Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Perioperative Outcomes During Hysterectomy for Endometriosis

Study ObjectiveTo assess whether complications incurred during hysterectomy for the treatment of endometriosis differ among racial-ethnic groups.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingAmerican College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2014 to 2019. This database is a robust, comprehensive, multi-institutional database with nearly 700 participating hospitals.PatientsPatients with a diagnosis of endometriosis or with an endometriosis-associated symptom as the primary indication for surgery and surgical intraoperative documentation of endometriosis.InterventionsCompare perioperative complications based on patient race and ethnicity.Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 5639 patients underwent hysterectomy for endometriosis; of these, 4368 were White patients (77.5%), 528 Black patients (9.4%), 491 Hispanic patients (8.7%), 252 Asian patients (4.5%). There was no association between location of endometriosis and patient race and ethnicity. However, White patients had highest rate, and Asian patients had the lowest rate of laparoscopic hysterectomy, 85.3% vs 69.8%, respectively (p <.01). In addition, there were differences in concomitant procedures performed at time of hysterectomy based on race and ethnicity, with White patients having the highest rates of adnexal/peritoneal surgery at 12.5% (p <.01) compared with patients of the other racial and ethnic groups. Asian patients had the highest rate of ureteral surgery at 6.8% (p <.01) and highest rate of intestinal surgery at 16.3% (p <.01) compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups. There was no association of rates of concomitant bladder surgery, appendectomy, or rectal surgery with patient race and ethnicity. Black patients had the highest rate of minor complications at 13.5% (p <.01) and the highest rate of major complications at 6.6% (p <.01) compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups. After multivariable analysis, Black patients still had increased odds of having a major complication compared with patients of other racial and ethnic groups even after controlling for patient characteristics and perioperative factors such as endometriosis lesion location, surgical approach, and concomitant procedures (odds ratio 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.10–2.45).ConclusionEndometriosis lesion location did not differ with patient race and ethnicity. However, patient race and ethnicity did have an impact on the surgical approach and the concomitant surgical procedures performed at time of hysterectomy. Black patients had the highest odds of major complications.     

Endometriosis and infertility

Endometriosis is certainly responsible for many instances of infertility, although its physiopathological mechanism is not very clear. Tubal endometriosis can lead to occlusion of the tubes, ovarian endometriosis can cause adhesions, and peritoneal endometriosis can cause adnexitis. Sterility caused by endometriosis is often secondary, while amenorrhea, menstrual fever, and pain are always present. Clinical medical examinations should be completed by hysterography and celioscopy. Endometriosis can be treated with hormonotherapy: lynestrenol and norethindrone atrophy the endometrium, block ovulation, and cause persistent amenorrhea. Surgical treatment has benefited enormously from the recent progress in microsurgery; it is now possible not only to resect the unwanted tissue, but to reconstitute the healthy one. It would be now reasonable to expect a pregnancy in about 50% of treated cases.     

细胞凋亡与子宫内膜异位症

子宫内膜异位症（EMs）发病原因尚未明了。EMs是妇科常见良性疾病,但却有增生、浸润、转移及复发等恶性行为,对其预防和治疗仍是目前难点。凋亡是基因控制的程序性细胞自我消亡过程,对机体维持自身稳态和组织器官正常生理功能至关重要。近年有资料表明,凋亡异常可促进EMs的发生发展。综述细胞凋亡途径,凋亡相关基因及凋亡在正常子宫内膜与EMs的在位、异位内膜中的不同表达,期望能操控细胞程序性死亡并应用于EMs的预防和治疗中。     

子宫内膜异位症与不孕症

子宫内膜异位症（EMs）在育龄妇女中发病率较高,较易引起患者生育能力下降乃至不孕。目前这类不孕症的治疗方式主要包括手术治疗和多种辅助生殖技术（ART）,包括体外受精（IVF）、促排卵治疗、宫内受精等。传统的药物加外科治疗方式对不孕症的治疗效果相当有限,因此越来越多的证据显示ART应该作为EMs相关不孕症患者的首选治疗,其中IVF因其相对较高的成功率备受关注。但是诸如IVF前的卵巢调控方式、妊娠后如何防治疾病本身带来的妊娠期并发症等诸多悬而未决的问题需要大型的研究来提供新的理论支持。     

细胞凋亡与子宫内膜异位症

子宫内膜异位症（EMs）发病原因尚未明了。EMs是妇科常见良性疾病,但却有增生、浸润、转移及复发等恶性行为,对其预防和治疗仍是目前难点。凋亡是基因控制的程序性细胞自我消亡过程,对机体维持自身稳态和组织器官正常生理功能至关重要。近年有资料表明,凋亡异常可促进EMs的发生发展。综述细胞凋亡途径,凋亡相关基因及凋亡在正常子宫内膜与EMs的在位、异位内膜中的不同表达,期望能操控细胞程序性死亡并应用于EMs的预防和治疗中。     

Endometriosis and adenomyosis

Peristaltic activity of the non-pregnant uterus serves fundamental functions in the early process of reproduction. Hyperperistalsis of the uterus is significantly associated with the development of endometriosis and adenomyosis. In women with hyperperistalsis fragments of basal endometrium are detached during menstruation and transported into the peritoneal cavity. Fragments of basal endometrium have an increased potential of implantation and proliferation resulting in pelvic endometriosis. In addition, hyperperistalsis induces the proliferation of basal endometrium into myometrial dehiscencies. This results in endometriosis-associated adenomyosis with a prevalence of about 90%. Adenomyosis results in impaired directed sperm transport and thus constitutes an important cause of sterility in women with endometriosis. The principal mechanism of endometriosis/adenomyosis is the paracrine interference of endometrial estrogen with the cyclical endocrine control of archimyometrial peristalsis exerted by the ovary thus resulting in hyperperistalsis. Minimal endometriosis of the fertile women, endometriosis and adenomyosis of the infertile women and adenomyosis of the parous peri- and postmenopausal women are considered as phenotypes of a pathophysiological continuum with uterine peristalsis playing a prominent role.     

Endometriosis and malignoma

Malignant tumors arising from endometriosis are rare. A frequency of about 1% has been reported with in 80% the ovary, and in 20% extragonadal sites being affected. The most common extragonadal manifestations are the rectosigmoid and the rectovaginal septum. For extragonadal malignant tumors arising from endometriosis, complete resection followed by post-operative radiotherapy, possibly plus adjuvant progestin therapy, is the treatment of choice. Endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinomas are likely to present with lower stage disease and predominantly lower grade tumors. While their treatment follows that of common ovarian cancer, a poorer response to chemotherapy must be considered. As unopposed estrogen replacement therapy has been identified as a risk factor for the development of endometriosis-associated cancer, it is not recommended for hormone replacement therapy in women with a history of endometriosis. Loss of heterozygosity and mutations of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene may be early events of tumorigenesis. Endometriosis and its malignant transformation, perhaps, may serve as a suitable model in this regard. According to recent studies, endometriosis is associated with an increased relative risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.     

Endometriosis and infertility

Endometriosis is a debilitating condition characterized by high recurrence rates. The etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Typically, endometriosis causes pain and infertility, although 20–25% of patients are asymptomatic. The principal aims of therapy include relief of symptoms, resolution of existing endometriotic implants, and prevention of new foci of ectopic endometrial tissue. Current therapeutic approaches are far from being curative; they focus on managing the clinical symptoms of the disease rather than fighting the disease. Specific combinations of medical, surgical, and psychological treatments can ameliorate the quality of life of women with endometriosis. The benefits of these treatments have not been entirely demonstrated, particularly in terms of expectations that women hold for their own lives. Although theoretically advantageous, there is no evidence that a combination medical-surgical treatment significantly enhances fertility, and it may unnecessarily delay further fertility therapy. Randomized controlled trials are required to demonstrate the efficacy of different treatments.     

Endometriosis and laparoscopy

Endometriosis in an important disease especially for girls and young women. It often causes chronic complaints and infertility, requiring an early endoscopic diagnosis for their prophylaxis and therapy. The characteristics of endometriosis, the indications for laparoscopy, its technique, and the endoscopic picture are described in detail. The knowledge of the special endoscopic features is essential, otherwise there will be a high percentage of false negative diagnostic results. Reducing the failure rate in endometriosis diagnosis is the aid of this survey.     

Endometriosis and infertility

Women with endometriosis typically present with pelvic pain, infertility or an adnexal mass. Surgery for persistent adnexal masses may be indicated to remove an endometrioma or other pelvic pathology. Surgical or medical therapy is efficacious for pelvic pain due to endometriosis, but treatment of endometriosis in the female partner of an infertile couple raises a number of complex clinical questions that do not have simple answers.     

Endometriosis and fertility

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition of reproductive age which can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain. The pathophysiology of endometriosis-associated infertility is not well understood and it appears to be multi-factorial; mechanical, inflammatory, hormonal, genetic and environmental processes can disturb each step of the normal reproductive physiology; folliculogenesis, ovulation, sperm function, gamete transport, fertilization and implantation. Medical management has limited role for women with endometriosis wishing to conceive. The ongoing pregnancy rate for infertile women with milder forms of the disease is improved by surgery. Surgical management for symptoms associated with severe disease and endometrioma in infertile women needs careful consideration of possible benefits and associated risks. Endometriosis-associated infertility is a recognised indication for assisted conception treatment.     

Endometriosis and infertility

Relationship between infertility and endometriosis is still controversial. Many mechanisms have been reported such as anatomical disorders, biologic and cytological modifications of peritoneal liquid, functional ovarian and endometrial disorders, reduced embryo quality. Management of infertility related to endometriosis is difficult and no consensus has been published yet. Following recent clinical data, therapeutic strategies are discussed.     

Endometriosis and angiogenesis

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition, responsible for significant morbidity and social-economic impact. Although the condition has been recognized for many years, the underlying pathophysiology is poorly understood. In turn, this results in inadequate treatment and high recurrence rates. Various theories try to explain the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. However, none of them can explain all disease locations and appearances, and it is unclear how these fragments establish into endometriotic lesions. New vessel formation has long been recognized as a feature of endometriosis, often clearly visible at laparoscopy. Recent work has focused on identifying the role of vascularization in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, by allowing lesions to establish and grow. In this review the authors outline the basic mechanisms of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis in the human eutopic endometrium, and consider how this data can be applied to endometriotic implants. Furthermore, the authors discuss molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and how this may be used to therapeutic advantage in the treatment of endometriosis.     

Endometriosis and infertility

Endometriosis seems to be a common fertility barrier which is affected by immunological and local mechanical factors. The established use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) provides increasing knowledge about folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy rates. Nevertheless, controversial discussion about the success of ART in endometriosis exists although the progress of reproductive technologies is improving constantly in many ways. Despite all discussions the question remains still to be unanswered, whether or not endometriosis is indeed limiting the success in reproductive medicine.     

子宫内膜异位症与不孕症

子宫内膜异位症（EMs）在育龄妇女中发病率较高,较易引起患者生育能力下降乃至不孕.目前这类不孕症的治疗方式主要包括手术治疗和多种辅助生殖技术（ART）,包括体外受精（IVF）、促排卵治疗、宫内受精等.传统的药物加外科治疗方式对不孕症的治疗效果相当有限,因此越来越多的证据显示ART应该作为EMs相关不孕症患者的首选治疗,其中IVF因其相对较高的成功率备受关注.但是诸如IVF前的卵巢调控方式、妊娠后如何防治疾病本身带来的妊娠期并发症等诸多悬而未决的问题需要大型的研究来提供新的理论支持.