Mi-La Kim

Clinical applications of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system to gynecologic diseases.

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), originally designed for contraception, has since been applied to various gynecologic diseases. This article summarizes the current status of clinical applications of LNG-IUS to the treatment of gynecologic diseases such as heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, leiomyoma, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, and early-stage endometrial cancer.

Effectiveness of different routes of misoprostol administration before operative hysteroscopy: a randomized, controlled trial

OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness and patient preference of different routes of misoprostol administration before operative hysteroscopy in premenopausal women. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred sixty women undergoing operative hysteroscopy. INTERVENTION(S) Patients were randomly assigned to receive 400 μg misoprostol orally (n=40), sublingually (n=40), or vaginally (n=40) before operative hysteroscopy; the control group (n=40) did not receive any cervical priming agent. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Preoperative cervical width, adverse effects, and patient preference. RESULT(S) The mean (±SD) cervical widths for the oral, sublingual, vaginal, and control groups were 7.62±1.81 mm, 7.58±1.77 mm, 7.60±2.15 mm, and 5.65±2.12 mm, respectively, which was statistically significant. Time to cervical dilatation was also significantly longer in the control group than in the other three groups. Misoprostol-related adverse effects and hysteroscopy-related complications were comparable among the four study groups. Of all 160 subjects, 132 (82%) preferred the oral route for misoprostol administration to the sublingual or vaginal routes, or had no preference. CONCLUSION(S) All orally, sublingually, and vaginally administrated misoprostol is equally effective in inducing proper cervical priming before operative hysteroscopy. Considering patient preference, oral administration may be the optimal route for misoprostol administration. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01805115.

Single-Port Access Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Large Uterus

Background/Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-port access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH) for large uterus (>500 g). Methods: A prospective data collection was performed in 21 consecutive patients in March 2010 and August 2011. Surgical outcome including operative time (OT) and estimated blood loss (EBL) were analyzed. Results: SPA-TLH procedures were successfully performed in 16 cases (76.2%). Of the 5 failed cases, 4 were converted to multiport TLH because of distorted uterine contours and pelvic adhesions and 1 was converted to laparotomy for bleeding control. The median OT, uterine weight, and EBL were 110 (65–165) min, 600 (502–980) g, and 200 (100–800) ml, respectively. Spearman’s correlation analysis demonstrated that OT and blood loss increased with increasing uterine weight (p = 0.003 and p = 0.033, respectively). No operative complications were observed during the hospital stay and 3-month follow-up following discharge. Conclusion: SPA-TLH for large uterus is a feasible and safe technique.

Would Fewer Port Numbers in Laparoscopy Produce Better Cosmesis? Prospective Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine whether fewer ports in laparoscopic adnexal surgery would lead to better cosmesis. DESIGN Prospective comparative study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS One hundred thirty consecutive patients with adnexal tumors. INTERVENTIONS Patients underwent laparoscopy using a single port (n = 75), 2 ports (n = 22), or 4 ports (n = 33). Cosmetic satisfaction was assessed using a validated Body Image Questionnaire at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Patient characteristics (age, parity, and sociodemographic data), details of the procedures performed, and histologic findings were similar between the 3 surgical groups. There was also no difference in number of conversions to other surgical approaches, operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain, and perioperative complications. Compared with the 2- and 4-port groups, the single-port group reported substantially greater cosmetic satisfaction at 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery. However, there was no important difference in cosmetic outcome throughout follow-up in the 2-t and 4-port groups. CONCLUSION Unlike 2- or 4-port laparoscopy, single-port laparoscopy has a definite benefit in cosmetic satisfaction.

Impact on ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with reduced port number: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES Single-port access (SPA) laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy has been reported as a comparable procedure to conventional laparoscopy in terms of operative outcomes. However, whether ovarian function after SPA laparoscopic surgery is similar to conventional laparoscopy is questioned due to the limitations in moving instruments. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the reduced port number affects the ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. STUDY DESIGN This was a randomized controlled trial of 87 women with benign ovarian cyst, who attended a university hospital and were scheduled for laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Women were randomized to SPA, two-port access (TPA), or four-port access (FPA) laparoscopic groups. The primary outcome was the serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels: preoperative, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after the operation. Secondary outcomes were operative outcomes. RESULTS The mean serum AMH levels of preoperative, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after laparoscopy were 4.4±2.9, 2.7±2.2, 2.3±1.9, and 2.5±1.5ng/mL (in the SPA group), 3.6±2.5, 2.3±2.2, 2.6±3.2, and 2.7±2.6ng/mL (in the TPA group), and 3.9±3.2, 2.4±2.1, 2.5±2.0, and 2.8±2.2ng/mL (in the FPA group), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the serial change of AMH levels among the SPA, TPA and FPA groups. CONCLUSIONS The laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with reduced port number does not affect the serial change of ovarian reserve. The SPA or TPA laparoscopy may be the alternative method to conventional laparoscopy in terms of ovarian reserve.

Comparison of dilatation & curettage and endometrial aspiration biopsy accuracy in patients treated with high-dose oral progestin plus levonorgestrel intrauterine system for early-stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE To compare the diagnostic accuracy of dilatation & curettage (D&C) vs. endometrial aspiration biopsy in follow-up evaluation of patients treated with high-dose oral progestin plus levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). METHOD A prospective observational study was conducted with 11 patients with FIGO grade 1 or 2, clinical stage IA endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Patients were aged up to 40 years wishing to preserve fertility treated with high-dose oral progestin plus LNG-IUS. Treatment response assessment was done at three month intervals. Endometrial tissues were obtained via endometrial aspiration biopsy with LNG-IUS in place and D&C after removal of LNG-IUS. We identified 28 cases; the histologic results were compared. Kappa statistics were used to assess the agreement of two methods. RESULTS Diagnostic concordance between examinations was assessed for 9 out of 28 cases examined (32.1%). These consisted of three cases with both examination results of normal, 3 cases with endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 1 case with complex endometrial hyperplasia, 2 cases with material insufficient for diagnosis. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma on D&C was diagnosed in 9 out of 28 cases, but from endometrial aspiration biopsy, only 3 of these 9 cases were diagnosed with endometrioid adenocarcinoma, giving the diagnostic concordance at 33% (kappa value=0.27). From endometrial aspiration biopsy, 17 out of 28 cases (60.7%) had material insufficiency for diagnosis. CONCLUSION In patients treated with high-dose oral progestin plus LNG-IUS for early-stage EC, endometrial aspiration biopsy with LNG-IUS in place may be not reliable as a follow-up evaluation method.

Ovarian leiomyoma as a potential cause of compromised fertility

OBJECTIVE To analyze cases of ovarian leiomyomas and to discuss the proper surgical management. DESIGN A case series and discussion. SETTING General university hospital and healthcare center. PATIENT(S) Nine patients who were diagnosed with ovarian leiomyomas after surgery between 1993 and 2009. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) A preoperative diagnosis that was matched to the postoperative diagnosis and the type of surgery. RESULT(S) In all cases, ovarian leiomyoma was misdiagnosed preoperatively as pedunculated uterine myoma, ovarian fibroma, or even ovarian endometrioma. Seven (77.8%) of the nine patients underwent a salpingo-oophorectomy or an oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy, and only two (22.2%) patients were submitted to an ovary-preserving surgery (i.e., a cystectomy or ovarian wedge resection). CONCLUSION(S) Because of their extreme rarity, ovarian leiomyomas are seldom suspected intraoperatively or preoperatively. However, most of these tumors appear at reproductive age and have a benign nature, similar to uterine myomas. Therefore, surgeons should perform ovary-preserving management, especially in young patients.

Use of vasopressin vs epinephrine to reduce haemorrhage during myomectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness and safety of vasopressin with epinephrine for reducing blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy. STUDY DESIGN Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy were allocated at random to receive either dilute vasopressin or epinephrine into the serosal and/or overlying myometrium, and just around the myoma. The surgeon was blinded to the group allocation. Blood loss, duration of surgery, degree of surgical difficulty, postoperative pain scores and complications were compared. RESULTS Patient characteristics (e.g. age, body mass index, demographic data), number of myomas, and location and size of the largest myoma were similar between the two study groups. There were no differences in operative blood loss, operative time, subjective surgical difficulty or postoperative pain between the two groups. Transient and non-serious increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate following intra-operative intramyometrial and/or perimyometrial injection of the vasoconstrictive agent only occurred in the epinephrine group, but the difference between the groups was not significant (13% vs 0%, p=0.112). No significant postoperative complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS Injection of dilute epinephrine before laparoscopic myomectomy was comparable to injection of dilute vasopressin in terms of operative blood loss, operative time, subjective surgical difficulty, postoperative pain and complications.

Comparison of Single-Port, Two-Port and Four-Port Laparoscopic Surgery for Cyst Enucleation in Benign Ovarian Cysts

Objective: To compare the perioperative outcomes of three laparoscopic approaches for performing ovarian cyst enucleation. Methods: A total of 148 patients underwent laparoscopic cyst enucleation at the CHA Gangnam Medical Center between September 2010 and May 2011. We reviewed retrospectively the medical records including patient demographics, operative outcomes and complications. Results: We assigned the 148 patients into three groups: single-port (group A: 40), 2-port (group B: 30) and 4-port (group C: 78). There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics. The operation times were 90.4 ± 43.6, 74.7 ± 22.0 and 63.8 ± 30.5 min, and the estimated blood loss was 179.3 ± 253.9, 73 ± 75.2 and 89.9 ± 106.7 ml, respectively. Mean operation time was longer (p < 0.001) and estimated blood loss was higher (p = 0.005) in group A than in the other groups. There was no statistical difference in perioperative complications among the three groups. In group A, additional port insertion rate was higher than in groups B and C (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Single-port surgery required longer operation time, had a higher estimated blood loss and used additional ports more frequently during the operation than the other groups. However, 2-port surgery had no significant differences from 4-port surgery in the surgical outcomes. Therefore, 2-port surgery can be an alternative surgical option for 4-port surgery in ovarian cyst enucleation.

Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for extremely large ovarian cysts: a feasibility, safety, and patient satisfaction study.

Background/Aims: To assess the feasibility, safety and patient satisfaction of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery for extremely large ovarian cysts. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of LESS surgery among women with ovarian cysts with a minimum diameter ≥15 cm and with radiological and laboratory features suggestive of benign disease. The primary outcomes were perioperative complication rate, conversion rate and patient satisfaction. Results: A total of 21 consecutive patients underwent the following LESS surgery over a period of 17 months: ovarian cystectomy (76%), adnexectomy (10%) and staging procedure (14%). Histological findings included benign (85%), borderline (10%) and malignant tumors (5%). Spillage occurred for 2 patients (10%). LESS surgery was successful without conversion in 20 patients (95%). There was 1 perioperative complication with subcutaneous hematoma (5%). The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 79.8 min (39-155) and 60 ml (10-180), respectively. Patients were highly satisfied with the results of LESS surgery, with a mean surgery satisfaction score of 9.4 ± 0.8 on a scale of 1-10. More than 71% of patients reported that the scar was invisible, and 95% said that they would recommend LESS surgery to others. Conclusion: Based on our results, with proper patient selection, the size of an ovarian cyst does not necessarily constitute a contraindication for LESS surgery.