Publications

[Techniques and indications for using an endoscopic sac in the management of ovarian cysts].

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy: preliminary results.

Total hysterectomy carried out entirely via laparoscopy benefited 31 patients. In all cases the operation was carried out using conventional, re-usable instruments (grasping forceps, laparoscopic scissors, bipolar coagulation). The mean duration of the operation was 171 min. No serious peri- or post-operative complications were encountered and no transfusion was required. The mean drop in haemoglobin was 1.3 g/100 ml and the average length of hospital stay was 4 days. In one case (3.26%) we converted to laparotomy because a lateral myoma made it impossible to achieve haemostasis of the uterine pedicle under suitably safe conditions. These results confirm that total hysterectomy via laparoscopy is a safe, feasible and reproducible technique. Future work will establish the exact place and methods for laparoscopic surgery for hysterectomy; it can be suggested, however, that laparoscopic surgery is only indicated when vaginal hysterectomy is contra-indicated or impossible. So, laparoscopic hysterectomy constitutes an alternative to laparotomy rather than to vaginal hysterectomy. The combination of an immobile uterus and poor vaginal accessibility is the prime indication for total hysterectomy via laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic myomectomy. Operative procedure and results.

Myomectomy was performed by laparoscopy in 102 patients, according to a precise technique using the monopolar hook for the uterine incision and intraperitoneal sutures. Myomas were mostly removed through the suprapubic puncture site after fragmentation or by colpotomy. Conversion to laparotomy during the laparoscopic procedure was necessary in 2 cases. No complications were observed. A second-look laparoscopy was performed in 17 cases. Postoperative adhesions were noted in 2 cases. In our experience, operative laparoscopy has several advantages over laparotomy and the risk of complications is low in selected cases.

Treatment of ovarian dermoid cysts. Place and modalities of operative laparoscopy.

The purpose of this study was to discuss the place and the specific modalities of laparoscopic surgery in the management of ovarian dermoid cysts. This retrospective and noncomparative study was carried out in 65 patients who presented dermoid ovarian cyst between January 1986 and December 1990 in our institution. The surgical treatment was performed purely by laparoscopy in 86.2% of the cases (56 patients). The modalities of laparoscopic surgery were as follows: ovariectomy (8 cases; 14.3%), transparietal cystectomy (4 cases; 7.1%) and intraperitoneal cystectomy (44 cases; 78.6%). In 15 cases (15/44 = 34%) the intraperitoneal cystectomy was carried out without opening the cyst and the intact cyst was extracted using an endoscopic impermeable sack. We observed no cases of chemical peritonitis. The risk of recurrence after conservative treatment is 4% (two patients) and out of the ten patients for whom a second-look laparoscopy was performed only two (20%) presented adhesions. Laparoscopic treatment of dermoid ovarian cysts is feasible, safe, and effective. The treatment can be conservative in over 80% of the cases. The specific risk of chemical peritonitis can be countered by a change in the cystectomy technique. The use of an impermeable laparoscopic sack permits extraction of the cyst without any peritoneal contamination.

Treatment and causes of female infertility.

433. Lancet. 1994 Jul 30;344(8918):333-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)91372-2. Treatment and causes of female infertility. Chapron C, Dubuisson JB, Chavet X, Morice P.

[Recurrent spontaneous early abortions].

Laparoscopic hysterectomy: it is not such an expensive surgical procedure.

435. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994 Apr;170(4):1210-1. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(94)70127-x. Laparoscopic hysterectomy: it is not such an expensive surgical procedure. Chapron C, Dubuisson JB, Aubert V.

Pregnancy after laparoscopic partial cystectomy for bladder endometriosis.

We report a case of partial laparoscopic cystectomy in a 31-year-old infertile patient presenting vesical endometriosis. This patient had suffered severe dysmenorrhoea for 10 years previously together with repeated episodes of urinary infection, mostly occurring during the menstrual period. A diagnostic laparoscopy performed in another centre diagnosed a stage IV endometriosis. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists were prescribed for 9 months. After failure of this treatment, the patient came to consult us. A solid mass in the left supratrigone was detected by pelvic ultrasonography and confirmed by cystoscopy. Transurethral resection was carried out. A recurrence of the symptoms 9 months later prompted operative laparoscopy under cystoscopic control. This confirmed recurrence of a 3.5 cm endometriotic nodule. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy was performed using the monopolar electrode. The bladder was then sutured via laparoscopy. No complications occurred. No postoperative treatment was given. Second-look cystoscopy 2 months later revealed that healing was perfect. Eight months later, the patient is well and has a normal intra-uterine pregnancy.

Laparoscopic salpingostomy: fertility results according to the tubal mucosal appearance.

Prognostic factors for fertility outcome following laparoscopic salpingostomy were evaluated. We studied all distal tuboplasties performed between May 1986 and June 1991. Ninety infertile women were treated. Tuboplasty was carried out bilaterally except when one tube was absent or when bifocal lesions were present. Salpingostomy was performed using either scissors and thermocoagulation for eversion, or the CO2 laser. Cumulative pregnancy rates were evaluated by life-table analysis, according to the tubal classification and the mucosal status. The 18 months estimated cumulative pregnancy rate with normal delivery was 28.7%. Pregnancy rates were significantly higher in patients classified in grades I and II versus grade III and IV (severely damaged tubes) according to the distal tubal scoring system, and in patients with normal or lightly atrophic mucosa versus alveolar or absent mucosa. Operative laparoscopy is effective for treatment of hydrosalpinges. Fertility outcome is related to the tubal damage. Our results demonstrate that the prognosis value of the mucosal status seems to be as predictive as the distal tubal scoring system.

Failure of laparoscopic treatment for peritoneal trophoblastic implants.

We report on two cases of peritoneal trophoblastic tissue implants, one after salpingostomy, and one after salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy. During each secondary laparoscopy, simple excision of implants with laparoscopic biopsy forceps resulted in persistent elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-HCG) levels. Methotrexate therapy was used. Removal of all trophoblastic tissues present and avoidance of trophoblastic spillage during the laparoscopic procedure should prevent such an uncommon complication.