Port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic cancer. A report of six cases

BACKGROUND: Port-site metastasis after laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic cancer is a recognized entity. CASES: Five patients underwent laparoscopic peritoneal biopsies for a stage III (n = 4) or IV (n = 1) ovarian cancer with moderate or poor differentiation. The sixth patient underwent a laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for vaginal carcinoma with bulky metastatic pelvic lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: In order to avoid port-site metastasis, patients with an obviously malignant ovarian tumor and ascites should not be treated with laparoscopy using pneumoperitoneum. If a malignant ovarian tumor is discovered during laparoscopy, the interval between initial surgery and complete cytoreductive surgery (with resection of laparoscopic ports) followed by chemotherapy should be as short as possible. For patients with uterine cancer and bulky nodes, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy should be avoided to avoid trocar implantation metastasis.     

腹腔镜窄带成像诊断腹膜型子宫内膜异位症的价值

目的:比较窄谱成像腹腔镜(NBL)和普通白光腹腔镜诊断腹膜型子宫内膜异位症的价值。方法:2008年6月至2008年9月就诊于北京协和医院行腹腔镜手术并经病理确诊为子宫内膜异位患者15例,平均35±6岁,术中首选在普通白光腹腔镜探查盆腔,再用NBI探查。记录所有内异症病灶并照相。以病理诊断为金标准,比较普通白光和NBI腹腔镜对腹膜内异症诊断的准确性。结果:腹膜病灶和正常腹膜活检标本共53份,包括普通白光和NBI腹腔镜下发现的内异症病灶38份及NBI腹腔镜下正常的腹膜随机活检15份,均送病理检查。所有病灶取活检后均以电凝烧灼破坏。(1)38份腹膜内异症的标本中,25份病灶标本病理检查发现内膜腺体或间质,病理阳性率65.8%。15份肉眼观察为正常腹膜标本中,仅1份标本病理检查发现内膜腺体或间质(6.6%);(2)与病理诊断比较,普通白光和NBI腹腔镜诊断腹膜型内异症的敏感度(SEN)分别为69.2%(18/26)和92.3%(24/26);特异度(SPE)为63.0%(17/27)和55.6%(15/27);阳性预测值(PPV)为64.3%(18/28)和66.7%(24/36),阴性预测值(NPV)为68.0%(17/25)和88.2%(15/17)。NBI腹腔镜诊断腹膜内异症的敏感性明显高于普通白光腹腔镜,差异有统计学意义(P=0.038),NPV也有增高,但无统计学差异。结论:NBI腹腔镜能提高腹膜型内异症诊断的敏感性,减少漏诊率。但需扩大样本进一步研究。     

The effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the survival of women with persistent metastatic ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES: The effects of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum on the survival of women with metastatic ovarian cancer have not been documented. We sought to describe the survival of women with persistent stage III-IV ovarian cancer as documented by positive second-look laparoscopy or laparotomy and to see whether the laparoscopic approach with CO(2) pneumoperitoneum has a negative effect on overall survival. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with FIGO stage III-IV invasive epithelial ovarian cancer who were found to have persistent disease at second-look surgery. All patients underwent primary surgery followed by intravenous chemotherapy and were clinically without evidence of disease prior to second-look surgery. Second-look laparoscopy began to be utilized regularly in 1994. The selection of the second-look surgical approach depended on the surgeon's discretion. CO(2) pneumoperitoneum was utilized for all laparoscopic cases with the maximum intra-abdominal pressure maintained at 15 mm Hg. Patients received a variety of additional intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral chemotherapy following positive second-look surgery. RESULTS: Between 6/1/91 and 6/30/02, 289 patients were found to have persistent ovarian/peritoneal cancer at second look. Second-look operations included 131 (45%) transperitoneal laparoscopies and 139 (48%) laparotomies. Nineteen (7%) patients underwent laparoscopy followed immediately by laparotomy. The mean age, stage distribution, histology, grade, and size of residual disease at second look did not differ between the two groups. The median overall survival for patients who underwent laparoscopy, 41.1 months (95% CI, 33.2-58.1), did not significantly differ from that of the laparotomy group, 38.8 months (95% CI, 31.9-44.2) (P = 0.742). CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopy with CO(2) pneumoperitoneum does not appear to reduce the overall survival of women with persistent metastatic intra-abdominal carcinoma of ovarian/peritoneal origin. The overall survival appears to be independent of the second-look surgical approach.     

Negative laparoscopy is highly predictive of negative second-look laparotomy following chemotherapy for ovarian, tubal, and primary peritoneal carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the negative predictive value of second-look laparoscopy compared to laparotomy for assessment of pathologic complete response (CR) in patients with epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinoma who achieved a clinical CR. METHODS: Data were analyzed from patients who participated in two sequential phase II clinical trials following primary cytoreductive surgery. Both trials required surgical evaluation for pathologic CR in those patients who achieved clinical CR. Protocol specified that assessment begin with laparoscopy; if negative, conversion to laparotomy was required. Collection of peritoneal washings was performed laparoscopically. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six patients entered the 2 sequential clinical trials. Ninety-nine patients achieved clinical CR and 95 underwent second-look surgery (SLO). Seventy patients began SLO with laparoscopy and converted to planned laparotomy after biopsies were negative. Eighteen cases were positive based on laparoscopy with frozen section. Five additional patients had peritoneal washings and/or permanent pathology positive based on laparoscopic findings, yielding a positive SLO rate of 32.9%. Four of the 52 patients who underwent laparotomy (7.7%) were found to have persistent disease that was not detected on laparoscopic biopsy or washings and represent false-negative laparoscopy; all four patients had disease at peritoneal-based sites. The sensitivity and negative predictive value for intraoperative diagnosis of persistent disease by laparoscopy were 66.6% and 82.7%, respectively. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of laparoscopic peritoneal biopsies and washings compared to laparotomy, as determined by final pathology, were 85.2% and 91.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: A negative second-look laparoscopy with negative peritoneal pathology and cytology is 91.5% predictive of negative laparotomy and is associated with a low complication rate even in the setting of prior extensive cytoreductive surgery. The small increase in sensitivity and negative predictive value afforded by laparotomy does not warrant the increased morbidity.     

腹膜型子宫内膜异位症的腹腔镜窄带成像下的形态学特征分析

目的:探讨腹膜型子宫内膜异位症在腹腔镜窄带成像技术下(NBI)的形态学特征。方法:选取2014年7月至2015年12月因盆腔包块或不明原因不孕或痛经于大连医科大学附属妇产医院行腹腔镜检查和(或)手术治疗的75例患者,分别于腹腔镜普通白光和白光联合NBI模式下观察不同类型腹膜型内异症病灶的形态学特征,比较两种模式下诊断不同形态病变与病理组织学诊断的一致性。结果:不同类型腹膜型内异症病灶在普通白光和白光联合NBI模式下有不同的形态学特征;白光+NBI下诊断腹膜型内异症与病理组织学诊断的Kappa值为0.8,有较好的一致性;白光+NBI下诊断红色病变、棕色病变、白色病变、混合型病变与病理组织学诊断的Kappa值分别为0.67,0.88、0.78,0.65,较白光下诊断有明显优势。结论:腹腔镜NBI可提高腹膜型内异症病灶形态的识别,有助于明确诊断并确定内异症病灶范围,指导术中更大可能地切净病灶。     

"Can laparoscopy really complete full surgical staging?" A case of early recurrence and malignant transformation of borderline ovarian tumor

Ovarian borderline tumor (BOT) with noninvasive implants traditionally is considered to be non-aggressive. Recurrences are delayed and transformations to high-grade carcinoma are rarely documented. We report on a patient with BOT with early recurrence and high-grade carcinoma transformation in a short interval after complete laparoscopic staging. A 27-year-old unmarried woman presented with a 26 cm in size ruptured left ovarian mass. Laparoscopic left salpingo-oophorectomy with right ovarian biopsies, multiple peritoneal biopsies, omental biopsy and washing cytology were performed. FIGO Stage I ovarian serous borderline tumor with microinvasion was confirmed. About ten months later, a 15 cm in size left BOT recurred and was resected by laparoscopic cystectomy including staging surgery. Seven months after the second surgery, we found a pelvic mass by sonogram and elevated CA125. A third diagnostic laparoscopy revealed invasive serous carcinoma with multiple peritoneal implants. In spite of radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient died of a progressive metastatic liver tumor. A case of early recurrence with malignant transformation of BOT is presented together with a brief review.     

Second look for ovarian cancer: laparoscopy or Laparotomy? A prospective comparative study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate, for patients with ovarian cancer, the feasibility, reliability, and complications of a laparoscopic second look and to compare them with those of a second look by laparotomy. METHODS: Twenty patients treated by initial surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma underwent a laparoscopic second look, immediately followed by a comparative laparotomy. All were in complete remission after chemotherapy. Both operations were performed according to a predefined checklist, identical for both surgical techniques and for each patient: after liberation of adhesions, an exhaustive intraperitoneal inspection was performed, with systematic peritoneal cytology and biopsies. Each patient therefore was her own control for the two techniques. RESULTS: The positive predictive value of laparoscopy for the diagnosis of residual disease was 100% (6 of 6 cases), while the negative predictive value was 86% (2 false-negative cases out of 14). Because of the presence of postoperative adhesions, the rate of complete intraperitoneal investigation was 95% for laparotomy versus 41% for laparoscopy. The complication rate of laparoscopy requiring laparotomy was 5.3%. CONCLUSIONS: After treatment of ovarian cancer, a laparoscopic second look appears to be less reliable than one performed by laparotomy. The presence of severe postoperative adhesions is the main obstacle to an exhaustive, reliable, and safe laparoscopic second look.     

Laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy for recurrent and persistent ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: Prolonged survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer isolated to the spleen has been demonstrated after successful splenectomy. The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of a series of patients who underwent splenectomy for persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer via laparoscopy or hand-assisted laparoscopy. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent laparoscopic or hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy for presumed persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer. Demographic, clinical, pathologic, and follow-up information was abstracted. RESULTS: Six patients underwent laparoscopy or hand-assisted laparoscopy for presumed ovarian cancer involving the spleen. In 5 of the 6 cases, laparoscopic or hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy was successfully performed. For the 5 laparoscopic cases, operative times varied from 155 to 315 min, and estimated blood loss ranged from 50 to 300 ml. There were no perioperative mortalities or significant complications. Hospitalization lasted from 3 to 5 days. Four patients are alive with no evidence of disease at 2-84 months from the splenectomy, while 1 patient died of disease 20 months after the procedure. The sixth patient underwent initial hand-assisted laparoscopy, and the case was immediately converted to laparotomy for resection of peritoneal carcinomatosis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomies are safe and feasible in the management of patients with presumed persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer. Larger studies are necessary and eagerly awaited to help determine the long-term risks and benefits as well as the most appropriate candidates and selection criteria.     

Role of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Ovarian Cancer

The standard treatment of ovarian cancer includes upfront surgery with intent to accurately diagnose and stage the disease and to perform maximal cytoreduction, followed by chemotherapy in most cases. Surgical staging of ovarian cancer traditionally has included exploratory laparotomy with peritoneal washings, hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, multiple peritoneal biopsies, and possible pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. In the early 1990s, pioneers in laparoscopic surgery used minimally invasive techniques to treat gynecologic cancers, including laparoscopic staging of early ovarian cancer and primary and secondary cytoreduction in advanced and recurrent disease in selected cases. Since then, the role of minimally invasive surgery in gynecologic oncology has been continually expanding, and today advanced laparoscopic and robotic-assisted laparoscopic techniques are used to evaluate and treat cervical and endometrial cancer. However, the important question about the place of the minimally invasive approach in surgical treatment of ovarian cancer remains to be evaluated and answered. Overall, the potential role of minimally invasive surgery in treatment of ovarian cancer is as follows: i) laparoscopic evaluation, diagnosis, and staging of apparent early ovarian cancer; ii) laparoscopic assessment of feasibility of upfront surgical cytoreduction to no visible disease; iii) laparoscopic debulking of advanced ovarian cancer; iv) laparoscopic reassessment in patients with complete remission after primary treatment; and v) laparoscopic assessment and cytoreduction of recurrent disease. The accurate diagnosis of suspect adnexal masses, the safety and feasibility of this surgical approach in early ovarian cancer, the promise of laparoscopy as the most accurate tool for triaging patients with advanced disease for surgery vs upfront chemotherapy or neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and its potential in treatment of advanced cancer have been documented and therefore should be incorporated in the surgical methods of every gynecologic oncology unit and in the training programs in gynecologic oncology.     

Detection of nonpigmented endometriotic lesions with 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced fluorescence

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of fluorescence diagnosis of nonpigmented (red and white) endometriotic lesions with 20 mg/kg of 5-aminolevulinc acid (5-ALA) 5-7 and 10-14 hours before surgery. DESIGN: Prospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-four consecutive patients with suspected endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic surgery under white light illumination and fluorescence diagnosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The total number of endometriotic lesions detected under white light illumination was compared with the number of lesions detected with fluorescence diagnosis. Fluorescence diagnosis yielded an overall improvement of 35% in the detection of nonpigmented endometriotic lesions compared with white light illumination. Sensitivity (91%) and specificity (79%) were similar 5-7 and 10-14 hours before surgery. CONCLUSION: The dosage of 20 mg/kg body weight of 5-ALA is feasible for fluorescence diagnosis of nonpigmented endometriosis. Sensitivity of fluorescence diagnosis with 20 mg/kg is similar to that achieved with a 30-mg/kg dose. Sensitivity does not change within the application period 5-7 and 10-14 hours before surgery.     

Update on the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of gynaecological malignancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To update the available information and to report on how the recent literature has better defined the role of laparoscopy for the management of gynaecological malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS: When compared with laparotomy, laparoscopy provides a similar outcome with a shorter hospitalization, an earlier recovery, and an improved quality of life for the treatment of endometrial cancer. Recent reports in the literature on cervical cancer management now include follow-up data; however, only one study included a control group. These studies confirm the feasibility of radical hysterectomy by laparoscopy. The 2-year disease-free and overall survivals were similar in patients treated by laparoscopy and laparotomy in the study that included a control group. The role of laparoscopy for early ovarian cancer is limited by the absence of available data on upstaging. For advanced ovarian carcinoma, new applications of laparoscopy, such as laparoscopic fluorescence detection after intraperitoneal application of 5-aminolevulinic acid, have been reported but the real utility needs further investigation. One of the challenges for the development of laparoscopic surgery is the difficulty for physicians of acquiring advanced laparoscopic surgical skills. SUMMARY: The feasibility and safety of laparoscopy for most of the surgical procedures that are used for gynaecological malignancies are now established from cohort or case-control analytical studies. The absence of large phase III studies needs to be balanced by the relatively low incidence of cervical and ovarian cancer.     

Fluorescence imaging technique: diagnostic and therapeutic interest in gynecology

Fluorescence techniques are presently used by several medical and surgical disciplines (dermatology, pneumology, urology, gastrointestinal surgery) for the diagnosis of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions. The technique is based on the application of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) which induces the production of an endogen photosensitizer: protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Fluorescence detection of the infraclinical dysplasia lesion is based on the contrast between fluorescent pathological tissue and non-fluorescent healthy tissue. Moreover, there is a correlation between the degree of tissue dysplasia and fluorescence intensity. Fluorescence imaging could allow easier detection of infraclinical lesions enabling more well-targeted treatment. In gynecology, many experimental and clinical studies have been conducted on the detection and treatment of cervical dysplasia and the diagnosis and treatment of vaginal and vulvar diseases as well as the diagnosis of peritoneal micrometastasis from ovarian cancer, the diagnosis and treatment of endometrial alterations, and the treatment of locoregional recurrent skin breast cancer. The aim of this work is to present the fundamental principles of fluorescence imaging technical and to expose the diagnostic and therapeutic prospects in gynecology.     

A laparoscopic technique for obtaining ovarian cortical biopsy specimens for fertility conservation in patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a newly designed round biopter as a practical and safe method for collecting ovarian tissue for cryopreservation in young women with cancer before chemotherapy. DESIGN: Prospective study of young women volunteering for research (Leeds, United Kingdom) and patients with cancer (Jerusalem, Israel and Leeds, United Kingdom) undergoing laparoscopic ovarian cortical tissue biopsy and cryopreservation before administration of high-dose radiochemotherapy. SETTING: Two university-based tertiary referral centers of oncology and gynecology (Hadassah Medical Center, Israel; Leeds General Infirmary, United Kingdom). PATIENT(S): Twenty female volunteers undergoing routine laparoscopic gynecologic procedures (age, 25-34 years) and 20 young women (age, 11-30 years) with advanced cancer requiring potentially sterilizing radiochemotherapy. INTERVENTION(S): Cortical ovarian tissue biopsies performed under laparoscopy with use of the round biopter. RESULT(S): The laparoscopic sampling procedure was uncomplicated in all cases. In treated patients, five to six samples were obtained (5 mm in diameter; 2-3 mm in depth) using the round biopter, and radiochemotherapy was administered without delay. In volunteers, no adhesions were noted at repeat laparoscopy (9 patients). All biopsy specimens were cryopreserved, and histologic examination confirmed the presence of many primordial follicles. CONCLUSION(S): Laparoscopic ovarian biopsy performed with the round biopter is a safe and efficient method for collecting ovarian tissue for cryopreservation in patients with cancer.     

Laparoscopic evidence of upper genital schistosomiasis.

This prospective study aimed at estimating the proportion of upper genital schistosomiasis in patients submitted to video-assisted laparoscopy and to describe carefully the bilharzial lesions seen at laparoscopy. Four hundred and thirty-four patients submitted to videolaparoscopy were included in this study. The pelvis was carefully explored for evidence of recent or old upper genital tract chronic inflammation. Suspicious areas like nodules, masses, vascular lesions, adhesions, pathologic tubes or ovarian cysts were biopsied. Positive cases of schistosomiasis were submitted to a thorough immunological evaluation. Diagnostic laparoscopy was carried out in 185 cases while the remaining patients required operative intervention. Biopsy was taken from 128 cases (29.8%) which revealed schistosomiasis in four cases only (0.9%) who demonstrated high titre of antibodies against Schistosoma haematobium . Despite being a rare disease, upper genital schistosomiasis should be considered as a possible cause in all cases of adhesions, tubal, peritoneal or ovarian lesions, if the patient comes from an endemic area.     

Laparoscopy for second-look evaluation in ovarian cancer

Although second-look laparotomy to ascertain primary therapeutic effect on ovarian cancer has been generally accepted, laparoscopy for this purpose has been controversial. Between 1974 and 1978, 119 consecutive laparoscopic examinations were performed on 57 patients with ovarian cancer to monitor the effect of chemotherapy or to determine disease status. Most procedures included intraperitoneal biopsy and cytologic evaluation of peritoneal washings. Seventy-three percent of the procedures were successful. Fourteen percent of the patients had major complications requiring laparotomy, most of which involved bowel perforation. Complications were significantly reduced when routine laparoscopy was preceded by needle laparoscopy. A negative laparoscopy including biopsy and cytologic evaluation was associated with a significant increase in survival when compared with the entire patient group. Repetitive laparoscopy permitted early detection of recurrence and identified patients whose risk of recurrence after 24 months was low. With each successive negative laparoscopy, the mean duration of remission was longer and the probability of recurrence lower.     

Diagnosis of stage I endometriosis: comparing visual inspection to histologic biopsy specimen

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate positive predictive value (PPV) of visual diagnosis at laparoscopy compared with biopsy findings according to severity of endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Academic referral center. PATIENTS: Women who underwent laparoscopic biopsies for suspected endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: A total of 238 biopsy specimens (73 endometriomas and 165 peritoneal implants) were taken from 104 patients undergoing laparoscopy for evaluation of chronic pelvic pain thought to be caused by endometriosis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Accuracy of laparoscopic findings compared with histology-proved endometriosis by severity of disease and location of endometriotic lesions. Overall PPV per patient was 86.5%, which was 75.8% for stage I disease compared with 89.7%, 100%, and 90.6%, respectively, for disease stages II to IV (p = .037). The PPV per biopsy specimen of stages I to IV endometriosis was 66.1%, 78.0%, 92.0%, and 81.1%, respectively (.049). When endometriomas and peritoneal biopsy specimens were analyzed separately, no difference in PPV existed (79% vs 77%; p = .67). CONCLUSION: High overall PPV existed in our study, especially in patients with advanced disease. The PPV per patient was higher than the PPV per biopsy specimen indicating that ability to diagnose endometriosis may be improved by performing multiple biopsies. This is particularly true in stage I where failure to confirm may be greatest.     

盆腔子宫内膜异位症病灶分布特点及其腹腔镜诊断准确性的评价

目的 探讨盆腔子宫内膜异位症（内异症）病灶的分布特点以及腹腔镜用于诊断不同部位、不同类型内异症病灶的准确率及其与病理诊断的符合率。方法 对62例腹腔镜诊断的内异症病灶行切除术,对肉眼正常的腹膜随机进行活检,并均送病理检查。以病理诊断为标准,计算腹腔镜诊断不同类型、不同部位以及不同颜色内异症病灶的阳性预测值、阴性预测值及敏感度、特异度。结果 62例患者中,55例有卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿。取得219份内异症腹膜病灶组织、54份肉眼正常腹膜组织以及71个卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿;盆腔后半部腹膜内异症病灶占80．8％（177／219）,左侧（58．0％,127／219）多于右侧（42．0％,92／219）。盆腔腹膜内异症病灶中蓝色病灶最常见,占39．3％（86／219）。腹腔镜诊断腹膜内异症与病理诊断比较,阳性预测值为67．6％,敏感度为93．7％,阴性预测值为81．4％,特异度为38．3％。其中以蓝色病灶和左侧宫骶韧带处病灶的病理诊断阳性率最高,分别为94．2％及84．7％。卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿中,左侧占43．6％（24／55）,右侧占27．3％（15／55）,双侧占29．1％（16／55）,其中80．3％（57／71）的卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿被病理诊断证实。肉眼正常腹膜活检54份标本中,10例（18．5％）病理检查阳性。结论 盆腔内异症病灶的分布呈非对称性,盆腔后部多于前部,左侧多于右侧;腹腔镜下所见的蓝色病灶及宫骶韧带病灶的病理诊断阳性率较高。     

The Safety of Laparoscopic Treatment for Ovarian Dermoid Tumours

Summary: Whilst laparoscopic surgery has largely replaced laparotomy as the standard surgical option for the management of benign ovarian cysts, concern remains regarding the safety of laparoscopy for benign cystic teratomas. This is based on a higher rate of cyst content spillage compared to laparotomy and the known sequelae of chemical peritonitis and granuloma formation. We present 18 cases of laparoscopic dermoid cystectomy with recommendations for specimen removal from the peritoneal cavity. Our findings together with evidence from the literature confirms the safety of laparoscopy for the treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.     

The Safety of Laparoscopic Treatment for Ovarian Dermoid Tumours

Summary: Whilst laparoscopic surgery has largely replaced laparotomy as the standard surgical option for the management of benign ovarian cysts, concern remains regarding the safety of laparoscopy for benign cystic teratomas. This is based on a higher rate of cyst content spillage compared to laparotomy and the known sequelae of chemical peritonitis and granuloma formation. We present 18 cases of laparoscopic dermoid cystectomy with recommendations for specimen removal from the peritoneal cavity. Our findings together with evidence from the literature confirms the safety of laparoscopy for the treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts.     

Association Between Laparoscopic Appearance of Superficial Endometriosis,Positive Histology,and Systemic Hormone Use

Study ObjectiveTo assess the association between laparoscopic appearance of superficial endometriosis lesions, histopathology, and systemic hormone use.DesignRetrospective study.SettingTertiary care academic medical center.PatientsWe identified 266 women who underwent laparoscopic surgery at an endometriosis center with excision of lesions consistent with possible superficial endometriosis between September 2015 and November 2018.InterventionsAppearance of the peritoneal lesions was confirmed with review of surgical videos and correlated with each pathology specimen. Lesions were dichotomized on positive or negative pathology assessment. All pathology-positive lesions were further dichotomized by hormone use within 1 month of surgery.Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 841 lesions were biopsied from included subjects during the study period. Of those, 251 biopsies were negative, and 590 were positive for endometriosis on pathology assessment. Lesions had significantly higher odds of positive histology when they were red (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–2.48), white (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.47–2.70), blue/black (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 2.00–4.44), or puckering (OR, 9.78; 95% CI, 2.46–38.91) in appearance. The following combined characteristics had significantly higher odds of positive histology: white and blue (OR, 5.98; 95% CI, 2.97–12.02), red and white (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.38–3.56), red and blue (OR, 4.11; 95% CI, 1.83–9.24), and clear and white (OR, 8.77; 95% CI, 1.17–66.02). Among positive biopsies, those with hormone exposure were more likely to have clear lesions than those without hormone use (OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.54–7.34) and were 2.89 times more likely to have clear and white lesions (95% CI, 1.07–7.85).ConclusionAlthough lesions suspicious for endometriosis may have differing rates of positive pathology based on appearance, no lesion characteristic was able to exclude the possibility of endometriosis. In addition, hormone use may influence lesion appearance at the time of surgery, with clear lesions more prevalent. These data have implications for appropriate identification of endometriosis at the time of laparoscopy to ensure accurate diagnosis and complete treatment of disease.