George Kallipolitis

Adhesions: Laparoscopic Surgery versus Laparotomy

Abstract: This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness in pregnancy rates of microsurgery and operative laparoscopy in adhesiolysis. Adhesions were found to be the sole infertility factor in 15% of our patients. One hundred and ninety infertile patients with periadnexal adhesions as the only cause of their infertility were treated by microsurgery (86) or operative laparoscopy (104) and were followed up for 24 months. Our results indicate that advanced laparoscopic surgery in general is as effective as microsurgery in healthy infertile patients with adhesions but offers some advantages in comparison to laparotomy. Factors that adversely affect the postoperative success rates are the age of the women, the duration of infertility, and the severity of the adhesions.

Laparoscopic Management of Patients with Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

Abstract: Endometriosis has been traditionally included among the most important causes of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women of reproductive age. The main clinical manifestations of endometriosis are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic nonmenstrual pain. Despite the high prevalence of endometriosis in women suffering from CPP, controversy still exists regarding the true association between the stage and extent of this peculiar disease and the severity of pain. Over the last decade, advances in endoscopic technology have enabled gynecologic surgeons to recognize many atypical appearances of the endometriotic implants not known to exist before, thus allowing their complete excision or destruction. Laparoscopic surgery may offer considerable relief in patients with endometriosis and CPP. Although cases with advanced endometriosis seem to benefit the most, we also support surgical treatment in patients with early endometriosis diagnosed using laparoscopy, as many will experience improvement in their symptoms.

Endometriosis in patients with chronic pelvic pain : Is staging predictive of the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in pain relief?

Background/Aims: Endometriosis is considered an important cause of chronic pelvic pain. Despite its high prevalence, controversy still exists regarding the true association between the extent of endometriosis and the severity of symptoms. We conducted this prospective study to investigate the association between the stage of endometriosis and type and severity of pain, and to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in pain relief. Methods: Ninety-five patients complaining of chronic pain were diagnosed with endometriosis and were treated with laparoscopic surgery. The severity of pain was assessed in patients with an endometriosis AFS (American Fertility Society) score less than 16 (group 1) and those with an AFS score greater than or equal to 16 (group 2), preoperatively and 6 months after surgery, using a visual pain scale. Any reduction in pain scores by 2 points or more was considered to be an improvement. Results: Dysmenorrhea and deep dyspareunia, were significantly more frequent in patients of group 2. Preoperative pain scores were significantly higher for dysmenorrhea (p = 0.0022) and deep dyspareunia (p < 0.0001) but not for non-menstrual pain in group 2. Deep dyspareunia was correlated with the presence of dense pelvic adhesions. After surgery, dysmenorrhea improved in 43% of cases in group 1, vs. 66% of cases in group 2 (p = 0.0037). For deep dyspareunia, improvement was reported by 33% in group 1, vs. 67% in group 2 (p = 0.074). Improvement in non-menstrual pain was not significantly different between the two groups (67% vs. 56%). Conclusions: Advanced endometriosis is more frequently related to dysmenorrhea and deep dypareunia in comparison to early disease. Laparoscopic surgery may offer relief or improvement in the majority of patients with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Cases with advanced disease seem to benefit the most.

LAPAROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF INFERTILE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN

In this study over a 10-year period, 1584 patients complaining of infertility of more than 1 year duration were evaluated for their laparoscopic findings in relation to the presence or not of chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Infertility was the only complaint in 1215 cases (group 1), whereas 369 patients complained of infertility and CPP (group 2). All cases underwent routine infertility investigation and pelvic ultrasonography, followed by diagnostic laparoscopy, with infertility-only cases acting as a control group. At laparoscopy 76.7% of patients with CPP were found with pelvic pathology, compared with only 42.6% of cases without CPP (P < or = 0.0001). Omental-abdominal wall adhesions, advanced endometriosis, endometriomas with adhesions, pelvic venous congestion, and hydrosalpinges with pelvic adhesions were significantly more frequent in cases with CPP. Dysmenorrhoea was the most frequent type of CPP. Cases with CPP and a negative laparoscopy were further investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. In conclusion, chronic pelvic pain can be the result of several pelvic pathologies. Infertile patients with CPP are much more frequently found with an abnormal pelvis in comparison with cases without CPP. Laparoscopy is an invaluable diagnostic tool especially for symptomatic patients and should be used early in their diagnostic infertility work-up.

Endometriosis and Reproductive Disorders

Abstract: The classic concept of endometriosis as a cause of infertility is challenged. Traditionally, both surgical and medical therapy have focused on alleviation of symptoms, prevention of disease progression, and promotion of fertility. In spite of significant developments in medical and surgical approaches, the optimal therapy for treating endometriosis‐associated infertility has yet to be established. The relationship between prevalence of fecundity and stage of the disease was studied according to the type of management. Of 151 women who were consecutively proved by laparoscopy to have endometriosis stage I and II, operative laparoscopy was performed in 49, medical treatment in 59, and expectant management in 43 cases. During a 24‐month period, the cumulative pregnancy rates were 36.7%, 30.5%, and 20.9%, respectively. Survival analysis over the 20 weeks of pregnancy showed that the probability of carrying the pregnancy beyond this week was 30.6%, 25.4%, and 16.2%, respectively. Of 64 patients with advanced disease, 34 (53%) became pregnant during the 2‐year follow‐up period. A significantly increased pregnancy rate was found for the first year as compared to the second (76% vs. 24%). The existence of adhesions affected adversely the outcome of the treatment when early achievement of pregnancy is considered. Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis was beneficial for the infertile women. Laparoscopic surgery seems to be the best treatment in these cases, as it increases the fecundity and involves minimal risk.

Laparoscopic treatment of hydrosalpinx: factors affecting pregnancy rate.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in a series of women with hydrosalpinx. DESIGN Prospective, observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting. University-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS Sixty-one women undergoing bilateral neosalpingostomy and restoration of tubal ovarian anatomy laparoscopically, and followed for 24 months. INTERVENTION Video-controlled operative laparoscopy using standard four-puncture technique. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS During 24-month follow-up, cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rates at 6-month intervals were 6.8%, 13.6%, 20.5%, and 20.5% for patients with only distal tubal obstruction and 12%, 23%, 29%, and 29% for those with mild degree of tubal disease and periadnexal adhesions. Miscarriage rate for intrauterine pregnancies was zero in both groups. CONCLUSION Operative laparoscopy seems to be an effective treatment for hydrosalpinx in terms of pregnancy outcome.

Laparoscopic Gonadectomy in a Patient With Testicular Feminization Syndrome

A laparoscopic technique is reported as an operative approach for gonadectomy in a case of testicular feminization syndrome. A 17-year-old phenotypic female presented with primary amenorrhea and was evaluated through a diagnostic protocol that included clinical, cytogenetic, and hormonal examinations. The findings supported the diagnosis of testicular feminization syndrome. The left gonad was found at the internal opening of the inguinal canal and removed laparoscopically. No gonad was found at the contralateral side. No complications occurred during the operation and the patient left the hospital the same day. A long-term hormonal replacement treatment was initiated postoperatively.

Laparoscopic treatment of massive ovarian edema

Massive ovarian edema is an unusual cause of ovarian enlargement in young girls and women. A woman with the disorder was managed laparoscopically by wedge resection of the ovary. We believe that endoscopic surgery is the appropriate approach for ovarian edema, as it establishes the diagnosis by minimally invasive means and at the same time ensures conservative treatment.

Postoperative ascites developing after laparoscopic surgery can become a difficult diagnostic dilemma.

Postoperative ascites is a rare complication of laparoscopic surgery. Life-threatening and serious etiologies such as unrecognized bowel or urinary tract injury should be excluded promptly to avoid prolonged morbidity and even mortality. Occasionally, no definitive cause can be identified after an extensive diagnostic work-up. In such cases, idiopathic allergic or inflammatory peritoneal reaction may be the final diagnosis.

Fecundity of infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis

Abstract Despite significant developments in medical and surgical approaches for treating endometriosis, the optimal therapy has yet to be established. The relationship between prevalence of fecundity and stage of endometriosis according to their management was studied. Of 151 consecutive women with laparoscopy-proved endometriosis stage-1 and 2, operative laparoscopy was performed in 49, medical treatment in 59 and expectant management in 43 cases. During a 24-month period the cumulative pregnancy rates were found to be 36.7%, 30.5% and 20.9% respectively. Survival analysis showed that the probability of carrying the pregnancy beyond 20 weeks were 30.6%, 25.4% and 16.2% respectively. Diagnosis and treatment of early endometriosis is beneficial for the infertile women. Laparoscopic surgery seems to be the milestone of treatment in these cases, increasing the fecundity and involving minimal risk.