[Precarious parturients and readmission: pilot study at the Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal Hospital Group in Paris]. / Parturientes précaires et réhospitalisation : étude pilote au groupe hospitalier Lariboisière-Fernand-Widal de Paris.

OBJECTIVES: We wondered whether pregnant women with social handicap benefited from readmissions which could have been prevented, and if there was a selection of patients? PATIENTS AND METHOD: This is a retrospective study of 127 pregnant women with social handicap having given natural childbirth in a public health establishment. The research was based on analysis of data from DRG's (PMSI), legislation and other documents. RESULTS: Between mid March 2007 and mid June 2009, 27 of the 127 pregnant women with social handicap have benefited from 35 readmissions. There were 171.5 ± 255.1 days between readmissions. There was no second readmission on the same day for the same patient. According to the criteria of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEPf), none of the readmissions were considered avoidable. No parturient was readmitted for non-medical reasons. Readmitted patients presented low to severe social handicaps and had 79.6 % more coded diagnosis compared to their first hospitalization. This service plays its public service role to fight against social exclusion. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This pilot study provides encouraging results but also underlines the limits of our approach. We nevertheless wished to explore whether this low resource intensive initiative could make interesting indicators emerge, which seems to be the case.

[Evolution of surgical operations for female stress urinary incontinence in Gynaecology departments of Parisian public hospitals between 2002 and 2004]. / Evolution des interventions chirurgicales pour incontinence urinaire d'effort chez la femme dans les services de chirurgie gynécologique de l'Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris entre 2002 et 2004.

OBJECTIVE: To appreciate the evolution of surgical operations for female stress urinary incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen gynaecology departments of Parisian public hospitals were surveyed by postal questionnaire about their surgical practice for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence in two successive periods, between 1st September 2002 and 31st August 2003 inclusive, and between the 1st of September 2003 and the 31st of August 2004 inclusive. The number, the type of operation, the type of suburethral tapes and their surgical routes were detailed. RESULTS: The participation rate in the survey was 87.5%. Suburethral slings represent the technique of choice for stress urinary incontinence (505 [86.2%] in 2002-2003 and 468 [92.7%] in 2003-2004, P < 0.001). Other practices are exceptional. The transobturator approach has widely progressed between the two periods of the study (157 [31.1%] and 302 [64.5%], P < 0.001), and is more often performed than the ascending retropubic approach (245 [48.5%] in 2002-2003 and 117 [25.0%] in 2003-2004, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Suburethral tape placement is nowadays the main surgical treatment for female stress urinary incontinence, in Gynaecology departments in Parisian public hospitals, in particular the transobturator approach.

[Assisted reproductive technologies after conservative management of borderline or invasive ovarian tumours]. / Assistance médicale à la procréation après traitement conservateur d'une tumeur de l'ovaire invasive ou à la limite de la malignité.

OBJECTIVE: Ovulation induction, the usual resort of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), has been suspected of carrying a responsibility in the genesis of ovarian tumours. For patients with a borderline or invasive ovarian tumour, treated by conservative surgery and desiring to become pregnant, the problem is thus of a possible resort to the Assisted Reproductive Technologies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a multicenter, national and retrospective study. 40 operated patients between January 1971 and January 2001 have been included. 27 patients (67.5%) had a borderline tumour, 10 (25%) a non-epithelial tumour (germinal or stromal) and 3 (7.5%) an epithelial invasive carcinoma. All these patients have benefited from a conservative surgical management of fertility. The Assisted Reproductive Technologies were simple stimulation for 5 women and IVF for the 35 others. The effectiveness and the risks of Assisted Reproductive Technologies have been estimated respectively by the number of pregnancies obtained and the recurrence rates. RESULTS: With a global follow-up of 372 months (January 1971: date of the primary surgical procedure--June 2002: closing of the study), 17 patients have obtained 17 pregnancies with the Assisted Reproductive Technologies, rate of 42.5% (17/40): 1 spontaneous abortion, 16 delivery with 23 children (triple pregnancies and 3 twin pregnancies). 3 patients treated for a borderline tumour have had a recurrence after induction of ovulation. Among the 40 patients, no one presented an evolved disease at the last news. The patients who had a recurrence had a delay to begin the Assisted Reproductive Technologies significantly lower than the patients who had no recurrence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The assisted reproductive technologies for patients who had been treated for a borderline or invasive ovarian tumour, and who were infertile in spite of conservative management, have allowed 42.5% of these women to obtain a pregnancy and does not seem to increase significantly the risk of recurrence.

[Laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumor: analysis of 54 patients and clinical outcomes]. / Traitement coelioscopique des tumeurs frontières (borderline) de l'ovaire: analyse d'une série de 54 patientes et implications thérapeutiques.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumor (BOT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated using a laparoscopic approach for a BOT between January 1984 and January 2002. RESULTS: A conservative management was initially performed in 45 patients (83%). Twenty-six patients underwent a reassessment surgery and 7 (27%) of them were upstaged following this procedure. Seven (13%) patients recurred in a remaining ovary following conservative surgery (5 patients) or on the peritoneum (2 patients). Three port-site localizations were observed. None of the patients treated with conservative management had recurrent disease under the form of ovarian carcinoma. Nine spontaneous pregnancies were observed in 6 patients from a group of 19 patients desiring pregnancy. All patients are today alive and disease-free. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that laparoscopic treatment could be safely performed in young patients with early stage BOT. Such procedure should be further evaluated in patients with BOT and peritoneal implants.

[Diagnostic hysteroscopy and risk of peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells]. / Hystéroscopie diagnostique et risque de contamination péritonéale par les cellules tumorales.

Questions have been raised about the safety of diagnostic hysteroscopy preceding surgical treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Several studies showed that the risk of a positive cytology among patients presenting endometrial adenocarcinoma was increased after diagnostic hysteroscopy, suggesting a peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells due to the exploration. We studied this hypothesis on the basis of a systematic review of the scientific data. Five studies fulfilling inclusion criteria have been selected and have been introduced into a fixed model of meta-analysis. On a total of 756 studied patients, 79 presented a positive peritoneal cytology. The diagnostic hysteroscopy did not increase significantly the risk of abdominal dissemination of tumor cells, the peritoneal cytology being positive among 38 patients in the group having undergone this intervention vs 41 patients in the control group (OR = 1,64; 95% CI: 0,96-2,80). In conclusion, no formal evidence is currently available concerning the role of diagnostic hysteroscopy on the frequency of peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells, or on the vital prognosis of the patients presenting with endometrial carcinoma. From the data available, there is not any reason to avoid diagnostic hysteroscopy in the initial workup of endometrial cancer.

[Pelvic and para-aortic lymphatic involvement in tubal carcinoma: topography and surgical implications]. / Extension lymphatique pelvienne et lombo-aortique dans le cancer de la trompe: topographie et implications chirurgicales.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the topography of pelvic and para-aortic node involvement in Fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC). This will help us to recommend appropriate surgical treatment options to the related patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study was performed on 19 women with PFTC who underwent a systematic bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: The overall frequency of lymph node involvement was 47% (9/19). The frequency of pelvic and para-aortic metastases was 21% (4/19) and 42% (8/19) respectively. The frequency of lymph node metastases according to the stage of the disease (stage I, II and III) was : 29% (2/7), 50% (1/2) and 60% (6/10) respectively. The left para-aortic chain above the level of the inferior mesenteric artery was the site most frequently involved (75%) when para-aortic nodes were involved. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In patients with primary tubal carcinoma, the left para-aortic chain above the level of the inferior mesenteric artery is the most frequently involved. A complete lymphadenectomy (including all pelvic and para-aortic chains up to the level of the left renal vein) should be performed in patients with primary tubal carcinoma, even in patients with stage I disease.

[Axillary lymphadenectomy with muscular padding, without drainage]. / Le curage de l'aisselle avec capitonnage musculaire sans drainage.

OBJECTIVE: Axillary padding without drainage appeared to be a valuable alternative technique to vacuum drainage. The technique employs local muscles or the axillary aponeurosis for padding. We report here the clinical evaluation of muscular padding without drainage. The analysis of these results prompted us to also do a literature search for other alternatives aimed at reducing morbidity due to vacuum drainage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Muscular padding was prospectively performed by 8 different surgeons on a total of 152 patients at the Centre Rene-Huguenin (Saint-Cloud, France). Follow-up has attained 3.5 years. A comparative assessment of pain was conducted in 30 patients operated on with vacuum drainage. RESULTS: This technique is easy to learn and reproducible. It facilitates post-operative follow-up, always allowing discharge at the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day without any home nursing. The late sequels are not increased. In contrast, pain was twice more intense during the first post-operative weeks compared with vacuum drainage, and the seroma rate was also increased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Despite good efficacy, this worsening of pain is a major obstacle to the routine use of muscular padding. A technical improvement has been published very recently where the axillary aponeurosis was used to pad the axilla. It seems to be equally efficient but less painful than muscular padding. This technique is under clinical evaluation and could appear as a valuable option to vacuum drainage. Other alternatives are discussed. Most studies lack a direct comparison with vacuum drainage and a satisfactory evaluation of quality of life is also omitted. New studies with quality of life scales are ongoing. They should allow us to choose options that take this aspect into account in the future.

Prognosis of stage III or IV primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma.

AIMS: To study the prognosis of patients with stage IIIC/IV primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PSPC) (study group) compared with that of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) (control group). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study including a study group of 37 patients who were matched with a control group of 37 patients. Patients were matched for the histologic subtype (serous tumor), tumor stage, tumor grade, residual disease at the end of debulking surgery (initial or interval) and age (+/-5 years). RESULTS: Debulking surgery was performed initially or at interval surgery in respectively, 10 and 27 patients in the study group and 17 and 20 in the control group. All patients were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (combined with paclitaxel in 33) in both groups. The overall survival rate at 3 years in the study and control groups was, respectively, 60% versus 55% (NS). However, event-free survival rates at 3 years (CI 95%) were statistically different (respectively, 29% in the study group versus 16% in the control group: p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal disease is more bulky in patients with PSPC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is more often required to achieve optimal debulking surgery in PSPC. Overall survival of patients with PSPC is similar to that of their EOC counterparts. Thus, the management of PSPC should not be different from that of advanced stage EOC.

[Place and results of frozen section analysis in the management of malignant and borderline ovarian tumors]. / Place et résultats de l'examen extemporané dans la stratégie chirurgicale des tumeurs épithéliales malignes et à la limite de la malignité de l'ovaire.

The management of ovarian tumors discovered during laparoscopy depends equally on the surgeon and the pathologist. Thus, the surgeon will undergo a more or less radical surgery depending on frozen section analysis (FSA),which depends mainly on the pathologist's skills, the histopathologic type and the volume and the localization of the tumor. The accuracy of FSA is higher in ovarian cancer than in borderline tumor. In patients treated initially with a laparoscopic approach, if the FSA demonstrates the presence of an invasive carcinoma, a conversion to laparotomy should be performed in order to complete the surgical staging. If the FSA demonstrates the presence of a borderline tumor, an exclusive laparoscopic approach could be discussed.

[Conservative treatment of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia]. / Traitement conservateur du cancer et des hyperplasies atypiques de l'endomètre.

Endometrial carcinoma is the most frequent pelvic cancer encountered in women. The discovery of an endometrial carcinoma in a woman seeking pregnancy cannot be considered as exceptional. The medical alternative to the classic radical surgical treatment is studied in a review. Treatment with progestins might be considered and discussed with the couple in special indications. The oncologic risk to which this treatment exposes is limited. However, the application and the surveillance of this therapeutic protocol must obey strict rules, in order to recognize without delay any resistance to treatment. The spontaneous fertility of such patients seems weak, most probably because of their age, but assisted reproductive techniques (ART) could be considered in particular cases. Secondary hysterectomy is controversial, but a recent tendency is to widen this practice is becoming apparent.

[Are nodal metastases in ovarian cancer chemoresistant lesions? Comparative study of initial lymphadenectomy or after chemotherapy]. / Les métastases ganglionnaires du cancer épithélial de l'ovaire sont-elles chimio-sensibles?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the rates of nodal involvement in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in patients who underwent initial lymphadenectomy (before chemotherapy/group 1) and patients who underwent lymphadenectomy after chemotherapy (during interval debulking surgery/group 2 or second-look surgery/group 3). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The rates of nodal involvement in 205 patients with EOC who underwent complete pelvic and paraaortic lympadenectomy were compared. One hundred and five patients underwent this surgical procedure at the end of chemotherapy (group 3) or during chemotherapy (group 2) for 28 patients (with three courses of a platinum-based regimen containing paclitaxel) and were compared to 100 patients who underwent initial lymphadenectomy (group 1). RESULTS: In patients with stage I and II disease the rate of nodal involvement in group 1 and 3 were similar (respectively 19% vs. 21% and 50% vs. 33% in stage I or II disease-NS). In patients with stage III disease, the rates of nodal involvement in patients treated with initial surgery, interval debulking surgery (with paclitaxel-based regimen) and second-look surgery were respectively: 53%, 58% and 48% (NS). Adding to the platinum-based regimen does not seem to improve node sterilization rates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The rates of nodal involvement seem to be similar in patients treated before or after chemotherapy but the comparison of groups is difficult because the presence of several bias (particularly in early stage disease). Such results suggest that nodal metastases are not totally sterilized by chemotherapy. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic value of lymphadenectomy in patients with nodal involvement.

[Update on medical treatment of female stress urinary incontinence]. / Traitement médical de l'incontinence urinaire d'effort: état de la situation.

A reasonable assumption is that incontinence would be relieved by increasing urethral resistance through stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors in urethral smooth muscle. A review of available medical treatment of stress urinary incontinence is done. Alpha-receptor agonists are not in common use because of systemic side-effects. Estrogens do not seem to have beneficial effect on stress urinary incontinence. Currently, new molecules such as duloxetine, are uptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline could provide a noninvasive therapy for patients with urinary incontinence. Further studies to identify clinical applications are required.

Are nodal metastases in ovarian cancer chemoresistant lesions? Analysis of nodal involvement in 105 patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To report the rates of nodal involvement in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in patients who underwent initial lymphadenectomy (before chemotherapy) and patients who underwent lymphadenectomy after chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: The rates of nodal involvement in 205 patients with EOC who underwent complete bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lympadenectomy between 1985 and 2001 were analyzed: 100 women underwent this surgical procedure before chemotherapy (initial surgery) and 105 at the end of chemotherapy (second-look surgery for 77 patients with 6 courses of a platinum-based regimen) or during chemotherapy (interval debulking surgery for 28 patients with 3 courses of a platinum-based regimen containing paclitaxel). RESULTS: The overall frequency of lymph-node involvement was 35% (35/100) in patients treated with initial surgery, 54% (15/28) in the interval debulking surgery group and 36% (28/77) in the second-look surgery group. In patients with Stage III disease, the rates of nodal involvement in patients treated with initial surgery, interval debulking surgery (with paclitaxel-based regimen) and second-look surgery were respectively: 53% (15/28), 58% (15/26) and 48% (20/42). The rates of nodal involvement in patients who underwent lymphadenectomy prior to or after chemotherapy were not statistically different whatever the stage of the disease. Adding paclitaxel to the platinum-based regimen does not seem to improve node sterilization rates. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of nodal involvement seem to be similar in patients treated before or after chemotherapy. Such results suggest that nodal metastases are not as chemosensitive as peritoneal lesions. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the therapeutic value of lymphadenectomy in patients with nodal involvement.

Clinical outcome after laparoscopic pure management of borderline ovarian tumors: results of a series of 34 patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess clinical outcome after laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumor (BOT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients treated initially and/or for recurrent disease using a laparoscopic approach for BOT from 1984 to January 2002. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent laparoscopic pure treatment (without conversion by laparotomy and/or reassessment surgery by laparotomy) for BOT. Conservative treatment was performed in 31 (91%) patients. Median follow-up time was 45 months (range 6-228). Six (17%) patients recurred (in the remaining ovary following conservative surgery in five patients and in the peritoneum in one patient). Two port-site metastases were observed. None of the patients had recurrent disease in the form of ovarian carcinoma. Nine spontaneous pregnancies were observed in six patients from a group of 15 patients desiring pregnancy. All patients are alive today and disease-free. CONCLUSION: These results seem to demonstrate that laparoscopic treatment can be safely performed in young patients with early stage BOT. Such a procedure is then feasible, but should be evaluated in patients with BOT and peritoneal implants.

Value of routine follow-up procedures for patients with stage I/II cervical cancer treated with combined surgery-radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the value of routine follow-up for the detection of recurrence in patients treated for cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1986 to 1998, 583 women with stage I and II cervical carcinoma were treated with combined surgery-radiation therapy. After treatment, follow-up was based on clinical examination, a systematic Pap smear and radiography (chest X-ray and abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography). RESULTS: Forty-five patients had recurrence observed with a delay > or = 6 months following the end of treatment. Thirty-eight patients had symptoms and seven were asymptomatic at the time of their recurrence. Among asymptomatic patients only two recurrences were diagnosed following routine examinations. Survival is similar in asymptomatic and symptomatic recurrent patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, follow-up of patients treated for cervical cancer based on routine Pap smears and systematic radiography does not permit earlier detection of recurrence and does not increase survival.

Laparoscopic total pelvic exenteration for cervical cancer relapse.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy classically reduces morbidity and invasiveness. To decrease the operative morbidity associated with exenteration, we considered the possibility of performing a total pelvic exenteration by the laparoscopic approach. CASE: A 34-year-old woman presented with a cervical cancer relapse. The bladder, uterus, vagina, ovaries, and rectum were mobilized en bloc from the pelvic sidewall. We used vascular endoscopic staplers for the control of sigmoid vessels and anterior branches of internal iliac vessels. The specimen was removed through the vulva. A colo-anal anastomosis and an ileal-loop conduit for urinary tract diversion were made. The operative time was 9 h. The postoperative course was uneventful. Specimen margins were free of disease. CONCLUSION: With laparoscopic surgical knowledge and new endoscopic staplers, laparoscopic pelvic exenteration procedure is feasible.

[Sigmoid neovagina by combined laparoscopic-perineal route for Rokitansky syndrome]. / Néovagin par transplant sigmoïde par voie coeliopérinéale pour syndrome de Rokitansky.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of a combined laparoscopic-perineal procedure to create a neovagina. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reported four cases of patients with a Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome. The surgical procedure was the same for all patients. The results have been evaluated on the operative time, the intra and postoperative complications, the first day haemoglobin drop, the antalgic drugs consumption, the transit recovery, the hospital stay, and the neovagina length. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 311 minutes. The mean haemoglobin drop was 2.3 g/dl. The mean paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), and morphine consumption were: 16 g, 216.7 mg, and 12.6 mg, respectively. The mean transit recovery, and hospital stay were: 2.3 days, 6.5 days, respectively. No intra or postoperative complication occurred. The mean neovagina length evaluated at one month follow-up visit was 12 cm. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This surgical technique appeared feasible and reproducible for teams having an adequate experience in laparoscopic gynaecologic and digestive surgery. This technique allowed to obtain a neovagina with enough length and without any shrinkage. Laparoscopy reduces the psychological and aesthetic consequences of surgery, especially for these young patients already distressed by their malformation.