Comparison of Laparoscopy and Laparotomy in the Management of Early-stage Ovarian Cancer.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery for early-stage ovarian cancer (EOC) by comparing the surgical and survival outcomes between laparoscopy and laparotomy. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center observational study that included all patients who underwent surgical staging for EOC by laparoscopy or laparotomy between 2010 and 2019. Results: Forty-nine patients were included; of which 20 underwent laparoscopy, 26 laparotomy, and three conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding operative time, number of lymph nodes dissected, or intraoperative tumor rupture rate, while estimated blood loss and transfusion requirements were lower in the laparoscopy group. The complication rate tended to be higher in the laparotomy group. Patients in the laparoscopy group had a faster recovery, with earlier urinary catheter and abdominal drain removal, shorter hospital stay, and a trend toward earlier tolerance of oral diet and mobilization. At a mean follow-up of 45.7 months, 14 patients had disease recurrence, with no differences in the mean progression-free survival between the two groups (36 months for laparoscopy vs. 35.5 months for laparotomy, P = 0.22). Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery performed by a trained gynecological oncologist is a safe and effective surgical approach for comprehensive staging of EOC, with the additional benefits of a faster recovery compared to laparotomy.

Laparoscopic approach for symptomatic pelvic and para-aortic lymphoceles

Description and demonstration of the feasibility of laparoscopic management of symptomatic pelvic lymphocele after surgical staging in gynecological cancer surgery. Step-by-step description of the surgical procedure using pictures and an educational video. Patient gave informed consent for the use of images and the full video article was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Hospital of Sant Pau. Lymphocele is one of the most common complications of pelvic or lumbo-aortic lymphadenectomy. Although the incidence is variable at 1-58%, around 5-18% of cases are symptomatic. Only symptomatic lymphocele requires treatment, which can be medical or interventional. Drainage is usuallyperformed by guided radiology although a surgical approach has shown a lower rate of recurrence. A 64-years-old woman diagnosed withendometrial carcinosarcoma was staged laparoscopically by pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Para-aortic lymphadenectomy wasperformed using an extraperitoneal approach. Three weeks later she presented with an intense and persistent burning pain, radiating towardsthe left leg. Computed tomography imaging suggested the presence of a 10x7.6 cm lymphocele adjacent to the left external iliac vessels.Laparoscopy was performed with four-port placement configuration, enabling the identification of a large, bilobed lymphocele, adjacent to theleft pelvic wall and left paracolic gutter. Adhesiolysis and identification of main landmarks in the left paracolic gutter and left paravesical fossawas performed as a first step. Peritoneum of each lymphocele was opened in the caudal region and the opening was broadened to facilitatelymph drainage. Owing to the low morbidity and excellent results, we suggest that laparoscopic drainage should be performed as a feasible anduseful treatment for pelvic symptomatic lymphoceles.

[Non-surgical approach for symptomatic fibroids. Physical methods: selective embolization]. / Abordaje no quirúrgico de los miomas sintomáticos. Métodos físicos. Embolización selectiva.

The approach to symptomatic uterine fibroids has seen a marked evolution in recent years thanks to the emergence of minimally invasive techniques that allow for uterine preservation. Selective uterine artery embolization (UAE) consists of the complete occlusion of the 2 uterine arteries with embolic particles in order to produce ischemic necrosis of the fibroids without permanently affecting the normal uterine tissue. This technique significantly reduces the amount of bleeding and causes a reduction in uterine volume at 3 months postprocedure, which is maintained over time, allowing for 70% of patients to avoid surgery. Moreover, UAE entails shorter surgical times, reduced hospital stays and fewer days needed to return to work when compared with traditional surgical techniques (hysterectomy and fibroidectomy), without any differences in the quality-of-life scales at 5 years. UAE should therefore be included in the therapeutic options offered to patients with symptomatic fibroid uteri.