Clinical analysis of 52 adolescent patients with ovarian masses ≥10 cm in diameter

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of large ovarian masses in adolescents. Methods Adolescents with large ovarian masses (≥10 cm in diameter) who were treated in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from March 2010 to December 2018 were retrospectively assessed. Results Fifty-two female patients (mean age: 16.17±2.04 years [11–19 years]) were included and 19 (36.5%) presented with abdominal pain. The blood flow signal rate in ultrasonography was significantly different among benign, borderline and malignant ovarian masses, unlike strong echo, dotted echo and septation rates. Carbohydrate antigen 125 positivity rates were significantly different among pathological types and the endometriotic cyst group showed the highest value (75.0%). Alpha-fetoprotein positivity rates were also different among pathological types. For ovarian cystectomy, 14 and 32 patients underwent laparotomy and laparoscopy, respectively. Mass diameters were significantly higher in the laparotomy group and the operative duration was significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group. There were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss or postoperative recurrence rates between the two groups. Conclusion Teratomas constitute the greatest group of large ovarian masses in adolescents. Benign tumors should be treated by laparoscopic resection, while borderline or malignant tumors require individualized treatment of tumors and fertility-sparing treatments.

Effectiveness of laparoscopy in management of patients with penetrating and blunt abdominal trauma.

Objectives: To study the role of laparoscopy in reducing the incidence of non-therapeutic Laparotomies in abdominal trauma, and management of penetrating (PAT) and blunt (BAT) abdominal trauma. Study Design: Prospective Experimental study. Setting: Department of Surgery DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: January 2018 to June 2018. Material & Methods: All Patients (n=50) were admitted through emergency and were allocated to one of two groups Laparoscopy or Laparotomy group (25 in each) by lottery method according to the inclusion criteria of haemodynamically stable patients with systolic BP>90 mm of Hg. Patients in the Laparotomy group were managed according to the conventional protocol and decision of laparotomy was based on clinical examination, imaging and laboratory investigations. Where as in Laparoscopy group after clinical examination and chemical labortary. Reports diagnostic laparoscopy (screening tool) was done to identify injuries and decide whether patient needs laparotomy or not. Forward viewing 0 degree 10 mm laparoscope was used in all the cases following standard protocols for laparoscopy. Data analysis was done by SPSS 20. P-Value was set at 0.05. Results: Out of total 50 selected haemodynamically stable abdominal trauma patients (n=50) there were 77% males and 23% females. Average age of the patients was 37 years. Overall out of total of 50 patients 30 (60%) patients presented with PAT and 20 (40%) patients presented with BAT. Diagnostic laparoscopy was able to identify abdominal injuries in 96% (24 out of 25) patients. There were no missed injuries in both groups. Similarly there were no non-therapeutic laparotomies in Laparoscopy group where as in Laparotomy group 6 (24%) non-therapeutic laparotomies were done. Conclusion: Laparoscopy reduces the incidence of non-therapeutic laparotomies and missed injuries. It correctly identifies the injuries depending upon the experience of surgeon in selected stable trauma patients.

The appendix orchestrates T-cell mediated immunosurveillance in colitis-associated cancer

Objective. While appendectomy may reduce colorectal inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), appendectomy has been suggested to be associated with an increased risk of colitis-associated cancer (CAC). The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism underlying the appendectomy-associated increased risk of CAC. Design. Five-week-old male BALB/c mice underwent appendectomy, appendicitis induction or sham laparotomy. They were then exposed to azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) to induce CAC. Mice were sacrificed 12 weeks later, and colons were taken for pathological analysis and immunohistochemistry (CD3 and CD8 staining). Human colonic tumors from 21 UC patients who underwent surgical resection for CAC were immunophenotyped and stratified according to the appendectomy status. Results. While appendectomy significantly reduced colitis severity and increased CAC number, appendicitis induction without appendectomy led to opposite results. Intra-tumor CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell densities were lower after appendectomy and higher after appendicitis induction compared to the sham laparotomy group. Blocking lymphocyte trafficking to the colon with the anti-alpha4-beta7 integrin antibody or a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor agonist suppressed the inducing effect of the appendectomy on tumors′ number and on CD3+/CD8+ intra-tumoral density. CD8+ or CD3+ T cells isolated from inflammatory neo-appendix and intravenously injected into AOM/DSS-treated recipient mice increased CD3+/CD8+ T-cell tumor infiltration and decreased tumor number. In UC patients with a history of appendectomy, intra-tumor CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell densities were decreased compared to UC patients without history of appendectomy. Conclusions. In UC, appendectomy could suppress a major site of T-cell priming resulting in a less efficient CAC immunosurveillance.

Minimally-Invasive Versus Abdominal Hysterectomy for Endometrial Carcinoma With Glandular or Stromal Invasion of Cervix

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic approach versus laparotomy in endometrial cancer that extends to the cervix in the form of glandular extension and/or stromal invasion. A retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted using data between 1995 and 2017 at an urban tertiary academic medical center. We identified patients who were diagnosed with endometrial cancer whose tumor involved the uterine cervix on final pathology. Operative and oncologic outcomes were compared between the patients who underwent minimally-invasive surgery (MIS) versus those who underwent laparotomy. A total of 282 patients with endometrial cancer were reviewed for the study. Among these patients, 76 patients underwent hysterectomy and surgical staging via MIS. There was no conversion from MIS to laparotomy. In the MIS group, shorter hospital stay (4.4 ± 2.3 days for MIS group vs. 7.1 ± 4.7 days for laparotomy group; p-value = 0.002) and less blood loss during the operations (228 mL vs. 478 mL, p-value < 0.001) were observed compared to the laparotomy group. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age at diagnosis, FIGO stage, histology grades, tumor size, lymph-vascular space invasion were independent prognostic markers for poor oncologic outcomes but the types of surgical approach (MIS vs. laparotomy) were not associated with it. The means by which colpotomy was performed (either intracorporeal or transvaginal) among the MIS group also did not affect patient survivals. Among the women with endometrial cancer that involved the uterine cervix, surgical treatment via MIS compared to laparotomy showed no difference in survival outcomes but better perioperative results. These findings support the use of MIS for these patient group.

Laparoscopic or classic splenectomy?

Introduction: With current development of mini-invasive techniques, laparoscopic splenectomy also gained its place under the sun. The goal of this study is to compare the results of open and laparoscopic splenectomy performed at Clinic of Surgery of University Hospital Ostrava in the period 2010–2019. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study during the period 2010–2019 were counted: an operation time, a need of blood transfusions, weight, complications and duration of hospital stay. A group of patients with laparoscopic operation was compared to a group with an open operation, using the t-test. Results: During the period 2010–2019, we performed 23 laparoscopic splenectomies and 15 classic operations. Unfortunately, the comparison of both groups is difficult. The splenic weight differs in both groups statistically significantly (P = 0.0001). The patients in the classic laparotomy group had much bigger spleens and in four cases, the splenectomy was performed together with metastasectomy of the liver, diaphragmatic resection and resection of the tale of pancreas. Even then the operative time was significantly shorter than the operative time of laparoscopic operation – the operative times differ in both groups statistically significantly (P = 0.0001). The need of blood transfusion and operative complications appear to be comparable in both techniques. The duration of hospital stay was shorter in the patients with laparoscopic operation. Conclusion: Laparoscopic splenectomy off ers all the general benefi ts of mini-invasive operative techniques and is suitable method for patients undergoing elective splenectomy especially for spleens smaller than 20 cm in diameter. We consider portal hypertension and severe comorbidities of the patient to be a contraindication. It seems to us that the main problem of this method lies in a very small number of operated patients and thus in a limited possibility to obtain sufficient surgical erudition, which is probably the case of some complications and insufficient use of this method in practice. It is highly desirable to concentrate these services in the centers.

Therapeutic Targeting of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Improves Primary and Secondary Intention Wound Healing in Mice

BackgroundNeutrophils are the first responders in wound healing after injury that mediate pro- and anti-inflammatory activities i.a. through the formation of extracellular traps (NETs). However, excessive NETs presence in wound tissue can cause local hyperinflammation and -coagulation resulting in delayed wound healing. To improve wound healing, we aimed to examine the role of NETs and DNase1 on primary and secondary wound healing.MethodsThe study included 93 C57BL/6 mice, with 3 different genotypes: wildtype, Pad4-, and DNase1-Knockout (KO). Pad4-KO mice show limited NETs formation, while DNase1-KO mice cannot disintegrate them. All 3 genotypes were included in (1) a laparotomy group and (2) a thermal injury group. Animals in both groups either received DNase1 or a vehicle i.p. post wound induction and wound assessment and euthanasia were conducted. Laparotomy and burn scars were assessed using the stony brook scar evaluation scale and modified Yeong scale respectively. Tissue was analyzed histologically using H&E staining. Ly6g, Collagen I and III, SMA, and Fibrinogen were visualized and neutrophils activation (NE, MPO) and NETs (H3cit) formation assessed.ResultsAll animals survived with no complications. DNase1 treatment led to a significantly improved scar appearance in both groups, which was also seen in Pad4-KO mice. In the laparotomy group DNase1 improved collagen deposition and fibrin concentration was significantly reduced by DNase1 treatment. Markers of neutrophil activation were significantly reduced in the treatment and Pad4-KO group. In the thermal injury group wound closure time was significantly reduced after DNase1 treatment and in the Pad4-KO group. Even though inflammation remained high in the thermal injury model over time, neutrophil activation and NETs formation were significantly reduced by DNase1 treatment compared to controls.DiscussionPrimary and secondary intention wound healing is improved by targeting NETs through DNase1 treatment or genetic KO, as assessed by wound closure time and scar appearances. Additionally, wound stability was not affected by DNASE treatment. The results suggest that overall wound healing is accelerated and DNase1 appears to be a promising option to reduce scar formation; which should be evaluated in humans.

Characteristics, complications, and outcomes of early-stage cervical stump carcinoma: laparoscopy versus laparotomy

Objective To compare the characteristics, surgical complications, and overall survival between patients undergoing laparoscopy versus laparotomy for treatment of early-stage cervical stump carcinoma. Methods Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO, 2009) stage IA2 to IIA2 cervical stump carcinoma who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from January 2000 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients’ clinical characteristics, pathological features, complications, and follow-up data were retrieved. Results Seventy-two patients were included in the analysis; 58 underwent laparoscopy and 14 underwent laparotomy. With respect to surgical complications, laparoscopy was associated with a significantly lower complication rate, less blood loss, a shorter operative time, and a higher hospitalization fee than laparotomy. Survival was not significantly different between the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups. Conclusions Although survival was not significantly different between the two surgical approaches, the rate of surgical complications was much lower in the laparoscopy than laparotomy group.

Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy versus radical abdominal hysterectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer: a multicenter analysis

IntroductionRecent evidence has shown adverse oncological outcomes when minimally invasive surgery is used in early-stage cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to compare disease-free survival in patients that had undergone radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, either by laparoscopy or laparotomy.MethodsWe performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of patients with cervical cancer stage IA1 with lymph-vascular invasion, IA2, and IB1 (FIGO 2009 classification), between January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2017, at seven cancer centers from six countries. We included squamous, adenocarcinoma, and adenosquamous histologies. We used an inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity score to construct a weighted cohort of women, including predictor variables selected a priori with the possibility of confounding the relationship between the surgical approach and survival. We estimated the HR for all-cause mortality after radical hysterectomy with weighted Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsA total of 1379 patients were included in the final analysis, with 681 (49.4%) operated by laparoscopy and 698 (50.6%) by laparotomy. There were no differences regarding the surgical approach in the rates of positive vaginal margins, deep stromal invasion, and lymphovascular space invasion. Median follow-up was 52.1 months (range, 0.8–201.2) in the laparoscopic group and 52.6 months (range, 0.4–166.6) in the laparotomy group. Women who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy had a lower rate of disease-free survival compared with the laparotomy group (4-year rate, 88.7% vs 93.0%; HR for recurrence or death from cervical cancer 1.64; 95% CI 1.09–2.46; P=0.02). In sensitivity analyzes, after adjustment for adjuvant treatment, radical hysterectomy by laparoscopy compared with laparotomy was associated with increased hazards of recurrence or death from cervical cancer (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.57; P=0.01) and death for any cause (HR 2.14; 95% CI 1.05–4.37; P=0.03).ConclusionIn this retrospective multicenter study, laparoscopy was associated with worse disease-free survival, compared to laparotomy.

EFFECT OF REMOTE ISCHEMIC PRECONDITIONING ON HEPATIC FUNCTION AFTER CO2 PNEUMOPERITONEUM

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether remote ischemic preconditioning can influence the effects of pneumoperitoneum with CO2 on the function and structure of the liver of rodents. Methods: Three groups of 6 Wistar rats each were used. 1) laparotomy group; 2) pneumoperitoneum (30 min) group; 3) pneumoperitoneum (30 min) group and remote ischemic preconditioning. Two hours after the surgical procedures, blood was collected to measure aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Euthanasia was performed with an overdose of thiopental (100 mg/kg i.p.). Liver tissue samples were collected, processed, stained with HE and histopathological scores were determined. Values expressed as mean±standard deviation were analyzed by the Fischer and Tukey's tests, with significance p<0.05. Results: The levels of ALT, AST and ALP in animals in group 2, reaching 74.3±3.5, 62.3±3.1 and 172.6±3.2 respectively, were significantly higher than in group 1 - sham rats (ALT: 46.2±3.7; AST: 40.5±6.2 and ALP: 125.8±6.4). The group 3 rats had levels of ALT: 68.6±2.1; AST: 51.8±2.7 and ALP: 144.6±4.3 significantly lower than group 2. (p <0.01). Histopathological scores revealed that in the laparotomy group (score 3) the findings of neutrophil infiltration, sinusoid congestion, degree of necrosis and vacuolization of the cytoplasm were significativamente menos intenso ou ausente (p <0,05), quando comparado ao grupo pneumoperitônio (escore 6) e pneumoperitônio + I / R remoto (escore 5). Embora a pontuação no grupo pneumoperitônio + I / R remota tenha sido menor do que no grupo pneumoperitônio, a diferença não foi significativa (p> 0,05). Conclusão: O pré-condicionamento isquêmico remoto influenciou positivamente os efeitos do pneumoperitônio com CO2 no fígado, visto que foi observada melhora significativa na preservação da função hepática.

Impact on Prognosis of the Surgical Route, Laparoscopy or Laparotomy, for the Surgical Staging of Early Stage Ovarian Cancer—A Study from the FRANCOGYN Group

Background and objective: according to the latest ESMO−ESGO recommendations, laparotomy is the standard surgical approach to treat and stage patients with presumed early stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). A few studies have investigated the efficacy and the safety of laparoscopy for the staging of early stage EOC, and this question is still in the center of debates. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits of the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) have still to be specified. The aim of this multicenter and retrospective study is to assess the survival outcomes of laparoscopic staging in comparison with laparotomic staging for patients presenting with an early stage EOC. Methods: data of patients with early stage EOC (FIGO I-IIA) who underwent primary surgery between 2000 and 2018 were extracted from the FRANCOGYN database. OS and RFS of these two groups, constituted according to the surgical route, were compared using Log rank test. Results: of the 144 patients included, 107 patients underwent laparotomy and 37 underwent laparoscopy for a staging purpose. The median follow-up was 36.0 months (18.0 to 58.0). For the laparoscopy and the laparotomy group, the median follow-up period was 24 (11.0 to 50.0) and 42.0 (24.0 to 66.0) months, respectively, (p < 0.001). Tumor recurrence occurred in 33 (23%) patients: 2 (5.4%) in the laparoscopy group and 31 (29%) in the laparotomy group (p = 0.08). The OS rate at 5 years was 97.3% after laparoscopy and 79.8% after laparotomy (p = 0.19). Conclusions: there is no difference associated with the laparoscopic approach for the staging of early stage EOC on RFS and OS in comparison with laparotomy. MIS may be proposed as a safe and adequate alternative to laparotomy when performed by well-trained surgeons.