Tumor heterogeneity in ovarian cancer as demonstrated by in vitro chemoresistance assays.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor heterogeneity has been demonstrated in solid tumors. In vitro assays were developed in an effort to predict in vivo tumor response to therapy. We compare the in vitro assay results from multiple synchronous tumor samples in primary and recurrent ovarian cancers. METHODS: 38 patients underwent surgery for primary (18) or recurrent (20) ovarian cancer. Two (22) or three (16) samples were obtained per patient and tested using the EDR assay (Oncotech, Inc.). The percentage of Extreme (E), Intermediate (I) and Low (L) drug resistance for each chemotherapy was compared between synchronous specimens. RESULTS: A total of 92 samples were collected and 787 drug assays were performed. Tumor heterogeneity was seen in 22.4% of all cases, including 18.6% primary and 26.1% recurrent diseases (p=0.01). Two category differences (L vs. E) were seen in 4.1% primary and 11.3% recurrent cases (7.8% of all cases). Overall, an increased frequency in EDR was seen in recurrent disease as compared to primary for all agents tested (22.9% primary vs. 31.6% recurrent, p=0.006). Marked heterogeneity of the drug resistance profiles was seen with paclitaxel as compared with cisplatin/gemcitabine (p=0.03), taxotere (p=0.04) or topotecan (p=0.04). No association was demonstrated between assay results and clinicopathologic parameters collected in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment failure is often attributed to the development of chemoresistance. These results suggest that tumor heterogeneity may play an equally important role in treatment failure. Recurrent lesions exhibit greater heterogeneity and more frequent EDR. These data can influence therapeutic strategy i.e., multiple samples, sequential, or consolidation therapy.

Regional blood flow occlusion during extensive pelvic procedures for ovarian cancer: a randomized trial.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of intraoperative aortic occlusion on blood loss and operative time when used during en bloc resection of internal reproductive organs, pelvic peritoneum, and rectosigmoid colon [modified posterior exenteration (MPE)] for primary cytoreduction of ovarian cancer. Patients undergoing MPE, without palpable distal aortic plaque or calcification, were randomized to: (a) complete distal aortic occlusion (

The relative importance of surgical training and laboratory research in a gynecologic oncology fellowship.

The objective was to determine trends of surgical skill acquisition during fellowships, and the consensus amongst gynecologic oncologists about the relative importance of surgical training and laboratory research in fellowships. A survey addressing surgical capability at the time of fellowship completion, and relative priorities that should be given to surgical training and laboratory research was mailed to gynecologic oncologists and fellows in the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists directory. Of 820 surveyed, 454 (55.4%) of provided utilizable data, of whom 56 (12.5%) were fellows, and 398 (87.5%) in practice (49.5% university-based and 50.5% community hospital-based). Relative to past graduates, recent ones report and current fellows anticipate a lower probability of being able to independently perform some procedures applicable to cervical and ovarian cancer, as well as others necessary to manage complications at the time of fellowship completion. 69.8% of all respondents think that greater emphasis should be placed on surgical training at the expense of doing less laboratory research. There is wide variation of opinion among respondents concerning the value of and most appropriate length of time that should be dedicated to laboratory research in a fellowship. There is an indication of a trend for more recent fellows to graduate having acquired less surgical skill and a prevalent opinion that surgical training should be more heavily emphasized in fellowships.

Radiation fields in gynecologic oncology: correlation of soft tissue (surgical) to radiologic landmarks.

OBJECTIVES: (1). To determine if radiation fields defined by bony structure landmarks correlate to anatomic boundaries of lymph node dissection marked intraoperatively; and (2). to determine if a patient's body mass index (BMI) correlates with these anatomic or radiographic boundaries. METHODS: One hundred patients undergoing exploratory laparotomy with pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissection had three medium hemoclips placed at vascular junctions considered of clinical significance to lymph node dissection: insertion of the left ovarian vein into the renal vein, insertion of the right ovarian vein into the vena cava, inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), bifurcation of the aorta, bifurcation of the common iliacs (bilateral), and the insertion of the deep circumflex vein (DCV) in to the external iliac vein (bilateral). Postoperatively, an abdominal X-ray was obtained. Comparisons were made between these eight major vascular landmarks and radiographic bony landmarks that are used to define radiation field boundaries. The percentage of vascular landmarks that were encompassed or fell outside of traditional radiation fields was determined with a 1-cm margin considered an adequate boundary for radiation. These measurements were also compared to patient BMIs. RESULTS: Radiation fields defined by traditional bony landmarks would adequately encompass the paraaortic lymph nodes in the majority of patients (91%). For pelvic radiation fields, there was a significant "miss" (39%) of common iliac lymph nodes. Approximately one quarter (26%) of patients would receive inadequate coverage of one or both of the lateral boundaries of pelvic radiation. There was no apparent correlation of BMI to vascular or bony landmarks. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation fields determined by traditional bony landmarks do not adequately reflect the anatomic (surgical) landmarks associated with the lymphatic drainage of the female reproductive organs. Although the majority of tertiary care centers now use advanced imaging techniques (e.g. computed tomography) to plan their radiation treatments, the historical guidelines of radiographic landmarks are still used in smaller institutions and continue to be referenced in Gynecologic Oncology Group protocols. For centers still using radiographic landmarks, the application of hemoclips with X-ray identification is a low-cost modality that is easily reproducible and may be clinically useful in guiding treatment.

Procedures required to accomplish complete cytoreduction of ovarian cancer: is there a correlation with "biological aggressiveness" and survival?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine if the necessity of using specific procedures to attain complete cytoreduction in ovarian cancer correlates with innate biologic aggressiveness and independently influences survival. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2000, 213 patients with Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer underwent complete cytoreduction before initiation of systemic platinum-based combination chemotherapy. Survival was stratified and analyzed (log rank and Cox regression) on the basis of whether extrapelvic bowel resection, diaphragm stripping, full-thickness diaphragm resection, modified posterior pelvic exenteration, peritoneal implant ablation and/or aspiration, and excision of grossly involved retroperitoneal lymph nodes were necessary to attain a visibly disease-free cytoreductive outcome. RESULTS: The median and estimated 5-year survival for the cohort were 75.8 months and 54%, respectively. Survival was influenced (log rank) by the requirement of diaphragm stripping (required, median 42 months vs not required, median 79 months; P = 0.03) and the extent of mesenteric and serosal implants that required removal (none, median not reached, vs 1-50 implants, median not reached, vs >50 implants, median 40 months; P = 0.002). Survival was independently influenced (Cox regression) only by the extent of peritoneal metastatic implants that required removal (P = 0.01). The other investigated procedures and type of chemotherapy used did not influence survival. CONCLUSIONS: The need to remove a large number of peritoneal implants correlates with biological aggressiveness and diminished survival, but not significantly enough to preclude long-term survival or justify abbreviation of the operative effort. The need to use the other investigated procedures had minimal or no observed influence on survival.

What are the current surgical objectives, strategies, and technical capabilities of gynecologic oncologists treating advanced epithelial ovarian cancer?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this survey was to determine the range of surgical objectives, strategies, and outcomes of primary cytoreductive operations performed by gynecologic oncologists. METHODS: A survey addressing the definition of "optimal" cytoreduction, the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, disease sites precluding optimal cytoreduction, reasons optimal cytoreduction or cytoreduction to a visibly disease-free outcome is or is not accomplished, the use of 15 specific operative procedures, and attitude toward postfellowship training in the surgical management of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer was mailed to candidate and full members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists. Analysis of discrete and binomial data utilized the chi(2) and independent samples t tests. Logistic regression confirmed relationships between responses and both the definition of optimal cytoreduction and the attitudes toward postfellowship training. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-three (61.4%) of 640 physicians provided utilizable data. A median of 95% of patients were reported to be operated on primarily and 5% were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P < 0.0001). A median of 9 (range 0-15) of the surveyed procedures were utilized. Forty-seven (12.0%) respondents defined optimal cytoreduction as no residual disease, 54 (13.7%) used a 5-mm threshold, 239 (60.8%) used a 1-cm threshold, and 48 (12.6%) utilized a 1.5- to 2.0-cm threshold. Small dimensions of residual disease (0-5 mm versus 1-2 cm) defined optimal cytoreduction for physicians indicating that fewer disease sites precluded optimal cytoreduction (P = 0.02), using a larger number of the surveyed procedures (P = 0.04), and in practice longer (P = 0.001). Three hundred seventeen (83.9%) of 378 respondents favored development of postfellowship training in cytoreductive surgery. Physicians against postfellowship training used fewer of the surveyed procedures because of concerns about efficacy (P = 0.01). More recent fellowship graduates favored postfellowship training (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A range of surgical objectives, strategies, procedures used, and outcomes exists among gynecologic oncologists. Confirmation of the efficacy of cytoreductive surgery may cultivate a consensus about the most appropriate therapeutic objective and strategy for advanced ovarian cancer. Cooperative efforts should be undertaken to offer postfellowship training.

The clinical significance of occult macroscopically positive retroperitoneal nodes in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the time during primary cytoreduction when retroperitoneal lymph nodes that are involved with macroscopic disease are recognized to be involved with tumor, the dimensions of intranodal disease present, and the possible clinical significance of macroscopically positive nodes that are recognized at different phases of the operation. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with stage IIIC and IV epithelial ovarian cancer underwent a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection during primary cytoreductive surgery. The phase of the operation in which nodes were recognized to be macroscopically involved with tumor was noted. Nodes were classified to be positive by palpation if recognized to be macroscopically involved by transperitoneal palpation, positive by inspection if recognized to be macroscopically involved by palpation after opening the retroperitoneal area, and positive by dissection if recognized to be macroscopically involved anytime after starting the actual process of lymph node dissection. The largest dimension of the intranodal disease in macroscopically positive nodes was measured. Log rank analysis determined whether nodal status or the time at which the nodes were recognized to be macroscopically positive influenced the probability of survival. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients, 66 had positive lymph nodes. Five were microscopically positive and 61 were macroscopically positive, of which 19 (31.1%) were positive by palpation, 16 (26.2%) were positive by inspection, 26 (42.6%) were positive by dissection. Of the 39 patients with negative and microscopically positive nodes 15 (38.5%) were clinically suspicious. Compared with patients with negative and microscopically positive lymph nodes, survival was not significantly different for patients who required excision of macroscopically positive nodal tissue. Survival was not influenced by the specific phase of surgery in which macroscopically positive nodes were recognized. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of patients had retroperitoneal nodes recognized to be involved with macroscopic disease only after a lymph node dissection was in progress. The decision not to perform a lymph node dissection for optimally and completely cytoreduced patients may result in unrecognized macroscopic residual disease that is larger than what would otherwise be documented.

Second-look laparotomy after modified posterior exenteration: patterns of persistence and recurrence in patients with stage III and stage IV ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of persistence and recurrence in patients with advanced ovarian cancer (stage IIIC and stage IV) after modified posterior exenteration. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review was used to determine patterns of persistence and recurrence of disease in patients undergoing modified posterior exenteration. From January 1, 1987, to September 15, 1998, 151 of 212 (71.2%) patients undergoing modified posterior exenteration in addition to other cytoreductive surgical procedures for stage IIIC and stage IV ovarian cancer underwent second-look laparotomy. The average age of the patients was 60.3 years (range, 20.3-86.3). A total of 207 of the 212 (97.6%) had grade 2 or 3 disease. Papillary serous carcinoma (113/212; 53.3%) and adenocarcinoma (75/212; 35.4%) were the most frequent cell types encountered. After initial cytoreductive surgery, minimal disease (<5 mm) was present in 206 of the 212 (96.2%) patients with 153 of 212 (72.2%) having no visible residual disease. There were 4 (1.9%) postoperative deaths. In 13 patients (6.1%) progressive disease was noted. Second-look laparotomy was not undertaken in 61 of the 212 (28%) patients. Fluid for cytologic testing was obtained from all four intra-abdominal quadrants, and biopsies of previously noted sites of disease were performed, in addition to random biopsies of diaphragmatic peritoneum, colonic gutters, and pelvic peritoneum. If present, the retroperitoneal lymph nodes were resected; biopsy specimens of these sites were obtained if there was no evidence of intraperitoneal disease. RESULTS: Findings at second-look laparotomy were negative for cancer in 85 of 151 (56.3%) and positive for cancer in 66 of 151 (43.7%). Only 8 of 151 (5.3%) patients had persistent disease in the pelvis. In the remainder (58/151; 38.4%) disease was found either in the upper abdomen or in the bowel mesentery. Recurrence was documented in the upper abdomen only (71/212; 33.5%), upper abdomen and pelvis (18/212; 8.5%), multiple sites excluding the pelvis (22/212; 10.4%), pelvis only (2/212; 0. 9%), chest alone (5/212; 2.4%), head alone (4/212; 1.9%), or groin alone (2/212; 0.9%). Median survival in the overall group was 51.1 months, with estimated 5- and 10-year survival rates of 44.2% and 32. 9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Modified posterior exenteration is an effective surgical means of eliminating pelvic disease in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Results of second-look laparotomy confirmed that only 8 of 151 (5.3%) had persistent disease in the pelvis.

The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery in the treatment of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the impact of secondary cytoreductive surgery on survival of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: One hundred six patients with a disease free interval (DFI) > 6 months after primary treatment underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery. Multivariate analysis determined which variables influenced the cytoreductive outcome and survival. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients (82.1%) underwent removal of all visible tumor. The median and estimated 5-year survival for the entire cohort after recurrence was 35.9 months and 28%, respectively. The probability of complete cytoreduction was influenced by the largest size of recurrent tumor (< 10 cm ¿90.0% vs. > 10 cm ¿66.7%; P = 0.003), use of salvage chemotherapy before secondary surgery (chemotherapy given ¿64.3% vs. chemotherapy not given ¿93.8%; P = 0.001), and preoperative Gynecologic Oncology Group performance status (0 ¿100%, 1 ¿91.4%, 2 ¿82.4%, and 3 ¿47.4%; P = 0.001). Survival was influenced by the DFI after primary treatment (6-12 months ¿median, 25.0 months vs. 13-36 months ¿median, 44.4 months vs. > 36 months ¿median, 56.8 months; P = 0.005), the completeness of cytoreduction (visibly disease free ¿median, 44.4 months vs. any residual disease ¿median, 19.3 months; P = 0.007), the use of salvage chemotherapy before secondary surgery (chemotherapy given ¿median, 24.9 months vs. chemotherapy not given ¿median, 48.4 months; P = 0.005), and the largest size of recurrent tumor (< 10 cm ¿median, 37.3 months vs. > 10 cm ¿median, 35.6 months; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Complete cytoreduction is possible for the majority of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma and maximizes survival if undertaken before salvage chemotherapy. The authors believe a randomized trial should be initiated to confirm these findings.

Complete cytoreductive surgery is feasible and maximizes survival in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Despite correlation between the completeness of surgical cytoreduction and survival for patients with advanced ovarian cancer, relatively few undergo complete cytoreduction. This study was initiated to prospectively determine the ability to surgically eliminate all visible disease in patients with stage IIIC and IV epithelial ovarian cancer and the associated impact on survival. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1996, 163 consecutive patients underwent primary cytoreduction. The goal was the excision or ablation of all visible disease prior to initiation of systemic platinum-based combination chemotherapy. A multivariate analysis determined which clinical and pathologic variables influenced the probability of achieving complete cytoreduction (logistic regression) and survival (Cox proportional hazards model). RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients (85.3%) underwent removal of all visible tumor, 22 (13.5%) had cytoreduction to 75 implants, P = 0.005), and stage (IIIC vs IV, P = 0.006). The probability of survival was independently influenced by age (61 years, P = 0.003), volume of ascites (1 liter, P = 0.01), stage (IIIC vs IV, P = 0.04), histology (clear cell and mucinous vs all other, P = 0.03), and the completeness of cytoreductive operation (complete vs incomplete cytoreduction, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Complete cytoreduction is possible for the majority of patients and improves survival, even compared to operations with minimal (

Second-look laparotomy for ovarian cancer provides reliable prognostic information and improves survival.

From 1990 to 1995, 120 consecutive patients with stage IIIC and IV ovarian carcinoma underwent surgical cytoreduction to < or = 1-cm residual disease followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. At the conclusion of chemotherapy all patients who were clinically disease free and whose CA-125 was < 35 were offered a second-look operation that obtained at least 100 tissue specimens. Of 107 patients who qualified for second look, 78 underwent the procedure. Forty-three (55.1%) had negative pathology, 20 (25.6%) were microscopically positive, and 15 (19.2%) had gross disease. Patients with positive findings received individualized salvage therapy. Patient age (P = 0.01) and the number of implants at primary surgery (P = 0.004) correlated with second-look results. Twelve (27.9%) of the patients with negative pathology have recurred. Eleven of these patients had metastatic disease > or = 10 cm at primary surgery (P = 0.003). Patients refusing second look had a median survival of 39.1 months. Approximately 60% of patients who underwent second look remain alive. Stepwise logistic regression selected two covariates significantly affecting survival: the number of implants at primary surgery (P = 0.0130) and performance of a second look (P = 0.0103). Using the protocol described in a population of optimally resected patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer, second-look laparotomy can impact positively on survival. Patients with > 10-cm metastatic disease at primary surgery and negative second-look findings should be the focus of future protocols for consolidation chemotherapy.

Secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer. A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer is poor. Most are treated with salvage chemotherapy. The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery is controversial. Hence, this prospective study was undertaken to determine the feasibility and benefit of secondary cytoreductive surgery before the administration of salvage chemotherapy. METHODS: Between 1990 and 1994, 36 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer underwent secondary surgical cytoreduction. All had prior primary cytoreductive surgery, platin-based chemotherapy, and had relapsed at least 6 months after completion of primary treatment. The goal was the excision of all macroscopic disease before initiation of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Statistical analysis was undertaken to determine which clinical and pathologic variables influenced the feasibility of complete excision as well as morbidity, mortality, survival benefit, and quality of life resulting from secondary cytoreductive surgery. RESULTS: Thirty (83.0%) patients had complete surgical excisions. The probability of a complete excision was influenced by Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) performance status (0-2 vs. 3, P = 0.05) and size of largest tumor deposit (< 10 cm vs. > 10 cm, P = 0.03). Eleven (30.1%) patients experienced morbidity and 1 (2.8%) died postoperatively. Of 27 symptomatic patients with at least 3 months of follow-up, 26 (96.2%) had resolution or improvement of their symptoms. Of 25 followed for at least 6 months postoperatively, 23 (92.0%) had a GOG performance status of 0 or 1. Survival was adversely influenced by the administration of salvage chemotherapy before surgery (P = 0.02), a preoperative GOG performance status of 3 (P = 0.01), and a brief disease free interval after completion of primary treatment (P = 0.01). The median survival was extended for patients completely resected before salvage chemotherapy or radiation, compared with those with macroscopic residual disease remaining (43 vs. 5 months, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Complete secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer is technically feasible and has an acceptable operative complication rate. Survival is significantly improved for patients having complete resection. Subsequent relief of symptoms and performance status are excellent.

Peritoneal implant elimination during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer: impact on survival.

A case-control study was performed to evaluate the potential benefit of peritoneal and serosal implant elimination (PIE) during primary cytoreductive surgery for patients with Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer. Peritoneal implant excision and/or ablation was accomplished with electrocautery, CO2 laser, sharp dissection, argon beam coagulator, and cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator. Three groups of patients were compared: Group A (7 patients); macroscopically disease-free after cytoreduction without needing PIE; Group B (26 patients); macroscopically disease-free after cytoreduction, including PIE; Group C (34 patients); macroscopic disease < or = 1 cm remaining exclusively on peritoneal surfaces with PIE not attempted. Each group had statistically equivalent mean ages, estimated blood loss, extent of disease, and variety of cytoreductive operations performed. Group B had a longer mean operating time than that of A or C (4.0 vs 2.8 hr P = 0.002). No serious morbidity occurred from PIE. Comparison of survival by log rank analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression shows a survival advantage for patients rendered free of macroscopic peritoneal implants (Group B vs Group C; P = 0.003). The result suggests that complete elimination of all visible peritoneal metastases might be of benefit during surgical cytoreduction for ovarian cancer if this renders the patient macroscopically disease-free. We also suggest the need of a randomized, prospective study to clarify the clinical role of PIE.

The impact of subspecialty training on the management of advanced ovarian cancer.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the influence of subspecialty training in gynecologic oncology as well as several other covariates on the feasibility, operative mortality, and survival benefits of cytoreductive surgery for 263 patients with stages IIIC and IVA epithelial ovarian cancer. Covariates most predictive of an optimal (< or = 1 cm) cytoreductive outcome were the diameter of the largest metastases before cytoreduction (< or = 10 cm vs > 10 cm, P < 0.001) and the specialty training of the physicians present at surgery (gynecologic oncologists vs other, P < 0.001). Age influenced operative mortality most (< 60 vs > or = 60, P < 0.001). Covariates found to most significantly influence survival time include the specialty training of the physicians present at surgery (gynecologic oncologists vs other, P < 0.0001), cytoreductive outcome (complete vs optimal, P = 0.001, optimal vs suboptimal, P < 0.0001), grade of tumor (grade 1 vs grades 2 and 3, P = 0.01), and pelvic disease status (frozen pelvis vs mobile primary tumor, P = 0.03). We conclude that patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer should undergo aggressive cytoreductive surgery by gynecologic oncologists, with the objective to remove all macroscopic disease. Subsequent treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy offers the best chance for long-term survival or cure.

Modified posterior exenteration for ovarian cancer.

The operative description of a modified posterior exenteration along with operative findings, other operative procedures, postoperative course, and follow-up information are presented for 47 patients (37 primary cytoreduction, ten secondary cytoreduction). All had stage IIIC or IV epithelial ovarian cancer with pelvic disease encasing the reproductive organs, pelvic peritoneum, cul-de-sac, and sigmoid colon. In addition to modified posterior exenteration, all patients had multiple other procedures performed as part of the cytoreductive efforts. Forty-five (95.7%) had optimal (less than 2 cm) cytoreduction and 18 (38.3%) had complete cytoreductive surgery. Thirty-four patients were ultimately rendered continent of feces (25 primarily and nine after colostomy reversal). Nine patients (19.1%) had serious morbidity and one (2.1%) died postoperatively. The median follow-up for those undergoing primary cytoreduction was 13.3 months (6-84). Nineteen (51.4%) were alive at the time of writing, 16 (43.2%) were dead, and two (5.4%) were lost to follow-up. Modified posterior exenteration effectively removes all visible pelvic disease with acceptable mortality. Hence, even patients with the most advanced cases of ovarian cancer may attain optimal cytoreduction and become ideal candidates for adjunctive therapy, with improved survival or a chance for cure.

The clinical significance of blood transfusion at the time of radical hysterectomy.

A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate the clinical implications of perioperative blood transfusion in the surgical management of stage IB cervical cancer. The investigation focused on 126 patients treated with radical hysterectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection who were found to have clear surgical margins, negative retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and no lymph-vascular space involvement in the hysterectomy specimen, and who had no perioperative radiation therapy, no history of immunosuppression with medication, and at least 18 months of follow-up. The distributions of age, weight, operative time, nodal yields, mean lesion diameters, median depths of invasion, and histologic subtypes were not statistically different between the transfused and untransfused groups. The average estimated blood loss among the transfused patients was 1104 mL, compared with 764 mL among the untransfused patients (P = .015). Among the 68 who received blood perioperatively, there were ten recurrences (14.7%), compared with two (3.4%) among the 58 patients who did not receive blood (P = .035). In this select population of patients, in which perioperative transfusion was isolated as a variable, transfusion adversely affected the outcome of surgical therapy.

Ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis as a complication of tuboovarian abscess. A case report.

Ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis are rare complications of pelvic inflammatory disease. A woman developed severe unilateral urinary tract obstruction caused by a tuboovarian abscess, requiring ureteral stent placement.

Lithokelyphos. A case report and literature review.

Retained abdominal pregnancy is an extremely rare complication of pregnancy. A patient presented with an intraabdominal pregnancy that had been retained for 29 years.

Laparoscopy--a diagnostic aid in cases of suspected appendicitis. Its use in women of reproductive age.

In women of reproductive age the usefulness of laparoscopy in diagnosing acute appendicitis was evaluated. Eighty-six women underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. There was complete visualization of the appendix in 93% of the patients. Twenty-two patients were spared laparotomy. In the nonpregnant patients, salpingitis was the disease most often confused with appendicitis. Eighty-five percent of the patients with salpingitis had the onset of symptoms within 14 days of the last menstrual period, whereas acute appendicitis was found in 86% of the patients with the onset of symptoms greater than 14 days after the last menstrual period. The onset of symptoms relative to the first day of the last menstrual period differed in these two groups of patients (p less than 0.01). Patients who were spared unnecessary laparotomy had significantly diminished hospital stays (p less than 0.001). Laparoscopy was found to be a safe and effective way to diagnose acute appendicitis in women of reproductive age, and its liberal use is recommended.