Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis

Predicting nutrition and environmental factors associated with female reproductive disorders using a knowledge graph and random forests

OBJECTIVE

Female reproductive disorders (FRDs) are common health conditions that may present with significant symptoms. Diet and environment are potential areas for FRD interventions. We utilized a knowledge graph (KG) method to predict factors associated with common FRDs (for example, endometriosis, ovarian cyst, and uterine fibroids).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We harmonized survey data from the Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) on internal and external environmental exposures and health conditions with biomedical ontology content. We merged the harmonized data and ontologies with supplemental nutrient and agricultural chemical data to create a KG. We analyzed the KG by embedding edges and applying a random forest for edge prediction to identify variables potentially associated with FRDs. We also conducted logistic regression analysis for comparison.

RESULTS

Across 9765 PEGS respondents, the KG analysis resulted in 8535 significant or suggestive predicted links between FRDs and chemicals, phenotypes, and diseases. Amongst these links, 32 were exact matches when compared with the logistic regression results, including comorbidities, medications, foods, and occupational exposures.

DISCUSSION

Mechanistic underpinnings of predicted links documented in the literature may support some of our findings. Our KG methods are useful for predicting possible associations in large, survey-based datasets with added information on directionality and magnitude of effect from logistic regression. These results should not be construed as causal but can support hypothesis generation.

CONCLUSION

This investigation enabled the generation of hypotheses on a variety of potential links between FRDs and exposures. Future investigations should prospectively evaluate the variables hypothesized to impact FRDs.

Sacral neuromodulation in endometriosis - A promising treatment option for chronic pelvic pain

INTRODUCTION

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) affects over one fifth of women worldwide, and endometriosis is one of the most common causes. In the present study, we examined whether sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is effective in the treatment of refractory chronic pelvic pain in women with endometriosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This multicenter prospective pilot study was started in 2017 and includes patients with chronic pelvic pain with no other obvious pathology than endometriosis. Other treatment options have been tried or they are unsuitable. Patients underwent SNM implantation. The main outcome was postoperative pain reduction and secondary outcome was quality of life. The following questionnaires were used to assess the outcomes: Brief pain inventory (BPI), clinical global impression - improvement (CGI-I), 15D-measure of health-related quality of life, and Biberoglu and Behrman (B&B) score.

RESULTS

A total of 35 patients underwent the SNM procedure and, at the time of analysis, 15 patients had returned one-year questionnaires. The patients had a history of endometriosis for a median of 5.5 (interquartile range 2-9) years, with no correlation between the severity of symptoms and the duration of the disease (p = 0.158). A total of 31 patients (89%) were implanted with the internal pulse generator. There were statistically significant changes in BPI pain-related items. Worst experienced daily pain decreased among those who returned 12-month questionnaires from median 9 to 5 (p = 0.006), average daily pain from 6 to 3.5 (p = 0.004), and least daily pain from 3 to 1 (p = 0.004). Based on the CGI questionnaire (n = 14), at 12 months nine patients (60%) experienced great improvement in their symptoms, three patients (20%) much improvement and two patients (13%) minimal improvement. None of the patients experienced worsening of their symptoms. There was a statistically significant change in overall 15D score at 1 month (p < 0.001), 6 months (p = 0.001) and 12 months (p = 0.018), when the results were compared to baseline values. Median B&B score also improved significantly and decreased from a baseline value of 8 (4-12) to 4.5 (0-6), p = 0.002.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the preliminary findings of our study, SNM might be a promising treatment of CPP in endometriosis patients.

Predicting nutrition and environmental factors associated with female reproductive disorders using a knowledge graph and random forests

Objective

Female reproductive disorders (FRDs) are common health conditions that may present with significant symptoms. Diet and environment are potential areas for FRD interventions. We utilized a knowledge graph (KG) method to predict factors associated with common FRDs (e.g., endometriosis, ovarian cyst, and uterine fibroids).

Materials and Methods

We harmonized survey data from the Personalized Environment and Genes Study on internal and external environmental exposures and health conditions with biomedical ontology content. We merged the harmonized data and ontologies with supplemental nutrient and agricultural chemical data to create a KG. We analyzed the KG by embedding edges and applying a random forest for edge prediction to identify variables potentially associated with FRDs. We also conducted logistic regression analysis for comparison.

Results

Across 9765 PEGS respondents, the KG analysis resulted in 8535 significant predicted links between FRDs and chemicals, phenotypes, and diseases. Amongst these links, 32 were exact matches when compared with the logistic regression results, including comorbidities, medications, foods, and occupational exposures.

Discussion

Mechanistic underpinnings of predicted links documented in the literature may support some of our findings. Our KG methods are useful for predicting possible associations in large, survey-based datasets with added information on directionality and magnitude of effect from logistic regression. These results should not be construed as causal, but can support hypothesis generation.

Conclusion

This investigation enabled the generation of hypotheses on a variety of potential links between FRDs and exposures. Future investigations should prospectively evaluate the variables hypothesized to impact FRDs.

Impact of Bevacizumab on Experimentally Induced Endometriotic Lesions: Angiogenesis, Invasion, Apoptosis, and Cell Proliferation

Endometriosis is responsible for pain symptoms with great impact on the patient's quality of life. Several medication lines have been studied aiming at its definitive treatment. Among them, angiogenesis inhibitor factors may be effective given that angiogenesis has fundamental role in the establishment and growth of endometriotic lesions. In this study, we investigated the influence of bevacizumab, anti-factor drug of endothelial growth (anti-VEGF), used at two different dosages, in experimental endometriosis induced in rats. After the induction of endometriosis lesions in rats, they were divided in 3 groups: control group, no treatment, and two other groups were treated with different dosages of the same medication for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, endometriotic lesions were removed and evaluated regarding area of lesions, presence of endometrial tissue in microscopy, positivity for anti-VEGF antibody in immunohistochemistry, and gene expression of Pcna, Mmp9, Tp63, and Vegfa. Bevacizumab acted by reducing the area of lesions in the groups that received medication (p = 0.002) and reducing gene expression to Tp63 in lesions (p = 0.04). There was no significant result in other evaluations. We observed that there was significant reduction of the area of lesions among groups, suggesting that bevacizumab has a positive effect on disease control. The gene expression of Tp63 was significantly lower in the group that received high dose of the drug when compared with the other two groups; therefore, we concluded that bevacizumab acts by reducing cell proliferation and differentiation in lesions, constituting a real option for treating endometriosis.

Combination of noninvasive methods in diagnosis of infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis, a retrospective study in China

This study means to investigate a combination of noninvasive methods in diagnosis of minimal or mild endometriosis expecting to narrow down the range of laparoscopic exploration for female infertility.It is a retrospective case control study of totally 447 patients suspected unexplained infertility before surgery were eligible from May 2012 to February 2017. Of these, 299 patients were laparoscopy-proved minimal or mild endometriosis group, the remaining 148 patients served as control group (normal pelvis). Preoperative age, duration of infertility, type of infertility, body mass index, baseline follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, serum CA125, clinical symptoms, findings on vagino-recto-abdominal examinations and pregnancy prognosis had been recorded. Every variable and their combinations were evaluated.Any single factor had limited diagnostic value. The cut-off value for CA125 was 19.25 IU/L. Parallel testing had a higher sensitivity at 81.3%. Serial tests of vagino-recto-abdominal examination combined with dysmenorrhea or positive CA125 got reasonable sensitivity (51.4% and 49%), remarkable high specificities (95.7% and100%) and Positive Predictive Value (96.4% and 100%). Multivariate logistic regression identified the following factors in decreasing order of importance: (1) vagino-recto-abdominal examinations, (2) CA125, (3) dysmenorrhea, their ORs being 16.148, 3.796, and 2.809, respectively. The spontaneous pregnancy rate (50.8%) in minimal or mild endometriosis was higher than control (35.6%, P = .043).A combination of noninvasive diagnostic methods had certain preoperative diagnostic value of minimal or mild endometriosis, which might benefit some patients from avoiding laparoscopic surgery.

Retroperitoneal anatomy during excision of pelvic side wall endometriosis

Surgical management of endometriosis has been shown to improve dysmenorrhea at all disease stages and is recommended in severe disease for treatment of infertility. Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) produces thick inflammatory tissue that precludes visualization of anatomical landmarks and distorts normal anatomy. Excision of DIE poses several technical and surgical challenges that mandate a clear understanding of the anatomy of the pelvic sidewall. This review details relevant surgical anatomy and addresses the principles of safe retroperitoneal entry, ureterolysis and excision of endometriotic lesions. Proper use of these techniques should facilitate safe and successful surgery for management of DIE.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectovaginal Endometriosis: A Retrospective Descriptive Study from a Single Centre

Introduction

Rectovaginal endometriosis is a form of deep infiltrating endometriosis and accounts for 5%-10% of cases. It is a very difficult to treat and can be associated with severe complications.

Objectives

The aim was to document the outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectovaginal endometriosis.

Methods

A retrospective audit of 112 consecutive women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectovaginal endometriosis at Vincent Pallotti's Aevitas Fertility Clinic was undertaken. Women were identified from a surgical database using medical aid coding and a review of case notes. Patients were telephonically contacted to gather missing information and to assess further outcomes.

Results

The majority of surgeries were performed using the shaving technique, in keeping with international trends, whilst fourteen cases required a segmental resection owing to extensive disease. Complications included rectovaginal fistulas (3 cases), bowel injuries (2 cases), ureteric injury (1 case), a pelvic abscess (1 case), a blood transfusion (1 case) and the need for three urgent re-operations. Of the 71 patients desiring fertility, 39 (54.9%) fell pregnant. Twenty-seven (69.2%) were spontaneous conceptions.

Conclusions

Our outcomes are in keeping with complication rates quoted in the international literature. In trained hands, laparoscopic surgery at our unit is a valid option in the management of rectovaginal endometriosis with similar complication rates and outcomes to international standards.

Effect of second-line surgery on in vitro fertilization outcome in infertile women with ovarian endometrioma recurrence after primary conservative surgery for moderate to severe endometriosis

Objective

To evaluate the effect of second-line conservative surgery on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in comparison with IVF without second-line surgery in infertile women with ovarian endometrioma recurrence after primary conservative surgery.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, 121 consecutive IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles that were performed after second-line surgery (n=53) or without second-line surgery (control group, n=68) between January 2006 and December 2011 in 121 infertile women with ovarian endometrioma(s) recurrence after primary conservative surgery for moderate to severe endometriosis were included. The two groups were compared in terms of controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF outcomes.

Results

There were no differences in patients' characteristics between the two groups. Total dose and days of gonadotropins administered were significantly higher in the second-line surgery group than in the control group (P<0.001, P=0.008). The numbers of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes and grade 1 or 2 embryos were significantly lower in the second-line surgery group (P=0.007, P=0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Clinical pregnancy rate per cycle and embryo implantation rate were also significantly lower in the second-line surgery group of 24.5% and 11.8% compared with 48.5% and 25.3% in the control group (P=0.008, P=0.005, respectively).

Conclusion

Ovarian response to controlled ovarian stimulation and IVF outcome after second-line surgery is worse than those in IVF cycles without second-line surgery in infertile women with ovarian endometrioma recurrence after primary surgery for moderate or severe endometriosis.

Diagnostic Challenges in a Young Woman with Endometriosis: The Value of Excision

Objective

The aim of this report is to highlight the value of excision when treating and diagnosing endometriosis, as well as present an unusual case of concomitant endometriosis and pelvic malignancy in a young female.

Case Report

In a university hospital referral center, a 24-year-old nulligravid woman with suspected endometriosis had been treated unsuccessfully with empiric therapy for several years. Interventions were preoperative cyclic and continuous combined oral contraceptive pills and a NuvaRing for 2 years. Diagnosis was completed by laparoscopy and histologic evaluation. Surgical debulking by gynecology oncologist was followed by chemotherapy. The main outcome measure was definitive diagnosis via histology.

Results

Histologic diagnosis of endometriosis and concomitant pelvic malignancy with successful surgical excision of both.

Conclusions

When evaluating a patient with chronic pelvic pain, it is necessary to have a high degree of suspicion for endometriosis. Early surgical and histologic evaluation is imperative for definitive diagnosis. An added benefit of histologic diagnosis is the opportunity to assess for malignancy.

Removal of unilateral endometriomas is associated with immediate and sustained reduction in ovarian reserve

Endometrioma surgery by stripping the cyst capsule has been associated with a reduction in ovarian reserve. It is still not clear whether the inflicted damage is immediate, sustained over time or associated with the use of electrocautery, nor which marker is more accurately reflects the post-operative reduction in ovarian reserve. This observational study assessed the damage inflicted by endometrioma removal with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration and antral follicle count (AFC) pre and post-operatively. Twenty-five women with unilateral endometrioma underwent laparoscopic stripping of the endometrioma cyst capsule. There was a significant decrease both in AMH concentration (24%) and in AFC (11%) 1 month following surgery (P<0.01). At 6months post-operatively, the respective values were 24% and 15% less than preoperatively. AMH concentration and AFC showed no correlation with the use of bipolar electrocautery during surgery. Primordial follicles embedded adjacent to the cyst capsule were found in 61.5% of the specimens. Endometrioma surgery by stripping of the cyst capsule is associated with a significant reduction in ovarian reserve. The reduction is immediate and sustained over time. AMH appears to be a better indicator for post-operative quantification of the ovarian reserve.

Surgical strategy in endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common disease affecting young women. Its clinical manifestations include pain and infertility, and it can dramatically affect quality of life. Treatments should be tailored to address the wishes of women according to the specific characteristics of the disease. Although many questions remain unanswered, strong evidence supports the use of laparoscopic surgery to improve pain and infertility. The systematisation of strategy is essential to make surgery more reproducible, safer and less time-consuming. Nevertheless, even in the most expert hands, complications may occur. Further investigations are needed to compare the different approaches. Outcomes must, however, include pain, fertility, organ dysfunction, and quality of life.

Treatment of endometriosis with local acetylsalicylic acid injection: experimental study in rabbits

The objective of the present study was to estimate the effects of introduction of acetylsalicylic acid solution into peritoneal implants in autologous endometrium as a method for treating endometriosis. Forty adult female rabbits were subdivided into 4 groups of 10 rabbits each, and endometriosis was induced via autotransplantation of endometrial fragments into the peritoneal cavity. At 30 days after induction of endometriosis, all animals were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 protocols. In protocol 1, animals were evaluated at 24 hours after treatment; group 1 (control) received physiologic solution, and group 2 received acetylsalicylic acid. In protocol 2, animals were evaluated at 10 days after treatment, group 3 (control) and group 4 received acetylsalicylic acid. After measuring the lesion, the endometriotic focus was removed and prepared for mounting on slides for histologic analysis. Imaging software was used for analysis of the total remaining area of endometrial tissue. The affected area in acetylsalicylic acid-treated animals was smaller than that in control animals at 24 hours and 10 days after treatment; a significant difference was found between control and treated groups (p < .001). Statistical analysis comparing protocols 1 and 2 demonstrated no differences between controls groups or acetylsalicylic acid groups (p = .30), and no differences between times (p = .75). Acetylsalicylic acid solution led to less growth (or higher involution) of endometrial implants. Acetylsalicylic acid injected directly into endometriotic foci was effective in their destruction. This presents new perspectives for treatment of endometriosis and for clinical applications based on further clinical studies.

Robotics as a new surgical minimally invasive approach to treatment of endometriosis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

This systematic review evaluates the role of robotics in the surgical treatment of endometriosis.

METHODS

Electronic database searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge for relevant studies over the past 10 years.

RESULTS

Four published articles were found that used robotic assisted laparoscopy to perform endometriosis surgery. All four studies used the da Vinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Three studies were case reports, and one was a cohort study. Robotics appears to be as effective as conventional laparoscopy in the management of endometriosis. There were no reports of any major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have been published and show us that robotic endometriosis surgery is feasible even in severe endometriosis cases without conversion. There is a lack of long-term outcome papers in the literature. Randomized controlled trials are necessary.

Nonmalignant diseases and treatments associated with primary ovarian failure: an expanded role for fertility preservation

Cancer treatments can be detrimental to fertility; recent literature has focused on the efforts of fertility preservation for this patient population. It should be recognized, however, that several nonmalignant medical conditions and therapeutic interventions could be similarly hazardous to fertility. Some of these nonmalignant diseases and their treatments that can adversely impact the reproductive axis are gastrointestinal diseases, rheumatologic disorders, nonmalignant hematologic conditions, neurologic disorders, renal disorders, gynecologic conditions, and metabolic diseases. Their negative effects on reproductive function are only now being appreciated and include impaired ovarian function, endocrine function, or sexual function and inability to carry a pregnancy to term. Complications and comorbidities associated with certain diseases may limit the success of established fertility preservation options. Recent advances in fertility preservation techniques may provide these patients with new options for childbearing. Here, we review several fertility-threatening conditions and treatments, describe current established and experimental fertility preservation options, and present three initiatives that may help minimize the adverse reproductive effects of these medical conditions and treatments by raising awareness of the issues and options: (1) increase awareness among practitioners about the reproductive consequences of specific diseases and treatments, (2) facilitate referral of patients to fertility-sparing or restorative programs, and (3) provide patient education about the risk of infertility at the time of diagnosis before initiation of treatment.

Increased diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy in endometriosis using indigo carmine: a new technique

OBJECTIVE

To report the technique and outcome of laparoscopy in endometriosis using indigo carmine.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PATIENT(S)

Twenty-nine-year-old nulligravid woman with a history of endometriosis and left unicornuate uterus with an absent right horn with a present right ovary and distal fallopian tube with recurrence of disease.

INTERVENTION(S)

Operative laparoscopy for destruction of endometriosis and chromopertubation, given the patient's history of infertility.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Identification of endometriosis.

RESULT(S)

Lesions of endometriosis were stained with indigo carmine and were easily identified.

CONCLUSION(S)

Tissue staining demonstrated lesions of endometriosis that were more easily identified; therefore, this technique could provide a special and unique approach to a more accurate diagnosis of endometriosis.