•Disorganized smooth muscle, fibrosis and fewer endometrial glands are characteristics of uterine scars.•Glandular structure could be responsible for healing defects after caesarean section.•Uterine ...scar defects have a fibroblastic highly collagenic stromal reaction.•No correlation was found between biomechanical characteristics and histology.
The rate of caesarean section (CS) is increasing worldwide. Defects in uterine healing have a major gynaecological and obstetric impact (uterine rupture, caesarean scar defect, caesarean scar pregnancy, placenta accreta spectrum). The complex process of cellular uterine healing after surgery, and specifically after CS, remains poorly understood in contrast to skin wound healing.
This literature review on uterine wound healing was mainly based on histological observations, particularly after CS. The primary objective of the review was to examine the effects of CS on uterine tissue at the cellular level, based on histological observations. The secondary objectives were to describe the biomechanical characteristics and the therapies used to improve scar tissue after CS. This review was performed using PRISMA criteria, and PubMed was the data source. The study included all clinical and animal model studies with CS and histological analysis of the uterine scar area (macroscopic, microscopic, immunohistochemical and biomechanical).
Twenty studies were included: 10 human and 10 animal models. In total, 533 female humans and 511 female animals were included. Review articles, meeting abstracts, case series, case reports, and abstracts without access to full-text were excluded. The search was limited to studies published in English.
No correlation was found between cutaneous and uterine healing. The histology of uterine scars is characterized by disorganized smooth muscle, fibrosis with collagen fibres and fewer endometrial glands. As for skin healing, the initial inflammation phase and mediation of some growth factors (particularly connective tissue growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, tumour necrosis factor α and tumour necrosis factor β) seem to be essential. This initial phase has an impact on the subsequent phases of proliferation and maturation. Collagen appears to play a key role in the initial granulation tissue to replace the loss of substance. Subsequent maturation of the scar tissue is essential, with a decrease in collagen and smooth muscle restoration. Unlike skin, the glandular structure of uterine tissue could be responsible for the relatively high incidence of healing defects.
Uterine scar defects after CS are characterized by an atrophic disorganized endometrium with atypia and a fibroblastic highly collagenic stromal reaction. Concerning immunohistochemistry, one study found a decrease in tumour necrosis factor β in uterine scar defects. No correlation was found between biomechanical characteristics (particularly uterine strength) and the presence of a collagenous scar after CS. Based on the findings of this review, an illustration of current understanding about uterine healing is provided. There is currently no validated prevention of caesarean scar defects. Various treatments to improve uterine healing after CS have been tested, and appeared to have good efficacy in animal studies: alpha lipoic acid, growth factors, collagen scaffolds and mesenchymal stem cells. Further prospective studies are needed.
Abstract STUDY QUESTION Is increasing the intensity of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by 30% in the treatment of rectal endometriosis a safe procedure? SUMMARY ANSWER This study ...demonstrates the safety of a 30% increase in the intensity of HIFU in the treatment of rectal endometriosis, with no Clavien–Dindo Grade III complications overall, and namely no rectovaginal fistulae. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A feasibility study including 20 patients with rectal endometriosis demonstrated, with no severe complications, a significant improvement in digestive disorders, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and health status, although the volume of the endometriosis nodule did not appear to be reduced. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 with 60 patients with symptomatic rectal endometriosis. Following the failure of medical treatment, HIFU treatment was offered as an alternative to surgery. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS As the main objective of this study was to examine safety, all adverse events observed during the 6 months of follow-up were analysed and graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and Clavien–Dindo classifications. Secondary objectives included evaluating the evolution of symptoms using validated questionnaires: gynaecological and digestive pain symptoms with a visual analogue scale, health status with the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire, average post-operative daily pain level, and analgesic medication required in the 10 days following treatment. MRI was also performed at Day 1 to detect early complications. Finally, we performed a blinded MRI review of the evolution of the nodule at 6 months post-treatment. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The procedure was performed under spinal anaesthesia for 30% of the patients. The median duration of treatment was 32 min. Fifty-five patients left the hospital on Day 1. MRI scans performed on Day 1 did not highlight any early-onset post-operative complication. Using the Clavien–Dindo classification, we listed 56.7% Grade I events, 3.4% Grade II events, and no events Grade III or higher. At 1, 3, and 6 months, all gynaecologic, digestive and general symptoms, as well as health status, had significantly improved. The evolution of the nodule was also significant (P < 0.001) with a 28% decrease in volume. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The main objective was safety and not effectiveness. The study was not randomized and there was no control group. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS HIFU treatment for rectal endometriosis results in an improvement of symptoms with low morbidity; as such, for selected patients, it could be a valuable alternative to surgical approaches following the failure of medical treatment. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by the company EDAP TMS. Professors Dubernard and Rousset are consultants for EDAP TMS. Dubernard received travel support from EDAP-TMS. Dr F. Chavrier received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS. He has developed a device for generating focused ultrasonic waves with reduced treatment time. This device has been patented by EDAP-TMS. Dr Lafon received industrial grants from EDAP-TMS; he declares that EDAP-TMS provided funding directly to INSERM to support a young researcher chair in therapeutic ultrasound, which is unrelated to the current study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04494568.
Objective
To compare the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic sacropexy (LS) and transvaginal mesh (TVM) at 4 years.
Design
Extended follow up of a randomised trial.
Setting
Eleven centres.
...Population
Women with cystocele stage ≥2 (pelvic organ prolapse quantification POP‐Q, aged 45–75 years without previous prolapse surgery.
Methods
Synthetic non‐absorbable mesh placed in the vesicovaginal space and sutured to the promontory (LS) or maintained by arms through pelvic ligaments and/or muscles (TVM).
Main outcome measures
Functional outcomes (pelvic floor distress inventory PFDI‐20 as primary outcome); anatomical assessment (POP‐Q), composite outcome of success; re‐interventions for complications.
Results
A total of 220 out of 262 randomised patients have been followed at 4 years. PFDI‐20 significantly improved in both groups and was better (but below the minimal clinically important difference) after LS (mean difference −7.2 points; 95% CI −14.0 to −0.05; P = 0.029). The improvement in quality of life and the success rate (LS 70%, 61–81% versus TVM 71%, 62–81%; hazard ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.55–1.54; P = 0.75) were similar. POP‐Q measurements did not differ, except for point C (LS −57 mm versus TVM −48 mm, P = 0.0093). The grade III or higher complication rate was lower after LS (2%, 0–4.7%) than after TVM (8.7%, 3.4–13.7%; hazard ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.007–21.0, P = 0.049)).
Conclusions
Both techniques provided improvement and similar success rates. LS had a better benefit–harm balance with fewer re‐interventions due to complications. TVM remains an option when LS is not feasible.
Tweetable
At 4 years, Laparoscopic Sacropexy (LS) had a better benefit–harm balance with fewer re‐interventions due to complications than Trans‐Vaginal Mesh (TVM).
Tweetable
At 4 years LS had a better benefit–harm balance with fewer re‐interventions due to complications than TVM.
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Is conservative surgery (laparoscopic salpingotomy) cost-effective, using fertility as the endpoint compared with medical management (Methotrexate) in women with an early ...tubal pregnancy?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Conservative surgery appeared slightly, but not statistically significantly, more effective than medical management but also more costly.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Women with an early tubal pregnancy treated with medical therapy (Methotrexate) or conservative surgery (laparoscopic salpingotomy) have comparable future intrauterine pregnancy rates by natural conception. Also, cost-minimisation studies have shown that medical therapy was less expensive than conservative surgery, but there is no cost-effectiveness study comparing these two treatments with fertility as the endpoint.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A multicentre randomised controlled trial-based (DEMETER study) cost-effectiveness analysis of conservative surgery compared with medical therapy in women with an early tubal pregnancy was performed.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS
Included women had an ultrasound that confirmed an early tubal pregnancy. They were randomly allocated to conservative surgery or to medical therapy. The study clinical outcome was the intrauterine pregnancy rate. The payer's perspective was considered. Costs of conservative surgery and medical therapy were compared. The analysis was performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Missing variables were imputed using the fully conditional method. To characterise uncertainty and to provide a summary of it, a non-parametric bootstrap resampling was executed and cost-effectiveness accessibility curves were constructed.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
At baseline, costs per woman in the conservative surgery group and in the medical therapy group were 2627€ and 2463€, respectively, with a statistically significant difference of +164€. Conservative surgery resulted in a marginally, but non-significant (P = 0.46), higher future intrauterine pregnancy rate compared to medical therapy (0.700 vs. 0.649); leading, after bootstrap, to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 1299€ (95% CI = −29 252; +29 919). Acceptability curves showed that conservative surgery could be considered a cost-effective treatment at a threshold of 3201€ for one additional future intrauterine pregnancy.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
A limitation was that monetary valuation was carried out using 2016 euros while the DEMETER study took place from 2005 to 2009. Anyway, the results would not have been very different given the marginal changes in the health insurance reimbursement tariffs during this period.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Conservative surgery can be considered a cost-effective treatment, if the additional cost of 3201€ per additional future intrauterine pregnancy is an acceptable financial effort for the payer.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
None.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT 00137982.
To evaluate the different techniques for Essure
®
microinserts removal and to assess the risk of fracture of the device and the intra- and post-operative complications in relation to surgical ...technique variants
Electronic search in Medline, Scopus and Embase databases using the following keywords: Essure; Essure removal; Essure surgical technique.
Out of 95 articles in the initial database, 17 studies were eligible for inclusion in our literature review. Several surgical techniques have been described in which the most frequent were laparoscopic salpingectomy (LS), laparoscopic cornuectomy (LC), laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy (LH, VH) with en-bloc salpingectomy. There were more fractures of the device with the LS procedure (6.25%) followed by the LC technique (2.77%), while there was no fracture with hysterectomy. However, peri-and post-operative complications were more severe and frequent with hysterectomy in comparison with the LC and LS procedures (respectively 8.1% Clavien Dindo grade 3 for the hysterectomy group, 1.11% for the LC procedure and 0.69% for the LS technique).
Due to the lack of standardised surgical treatment guidelines, a system of care networks for symptomatic patients with adverse effects related to Essure
®
headed by specialised centres may offer a suitable and high-quality management with the appropriate removal techniques within two objectives: limiting the risk of fracture (with an en-bloc removal of the Essure
®
microinserts) and avoiding intra- and post-operative complications.
To report long term pregnancy rate in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated by ovarian drilling. To evaluate predictive factors of pregnancy and possibility of a second drilling.
Retrospective, ...observational, multicenter study.
Gynecologic departments of two teaching's hospitals.
All infertile women with PCOS who were treated by ovarian drilling from 2004 to 2013. The Rotterdam criteria were applied to define PCOS.
Surgical ovarian drilling by laparoscopy and trans vaginal hydro laparoscopy.
The primary endpoint was pregnancy rate after ovarian drilling. The secondary endpoints were the predictive factors of pregnancy and the possibility of a second ovarian drilling.
289 women were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 28.4 months (25.3-31.5). A pregnancy was obtained in at least 137 (47.4%) women after a drilling, and 71 (51.8%) of these pregnancies were spontaneous, 48 (16.6%) women achieved at least two pregnancies after drilling, and 27 (56.3%) of these were spontaneous. The predictive factors for effectiveness were a normal body mass index (BMI), an infertility period of less than three years, an AFC of less than 50, and an age of less than 35. Second drillings were performed on 33 women. Among them, 19 (57.6%) achieved at least one pregnancy, and 10 (52.6%) of these were spontaneous. It appeared that a second drilling was effective either when the first drilling had been successful (pregnancy achieved after drilling) or when it had failed in cases of high AFC (greater than 55).
Ovarian drilling permitted to obtain spontaneous pregnancy for women with PCOS. This surgery could have durably effect permitted to obtain more than one pregnancy.
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