performing Robotic Hysterectomy in Obstetrics and Gynecologic Training Programs.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare residents' perceptions of readiness to perform robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy with the perceptions of residency program directors in obstetrics and gynecology programs throughout the United States. DESIGN: A survey was administered to all residents taking the 2019 Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Exam and concurrently to program directors in all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited training programs. SETTING: The survey was designed to assess resident confidence to perform robotic hysterectomies by the time of graduation. PATIENTS: No patients were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The only intervention was administration of the survey. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: De-identified survey data were analyzed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. A total of 5473 resident respondents and 241 residency program directors were included in the study. Fifty-two percent of graduating residents reported that they felt they were given surgical autonomy to perform robotic hysterectomies, and 53.7% reported that they could perform one independently (if it was an "emergency" and they had to). By the time of graduation, only 59% of residents reported confidence performing a robotic hysterectomy, and only 56% reported they felt that it would be an important procedure for their future career. Program directors were significantly more likely to report that their residents were given autonomy to perform robotic hysterectomy by graduation (61.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 54.3-67.3]), could perform a robotic hysterectomy independently (60.9% [95% CI, 53.9-67.6]), or could perform a robotic hysterectomy by graduation (70.2% [95% CI, 63.5-76.3]) than residents themselves (38.6% [95% CI, 37.2-40.0], 22.8% [95% CI, 21.6-24.0], 62.6% [95% CI, 61.2-64.0], respectively). CONCLUSION: At the time of graduation, residents' confidence in performing robotic hysterectomy independently is lower than their confidence in performing all other approaches to hysterectomy.

Surveying Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents About Their Residency Applications, Interviews, and Ranking.

BACKGROUND: Residency applications have increased in the last decade, creating growing challenges for applicants and programs. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated factors associated with application and match into obstetrics and gynecology residency. METHODS: During the annual in-training examination administered to all obstetrics and gynecology residents in the United States, residents were surveyed on the residency application process. RESULTS: Ninety-five percent (5094 of 5347) residents responded to the survey. Thirty-six percent reported applying to 30 or fewer programs, 26.7% applied to more than 31 programs, and 37.1% opted not to answer this question. Forty-nine percent of residents received honors in their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship and 37.1% did not. The majority of residents (88.6%) reported scoring between 200 and 250 on USMLE Step 1. Eighty-six percent matched into one of their top 5 programs. The only factor associated with matching in residents' top 5 programs was receiving honors in their clerkship (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.08-1.54; P < .005). The only factor associated with matching below the top 5 programs was a couples match (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.43-0.72; P < .001). In choosing where to apply, residents identified program location and reputation as the most important factors, while for ranking, location and residency culture were the most important. CONCLUSIONS: Most obstetrics and gynecology residents reported matching into their top 5 choices. Receiving an honors grade in the clerkship was the only factor associated with matching in applicants' top 5 programs. Location was the most important factor for applying to and ranking of programs.

Opioid prescription by gynecologic oncologists: An analysis of Medicare Part D claims.

The use of opioids across all specialties has increased greatly over the last 2 decades and along with it, opioid misuse, overdose and death. The contribution of opioids prescribed for gynecologic cancers to this problem is unknown. Data from other surgical specialties show prescriber factors including gender, geographic location, board certification, experience, and fellowship training influence opioid prescribing. To characterize national-level opioid prescription patterns among gynecologic oncologists treating Medicare beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database was used to access Medicare Part D opioid claims prescribed by gynecologic oncologists in 2016. Prescription and prescriber characteristics were recorded including medication type, prescription length, number of claims, and total day supply. Region of practice was determined according to the US Census Bureau Regions. Board certification data were obtained from American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology website. Bivariate statistical analysis and linear regression modeling were performed using Stata version 14.2. In 2016, 494 board-certified US gynecologic oncologists wrote 24,716 opioid prescriptions for a total 267,824 days of treatment (median 8 [interquartile range {IQR} 6, 11] prescribed days per claim). Gynecologic oncologists had a median of 33 opioid claims (IQR 18, 64). Male physicians had significantly more opioid prescription claims than females (P < 0.01) including after adjustment for differences in years of experience. There was no difference in prescribed days per claim between male and female physicians. Physicians in the South had the greatest number of opioid prescription claims and significantly more than physicians in all other regions (P < 0.01). Gynecologic oncologists who were board certified for >15 years had a greater number of median opioid claims (28 IQR 16, 50) than those with <5 years since board certification (22 IQR 15, 38) (P= 0.04). Physicians who were board certified in palliative care (n = 19) had significantly more opioids claims (median 40; IQR 18, 91) than those without (median 32; IQR 18, 64) (P< 0.01). In 2016, there were gender-based, regional, and experience-related variations in opioid prescribing by providers caring for Medicare-insured patients.

Direct oral anticoagulant use in gynecologic oncology: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Practice Statement.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in women with gynecologic malignancies. This practice statement provides clinical data and overall quality of evidence regarding the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in this patient population. Specifically, it reviews patient selection, safety measures, and nuances of perioperative use of these medications. The scope of this document is limited to DOAC use in gynecologic oncology rather than a broad discussion of VTE prophylaxis and management in general. The following recommendations and examination of extant data are based on DOAC trials conducted primarily in mixed populations with different cancer subtypes. Many of these trials include few, or no, women with gynecologic cancer. However, because there is very limited data in gynecologic cancer-specific populations, the results of these studies represent the best available evidence to support treatment recommendations in our patients. The members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Clinical Practice Committee believe that the results of these studies may be extrapolated, with caution, to VTE treatment and prophylaxis for patients with gynecologic cancer.

Utility of a custom designed next generation DNA sequencing gene panel to molecularly classify endometrial cancers according to The Cancer Genome Atlas subgroups.

BACKGROUND: The Cancer Genome Atlas identified four molecular subgroups of endometrial cancer with survival differences based on whole genome, transcriptomic, and proteomic characterization. Clinically accessible algorithms that reproduce this data are needed. Our aim was to determine if targeted sequencing alone allowed for molecular classification of endometrial cancer. METHODS: Using a custom-designed 156 gene panel, we analyzed 47 endometrial cancers and matching non-tumor tissue. Variants were annotated for pathogenicity and medical records were reviewed for the clinicopathologic variables. Using molecular characteristics, tumors were classified into four subgroups. Group 1 included patients with > 570 unfiltered somatic variants, > 9 cytosine to adenine nucleotide substitutions per sample, and < 1 cytosine to guanine nucleotide substitution per sample. Group 2 included patients with any somatic mutation in MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, PMS2. Group 3 included patients with TP53 mutations without mutation in mismatch repair genes. Remaining patients were classified as group 4. Analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, USA). RESULTS: Endometrioid endometrial cancers had more candidate variants of potential pathogenic interest (median 6 IQR 4.13 vs. 2 IQR 2.3; p < 0.01) than uterine serous cancers. PTEN (82% vs. 15%, p < 0.01) and PIK3CA (74% vs. 23%, p < 0.01) mutations were more frequent in endometrioid than serous carcinomas. TP53 (18% vs. 77%, p < 0.01) mutations were more frequent in serous carcinomas. Visual inspection of the number of unfiltered somatic variants per sample identified six grade 3 endometrioid samples with high tumor mutational burden, all of which demonstrated POLE mutations, most commonly P286R and V411L. Of the grade 3 endometrioid carcinomas, those with POLE mutations were less likely to have risk factors necessitating adjuvant treatment than those with low tumor mutational burden. Targeted sequencing was unable to assign samples to microsatellite unstable, copy number low, and copy number high subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted sequencing can predict the presence of POLE mutations based on the tumor mutational burden. However, targeted sequencing alone is inadequate to classify endometrial cancers into molecular subgroups identified by The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Low molecular weight serum cell-free DNA concentration is associated with clinicopathologic indices of poor prognosis in women with uterine cancer.

BACKGROUND: Serum cell-free DNA (cfDNA) holds promise as a non-invasive cancer biomarker. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of cfDNA concentration with clinicopathologic variables of poor prognosis and overall survival among women with uterine cancer compared to benign cancer-free controls. METHODS: cfDNA was extracted from the serum of 91 women with multiple uterine cancer histologies and 22 post-menopausal controls without cancer. Low molecular weight (LMW) cfDNA was separated from contaminating genomic high molecular weight cfDNA using paramagnetic bead purification and its concentration was measured using fluorometric quantification. Clinicopathologic data was abstracted from the electronic medical record. The association between serum cfDNA concentration, clinicopathologic variables, and overall survival was assessed using linear regression modelling, Cox proportional hazards modelling, and the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Median total serum cfDNA concentration for the cohort was 69.2 ng/mL (IQR 37.4, 132.3) and median LMW cfDNA concentration was 23.8 ng/mL (IQR 14.9, 44.4). There were no significant differences in total serum cfDNA concentration with any clinicopathologic variables. However, LMW cfDNA concentration was significantly higher in serum of women with cancer (25.8 ng/mL IQR 16.0, 49.6) compared to benign controls (15.5 ng/mL IQR 9.3, 25.8 ng/mL) (p < 0.01). It is also significantly higher among women with early stage cancer than benign controls (p < 0.01). There were also significant associations between LMW cfDNA concentration and stage of cancer (p = 0.01) and histology (p = 0.02). Patients with leiomyosarcoma and carcinosarcoma had higher cfDNA concentrations than those with endometrioid cancer. Over a median follow-up of 51.9 months, 75th percentile for overall survival for women with cancer was 24.0 months. Higher LMW cfDNA concentrations is associated with lower survival among women with cancer (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum LMW cfDNA concentration is associated with overall survival in women with uterine cancer, and it is higher among women with uterine cancer compared to those of controls.

Resident and Program Director Confidence in Resident Surgical Preparedness in Obstetrics and Gynecologic Training Programs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess self-reported readiness of U.S. obstetrics and gynecology residents to perform surgical procedures compared with the perceptions of their program directors. METHODS: The 2019 Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Survey assessed resident self-confidence and perceived readiness to independently perform common surgical procedures. Concurrently, obstetrics and gynecology residency program directors were surveyed about the readiness of their graduating residents to independently perform the same procedures. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 99.3% for residents (5,473/5,514 examinees attempted to complete the survey) and 83% for program directors (241/292 returned surveys). There were no significant differences in graduating residents and program directors' assessments of graduating residents' surgical confidence in performing cesarean delivery (99.6% [95% CI 98.9-99.9] vs 100% [95% CI 98.2-100.0]), vacuum delivery (96.5% [95% CI 95.2-97.4] vs 98.6% [95% CI 95.9-99.7]), abdominal hysterectomy (95.1% [95% CI 93.6-96.2] vs 96.7% [95% CI 93.3-98.7]) or operative hysteroscopy (99.5% [95% CI 98.9-99.9] vs 100% [95% CI 98.2-100.0]). Ninety percent, 86%, and 69% of graduating residents felt that they could independently perform an abdominal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, and vaginal hysterectomy, respectively, in the event of an emergency. Ninety-seven percent (95% CI 93.3-98.7) of program directors reported their residents could perform a laparoscopic hysterectomy by graduation, as did 93% of graduating resident respondents (95% CI 90.8-94.0). Ninety percent (95% CI 85.3-93.8) of program directors felt their residents could perform vaginal hysterectomies by graduation, compared with 79% (95% CI 76.9-81.8) of fourth-year residents. CONCLUSION: Graduating obstetrics and gynecology residents and their program directors are confident in their abilities to perform the majority of core surgical procedures by graduation. By the second year, more than 90% of residents and their program directors were confident in their ability to perform cesarean deliveries and operative hysteroscopy. Sixty-nine percent and 86% of graduating residents felt comfortable performing vaginal and laparoscopic hysterectomies, respectively.

Hysterectomy Route and Numbers Reported by Graduating Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology Training Programs.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize trends in self-reported numbers and routes of hysterectomy for obstetrics and gynecology residents using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log database. METHODS: Hysterectomy case log data for obstetrics and gynecology residents completing training between 2002-2003 and 2017-2018 were abstracted from the ACGME database. Total numbers of hysterectomies and modes of approach (abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal) were compared using bivariate statistics, and trends over time were analyzed using simple linear regression. RESULTS: Hysterectomy data were collected from 18,982 obstetrics and gynecology residents in a median of 243 (interquartile range 241-246) ACGME-accredited programs. The number of graduating residents increased significantly over time (12.1/year, P<.001), whereas the number of residency programs decreased significantly (0.52 fewer programs per year, P<.001) over the 16-year period. For cases logged as "surgeon," the median number of abdominal hysterectomies decreased by 56.5% from 85 (interquartile range 69-102) to 37 (interquartile range 34-43) (P<.001). The median number of vaginal hysterectomies decreased by 35.5% from 31 (interquartile range 24-39) to 20 (interquartile range 17-25) (P=.002). The median total number of hysterectomies per resident decreased by 6.3% from 112 (interquartile range 97-132) to 105 (interquartile range 92-121) (P=.036). In contrast, the median number of laparoscopic hysterectomies increased by 115% from 20 (interquartile range 13-28) in 2008-2009 to 43 (interquartile range 32-56) in 2017-2018, despite the decrease in overall number of hysterectomies (P<.001). These trends were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The total number of hysterectomies performed by obstetrics and gynecology residents in the United States is decreasing, and the routes are changing with decreases in abdominal and vaginal approaches, and an increase in use of laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Necessity of routine cardiac evaluation in patients receiving pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for gynecologic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has similar reported clinical efficacy compared with conventional doxorubicin with less cardiotoxicity. The manufacturer of PLD advises that cardiac function should be evaluated with endomyocardial biopsy, echocardiography or multigated radionucleotide scan (MUGA) pre-treatment and during therapy. This study was designed to assess the necessity of pre-treatment cardiac evaluation in patients receiving PLD. METHODS: After IRB approval, a retrospective study of all women with gynecologic cancer who received PLD from 2006 to 2018 was performed. Demographic information, treatment records, cardiac risk factors, and cardiac surveillance testing were examined. Wilcoxon signed rank sum test and logistic regression were used to evaluate the association of cumulative PLD exposure with cardiotoxicity. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients received PLD for gynecologic cancer. Patients received a median of 3 cycles of PLD with a cumulative dosage of 237 mg over a median follow-up time of 24 months. Sixteen patients in the cohort (7%) had no cardiac surveillance at all. Of the remaining patients who underwent cardiac testing, 183 (84%) received MUGA scans and 36 (16%) had echocardiography. Of the 56 patients who had both pre- and post-treatment cardiac testing, there was no significant difference in median ejection fraction (p = 0.17). Three patients developed PLD-associated cardiac toxicity but only one patient had severe manifestations requiring discontinuation of PLD therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Routine cardiac testing before, during or after treatment with PLD may be unnecessary. Cardiac testing may be more appropriate for individual patients for whom the clinical suspicion of PLD-related cardiac toxicity is high.

Readability assessment of online gynecologic oncology patient education materials from major governmental, non-profit and pharmaceutical organizations.

OBJECTIVE: Patients are increasingly using online materials to learn about gynecologic cancer. Providers can refer patients to online educational materials produced by a number of different major medical organizations and pharmacology companies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Medical Association (AMA) recommend that patient educational materials (PEMs) are written between a sixth and eighth grade reading level. In this study, we assess the readability of online PEMs published by major medical organizations and industry partners. METHODS: Websites from twelve websites providing educational materials for gynecologic oncology patients were surveyed. Online PEMs were identified and analyzed using seven validated readability indices. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc analysis were performed to detect differences in readability between publishers. RESULTS: Two-hundred and sixty PEMs were included in this analysis. Overall, PEMs were written at a mean 11th±0.6 grade reading level. Only 6.5% of articles were written at the AMA/NIH recommended reading grade level of 6th to 8th grade or below. ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference in readability between publishing associations (p<0.01). PEMs from the Centers for Disease Control had a mean 9th±1.2 grade reading level and were significantly lower than all other organizations. PEMs from The Foundation for Women's Cancer had a mean 13th±1.8 grade reading level and were significantly higher than most other organizations. PEMs from pharmaceutical companies (mean readability=10.1±1.1, N=30) required the lowest reading grade level and were significantly more readable than those from governmental organizations (11.1±1.7, p<0.05) and nonprofit medical associations (12.4±1.7, p<0.01) in ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer post hoc analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Gynecologic oncology PEMs available from twelve major organization websites are written well above the recommended sixth to eighth grade reading difficulty level.

Blastic variant of plasma cell myeloma mimicking squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix in a super-morbidly obese female.

•Plasmablastic plasma cell myelomas of the cervix can mimic the more common cervical squamous cell carcinoma.•It can be difficult to differentiate plasmablastic lymphoma of the cervix from cervical plasmablastic plasma cell myeloma.•The clinician must rely on clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings to diagnose genital plasma cell myeloma.•Prompt diagnosis of this rare clinical condition can potentially allow timely treatment with systemic chemotherapy.