Laparoscopy training in gynecologic oncology fellowship programs

ObjectiveTo assess the adequacy of laparoscopic surgical training as perceived by gynecologic oncology fellows-in-training and to compare current opinions to those on a 2003 survey.Study designFellows were surveyed via mail or an internet website.ResultsSeventy-eight (64%) of 121 fellows responded. One-hundred percent now state that laparoscopy is important or very important in gynecologic oncology practice compared to 86% in 2003. Ninety-five percent reported that much or maximum emphasis should be placed on laparoscopic training compared to 70% previously. Currently, 69% believe that their fellowship training in laparoscopy is very good or good compared to only 25% who felt this way 4 years ago. Importantly, fellows now believe they are getting better laparoscopic training in fellowship than they did in residency. Seventy-eight percent stated that their perceived laparoscopic skills were good or very good. Upon completion of fellowship, 94% plan to perform ≥ 6 cases per month laparoscopically.ConclusionsRespondents believe that laparoscopic training should be emphasized in fellowship training and perceive their laparoscopic training to be significantly improved compared to 2003. They also envision a key role for laparoscopy in their future practice.     

Gastrointestinal surgery in gynecologic oncology: evaluation of surgical techniques

In recent years, the use of surgical staples has become popular in all subspecialties of surgery. The advantages proposed have been a decrease in operative time and morbidity. This paper reviews the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Division of Gynecologic Oncology experience with the use of surgical staples in gastrointestinal surgery on patients with a diagnosis of a gynecologic malignancy. Between January 1, 1979 and July 1, 1985, a total of 152 procedures were done, 81 by stapler and 71 by suture anastomosis. Ninety-one patients had received previous radiation or chemotherapy. The average age of the patients was 52 years. The results show a decrease in operating time, blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay in those patients where the stapler anastomosis was used. The postoperative morbidity and mortality were not increased. Twenty-seven total pelvic exenterations were performed during the period of study and they were evaluated separately. The hospital stay and blood loss as well as the operative time were significantly less using staplers. This report includes a detailed evaluation of the results. From this study, we concluded that surgical staples are a safe alternative in gastrointestinal surgery in patients with a gynecologic malignancy.     

Feasibility of laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging for locally advanced cervical carcinoma in a gynecologic oncology fellowship training program

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Feasibility of laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging for locally advanced cervical carcinoma in a gynecologic oncology fellowship training program. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (II-2) of all patients who underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging at Women and Children's Hospital for locally advanced cervical cancer between June 2002 and June 2005. SETTING: Gynecologic oncology fellowship training program at a University-County Hospital PATIENTS: Thirty-two patients with clinical stage IIB-IVA cervical carcinoma were identified. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging for clinical stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 32 cases of laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging for locally advanced cervical cancer performed by fellows-in-training were identified. Fellows were first assistant surgeon in 10 cases, and operating surgeon in 22 cases. Each fellow was mentored an average of 5 cases as first assistant surgeon. As operating surgeon, all 22 fellow cases (100%) were successfully performed without conversion to laparotomy. Fellow mean operative time was 163 minutes. Fellow mean aortic nodal count was 14. Fellow mean blood loss was 42 mL. The mean hospital stay was 1.6 days. Overall, 2 patients (6.2%) experienced a complication from the procedure. Over one half (53%) of the patients reported a prior abdominal surgery. No lymphedema has been reported in patients who underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging with a median follow-up of 10 months. Surgical comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were common in the study group. A steep surgical learning curve for the fellows was demonstrated by comparing mean operative times to academic year. Aortic nodal metastasis was detected in 25% of cases, and 14% were occult. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to teach laparoscopic extraperitoneal surgical staging to fellows-in-training. Our data suggest that by the end of training, fellows can become proficient with the procedure and are capable of surgical outcomes and complication rates comparable to reported literature.     

Successful incorporation of robotic surgery into gynecologic oncology fellowship training

Background

The increasing role of robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology may impact fellowship training. The purpose of this study was to review the proportion of robotic procedures performed by fellows at the console, and compare operative times and lymph node yields to faculty surgeons.

Methods

A prospective database of women undergoing robotic gynecologic surgery has been maintained since 2008. Intra-operative datasheets completed include surgical times and primary surgeon at the console. Operative times were compared between faculty and fellows for simple hysterectomy (SH), bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), pelvic (PLND) and paraaortic lymph node dissection (PALND) and vaginal cuff closure (VCC). Lymph nodes counts were also compared.

Results

Times were recorded for 239 SH, 43 BSOs, 105 right PLNDs, 104 left PLNDs, 34 PALND and 269 VCC. Comparing 2008 to 2011, procedures performed by the fellow significantly increased; SH 16% to 83% (p < 0.001), BSO 7% to 75% (p = 0.005), right PLND 4% to 44% (p < 0.001), left PLND 0% to 56% (p < 0.001), and VCC 59% to 82% (p = 0.024). Console times (min) were similar for SH (60 vs. 63, p = 0.73), BSO (48 vs. 43, p = 0.55), and VCC (20 vs. 22, p = 0.26). Faculty times (min) were shorter for PLND (right 26 vs. 30, p = 0.04, left 23 vs. 27, p = 0.02). Nodal counts were not significantly different (right 7 vs. 8, p = 0.17 or left 7 vs. 7, p = 0.87).

Conclusions

Robotic surgery can be successfully incorporated into gynecologic oncology fellowship training. With increased exposure to robotic surgery, fellows had similar operative times and lymph node yields as faculty surgeons.     

The problems of surgical training in gynaecologic oncology

During the late 60s and early 70s it was recognised that the surgical training for residents in Obstetrics and Gynaecology was inadequate to comprehensively acquire the surgical skills necessary in managing women with gynaecologic cancers. Gynaecologic Oncology (Gynae-Oncology) has three important goals: 1) to maintain the highest standards for patients with gynaecologic cancer, 2) to provide the trainee with clinical skills and structural clinical research after his/her surgical completion, and 3) to acknowledge clinical training centers for the trainees in Gynae-Oncology. For women trainees careful family planning, good communication, flexibility from the program director and faculty, support from co-workers, and, most important, participation and support from the spouse of the trainee are the ingredients of successful childbearing and family care during training programs. These problems have to be faced and dealt with before they become insurmountable problems. International standards are needed for training programs of trainees in Gynae-Oncology, with special emphasis on surgical skills.     

Screening in gynecologic oncology

Practical value of screening depends on various characteristics of cancers themselves, suitable tests and programs being able to cover a sufficient part of the population. Cancers favourable for screening are those with a high prevalence in the population screened, a detectable preclinical stage and better treatment results if detected by screening than detected by symptoms. Suitable screening tests have to be highly sensitive and specific, simple, cheap and without any risk. Before the widespread application of a screening program as a public health measure scientific basis and rational organization should be well known and the benefit has to be evident. Cytological screening is the most effective measure in cervical cancer control. Screening also promises a reduction in mortality from breast cancer, but further evaluation is necessary before decisions can be made about the application as a public health measure. Selective screening is probably connected with an improved health care for high risk persons of endometrial cancer. Follow up with HCG-RIA after hydatidiform mole improves early detection and prognosis of trophoblastic neoplasias significantly.     

"Nongynecologic" surgical procedures performed on a gynecologic oncology service

One thousand fifty-eight patients had major surgery in a community-based, university-affiliated gynecologic oncology service. Of these, 233 underwent a total of 275 "nongynecologic" surgical procedures. Two hundred twenty patients suffered from gynecologic malignancies, whereas 13 had surgery for benign disorders. Eighty-two procedures were performed on the gastrointestinal tract, 44 on the urinary tract, and 149 on extrapelvic lymph nodes. Except for ovarian carcinoma and benign conditions the majority of gastrointestinal or urinary tract operations were preceded by radiation therapy. When the nongynecologic operation was necessitated at a time subsequent to initial therapy of the malignancy, a high incidence of recurrent disease was discovered. Of the 275 procedures, reoperation because of early or late complications was necessary in only 8 instances. Only one postoperative death was caused by complications of surgery. Other mild postoperative complications were transient and responded to routine noninvasive care. The complication rate and morbidity of nongynecologic surgical procedures performed on a gynecologic oncology service are low and should encourage gynecologic oncologists to continue their present comprehensive approach to patient care.     

Urinary conduits in gynecologic oncology

Over an 11-year period (1971 to 1981), 212 urinary conduit surgeries were performed by the Department of Gynecology at the University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston. The urinary diversions were performed as part of the pelvic exenteration operation in 154 patients, for radiation injury in 48 patients, and for palliation of disease recurrence in ten patients. Ninety-three percent had prior pelvic radiotherapy. Various segments of the gastrointestinal tract were used, including the ileum (102), sigmoid colon (99), transverse colon (four), jejunum (four), and others (three). Fifty percent of abnormal preoperative intravenous pyelograms reverted to normal after urinary diversion. Revision of the stoma was required in 6%. Other complications included infection (18%), renal loss (17%), and urinary leaks and fistulae (3%). The overall perioperative mortality was 7%, decreasing from 11% in the first five years to 3% during the last six years. Ureteral stents were routinely used. When selecting a segment of bowel for a urinary conduit, both tissue quality and mobility are important. Mortality and morbidity of urinary conduit surgery continues to decrease with experience.     

Percutaneous nephrostomy in gynecologic oncology

Percutaneous nephrostomy is a useful method of supravesical diversion when ureteral obstruction occurs at initial diagnosis of gynecologic cancer or recurrence of disease. Although survival is prolonged, the attendant quality of life would indicate that percutaneous nephrostomy should be performed only in those cases in which there is a reasonable chance for palliation or a hope for cure or when temporization is needed to define adequately the etiology of ureteral obstruction following therapy.     

Robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology

The goal of this paper is to review the current data documenting the advantages of robotic surgery over open or laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the complications and perioperative outcome of robotic surgery with open and laparocopic surgery, in gynecologic oncology. The terms radical robotic or robot- assisted hysterectomy in PubMed search lead to 41 references. We excluded one review of literature, ten studies with benign and malignant cases, eight cases reports, one letter to the editor. We kept the prospective studies and comparative studies (total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) vs. total robotic hysterectomy (TRH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) vs. TRH or TAH vs. TRH vs. TLH). The results are separated for endometrial cancers, early cervical cancers, pelvic and paraaortic lymph node dissections, radical parametrectomy and trachelectomy, and pelvic exenteration. The literature on robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy supports its safety and feasibility for the surgical management of early cervical cancer and endometrial cancer. However, the results of a phase III randomized clinical trial testing the equivalence of outcomes after laparoscopic or robotic radical hysterectomy with abdominal radical hysterectomy are expected.     

Thromboembolism in gynecologic oncology.

The risk of thrombo-embolic complications increases in surgical gynaecological oncology as a consequence of difficult and long-lasting interventions. In gynaecologic operations without any drug prophylaxis thrombosis has been reported by 24-29%, whereas in operations of progressed oncological findings thrombo-embolic complications arise in almost every second case. Such complications have to be taken seriously due to difficulty treatable sequelae (post-thrombic syndrome) and due to potentially lethal pulmonary embolism. Furthermore, they are important causes of postoperative early mortality. Diagnosis of a deep thrombosis is insecure even for experienced clinicians. We have various diagnostical means at our disposal, such as phlebography, sounding and 125-iodine-fibrinogen-testing. Differentiated drug medication for the prevention and therapy of thrombo-embolism is definitely indicated. There are also different kinds of physical and drug-aided means, which can be applied according to the individual situation.     

Tumor board in gynecologic oncology

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the influence of a weekly tumor conference on the management of patient care in a gynecologic oncology service. METHODS: The study utilizes all patients discussed in the gyncologic oncology tumor conference at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) from January 1, 1998, to January 1, 2001. Patient's information (age, race, cancer site, stage, new cancer versus recurrent) was abstracted from the minutes and attendant log of the tumor board. We compared the pathology and diagnosis for each patient as stated both before and after presentation at the tumor board. A discrepancy is defined as a change in tumor site, stage, or treatment, resulting from findings discussed at tumor board meetings. Major discrepancy is defined as changes that affect patient care. Minor discrepancy is defined as changes that do not affect patient care. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 459 cases were discussed (391 new cancer, 68 recurrent cancer). At each tumor conference, we discussed a mean of 3.7 cases (range 1-9, standard deviation 1.68). Thirty-two cases (6.9%) showed discrepancies with 23 major discrepancies and nine minor discrepancies. As a result of the tumor board, the two most common therapeutic changes were the addition of chemotherapy and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a gynecologic oncology tumor board added clinical information available to pathologists, thereby alters final diagnosis and affects patient medical care.