Revisiting Querleu-Morrow Radical Hysterectomy: How to Apply the Anatomy of Parametrium and Pelvic Autonomic Nerves to Cervical Cancer Surgery?

In 2008, Querleu and Morrow proposed a novel classification of radical hysterectomy, which was quickly accepted by the professional oncogynecological community. The Querleu and Morrow (Q-M) classification of radical hysterectomy has provided a unique opportunity for uniform surgical and anatomical terminology. The classification offers detailed explanations of anatomical landmarks and resection margins for the three parametria of the uterus. However, there are still some disagreements and misconceptions regarding the terminology and anatomical landmarks of the Q-M classification. This article aims to highlight the surgical anatomy of all radical hysterectomy types within the Q-M classification. It discusses and illustrates the importance of anatomical landmarks for defining resection margins of the Q-M classification and reviews the differences between Q-M and other radical hysterectomy classifications. Additionally, we propose an update of the Q-M classification, which includes the implementation of parauterine lymphovascular tissue, paracervical lymph node dissection, and Selective-Systematic Nerve-Sparing type C2 radical hysterectomy. Type D was modified according to current guidelines for the management of patients with cervical cancer. The detailed explanation of the surgical anatomy of radical hysterectomy and the proposed update may help achieve surgical harmonization and precise standardization among oncogynecologists, which can further facilitate accurate and comparable results of multi-institutional surgical clinical trials.

Comedo-like growth pattern in invasive early-stage cervical cancer: A new feature related to parametrial involvement.

INTRODUCTION: The standard surgical treatment for early-stage cervical cancer includes hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy along the removal of parametrial tissue to achieve surgical radicality. However, in recent years, the role of simple hysterectomy for cervical cancer with favorable prognostic characteristics has been re-evaluated. One of the challenges in early-stage cervical cancer is identifying predictive factors for neoplastic parametrial infiltration and lymph node metastases that cannot be detected during the preoperative assessment. We hypothesized that histological tumor growth patterns may be associated with these features and could thus be useful for the management of apparent early-stage cervical cancer. METHOD: We identified 3 different histological patterns: the comedo-like, the infiltrative, and the expansive. We analyzed a series of clinic-pathological characteristics to determine the association of eachpatternwith aggressive features. Furthermore, we estimated odd ratios (ORs) in univariate and multivariate analyses for parametrial infiltration and lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: We found that comedo-like pattern is associated to advanced FIGO stages, larger tumor size, lymphovascular space invasion, deeper invasion depth, parametrium involvement, and lymph node metastases. By univariate analysis, comedo-like pattern was statistically associated with both parametrial involvement (OR: 19.3, CI 5.47-68.6, p-value = < 0.001) and lymph node metastases (OR: 4.98, CI 1.71-14.5, p-value = 0.003). By multivariate analysis, the association between comedo-like pattern and parametrial involvement was confirmed (OR: 8.76, CI 2.34-32.75, p-value = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The specific growth pattern of cervical cancer, assessed in a conization specimen before hysterectomy, can be useful to tailor surgical radicality.

"From the tip to the deep of the iceberg": Parametrial involvement in endometriosis.

Deep endometriosis (DE) can be localized in the parametrium, a complex bilateral anatomical structure, sometimes necessitating intricate surgical intervention due to the potential involvement of autonomic nerves, uterine artery, and ureter. If endometriotic ovarian cysts have been considered metaphorically representative of "the tip of the iceberg" concerning concealed DE lesions, it is reasonable to assert that parametrial lesions should be construed as the most profound region of this iceberg. Also, based on a subdual clinical presentation, a comprehensive diagnostic parametrial evaluation becomes imperative to strategize optimal management for patients with suspected DE. Recently, the ULTRAPARAMETRENDO studies aimed to evaluate the role of transvaginal ultrasound for parametrial endometriosis, showing distinctive features, such as a mild hypoechoic appearance, starry morphology, irregular margins, and limited vascularization. The impact of medical therapy on parametrial lesions has not been described in the current literature, primarily due to the lack of adequate detection at imaging. The extension of DE into the parametrium poses significant challenges during the surgical approach, thereby increasing the risk of intra- and postoperative complications, mainly if performed by centers with low expertise and following multiple surgical procedures where parametrial involvement has gone unrecognized. Over time, the principles of nerve-sparing surgery have been incorporated into the surgical DE treatment to minimize iatrogenic damage and potentially reduce the risk of functional complications.

Laparoscopic Eradication of Deep Endometriosis With Segmental Rectosigmoid Resection and Bilateral Posterior Parametrectomy With Nerve-sparing "Touchless" Technique According to the "Negrar Method".

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate nerve-sparing laparoscopic eradication of deep endometriosis with rectal and parametrial resection based on the Negrar method [1] using the "touchless" technique. DESIGN: Stepwise video case demonstration with narration. SETTING: Tertiary level endometriosis unit. The patient was a 28 year-old nulliparous patient referred for surgery with persistent dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and dyschezia despite medical management (progestin-containing hormonal pills). Preoperative ultrasound demonstrated bilateral endometriomas, diffuse adenomyosis, and 35 mm × 17 mm stenosing rectal nodule. Histopathology confirmed 60% stenosis of the rectum secondary to the endometriotic nodule up to submucosal layer with margins free of endometriosis. She was discharged 7 days postoperatively with no postoperative complications. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic nerve-sparing eradication of deep endometriosis with segmental rectosigmoid resection and bilateral posterior parametrectomy [2] according to the "Negrar method" with nerve-sparing "touchless" technique, sliding the nerve bundles laterocaudally, and keeping intact the visceral pelvic fascia covering them, thus without direct contact with the nerves. CONCLUSION: In our experience, based on more than 3000 of these procedures [3], this nerve-sparing procedure, based on identifying the nerves and their laterocaudad dissection, without a direct impact on their fibers but just on their fascial envelopes has proven successful in lowering the rates of postoperative dysfunctions and neural impairment related to neuro-apraxia and edema that occurs by directly affecting them [1]. Although there are no robust data to demonstrate benefit of "touchless" nerve-sparing dissection techniques, neuro-apraxia from compression of neural fibers that has been observed can be minimized [1,4,5].

A new knotless parametrial tissue ligation technique for safe total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Parametrial tissue ligation during total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) is important in large uteri with large vessels. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed at Asan Medical Center for comparing TLH performed with a new knotless parametrial tissue ligation method and conventional laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) from March 2019 to August 2021. For TLH, after anterior colpotomy, the parametrial tissue was ligated by anchoring the suture and making a loop in one direction three times using 1-0 V-LocTM 180 (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) suture. Subsequently, the cranial part of the loop was cut using an endoscopic device. RESULTS: A total of 119 and 178 patients were included in the TLH and LAVH groups, respectively. The maximal diameter of the uterus was larger in the TLH group (106.29±27.16 cm) than in the LAVH group (99.00±18.92 cm, P=0.01). The change in hemoglobin (Hb) level was greater in the LAVH group than in the TLH group (P<0.001). The weight of the removed uterus was greater in the TLH group than in the LAVH group (431.95±394.97 vs. 354.94±209.52 g; P=0.03). However, when the uterine weight was >1,000 g, the operative times and change in Hb levels were similar between the two groups. In both groups, no ureteral complications occurred during or after surgery. CONCLUSION: Knotless parametrial tissue ligation using 1-0 V-LocTM 180 suture in TLH can be safely applied, even in cases with large uteri, without increased risks of ureteral injury or uterine bleeding.

Radical Hysterectomy or Total Mesometrial Resection-Two Anatomical Concepts for Surgical Treatment of Cancer of the Uterine Cervix.

A radical hysterectomy is the standard method of surgical treatment for patients with early-stage cancer of the uterine cervix. It was first introduced more than 100 years ago. Since then, various and many different radical procedures, which diverge in terms of radicality, have been described. Inconsistencies are clearly seen in practical anatomy, which were defined as surgically created artifacts. Moreover, the disparity of the procedure is most notable regarding the terminology of pelvic connective tissues and spaces. Despite these controversies, the procedure is widely performed and implemented in the majority of guidelines for the surgical treatment of cancer of the uterine cervix. However, a different and unique concept of surgical treatment of cervical cancer has been reported. It is based on ontogenetic anatomy and maps any tissue in the mature organism according to its embryologic development. The clinical implementation of this theory in the context of early cervical cancer is total mesometrial resection. The present article aims to describe and compare the anatomical and surgical basics of a radical hysterectomy (type C1/C2) and total mesometrial resection. Discrepancies regarding the terminology, resection lines, and surgical planes of both procedures are highlighted in detail. The surgical anatomy of the pelvic autonomic nerves and its surgical dissection is also delineated. This is the first article that compares the discrepancy of classic anatomy and ontogenic anatomy regarding surgical treatment of cancer of the uterine cervix. Clinical data, oncological outcome, and neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment regarding both procedures are not the topic of the present article.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Pre-Operative Staging of Cervical Cancer Patients Who Underwent Neoadjuvant Treatment: A Clinical-Surgical-Pathologic Comparison.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been proven to ensure high diagnostic accuracy in the identification of vaginal, parametrial, and lymph node involvement in patients affected by cervical cancer (CC), thus playing a crucial role in the preoperative staging of the disease. This study aims to compare the accuracy of MRI for the preoperative staging of patients with CC who underwent neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) or direct surgery. Retrospective data analysis of 126 patients with primary CC International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB3-IIB who underwent NAT before radical surgery (NAT group = 94) or received surgical treatment alone (control arm = 32) was prospectively performed. All enrolled patients were clinically assessed with both a pelvic examination and MRI before surgical treatment. Data from the clinical examination were compared with the histopathological findings to assess the accuracy of MRI for staging purposes after NAT or before direct surgery. MRI showed an overall accuracy of 46.1%, proving it to be not superior to pelvic and physical examination. The overall MRI accuracy for the evaluation of parametrial, vaginal, and lymph node status was 65.8%, 79.4%, and 79.4%, respectively. In the NAT group, the accuracy for the detection of parametrial, lymph node, and vaginal involvement was lower than the control group; however, the difference was not significant (p ≥ 0.05). The overall accuracy of MRI for the preoperative staging of CC after NAT is shown to be not unsatisfactory. The limits of MRI staging are especially evident when dealing with pre-treated patients.

Ultrastaging of the Parametrium in Cervical Cancer: A Clinicopathological Study.

Occult parametrial involvement in apparent early-stage cervical cancer might be overlooked with standard pathologic assessment. The primary endpoint of the present study was to assess the rate of positive parametrial lymph nodes and of microscopic continuous or discontinuous parametrial involvement. This is a retrospective, single-center, observational study including patients with FIGO 2018 stage IA1-IIA1 and IIIC1p in whom bilateral sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection and ultrastaging of SLN were performed according to institutional protocol, with surgery as primary treatment performed between May 2017 and February 2021, as well as type B2/C1/C2 (Querleu-Morrow) radical hysterectomy and usual histology (squamous cell, adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma). Thirty-one patients were included in the study period. Six (18.7%) patients had metastatic lymph nodes, of whom four had only SLN metastasis (two cases of ITC, one case of micrometastasis and one case of macrometastasis). We found a macroscopic deposit of cancer cells in the parametrial lymph node of one patient (3.1%). There was a positive statistical correlation between the incidence of parametrial lymph node involvement and the metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (p = 0.038). When performed per patient, the sensitivity, negative predictive value and accuracy of parametrial lymph node involvement in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis were 16.7%, 83.3% and 83.9%, respectively. Ultrastaging of parametrial tissue did not identify any occult continuous or discontinuous parametrial metastasis. In conclusion, the incidence of lymph node parametrial involvement in a retrospective series of early-stage cervical cancer was 3.1% of all included patients. Lymph node involvement of the parametrium was associated with lymph node metastasis. The sensitivity of parametrial lymph node involvement to predict pelvic lymph node metastasis was low. The lack of parametrial involvement revealed by parametrial ultrastaging could be related to the number of patients with tumors with a pathologic diameter < 2 cm (54.8%). Further prospective studies are needed to analyze the role of parametrial ultrastaging in early-stage cervical cancer and to assess whether it can be considered the "sentinel" of the sentinel lymph node.

Management of a Large Endometriotic Nodule of the Right Parametrium Involving the Sacral Roots, Vagina, Rectum, and Sigmoid Colon, with Intraoperative Bleeding.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Deep endometriotic lesions may involve the deep parametrium, which is highly vascular and includes numerous somatic and autonomous nerves [1,2]. Surgeons who dissect in this area must always be prepared to deal with major bleeding and to master the different techniques of hemostasis. The goal of this video is to show the steps of laparoscopic excision of deep endometriotic lesion of the parametrium and the steps taken to control the bleeding encountered from one of the venous branches. DESIGN: Surgical educational video. SETTING: Endometriosis referral center. INTERVENTIONS: Excision of the endometriotic parametrial nodule and the release of the sacral plexus, with excision of the vaginal involvement, rectal disc excision, and segmental resection of the sigmoid colon. The video shows the excision of a deep endometriosis involving the right parametrium, mid rectum, sigmoid colon, and vagina. The excision of deep endometriosis of the parametrium followed the 10 steps previously described [1]. During this procedure, careful dissection of arteries and veins branching from the internal iliac vessels is a crucial step. However, injury of one or more of the vessels can still occur. The video presents the different techniques used to control the bleeding from a venous injury faced during the dissection around the nodule in the parametrium, including energy use, clips, hem-o-loks, and direct continuous pressure. Of note, hemostatic agents are available; however, we have not yet successfully used them in the circumstances in which large veins were injured. The ultimate solution in our case was the clamping of the injured vessels, allowing meticulous dissection and sectioning of all the feeding vessels, while taking care not to injure the sacral roots that were just beneath these veins. Total operative time was 4 hours. CONCLUSION: Surgery of deep endometriosis involving the sacral plexus may be successfully done laparoscopically. Thorough knowledge of the deep pelvis anatomy is mandatory, and the surgeon should master various techniques of hemostasis, particularly on deep veins.

Ultrasound Evaluation of Retrocervical and Parametrial Deep Endometriosis on the Basis of Surgical Anatomic Landmarks.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of combined transvaginal/transabdominal ultrasonographic evaluation performed by experienced examiners for deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) lesions of the retrocervical (torus uterinus and uterosacral ligaments) and parametrial areas and summarize the features and anatomic criteria for identification of these lesions and their extent in the above-mentioned pelvic compartments. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: A specialized endometriosis center in Avellino, Italy. PATIENTS: A retrospective cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for clinically suspected DIE between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018, with a dedicated ultrasound (US) evaluation performed no more than 1 month before the intervention. INTERVENTIONS: Preoperative US findings and surgical reports were reviewed. Using the findings of laparoscopic surgery as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative US evaluation for retrocervical and parametrial endometriotic lesions were calculated with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 4983 patients were included. US evaluation showed high diagnostic accuracy for DIE detection in the examined pelvic compartments, with sensitivity and specificity of 97% to 98% and 98% to 100%, respectively, for both retrocervical (torus uterinus and uterosacral ligaments insertion) and parametrial lesions. CONCLUSION: Parametrial extension of DIE indicates major surgical technical difficulties and risk of complications, and urologic and nerve-sparing procedures may be required in such cases. Preoperative evaluation of such scenarios will allow proper counseling of patients and facilitate adequate surgical planning in referral centers; moreover, when necessary, it can guide the constitution of a dedicated multidisciplinary surgical team as an alternative to treatment by a pelvic surgeon alone. Detailed imaging evaluation of DIE lesions and their extension is crucial for clinical management of affected patients. It can facilitate optimization of surgical timing and strategies, thereby potentially preventing ineffective, or even harmful, repeated procedures.

"The Sword in the Stone": radical excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis with bowel shaving-a single-centre experience on 703 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic segmental bowel resection, disc excision and rectal shaving are described as surgical options for the treatment of bowel endometriosis, but the gold standard has not yet established. The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of the laparoscopic bowel shaving technique in terms of pain symptomatology and to analyse early and late postoperative complications. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of a series of 703 consecutive patients treated between January 2014 and December 2019 in a tertiary care referral centre. All patients underwent laparoscopic bowel shaving with concomitant radical excision of DIE. RESULTS: Bilateral posterolateral parametrectomy and ureterolysis were performed, respectively, in 314 (44.7%) and 318 cases (45.2%). A radical hysterectomy was performed in 107 cases (82.9%). Postoperative complications were infrequent: 17 patients required a reoperation (2.4%) and in this subgroup we registered 2 rectovaginal fistulas (0.3%), 4 patients received blood transfusion (0.6%), 12 patients (1.7%) experienced postoperative fever, 6 patients experienced impaired bladder voiding (0.9%) after 6 months. Median follow-up was 14 months. The study reported good clinical and surgical results, with a regression of symptoms (p < 0.0001) and an overall rate of recurrence of 6.5%. Clinical and instrumental criteria of bowel endometriosis relapse were exclusively detected in 5 patients (0.8%). Eleven patients (1.7%) with relapsed endometriosis were reoperated. CONCLUSIONS: Bowel shaving is a feasible and valuable surgical procedure. It is only the last step of a complex surgery which is aimed to minimize the residual quote of infiltrating nodule and requires a multidisciplinary team to achieve optimal treatment preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively.

Utility of Whole Body 18F-FDG PET/CT in Comparison to Pelvic MRI in Evaluation of Local Staging of Early-Stage Carcinoma Cervix.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective comparative study aimed to investigate the applied value of whole body 2-deoxy-2[fluorine-18]fluoro- D-glucose positron emission tomography integrated with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in comparison to pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early cervical cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 47 clinically early-stage cervical cancer patients evaluated with positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and MRI before surgery. The final postoperative histopathology report served as the reference standard. Both PET/CT and MRI images were analyzed and correlated with histopathologic findings concerning parametrial and lymph node involvement. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value (NPV) of PET/CT were 33.3%, 81.8%, and 94.7%, respectively, for parametrium assessment. And the corresponding values of pelvic MRI were 33.3%, 63.6%, and 93.3%, respectively (PET/CT versus MRI, p > 0.05). The positive predictive value (PPV) of PET/CT (11.1%) was higher than MRI (5.9%) for parametrial assessment (p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of PET/CT were 75%, 83.7%, 30%, and 97.3%, respectively, for lymph node assessment. And the corresponding values of MRI were 75%, 81.3%, 27.3%, and 97.2%, respectively (PET/CT versus MRI, p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between MRI and PET/CT concerning stage migration (p = 0.4276). CONCLUSION: The PET/CT had no additional utility (compared to MRI) in the evaluation of local staging of clinically early cervical carcinoma patients.

Accuracy of Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Preoperative Staging of Cervical Cancer-Analysis of Patients from the Prospective Study on Total Mesometrial Resection.

We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography with gynecologic examination performed by a gynecological oncologist and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interpreted by a radiologist for the local and regional staging of patients with early-stage cervical cancer. The study was a single-site sub-analysis of the multi-institutional prospective, observational Total Mesometrial Resection (TMMR) Register Study, which included all consecutive study patients from Gdynia Oncology Center. Imaging results were compared with pathology findings. A total of 58 consecutive patients were enrolled, and 50 underwent both ultrasonography and MRI. The accuracy of tumor detection and measurement errors was comparable across ultrasonography and MRI. There were no significant differences between ultrasonography and MRI in the accuracy of detecting parametrial involvement (92%, confidence interval (CI) 84-100% vs. 76%, CI 64-88%, p = 0.3), uterine corpus infiltration (94%, CI 87-100% vs. 86%, CI 76-96%, p = 0.3), and vaginal fornix involvement (96%, CI 91-100% vs. 76%, CI 64-88%, p = 0.3). The importance of uterine corpus involvement for the first-line lymph node metastases was presented in few cases. The accuracy of ultrasonography was higher than MRI for correctly predicting tumor stage: International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)-2018: 69%, CI 57-81% vs. 42%, CI 28-56%, p = 0.002, T (from TNM system): 79%, CI 69-90% vs. 52%, CI 38-66%, p = 0.0005, and ontogenetic tumor staging: 88%, CI 80-96% vs. 70%, CI 57-83%, p = 0.005. For patients with cervical cancer who are eligible for TMMR and therapeutic lymphadenectomy, the accuracy of ultrasonography performed by gynecological oncologists is not inferior to that of MRI interpreted by a radiologist for assessing specific local parameters, and is more accurate for local staging of the disease and is thus more clinically useful for planning adequate surgical treatment.

Diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal sonography for detecting parametrial involvement in women with deep endometriosis: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for detecting parametrial deep endometriosis, using laparoscopy as the reference standard. METHODS: A search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE and Web of Science for studies evaluating TVS for detecting parametrial involvement in women with suspected deep endometriosis, as compared with laparoscopy, from January 2000 to December 2020. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios for TVS in the detection of parametrial deep endometriosis were calculated, and the post-test probability of parametrial deep endometriosis following a positive or negative test was determined. RESULTS: The search identified 134 citations. Four studies, comprising 560 patients, were included in the analysis. The mean prevalence of parametrial deep endometriosis at surgery was 18%. Overall, the pooled estimated sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios of TVS in the detection of parametrial deep endometriosis were 31% (95% CI, 10-64%), 98% (95% CI, 95-99%), 18.5 (95% CI, 8.8-38.9) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.46-1.06), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio was 26 (95% CI, 10-68). Heterogeneity was high. Visualization of a lesion suspected to be parametrial deep endometriosis on TVS increased significantly the post-test probability of parametrial deep endometriosis. CONCLUSION: TVS has high specificity but low sensitivity for the detection of parametrial deep endometriosis. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A New Anatomic and Staging-Oriented Classification of Radical Hysterectomy.

The current understanding of radical hysterectomy more is centered on the uterus and little is being discussed about the resection of the vaginal cuff and the paracolpium as an essential part of this procedure. This is because that the current classifications of radical hysterectomy are based only on the lateral extent of resection. This way is easier to be understood but does not reflect the anatomical and surgical conception of radical hysterectomy and the three-dimensional ways of tumour spreading, neither meet the need of adjusting the radicality according to the different stages of FIGO classification, which depends-at least in the early stages-on the tumour volume and the infiltration in the vagina (but not on the directly spread in the parametrium). The new classification presented in this paper does not base anymore on the lateral extent of resection only but too on the depth of resection in the small pelvic and the extent of the resected vaginal vault without or with its three-dimensional paracolpium. This classification takes into account the tumour size, stage, localization and infiltration in the vaginal vault and may offer the optimal tool to adjust and tailor the surgery according to these important variables.

Venezia applicator with oblique needles improves clinical target volume coverage in distal parametrial tumor residue compared to parallel needles only.

PURPOSE: Residual distal parametrial involvement after radiochemotherapy is a true challenge for brachytherapists since the width and asymmetry of high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) are difficult to cover properly with a standard implant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dosimetric plans of five patients treated with Venezia advanced gynecological applicator at our institution were reviewed. For each patient, we compared the original plan with a new plan where oblique needles were removed and re-optimized manually. Optimization process was halted when EQD210 D90 HR-CTV reached 90 Gy, when one hard constraint to organs at risk (OARs) was reached according to the EMBRACE II protocol, or when dose-rate of one of OARs exceeded 0.6 Gy/h. RESULTS: Tumors were large; median HR-CTV volume was 64 cc and median distance between tandem and outer contour of HR-CTV was 40 mm. For the five patients, HR-CTV EQD210 D90 was superior in the plan using oblique needles, with a median difference of 6.5 Gy (range, 1.7-8.5 Gy). Median D90 HR-CTV and intermediate-risk CTV (IR-CTV) were significantly increased with oblique needles: 85.9 Gy (range, 83.2-90.3 Gy) vs. 81.5 Gy (range, 77.4-84 Gy), and 68.7 Gy (range, 66.3-72.3 Gy) vs. 67 Gy (range, 64.3-69.1 Gy), p = 0.006 for both. There were no significant differences in the dose to OARs. Plans with only parallel needles had less favorable dose distribution, with cold spots on the outer parametria and higher vaginal activation to compensate parametrial coverage in its inferior part. CONCLUSIONS: VeneziaTM applicator permits reproducible application to increase CTV coverage in patients with distal parametrial tumor residue during brachytherapy, while maintaining acceptable dose to OARs.

Excision of deep endometriosis nodules of the parametrium and sacral roots in 10 steps.

OBJECTIVE: To present 10 consecutive, standardized, and reproducible surgical steps allowing complete excision of deep endometriosis nodules infiltrating the parametrium and sacral roots. DESIGN: Surgical video presenting the 10 surgical steps. Local institutional review board approval was not required for this video article, because the video describes a technique and the patient cannot be identified whatsoever. SETTING: Endometriosis Center. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing excision of deep endometriosis nodules of the parametrium and sacral roots. INTERVENTION: The excision of deep endometriosis infiltrating the parametrium down to the sacral roots may be performed following 10 steps: complete ureterolysis and removal of ureteral stenosis; opening of the pararectal space in contact with the rectum in a sagittal plane; dissection caudally toward the rectovaginal space, section of the rectovaginal nodule in two separate blocks infiltrating the rectum and vagina, respectively, all the way down to the levator ani muscles; dissection of the presacral space and identification of the superior hypogastric plexus and hypogastric nerve; transverse incision of the peritoneum at the level of the promotorium, extended laterally above the origin of the hypogastric vessels; anterograde dissection of the hypogastric artery and identification of the hypogastric vein; anterograde dissection of the hypogastric vein and opening of Okabayashi space, followed by identification and, when required, ligation of hypogastric vein tributaries; dissection is extended behind the venous network with identification of the pyriform muscles and sacral roots S2, S3, and S4; anterograde dissection of the nerve network and inferior hypogastric plexus, up to the posterior limits of the deep endometriosis nodule; and excision of the deep endometriosis nodule from the posterior limit to the inferior limit in contact with the sacral roots, which should be released or shaved, then to the lateral limit in contact with the pyriform muscle and lateral pelvic wall. Additional steps may be required to remove adjacent infiltration of the vagina, rectum, bladder, or ureters. The movie does not reflect a similar approach in cases of isolated nodules of the sciatic nerves involving a specific lateral dissection plane between the external iliac vessels and the iliopsoas muscle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Description of 10 successive surgical steps. RESULTS: The 10-step procedure already has been employed in 70 women with deep endometriosis of the parametria involving sacral roots, in whom sensory or motor complaints were not completely relieved by continuous amenorrhea provided by contraceptive pill intake or gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. Baseline complaints included somatic pain (85.7%), severe bladder dysfunction (10%), or hydronephrosis (24.3%). Main localizations concerned sacral roots (95.7%), sciatic nerves (7.1%), mid/low rectum (87.1%), and bladder (21.4%). Operative time was 224 ± 94 minutes. Among postoperative complications, we recorded rectovaginal fistulae (14.3%), urinary tract fistulae (4.3%), and bladder dysfunction at 3 weeks (22.9%) and 12 months (5.7%) after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic excision of deep endometriosis nodules of the parametria involving the sacral roots is a challenging procedure, requiring good anatomic and surgical skills. Teaching such a complex procedure is a delicate task. By following 10 sequential steps, the surgeon may reduce the risk of hemorrhage originating from the hypogastric venous network, preserve as much as possible autonomic nerves and organ function, and successfully excise deep endometriosis nodules. However, transection of the internal iliac artery and vein should not be systematic, as it may adversely affect the vascular supply of the pelvis. Transection of small pelvic splanchnic nerves should be performed only if they actually are included in fibrous nodules, as it may be followed by sexual, bladder, and rectal dysfunction or perineal sensory effects. Although the 10 steps attempt to standardize the surgical approach in a challenging localization of deep endometriosis, they are not mandatory and their use should be individualized.

Sonographic features of endometriosis infiltrating the lateral parametrium.

OBJECTIVE: Lateral parametrium endometriosis (LPE) can be associated with infiltration of ureters and hypogastric plexus, causing severe painful symptoms and functional impairment, and requiring complex and extensive surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presentation of LPE lesions at transvaginal ultrasound, identifying sonographic features for disease recognition and mapping. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-series of women with sonographic suspect of LPE confirmed at surgical exploration. We carried out a descriptive analysis of the ultrasound patterns of presentation and compared the features of the lesions according to their location cranially or caudally to the uterine artery. RESULTS: Our population included 23 women, with a total of 26 parametrial lesions: all of them were hypoechoic, with absence of vascularization. Lesions lying above the uterine artery presented more frequently as ill-defined nodules (78.6 %, p < 0.01) and were associated with ipsilateral reduced or absent ovarian mobility (92.9 %, p < 0.01); the ones located below the uterine artery appeared more frequently as fan-shaped lesions with retraction of the surrounding tissues (83.3 %). Ureteral involvement was observed at surgery in 43.5 % of cases. In all patients, deep infiltrating endometriosis of the posterior compartment was observed: the utero-sacral ligaments were the most common location affected concurrently. CONCLUSIONS: LPE may present at transvaginal sonography as hypoechoic, not vascularized lesions, most frequently with a nodular or with a fan-shaped appearance, respectively cranially or caudally to the uterine artery. Reduced ovarian sliding and ureteral involvement are commonly associated.

A simplified fascial model of pelvic anatomical surgery: going beyond parametrium-centered surgical anatomy.

The classical surgical anatomy of the female pelvis is limited by its gynecological oncological focus on the parametrium and burdened by its modeling based on personal techniques of different surgeons. However, surgical treatment of pelvic diseases, spreading beyond the anatomical area of origin, requires extra-regional procedures and a thorough pelvic anatomical knowledge. This study evaluated the feasibility of a comprehensive and simplified model of pelvic retroperitoneal compartmentalization, based on anatomical rather than surgical anatomical structures. Such a model aims at providing an easier, holistic approach useful for clinical, surgical and educational purposes. Six fresh-frozen female pelves were macroscopically and systematically dissected. Three superficial structures, i.e., the obliterated umbilical artery, the ureter and the sacrouterine ligament, were identified as the landmarks of 3 deeper fascial-ligamentous structures, i.e., the umbilicovesical fascia, the urogenital-hypogastric fascia and the sacropubic ligament. The retroperitoneal areolar tissue was then gently teased away, exposing the compartments delimited by these deep fascial structures. Four compartments were identified as a result of the intrapelvic development of the umbilicovesical fascia along the obliterated umbilical artery, the urogenital-hypogastric fascia along the mesoureter and the sacropubic ligaments. The retroperitoneal compartments were named: parietal, laterally to the umbilicovesical fascia; vascular, between the two fasciae; neural, medially to the urogenital-hypogastric fascia and visceral between the sacropubic ligaments. The study provides the scientific rational for a model of pelvic retroperitoneal anatomy based on identifiable anatomical structures and suitable for surgical planning and training.