Feasibility and safety of planned early discharge following laparotomy in gynecologic oncology with enhanced recovery protocol including opioid-sparing anesthesia.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of planned postoperative day 1 discharge (PPOD1) among patients who undergo laparotomy (XL) in the department of gynecology oncology utilizing a modified enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol including opioid-sparing anesthesia (OSA) and defined discharge criteria. Methods: Patients undergoing XL and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) were enrolled in this prospective, observational cohort study after the departmental implementation of a modified ERAS protocol. The primary outcome was quality of life (QoL) using SF36, PROMIS GI, and ICIQ-FLUTS at baseline and 2- and 6-week postoperative visits. Statistical significance was assessed using the two-tailed Student's t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney two-sample test. Results: Of the 141 subjects, no significant demographic differences were observed between the XL group and the MIS group. The majority of subjects, 84.7% (61), in the XL group had gynecologic malignancy [vs. MIS group; 21 (29.2%), p < 0.001]. All patients tolerated OSA. The XL group required higher intraoperative opioids [7.1 ± 9.2 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) vs. 3.9 ± 6.9 MME, p = 0.02] and longer surgical time (114.2 ± 41 min vs. 96.8 ± 32.1 min, p = 0.006). No significant difference was noted in the opioid requirements at the immediate postoperative phase and the rest of the postoperative day (POD) 0 or POD 1. In the XL group, 69 patients (73.6%) were successfully discharged home on POD1. There was no increase in the PROMIS score at 2 and 6 weeks compared to the preoperative phase. The readmission rates within 30 days after surgery (XL 4.2% vs. MIS 1.4%, p = 0.62), rates of surgical site infection (XL 0% vs. MIS 2.8%, p = 0.24), and mean number of post-discharge phone calls (0 vs. 0, p = 0.41) were comparable between the two groups. Although QoL scores were significantly lower than baseline in four of the nine QoL domains at 2 weeks post-laparotomy, all except physical health recovered by the 6-week time point. Conclusions: PPOD1 is a safe and feasible strategy for XL performed in the gynecologic oncology department. PPOD1 did not increase opioid requirements, readmission rates compared to MIS, and patient-reported constipation and nausea/vomiting compared to the preoperative phase.

Preeclampsia is Associated With Reduced ISG15 Levels Impairing Extravillous Trophoblast Invasion.

Among several interleukin (IL)-6 family members, only IL-6 and IL-11 require a gp130 protein homodimer for intracellular signaling due to lack of intracellular signaling domain in the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and IL-11R. We previously reported enhanced decidual IL-6 and IL-11 levels at the maternal-fetal interface with significantly higher peri-membranous IL-6 immunostaining in adjacent interstitial trophoblasts in preeclampsia (PE) vs. gestational age (GA)-matched controls. This led us to hypothesize that competitive binding of these cytokines to the gp130 impairs extravillous trophoblast (EVT) differentiation, proliferation and/or invasion. Using global microarray analysis, the current study identified inhibition of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) as the only gene affected by both IL-6 plus IL-11 vs. control or IL-6 or IL-11 treatment of primary human cytotrophoblast cultures. ISG15 immunostaining was specific to EVTs among other trophoblast types in the first and third trimester placental specimens, and significantly lower ISG15 levels were observed in EVT from PE vs. GA-matched control placentae (p = 0.006). Induction of primary trophoblastic stem cell cultures toward EVT linage increased ISG15 mRNA levels by 7.8-fold (p = 0.004). ISG15 silencing in HTR8/SVneo cultures, a first trimester EVT cell line, inhibited invasion, proliferation, expression of ITGB1 (a cell migration receptor) and filamentous actin while increasing expression of ITGB4 (a receptor for hemi-desmosomal adhesion). Moreover, ISG15 silencing further enhanced levels of IL-1ß-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (CXCL8, IL-6 and CCL2) in HTR8/SVneo cells. Collectively, these results indicate that ISG15 acts as a critical regulator of EVT morphology and function and that diminished ISG15 expression is associated with PE, potentially mediating reduced interstitial trophoblast invasion and enhancing local inflammation at the maternal-fetal interface. Thus, agents inducing ISG15 expression may provide a novel therapeutic approach in PE.

Trends in ureteral surgery on an academic gynecologic oncology service.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence, complications, and trends associated with ureteral surgeries on a gynecologic oncology service in the context of a fellowship training program over a 24-year period. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of ureteral surgeries by gynecologic oncologists at either Moffitt Cancer Center or Tampa General Hospital from 1997 to 2020. Patient characteristics, predisposing factors, location and type of injury, repair method, postoperative management and complications were abstracted from the medical record. The recent cohort (2005-2020) was compared to our prior series (1997-2004). RESULTS: Eighty-eight cases were included. The average number of ureteral surgeries per year decreased from 5.75 (1997-2004) to 2.63 (2005-2020). Of 46 iatrogenic injuries, 45 were recognized and repaired intraoperatively. Ureteral transection was the most common type (85% [39 of 46]) and the distal 5 cm was the most common location of injury (63% [29 of 46]). Ureteroneocystostomy was the most common method of repair (83% [73 of 88]). Postoperative management, including stenting and imaging, has not changed significantly. Length of urinary catheter usage decreased in the recent cohort without associated complications. Five patients had major postoperative complications and 4 involved the urinary tract. Of those with follow-up, 96% (66 of 69) of ureteroneocystostomies and 75% (9 of 12) of ureteroureterostomies had radiologically normal urinary tracts. CONCLUSIONS: Ureteral surgery is necessary in the case of injury or involvement with invasive disease. There has been a decrease in number of procedures. Ureteroneocystostomy has remained the most common method of reconstruction for both injury and resection with acceptable postoperative complication rates.

Intrathecal hydromorphone as an analgesia option for gynecology patients.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal perioperative strategy originally developed to attenuate the postsurgical stress response in patients after colorectal surgery. Patients undergoing gynecologic surgery who had ERAS had significantly shorter hospital length of stay, reduced hospital-related costs, and acceptable pain management with reduced opioid use, without compromising patient satisfaction. Intrathecal hydromorphone is an effective alternative ERAS protocol analgesia for these patients and will not compromise patient outcomes or healthcare costs.

Patterns and predictors of genetic referral among ovarian cancer patients at a National Cancer Institute-Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Germline mutations (eg, BRCA1/2) have prognostic and treatment implications for ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients. Thus, national guidelines recommend genetic testing for OVCA patients. The present study examines patterns and predictors of genetics referral in OVCA patients. Electronic medical record data were abstracted retrospectively from 557 OVCA patients treated from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2015. Logistic regression models identified sociodemographic characteristics, disease/treatment characteristics, family history data, provider characteristics, and survival data that predicted genetics referral. Overall, 27.5% of patients received referral. Eleven variables predicting referral were selected during stepwise regression: younger age, White race, not having private insurance, professional school education, year of OVCA diagnosis, platinum sensitivity, female gynecologic oncologist, chemotherapy administered by a gynecologic oncologist, clinical trial enrollment, longer overall survival, and family history of OVCA. Genetics referral among OVCA patients was similar to rates reported nationwide. Unique predictive factors will contribute to quality improvement and should be validated at a multi-institutional level to ensure guideline concordant care is provided to all OVCA patients. Future research should identify both patient-level and provider-level factors associated with genetics referral.

Laparoscopic Surgeons' Perspectives on Risk Factors for and Prophylaxis of Trocar Site Hernias: A Multispecialty National Survey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although trocar site hernias (TSHs) occur in only 1.5% to 1.8% of all laparoscopic procedures, TSHs can present serious postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to survey surgeons who are active members of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS) to elicit their experiences with TSHs, including fascial closure preferences. METHODS: After reviewing the clinical and epidemiological literature to compile relevant questions, an anonymous survey was designed using Qualtrics web-based software. The survey link was emailed to all SLS members. Descriptive analyses included frequencies, percentages, and χ2 or Fisher's exact tests to assess statistical associations. RESULTS: There were 659 SLS members who completed the survey: 323 general surgeons, 242 gynecologists, 45 colorectal surgeons, 25 bariatric surgeons, and 24 urologists. Nearly 7 in 10 respondents (68.4%) reported at least 1 patient developing a TSH within the previous decade. Compared with other specialties, bariatric surgeons had the smallest proportion of respondents reporting fascial closure for 10- to 12-mm trocars (68%) and the largest proportion indicating no fascial closure for trocars of any size (28%) (P < .01). Among all respondents, 86.6%, 15.3%, and 2.4% close 10- to 12-mm, 8-mm, and 5-mm ports, respectively, without differences according to surgical volume or practice setting. Approximately 6% reported no fascial closure for any size. CONCLUSION: Port size remains one of the main risk factors for TSH development, with most respondents closing only 10- to 12-mm ports regardless of surgical volume or practice setting. The general trend for port closure for bariatric surgeons is significantly different from that of other surgeons.

Internet Use by Gynecologic Oncology Patients and Its Relationship with Anxiety.

This study describes the use of the Internet for health information research by patients attending a gynecologic oncology practice and examines the association between its use and anxiety. A self-administered survey assessed patients' demographic information and Internet use. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were administered concurrently. Of 212 patients who consented to the study, 98 (46%) had an appointment because of a cancer diagnosis. Of 199 respondents, 91 (46%) reported searching the Internet for information about their condition. Internet searching was unassociated with race/ethnicity and positively associated with education level, annual household income, and married/partnered civil status. Only 16% of the patients reported that a health-care provider recommended use of the Internet for research. Comparing patients who used the Internet for research with those who did not, the STAI state and trait anxiety scores were similar. The HADS anxiety subscale score was higher for those who used the Internet versus those who did not, which suggests heightened anxiety. Internet use for research is common in gynecologic oncology patients, and its use is associated with increased anxiety. Physicians can use this medium to educate patients about their disease, build trust, and alleviate fear.