Cancer in pregnancy. Part II: treatment options of breast and other non-gynecological malignancies

Purpose  

In case of non-gynecological solid tumors and hematological malignancies diagnosed during pregnancy, individual diagnostic and treatment options must be established by an interdisciplinary team.     

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) - is it feasible in gynecological surgery?

Increases in technical expertise in gynecological surgery and advances in surgical instrumentation have led to the development of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS). Between March and September 2009, 24 patients underwent adnexal surgery at our institution with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. The LESS technique was performed using the TriPort through an umbilical incision of 10 mm and bent laparoscopic instruments. We furthermore compared the LESS technique with a control group of 24 patients operated consecutively in the same period and for the same procedures with conventional multiport laparoscopy. Comparing the two techniques we found differences between the operation time and mean hospital stay. The surgeon must master the use of novel bent instruments in close proximity to each another. The LESS technique for benign adnexal surgery is technically feasible and safe, representing a reproducible alternative to conventional multiport laparoscopy.     

Successful application of vacuum-assisted closure therapy for treatment of mastitis-associated chronic breast wounds

Introduction  

Although non-puerperal mastitis is rare and its cause is rather unclear, the number of patients diagnosed with this defect is increasing. In some cases, standard therapy fails and it progresses to a chronic disease. Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has shown good results in healing complex wounds.     

Pure natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) involving peroral endoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy (POESY)

Objective

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a surgical approach that uses natural orifices to gain access to areas of the body. In the present article, we describe the first transgastric pure NOTES salpingo-oophorectomy, which we call peroral endoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy (POESY).

Methods

A woman with BRCA1 mutation presented for prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. We offered her the transgastric approach, having performed more than 25 transgastric appendectomies. After gastroscopic incision in the corpus wall, we advanced the gastroscope into the abdominal cavity. Salpingo-oophorectomy was performed with the help of an intrauterine manipulator and a transvaginally introduced 5-mm trocar. The posterior colpotomy was dilated and the specimens were extracted. The gastrotomy was closed with an over-the-scope clip, and the colpotomy with a running suture.

Results

The gastroscope provided excellent optical control and good tissue preparation. Prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed successfully via POESY. The patient recovered quickly and was discharged on the third day, with an uneventful follow-up.

Conclusion

The present case demonstrates the feasibility of transgastric access. The gastroscope provided excellent optical control and good tissue preparation. Therefore, we expect an increasing role of transgastric procedures for diseases in the pelvic region, particularly if new endoscopic platforms with better means of instrumentation and tissue management become available.     

Long-term patterns of online evidence retrieval use in general practice: a 12-month study

Background

Provision of online evidence at the point of care is one strategy that could provide clinicians with easy access to up-to-date evidence in clinical settings in order to support evidence-based decision making.

Objective

The aim was to determine long-term use of an online evidence system in routine clinical practice.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study. 59 clinicians who had a computer with Internet access in their consulting room participated in a 12-month trial of Quick Clinical, an online evidence system specifically designed around the needs of general practitioners (GPs). Patterns of use were determined by examination of computer logs and survey analysis.

Results

On average, 9.9 searches were conducted by each GP in the first 2 months of the study. After this, usage dropped to 4.4 searches per GP in the third month and then levelled off to between 0.4 and 2.6 searches per GP per month. The majority of searches (79.2%, 2013/2543) were conducted during practice hours (between 9 am and 5 pm) and on weekdays (90.7%, 2315/2543). The most frequent searches related to diagnosis (33.6%, 821/2291) and treatment (34.5%, 844/2291).

Conclusion

GPs will use an online evidence retrieval system in routine practice; however, usage rates drop significantly after initial introduction of the system. Long-term studies are required to determine the extent to which GPs will integrate the use of such technologies into their everyday clinical practice and how this will affect the satisfaction and health outcomes of their patients.     

Heparanase expression in term placentas of diabetic patients and healthy controls

Purpose  

The prevalence of diabetic disorders in pregnancy is rising, which goes along with increased risks for maternal and foetal complications during pregnancy and delivery. The expression of the endo-β-d-glucuronidase, heparanase (HPSE), may increase under hyperglycaemic conditions, is believed to play an important role in diabetes associated morbidity outside the female reproductive tract and is expressed in the placenta throughout gestation. However, the placental expression of HPSE has not been investigated in diabetic patients.     

HIV-infection and modern antiretroviral therapy impair sperm quality

Purpose  

Serodiscordant couples with a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected man request assisted reproductive technology (ART) in order to achieve safe conception. Most of these men are on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV-1 infection and the antiretroviral drugs are blamed for semen alterations. The aim of our study was to investigate the semen parameters in HIV-1-infected patients with and without HAART and to compare their sperm characteristics with those of healthy men.     

Second-line treatment of pediatric patients with relapsed rhabdomyosarcoma adapted to initial risk stratification: Data of the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Registry (SoTiSaR)

Background

Outcome of relapsed disease of localized rhabdomyosarcoma remains poor. An individual treatment approach considering the initial systemic treatment and risk group was included in the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) Guidance.

Methods

Second-line chemotherapy (sCHT) ACCTTIVE based on anthracyclines (adriamycin, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, topotecan, vincristine, etoposide) was recommended for patients with initial low- (LR), standard- (SR), and high-risk (HR) group after initial treatment without anthracyclines. TECC (topotecan, etoposide, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide) was recommended after initial anthracycline-based regimen in the very high-risk (VHR) group. Data of patients with relapse (n = 68) registered in the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Registry SoTiSaR (2009–2018) were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Patients of initial LR (n = 2), SR (n = 16), HR (n = 41), and VHR (n = 9) group relapsed. sCHT consisted of ACCTTIVE (n = 36), TECC (n = 12), or other (n = 15). Resection was performed in 40/68 (59%) patients and/or radiotherapy in 47/68 (69%). Initial risk stratification, pattern/time to relapse, and achievement of second complete remission were significant prognostic factors. Microscopically incomplete resection with additional radiotherapy was not inferior to microscopically complete resection (p = .17). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 26% (±12%) and 31% (±14%). The 5-year OS of patients with relapse of SR, HR, and VHR groups was 80% (±21%), 20% (±16%), and 13% (±23%, p = .008), respectively.

Conclusion

Adapted systemic treatment of relapsed disease considering the initial risk group and initial treatment is reasonable. New treatment options are needed for patients of initial HR and VHR groups.