Cherif Akladios

Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy for female genital organ prolapse: establishment of a learning curve

OBJECTIVE The widespread diffusion of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the management of female genital organ prolapse is hampered by its presumed length and technical difficulties. The aim of our study was to analyse the learning curve of a senior urogynecologic surgeon who was initiated into this technique. STUDY DESIGN The first 48 laparoscopic sacrocolpopexies performed by the same surgeon were analysed retrospectively for pre-operative, operative and post-operative data. At the time of the study, patients were asked about their degree of satisfaction by an anonymous questionnaire. To discover a turning point, the duration of each procedure was reported and the study population was divided into 8 equal groups of 6 interventions each, classed chronologically. Statistical analysis was carried out by Mauchlys sphericity test and then by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Other descriptive statistics were computed with the use of standard methods for means, medians and proportions. RESULTS The mean operative time was of 236.9 min. The learning curve showed a linear decrease in the duration of surgery with a turning point after 18-24 procedures (p<0.001). It was marked by 2 (4.1%) minor operative complications (2 cystostomies) and 2 immediate post-operative ones: one port-site hernia and one case of urinary retention. At 1 month, 1 patient (2.2%) presented an erosion of the posterior mesh. The mean follow-up was of 15.8 months. During this period, 2 patients (4.1%) presented with a recurrence of prolapse and 6 (12.5%) with de novo stress urinary incontinence. Forty-five patients (93.7%) answered an anonymous questionnaire regarding satisfaction: 40/45 (88.8%) were totally satisfied, 4 (8.8%) moderately and 1 (2.2%) not satisfied. CONCLUSIONS The learning curve of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy shows a steady decrease in the duration of surgery. A turning point is observed after 18-24 procedures. During the learning curve there is no increased morbidity. Anatomical and functional results at short and medium terms are similar to those reported in the literature.

Myo-InositolTrisPyroPhosphate treatment leads to HIF-1α suppression and eradication of early hepatoma tumors in rats,

Myo‐inositol trispyrophosphate (ITPP), a synthetic allosteric effector of hemoglobin, increases the regulated oxygen‐releasing capacity of red blood cells (RBCs), leading to suppression of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) and to down‐regulation of hypoxia‐inducible genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). As a consequence, tumor growth is markedly affected. The effect of weekly intravenous injection of ITPP on an orthotopic, syngenic rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model was compared to that for untreated animals and animals subjected to conventional Doxorubicin chemotherapy. The longitudinal examination of HCC was performed by microCT imaging, and the cellular and molecular changes were evaluated by histology and Western blotting analysis of HIF‐1α, VEGF, and caspase‐3 gene expression in the tumor and in the surrounding liver. Hematologic impact was evaluated by blood cell‐count measurement and determination of P50 (oxygen partial pressure for a 50 % oxygen saturation of hemoglobin). The HCC evaluation by microCT revealed a high potency of ITPP for tumor growth inhibition, thus allowing long‐term survival and even cure of almost all the treated animals. The P50 value of hemoglobin in RBCs underwent a shift of 30 % following ITPP injection. Under these conditions, HIF‐1α activity was strongly decreased, VEGF expression was down‐regulated, and apoptosis was induced in HCC and surrounding liver cells, as indicated by Caspase‐3 expression. ITPP did not affect hematologic parameters during treatment. The observations of in vivo tumor eradication suggest a significant clinical potential for ITPP in cancer therapy.

Adolescent Endometriosis: Report of a Series of 55 Cases With a Focus on Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Issues.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To report the clinical presentation and long-term issues of adolescent endometriosis. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Single private clinical center, Bordeaux, France. PATIENTS Adolescents with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS Surgical excision or ablation or lesions performed at laparoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Fifty-five adolescents, ages from 12 to 19 years (mean age 17.8), who were diagnosed with endometriosis from March 1998 to April 2013 were included in the study. Pain of various types was the leading symptom in all patients, except 2. Twenty-three patients had an adnexal mass identified preoperatively, and 5 had an associated infertility issue at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy. Four patients had an associated genital malformation. Fifty-one percent of the patients had a history of appendectomy. A familial history of endometriosis was reported by 19 patients (34.5%), with a first-degree relative affected in 14 cases (25.45%), and 47.3% of patients were smoking at least 5 cigarettes a day. Superficial implants was encountered in 31 cases (56.4%), endometriomas in 18 cases (32.72%), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) in 6 cases (10.90%). Sixty percent of patients were scored as stages I to II and 40% as stages III to IV. Five patients were lost to follow-up, and 37 had a follow-up ranging from 36 to 315 months (mean follow-up 125.5 months). Among the 50 patients not lost to follow-up, 13 (26%) had either no pain, or improved and had acceptable pain with medical treatment. Seventeen patients of the 50 adolescents not lost to follow-up (34%) underwent a repeat laparoscopy. A subsequent laparoscopic and/or magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed in 35 patients because of persistent pain. Among these, there was 12 endometriomas (7 recurrences) and 12 DIEs (3 recurrences), giving recurrence rates for endometriomas and DIEs of 36.84% and 50%, respectively. During the study, 18 patients wished to have a child. Thirteen had a delivery (72.2%), and 9 pregnancies occurred in patients who initially presented with stage I to II endometriosis. Of the 11 patients who had subfertility, 6 successfully conceived (54.5%). CONCLUSIONS Adolescent endometriosis is not a rare condition. In our study a familial history was reported in more than one-third of patients. Among those patients treated for DIE, there was a trend for higher rates of recurrences (symptoms or lesions) that required repeat laparoscopy. However, the impact on subsequent fertility appeared to have been limited.

First report of granulomatous mastitis associated with Sjögren’s syndrome

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare and often considered as idiopathic disease. However, clinical examination and thorough diagnostic investigations have to be carried out in order to identify cases that are secondary to infections or systemic diseases since these forms may be cured with appropriate etiologic treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe the association of granulomatous mastitis with Sjögren’s syndrome. We discuss the clinical, pathological and therapeutic implications of this association.

Is Ileostomy Always Necessary Following Rectal Resection for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis

OBJECTIVE To verify the hypothesis that in most patients bowel segmental resection to treat endometriosis can be safely performed without creation of a stoma and to discuss the limitations of this statement. DESIGN Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Forty-one women with sigmoid and rectal endometriotic lesions who underwent segmental resection. INTERVENTION Segmental resection procedures performed between 2004 and 2011. Patient demographic, operative, and postoperative data were compared. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Sigmoid resection was performed in 6 patients (15%), and rectal anterior resection in 35 patients (high in 21 patients [51%], and low, i.e., <10 cm from the anal verge, in 14 [34%]). In 4 patients a temporary ileostomy was created. There was 1 anastomotic leak (2.4%), in a patient with an unprotected anastomosis, which was treated via laparoscopic surgery and creation of a temporary ileostomy. Other postoperative complications included hemoperitoneum, pelvic abscess, pelvic collection, and a ureteral vaginal fistula, in 1 patient each (all 2.4%). CONCLUSION A protective stoma may be averted in low anastomosis if it is >5 cm from the anal verge and there are no adverse intraoperative events.

Predicting the difficulty of operative vaginal delivery by ultrasound measurement of fetal head station

BACKGROUND: Clinical assessment of fetal head station is difficult and subjective; it is mandatory before attempting operative vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: The principal objective of our study was to assess whether measurement of the perineum‐to‐skull ultrasound distance was predictive of a difficult operative vaginal delivery. Secondary objectives included evaluation of the interobserver reproducibility of perineum‐to‐skull ultrasound distance and comparison of this measurement and digital examination in predicting a difficult operative delivery. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study including all cases of operative vaginal deliveries in singleton pregnancies in cephalic presentation >34 weeks’ gestation, from 2012 through 2015. All data were entered prospectively in a medical record system specially devised to meet the requirements of this study. RESULTS: Of the 659 patients in whom perineum‐to‐skull ultrasound distance was measured prior to operative vaginal delivery, 120 (18%) met the composite criterion for a difficult extraction. Perineum‐to‐skull ultrasound distance measurement of ≥40 mm was significantly associated with the occurrence of a difficult extraction based on the composite criterion, after adjustment for parity, presentation type, and fetal macrosomia (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.51–3.74; P = .0002). The intraclass correlation coefficient between the perineum‐to‐skull ultrasound distance measured by the first operator and that measured by the second operator was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.95–0.97; P < .0001). Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, perineum‐to‐skull ultrasound distance was a more accurate predictor of difficult operative delivery than digital vaginal examination (P = .036). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the perineum‐fetal skull ultrasound distance is a reproducible and predictive index of the difficulty of instrumental extraction. Ultrasound is a useful supplementary tool to the usual clinical findings.

Safety of Vaginal Mesh Surgery Versus Laparoscopic Mesh Sacropexy for Cystocele Repair: Results of the Prosthetic Pelvic Floor Repair Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic mesh sacropexy (LS) or transvaginal mesh repair (TVM) are surgical techniques used to treat cystoceles. Health authorities have highlighted the need for comparative studies to evaluate the safety of surgeries with meshes. OBJECTIVE To compare the rate of complications, and functional and anatomical outcomes between LS and TVM. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter randomized controlled trial from October 2012 to April 2014 in 11 French public hospitals. Women with cystocele stage ≥2 (pelvic organ prolapse quantification), aged 45-75 yr, without previous prolapse surgery. INTERVENTION Synthetic nonabsorbable mesh placed in the vesicovaginal space, sutured to the promontory (LS) or maintained by arms through pelvic ligaments (TVM). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Rate of surgical complications ≥grade II according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification at 1 yr. Secondary outcomes were reintervention rate, and functional and anatomical results. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS A total of 130 women were randomized in LS and 132 in TVM; five women withdrew before intervention, leaving 129 in LS and 128 in TVM. The rate of complications ≥grade II was lower after LS than after TVM, but did not meet statistical significance (17% vs 26%, treatment difference 8.6% [95% confidence interval, CI -1.5 to 18]; p=0.088). The rate of complications of grade III or higher was nonetheless significantly lower after LS (LS=0.8%, TVM=9.4%, treatment difference 8.6% [95% CI 3.4%; 15%]; p=0.001). LS was converted to TVM in 6.3%. The total reoperation rate was lower after LS but did not meet statistical significance (LS=4.7%, TVM=10.9%, treatment difference 6.3% [95% CI -0.4 to 13.3]; p=0.060). There was no difference in symptoms, quality of life, improvement, composite definition of success, anatomical results rates between groups except for the vaginal apex and length, and dyspareunia (in favor of LS). CONCLUSIONS LS is a valuable option for primary repair of cystocele in sexually active patients. LS is safer than TVM, but may not be feasible in all cases. Both techniques offer same functional outcomes, success rates, and anatomical outcomes, but sexual function is better preserved by LS. PATIENT SUMMARY Our study demonstrates that laparoscopic sacropexy (LS) is a valuable option for primary repair of cystocele. LS offers equivalent success rates to vaginal mesh procedures, but is safer with a lower rate of complications and reoperations, and sexual function is better preserved.

Totally Laparoscopic Intracorporeal Anastomosis With Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction (NOSE) Techniques, Particularly Suitable for Bowel Endometriosis

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) techniques in 41 patients undergoing bowel resection for treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis. In all patients laparoscopic treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis with bowel resection had been performed. In 32 patients the classic approach was adopted (group 1), and in 9 a NOSE technique was performed (group 2). Demographic, operative, and postoperative data were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 16.0. When needed, qualitative variables were compared using the χ(2) test or the Fisher exact test. Quantitative variables using the t-test were used. The threshold of statistical significance was set at p = .05. No statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. Eight complications (19.5%) were observed, 2 minor (4.8%) and 6 major (14.6%). Of major complications, 2 were observed in the NOSE group (n = 2; 22.2%). It was concluded that the NOSE technique is a feasible approach in patients undergoing bowel resection for treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis.

Evaluation of long‐term neurodevelopment in twin‐twin transfusion syndrome after laser therapy

The primary objective of our study was to evaluate the long‐term neurodevelopment outcome after laser surgery for twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The secondary objective was to identify perinatal prognostic factors associated with neurodevelopmental impairment.

Does the Number of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Cycles before Interval Debulking Surgery Influence Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Objective: To evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients with initially inoperable advanced ovarian cancer, tubal carcinoma, or primary peritoneal carcinoma of stages III or IV undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by cytoreductive surgery, according to the number of cycles performed. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in three main oncology centres in the east of France, reviewing the charts of all patients who underwent NAC between January 1, 1998 and October 31, 2012. We performed an OS analysis using multivariate Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders. We also analysed progression-free survival (PFS) as well as chemotherapy- and surgery-related morbidity. Results: Of the 204 patients included, 75 (36.8%) underwent ≤4 NAC cycles and 129 (63.2%) ≥5 NAC cycles. Characteristic data were similar in the two groups. Five-year OS was 35.0 and 25.8%, respectively. This difference was non-significant [HR = 1.06 (0.70-1.59), p = 0.79]. We also found no differences in PFS or morbidity between the two groups. Conclusions: The number of NAC cycles does not seem to play a role in the OS of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Further evidence and prospective data are needed to assess the value of a high/low number of NAC cycles among these patients.