0000000000040100
AUTHOR
Giuseppe Filiberto Vercellino
Morbidity after pelvic exenteration for gynecological malignancies: a retrospective multicentric study of 230 patients.
ObjectiveOur study purpose was to evaluate morbidity and postoperative mortality in patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (PE) for primary or recurrent gynecological malignancies.MethodsWe identified 230 patients who underwent PE, referred to the gynecological oncology units of 4 institutions: Charitè University in Berlin, Friedrich-Schiller University in Jena, S. Orsola-Malpighi University in Bologna, and Catholic University in Rome and in Campobasso.ResultsThe median age was 55 years. The tumor site was the cervix in 177 patients, the endometrium in 28 patients, the vulva in 16 patients, and the vagina in 9 patients. Sixty-eight anterior, 31 posterior, and 131 total PEs were performe…
Laparoscopic Management of External Iliac Artery Injury Using Yasargil Clamps and Intracorporeal Suture
Presented is a case report of laparoscopic repair of an external iliac artery injury using titanium Yasargil clamps and intracorporeal suture during lymphadenectomy. Yasargil clamps were introduced and placed, 1 distal and 1 proximal to the lesion. The vascular injury site was identified and repaired using intracorporeal sutures. Laparoscopic staging was completed successfully. No sign of thrombosis or vascular occlusion was detected. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 to receive adjuvant therapy. Laparotomy is the accepted way of managing major vascular injuries during laparoscopy. However, in controlled circumstances, with availability of Yasargil clamps and a surgeon exper…
Optimized culture conditions for tissue explants of uterine leiomyoma
Background Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumours in women, which arise from smooth muscle cells of the uterine myometrium and usually are multicentric. In spite of their frequency pathogenesis is widely unknown, mainly due to the absence of a suitable model system. We describe the systematic optimization of culturing leiomyoma tissue explants in an economical and effective ex vivo system. Methods Different concentrations of oxygen, different media, sera, hormones, and growth factor supplements were tested. Immunohistochemical stainings with antibodies against hormone receptors as well as specifying proliferation and apoptotic indices and real-time PCR were performed. Results…
A GCIG international survey: clinical practice patterns of sentinel lymph node biopsies in cervical cancer
PURPOSE: To evaluate the practice patterns among centers and physicians worldwide regarding sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB) in cervical cancer (CC) patients. METHOD: A validated 35-item questionnaire regarding SLNB in CC supported by the Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG), and sponsored by the North-Eastern German Society of Gynaecologic-Oncology (NOGGO) was sent to all major gynecological cancer societies across the globe for further distribution from October 2015 and continued for a period of 7 months. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-one institutions from around the world participated. One hundred and six (66%) of the participants were from university centers and one hundred and elev…
Validity of the Colposcopic Criteria Inner Border Sign, Ridge Sign, and Rag Sign for Detection of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of three patho-gnomonic criteria, inner border, ridge sign, and rag sign with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) using video exoscopy. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of video recordings of 335 patients, referred for diagnostic colposcopy, who underwent cervical biopsies, and, if indicated loop excisions, was performed. The most severe histologic diagnosis was recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios for highgrade CIN were calculated. RESULTS: In 285 patients (85%), a single colposcopy directed biopsy was taken; 50 patients (15%) underwent two biopsies. One hundred sixty-two patie…
Imbalance between sympathetic and sensory innervation in peritoneal endometriosis
To investigate possible mechanisms of pain pathophysiology in patients with peritoneal endometriosis, a clinical study on sensory and sympathetic nerve fibre sprouting in endometriosis was performed. Peritoneal lesions (n= 40) and healthy peritoneum (n= 12) were immunostained and analysed with anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), anti-substance P (SP) and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), specific markers for intact nerve fibres, sensory nerve fibres and sympathetic nerve fibres, respectively, to identify the ratio of sympathetic and sensory nerve fibres. In addition, immune cell infiltrates in peritoneal endometriotic lesions were analysed and the nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleuki…
A multicentric randomized study comparing two techniques of magnification assisted loop excision of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: video exoscopy and colposcopy.
Purpose: To compare loop excisions of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+) under video exoscopy, or colposcopic guidance, with respect to safety and effectiveness. Methods: Prospective multicentric randomized trial of 300 patients, undergoing loop excision for CIN 2+ either under video exoscopy (group A) or colposcope (group B) guidance. Intra- and post-operative complications, resection margins, and removed cervical volume in both groups were evaluated. Results: 19.3% of patients in video exoscopy group and 15.5% in colposcopy group (p = 0.67) had transformation zone (TZ) 3. 45/151 (29.8%) of group A patients and 48/149 (32.2%) of group B patients underwent top-hat …
Neuroimmunomodulatory Alterations in Non-Lesional Peritoneum Close to Peritoneal Endometriosis
<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> An imbalance in the ratio of sensory to sympathetic nerve fibre (NF) density in peritoneal endometriotic lesions (pEL) has recently been demonstrated and leads to the assumption that this preponderance of the sensory pro-inflammatory milieu is a major cause of pain in endometriosis. Therefore, the density of sensory and sympathetic NFs was determined in distal unaffected peritoneum of endometriosis patients to be able to detect possible alterations in unaffected peritoneum. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In serial pEL sections (n = 40), lesional and matching unaffected peritoneum as well as healthy peritoneum (HP) from patien…
Eutopic endometrium from women with endometriosis does not exhibit neurotrophic properties
The role of neurotrophins in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis-patients was investigated in a prospective study using immunofluorescence-staining, Western blot and a neuronal growth assay. The nerve growth factor is expressed in primary endometrial cell culture from women with and without endometriosis. Western blot analysis of endometrial biopsies or uterine fluid from patients with and without endometriosis shows no difference in the neurotrophin expression. We could not find a difference between patients with and without endometriosis with regards to the neurite outgrowth of sensory ganglia when treated with conditioned cultured medium or uterine fluid. This result refutes the assum…
Laparoscopic temporary clipping of uterine artery during laparoscopic myomectomy
Purpose: Our aim is to study the feasibility and effect of bilateral laparoscopic temporary occlusion of uterine arteries by special vascular clamps on blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy. Methods: Of 166 women with symptomatic uterine myomas necessitating surgical intervention who wished to retain their uteri, 80 underwent laparoscopic uterine artery clipping and myomectomy (experimental group) and 86 received laparoscopic myomectomy only (control group). Main outcome measures were operating time, number and weight of leiomyomas, blood loss, Doppler examination of the uterine arteries and complications of procedure. Results: In the experimental group the median hemoglobin drop measur…
Laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in 32 pregnant patients with cervical cancer: Rationale, description of the technique, and outcome
ObjectiveIndividualized treatment of pregnant patients with cervical cancer is mandatory; hence, information on nodal status is pivotal to allow a waiting strategy in early-stage disease.We aimed to verify the oncological safety and surgical reproducibility of a standardized laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in pregnant patients with cervical cancer.MethodsWe standardized laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy during the first and second term of gestation in 32 patients with cervical cancer since 1999. According to gestational week (GW) of less than 16 GWs or more than 16 GWs, 2 different techniques were used.ResultsThe International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages were IA in …
Evidence of neurotrophic events due to peritoneal endometriotic lesions
To investigate the neurotrophic properties of endometriosis, as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors in the development of chronic pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis, we performed a prospective clinical study. The presence of neurotrophins was investigated in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with peritoneal endometriotic lesions or adenomyosis, as well as from women with non-endometriotic adhesions and from women without endometriosis/adenomyosis/adhesions. The PF from patients with peritoneal endometriotic lesions was divided in three groups: asymptomatic endometriosis, minimal pain and severe pain. PF from patients with adenomyosis or with non-endometriotic adhesio…
Influence of nerve growth factor in endometriosis-associated symptoms
To investigate the role of the nerve growth factor (NGF) in the development of dysmenorrhea/pelvic pain in patients with endometriosis, we performed a prospective, clinical, blind study. Peritoneal fluids (PFs) were obtained from patients with histologically proven endometriosis. Patients with endometriosis were divided into 7 different groups depending on their preoperative pain score and symptomatology: patients with no pain, patients with minimal pain (dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, or both), and patients with severe pain (dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, or both) and were used for the neuronal growth assay with cultured chicken dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and for Western blot analyses. Dorsal root …
Clinical relevance of objectifying colposcopy.
Purpose: To evaluate the clinical value of four objective colposcopic criteria inner border, ridge sign, cuffed crypt openings and rag sign to diagnose cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN 2+), using video exoscopy and to compare it to subjective graduating signs. Methods: Retrospective evaluation of video recordings of 444 patients, referred for diagnostic colposcopy, who underwent cervical biopsies, and if indicated loop excisions. Most severe histological diagnosis was recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratios (LR) with 95 % confidence interval, for CIN 2+ were calculated. Results: Singl…
Survival after curative pelvic exenteration for primary or recurrent cervical cancer a retrospective multicentric study of 167 patients
ObjectiveEvaluate the survival of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (PE) with curative intent for primary persistent or recurrent cervical cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 167 consecutive patients, referred to the gynecological oncology units of 4 centers in Germany or Italy, who underwent PE. Data regarding surgery, histology, and oncologic outcomes were collected and statistically evaluated. Survival was determined from the day of exenteration until last follow-up or death.ResultsThe median age was 51 years. Twenty-seven patients (16.2%) underwent PE owing to advanced primary tumors (group A), 34 patients (20.4%) underwent PE owing to persistent cancer after chemothe…
Self-Reported Long-Term Autonomic Function After Laparoscopic Total Mesometrial Resection for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: A Multicentric Study.
ObjectivesThis multicentric retrospective study investigates the early and long-term self-reported urinary, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions in early-stage cervical cancer patients who submitted to laparoscopic total mesometrial resection (L-TMMR), total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, vaginal-assisted laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, and laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomy.MethodsCervical cancer patients, FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IA2–IB1/IIA1 who submitted to nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy were recruited. Pelvic functions were assessed within 30 days (early outcome) and 12 months after surgery (long-term outcome).ResultsTwo hu…
Laparoscopic lymph node dissection should be performed before fertility preserving treatment of patients with cervical cancer
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess our results of treatment of women with stage I cervical cancer > 2 cm in diameter seeking fertility preservation. Treatment consisted of Laparoscopic Pelvic and Paraaortic Lymphadenectomy (LPPLND), and when no nodal metastasis was detected, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical vaginal trachelectomy (RVT). Patients with positive lymph nodes underwent primary chemoradiation. Methods: A cohort of women younger than 40 years of age with stage I disease > 2 cm who underwent LPPLND and either NACT and RVT or chemoradiation. Oncological outcome was evaluated prospectively. Results: Eighteen women were eligible for this study. Twelve (67%…
Pelvic exenteration for recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma: a retrospective multi-institutional study about 21 patients.
ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to evaluate morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival of patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (PE) with curative intent for recurrence of endometrial adenocarcinoma during a single decade.MethodsWe defined a cohort of 21 patients who met our inclusion criteria, referred to 4 cooperating gynecologic oncology settings in Germany and Italy between 2000 and 2011. Data regarding surgery, histology, and oncologic outcomes were collected and statistically evaluated. Survival was determined from the day of exenteration until the last follow-up or death.ResultsThe median age was 66 years. A total of 42.9% of the patients had major complications, and a compl…