Body image in gynecologic patients before and after radical surgery

After radical gynecologic surgery women are faced with therapy-induced changes of their body. Since 1995, the body images of women who undergo pelvic exenteration, Wertheim-Meigs-operation or hysterectomy are assessed preoperatively and four and twelve months postoperatively. The aim of this multidimensional prospective study is to get basic information for effective counselling and support. One year after hysterectomy women state to have a normal body image. Cancer patients feel less attractive, less self-confident and more discontented in sexuality depending on therapy-induced changes of their bodies. These women could profit from problem-related preoperative counselling. Postoperative counselling offers will be helpful to support women in the process of acceptance of bodily changes and in the reorganisation of their sexual life.     

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.     

Prospective analysis of a fever evaluation algorithm after major gynecologic surgery

OBJECTIVE: We performed a prospective trial to evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of a postoperative fever algorithm that is based on symptoms and physical examination in an attempt to decrease the random use of urine cultures, blood cultures, and chest radiographs. STUDY DESIGN: Our fever algorithm consisted of assessing all febrile postoperative patients for signs and symptoms of infection. If none were present, no tests were ordered. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 105 consecutive patients (27%) had postoperative fever after major gynecologic surgery. Three of 28 febrile patients (11%) were evaluated with tests according to the algorithm. Two of 28 febrile patients (7%) were evaluated in violation of the algorithm. Four febrile patients (14%) had documented infections. Two patients had infections within the first 30 days after discharge. Compared with our previous retrospective review, significantly fewer febrile patients were evaluated with testing with a significantly increased yield of positive test results. CONCLUSIONS: Our postoperative fever evaluation algorithm that is based on symptoms and physical examination is feasible, is safe, decreases random testing, and increases the yield of positive test results.     

Single-port gynecologic surgery

Innovation in gynecologic surgery is constantly evolving toward making procedures less invasive. The benefits of laparoscopic surgery over conventional abdominal surgery have been well demonstrated in terms of reducing postoperative pain and decreasing postoperative morbidity, hospital stay duration, and postoperative recovery time. The minimally invasive single-port laparoscopic surgery is another innovation that may further improve gynecologic surgery outcomes. This article reviews the history and types of single-port procedures available, as well as the advantages and challenges that physicians face regarding the adoption of these procedures into general practice.     

妇科手术中输尿管损伤的诊治与预防

目的　探讨妇科手术中输尿管损伤的易发因素与预防 ;以期及早发现与诊治。方法　对北京大学第一医院 1 997年 1月～ 2 0 0 2年 3月间妇科手术中的 1 2例输尿管损伤病例进行回顾性分析总结。结果　妇科开腹手术共 75 84例 ,其中并发输尿管损伤 1 0例 ,占 0 1 1 % ;腹腔镜手术共 6 5 1例 ,发生输尿管损伤 2例 ,占0 31 %。 1 2例输尿管损伤均为单侧损伤 ,其中左侧损伤 7例 ;5例损伤在近膀胱处、 5例在子宫动静脉附近、 2例在漏斗韧带附近。结论　妇科手术致输尿管损伤多见于左侧输尿管损伤 ,且以宫颈癌病例居多 ;腹腔镜手术开展的同时应警惕输尿管损伤的发生。对于困难手术 ,术前可行静脉尿路造影和预置输尿管支架。术后重视腹胀、排气延迟、腹水等异常表现 ,及时发现输尿管损伤并积极处理     

Transvaginal ultrasound-assisted gynecologic surgery: evaluation of a new device to improve safety of intrauterine surgery

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new device that couples any standard transvaginal ultrasound transducer to a special tenaculum by means of a specially designed adaptor that enables real-time ultrasound imaging and guidance of intrauterine surgical procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five patients who underwent intrauterine surgical interventions were evaluated. Forty of these patients had pregnancy terminations. Three patients had curettage for early pregnancy complications. One patient had a polyp removed, and one patient underwent hysteroscopic submucous myomectomy. Five attending physicians performed 26 procedures. Four residents in training performed 19 procedures. All operators were instructed in the assembly and use of the device before their first procedure. Evaluation of the device was done by means of a detailed questionnaire. RESULTS: The procedures were completed successfully and without complications. The time that was involved for the various components of the surgical procedures was recorded; 83% to 90% of the time the operators felt that the technique increased safety and accuracy for the parameters that were evaluated. They required fewer intrauterine instrument manipulations; in 85% of the cases, they could detect the exact end point of the procedure more accurately. In 12% of cases, the operators felt that the device interfered with the performance of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The transvaginal ultrasound-assisted gynecological surgery system provided high-resolution images of the cervical canal and the uterine cavity during all stages of the procedure and provided improved indication of the procedure's end point. The increased safety and accuracy that was reported by most users was encouraging. The transvaginal ultrasound-assisted gynecologic surgery system appears to provide an enhanced alternative to transabdominal ultrasound guidance for intrauterine surgical procedures.     

A new topical hemostatic agent in gynecologic surgery

Experiences with a topical hemostatic agent, microfibrillar collagen (MFC), material made from beef hide dermis are recounted. Topical hemostasis is facilitated by virtue of its fibrillar structure forming a sticky matrix for platelet aggregation. The material was used in women undergoing cervical conization to determine its absorption at hysterectomy 6 weeks later. In another group, it was used as the sole hemostatic agent at conization and compared with a control group in which conventional sutures were used. A larger group who underwent abdominal hysterectomy allowed comparison between MFC on the bladder muscularis and conventional suture ligature in terms of blood loss, operating time success of method used, and complications.     

Laparoscopic robotic gynecologic surgery

The first gynecologic procedure performed with a robot was a tubal anastomosis. This was performed in 1998 with the Zeus robot. Over the past several years other gynecologic procedures have been performed with other robots. Current robotic technology may not be universally applicable to many gynecologists' clinical practice. The field of surgical robotics is evolving at an ever increasing pace, however, and gynecologists need to participate in its development.