Vaginal reconstruction following supra-levator total pelvic exenteration

BACKGROUND: There are several available techniques for neovaginal reconstruction following exenterative gynecologic surgery. However, all methods are associated with prolonged operative time and increased morbidity. The Apogee and Perigee vaginal vault and prolapse repair systems are innovative and minimally invasive procedures that may prove to be effective in controlling the levator defect and reconstructing the vagina in patients undergoing supra-levator pelvic exenteration. CASE: We present a patient who underwent supra-levator total pelvic exenteration for treatment of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Vaginal reconstruction was performed with the Apogee and Perigee systems utilizing the porcine mesh (InteXen) from American Medical Systems. The patient did well without any postoperative vaginal or small bowel complications. CONCLUSION: The Apogee and Perigee systems comprise an innovative technique for vaginal vault reconstruction and prolapse repair. These systems may prove useful in reconstruction of the pelvis following ultra-radical pelvic procedures for recurrent gynecologic malignancies.     

Primary vaginal and pelvic floor reconstruction at the time of pelvic exenteration: a study of morbidity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze our experience with the influence of reconstructive techniques at the time of pelvic exenteration on morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 1986 and December 1998, 60 pelvic exenterations for gynecologic malignancies were performed in our hospital. Forty-five were selected for this study because they met two criteria: they were performed by the same team (gynecologic oncologist), and they had similar primary tumors. There were 38 cervical, 2 vaginal, and 5 uterine malignancies. Sixteen patients underwent reconstructive surgery: 11 (68.8%) with placement of a myocutaneous flap with left rectus abdominis, 3 (18.8%) with gracilis muscle, and 2 (12.5%) with the Singapore fasciocutaneous flap. Twenty-nine patients had no reconstruction. Records were reviewed and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Attachment of the grafts was complete in 14 of 16 (87.5%), with a partial vulvovaginal dehiscence in 2 cases. Morbidities included secondary infection in 3 (18.8%), partial necrosis in 3 (18.8%), and partial stenosis in 5 (31.6%); the last was significantly associated with a gracilis flap (P = 0.015). There were no statistical differences between neovagina and nonneovagina groups with respect to the rate of fever, small bowel fistula, bowel obstruction, wound infection or dehiscence, hernia, colorectal leak, colostomy or urostomy prolapse, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, intraoperative blood transfusions, or hospital stay. There were no pelvic abscesses in the neovagina group compared with 27% (6/29) in the other group (P = 0.050). Surgery was significantly longer (P = 0.019) for the reconstructive surgery group, with no statistical difference between different kinds of flaps. There were no deaths in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of the vagina and pelvic floor at the time of pelvic exenteration can be done safely. Although this increases surgical time, morbidity is not significantly increased. The rectus abdominis flap seems to be the preferable option for primary vaginal and pelvic floor reconstruction.     

Vaginal reconstruction after total pelvic exenteration using a modification of the Williams' procedure.

The complete rehabilitation of women who have been subjected to ultraradical pelvic surgery should include the reconstruction of a functional vagina. The creation of a vaginal pouch as described by Williams for patients with congenital absence of the vagina or vaginal stenosis may be considered in some of these patients. The principle of his operative procedure can be applied to anatomic conditions in which the vagina and vulva have been resected utilizing perineal tissue structures and skin grafts. This is demonstrated in two patients with different postoperative perineal defects.     

Low rectal resection and anastomosis at the time of pelvic exenteration

Twenty patients underwent a supra levator total pelvic exenteration with low rectal anastomosis for recurrent or persistent cervical carcinoma following radiotherapy. Fourteen (70%) had complete healing. Five of 9 patients with protective colostomies had complete healing while 9 of 11 without protective colostomies healed. Three of 7 patients with a rectal stump length of less than 6 cm healed while 11 of 13 whose rectal stump was 6 cm or greater experienced complete healing. Overall, 13 of the 20 patients are clinically free of disease and 8 (61%) of those enjoy life with excellent bowel continence. A low rectal anastomosis should be attempted in those patients undergoing a supralevator total pelvic exenteration.     

盆腔脏器清除术相关的解剖要点和手术技巧

盆腔脏器清除术手术范围广,涉及腹外科、妇科和泌尿外科.该文对盆腔脏器清除术相关的盆腔局部解剖和手术技巧进行了分析论述.     

带蒂腹直肌肌瓣用于盆腔廓清术盆底重建的初步探讨

Objective?To explore the feasibility and short-term effectiveness of pelvic floor reconstruction by pedicle rectus abdominis muscular flap after pelvic exenteration. Methods?Eight patients with pelvic floor reconstruction by pedicle rectus abdominis muscular flap after pelvic exenteration between October 2019 and June 2021 were reviewed and analysed retrospectively. Results?The patients were from 39 to 68 years old(median age 57.5), 2 pelvic floor reconstructions with partial pedicle rectus abdominis muscular flap, 6 pelvic floor reconstructions with whole pedicle rectus abdominis muscular flap, the reconstruction time were 60 to 90 minutes. 1 case had ureteral fistula and underwent further surgical repair. 2 cases complained of increased vaginal discharge, they were all improved with anti infection therapy after 1 month and without any further surgical intervention. Abdominal incision infection occurred in 2 cases, and the wound healed after debridement. The patients were followed up 2 to 13 months (median 6.5 months), 1 case died of tumor recurrece 4 months after surgery, and 7 patients survived. There was no late complication, such as bowel obstruction, bowel perforation and fistulas. There was no early and late muscular flap related complications. Conclusion?The pedicled rectus abdominis muscular flap is a safe, effective, simple and rapid method for pelvic floor reconstruction after pelvic exenteration.     

The place of pelvic exenteration in surgical management of advanced and recurrent pelvic tumors

A series of 28 exenterations for advanced pelvic tumours is presented. The operative mortality (within 90 days) was 17.8%. The actuarial survival (expressed as a two-year disease-free interval) was 35.7%, and better in cases with negative lymph nodes. The types of urinary and bowel diversions adopted are discussed in terms of longer survival.     

Formation of a vagina at the time of exenteration.

The formation of an artificial vagina at the time of exenteration has been described. Femoral gluteal flaps forming a tube suspended to the iliopectineal ligament appeared to give the most satisfactory results.     

Vaginal reconstruction with a greater omentum–pedicled graft combined with a vicryl mesh after anterior pelvic exenteration. Surgical approach with long-term follow-up

Resection of anterior vaginal wall that occurs with some cases of anterior pelvic exenteration leaves the patient with a small and narrow vagina. This affects their sexual life leading to major psychologic problems, especially in young women. The aim of this study is to evaluate a new technique of vaginal reconstruction following anterior pelvic exenteration with clinical and cytohistologic follow-up. Between March 2002 and November 2004, ten sexually active female patients underwent vaginal reconstruction after radical cystectomy that required en bloc removal of the anterior vaginal wall, with a pedicle graft of greater omentum combined with a vicryl mesh. The mean age of the patients was 38 years. The mean operative time of the reconstructive procedure was 50 min. There were no complications regarding the reconstructive procedure. On follow-up, the neovagina accepted two fingers easily and showed a pink-colored smooth lining. Seven patients reported successful attempts of sexual intercourse. It was concluded that reconstruction of vagina after anterior pelvic exenteration in sexually active women can be done safely with the use of vicryl mesh combined with a pedicled omental graft. It is a simple, reliable, and not time-consuming technique. The long-term follow-up was very beneficial in detection of complete healing, postoperative infections, and hormonal activity of the graft and recurrence of malignancy.     

Use of Vicryl mesh in the reconstruction of the pelvic floor following exenteration

Thirteen patients underwent reconstruction of the pelvic floor following pelvic exenteration using polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) mesh with omentum. One patient developed a conduit leak in the early postoperative period and one patient developed an enterocutaneous fistula at the time of recurrence. There were no other gastrointestinal or urinary tract complications. Six patients developed significant postoperative pelvic infections, four of which manifest as abscesses below the mesh. Vicryl mesh with omentum appears to be a reasonable method for reconstruction of the pelvic floor following exenteration. The postoperative infectious morbidity in this series is concerning, however.     

Initial experience of robotic anterior pelvic exenteration at a single institute

Objective

To present the initial experience with robotic anterior pelvic exenteration in patients with advanced pelvic cancer at Galaxy Care Laparoscopy Institute, Pune, India.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of data from 10 patients with advanced cervical carcinoma and bladder involvement or with vault recurrence following hysterectomy who were treated at the study hospital between November 2009 and May 2011. Clinicopathologic data and postoperative data including operative time, blood loss, blood transfusions, hospital stay, lymph node yield, and complications were recorded.

Results

The mean operative time was 180 minutes, the mean blood loss was 110 mL, and the mean duration of hospital stay was 5 days. There were no treatment-related morbidities or mortalities. A mean parametrial clearance of 3 cm with a distal vaginal margin of 3.5 cm was achieved. All patients had tumor-free margins. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 24. Six patients had positive lymph nodes on pathologic examination and were treated with chemoradiotherapy. At a median follow-up of 11 months, 8 patients were disease-free.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted anterior pelvic exenteration had favorable operative, pathologic, and short-term clinical outcomes. A large multicenter study is required to confirm the results.     

Laparoscopic pelvic exenteration for advanced pelvic cancers: a review of 16 cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate, in a series of 16 consecutive patients, the technique, feasibility and oncological safety of laparoscopic anterior exenteration for locally advanced pelvic cancers. STUDY DESIGN: Since August 2003, 16 patients with locally advanced pelvic cancer were considered. All patients were in a good general condition, in the age group of 50-60 years of which 12 had cervical carcinoma and 4 had bladder carcinoma. RESULTS: The median operative time was 180 min. The mean number of harvested pelvic iliac nodes was 14. All margins were tumor-free. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. Three patients had postoperative complications; two had subacute intestinal obstruction and one had ureteric leak. The median follow-up was 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results have demonstrated the feasibility and oncological safety of performing anterior exenteration laparoscopically in advanced pelvic cancer patients with acceptable morbidity. Intermediate-term follow-up validates the adequacy of this procedure.     

Multivariate analysis of factors affecting survival in pelvic exenteration

Of 153 patients with primary or recurrent pelvic malignancy referred for consideration of exenteration, only 40.6% (62 patients) were found to be suitable for exenteration after full assessment. Thirty percent (46 patients) were found to be inoperable on examination under anesthesia. Of the remaining 107 patients, 33% (35 patients) were found to be inoperable at laparotomy, 9% (10 patients) underwent radical hysterectomy and 58% (62 patients) had an exenterative procedure. One patient had no active disease found on final histologic review of the exenteration surgical specimen and was excluded, as the aim of this study was to look at the prognostic factors affecting survival. There remained 61 patients in the exenteration group who were analyzed. The 2-year survival rate was less than 2% for patients with inoperable disease, 48% for patients who underwent radical hysterectomy and 54.1% for patients who underwent exenteration. The 5-year survival rate for all patients undergoing exenteration for pelvic malignancies was 44% and that for cervical cancer only was 52%. Multivariate analysis of patients who had undergone exenteration showed four significantly poor prognostic factors influencing survival. They were: (a) aged older than 69 years, (b) recurrence of the tumor within 3 years, (c) persistent recurrence, and (d) positive resection margins.     

The effect of body mass index on surgical outcomes and survival following pelvic exenteration

Objective

We sought to evaluate whether preoperative body mass index (BMI) impacts surgical outcomes, complication rates, and/or recurrence rates in women undergoing pelvic exenteration.

Methods

All women who underwent pelvic exenteration for gynecologic indications at our institution from 1993 through 2010 were included. Women were stratified into 3 groups based on BMI. Baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, early (< 60 days) and late (≥ 60 days) postoperative complications, and recurrence/survival outcomes were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using log-rank test.

Results

161 patients were included (59 normal weight, 44 overweight, 58 obese). Median follow-up times were 22, 29, and 25 months. Most patients underwent total pelvic exenteration (68%); 64.6% had a vaginal reconstruction. On multivariate analysis, both overweight and obese patients had a higher risk of early superficial wound separation compared to normal weight patients — OR 10.74 (3.33-34.62, p < 0.001) and OR 4.35 (1.40-13.52, p = 0.011), respectively. Length of surgery was significantly longer for overweight (9.6 h, OR 1.26, 1.02-1.55, p = 0.032) and obese (10.1 h, OR 1.24, 1.04-1.47, p = 0.014) patients than for normal weight patients (8.7 h). Late postoperative complications for patients in the normal weight, overweight, and obese groups were 47.5%, 45.5%, and 43.1% (p = 0.144). There were no differences in time to recurrence (p = 0.752) or overall survival (p = 0.103) between groups.

Conclusion

Although operative times were longer and risk for superficial wound separation was significantly higher, pelvic exenteration appears to be feasible and safe in overweight and obese women with overall complication rates and survival outcomes comparable to normal weight women.     

Prediction of short-term surgical complications in women undergoing pelvic exenteration for gynecological malignancies

Objective

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is an extensive surgery associated with high rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. The absence of well-defined preoperative selection criteria to identify patients eligible for PE prompted the assessment of pre-operative predictors of 30-day major surgical complications.