surgery Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(9):537-540
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000900008
Purpose: the laparoscope can be used to convert an abdominal into a vaginal hysterectomy when there are contraindications for the vaginal approach, and not as a substitute for simple vaginal hysterectomy. The purpose of the present study is to discuss the role of laparoscopy in vaginal hysterectomy. Methods: between February 1995 and September 1998, 400 patients were considered candidates for vaginal hysterectomy.Exclusion criteria included uterine prolapse, adnexal tumor and uterine immobility. The Heaney technique was used, and different morcellation procedures were employed for the removal of enlarged uteri. Results: the mean age and parity was 46.9 years and 3.2 deliveries, respectively. Twenty-nine patients (7.2%) were nulliparous, and 104 (26.0%) had never delivered vaginally. Three hundred and three patients (75.7%) had a history of previous pelvic surgery, the most common being cesarean section (48.7%). The most frequent indication was leiomyoma (61.2%), and the mean uterine volume was 239.9 cm³ (30-1228 cm³). Vaginal hysterectomy was successfully performed in 396 patients (99.0%), and 73 surgeries (18.2%) were done by residents. The mean operative time was 45 min. Diagnostic/operative laparoscopy was performed in 16 patients (4.0%). Intraoperative complications included 6 cystotomies (1.5%) and one rectal laceration (0.2%). There were four conversions (1.0%) to the abdominal route. Postoperative complications occurred in 24 patients (6.0%). Two hundred and eighty-one patients (70.2%) were discharged 24 h after surgery. Conclusions: the laparoscope does not seem to be necessary in cases were the uterus is mobile and there is no adnexal tumor. The main role of the laparoscope may be to increase the awareness of gynecologists to the possibility of a simple vaginal hysterectomy in the majority of cases.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(9):537-540
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998000900008
Purpose: the laparoscope can be used to convert an abdominal into a vaginal hysterectomy when there are contraindications for the vaginal approach, and not as a substitute for simple vaginal hysterectomy. The purpose of the present study is to discuss the role of laparoscopy in vaginal hysterectomy. Methods: between February 1995 and September 1998, 400 patients were considered candidates for vaginal hysterectomy.Exclusion criteria included uterine prolapse, adnexal tumor and uterine immobility. The Heaney technique was used, and different morcellation procedures were employed for the removal of enlarged uteri. Results: the mean age and parity was 46.9 years and 3.2 deliveries, respectively. Twenty-nine patients (7.2%) were nulliparous, and 104 (26.0%) had never delivered vaginally. Three hundred and three patients (75.7%) had a history of previous pelvic surgery, the most common being cesarean section (48.7%). The most frequent indication was leiomyoma (61.2%), and the mean uterine volume was 239.9 cm³ (30-1228 cm³). Vaginal hysterectomy was successfully performed in 396 patients (99.0%), and 73 surgeries (18.2%) were done by residents. The mean operative time was 45 min. Diagnostic/operative laparoscopy was performed in 16 patients (4.0%). Intraoperative complications included 6 cystotomies (1.5%) and one rectal laceration (0.2%). There were four conversions (1.0%) to the abdominal route. Postoperative complications occurred in 24 patients (6.0%). Two hundred and eighty-one patients (70.2%) were discharged 24 h after surgery. Conclusions: the laparoscope does not seem to be necessary in cases were the uterus is mobile and there is no adnexal tumor. The main role of the laparoscope may be to increase the awareness of gynecologists to the possibility of a simple vaginal hysterectomy in the majority of cases.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(10):557-561
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998001000003
Purpose: the authors report their experience with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) cases which occurred in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, assessing the frequency of NF and analyzing the association between NF and certain risk factors cited in the literature. Methods: a retrospective study of patients a with diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre from January 1990 to December 1997. Results: two post-cesarean section and one post-surgical (because of ectopic pregnancy) NF cases were found. None of the patients presented clinical complications nor NF risk factors and all surgeries were urgent. The NF frequency in this study was 2.6/10.000 cesarians and mortality was zero. Discussion: NF is a clinical syndrome which does not occur very often but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This disease involves the surgical wound and the fascial plans. Fast handling and early and intensive treatment bring about good results and decrease in the mortality rate.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1998;20(10):557-561
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031998001000003
Purpose: the authors report their experience with necrotizing fasciitis (NF) cases which occurred in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, assessing the frequency of NF and analyzing the association between NF and certain risk factors cited in the literature. Methods: a retrospective study of patients a with diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre from January 1990 to December 1997. Results: two post-cesarean section and one post-surgical (because of ectopic pregnancy) NF cases were found. None of the patients presented clinical complications nor NF risk factors and all surgeries were urgent. The NF frequency in this study was 2.6/10.000 cesarians and mortality was zero. Discussion: NF is a clinical syndrome which does not occur very often but is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This disease involves the surgical wound and the fascial plans. Fast handling and early and intensive treatment bring about good results and decrease in the mortality rate.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(1):41-45
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000100007
Purpose: to demonstrate a new approach to treatment of endometrial cancer. Methods: Between February, 1996 and February, 1998, twelve patients with endometrial cancer, diagnosed by hysteroscopy and biopsy, were submitted to pelvic lymphadenectomy and hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy by laparoscopy. The mean age was 58.1 years, the mean number of gestations was 2.3 and the mean body mass index was 28.6. Results: the mean length of anesthesia was 4.8 hours. The mean time of hospital stay was 3.3 days. The total of lymph nodes obtained was 176, 104 (59.1%) being from the right side and 72 (40.9%) from the left side. The mean of lymph nodes per patient was 18.5. We observed two complications: in one case the laparoscopic procedure had to be abandoned because the patient presented a dangerous increase in intratracheal pressure and in the other case a granuloma in the vagina was observed. Conclusions: the initial evaluation of the laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopy shows that we achieved good results regarding the accuracy of staging, the number of nodes and a small number (3) of complications.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(1):41-45
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000100007
Purpose: to demonstrate a new approach to treatment of endometrial cancer. Methods: Between February, 1996 and February, 1998, twelve patients with endometrial cancer, diagnosed by hysteroscopy and biopsy, were submitted to pelvic lymphadenectomy and hysterectomy with salpingo-oophorectomy by laparoscopy. The mean age was 58.1 years, the mean number of gestations was 2.3 and the mean body mass index was 28.6. Results: the mean length of anesthesia was 4.8 hours. The mean time of hospital stay was 3.3 days. The total of lymph nodes obtained was 176, 104 (59.1%) being from the right side and 72 (40.9%) from the left side. The mean of lymph nodes per patient was 18.5. We observed two complications: in one case the laparoscopic procedure had to be abandoned because the patient presented a dangerous increase in intratracheal pressure and in the other case a granuloma in the vagina was observed. Conclusions: the initial evaluation of the laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopy shows that we achieved good results regarding the accuracy of staging, the number of nodes and a small number (3) of complications.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(4):187-192
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000400002
Purpose: analysis of histopathologic alterations caused by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (fluorouracil, epirubicine, cyclophosphamide; FEC - 4 cycles) at the tumor site, adjacent mammary tissue and homolateral lymph nodes, as observed in sections of patients with primary breast carcinomas. Method: histological studies performed on 30 surgical sections obtained from radical mastectomy (Patey) of patients with primary breast carcinomas, who underwent prior neoadjuvant systemic therapy. Results: all sections showed tumor regression with variable intensity. This regression occurred irregularly, several refractory tumor cells remaining at the primary tumor site. Resistant tumor cells, independent of the primary tumor, were found in mammary tissue. Other histopathological findings, resulting from chemotherapy in tumoral and mammary tissues, such as calcifications and fibrosis, and in axillary homolateral lymph nodes were obtained. Conclusion: the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not uniform, refratory tumor cells remaining not only at primary tumor site, but also in distant regions. Furthermore, we found no correlation between the regression of the tumor and the axillary metastatic lymph nodes. Thus, a conservative surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FEC) should be avoided.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 1999;21(4):187-192
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72031999000400002
Purpose: analysis of histopathologic alterations caused by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (fluorouracil, epirubicine, cyclophosphamide; FEC - 4 cycles) at the tumor site, adjacent mammary tissue and homolateral lymph nodes, as observed in sections of patients with primary breast carcinomas. Method: histological studies performed on 30 surgical sections obtained from radical mastectomy (Patey) of patients with primary breast carcinomas, who underwent prior neoadjuvant systemic therapy. Results: all sections showed tumor regression with variable intensity. This regression occurred irregularly, several refractory tumor cells remaining at the primary tumor site. Resistant tumor cells, independent of the primary tumor, were found in mammary tissue. Other histopathological findings, resulting from chemotherapy in tumoral and mammary tissues, such as calcifications and fibrosis, and in axillary homolateral lymph nodes were obtained. Conclusion: the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not uniform, refratory tumor cells remaining not only at primary tumor site, but also in distant regions. Furthermore, we found no correlation between the regression of the tumor and the axillary metastatic lymph nodes. Thus, a conservative surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FEC) should be avoided.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(11):650-655
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001100003
PURPOSE: to asses the efficiency of the radioguided localization and removal of occult breast lesions using radiopharmaceuticals injected directly into the lesions or close to them with posterior air injection as a radiological control. METHODS: twenty-nine consecutive patients with thirty-two occult breast lesions detected mammographically or by ultrasound, and categorized 3, 4 and 5 BI-RADS®, were included in this observational study with results expressed in percentages. The radiopharmaceutical used was human serum albumin labeled with 99mTc-HSA injected inside or close to the lesion using mammographic or ultrasonographic guidance. The injection of the radiopharmaceutical was followed immediately by air injection through the needle used for stereotaxis as a radiological control of the radiopharmaceutical placement. The excision biopsy was carried out with the aid of a hand-held gamma-detecting probe and the entire removal of the lesion was verified by X-ray of the surgical specimens or by intraoperative frozen section examination. RESULTS: breast cancer was found in 10.0% (1/10) of the 3 BI-RADS® lesions, in 31.5% (6/19) of the 4 BI-RADS® and in 66.6% (2/3) of the 5 BI-RADS®. The radiotracer was correctly positioned in 96.8% of the specimens (31/32) allowing the removal of also 96.8% of the studied non-palpable breast lesions. To show the entire removal, X-ray was used in 23 cases (71.8%), intraoperative frozen section study in 21.8% (7/32) and both methods in 6.2% (2/32). CONCLUSIONS: radioguided surgery showed to be an important tool in the removal of non-palpable breast lesions, as a simple, fast and feasible method that can be implemented in the clinical routine of these patients.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2005;27(11):650-655
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032005001100003
PURPOSE: to asses the efficiency of the radioguided localization and removal of occult breast lesions using radiopharmaceuticals injected directly into the lesions or close to them with posterior air injection as a radiological control. METHODS: twenty-nine consecutive patients with thirty-two occult breast lesions detected mammographically or by ultrasound, and categorized 3, 4 and 5 BI-RADS®, were included in this observational study with results expressed in percentages. The radiopharmaceutical used was human serum albumin labeled with 99mTc-HSA injected inside or close to the lesion using mammographic or ultrasonographic guidance. The injection of the radiopharmaceutical was followed immediately by air injection through the needle used for stereotaxis as a radiological control of the radiopharmaceutical placement. The excision biopsy was carried out with the aid of a hand-held gamma-detecting probe and the entire removal of the lesion was verified by X-ray of the surgical specimens or by intraoperative frozen section examination. RESULTS: breast cancer was found in 10.0% (1/10) of the 3 BI-RADS® lesions, in 31.5% (6/19) of the 4 BI-RADS® and in 66.6% (2/3) of the 5 BI-RADS®. The radiotracer was correctly positioned in 96.8% of the specimens (31/32) allowing the removal of also 96.8% of the studied non-palpable breast lesions. To show the entire removal, X-ray was used in 23 cases (71.8%), intraoperative frozen section study in 21.8% (7/32) and both methods in 6.2% (2/32). CONCLUSIONS: radioguided surgery showed to be an important tool in the removal of non-palpable breast lesions, as a simple, fast and feasible method that can be implemented in the clinical routine of these patients.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(9):735-739
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000900010
PURPOSE: to describe the use of a superior labial flap for the treatment of labia minora hypertrophy. METHODS: from May, 1998 to July, 2002 10 patients with labia minora hypertrophy were submitted to reduction of the labial excess through the resection of the inferior segment by an L-shaped incision. The transversal incision was done starting on the labial external border towards the hymenal caruncles, and the longitudinal incision, from that point until near the furcula. The border of the superior flap was then lowered to eliminate the defect caused by the inferior resection. RESULTS: within an average period of 45 days after surgery, the patients were satisfied with its esthetical and functional aspects. The local sensibility did not change. Only two cases presented complications: one case with perineal ecchymosis and the other with partial, early unilateral dehiscense. Infection, necrosis and late dehiscense were not observed. CONCLUSION: the utilization of the superior flap in the correction of labia minora hypertrophy produces a satisfactory esthetical and functional result with few complications and easy resolution.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(9):735-739
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000900010
PURPOSE: to describe the use of a superior labial flap for the treatment of labia minora hypertrophy. METHODS: from May, 1998 to July, 2002 10 patients with labia minora hypertrophy were submitted to reduction of the labial excess through the resection of the inferior segment by an L-shaped incision. The transversal incision was done starting on the labial external border towards the hymenal caruncles, and the longitudinal incision, from that point until near the furcula. The border of the superior flap was then lowered to eliminate the defect caused by the inferior resection. RESULTS: within an average period of 45 days after surgery, the patients were satisfied with its esthetical and functional aspects. The local sensibility did not change. Only two cases presented complications: one case with perineal ecchymosis and the other with partial, early unilateral dehiscense. Infection, necrosis and late dehiscense were not observed. CONCLUSION: the utilization of the superior flap in the correction of labia minora hypertrophy produces a satisfactory esthetical and functional result with few complications and easy resolution.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(3):227-232
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000300009
PURPOSE: to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) in surgeries for the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: the study was conducted on 140 women submitted to treatment of invasive breast cancer during the period from January 2001 to December 2002. SSI was defined as infection occurring up to 30 days after surgery and was related to the operation, according to the standard criteria adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. SSI were considered to be superficial when they involved only the skin and subcutaneous tissue and deep when they involved deep tissues at the site of incision, such as fascia and muscles. The risk factors related to patient were age, hormonal status, staging, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin, and the factors related to surgery were type of operation, time of hospitalization, duration of surgery, and formation of seroma and hematoma. Data concerning numerical nonparametric variables were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and quantitative variables were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: of the 140 patients studied, 29 (20.7%) presented SSI, which were superficial in 19 (13.6%) and deep in 10 (71%); 111 patients did not present SSI and represented the control group. The risk factors associated with the patient and the disease were locally advanced stage (odds ratio = 27; 95% CI: 1.1-6.5) and obesity, represented by a mean BMI of 32.2 kg/m² in the patients with SSI and a mean BMI of 27.2 kg/m² in the control group (p<0.0001). The factors related to treatment of the disease were the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1-6.5), the duration of surgery, whose median value was 165 minutes for the patients who developed the infection and 137 minutes for the control group (p=0.02), and the number of days of use of the postoperative drain, whose median value was 6 days for the patients with SSI and 5 days for the control group (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: on the basis of the identification of risk factors such as advanced stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and obesity, preoperative care for these patients should be emphasized. The use of an accurate surgical technique may reduce the impact of other factors such as surgical time and time of use of the drain.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2004;26(3):227-232
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032004000300009
PURPOSE: to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) in surgeries for the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: the study was conducted on 140 women submitted to treatment of invasive breast cancer during the period from January 2001 to December 2002. SSI was defined as infection occurring up to 30 days after surgery and was related to the operation, according to the standard criteria adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA. SSI were considered to be superficial when they involved only the skin and subcutaneous tissue and deep when they involved deep tissues at the site of incision, such as fascia and muscles. The risk factors related to patient were age, hormonal status, staging, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin, and the factors related to surgery were type of operation, time of hospitalization, duration of surgery, and formation of seroma and hematoma. Data concerning numerical nonparametric variables were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and quantitative variables were analyzed by the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: of the 140 patients studied, 29 (20.7%) presented SSI, which were superficial in 19 (13.6%) and deep in 10 (71%); 111 patients did not present SSI and represented the control group. The risk factors associated with the patient and the disease were locally advanced stage (odds ratio = 27; 95% CI: 1.1-6.5) and obesity, represented by a mean BMI of 32.2 kg/m² in the patients with SSI and a mean BMI of 27.2 kg/m² in the control group (p<0.0001). The factors related to treatment of the disease were the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1-6.5), the duration of surgery, whose median value was 165 minutes for the patients who developed the infection and 137 minutes for the control group (p=0.02), and the number of days of use of the postoperative drain, whose median value was 6 days for the patients with SSI and 5 days for the control group (p=0.048). CONCLUSION: on the basis of the identification of risk factors such as advanced stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and obesity, preoperative care for these patients should be emphasized. The use of an accurate surgical technique may reduce the impact of other factors such as surgical time and time of use of the drain.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(4):221-226
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000400002
Purpose: to evaluate the relationdhip between preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve and pain sensitivity of the arm, total time of the surgery, and number of dissected nodes in patients submitted to axillary lymphadenectomy due to breast cancer. Methods: an intervention, prospective, randomized and double-blind study was performed on 85 patients assisted at the State University of Campinas, Brazil, from January 1999 to July 2000. The patients were divided into two groups, according to the intention of preserving or not the intercostobrachial nerve. The surgeries were performed by the same researchers, utilizing the same technique. The postoperative evaluations were performed within 2 days, 40 days and after 3 months. The pain sensitivity of the arm was evaluated through a specific questionnaire (subjective evaluation) and through a neurological physical examination (objective evaluation). Results: the surgical technique was applied to all patients and the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve was related to a significant decrease in the alterations of pain sensitivity of the arm, both by the subjective and objective evaluations. After three months, in the subjective evaluation, 61% of the patients were asymptomatic in the intercostobrachial nerve preservation group and 28.6% in the nerve section group (p<0.01). By the objective evaluation, 53.7% of the patients presented normal neurological examination in the intercostobrachial nerve preservation group and 16.7% in the nerve section group (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed regarding total time of surgery (p=0.76) and number of dissected nodes between the two evaluated groups (p=0.59). Conclusions: these data show that the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve is feasible and leads to a significant decrease in the alterations of pain sensitivity of the arm, without interfering in the total time of surgery and the number of dissected nodes.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2002;24(4):221-226
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032002000400002
Purpose: to evaluate the relationdhip between preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve and pain sensitivity of the arm, total time of the surgery, and number of dissected nodes in patients submitted to axillary lymphadenectomy due to breast cancer. Methods: an intervention, prospective, randomized and double-blind study was performed on 85 patients assisted at the State University of Campinas, Brazil, from January 1999 to July 2000. The patients were divided into two groups, according to the intention of preserving or not the intercostobrachial nerve. The surgeries were performed by the same researchers, utilizing the same technique. The postoperative evaluations were performed within 2 days, 40 days and after 3 months. The pain sensitivity of the arm was evaluated through a specific questionnaire (subjective evaluation) and through a neurological physical examination (objective evaluation). Results: the surgical technique was applied to all patients and the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve was related to a significant decrease in the alterations of pain sensitivity of the arm, both by the subjective and objective evaluations. After three months, in the subjective evaluation, 61% of the patients were asymptomatic in the intercostobrachial nerve preservation group and 28.6% in the nerve section group (p<0.01). By the objective evaluation, 53.7% of the patients presented normal neurological examination in the intercostobrachial nerve preservation group and 16.7% in the nerve section group (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed regarding total time of surgery (p=0.76) and number of dissected nodes between the two evaluated groups (p=0.59). Conclusions: these data show that the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve is feasible and leads to a significant decrease in the alterations of pain sensitivity of the arm, without interfering in the total time of surgery and the number of dissected nodes.