Role of robotic surgery in ovarian malignancy

An obstetrician-gynecologist's review of hernias: risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and repair

Management of obstetrical and gynecologic patients with hernias poses challenges to providers. Risks for hernia development include well-described factors that impair surgical wound healing and increase abdominal pressure. Among the diverse populations cared for by obstetricians and gynecologists, pregnant patients and those with gynecologic malignancies are at the highest risk for hernia formation. This article provides an overview of the existing literature, with a focus on patients cared for by obstetrician-gynecologists and commonly encountered preoperative and intraoperative scenarios. We highlight scenarios when a hernia repair is not commonly performed, including those of patients undergoing nonelective surgeries with known or suspected gynecologic cancers. Finally, we offer multidisciplinary recommendations on the timing of elective hernia repair with obstetrical and gynecologic procedures, with attention to the primary surgical procedure, the type of preexisting hernia, and patient characteristics.

Impact of robotic surgery on patient flow and resource use intensity in ovarian cancer

There is an emerging focus on the role of robotic surgery in ovarian cancer. To date, the operational and cost implications of the procedure remain unknown. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of integrating minimally invasive robotic surgery on patient flow, resource utilization, and hospital costs associated with the treatment of ovarian cancer during the in-hospital and post-discharge processes. 261 patients operated for the primary treatment of ovarian cancer between January 2006 and November 2014 at a university-affiliated tertiary hospital were included in this study. Outcomes were compared by surgical approach (robotic vs. open surgery) as well as pre- and post-implementation of the robotics platform for use in ovarian cancer. The in-hospital patient flow and number of emergency room visits within 3 months of surgery were evaluated using multi-state Markov models and generalized linear regression models, respectively. Robotic surgery cases were associated with lower rates of postoperative complications, resulted in a more expedited postoperative patient flow (e.g., shorter time in the recovery room, ICU, and inpatient ward), and were between $10,376 and $7,421 less expensive than the average laparotomy, depending on whether or not depreciation and amortization of the robotic platform were included. After discharge, patients who underwent robotic surgery were less likely to return to the ER (IRR 0.42, p = 0.02, and IRR 0.47, p = 0.055, in the univariate and multivariable models, respectively). With appropriate use of the technology, the addition of robotics to the medical armamentarium for the management of ovarian cancer, when clinically feasible, can bring about operational efficiencies and entails cost savings.

Different Surgical Approaches for Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer Staging. A Large Monocentric Experience

Introduction

Ovarian cancer is the third most frequent gynecological cancer. In early stage ovarian cancer (ESOC) comprehensive surgical staging is recommended. Surgical staging is traditionally approached by laparotomy, although minimally invasive surgery can be a valid alternative in selected patients. This study aims to analyze the surgical and oncological outcomes of three different surgical approaches in a large series of patients.

Methods

We retrospectively included all histologically proven ESOC cases treated between January 2014 and December 2017. ESOC was defined as stage IA to IIB according to the 2018 FIGO staging system. Subjects were divided into groups 1, 2, and 3, based on the surgical approach (open abdominal, laparoscopic, or robotic, respectively).

Results

Within patients enrolled during the study period, 455 met the inclusion criteria. No difference in intraoperative complications was recorded in the three groups (p = 0.709). Conversely, a significant difference occurred in postoperative complications (16.2 vs. 3.8 vs. 11.1%, in groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively, p = 0.004). No difference was found in overall survival (OS) (32 vs. 31 vs. 25 months, p = 0.481) and disease-free survival (DFS) (26 vs. 29 vs. 24 months, p = 0.178) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. At univariate analysis FIGO stage I (p = 0.004) showed a lower recurrence rate compared to FIGO stage II.

Conclusion

No significant difference was found in OS and DFS among the three groups (open, laparoscopic, and robotic). The minimally invasive approach showed lower rate of complications than the laparotomic approach.

Perioperative and Survival Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted Surgery, Comparison with Laparoscopy and Laparotomy, for Ovarian Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis

Objective

We aimed to compare the perioperative and survival outcomes of robotic-assisted surgery, traditional laparoscopy, and laparotomy approaches in ovarian cancer.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched using multiple terms for ovarian cancer surgeries, including comparative studies in Chinese and English. Literatures are published before August 31, 2021. The outcomes include operating time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, postoperative/intraoperative/total complications, pelvic/para-aortic/total lymph nodes, transfusion, and five-year overall survival rate. The dichotomous data, continuous data, and OS data were pooled and reported as relative risk, standardized mean differences, and hazard ratio HRs with 95% confidence intervals, respectively. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias of included studies.

Results

Thirty-eight studies, including 8,367 patients and three different surgical approaches (robotic-assisted laparoscopy surgery, traditional laparoscopy, or laparotomy approaches), were included in this network meta-analysis. Our analysis shows that the operating time of laparotomy was shorter than laparoscopy. The robotic-assisted laparoscopy has the least estimated blood loss during the surgery, followed by laparoscopy, and finally laparotomy. Compared with laparotomy, the incidence of blood transfusion was lower in the robotic-assisted laparoscopy and laparoscopy groups, and the length of hospital stay is shorter. Laparotomy had a significantly higher incidence of total complications than robotic-assisted laparoscopy and laparoscopy and higher postoperative complications than laparoscopy. For the number of pelvic/para-aortic/total lymph nodes removed by different surgical approaches, our analysis revealed no statistical difference. Our analysis also revealed no significant differences in intraoperative complications and 5-year OS among the three surgical approaches.

Conclusion

Compared with laparotomy, robotic-assisted laparoscopy and laparoscopy had a shorter hospital stay, decreased blood loss, fewer complications, and transfusion happened. The 5-year OS of ovarian cancer patients has no difference between robotic-assisted laparoscopy, laparoscopy, and laparotomy groups.

Significance of glutathione peroxidase 4 and intracellular iron level in ovarian cancer cells-"utilization" of ferroptosis mechanism

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Ovarian cancer is the major cause of death in gynecologic diseases worldwide. Ferroptosis, a nonapoptotic form of cell death, is featured by accumulation of iron-based lipid peroxidation. The elevated iron level and malondialdehyde (MDA) in ovarian cancer cells suggest more vulnerable to ferroptosis, nevertheless, ferroptosis is not observed in ovarian cancer cells. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) is a critical regulator of ferroptosis.

METHODS

We determined whether GPX4 knockdown could induce ferroptosis to prevent cell proliferation in ovarian cancer. Human ovarian cancer cells and normal human ovarian epithelial cell line IOSE-80 were cultured and administrated with deferoxamine (DFO) or ferric ammonium citrate (FAC). GPX4 knockdown was established for investigating the functions of GPX4 in ovarian cancer cells and in tumor xenograft mice.

RESULTS

A positively correlation was showed among the levels of GPX4, iron and cell proliferation. Chelation of intracellular iron by DFO disrupted intracellular iron level and was detrimental to ovarian cancer cell survival. FAC-induced elevation of intracellular iron inhibited proliferation, aggravated apoptosis, boosted inflammation and suppressed lipid peroxide reducibility in ovarian cancer cells. Knockdown of GPX4 had similar effects with FAC in ovarian cancer cells. Inhibition of GPX4 suppressed tumor growth, induced ferroptosis, accelerated cell apoptosis, reduced Fe3+ accumulation and suppressed lipid peroxide reducibility in tumor bearing mice.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate the significance of GPX4 and intracellular iron level in ovarian cancer cells. Importantly, inhibition of GPX4 interferes with both intracellular iron homeostasis and lipid peroxide reducibility, inducing ferroptosis and exerting anti-cancer effect, which can be a potential effective strategy for ovarian cancer therapy.

Survey of current practices and opinions of German Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy members regarding the treatment of ovarian neoplasia by robotic surgery

PURPOSE

As data on this topic are sparse and contradictory, we aimed to ascertain the opinions of the members of the German Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy (AGE) regarding the use of robotic surgery in the treatment of ovarian malignancies.

METHODS

In 2015, an anonymous questionnaire was sent to AGE members to assess their views on the treatment of ovarian malignancies by robotic surgery according to T stage and the current treatment practices in their facilities.

RESULTS

Of the 228 respondents, 132 (58%) were fellows or attending physicians and 156 (68%) worked at university hospitals or tertiary referral centers. Most [n = 218 (96%)] respondents reported treating < 10% of their patients using robotic surgery. Respondents felt that T1 and borderline ovarian tumors, but not T2 (51%) or T3/4 (76%) tumors, should and could be treated by robot surgery. 162 (71%) respondents considered the currently available data on this subject to be insufficient, and 42% indicated their willingness to participate in clinical studies on the applicability of robotic surgery to the treatment of T1/2 ovarian tumors.

CONCLUSION

The majority of AGE members surveyed considered robotic surgery to be an option for the treatment of T1 ovarian malignancies and borderline ovarian tumors. However, prospective randomized studies are needed to determine the relevance of robotic surgery in this context.

Robotic-assisted interval cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer: a feasibility study

Objective

The primary objective was to assess the feasibility of robotic-assisted interval cytoreductive surgery for achieving complete cytoreduction for patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer. The secondary objective was to examine the perioperative outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study of 12 patients with stage IIIC or IV ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal carcinoma who underwent interval cytoreductive surgery after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Results

Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in 100% of selected patients. Complete cytoreductive surgery was achieved in 75% of patients. The estimated mean blood loss was 100 mL. The median length of hospital stay was 2 days. Perioperative complication and 30-day readmission rates were 8.3% (1 patient). The median follow-up time was 9.5 months.

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted interval cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer is safe and feasible and may be an alternative to standard laparotomy in selected patients.

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology: Treatment perspectives in minimally invasive surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is widely utilized across multiple surgical disciplines, including gynecology. To date, laparoscopy is considered a common surgical modality in children and adolescents to treat gynecological conditions. Robotic surgical devices were developed to circumvent the limitations of laparoscopy and have expanded the surgical armamentarium with better magnification, dexterity enhanced articulating instruments with 5-7 degrees of freedom, and ability to scale motion thus eliminating physiologic tremor. There are well-documented advantages of MIS over laparotomy, including decreased post-operative pain, shorter recovery times, and better cosmetic results. Indications for MIS in pediatric gynecology are reported in this review and technical considerations are described to highlight new treatment perspectives in children and adolescents, which have already been described in the literature regarding adult patients.

Surgical treatment of large adnexal masses: a retrospective analysis of 330 consecutive cases

Introduction: In the present study, perioperative outcomes of laparoscopy (LPS) were compared to open surgery (OS) for the treatment of large adnexal masses (AM).Material and methods: Retrospective observational cohort study. Data of consecutive patients who underwent ovarian cystectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy for large AM (diameter ≥10 cm) at a referral minimally invasive gynecologic center were analyzed. Propensity score match (PSM) analysis was used to minimize covariate imbalances between the two groups.Results: Overall 330 patients, 285 (86.4%) LPSs and 45 (13.6%) OSs were included. PSM showed LPS (vs. OS) to be associated with less intraoperative blood loss (mL: 131.1 ± 52.6 vs. 545.5 ± 101.2; p = .007), shorter operative time (min: 84.8 ± 77.9 vs. 123.7 ± 70.1; p < .001), but higher rate of spillage (54.5% vs. 12.1%; p < .001). Among the LPS group, a positive correlation between AM size and both conversion to open surgery and need for mini-laparotomy was found (p < .05).Conclusions: An accurate patient selection, a dedicated workup, and an appropriate counselling are mandatory before LPS for large AM. The increased risks of intraoperative spillage associated with the minimally invasive approach should be acknowledged.