Background/Objectives: Bowel resection may be necessary during cytoreductive surgery (CS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer to achieve complete tumor removal. However, concerns about increased perioperative risks and unclear survival benefits have led to ongoing debate. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of bowel resection on perioperative mortality and overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing CS. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 127 patients with FIGO stage IIB–IV epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent primary or interval CS between 2007 and 2021. Patients were stratified based on the performance of bowel resection. Clinical, surgical, and survival data were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Primary outcomes were 90-day mortality and OS. Results: Bowel resection was performed in 58 patients (46%) with more extensive disease and poorer ECOG performance scores. Although the resection group had increased perioperative risks (e.g., higher transfusion rates and ICU use), OS was similar between groups (log-rank p = 0.122). Multivariate analysis identified that increasing age (HR = 1.042, p = 0.005) was independently associated with poorer OS, whereas lymph node dissection (HR = 0.450, p = 0.003) and undergoing primary CS (HR = 0.540, p = 0.047) were associated with improved survival. Bowel resection was not independently associated with OS. Conclusions: Bowel resection does not adversely affect OS when optimal cytoreduction is achieved. Although it increases perioperative complexity, it can be safely incorporated into CS in selected patients. These findings support its use as part of an individualized surgical strategy for advanced ovarian cancer.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis with primary vaginal involvement and ureteral obstruction: A case report and systematic review of the literature
Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a vasculitis with multi-organ involvement. Some cases of gynecologic involvement have been described, but there are no systematic reviews in the literature. Objectives: to provide a systematic review of the literature of GPA patients with gynecological involvement. Search Strategy: PubMed and Embase, were searched from inception to July 2012 for GPA patients with gynecological involvement Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms. Selection Criteria: Patients with GPA and primary gynecologic involvement, and/or genital recurrence. Exclusion criteria were other language, review articles, pregnancy, fertility or male patients. Data Collection and Analysis: Data were extracted on clinical evolution, symptoms, examinations findings, diagnosis delay, treatment, outcome, patient status, and follow-up. The main limitation of the studies was the high heterogeneity, which resulted in a narrative review and could lead to publication bias. Main Results: Seventeen studies included data from patients with GPA and primary or relapsed gynecological involvement. In GPA patients, the genitourinary system is affected in <1%. 61% of the authors of this review thought the patient had cancer. The main gynecological symptom is bleeding, but exclusive gynecologic symptomatology is rare (ENT: 63%, lungs: 44%, kidneys-urinary tract: 53%). GPA could affect all areas of the genital tract, but the most frequent location is the uterine cervix. Medical treatment for GPA is effective. Conclusions: GPA of the female genital tract must be considered when biopsies of an ulcerated malignant-appearing cervical or vaginal mass are negative for malignancy even when they are unspecific. Rheumatology consultation is indicated.
Complications of Pessaries Amenable to Surgical Correction: Two Case Reports and a Systematic Review of the Literature
Background: Forty percent of women will experience prolapse in their lifetime. Vaginal pessaries are considered the first line of treatment in selected patients. Major complications of vaginal pessaries rarely occur. Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched from 1961 to 2022 for major complications of vaginal pessaries using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms. The keywords were pessary or pessaries and: vaginal discharge, incontinence, entrapment, urinary infections, fistula, complications, and vaginal infection. The exclusion criteria were other languages than English, pregnancy, complications without a prior history of pessary placement, pessaries unregistered for clinical practice (herbal pessaries), or male patients. The extracted data included symptoms, findings upon examination, infection, type of complication, extragenital symptoms, and treatment. Results: We identified 1874 abstracts and full text articles; 54 were assessed for eligibility and 49 met the inclusion criteria. These 49 studies included data from 66 patients with pessary complications amenable to surgical correction. Clavien–Dindo classification was used to grade the complications. Most patients presented with vaginal symptoms such as bleeding, discharge, or ulceration. The most frequent complications were pessary incarceration and fistulas. Surgical treatment included removal of the pessary under local or general anesthesia, fistula repair, hysterectomy and vaginal repair, and the management of bleeding. Conclusions: Pessaries are a reasonable and durable treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. Complications are rare. Routine follow-ups are necessary. The ideal patient candidate must be able to remove and reintroduce their pessary on a regular basis; if not, this must be performed by a healthcare worker at regular intervals.
Does MIS Play a Role in the Treatment of Advanced Ovarian Cancer?
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy allows a minimally invasive approach for interval debulking in patients with ovarian cancer considered unresectable to no residual disease by laparotomy at diagnosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the type of surgical approach at interval debulking (ID) after three courses of carboplatin and taxol in patients with unresectable ovarian cancer at diagnosis compared with the type of surgical approach at primary debulking (PD). A secondary objective was to compare the perioperative outcomes of MIS vs. laparotomy at ID. A retrospective review of the type of surgical approach at ID following three courses of carboplatin and taxol was compared with the surgical approach at PD, and a review of the perioperative outcomes of MIS vs. open at ID was performed during the period from 21 January 2012, through 21 February 2013, for stage IIIC > 2 cm or IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) unresectable at diagnosis and the surgical approach at PD. During the study period, 127 patients with stage IIIC or IV EOC met the inclusion criteria. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), laparoscopic or robotic, was used in 21.6% of patients at ID and in 23.3% of patients at PD. At ID, MIS patients had a shorter hospital stay as compared to laparotomy (2 vs. 8 days; p < 0.001). At 5 year follow-up, 31.5% of EOC patients were alive (ID MIS: 47.5% vs. ID open: 30%; PD MIS: 41% vs. PD open: 28%), while 24.4% had no evidence of disease (ID MIS: 39% vs. ID open: 19.5%; PD MIS: 32% vs. PD open: 22%). Among living patients, 22% had evidence of disease. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a form of chemo-debulking and allows a minimally invasive approach at interval debulking in about one-fifth of the patients, with initial disease deemed unresectable to no residual tumor at initial diagnosis.
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis-Mimicking Advanced Gynecological Cancer: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature
(1) Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a necrotizing vasculitis that mimics gynecologic cancer. In GPA patients, the genitourinary system is affected in <1%. The objective of the study was to provide a systematic review of the literature of GPA patients with gynecological involvement. (2) Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched from inception to July 2021 for GPA patients with gynecological involvement Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms. Exclusion criteria were other language, review articles, pregnancy, fertility, or male patients. Data were extracted on clinical evolution, symptoms, examinations findings, diagnosis delay, treatment, outcome, patient status, and follow-up. (3) Results: Seventeen studies included data from patients with GPA and primary or relapsed gynecological involvement. 68% of the authors of this review thought the patient had cancer. The main gynecological symptom is bleeding, but exclusive gynecologic symptomatology is rare (ENT: 63%, lungs: 44%, kidneys-urinary tract: 53%). GPA could affect all areas of the genital tract, but the most frequent location is the uterine cervix. Medical treatment for GPA is effective. (4) Conclusions: GPA of the female genital tract must be considered when biopsies of an ulcerated malignant-appearing cervical or vaginal mass are negative for malignancy even when they are unspecific. Rheumatology consultation is indicated.
Pregnancy Rates After Surgical Resection of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis in Patients with Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
We aim to describe the diagnosis and surgical management of urinary tract endometriosis (UTE). We detail current diagnostic tools, including advanced transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical diagnostic tools such as cystourethroscopy. While discussing surgical treatment options, we emphasize the importance of an interdisciplinary team for complex cases that involve the urinary tract. While bladder deep endometriosis (DE) is more straightforward in its surgical treatment, ureteral DE requires a high level of surgical skill. Specialists should be aware of the important entity of UTE, due to the serious health implications for women. When UTE exists, it is important to work within an interdisciplinary radiological and surgical team.
Surgeon Fatigue and Postural Stability: Is Robotic Better Than Laparoscopic Surgery?