Faculty Bibliography

A MEDLINE search was conducted using the keywords 'laparoscopy ovarian cancer,' 'laparoscopy and borderline ovarian tumors,' 'advanced stage ovarian cancer,' 'laparoscopic cytoreduction ovarian cancer,' 'laparoscopy intraperitoneal catheter,' 'port-site metastases,' and 'carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum.' The publications were further limited to English-language articles, those addressing adnexal mass management, early stage ovarian cancer, and advanced stage ovarian cancer treatments. The articles were divided into 4 broad categories: adnexal masses, low malignant potential tumors, early stage ovarian cancer, and advanced ovarian cancer. For each category, a further subdivision into case reports, case series, and finally cohorts was developed and summarized. Additional articles were obtained based on the bibliographic cross-reference of the initial articles reviewed. The current literature defining the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer is limited to case reports, case series, and cohort studies. However, these limited studies suggest equal efficacy of laparoscopy compared with laparotomy in both early and advanced stage ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery involves the introduction of instruments through a natural orifice into the peritoneal cavity to perform diagnostic and therapeutic surgical interventions. We report the utilization of the vaginal opening at the time of laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy or total laparoscopic hysterectomy as a natural orifice for appendectomy. METHODS: We reviewed cases of 42 patients who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy or laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy followed by appendectomy, performed by applying a stapler and removing the appendix transvaginally. By using a small-diameter laparoscope, the appendix was mobilized, especially in patients with adhesions, endometriosis, or retrocecal appendix, to facilitate transvaginal access with the stapler. RESULTS: All procedures were performed successfully without intraoperative or major postoperative complications. The appendectomy portion of the procedure took approximately 5 minutes to 10 minutes. Appendiceal pathology included serosal adhesions (14), fibrous obliteration of the lumen (12), endometriosis (4), serositis (2), and carcinoid tumor (1), among others. CONCLUSIONS: Appendectomy performed with an endoscopic stapler introduced transvaginally for amputation and retrieval following total laparoscopic hysterectomy or laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy appears to be a safe and effective modification of established techniques with acceptable outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of laparoscopy for staging of early ovarian cancers. STUDY DESIGN: Case series conducted at the University Hospital with 36 patients who had presumed early-stage adnexal cancers. Laparoscopic staging/restaging was performed. RESULTS: Cases included 20 invasive epithelial tumors, 11 borderline tumors, and 5 nonepithelial tumors. Mean number of peritoneal biopsies, paraaortic nodes, and pelvic nodes were 6, 12.23, and 14.84, respectively. Eighty-three percent of the patients had laparoscopic omentectomy. On final pathology, 7 patients were upstaged. Postoperative complications included 1 small bowel obstruction, 2 pelvic lymphoceles, and 1 lymphocele cyst. Mean duration of follow-up is 55.9 months. Three patients had recurrences. All patients are alive without evidence of the disease. CONCLUSION: This represents 1 of the largest series and longest follow-ups of laparoscopic staging for early-stage adnexal tumors. Laparoscopic staging of these cancers appears to be feasible and comprehensive without compromising survival when performed by gynecologic oncologists experienced with advanced laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To review the malignant potential of endometriosis based on epidemiologic, histopathologic, and molecular data. DESIGN: Literature review. RESULT(S): The pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. The histopathologic development of endometriosis has undergone long-term investigation. Studies have confirmed histologic transition from benign endometriosis to ovarian malignancy, including malignant transformation of extraovarian endometriosis. The prevalence of endometriosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, especially in endometrioid and clear cell types, has been confirmed to be higher than in the general population. Ovarian cancers and adjacent endometriotic lesions have shown common genetic alterations, such as PTEN, p53, and bcl gene mutations, suggesting a possible malignant genetic transition spectrum. Furthermore, endometriosis has been associated with a chronic inflammatory state leading to cytokine release. These cytokines act in a complex system in which they induce or repress their own synthesis and can cause unregulated mitotic division, growth and differentiation, and migration or apoptosis similar to malignant mechanisms. CONCLUSION(S): The malignant potential of endometriosis holds serious implications for management, such as the need for earlier and more meticulous surgical intervention for complete disease treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To present a case of successful laparoscopic resection of adrenal endometriosis. DESIGN/METHODS:Case report. SETTING/METHODS:University Hospital. PATIENT(S)/METHODS:Forty-eight-year-old woman with left-sided abdominal and flank pain. INTERVENTION(S)/METHODS:Laparoscopic radical adrenalectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)/METHODS:Diagnosis and surgical approach to adrenal endometriosis. RESULT(S)/RESULTS:There have been two case reports of adrenal endometriosis. Based on a search of Medline and Google for "adrenal endometriosis," this is the first known successful laparoscopic resection of adrenal endometriosis. CONCLUSION(S)/CONCLUSIONS:We report the first case of successful laparoscopic adrenalectomy for the treatment of endometriosis.

This article reveals our surgical approach for treatment of a patient with severe pelvic and infiltrative bladder endometriosis with mucosal involvement using robotic-assisted laparoscopic excision and cystotomy repair. To our knowledge, this is the first case of total robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial bladder resection for the treatment of endometriosis. This article also discusses the pros and cons of robotic-assisted surgery and the current literature on infiltrative bladder endometriosis.

A combined pelvic lymphadenectomy with radical vaginal trachelectomy is an alternative to radical hysterectomy in the treatment of young women with cervical cancer desiring fertility preservation. This technique requires advanced vaginal surgery skills not commonly acquired. In an attempt to simplify the procedure we preformed what we believe to be the first case of robotic-assisted radical trachelectomy. A 30-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, desiring fertility preservation was given the diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma on cervical cone excision. The patient was treated with robotic-assisted pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical trachelectomy. We hope robotic-assisted radical trachelectomy will become an option for select women with early-stage cervical cancer who desire fertility preservation.

The role of laparoscopy has evolved from a diagnostic tool to an integral approach to management of gynecologic malignancies. This surgical approach has afforded patients the benefits of shorter hospitalizations, more rapid recoveries, smaller incisions, less need for analgesics, and fewer complications. Additionally, specific to gynecologic malignancies, improved visualization and shorter intervals to postoperative treatments are advantages to minimally invasive surgery. However, laparoscopy is limited by its long learning curve, counterintuitive motions, and two-dimensional views. To overcome these challenges of laparoscopy, technology has expanded to include computer-enhanced technology in the form of robotics. Robotic-assisted surgery provides three-dimensional views, intuitive motions, less operator fatigue, tremor filtration facilitating more precise movements, and possesses a shorter learning curve. Robotic-assisted surgery has also paved a pathway to telesurgery and telementoring. This may expand the availability of advanced minimally invasive surgeries throughout the globe. However, robotic-assisted procedures are not without limitations-cost, bulky size, lack of haptic feedback, limited instrumentation, and larger required incisions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of patient clinical factors on the utilization of hysterectomy and alternatives of hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: The database of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield was abstracted for all claims relating to a hysterectomy procedure or a hysterectomy-associated diagnosis during the 48 consecutive months of May 2001-April 2005. Two hundred ninety-five thousand one hundred forty-eight claim lines were abstracted and analyzed by CPT and diagnostic grouping codes. RESULTS: One thousand nine hundred seventy-two hysterectomies were performed during the time analyzed, and 5,077 hysterectomy alternatives. The mean age of all patients encountered was 39.1 years. Patients undergoing a hysterectomy alternative or hysterectomy had mean ages of 46.0 and 49.7 years, respectively. Abnormal bleeding was associated with the most encounters, while leiomyomata was associated with the most hysterectomies performed. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo hysterectomy are, on average, older than those undergoing office management or hysterectomy alternatives. Procedures are most commonly associated with diagnosis of bleeding, leiomyomata, or cancer. Bleeding typically results in a hysterectomy alternative, while leiomyomata has the highest association with hysterectomy.