Luciana Maria Pyramo Costa

Clinical Prediction of Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis before Surgery: Is It Feasible? A Review of the Literature

Background. Endometriosis is a chronic benign gynecologic disease that can cause pelvic pain and infertility affecting almost 10% of reproductive-age women. Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a specific entity responsible for painful symptoms which are related to the anatomic location of the lesions. Definitive diagnosis requires surgery, and histological confirmation is advisable. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature regarding the possibility of diagnosing DIE accurately before surgery. Despite its low sensitivity and specificity, vaginal examination and evaluation of specific symptoms should not be completely omitted as a basic diagnostic tool in detecting endometriosis and planning further therapeutic interventions. Recently, transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) has been reported as an excellent tool to diagnose DIE lesions in different locations (rectovaginal septum, retrocervical and paracervical areas, rectum and sigmoid, and vesical wall) with good accuracy. Conclusion. There are neither sufficiently sensitive and specific signs and symptoms nor diagnostic tests for the clinical diagnosis of DIE, resulting in a great delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Digital examination, in addition to TVS, may help to gain better understanding of the anatomical extent and dimension of DIE which is of crucial importance in defining the best surgical approach.Background. Endometriosis is a chronic benign gynecologic disease that can cause pelvic pain and infertility affecting almost 10% of reproductive-age women. Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a specific entity responsible for painful symptoms which are related to the anatomic location of the lesions. Definitive diagnosis requires surgery, and histological confirmation is advisable. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature regarding the possibility of diagnosing DIE accurately before surgery. Despite its low sensitivity and specificity, vaginal examination and evaluation of specific symptoms should not be completely omitted as a basic diagnostic tool in detecting endometriosis and planning further therapeutic interventions. Recently, transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) has been reported as an excellent tool to diagnose DIE lesions in different locations (rectovaginal septum, retrocervical and paracervical areas, rectum and sigmoid, and vesical wall) with good accuracy. Conclusion. There are neither sufficiently sensitive and specific signs and symptoms nor diagnostic tests for the clinical diagnosis of DIE, resulting in a great delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis. Digital examination, in addition to TVS, may help to gain better understanding of the anatomical extent and dimension of DIE which is of crucial importance in defining the best surgical approach.

Cirurgia no câncer colorretal: abordagem cirúrgica de 74 pacientes do SUS portadores de câncer colorretal em programa de pós-graduação lato sensu em coloproctologia

In the framework of postgraduate Coloproctology for 2009, two graduate students conducted the second year as principal surgeons, 129 major surgeries, always assisted effectively by one or two tutors. All surgeries were performed on public patients in Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, with absolute presence of members of the Grupo de Coloproctologia da Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte e Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas de Minas Gerais (GCP-CBHS-FCMMG). A retrospective analysis of 74 medical records of patients from the Brazilian National Health System, resected of colorectal cancer by Resident R2, supervised and assisted by mentors, could get into the following conclusions: the average age of patients was 57.2, and the sixth and seventh decades accounted for 51.4% of the patients. The rectal cancer was predominant in women (54.1%). The most common sites of tumors were in the sigmoid (31.1%), rectum (24.3%), and cecum (17.6%). The most commonly performed procedures were retossigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis (36.6%) and right hemicolectomy with ileo-transverse anastomosis (21.7%). The anatomical characteristics of the tumors based on TNM classification findings were: T3 (62.1%), N0 (59.5%), and M0 (77.0%) (p<0.05). The average number of lymph nodes found in surgical specimens was 10.4. Sixty-three anastomoses (85.1%) were carried out, being 38 (60.3%) mechanical and 25, manual (39.7%). There were 14 comorbidities (18.9%), the cachexia having more prominence (eight cases). The rate of surgical complications was 12.2% (nine cases), and the surgeries that have caused more complications were total colectomy with ileo-rectal anastomosis (40.0%), and double stapled abdominal retossigmoidectomy (20%). The most common complications were anastomotic fistula (five cases). Complications (nine) were more caused by comorbidities (seven) than by the surgical procedure (two). The surgeries that required less time were: laparotomy with ileostomy (average of 75 minutes) and with colostomy (average of 95 minutes), and the longest times were occupied by total proctocolectomy with definite ileostomy (240 minutes) and left hemicolectomy with transverse-rectal anastomosis (240 minutes), with an average length of 160 minutes. The smaller specimens were those resulting from Hartmanns procedure (29 cm) and retossigmoidectomy (32 cm); and the most extensive specimens were of total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (120 cm) and total proctocolectomy with terminal ileostomy (150 cm), with the mean at 34.5. There were 12 deaths (16.2%), two of which directly related to surgery and the other related to clinical complications and comorbities

To operate or not to operate on women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) before in vitro fertilization (IVF)

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) can cause infertility and pelvic pain. There is little evidence of a clear connection between DIE and infertility, and the absolute benefits of surgery for DIE have not been established. This paper aimed to review the current literature on the effect of surgery for DIE on fertility, pregnancy, and IVF outcomes. Clinicians should bear in mind that a comprehensive clinical history is useful to identify patients at risk for endometriosis, although many women remain asymptomatic. Imaging can be useful to plan surgery. The effect of surgery on the fertility of women with DIE remains unanswered due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease and the lack of trials with enough statistical power and adequate follow-up. Surgery is not recommended when the main goal is to treat infertility or to improve IVF results. Decisions should be tailored according to the individual needs of each woman. Patients must be provided information on the potential benefits, harm, and costs of each treatment alternative, while the medical team observes factors such as presence of pelvic pain, patient age, lesion location, and previous treatments. In this scenario, management by a multidisciplinary endometriosis team is a key step to achieving successful outcomes.

Safe multidisciplinary approach in deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE): is it feasible?

Objective: Evaluate the type and incidence of postoperative complications after surgery for deep infiltrative endo metriosis at Biocor Hospital. Methods: Our observational study involved a multidisciplinary surgical team that performed laparoscopy on 154 patients suffering from pelvic pain. Surgical complications occurring up to the 30th postoperative day were recorded. Results: Mean age patient age was 34.1 years. Infertility was present in 69 (45%) although 31% had not attempted to get pregnant. Dysmenorrhea was the most frequent symptom (79.3%) followed by chronic pelvic pain (59.7%) and deep dyspareunia (48,7%). Most cases required extensive surgery as the majority (n=117; 76.9%) were classified as severe endometriosis (ASRM grade IV). The most frequent surgical procedures were: 136 adhesiolysis, 100 intestinal surgeries (85 retosigmoidectomies), 92 peritonal lesion excision, 39 vaginal resections, 19 myomectomies, 21 hysterectomies and 5 partial bladder resections. Postoperative complications were recorded in 14 (9.59%) patients: 8 (5.48%) major complications and 6 (4.11%) minor. Major complications included blood transfusion (n=2) retosigmoid anastomosis dehiscence (1), rectovaginal fistula (n=1), urinary fistula (n=1), deep vein thrombosis (n=1), lower limb compartment syndrome with motor deficit (n=1) and one intestinal obstruction (n=1). Minor complications were abdominal wall infection (n=3), peripheral neuropathy (n=3), bladder atony (n=1) and bladder perforation (n=1). No deaths were observed. All major complication cases underwent retosigmoidectomy associated with vaginal resection (n=6), uterosacral ligament excision (n=5) or hysterectomy (n=3). Conclusion: The surgical treatment of DIE is complex and subject to complications. The surgical expertise of a multidisciplinary team plays a vital role in this setting.

Accuracy of clinical signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease afffecting about 10% of all reproductive-age women which can significantly impair quality of life. As the clinical presentation is variable, with som...

Intestinal Perforation due to Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis during Pregnancy: Case Report

We report the case of a 33 year-old woman who complained of severe dysmenorrhea since menarche. From 2003 to 2009, she underwent 4 laparoscopies for the treatment of pain associated with endometriosis. After all four interventions, the pain recurred despite the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues and the insertion of a levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). Finally, a colonoscopy performed in 2010 revealed rectosigmoid stenosis probably due to extrinsic compression. The patient was advised to get pregnant before treating the intestinal lesion. Spontaneous pregnancy occurred soon after LNG-IUS removal in 2011. In the 33rd week of pregnancy, the patient started to feel severe abdominal pain. No fever or sings of pelviperitonitis were present, but as the pain worsened, a cesarean section was performed, with the delivery of a premature healthy male, and an intestinal rupture was identified. Severe peritoneal infection and sepsis ensued. A colostomy was performed, and the patient recovered after eight days in intensive care. Three months later, the colostomy was closed, and a new LNG-IUS was inserted. The patient then came to be treated by our multidisciplinary endometriosis team. The diagnostic evaluation revealed the presence of intestinal lesions with extrinsic compression of the rectum. She then underwent a laparoscopic excision of the endometriotic lesions, including an ovarian endometrioma, adhesiolysis and segmental colectomy in 2014. She is now fully recovered and planning a new pregnancy. A transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) performed six months after surgery showed signs of pelvic adhesions, but no endometriotic lesions.

Análise comparativa inicial de critérios oncológicos de 120 pacientes submetidos a cirurgias colorretais por via laparotômica (60 pacientes) e por via videolaparoscópica (60 pacientes) para câncer colorretal no Programa de Pós-graduação sensu lato pelo Grupo de Coloproctologia de Belo Horizonte

The objective was to undertake a careful review of a consecutive series of 120 patients with colorectal cancer approached by laparoscopic surgery (Video-group, 60 patients) and by laparotomy (Lap-group, 60 patients), during 12 months (May 2009 to May 2010). The average age was 58 years and 58.8 years in group-Lap and 57.3 years in Video-group, the majority being females in both groups (Lap-group - 55.0% and Video-group - 61.7%, general mean 58.3 years). All patients in both groups underwent colonoscopy and biopsy with histopathologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. As far as distribution of tumors in the large intestine in Lap-group, 43 tumors were located in the rectum, rectosigmoid and sigmoid colon (71.7%) versus 45 in Video-group (75.0%), but with differences between low rectum (Lap-group 13,3%, Video-group 16.7%) and upper rectum (Lap-group 30.0%, Video-group 16.7%), sigmoid and rectosigmoid (Lap-group 28.4%, Video-group 41.6%). The most performed surgery was abdominal rectosigmoidectomy (Lap-group 27 cases, 45.0%; and Video-group 33 cases, 55,0%), followed by right hemicolectomy (Lap-group 16 cases, 26,6%; and Video-group 13 cases, 21.7%). The extensions of the surgical specimens were greater in Lap-group (mean 46.1 cm vs. 30.0 cm in Video-group), but due to higher number of surgeries that resulted in longer specimens. When comparing same surgical techniques, the difference does not persist as in cases of retosigmoidectomy (Lap-group with 32 cases, mean 28.2 cm; and Video-group with 39 cases, mean 26.6 cm). With regard to TNM staging T3N0M0, tumors was the most common in Lap-group with 30 cases (50.0%) and Video-group with 35 cases (58.4%). Regarding the lymph nodes count in surgical specimens, no difference was noted: total of 810 lymph nodes in specimens of Lap-group with a mean of 13.5 nodes per specimen, and total of 862 lymph nodes in Video-group with an average of 14.3 nodes per specimen. No difference was noted in relation to the count of lymph nodes in surgical specimens: the number of nodes was most commonly between 11 and 15 per specimen: 34 cases in Lap-group (56.7%) and 38 in Video-group (63.3%). Thus, no difference was noted between the two groups (Lap-group and Video-group) as far as oncologic and surgical criteria are concerned.

Cirurgia colorretal videolaparoscópica: experiência inicial na abordagem de 90 pacientes, no Programa de Pós-graduação sensu lato (residência e especialização) em Coloproctologia, pelo Grupo de Coloproctologia de Belo Horizonte

O objetivo do trabalho foi proceder a uma revisao criteriosa de uma casuistica de 90 pacientes submetidos as resseccoes colorretais por via videolaparoscopica no decurso de 12 meses (maio de 2009 a maio de 2010). A media etaria foi de 62,1 anos, com extremos de 20 e 93 anos, sendo a maioria dos pacientes do sexo feminino (52; 57,8%). O diagnostico mais comum foi câncer colorretal, com 60 casos (66,7%), seguido pelos polipos colorretais, com 12 casos (13,4%), doenca diverticular, com sete casos (7,8%), e outros diagnosticos, com 11 casos (12,1%). O preparo intestinal mais realizado foi com o Picolax (53 casos; 58,9%); 76 pacientes foram submetidos a colonoscopia e biopsia (84,4%). As cirurgias mais realizadas foram as retossigmoidectomias (54 casos; 60,0%), seguidas pelas hemicolectomias direitas (20 casos; 22,2%). O tempo de execucao da maioria das cirurgias foi entre duas e tres horas (34 casos; 37,8%) e entre tres e quatro horas (24 casos, 26,7%), com media de 203 minutos. Em 81 casos, houve anastomoses (90,0%), a maioria mecânica intra-abdominal (55,6%) e manual extra-abdominal (25 casos; 27,8%), tendo sido o conjunto de grampeadores circulares e lineares articulados os recursos mais utilizados (50 casos; 55,6%). O eletrocauterio foi usado em 68 pacientes (75,6%). A incisao abdominal mais usada foi a de Mallard (39 casos, 43,4%) e a mediana (22 casos; 24,4%), sendo as extensoes mais comuns entre 6 e 10 cm (55 casos; 78,6%). Houve 12 intercorrencias peroperatorias (13,2%), que levaram a conversoes para laparotomia. A media de dimensoes das pecas cirurgicas foi 33,2 cm, a maioria entre 21 e 30 cm (51 casos, 56,8%). Houve 13 complicacoes pos-operatorias (14,4%), 11 delas cirurgicas (12,2%) e duas clinicas (2,2%), das quais decorreram tres obitos, sendo dois cirurgicos e um clinico. O tempo medio de internamento foi de 5,3 dias, tendo sido 57 (63,3%) a ate cinco dias. Foram para o CTI 28 pacientes (31,1%), sobretudo por conta de comorbidades (22 casos; 24,4%). A liberacao de dieta oral foi de um dia para 49 pacientes (54,5%). Os autores comparam os resultados com a bibliografia correlata.