Publications

Laparoscopic myomectomy. Operative technique and results.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy. Indications, results, and complications.

[Is there still a role for laparotomy in tubal infertility surgery?].

Laparoscopic myomectomy and myolysis.

The indications for operative laparoscopy have expanded greatly over the past decade as its many advantages over laparotomy have become recognized. Laparoscopic myomectomy as a technique is now clearly described. A monopolar hook is used for the uterine incision. After atraumatic enucleation of the myoma, the myometrium and serosa are usually sutured, especially if the incision is deep or more than 2 cm long. Myomas can be removed by posterior colpotomy. However, the development of an electrical cutting device permits easier and quicker removal of the myoma through the suprapubic puncture site. Only complicated myomas or those which give rise to persistent symptoms despite properly prescribed medical treatment, together with those which grow rapidly, require surgery. These satisfactory preliminary results must not mask the fact that laparoscopic myomectomy is lengthy and difficult, reserved for experienced surgeons with a thorough familiarity with endoscopic sutures. Under these conditions, laparoscopic myomectomy is possible, even for large myomas (5 cm and over) located purely intramurally. However, there are limits, and it is preferable to schedule myomas measuring over 8 cm and multiple myomectomy (over two) for laparotomy. Although the preliminary results are encouraging, the risk of adhesiogenesis on the uterine scar, the quality of the uterine suture and the fertility results need to be assessed in the near future.

Laparoscopy for adnexal torsion in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To report on six cases of adnexal torsion in pregnant women treated by operative laparoscopy. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. Between January 1989 and March 1996, 26 patients with adnexal torsion were treated by operative laparoscopy. Of these patients, six were pregnant (23%). The types of operative procedure and outcome were studied. RESULTS: Adnexal torsion occurred between 6 and 13 weeks of amenorrhea. Two cases involved hyperstimulation, 3 cases a functional cyst and 1 case a dermoid cyst. In 4 cases laparoscopic treatment consisted of untwisting followed by puncture of the ovarian cyst; in 1 case it involved intraperitoneal cystectomy and in another simple untwisting of the adnexa. The immediate postoperative history was uncomplicated. In one patient with ovarian hyperstimulation, torsion recurred three weeks after the initial operation. No miscarriages occurred. CONCLUSION: In the hands of skilled surgeons, laparoscopy is well suited to the diagnosis and treatment of adnexal torsion occurring during the first trimester of pregnancy. Beyond 16 weeks or when there is any suspicion of torsion on a suspected tumor, it is preferable to use laparotomy.

[Laparoscopic surgery of ovarian tumors during pregnancy].

During the first trimester of the pregnancy, the management of benign ovarian cyst can be performed by laparoscopy. When ovarian tumor is bulky, suspicious and after 16 to 20 weeks this treatment must be realised by laparotomy.

Salpingo-oophorectomy for adnexal masses. Place and results for operative laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to specify the place, modalities and results of operative laparoscopy when adnexectomy is indicated in a patient presenting with an adnexal mass. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the 186 patients who underwent adnexectomy for an adnexal mass between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1994. RESULTS: The operation took place via laparotomy in 34.9% of cases (65 patients) and by laparoscopic surgery in 65.1% of cases (121 patients). All the patients presenting a malignant ovarian lesion (15 cases) were operated by laparotomy. For these patients the laparotomy was decided from the outset in 7 cases and there was a conversion to laparotomy decided during the diagnostic phase of laparoscopy in 8 cases. The preoperative workup (clinical examination, study of past history, trans vaginal ultrasonography, doppler, tumoral markers etc.) together with the diagnostic phase of laparoscopy provide 100% sensitivity, a positive predictive value of 50% and a negative predictive value of 100% for diagnosis of malignancy. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that provided a strict selection system is used, it is possible to carry out adnexectomy using laparoscopic surgery in 70.8% of cases (121/171) for patients with benign adnexal mass.

The role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and management of heterotopic pregnancies.

The object of this report is to discuss diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic pregnancies. Thirteen consecutive cases referred to our institution are reviewed. In 54% of cases the heterotopic pregnancy was asymptomatic. The ectopic pregnancy was visualized prior to surgery in 69% of the cases. The treatment was surgical in every case and performed laparoscopically in 77% of cases. Ten patients underwent salpingectomy and three salpingostomy. In all, 60% of intrauterine pregnancies that were viable at the time of diagnosis of the heterotopic pregnancy had a favourable outcome. Diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy is difficult. Laparoscopy allows both diagnosis and treatment, and the outcome of the intrauterine pregnancy is comparable to that obtained with laparotomy.

Hysterectomy with adnexectomy. Can operative laparoscopy offer advantages?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether laparoscopic surgery has the advantage of reducing the rate of laparotomies when a patient with no genital prolapse needs a total hysterectomy associated with unilateral and bilateral adnexectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study carried out between January 1993 and December 1995. All patients (96) with no prolapse, pelvic floor relaxation or stress urinary incontinence and scheduled for total hysterectomy with adnexectomy were included in the study. RESULTS: Laparotomy was required in 12.5% of cases (12 patients). For the 84 patients (87.5%) who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, the mean duration of the operation was 142.6 +/- 33.9 minutes, and the mean uterine weight was 209.7 +/- 129.4 g. The rate of laparotomy dropped steadily as the surgeon acquired experience. Whereas the rate of laparotomy was 30.5% (7 patients) in 1993, it was 10.8% (4 patients) in 1994 and fell to 2.8% (1 patient) in 1995. CONCLUSION: When adnexectomy needs to be performed with hysterectomy, in the majority of cases it should be carried out by laparotomy. Operative laparoscopy enables the rate of laparotomy to be reduced to < 15%. The existence of an adnexal mass not suspected to be malignant indicates operative laparoscopy.

Proximal tubal occlusion: is there an alternative to microsurgery?

Fertility outcome following microsurgical tubocornual anastomosis by laparotomy was evaluated. A total of 131 women presenting pure proximal occlusion, whether bilateral or in one tube only, were treated between January 1978 and December 1993. Subsequent fertility was studied in 120 patients, 11 being patients lost to follow-up. Cumulative intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) rate, evaluated by life-table analysis, was 68% at 24 months. The overall IUP rate, calculated from a group of 120 women with follow-up > or = 2 years, and including births and miscarriages, was 70% after 2 years. Comparisons of the cumulative IUP rates show that the fertility outcome is significantly better if the woman is aged < or = 36 years and if tubocornual anastomosis is carried out bilaterally. These results from our personal series confirm that microsurgical tubocornual anastomosis is still of prime importance in the treatment of pure proximal occlusions. Nevertheless, considerable progress in the fields of tubal catheterization, Falloposcopy and in-vitro fertilization techniques raises the question of the management of patients presenting with a proximal tubal occlusion. Here we define the indications for microsurgical tubocornual anastomosis.