Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery for Endometrial and Cervical Cancer.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has many benefits, in the form of reduced postoperative morbidity, improved recovery and reduced inpatient stay. It is imperative, however, when new techniques are adopted, in the context of treating oncology patients, that the oncological efficacy and safety are established rigorously rather than assumed based on first principles. Here we have attempted to provide a comprehensive review of all the contentious and topical themes surrounding the use of MIS in the treatment of endometrial and cervix cancer following a thorough review of the literature. On the topic of endometrial cancer, we cover the role of laparoscopy in both early and advanced disease, together with the role and unique benefits of robotic surgery. The surgical challenge of patients with a raised body mass index and the frail and elderly are discussed and finally the role of sentinel lymph node assessment. For cervical cancer, the role of MIS for staging and primary treatment is covered, together with the interesting and highly specialist topics of fertility-sparing treatment, ovarian transposition and the live birth rate associated with this. We end with a discussion on the evidence surrounding the role of adjuvant hysterectomy following radical chemoradiation and pelvic exenteration for recurrent cervical cancer. MIS is the standard of care for endometrial cancer. The future of MIS for cervix cancer, however, remains uncertain. Current recommendations, based on the available evidence, are that the open approach should be considered the gold standard for the surgical management of early cervical cancer and that MIS should only be adopted in the context of research. Careful counselling of patients on the current evidence, discussing in detail the risks and benefits to enable them to make an informed choice, remains paramount.

The chemical, genetic and immunological basis of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury.

Idiosyncratic drug reactions can be extremely severe and are not accounted for by the regular pharmacology of a drug. Thus, the mechanism of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (iDILI), a phenomenon that occurs with many drugs including ß-lactams, anti-tuberculosis drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, has been difficult to determine and remains a pressing issue for patients and drug companies. Evidence has shown that iDILI is multifactorial and multifaceted, which suggests that multiple cellular mechanisms may be involved. However, a common initiating event has been proposed to be the formation of reactive drug metabolites and covalently bound adducts. Although the fate of these metabolites are unclear, recent evidence has shown a possible link between iDILI and the adaptive immune system. This review highlights the role of reactive metabolites, the recent genetic innovations which have provided molecular targets for iDILI, and the current literature which suggests an immunological basis for iDILI.

Incisional site metastasis in a patient with cervical carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature.

Abdominal wall metastasis either incisional, drain, or port is rather rare in patients treated for cervical carcinoma. We present a case of a patient who underwent an abdominal radical hysterectomy for a moderately differentiated cervical adenocarcinoma stage Ib1 and presented an incisional site metastasis 36 months after her operation. Moreover, we performed a literature search for abdominal wall metastases after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer, and we present a table of the relative case reports. After our literature search, we clarified that the median time of recurrence was 14 months (range 1.5 month to 45 months). Thirty-three out of 42, 8/42, and 1/42 were squamous, adeno-, and adenosquamous carcinomas, respectively. Wide excision was performed in 30/37 cases of which we have information regarding the treatment option, while 11/37 and 13/37 underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. The possible mechanism of such a metastasis as well as the treatment options is discussed.

Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule as a First Manifestation of Primary Peritoneal Cancer.

Sister Mary Joseph's nodule metastasis is a rather rare finding. The primary malignancy in women is usually ovarian, endometrial, gastric, or pancreatobiliary tree cancer. We present a case of an 87-year-old patient with Sister Mary Joseph's nodule metastasis caused by a primary peritoneal malignancy. Through a literature search, we also discuss the pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, management, and prognosis of such a condition.

Liver resection for metastases arising from recurrent granulosa cell tumour of the ovary--a case series.

Ovarian granulosa cell tumours (GCT) occur rarely and represent 2-3% of all ovarian tumours. Regarded as tumours with low malignant potential and renowned for late recurrences, these tumours occasionally metastasize to the liver. We present our experience with three patients who underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery including liver resection for recurrence of the disease resulting in greatly improved quality of life and disease-free interval.

Use of surgical sealant in debulking surgery for advanced ovarian carcinoma--case report.

Haemostatic sealants are frequently used in gynaecological surgery. Several commercial products are available with similar mechanisms of action and chemical structure. We report the use of Floseal in a laparotomy for ovarian cancer to achieve haemostasis. This is the first reported case with the successful use of Floseal in gynaecological oncology.

Use of serum progesterone measurements to reduce need for follow-up in women with pregnancies of unknown location.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a progesterone-based algorithm for the management of women with pregnancies of unknown location (PULs) and explore the feasibility of developing a single-visit strategy in those with a low risk of requiring medical intervention. METHODS: All clinically stable women in whom pregnancy could not be identified on ultrasound scan were managed by a pre-defined protocol based on measurement of serum progesterone and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). Intervention in the form of surgery or medical treatment with methotrexate was offered to all women with persistent or worsening symptoms and non-declining serum beta-hCG. Decision-tree analysis was used to develop a protocol for the management of women with resolving pregnancies who are at low risk of requiring medical intervention. RESULTS: 1110 women were included in the data analysis: normal intrauterine pregnancy was diagnosed in 248 (22.3%; 95% CI, 19.9-24.8) women. 761 (68.6%; 95% CI, 65.8-71.3) abnormal pregnancies resolved spontaneously on expectant management, while the remaining 101 (9.1%; 95% CI, 7.4-10.8) women with abnormal pregnancies required some form of medical intervention. Intervention rates in patients presenting with initial serum progesterone levels of

Intraoperative haemostasis with new fibrin surgical sealant (Quixil) in gynaecological oncology.

We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of Quixil in gynaecological oncology with a prospective observational study over 11 months in a gynaecological oncology centre. Quixil was opportunistically used when conventional haemostatic techniques failed, in 35 laparotomies and four laparoscopies. A total of 26 operations were performed for malignant disease and 13 for benign indications. Demographic, intraoperative and postoperative data were collected. Haemostasis was accomplished within 5 min from sealant application. No hypersensitivity reactions were noted. Bowel recovery and postoperative pain were usual. In the laparotomy group, the mean hospital stay was 11 days and mean operating time, 164 min. In the laparoscopy group, the mean hospital stay was 3 days and mean operating time 165 min. In both groups, the incidence of complications and recurrence rates were in line with the expected population rates of these treated patients. We conclude that Quixil is an efficient, safe and effective haemostatic agent, which has a role to play in gynaecological surgery for benign and malignant disease.